Ship's harbour, Mithlond, two summers ago
Earcalie was sat on a bench lazily watching the hustling and bustling of the elves at he port busy carrying crates, sails, shouting over the noise, all this while she was munching on some oat biscuits when she heard a louder noise, coming from her immediate vicinity
"WOOF"
"What the!" startled, she jumped and whirled to where the noise came from. She blinked. A dog was staring at her, wagging its tail. The dog had brown fur speckled with white, and something in the shape of its muzzle, the way it was sharp and long that seemed strange to her eyes. A wolf-dog, she guessed
"Hello"
"Woof"
"Hm...." why does it keep staring... "Are you lost?"
The dog tilted its head. It meant no, most likely. "Alright not lost... are you here with someone then? Did you escape your two legged friend?"
Again no vocal response, but the canine creature kept staring at her. And then at the biscuits she was holding. "Aha... that's what you want. Sorry but these are not treats"
The dog whimpered. Of course it would do that. The funny scene drew the attention of a nearby group of elves, who smiled and chuckled, amused. The elleth sighed. "Fine, fine, a small bite if you stop making noise". She broke a biscuit in half, and put one half on the bench for it to... chomp in less than a breath. "Well... satisfied now? If you would be so kind as to show me how you got here, maybe I can help you find your friend"
As an answer, the dog suddenly raised on its hind legs and snatched the last oat biscuit remaining from the elleth's hands "Agh! Menace!"
"Tolog NO! Behave!" an ellon appeared on the passageway running towards them."Daro Tolog!" the dog turned to look at the new arrived elf, woofed then went to lay down next to him. "Dear me... I am so sorry, usually he listens to me but sometimes he can be so stubborn. Are you alright?"
"I am, but the same can't be said for my biscuits". With very long brown hair tied in a braid, simple green clothing and deep black eyes, she recognized the old hunter who lived in a village to the north, near the mountain forests "Baranor. Good to see you, it has been a while. Nice to meet your lovely four legged friend, too"
"Yes, well..." he smiled apologetically. "you know I have always raised my own hunting dogs. Tolog was born a year ago, he has an incredibly sharp sense of smell and runs like the wind. One of my best dogs, if a bit exhuberant at times"
"Just a bit" Earcalie replied sarcastically. "What are you doing here anyway? Errands? You tend to avoid the docks because of all the "ruckus" as you say"
He sighed and crossed his arms. "Well, see... I think it has come the time for me to go. I've been feeling it for a while, my time on these shores is ending and as much as I love Lindon, I long for blessed shores". Here we go again with this topic... thought Earcalie, who masked her expression by closing her eyes and nodding slowly "Understandable, though we'll miss you". He smiled. "We shall meet again on the other side. But there has been one problem that I haven't been able to solve yet"
"What is it?"
"WOOF!". The wolf-dog loudly joined in the conversation. "Tolog. Every time he hears me talking about leaving, he starts barking and runs away. He won't come near me unless I promise a walk in the woods... I am thinking he has no wish to see Valinor"
Earcalie tilted her head. "Of course not, why would he. Even by a dog's lifespan he's very young, all he has ever seen is Lindon, it's his home and doesn't want to leave, seems understandable to me"
"Which is why I have been asking around for someone willing to care for him in my stead... and I might have just found her!"
She blinked. "What? You want ME to keep your hunting dog?"
"Why not? You are not planning to leave these shores anytime soon are you? And you like dogs, Tolog will be a fine companion. I'm sure Histealdo won't complain about it"
She shook her head. True, it wasn't her time yet. True, she always liked dogs and she knew uncle wouldn't object to her keeping the wolf-dog. She intended to plan travels of her own though...
"Woof! Woof!" Tolog was now staring at her again, with that peculiar expression that only canines can do, called by everyone who walks on two legs as "puppy eyes". She sighed. Oh fine..."
"WOOF!". Baranor laughed, and bowed. "My most heartfelt thank you. I shall sail free of worry knowing he'll be well cared for"
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Dog and elleth watched the White Ship leave the Havens a few days later under a beautiful sunset. They stayed until it was but a dot on the horizon, then no more.
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Hills near Dor Lindon, two summers later
"Go Tolog! Go!"
They were en route to one of the caravan stops to resupply. The line of riders laughed heartily when a blur of brown fur bolted ahead of them, zooming up and down the nearest hill while they set up camp. Earcalie whistled to recall the hunting dog once the meal was ready. She handed him strips of beef jerky and fresh water "Here you go, and as you've been a good boy today we'll go scout the woods together tomorrow, hm?"
"WOOF!" The dog bumped her cheekbone with his nose. She smiled. How long until she would too feel the tug of the sea, she had no idea but for now, much like Tolog she was at peace still in Middle Earth.
Tolog: stalwart-trusty one
Daro Tolog: stop Tolog
Baranor: brown one. all names in sindarin
