A white ship for Mithlond

It was a beautiful ship. Like many other of the vessels built by the shipwrights of Mithlond she was white like newly fallen snow. Despite being one of the largest ships of the Hardirith fleet, Ithilgalad was sleek, elegant and traversed the waves with swiftness rather than being bulky and slow. Her wooden planks had been masterfully joined together; even in high sea would not a single creak escape her. Upon her masts, many white sails caught the strong gale of the Great Sea and the many blue banners adorned with the symbol of the Loth-i-Lonnath, the Alfirin flower, moved in the wind. In the stern, a flagpole with a banner upon which two white swans mirroring eachother upon a blue background was seen. It was the symbol of Cirionar, the current circherdir of the ship and an experienced seafarer whose house had served Hir Cirdan ever since the creation of the Havens of the Falas.

The ship was now approaching Mithlond after a swift journey from the south, from Harlindon. Since it was in the middle of winter, they had sailed in almost constant snowfall and even the decks were now covered in a thin layer of white snow. Cirionar, standing on the quarterdeck of the ship and with a warm cloak made of white fur wrapped around himself, kept the cold at bay with a cup of warm wine sweetend with honey. The sight of Mithlond at the horizon filled him with memories and thoughts, and a sight escaped him. Soon, he would walk down yet another road in his life. And upon this ship was the last journey upon his current road.

"So comes the day.'' he spoke to himself in a low voice and took a new sip from the cup with the sweet, steaming wine within. "So long time has gone, and yet I have not pursued this path untill now.'' He chuckled to himself. "A mystery even to me."

''Are you mystified by yourself, father?'' Cirionar turned his head and saw the graceful apparition of his daughter walk up next to him. She, like him, wore a heavy pelt cloak draped over her shoulders. Unlike him, she had pulled the warm hood of her cloak up so that it concealed most of her long hair. Only a few silvery strands fell down over her face and moved slowly in the cold wind. "And here I was living in the illusion that my father knew all hearts, since he seems so adept at reading those around him. Yet it turns out that he knows not his own?'' She smiles to him and put both her hands upon the railing; the cold layer of snow that had formed upon the wood troubled her not. She leaned forward to look upon the waves below.

"Perhaps you are, my star. Yet, I am glad that you decided to accompany me upon this journey.'' Cirionar finished the wine and gestured to a servant that was standing on the other side of the deck. The servant, clad in blue, walked forward and took the cup with a bow of his head. Cirionar inclined his head thankfully to the servant and then turned towards Mithlond.

He could see many ships within the harbor. Without their sails, they were resting by the docks. As if asleep, while waiting for the winter to end.

''Let us notify them of our arrival.'' Cirionar spoke to a mariner, whom smiled in return and lifted a silvery horn to his lips. The clear sound echoed over the waves and announced the arrival of Ithilgalad to the great port haven of Hîr Cirdan. Despite the late hour of the day, there was many elvenfolk that moved by the docks, still busy with their choirs. As Ithilgalad entered the harbor, she steered towards one of the less crowded areas of the docks, where few ships lied. Mariners upon the docks helped to tie her ropes so that she would not become adrift, and the gangplank was laid out.

The servant clad in blue returned to Cirionars side and extended to him a beautiful sword, which the elf lord fastened to his belt, on the right side. The mariners of Ithilgalad then, as on a given signal, lined up on both sides of the gangplank. Like silvery statues, they shone in the evening sun, standing in two perfect lines with spears and shields.

''Now, old friend, she is yours.'' Cirionar smiled to the mariner wielding the silver horn by his side and laid a hand upon his shoulder. "Take her and our folk safely home again. Into your care, I trust my home untilll my return. As we have spoken of. '' Cirionar nodded, and continued to smile, but the sadness of parting was visible in his eyes.

''The sea patrols shall not be the same without your all-seeing eyes aboard, Hîr Cirionar. I keep worrying for whom it will be that will point out our mistakes in your stead.'' The other elf smiled back to Cirionar and a hearty laughter escaped him. ''Worry not, my mentor and friend, for I shall watch both over your house and your ship, and all those that dwell there.''

Cirionar looked to his friend again and lowered his hand from his shoulder. He then dipped his head in farewell and walked towards the two lines of mariners to descend the gangplank.

''I shall send you a letter when we have arrived in Celondim. See to it that all my belongings are transfered to the river boat before tomorrow. I will meet with Hîr Cirdan meanwhile to discuss the last details concerning my new duties to Hirgonui Curugirion and the Mithdirith.'' Cirionar spoke before he finally walked down towards the snowcovered cobblestones of the dock, followed by his daughter and a few other of the crew.

The first step upon his new life was taken as his foot touched the snow.