Natural History of Middle-earth: A Tour by Himring

A Deadly Fleet

Vingilot, Late First Age

Characters: Earendil and the three mariners who accompanied him on his last voyage: Erellont, Falathar, Aerandir

The image prompt showed several examples of the Portuguese Man of War, a kind of jellyfish, also known as bluebottle. (link: The Portugese Man of War)

‘Have the Valar sent out a fleet against us?’ asked Falathar in alarm.

‘No,’ said Erellont, ‘look, they are closer than you think. That means they must be smaller.’

‘Smaller, but maybe not less dangerous?’ said Falathar.

‘They do rather look like helmets, don’t they? As if a host of Oarni were approaching us underwater, with just their crests sticking out?’ Aerandir commented. He sounded far too detached, Falathar thought, who was scanning the waves for evidence of weapons.

‘We are not close enough to Valinor to warrant an attack,’ said Earendil, almost regretfully ‘These are just animals, I think.’

Chapter End Notes

Oarni are a kind of water spirits associated with Osse.