Title: Safe Harbour
Author: Tuxedo Elf (Lairewen at SoA)
Rating: G
Warnings: AU? Maybe.
Summary: Cirdan gets a visit from an old friend.
Notes: Inspired by Belle’s beautiful manip, which can be found here: http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v455/tuxedo_elf/CirdanbyBelle.jpg (Warnings for a scantily clad Elf!)

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The old rock was, without a doubt, his favourite place to sit. From here he could see the whole harbour and observe it quietly, away from the hustle and bustle. He found it helped him keep perspective on the world… it was all too easy otherwise to lose himself in the building of the ships, forgetting why he was doing it in the first place.

He breathed deeply, letting the salty sea air fill his senses. There was no smell he loved more, no place he was as content. He knew that even if he one day took a white ship to the blessed realm, he would never stray far from the sea. It was too much a part of him; it flowed as strongly as blood in his veins.

A rush of air and a slight scraping noise caught his attention and he turned towards the source of the sound. There on the rock beside him was a large seagull, staring at him intently with wise, dark eyes.

He smiled at his unexpected companion and lightly stroked the soft feathers on its neck. “You’re a little early,” he said, glancing up at the sky. “Feeling restless, my friend?”

The bird gave a quiet caw, which most would not have understood, but Círdan had long ago learned the language of the sea birds and knew that his friend was indeed restless and reluctant to be alone.

Holding out his arm, he allowed it to hop up and perch on his shoulder. It was an exceptionally beautiful specimen, pure white, with eyes darker than the night and a long, elegant beak. The soft feathers brushed against his cheek, tickling him and causing him to chuckle.

This seemed to amuse the bird and Círdan found his neck the target of the long tail feathers. Laughing, he tilted his head, gently brushing the offending tail away.

“Silly bird,” he said affectionately. “You never change!” At this the gull lightly nudged him and nipped his ear gently in a teasing rebuttal, before settling down on the shipwright’s shoulder comfortably.

The slight sharpness of the bird’s claws had long since ceased to bother Círdan and he too settled down, stretching out his legs and crossing them in front of him, as he thought about the seabird on his shoulder and how long his friend had been coming to see him. It had been years, many years.

They soon fell into a comfortable silence, watching the sky as the sun slowly set over the harbour, the fading light shimmering and dancing on the sea below. Círdan did not need to ask what his friend was thinking, for he knew already. Those thoughts had not changed once over the long years they’d known each other and would not change for many more, if ever.

“It will not be long now,” he said quietly and the bird nodded once in response.

At last the sky gave in to night, and the moon and the stars came out, shining down brightly on the darkened sea. One star though, shone brighter than all the rest.

Círdan stood, extending his arm as the bird moved away from his shoulder. His eyes met the deep black ones and he nodded, reaching to stroke the soft feathers again with his free hand. “Fear not, my friend - we will meet again soon and I will carry your message to your dear ones.”

Another nod and then great wings spread. With a loud cry she took flight, powerful wings swiftly carrying her swiftly away from the harbour, towards the bright light in the sky. Círdan smiled as he watched her leave, knowing she was content as she could be for another night.

“Safe journey, Elwing,” he murmured as he walked back towards his house. “Come home again soon.”

END