Aldúya, the 1st day of Lairë
It has only been a day since I last wrote, but I do need to write here, lest this poor journal be forgotten. I do not think I have touched it at all this winter - for reasons which I will not mention here. But I am content now, happy even in my duties to the House, to my studies, and to my family.
There is talk within the House of mounting an expedition to the Hithaeglir, and of aiding some folk of the Woodland realm who had been separated from their companions in the Passes. I have been immured in my study of late, working through several texts on poisons and their antidotes, as well as the herbs required to make them. Already the routine of study and work re-commences, and even should I wish to leave for the Hithaeglir with those of my House I would be unable. I know that Norliriel and Eliriael will be joining the expedition as healers, and they are far more capable than I. Tancamir will be leaving as well, for his Lord has summoned all the Arrows to serve as scouts, and who would he be to refuse?
I will be content, in Imladris, again in the company of my father, and my books, and the other healers and scholars of the House who have not left for the Hithaeglir. And I have a new charge now, a little friend if you will, who I met in Esteldín. The story is brief, but I would write it here for it brings back fond memories.
We arrived in Esteldín in the afternoon, and Tyelco left me to my own devices for a while. Later that evening, as I walked through the encampment, I found myself being followed by a gaggle of children, not more than ten years of age. They whispered, murmuring nervously among each other, before one girl stepped forward, with a furry bundle in her hands.
"Elf-lady, I saw you talking to Master Saelrein ... are you a healer, like him?" She looked up at me, grey eyes wide with awe. She was cradling a large grey and white rabbit in her arms, its ears quivering with fright and pain. I quickly had her set the animal down on a folded blanket, then fetched my satchel of healing supplies. The rabbit had a gash on its forepaw which I treated with salve as best I could, then tied the wound up in a bandage. I was simply going through the familiar motions which Eliriael, Laurelindo and the other healers of the house had taught me. I was no healer by trade, but had become one by necessity, I reflected as the children crowded around me.
The pet rabbit's wound was dressed, and the little girl beamed up at me and offered her name, Nimithil. Her friends crowded around me, one demanding a song of the Eldar, another asking to touch my hair (what a strange request, I thought, as my hair was hardly remarkable even among Elves), another wanting a grand story of battles in ages past. I entertained them as best I could, and the sight of their young and eager faces lifted my spirits. Nimithil returned with a basket, in which four young rabbits slept peacefully. Her rabbit crept off my lap and nestled among her kits, nose twiching contentedly.
"Lady Uilossiel," Nimithil began in a timorous voice, "do you like rabbits? And do you think rabbits like Elves?"
"Why of course, I love rabbits. And I think your rabbit likes me. What is her name?" I replied, trying not to let my face betray my amusement at such a question.
"Her name is Híril. She is a noble lady among rabbits - look at her beautiful grey and white fur, Lady Uilossiel. Is she not beautiful?" Nimithil beamed up at me, stroking the rabbit's fur lovingly.
"Aye, that she is, Nimithil. I have never seen a wild rabbit with this colouring before." I stooped to my feet, extending a hand to pet Híril. The rabbit nuzzled my hand, as if to say 'thank you' and rested its head on my fingers.
"She likes you!" Nimithil clapped her hands together, delighted. "Are you a princess, like Lúthien, who could charm animals with her singing?"
"Nay, child, I am no princess. And neither can my singing charm any living creature, bird, beast, or otherwise. " I was touched by the girl's naivety, and the simple delight she took in life. I put an arm around her, smiling. "Let me teach you a few lines of a song about Lúthien, then."
One of the children produced a harp, and I sang a few stanzas of the Lay of Leithian, beginning with the lines,
"Tinúviel the elven-fair,
Immortal maiden elven-wise,
About him cast her shadowy hair
And arms like silver glimmering…"
The little girl rested with the basket of rabbits on her lap, looking up at me with wide eyes. All the children clapped and cheered when I had finished, all save Nimithil, who sat as if entranced, wide grey eyes glimmering with wonder.
"Elf lady! I must give you a present." She screwed up her chubby face into a frown. "I know the Elves like shiny jewels, and gold and silver, but I have none. 'Cept for a special necklace my Ada gave me on my birth-day, but he said that I ought never to give it away."
I smiled kindly at her, touched by her sudden outburst of generosity. "There is no need, sweet one. Your company is a present enough." Suddenly the child jumped up, eyes widening.
"Oh, but I do have a jewel of my own. A very special one!" She knelt by the basket, smiling at the young rabbits who had awakened and were beginning to climb over their patient mother. "All of Híril's babies have names, I named them myself." She began to point to each one in turn. "The little gray ones are Halmir and Haleth, and the black one is Túrin, for he will never behave when I play with him, and always runs away when I take him out of the basket."
I could not help a chuckle at the little girl's choice of names. She knew her history, then.
"This one is Míril. My little jewel. Look how her fur is grey and white, just like her mother's! " Nimithil scooped up the young rabbit and set her in my lap, something I was not expecting at all. Míril was so small, scarcely larger than the palm of my hand, and sat on my lap contentedly, nibbling her whiskers and looking around with wide dewy eyes at the surroundings.
"She likes you!" Nimithil beamed and clapped her hands. "Do you like her? Míril will be my present to you, Elf lady. She is old enough to leave the nest; as long as you take good care of her she will be happy. She likes carrots very much, but do make sure to cut them up small for her." Nimithil sat down at my side, and began playing with the other rabbits. Most of the other children had wandered off, leaving us alone with the rabbit family. Nimithil began to prattle on about the care and keeping of rabbits, and the little dramas she imagined among them, and what she believed them to be saying when they nibbled each others' whiskers or touched noses.
When we left Esteldín two days later, I gave Nimithil a kiss on the forehead, and also a necklace which hung around my neck, as a parting present. It had been a simple amethyst pendant, a gift from my father, but I knew he would not mind. The trust and companionship this child of Men had given me was more than worth the necklace. She smiled up at me, eyes full of wonder, and held up a small basket lined with straw, with Míril inside.
"I name you Elf-friend, Nimithil of the Dúnedain," I said before we parted. "I will never forget meeting you, and your furry friends. Thank you for entrusting Míril to my care; I am honoured to be your friend."
She smiled up at me, all rosy cheeks and bright grey eyes. "Nana says I may go to Imladris, when I am older. Perhaps I shall meet you there?"
"Aye, just go to the library and ask for Uilossiel. You will most likely find me there," I replied, not having the heart to tell her that I knew not if I would be in Imladris for long, as the house of Vanimar was still preparing for war. And with that we were off, Tyelco riding first upon his sorrel, and I riding Agarel, with the precious basked tucked securely on my lap.
Míril made no trouble on the journey home, and seemed genuinely happy to be seeing the world beyond Esteldín from the safety of her basket. Even now she is resting on my lap as I write this, twitching her button nose as if she too understood what I was writing on these pages. Lachmir has made her a hutch of rowan branches, which is out in the garden, but we leave the door open and she often wanders into the house. I am glad to have a little friend to share the days with, for now Eliriael and the others are so busy with preparations I have had little time to see them again. And studying becomes infinitely more palatable with a furry bundle of white and grey resting on the desk, staring with dewdrop eyes as I mutter the names of herbs, and tinctures, and salves as much as her as to myself. She gives me comfort, and I give her food and shelter. It is a good companionship, and I will cherish every day of it.
