Not for me a quiet life of hearth and home!
No, though I warned them I was not worthy
of the burden they placed on my frail shoulders,
it was decreed that I must take ship far away,
leaving those fair shores, that ineffable light,
and give my all to the cause of defeating the enemy:
my time, my passion, my spirit, indeed my very life.
I had no gift of prophecy, no talent for battle then;
what I acquired came to me only with difficulty.
Neither king nor master was I, but rather a counsellor,
wandering wherever I might, a sage, a friend in grey,
kindling fires of hope and courage and resolution
in those of great hearts and sinewy arms; and
thus, through the lonely, hopeful strivings of long years,
did I prepare the way for the dark foe’s downfall.
And while it was smaller hands which sealed his doom,
I played my part, I think, and soon will return to the blessed West.
Tired am I, weary to my bones; old, too old in body and spirit,
though content to have done what I could to bring about
this new golden age of which I have long dreamed,
and for which I have long striven,
but which I, alas, will see not.
Elendil’s Heir