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Valandil and Elrond returned to Tharbad over land.
Gil-Galad and Tar-Aldarion travelled south. They met Cirdan at the coast. He was together with Henderch and Vandilme. The Numenoreans had surprised the enemies fleeing south and easily defeated them. They then sailed back westwards.
Aldarion sailed on Cirdans ship. He gave the command of Hirilonde to Henderch. He was surprised over how familiar the waters were to the shipwright. "You are not the first to cross Ras Morthil," Cirdan replied.
Much of the army sailed back to Numenor, including Vandilme. Henderch followed the king and Gil-Galad to Tharbad.
When the Numenorean commanders were alone, Aldarion asked to Valandils encounter with the Easterlings.
Valandil answered; "We shared no blood as no weapon were drawn. The Easterlings laid down their arms and cross the great river to the east; promising never to return."
Valandil was visible proud of his achievement, but the king was not impressed. He said; "I drew my weapon to fight a creature of the enemy, but it was killed by the Great King of the Noldor before I had the chance myself."
Henderch proudly stated; "I drew my weapon and I killed five people from the south, more than anyone else. We hid in tall grass and they ran directly into us. We killed many, as they were unprepared for this. The elves also killed many with their arrows and the rest laid down their arms and surrendered. We killed three hundred of them in total"
Valandil asked; "How many Numenoreans lost their life?"
"We lost only forty men in the close combat. The elves lost none as they never came close to the enemy. We buried our dead in the sea on our journey back here;" Henderch said.
Valandil asked about Vandilme, and Henderch answered. "The lady never left the ship and journeyed into the land with me. I let those with little courage stay with the ships!"
The Numenorean commanders were impressed by Henderchs story, and Aldarion felt he had to comment.
Well done, my Captain. You clearly have seen more action than any of us here. I envy you. Let us return to our home, and hope that the evil has gone, and that the people of Middle Earth will appreciate the Numenoreans even more now."
Valandil then said; "My King, I have a request, I would like to return to Lindon with Gil-Galad, before travelling home. It would be appropriate if we always had a representative of Numenor at the Great King!"
Aldarion approved Valandils request; with a dozen men including his own son Isildil, Valandil rode with Gil-Galad and Elrond over land back to Lindon. Gil-Galad gave a speech thanking Numenoreans for coming to the aide of Middle Earth.
Aldarion travelled to Vinyalonde and sailed with Hirilonde back to Numenor- He ordered Henderch to stay in Vinyalonde as a few ships would have to return there for another trip to get all men back,
Valandil stayed Lindon that summer. He and his son became close friends with Elrond.
When Aldarion returned to Romenna, the city was decorated with banners. The harbor were filled with cheering people, most of them women.
Vandilme welcomed the king. She shouted; "Numenor welcome its victorious King!"
Many of the men drew the sword they had been given by Celebrimbor and held it in the air to salute the people in the harbor.
His men looked at their King, but Aldarion did not draw Aranruth!
"The women will be disappointed if we do not celebrate the victory;" one of them said.
Aldarion said; "Some of them will be disappointed anyway!"
The men did not understand him.
Aldarion continued; "Those who wait for someone but do not know his hroa now lies at the button of the sea"
The king raised his arm to salute the people.
In Lindon, a Numenorean ship returned after Valandil and his men. Valandil asked if his son Isildil could stay with Gil-Galad as an ambassador to the High King. Gil-Galad approved.
As Valandil was about to leave Elrond approached him. He handed him Narsil.
"I have the gift of foresight, and I see in the house of Valandil, the descendants of my brother, that will preserve the Edain for the coming ages. This sword now belongs to the house of Valandil. In hands of which it will stop evil." He said.
Valandil bowed; "I appreciate this!" he said.
Aldarion placed Aranruth next to the throne where it had been for centuries. "I wonder which hands will pull you from the scabbard the next time." He said to himself.
In his house in Andunie, Valandil placed Narsil.
Next spring a rider came to Ondosto and the house of Isilme. He announced he wanted to speak to Vandilme. It was Henderch.
Vandilme welcomed the Kings Captain and asked to his business.
"I seek the hand of your daughter, Telume;" Henderch stated, "the daughter of a lady of the sea is an appropriate wife for a captain."
Isilme came and stood with her daughter; "-and what have you achieved that would make us interested in your proposal?" She asked.
"As your daughter knows, more enemies have fallen for my sword, than any other Numenorean can claim!" Henderch proudly replied.
Vandilme then asked; "that I know, but what have you achieved here in Numenor?"
"I am the Kings Captain!" Henderch stated irritated.
"Do you speak the Haladin language;" Isilme asked.
"I seem to be wasting my time, you are welcome to contact me in Armenelos or Romenna, should you be more friendly towards me," Henderch stated and turned his horse around to leave. He passed several people that was outside the big stone house in different business. One of the last of them, a young girl, said to him; "You should learn it, we are not many Edain who speak it left."
Henderch looked back at her. She smiled to him. Henderch understood who she was. Without anybody noticed he gave her a small white diamond.
"From Middle Earth;" he said, "please wear it when you come to Armenelos."
Without commenting he continued back to Armenelos.
At the house, Vandilme said; "I know him well, a brave but simple man. He might grow wiser."
Isilme said; "not all men grow wiser, some grow angrier. Only if he grow to share more love and less blood, Telume could meet him.