III

Long the lords of Andúnië    had lived upon the

Western shore and welcomed,    where the sunlight

waned, the Elven emissaries    from Eressëa in

vessels white, and friendship    found for long bright

years. Elendili, Elf-friends,    and ever did their

loyalty stay strong and    straight their course.

But as the bitterness    toward the Blessed Realm

did grow and gain    a grasp upon Armenelos

and many who might trace    their line to Tar-Minyatar—

Elros, he who though   Half-Elven freely chose

the Doom and Gift which did    his own descendants flee—

the friendship of his people   with the Firstborn failed.

Loathe were king and council    to countenance

the wisdom of the words    which sent the Valar

to urge understanding    and assuage the growing

madness of the Men    who meant to conquer

death—though this was not    a thing that could be done.

The Elendili stood apart    as all their kindred bent

themselves upon the path of power    and of pleasure 

and of domination by defeat    of more defenseless Men.

Then by the word of Gimilzôr,    the grandfather of Pharazôn,

the Elf-friends were uprooted    and sent unto the eastern shore.

Andúnië! Your silver spray    of salt and sea and

mountains looming large    above the lanterned bay

replaced by lower, louder    Rómenna of loyal King’s Men

and the many massive ships    which made their way to Middle-

Earth to take tribute    for its tireless new lords.

Yet Elendili they remained. For though    the Eldar came unto their

friends no more the Faithful    kept the flame of Eru and the

Valar in their hearts, and heeded    both the things they heard

and things they saw as seasons    passed and sanity did

leave their land. And at the last    Amandil was their lord,

and Elendil the Tall, who took    his father’s tasks in times

he was away. Wise they were in    planning and in waiting

for some sign to show them    something of their fate—

and with the news of Nimloth    did they know that time

had come to put in place    such plans as they had made.