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In a wide shadowy place he heard a voice. 'Elendil!' it said, 'Alboin, whither are you wandering?' 'Who are you?' he answered. 'And where are you?' A tall figure appeared, as if descending an unseen stair towards him. For a moment it flashed through his thought that the face, dimly seen, reminded him of his father. 'I am with you. I was of Numenor, the father of many fathers before you. I am Elendil, that is in Eressean "Elf-friend," and many have been called so since. You may have your desire.' "What desire?' 'The long-hidden and the half-spoken: to go back.' 'But that cannot be, even if I wish it. It is against the law.' 'It is against the rule. Laws are commands upon the will and are binding. Rules are conditions; they may have exceptions.'