The Tower of Elostirion

[Cirdan the Shipwright]

Elostirion, tallest of the three elven towers that stood in the far west of Arnor, near its border with Lindon. In times long past a palantir had been held here by the elves of Lindon but those days were long gone and the towers lay empty and abandoned, the palantir having been taken across the sea by Elrond. Without the palantir the elves saw little point of lingering and so joined the land of Lindon, leaving the three towers abandoned.
Today, however, Elostirion was visited by Cirdan, Lord of Lindon. In the second age he had journeyed here many times with Elrond and Gil-galad to consult the palantir and now, as the age of his people faded, Cirdan came here to remember the past and contemplate the future.
Was it time for him to pass into Valinor? That was a question that Cirdan had asked himself countless times since the end of the third age. Surely he was like this tower. a mere remnant of greater days when proud elf-lord challenged Sauron himself. Of all people he missed Gil-galad whom he had raised as a son since the first age. Perhaps it was his time to pass on as well? After all the elves did not need him to build boats anymore as he had taught the art to many other.
It was with these melancholy thoughts that Cirdan wandered the tower, contemplating on whether or not to leave middle earth.

[Eglaneth Alatáriel]

Needing some time away, Alatáriël wandered outside the borders of Imladris and traveled west. She had dwelled within the borders of her home for a long time without stepping out. She was restless. It had been years, many years since she had last ventured in Arnor. She had explored the ruins of the old Elven city of Ost-in-Edhil and the ruins of Annúminas, the once great city of the kings of Arnor.

Today, Alatáriël returned to the kingdom of Arthedain. She came upon Tower Hills where the three White Towers stood. They were the destination of pilgrimage to many wandering Elves. Some would even gaze to Valinor through the palantír. However, this was not Alatáriël’s reason to the journey.

She had never been to Tower Hills, nor seen the White Towers. Of course, most journeying Elves didn’t until they came from while on their way to the Havens. Most of her kindred, the Noldor, had returned to the Blessed Realm long ago. But she was not ready to sail, if ever. She wondered if she was destined for such a great journey. She was still bound to Middle-earth, still had duty, and was not to leave until every Elf in Imladris had left, for they leave before their ruler.

She dismounted from her horse and continued on foot as she came upon the hills. She gazed out at the sea. She liked the sea. The Noldor were once banished from Valinor, for the Kinslayings of the Teleri in Alqualondë. Fëanor and his sons became the downfall of the Noldor race. Although their deeds displeased her, Alatáriël held no grudge against them. They were her kindred after all.