~Aldúya, Lairë 52~
It was a fine summer afternoon when I returned to Duillond after delivering all my letters and packages bound for Celondim. I was deliberating how I should spend the rest of my day when I ran into Lacarwen! She was in search of a drink for it was a mighty warm day after all and I followed her to the fountain. I could tell that she was about to drink from there when I warned her against it. After all, I had seen hir Gwaedir wash his hands in that very same fountain days ago. Who knew what the elves in Duillond used that fountain for now? They might be watering their plants with its water at best and pidgeons could be taking baths in it at worst! So Lacarwen decided to run down to the river for her drink and I followed, thinking it a much more prudent place to drink.
The sun was glinting off the surface of the water in such a pretty way that I do believe Lacarwen was inspired to go swimming! At first she asked if I could swim. Could you imagine, an elf of Mithlond that did not know how to swim? I must have known how to swim before I could walk! That answer seemed to suit Lacarwen, who immediately entered the cool water and began to swim towards one of the small islands in the river. We meant to hop islands as there are quite a few that dot the river, but we were quite intrigued by the first island and never left. You see, there was some bird’s nest there upon the ground. It was empty, but rested beside a tall willow from whence it must have fallen. I doubt the birds in it were harmed though, as the nest looked quite clean as if it had been unoccupied some time before falling off.
Lacarwen was inspired by the nest’s flight I think, for she soon clambered up the tree deftly and proceeded to jump off one of the high branches and into the water! How daring and brave she is! I may have learned to swim before I could walk, but I do not dare flight when I was born into this world without the wings of a bird! Thankfully, she landed quite safely in the water and seemed to have a good time of it. She invited me to do the same, but I think she understood my hesitation.
We were soon distracted by hir Gwaedir’s appearance, however, upon the opposite shore. He had some wooden stakes and a fishing rod in hand. So we swam over to inquire what business he was about. Apparently, he was intending to build a fishing weir, for there was a nice shallow spot between the island and tall cliff wall. Naturally, we offered to help and even raced in the water with the wooden stakes to bring all of the materials to the island. I accidentally started first, for hir Gwaedir was counting down from “three,” and I thought he meant to simply stop at “one.” But in fact, he passed “one” and said, “go,” as his final word to start the race. Thus it was that I started a moment before Lacarwen. But you see, it really matters little, for she was so fast that she beat me to the island anyway. She really is a very athletic elleth.
Building a weir was quite fascinating work and the three of us easily spent the rest of our afternoon that way. It was hard work pressing the stakes into the sand below, but the water was cool and refreshed us. The sun was fading into a soft pink when I realized how long we had been at our endeavor. So we have proposed to finish the weir another day. I say, it is quite satisfying to throw oneself into this physical kind of labor and see the product of your efforts materialize before your eyes. I hope we can fish in it soon!
