~Menelya, Lairë 47~
Today, I crossed paths with that sulky, mysterious ellon who ruined our first day back in Duillond. He must be some patrol, always pacing this way and that way, down to the stablemaster, up to the market, and so on.
I really was sitting at the fountain minding my own business and talking with an old friend when he came over to bother me! Again, he started whispering to another ellon, all the while glaring in my direction. Well I really could not stand it another moment, so I told him to be out with it and say what he wanted directly to me instead of in that infuriating manner! I forget now what words passed between us for I must have had fire ablaze in my eyes and steam escaping from my ears from sheer anger. He sneered at my youth and how little I knew, and then he sneered at my occupation! As if being a courier was not quite an important and honorable profession. He said my parents must be so proud, but his tone betrayed that he really thought the opposite. Can you believe the audacity? Even for such an old elf!
Luckily, hir Gwaedir turned up just then. I suppose he had seen to his business and came back to find us. Well, I called upon him to defend my reputation as a good and hard-working courier, and he nodded and gave me a reassuring smile. I did not much like hir Gwaedir for his austere manner before, but standing before a rude and hard-hearted ellon really put things into perspective. I would a thousand times prefer hir Gwaedir’s company. After all, he may be quiet and stern, but I do believe he had good intentions at heart to preserve our safety upon the road. Anyhow, he proved to be just as gallant a companion when faced with adversity in the form of an unmannered ellon. He provided many a reassuring smile to me before and after my verbal altercation with the previously mentioned ellon.
In my untempered rage against him, I must have said something either horribly offensive or especially clever for his sneer soon turned more like a grimace and he grew silent before walking away. I think I said something about him being sulky for having lost his fights one too many times. Well, I did really regret my words as he walked away rather morosely. Lacarwen, who had come upon our heated discourse, proclaimed to me, “ the field is yours,” but little did I feel that way when looking upon that ellon’s forlorn retreating figure. At least, that’s how it looked to me. Perhaps he was only turning away to nurse his wounded pride.
It is fascinating to think how in a short time’s course, I have changed very much after being away from home. When I first arrived in Imladris, I was confronted by hir Annunghil and hiril Makanare for something or other about rumors that had been spread. Intimidated by his tall figure, his stern tone of voice, and unyielding countenance, I had immediately dissolved into tears and ran away. After that moment and until we were reconciled, I hid around the valley so that I should not cross his path.
I wonder if it is time and experience that have emboldened me or if it is merely a product of my returning home to a place where I am more myself.
