Author's Notes:  Aragorn's fleet is becalmed at Pelargir.

March 14, 3019

A Wind From The South (Blue)

The ship edged slowly up the long grey firth.  Darkness lay all around, and the oppressive silence was broken only by the slap of water on the bow and the harsh breathing of the labouring oarsmen.  This was not the restful dark of night, but an eerie shadow that seeped from Mordor, smothering the stars and veiling all in blackness. 

But as the sullen gloom pressed down, a soft breeze from the south stirred the heavy air.  Looming clouds parted before the gentle wind and high above the mast a tiny patch of blue sky appeared as the shadows fled.