Cennanon leads the way on the steep, twisting path that leads down into the hidden valley of Imladris. Sweet-smelling pines give way to the oaks and beeches that we eledh love so well. There is a sleepy feeling about the valley of Imladris. No evil thing has been here. The night is silent, save for the rustling of leaves as wind passes through the trees and the content noises of small animals as they move about their business, their eyes gleaming in the darkness. Blinking fireflies flit past, briefly illuminating themselves, then going dark again.

Many Years Later...
The Misty Mountains

"Daddy! Daddy!" I call, running down the hallway to the room at the back of the house where my father Cennanon sits behind his potter's wheel, shaping a clay vase.
He looks up and smiles at me. "What is it, Indiel?"
I twirl around, spreading my arms wide. "Spring!" I sing out happily.
"Come, my little one. We will go see spring together," he laughs, standing and washing the clay off of his hands. He takes my small hand in his own large one, and we walk outside together.

If Middle-Earth Entered the 21st Century…
· Frodo would sue the Counsel of Elrond for pain, suffering, and failure to disclose information.
· Tom Bombadil would be institutionalized or become a cult leader.
· Beorn the shape-changer would become a spokesman for human-ursine relations.
· Departed elves would replace “dead white males” as objects of blame.
· Eowyn would command the Rohyrrim, wile Eomer married Ghan-Bur-Ghan’s daughter.
· The Shire and the Elven kingdoms would receive carbon credits from Sauron and Saruman.

It all started when mom and I were driving to a Pro-Life meeting. Mom asked me to read to her the Council of Elrond from the “Fellowship of the Ring” by J.R.R Tolkien. I read to her for probably forty out of the forty-five minute drive to a friend’s house. After we stopped there, we were off again for another thirty minute drive.

From the Shire
Three is company
Then short cut to mushrooms
Dinner at farmer Maggot’s
Song at the Barrow Downs
To the inn at Bree
Eaten at Midge Water Marshes
Then on to Weathertop
Knife in the dark
Stop at Trollshawe
Flight to the Ford
Healed at Rivendell
Council of Elrond
Then to the passage south
Over Caradhas
Down Caradhas
Through the Mines of Moria
Fight at Balin’s tomb
Over the Bridge of Khazad-Dum
Flight to Lothlorien
Caught by Elves
Greeted by Celeborn