Now it was that, yester-eve, I sat upon the sward overlooking the docks at Celondim and pondered the courses of my life that had led me to this point. (For this night I am to begin training in the skills needed to protect our lands and our homes, and that by the re-conviened Loth-i-Lonnath - a name spoken with near reverence amongst my family.)
As the bustle of the early evening gave way to the sweet song of aduiel, I found myself become concerned, my lightness of heart diminished, least I fail in some manner the trials and training that were to come. Alas, in my three hundred and fourty years I had not taken up skill in arms, save the use of the staff - my constant companion in my travels at the coast, and in the hills and forests. No warrior-maid had I ever been, but one content with her life and with the joy of the Sea; of discovery and tale and jest and song, ( though I myself am not blessed with the voice common to we Lindar, that my father says at family gatherings "Aearlinn, little one, recite one of your tales for us!", and the rest of my kin nod approval of his wisdom.) Ever have most of my family and friends been close by, that my life has been happy without question; but now....
My grandsire, my father's sire, and his elder brother lived in those earlier times of unrest, when the shadow of threat was upon the land; aye, even upon all free folk and creatures. They answered the summons, the call to arms of the mustering Falathrim. Though ship-builders by trade, strong of arm were they, and light of heart that the darkness would not be permitted to prevail. They joined the retinue of our beloved Lord Cirdan, and marched east under his banner. Proud had they been so to do, though no doubt they had their misgivings as to whether they would see the fair Havens again. My grandsire fell in that Battle of Dagorlad, he and many dear to him, but my uncle returned to tell the tale of the bravery and deeds done in those days. .
My uncle is oft away, upon his ship or traversing the lands, these yeni past, for the ship-builder was also a warrior from the days of Eglarest and Brithombar. But did I not spend some of the merriest of my childhood days upon the deck of the 'Laer-o-Uinen'! My parents are most busy in Mithlond itself, for more ships have been built these last years than since the time after the Great War. My sister and her family have themselves taken ship into the West, with my grandmother and several other elder members of my kin. And now...now it seems it is my time to choose; to become one of those who wear the Ulios, to take up my skills in sailmaking to aid my family in their endeavours - or to depart.
The beauty of the Lady Elbereth's creations were bright overhead when I finally understood. Never had it been in my thoughts to take the Straight Path myself until I had learnt and explored to my heart's content, the wonders of Ennor. The growing dis-ease, the result of what was transpiring further east would not rob me of my joy or of my confidence in the light. For, as with my grandsire, I would answer the call; to volunteer for training, and with a song (or a tale most interesting to be told) upon my lips.
No warrior, but one learned in the languages of birds and creatures was I, that, even as those in authority had spoken me, I could be of use in the gathering and passing-on of information. My birds would be 'eyes' in the wilds, my friend Gli, a rummaging honey-hungry spy upon anything of ill-will.
As night passed to the first golden touches of minuial, I had turned my face to the tall trees in the distance, and murmured a 'hail' and called to Cugu, who had been my branch-perched companion throughout my first watch in the Havens.
"We have work to do, my friend"..
