To Tarry Yet Awhile

(BFS series)

Westel

The Wizard's Perspective

He sits alone on the quay, dangling his feet above the water, resting his chin on his hands and elbows.

He thinks I do not see…

But I know—

He is lonely.

How must it be for him, to have come so far, to have seen so much—

Yet to have lost it all…

Only to gain more than he can fathom—

When the time comes.

My mind and age-long wisdom tell me he is well, and nearly whole—

He respites here where immortals dwell.

Where he dwells—until he is ready.

Does he know; can he sense the time draws near at last?

The Hobbit's Perspective

He stands inside the thicket, watching me secretly, he thinks, but the sun betrays his robes of white.

He thinks I do not know…

But I see—

He is worried.

He thinks because my span is short, because I'm bereft a normal life—

I have lost it all…

But I see more than he guesses—

My time has indeed come.

Despite his age-long wisdom he cannot tell if I am whole—

If I am happy here where immortals dwell.

Where I dwell—until I'm ready.

And I am; I can sense the time draws near at last.

I wait here, a little longer, hoping you will come.

I want to see that you are well yourself, here at the end.

Come soon, dear friend! May you come soon, to breathe the fresh and healing air.

But if I am gone when you arrive, do not grieve for me! Rest—dream and sing—and make stories for those who dwell here—

Until you, too, can sense the time draws near—

And enter then your Final Blessed Rest.

It's there I'll be waiting.