Today I received word that shipment of the ore arrived, and I would myself see what my lordship’s money has bought, and all in order. Venturing to the forges I saw a crowd of people from the house gathered round a pile of crates. Ararusco was speaking with three beautiful ladies, Nellindiel, Anglarien, and a third whom I did not know, and reckoning what was needed to supply our soldiers: many stores of leather, wax, scissors, a few awls and many needles, chisels and files, lengths of cloth; wool if cloth is not to be had, and suchlike.
I find Ararusco a pretty jovial and pleasant fellow, and level-headed, and not a little conceited. I listened, and learnt the difference between one sort of wire and another, and he wrote a list of all that the ladies said. It was a very long list.
Anglarien was interested in showing a book of sketches, and persuading me to buy a most fine set of clothing with silk brocade woven at twenty-four silver a yard, and a lacy trim, that would come to five gold at least, which I thought too much, and what need is finery when we need make armaments and weapons for our soldiers? Tattered and ruined on the battlefield, and spoilt by blood and gore. And at my saying so, this lady began to cry most hysterically, at which I was somewhat troubled, she reminding me of Maephaer, and Duinien, and Celegeth, and all the other maidens I have offended. I did try to appease Anglarien but I was uncertain what to say. By and by comes another pretty maiden, and Lothelian introduced herself as a metalsmith, and willing to do what service she could.
This business being ended, and the list left in Ararusco's hand, I returned to my rooms, busily studied the books of my lordship, and finding all accounts in good order, I sent a gift of money with a letter stamped with Lord Anglachelm’s seal to Anglarien bidding her to fashion cloaks, black stitched with gold and silver thread, and she can line the cloaks with black silk if she so chooses. Yet I think it a terrible waste.
Thence to the Hall of Fire where Sogadan poured the wine for me, and we ate supper and were mighty merry. I asked Sogadan to write another love-poem but I refusing to tell him who it was for, he chided me and said he would not.
