A summer’s day in the year of 2681, TA.
Tugladlindir walked across the sandy shore, carrying a heavy bolt of sail-cloth upon his shoulder. This was it, he thought – Very soon their fair ship would be ready for the journey across the sea; it would carry him and his love home, for good. And there it was: a ship made of the finest wood available in Lindon, crafted by himself and his son, with some aid from the more skilled shipwrights of the Havens. The ship’s hull and bow was finely curved and made to resemble a great swan, like most other ships that Cirdan and his folk had built. Upon the snowy white wings were painted trees and vines in various colors of green, gold and silver to remember him of the fair mallorn trees of Lórien, the home of his heart. Tugladlindir smiled while watching the roaring sea, and with each step he came closer to the final journey he would ever make.
Even though it was early morning, Cirdamir was already busy on the work site, carefully studying every piece of plank and bolt in the ship to assure it’s quality. He walked slowly around the ship, searching for any sign of weakness or thing to improve, and here and there he took up a fine brush and filled in a few missed spots or added more detail to the already marvellous painting upon the hull, that both he and Tugladlindir had worked on for many weeks. Cirdamir was yet no expert in the great art of building ships, but over the years he had discovered a talent for it and enjoyed every working minute immensly, even though he knew perfectly well what awaited when the ship was ready. Tugladlindir dropped the heavy bolt of cloth upon the shore beneath the work site and started to hum on a tune filled with love and hope; and even the seagulls seemed to sing along, in their own way.
A home so far, so far away
Over the sea, the sea, lies the way!
Sailing the waves, the wind and tide
With you forever by my side!
Across the sea, the sea so great
A sea so wide, so wide and…wait!
A land I see, so green and bright!
It is our home, in all it’s light!
With this swan, this swan we sailed
And the shore, the shore we hailed!
We travelled the sea and tide so fast
And we are home my love, home at last!
As his song ended, Cirdamir made one final stroke with his brush, completing the beautiful painting of trees, vines and various other designs, and he smiled upon the arrival of his father. ”I guess it wont be long now, adar.” Cirdamir said with a light hint of sadness in his voice, though his eyes told differently. He was indeed sad to see his parents leave, but his heart was filled with joy nonetheless, for he knew that they had both longed for this for many long years. ”Cirdamir, my diamond amongst jewels!”; Tugladlindir replied. ”I see you have completed the paintings… I have no words to describe hos beautiful it is. You have captured every essence of the Golden Wood with just a few strokes!”
”I’m glad you like it, adar. I am no artist in the sense of the word, but this I’m very happy with. You contributed much as well though, so do not diminish your own work! The ship is nothing short of fabuolus, and I can only hope that my own ship will be half as pretty as yours.”
Tugladlindir smiled and layed his hands upon Cirdamir’s shoulders, tapping them gently while he spoke in his most rewarding voice. ”My son, your skill in building ships have improved so much over the years, that you may even have passed my knowledge already! I’m confident that your own ship will be twice as fair, when your time comes!”
Cirdamir couldn’t help but smile upon the comment and layed his own hand over his father’s arm, nodding in approval. ”Maybe so, adar – but it will be many years yet. When you have departed, I might not even see a ship for years to come, as my travels might take me elsewhere. And dont forget, I have to watch over Caradin when you are gone.”
Tugladlindir nodded and dropped his smile for a second before speaking again, this time in a lower, more assuring voice. ”Dont forget your sister, Cirdamir. Lothiavien will have need of you too, even though she might not admit it at first.”
”I know, adar. I will take care of them both, to the best of my abilities. Lothiavien usually prefers to be left alone, though.”
Tugladlindir couldnt help but chuckle at the last comment. ”Yes, she’s just as headstrong as your mother, and that’s exactly why I want you to look after her. She will have need of both you and your brother, sooner or later. Speaking of which, where is he?”
Cirdamir looked up and turned his eyes against the Havens, where faint cries and the smashing of swords could be heard in the morning. ”He’s training again, adar. He tries so hard, and he’s improving very fast. His hope to become a famous warrior like in the tales of old, might well prove true some day! He doesn’t say much of your journey though, and I fear he might not have accepted it yet… I trust you will talk to him soon, adar. He needs to talk, and I’m not sure if I can bring him the comfort he needs.”
”But of course I will, Cirdamir! I would never leave my beloved children in despair! And I have high hopes to see your sister before it’s time as well. I sent a message some weeks ago, and it should have reached her by now. We will wait until we are all gathered, and we shall say our farewells like a family.”
Cirdamir smiled and let out a relieved sigh, while turning his eyes towards the foaming sea, admiring the waves and the strength of Ulmo. As Tugladlindir started to prepare the great sail, a sudden gust of wind took hold of his long, loose golden-coloured hair and tangled it all over his face. He laughed with all of his heart as he removed the strands as best he could and attempted to gather all the hair into a knot. Cirdamir laughed and shook his head slightly while trying to convince himself that this is the way it was meant to be. Some day, many years from now, he would build his own ship, with even more magnificent sails and even more detailed artwork upon the hull; and it would carry him home safely on the waves of Ulmo. If only Caradin and Lothiavien would agree to go with him that day, there would be nothing left in Middle-Earth for him – no ties, no chains; it’d just be him and his siblings together, and the whole family would reunite on the other shore, in the undying lands.
”But not yet”, he whispered, so quietly that only the wind could hear him speak. ”Not yet…”
