~Aldúya, Lairë 23~
I must say that I have now grown very accustomed to delivering letters all around the elven dwellings of Ered Luin. My feet go one in front of the other beside the plodding hooves of my horse and I am at my destination without even giving a thought to how I got there. Such are the benefits of routine: your muscles move you along without you needing to give much thought to it. But therein lays the dreariness of routine. There are no new sights and smells that fill me with curiosity. I know exactly what rolls the baker has laid out when I pass by him in Duillond on my way to Celondim.
So I find myself waiting each month for the market in Duillond. There are always new visitors who come with different wares. If I am fortunate, there is usually a dwarf or two. This month, Glorendir brought delectable pies that I could not resist. He did not even want anything in return…such a gallant fellow. Aeriaeth was there as well. She was not selling wares, but she had pockets full of many curiosities, such as sea glass. She even had a precious pair of sea shell earrings which she gave to me. I shall treasure them always for they are a gift from my dearest friend.
This market was the first time I decided to sell something of my own. At first, I only attended the markets to watch on and catch little bits of gossip, but soon I began to see so many things I would like to trade for. And in order to trade, you must have something to give in return. Thus, on my walks between Celondim and Duillond, delivering packages and letters, I allowed my feet to walk me blindly as I deliberated on what wares I could sell. I am no craftsman and my profession as a courier does not leave me with items to trade. But as I handed a rather long scroll of parchment, rolled many times over itself, to the shoemaker, Dolengyl, it occurred to me that I might have a long love letter in my hands. Then I thought it looked rather plain for a confession of tender love, and I thought to myself how much more appreciated Dolengyl would feel if there were decorations of flowers and hearts all along the parchment! Hurriedly, I thanked Dolengyl for the marvelous inspiration, for I would have never thought of it had I not been delivering her a love letter, and rushed off to finish my deliveries. On my way home, I bought the finest quality parchment and sat down to a table at home and began to ink all sorts of designs and borders along the edges.
Glorendir, Aeriaeth, and other elves at the market admired my work greatly, I think. A certain hir Cirdamir had a good deal of affinity for one particular parchment of my work decorated with swan ships on the sea. He has lived in Mithlond so I think I know why. The Falathrim and Cirdan’s folk have always admired and loved such ships, and they are native to the landscape of our seas.
Hir Cirdamir had nothing to trade me at this market, but he offered to make me a wood carving, as he has skill and knowledge with such things. He even gave me a choice in what sort of carving it would be. I have never been tasked with such a creative decision before and I was at a loss, but my friends and hir Cirdamir quickly rescued me with the suggestion of a wooden dove carving. No doubt, they were looking at Faun on my shoulder and admired his figure.
As hir Cirdamir seemed quite knowledgeable on wood carving matters, we suggested that he give a demonstration of sorts at the market. I am sure many would admire his skill and learn a thing or two. I should like to carve out a nice walking stick for myself as I spend many days walking the roads between Celondim, Duillond, and Mithlond. He readily agreed to the idea and I am very excited for the next opportunity to see hir Cirdamir with his work.
I do look forward to the markets every month. There has always been a new skill to see or a new friend to make.
