Gilith rarely had time away from her duties. And even when she did, it still wouldn't be the kind of time spent in trivial pursuits as such, but rather reading, learning, and of course, writing. Whether it was as Commander of the Regiment of Starlight, or Ambassador of the Lord and Lady, warden and scout of the Order of Lorien, Gilith was dedicated and took great pride in doing her job right. She'd learned that early on, that sometimes it was socially unpleasant, if only because some needed a reminder of their place within the woods, especially when standing beside her. Good-hearted and gentle did not, contrary to popular belief, mean weak.
"The job is never done, indeed," she thought, standing on the dock of Lorien. Wiping the sweat from their brow, her soldiers had been working all afternoon to load a vessel, a boat which was now docked at the Hythe of Lórien, just about half a mile southeast of Caras Galadhon. Gilith's orders were to set sail due North along the Great River, to deliver a shipment of wine and words of friendship to the Halls of the Thranduil of the Woodland Realm.
Whether it was wine, letters, supplies, or even weapons, she would provide protection. A great Shadow was now lingering above Greenwood the Great, just across the river. Many in Lorien were using a new name for the ancient place, Taur-nu-Fuin, Forest Of Great Fear. Thranduil and his people were still guarding the woods from their stronghold in the north of the forest. Gilith's connections with the Greenwood were strong. By birth she was half Silvan, and she had ventured to the southern edge of the Greenwood many times, and found the company of the Silvan Elves always a pleasurable distraction from the strict etiquette of the Royal court of Lorien. The Wood Elves were simpler folk, lovers of wine, song, and merriment, so she was looking forward to visit the Halls of Thranduil and discover if it was true that Wood Elves were able to drink three times as much wine as the Noldor without getting drunk
A few local elves workers, loaded Gilith's belongings on the boat. One trunk of clothes, two larger trunks of assorted gifts from the Lord and Lady. The smaller bag, which Gilith had slung over her shoulder, contained personal letters and documents from the Lord and Lady for King Thranduil. "Commander Gilith!", called out one of the elves from on board the boat, "It is time to sail, we have a long and dangerous journey ahead of us"
Gilith adjusted the sack over her shoulder and boarded the vessel. The dock lines were released and the boat started to slide away from the port, on the calm water of the small harbor towards the Great River. She looked back at the beauty of the Golden Wood in the dusk. Silver mist sat softly upon the water and on the shore. The boat sailed silently under a wooden bridge. Gilith noticed a figure standing there. She raised her right hand in a salute, the elf of the bridge did the same as the boat disappeared in the mist.
