Part 7

By the time Master Eldacar had reached the top of the stairs, clutching the hand rail and gasping for breath, Eowyn was emerging from her and Legolas’ chambers carrying a small carpet bag.

“I do not climb up here very often,” the scholar explained.

“Come,” said Eowyn, dragging him up another flight of stairs. “I have asked Haldir to join us.”

“Join us where, my Lady?” He valiantly tried to keep up with her. “This is very pleasant—with all the plants...”

Eowyn led him straight across the garden flet, and up another, much steeper, staircase—up and up, right through the Forest canopy—to the tiny sea flet.

Moments later, Haldir joined them. “Thank goodness,” said Eowyn, holding out a hand.

The big elf clasped it. “Your servant has told me what happened. What can I do?”

“For the time being, just keep Master Eldacar safe. Once we are on board, I am sure there will be plenty to do, for all of us.”

He squeezed her hand, reassuringly. Then, “Sir,” he said, turning to the scholar, “take my arm.”

Eldacar did so, though his reluctance was obvious. “You say, my Lady, ‘once we are on board’,” he said. “But how, exactly, do you plan—”

“Please,” said Eowyn, opening the carpet bag, “trust me. And, please, please, I beg you, do not mention what you are about to see to anyone...” She brought out an exquisite oil lamp, enamelled with carantaur leaves and studded with little acorns of carved amber, and, holding it close to her chest, she rubbed its side. “The fewer who know about this, the better.”

…

Master Eldacar frowned.

Smoke was flowing from the spout of the lamp and—Heavier than air, he thought—was pooling upon the wooden platform, forming a thick, white blanket around his feet.

But then—Against every law of nature—it rose upwards, and gathered together—Congealing—into shapes that, to a scholarly eye, seemed to resemble the parts of a body—a breast muscle here; a shoulder blade there; the lobe of an ear; a curving lip...

Eldacar watched, transfixed, as the parts multiplied, were fleshed out, and began to join.

By the gods!

“I am the Djinn of the Lamp,” said the strange new being in a great, booming voice. “Your wish is my command, pretty little mistress.” It bowed to Eowyn, and—Eldacar could have sworn—kissed the air beside her cheek.

“I wish you,” said Eowyn, “to carry us three safely to Legolas.”