I had considered myself a skillful mariner but only now, as I was sailing in the open vastness of The Great Sea I realized I had still much to learn. Using the stars as guide, along the waves the many ships of the Teleri journeyed eastward into the unknown.
Two weeks after leaving The Enchanted Islands behind, Fëa Alquarámë became enveloped in thick fog. The sea grew restless, and within a few hours we were in a full-on gale, my small vessel pitching in the swells. Up we would go and then fearfully plunge, and every time walls of water would come aboard, and showers of spray would be thrown over, deluging me and the cargo.
We had sailed north , and it was not unusual to encounter what I can only describe as ice islands. It was also incredibility cold. The storm has turned the ice fields into a dangerous place, and Fëa Alquarámë was in constant peril of being ground to pieces.
Looking back at it now makes me tremble in fear, and I can say ot was a miracle we sailed through that storm and survive. The waves lashed in fury, against the icy islands, breaking off huge chunks of ice that would fell into the sea with a deafening sound. Fëa Alquarámë demise and mine seemed imminent. Clear rose my voice in a song for Lord Ulmo , pleading with him to calm his rage.
The gale raged for many hours. Somehow Fëa Alquarámë held together, and when the storm finally passed, I could see again the other ships. Some had their sails torn, but they were all still sailing. Land, Beleriand at last appeared on the horizon after 34 days. Seagulls came to welcome the weary ships.
