My Lord Anglachelm,
I hold it my duty to write this letter to acknowledge my absence from Imladris. If it has been noticed with displeasure by my Lord, I must humbly beg forgiveness. There are so many advantages, both of honour and protection, which have arisen from my Lordship’s noble connection and consideration of me, that I am quite unused to them, and I fear that I have made a gross misstep by setting out without leave.
I am ever wont to think daily of his Lordship, and wish him all the goodness in the world, and I did not forget the words that he told me: the lands around Imladris are dangerous, and filled with wicked, despicable men who hate us and hunt us down. So I went at night out of the valley-gate, and none saw me go but the Warden and he does not know my name. It is not that I wished to conceal my passing; I could never hope to hide this matter from my Lord, and every sinking of the sun reminds me that I am away from my Lordship, and of the uncertainty of my return to Imladris. Here in the wilds, I hope to use my skills to the continued service of the House of Vanimar, and daily employ myself in the contemplation of my studies, and think of ways to please my Lordship, and how to persuade the men to turn from evil. It is not enough to leave them to their folly and malice, else it will spill out upon us, if we let it fester. Yet it seems wickedness can never be persuaded away with words and teachings, and I must see these men lying broken and bleeding at my feet. They will say anything when their lives are forfeit.
I shall ever be ambitious of being commanded, if that is my Lordship’s wish,
Your most humble and obedient servant,
Parnard Teludarion
