Legolas stood and gazed out in the direction that Sam indicated, shielding his eyes from the sun with one long hand.

The object of his scrutiny was a small boat, grey, with a high prow. There were marks of great age upon it. It floated low in the water, as if there were someone in it, but no sign of a living being could be seen.

” It is one of the Lorien boats, or I’m a dwarf,” Legolas said.

” Well, you certainly aren’t a dwarf, thank Aule,” Gimli muttered as he came to stand beside the Elf, ” so it must be true then.”

” What are you doing, my friend?” The cheery voice from behind him made Frodo jump.

” Olorin!” The wizard strode forwards, smiling.

” Hello, Frodo, Samwise, Legolas, Gimli. It’s a lovely dawn.”

” Look at that boat out there, Mr. Gandalf,” Sam said, pointing it out to the tall Maia.

” What do you make of it, Mithrandir?” Legolas queried, turning towards him.

” It seems to be one of the boats of Lorien, but very weatherbeaten, as if it had been wandering aimlessly through the Sea for a hundred years,” Olorin said, clearly puzzled.

As they were speaking together, the boat had floated closer to shore. It was almost grounded, but a sudden wave began to turn it away.

“Look at the boat!” Sam cried. ” It’s going out to Sea!” Legolas hastily waded out after it; just barely catching the prow before it went completely out of reach.

” Here is a strange thing,” he called as soon as the boat was beached. The others hurried to where the Elf stood. Looking in, they made a disconcerting discovery. In the boat, which was nearly filled with clear water, was the body of a man.