Hi all,

I'm not sure inserting the frame narrative about Finduilas and her children at top and bottom of each chapter is effective. It might destroy your enchantment by the fairy-tale I try to achieve.

Therefore I have added the following poll at my profile page:

A. Do you like the fairy-tale about Galrivnil with the inserts on Finduilas and her children at top and bottom of each chapter?

B. Or would you prefer the frame narrative of Finduilas' bed-time story to be limited to the beginning and the end of the story?

C. Or would you perhaps prefer the fairy-tale without any referrals to Finduilas and her children?

3. Galrivnil's tasks

The setting sun tinged the chamber bronze and Finduilas took up again the thread spinning the tale further.

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The beautiful hind-woman spoke in the darkness of the night "Man in snake hide, your doom for sure is darker than mine. I only have to find a man willing to marry me. You have to find a maiden that really marries you." After a while she spoke again "Look at me, Snake-Hide, am I really that revolting for you that you cannot even contemplate a marriage with me?"

Galrivnil sat back on his haunches and looked at the hind-woman astounded. "Tell me your name and your father's." he spoke after a while. "My name is Elwaloth, my father's is Elnathir." the hind-woman said. "We are of the line of Elnechil, who came from Numenor with Tar-Minastir's army, and after the war, when Sauron was driven out of Eriador, we settled in the Northern Weather Hills."

"Elwaloth -" Galrivnil spoke to musingly himself. For a long time both sat companionably in the near-darkness lightened by the small fire and tried to study their features while pondering what might come to pass. After a long silence Galrivnil suddenly spoke up with a strong voice "Elwaloth, may you be right. - I herewith pledge to marry you as a hind in the full sun before your father."

Solemnly Elwaloth spoke "I thank you for your pledge, man in snake hide." Looking him full in the eyes she asked "By which name shall I call you? And who are your parents?"

"My name is Galrivnil. My parents' names I can give you not. But I can assure you they are honourable Dúnedain, out of one of the lines of the last Faithful, who came to Middle-Earth after the fall of Numenor and settled in Gondor."

"Galrivnil, son of Dúnedain parents," Elwaloth spoke "I pledge to marry thee in the full sun before my father as a man in snake hide."

The pledges exchanged, the two wonderingly gazed at each other and thought about their future together. When the fire had died down to embers they lay down again and slept until the first daylight seeped in.

When Galrivnil opened his eyes again he searched for the hind. But behold, Elwaloth still had her woman form. Smiling radiantly the young warrior rummaged his saddlebags for a woollen blanket, a cord, and a clasp to provide his bride with clothing.

After the breakfast the betrothed mounted Galrivnil's forbearing steed Amlukyll and rode briskly north to reach Elnathir's realm. Every day at noon Elwaloth became a hind again. The spell lasted as long as the sun stood high. When the shadows grew longer the betrothed resumed their voyage. From time to time they had to hunt and Amlukyll foraged the green he found around him.

After months of travelling they reached Elnathir's hall. Galrivnil wore his glittering helmet when the betrothed were met by the lord of the hall. Though the father was overjoyed to have his daughter back he dubiously looked at the strange warrior who hid his face inside such a precious helm. His daughter bade "Father, please, for my sake, welcome my saviour into our family. I pledged to marry him as soon as you give us your consent."

"Show me your face, stranger. No friend stands in our yard covered in armour, be it mithril or iron." the frowning father asked of Galrivnil. Slowly the young warrior removed his headgear made of shining mithril. Recoiling Elnathir took a step back and all around gasps were heard from gawping bystanders.

"Daughter mine, what is this beast that thou bringest with thee into our homestead?" rasped the lord of the realm. "Hast thou no thoughts for our people to bring evil dragon brood into our midst?"

"No, my father, no! He is no dragon brood. His doom was laid by an Elven spell, as mine was by a Morgul spell. A Morgul spell can be broken, see me father! So can an Elven spell. It will be broken by our marriage so a wise Elven lady gave counsel to Galrivnil, my bridegroom."

"Elven spell or not. Rescuer or not. I do not wish to see this beast in my hall. Give him shelter in the whitecreek-barn." As no one dared to approach the snake-hide man, Elnathir himself came haltingly nearer, and at last looked Galrivnil into the eyes. "Rescuer of my daughter, whom she pledged to marry, reveal to us who are your parents? Where do you hail from?"

"I was born in Gondor and my parents are honourable Dúnedain, out of one of the lines of the last Faithful, who came to Middle-Earth after the fall of Numenor. More I am not allowed to reveal to anybody, Lord Elnathir."

"So, if you are no dragon-brood, though you look the same, I demand of you to bring me a dragon's head before I will ever allow my only daughter's marriage with a green-scaled beast-man. Prove to all my kin and my realm that you are a Dúnedan by slaying a great worm."

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With these words Finduilas ended her third tale of Galrivnil's life. Faramir stared with a far-away look at the ceiling and sighed. Boromir tried unsuccessfully to keep his eyes open. Finduilas smiled and promised softly a dragon-adventure for the next evening.