Today I must write about Ardeghon. What can I tell you of Ardeghon Dalgren, the Warrior Poet? My little Micelscop! Well, he has at last returned from his journey to Aldburg in the Folde that he had made with Hyrien whom he affectionately refers to as 'Lady Flat-Chest'. Aye, Branston, Ardeghon was born in Aldburg, he is Eorlingas also, although it is a little known fact that he also has the blood of the descendants of Númenor flowing through his veins and suffered because of it when he was a lad.
There is much he can teach you. His prowess with the sword is but a joy to watch! His footwork is a dazzling display of agility, oft moving swifter than the eye, complimenting an almost theatrical performance with a collection of swords that any man would be honored to own. Which brings me to the purpose of his visit, to meet you and bring you a gift...
Upon his arrival, after I had leapt into his arms in greeting he handed me something wrapped in silk. He took it from me and unwrapped it to reveal a beautiful ornate sheathe with a golden lining. The sheathe is of Rohirric design in the shape of charging horses running up it until they reached the hilt. "Unsheathe it" he commanded, and my eyes could only look upon it in wonderment as I slid the heavy blade from the beautifully crafted sheathe. The sword he has gifted to you, is exquisite, if indeed a sword should be described as such, but that is how I would speak of it. Ardeghon proudly told me of the engravings upon the blade, on one side it reads 'Live only for yourself.' "I thought that would be advice Branston's father would've given him" he said. "And then I made a little addition of my own"; 'Die for others.' "it says on other side". Ardeghon then named the sword "His father gave him Dawnbringer" he proclaimed, "I'll name this sword Nightfall, for there can be no dawn when there has been no night, and there can be no night when there has been no dawn."
You are but a babe and this is the second sword that you own, I shall dedicate a few lines to tell you about the other. In his last will and testament, your father, Hardoleth bequeathed his own sword "' Dawnbreaker' to you, which he renamed 'Dawnbringer' to bring hope into your life, his son. My heart was glad that he acknowledged you in his last moments and honored you.
Two swords Branston, from two very different men, both will serve you well.
Ah, I digress, for this page is dedicated to Ardeghon, whom I would describe as a love, never made, for that is how close we are. Wherever he goes, he carries about his person a book, and I am sure he will share the musings in it with you. And what did I ask of him for you? That is simple, nobody has the gift of words that he has, he uses them as aptly as his blade, I have seen him tarry his way out of many predicaments, and silence the wisest and most foolish of people. Be warned son, you will never get the last word with him!
I have but two tasks for Ardeghon! The other is of great import also, I have asked him to counsel you on matters of love, for he is a true advocate of love, and once said unto me that it is impossible to tread upon the wrong path if it leads to love. Micelscop and I quarrelled endlessly on the subject, I ridiculed love and all that went with it, I wished no part in it. I would be reluctant to admit this to Ardeghon, as I would n'er hear the end of it, but he was right. I found love with your birth father which will remain with me all my days, and now I love Deredan with all my heart and soul, and he loves me also If you find such a love, for even just a day in your life, it will be the most precious day you have.
I could write many pages, for we have shared much, including a venture to Ered Luin with Lord Gerwolf and some members of The Bloody Dawn. Ardeghon served in the Dawn for a while under your father, that is how we met. He saved my life on that trip, we were comrades in arms and he counseled me over my anguish at having killed for the first time.
Ardeghon Dalgren, one day you will find a word befitting of our friendship, I am blessed to know you, now I am lost for words to convey how much you have touched my heart.
Ardeghon Dalgren - Micelscop - The Warrior Poet.
