The Sea Calls Us Home

The captain of the marina in Pelargir watched from the deck of his own sturdy vessel as the elfwoman tied up her small craft in an available slip. They saw few elves these days and certainly none in any ships or watercraft. The only reason for them to be on the water was to leave Middle-earth for the Undying Lands, and they sailed from the Grey Havens as they always had since before his ancestors had settled in this port of call.

She would have caused a stir on the wharf in any case, elf or no. Women did not frequent the docks so freely unless they were harlots, and her carriage spoke of high breeding and nobility. She walked down the pier like a queen of Gondor, and indeed looked like the description of Arwen Undómiel in all the great tales. With her long curtain of hair as black as night and a tall form as graceful as a willow tree, this she-elf could be Elessar’s queen stepped out of the romantic ballads recounting their long love story. But the King was dead, his son Eldarion now ruling Mankind, and his once-immortal love now gone and presumed dead in the Golden Wood of the Elves.

Nor was the queen known to be an expert sailor, or have even boarded a ship of any kind. Captain Cardolan thought perhaps she could be one of Arwen’s children, for the royal couple had produced several daughters. However, this elven daughter was an independent and solitary sort, and all the princesses of Gondor had been married off to proper husbands. None would be found sailing into Pelargir alone. No, this was a singular woman and he would soon be able to satisfy his curiosity. She was headed his way.

“Are you captain of this port, sir?” she called over to him. Her voice was soft and melodic, but it carried well across the dock to him. “I would have a word with you, if you can spare the time.”

“As much as you please, my lady,” he answered. “I was just about to go below for some supper. Would you care to join me?”

She seemed to think about it for a long moment, but finally responded, “Perhaps another time. I have many details to see to and would like to get to as many of them this evening as I can. I was hoping you might be able to point me in the right direction?”

Amiably, Cardolan said, “I will be happy to do what I can. Will you come aboard?” He extended a hand to steady her over the side of the boat. He doubted she needed the help, but she was gracious enough to except it nonetheless.

Guiding her to a seat on deck, the captain then sent for some wine and sat down across from her. He thought he had heard and seen it all, but her brisk introduction took him by surprise.

“I am Mídhenaer, daughter of Círdan the Shipwright, and I am on an errand for my father while he is across the Sea. I need to book passage up the river to Ithilien, as well as lease a slip for my own craft while I am away.”

“Nothing is easier, my lady. I myself am getting ready to take a ship up the river to the capital. From there we can find you transportation the rest of the way. My rates for the slip are reasonable as well.”

She nodded in acknowledgment then added, “I also need to speak with a reputable tradesman dealing in lumber. Do you know of such a man?”

“Not off the top of my head, my lady, but I have no doubt we can find one for you,” he responded. “Is there anything else?”

“Just a place to lodge until your ship sails.”

“You may lodge here on the ship, my lady,” Cardolan said. He thought she might be anxious, thinking herself the only female on board, so he added, “I will send my wife to you to help you settle in if you like.”

“That is kind of you, Captain. You seem to be the answer to all my needs all rolled into one.”

He grinned, honored to be able to serve the great Círdan’s daughter, “Then I hope you will reconsider my offer to sup with us?”

“Sir, now I have no reason to refuse.”


Captain Cardolan wasted no time in introducing his young wife to the venerable elfwoman. Mistress Petronilla was a pretty blonde with a winsome and lithe frame. She had married the captain only the year before, a second wife to him, and had not yet given him a child. Her hope was that spending time with him more frequently aboard The Ainulindalë instead of at their home in town might produce that first offspring they both desperately craved.

In the meantime Petronilla was thrilled to be able to act as Mídhenaer’s companion on the cruise up the Anduin. Eager to please bother her husband and their guest, the captain’s amiable wife provided a generous supper that the crew would have envied if they had been aboard. However, as the ship still had several days before departing, Cardolan gave them leave to go into the town to enjoy themselves while they had the opportunity. While on duty he did not tolerate drunkenness or insubordination – better the crew get it out of their system now!

Consequently, they were largely alone on board; so when the sound of footsteps echoed above their heads on deck Cardolan stiffened in his seat.

Gravely, he pushed his chair back from the table and said, “I’ll go on deck to see who’s prowling around up there. You two stay here…”

Petronilla gave Mídhenaer a brief anxious look, but then forced a smile when her companion patted her hand sympathetically.

“I’m certain it’s nothing, mistress,” Mídhenaer assured her calmly.

Please call me ‘Petra,’ my lady,” she replied, trying to ignore what might be happening above deck.

The elfwoman nodded and replied, “Nor must you be so formal with me, Petra.”

“That is kind of you, my lady,” she answered, “but my husband would not favor me doing so…”

With a quirk of a smile and a raised eyebrow, Mídhenaer stated, “What is private between us is of no concern to Captain Cardolan. If you are to be my companion on this trip then we should be friends, should we not?”

Petronilla smiled gratefully, “Indeed, Mídhenaer! Can you tell me more of your errand to Ithilien?”

As she began to explain, the captain returned below deck accompanied by another man – a tradesman by the looks of him. He seemed to be middle-aged and well-fed, so a prosperous tradesman at that.

“My lady,” introduced Cardolan, “this is Barach, the lumber merchant. I am given to understand that he is considered the best at his trade in Pelargir.”

“Captain, you are indeed a marvel,” Mídhenaer smiled warmly. “So far you have been able to accommodate all my needs. I look forward to setting sail with you.”

Very pleased by her compliment, Cardolan finished the introductions and then stepped back to allow Mídhenaer to conduct her business with the man. Drawing his wife aside as well, he sent her off to make sure their passenger’s cabin was all prepared while he cleared the table of their supper.

By the time he joined Petronilla in their own quarters a little later, the lumber merchant was on his way back to town with a generous order for hardwood and hardware to follow the elven woman up the Anduin to Ithilien.

This would be a most profitable trip!

-end of Chapter Eight-