are mirrored on the Shadowmere。
He tarried there from errantry；
and melodies they taught to him；
and sages old him marvels told；
and harps of gold they brought to him。
They clothed him then in elvenwhite；
and seven lights before him sent；
as through the Calacirian
to hidden land forlorn he went。
He came unto the timeless halls
where shining fall the countless years；
and endless reigns theElder King
in Ilmarin on Mountain sheer；
and words unheard were spoken then
of folk of Men and Elvenkin；
beyond the world were visions showed
forbid to those that dwell therein。
A ship then new they built for him
of mithril and of elvenglass
with shining prow； no shaven oar
nor sail she bore on silver mast：
the Silmaril as lantern light
and banner bright with living flame
to gleam thereon by Elbereth
herself was set； who thither came
and wings immortal made for him；
and laid on him undying doom；
to sail the shoreless skies and e
behind the Sun and light of Moon。
From Evereven's lofty hills
where softly silver fountains fall
his wings him bore； a wandering light；
beyond the mighty Mountain Wall。
From World's End then he turned away
and yearned again to find afar
his home through shadows journeying；
and burning as an island star
on high above the mists he came；
a distant flame before the Sun；
a wonder ere the waking dawn
where grey the Norland waters run。
And over Middleearth he passed
and heard at last the weeping sore
of women and of elvenmaids
in Elder Days； in years of yore。
gut on him mighty doom was laid；
till Moon should fade； an orbéd star
to pass； and tarry never more
on Hither Shores where mortals are；
for ever still a herald on
an errand that should never rest
to bear his shining lamp afar；
the Flammifer of Westernesse。
The chanting ceased。 Frodo opened his eyes and saw that Bilbo was seated on his stool in a circle of listeners； who were smiling and applauding。
'Now we had better have it again；' said an Elf。
Bilbo got up and bowed。 'I am flattered； Lindir；' he said。 'But it would be too tiring to repeat it all。'
'Not too tiring for you；' the Elves answered laughing。 'You know you are never tired of reciting your own verses。 But really we cannot answer your question at one hearing！'
'What！' cried Bilbo。 'You can't tell which parts were mine； and which were the Dúnadan's？'
'It is not easy for us to tell the difference between two mortals' said the Elf。
'Nonsense； Lindir；' snorted Bilbo。 'If you can't distinguish between a Man and a Hobbit； your judgement is poorer than I imagined。 They're as different as peas and apples。'
'Maybe。 To sheep other sheep no doubt appear different；' laughed Lindir。 'Or to shepherds。 But Mortals have not been our study。 We have other business。'
'I won't argue with you；' said Bilbo。 'I am sleepy after so much music and singing。 I'll leave you to guess； if you want to。'
He got up and came towards Frodo。 'Well； that's over；' he said in a low voice。 'It went off better than I expected。 I don't often get asked for a second hearing。 What did you think of it？'
'I am not going to try and guess；' said Frodo smiling。
'You needn't；' said Bilbo。 'As a matter of fact it was all mine。 Except that Aragorn insisted on my putting in a green stone。 He seemed to think it important。 I don't know why。 Otherwise he obviously thought the whole thing rather above my head； and he said that if I had the cheek to make verses about E。rendil in the house of Elrond； it was my affair。 I suppose he was right。'
'I don't know；' said Frodo。 'It seemed to me to fit somehow； though I can't explain。 I was half asleep when you began； and it seemed to follow on from something that I was dreaming about。 I didn't understand that it was really you speaking until near the end。'
'It is difficult to keep awake here； until you get used to it；' said Bilbo。 'Not that hobbits would ever acquire quite the elvish appetite for music and poetry and tales。 They seem to like them as much as food； or more。 They will be going on for a long time yet。 What do you say to slipping off for some more quiet talk？'
'Can we？' said Frodo。
'Of course。 This is merrymaking not business。 e and go as you like； as long as you don't make a noise。'
They got up and withdrew quietly into the shadows； and made for the doors。 Sam they left behind； fast asleep still with a smile on his face。 In spite of his delight in Bilbo's pany Frodo felt a tug of regret as they passed out of the Hall of Fire。 Even as they stepped over the threshold a single clear voice rose in song。
A Elbereth Gilthoniel；
silivren penna míriel
o menel aglar elenath！
Nachaered palandíriel
o galadhremmin ennorath；
Fanuilos； le linnathon
nef aear； sí nef aearon！
Frodo halted for a moment； looking back。 Elrond was in his chair and the fire was on his face like summerlight upon the trees。 Near him sat the Lady Arwen。 To his surprise Frodo saw that Aragorn stood beside her； his dark cloak was thrown back； and he seemed to be clad in elvenmail； and a star shone on his breast。 They spoke together； and then suddenly it seemed to Frodo that Arwen turned towards him； and the light of her eyes fell on him from afar and pierced his heart。
He stood still enchanted； while the sweet syllables of the elvish song fell like clear jewels of blended word and melody。 'It is a song to Elbereth；' said Bilbo。 'They will sing that； and other songs of the Blessed Realm； many times tonight。 e on！'
He led Frodo back to his own little room。 It opened on to the gar dens and looked south across the ravine of the Bruinen。 There they sat for some while； looking through the window at the bright stars above the steepclimbing woods； and talking softly。 They spoke no more of the small news of the Shire far away； nor of the dark shadows and perils that enpassed them； but of the fair things they had seen in the world together； of the Elves； of the stars； of trees； and the gentle fall of the bright year in the woods。
At last there came a knock on the door。 'Begging your pardon；' said Sam； putting in his head； 'but I was just wondering if you would be wanting anything。'
'And begging yours； Sam Gamgee；' replied Bilbo。 'I guess you mean that it is time your master went to bed。'
'Well； sir； there is a Council early tomorrow； I hear and he only got up today for the first time。'
'Quite right； Sam；' laughed Bilbo。 'You can trot off and tell Gandalf that he has gone to bed。 Good night； Frodo！ Bless me； but it has been good to see you again！ There are no folk like hobbits after all for a real good talk。 I am getting very old； and I began to wonder if I should ever live to see your chapters of our story。 Good night！ I'll take a walk； I think； and look at the stars of Elbereth in the garden。 Sleep well！'
Chapter 2
The Council of Elrond
Next day Frodo woke early； feeling refreshed and well。 He walked along the terraces above the loudflowing Bruinen and watched the pale； cool sun rise above the far mountains； and shine down。 Slanting through the thin silver mist； the dew upon the yellow leaves was glimmering； and the woven s of gossamer twinkled on every bush。 Sam walked beside him； saying nothing。 but sniffing the air；