A Sense of History: Straight Road
The next in a series of articles about ships passing to and from the West, Simon uses "The Fall of Númenor" to attempt to arrive at Tolkien's reading of the exordium to "Beowulf."
This belongs after my story The Fairest Vessels that Ever Sailed, in the On Secret Looms Entwined series. The prompts were "elegant, response, danger, eyes."
Russandol greeted her, elegant and diplomatic as always. "Dear cousin! We had not thought to see you here unsummoned, but you are welcome."
Alatáriel bit off her first response unspoken and replied "after seven years among the Falathrim, I thought it time to travel. My brother tells me you are planning a council?"
Carnistir cut in, his eyes flashing with danger. "You didn't bring that, that sailor with you, did you?"
Alatáriel replied smoothly, "of course. Teleporno needs a change of scenery as much as I do." A spark of danger kindled in her own eyes. "Why do you ask?"