Near the borders of the Trollshaws, before he left the lands that were protected by the Valar and his kin, Armanduil steered his horse towards a ridge. He dismounted and let his horse drink from the river. Meanwhile he stared in the distance and the road ahead. The barren wasteland holds many dangers, he could see a flock of crebain flying southwest over the main road. He was approached by one of the border wardens that appeared beside him silently and whispered gently "Mae g'ovannen, you wish to enter the lonely wastes to the west?". Armanduil placed one hand on his chest and bowed slightly out of courtesy and nodded "I have little time, I must depart soon". The warden pointed out in the distance " The shadow lies over Haragmar, north, follow the road but be mindful of the Crebain, the road is watched. Best leave at dusk and ride hard during the night, from there you should be fine. Novaer! ". The warden disappeared as quickly as he appeared. Armanduil decided to wait a while for dusk. Time passed quickly as he stared at the pendant in his hand, the silverblue glow was lost. The dark stone of the pendant now felt cold and barren in his palm. Thoughts and doubt mingled in his mind as he overlooked the wasteland before him.
When the sun settled on the horizon he prepared to leave. The journey through the lone lands was long and without hindrance as predicted by the warden. Armanduil rode swift only stopping when his horse needed water or rest. After ten days, when he passed unseen through Chetwood, Bree lands and Shire-lands the Grey havens were drawing close. He could already hear the sound of sea gulls and the fresh air of the coast. Slowly he approached Mithlond, how he missed the sea after spending a year in the vale of Imladris. The banners were dancing in the wind and the dawning sun shed a mystic light over the gallant buildings of Mithlond. The early sunrays flickered like starlight over the bay waters as the docked ships were swaying gently at the harbor. Armanduil rode to the stables of Mithlond and left his horse there at the horse-tender. It was time to say goodbye to his trusted steed, he placed his forehead against that of the horse and whispered his words of farewell.
He was searching for a mariner that would take him to Forlond, his home. After a few hours he found a ship that was willing to take him along to Forlond, the ship would depart in four days when a shipment of wine would arrive from Falathlorn. Meanwhile Armanduil found a place to wash and resupply himself after his long journey. His clothes were not fitting for the departure ceremony that would be held in Forlond so he requested a suitable robe from a renowned tailor. The tailor measured his size and began working on a new robe right away. It was a blue silken fabric with very tiny shards of an unfamiliar mineral. When Armanduil tried it on it seemed as if the robe was a resemblance of the night sky as the minerals reflected the light like stars.
Armanduil overlooked the silent bay of Mithlond, within a few days he would finally be home again. He was wondering what he would say to his mother, he could find no words to express what he really felt.
