One evening last Ethuil, a few of elves present in Imladris, gather in the Pillar Hall of Bar-en-Vanimar, for a night of Narn-i-Eldhrim, where those who are present may share memories or stories from the past.
Apart from Tuilerie, others were present as well, such as Camalagos, recently arrived from Lindon, Curulinn, and Aralirion.
Each one share in turn their story or memories, and then suddenly Tuilerie gathers her courage.
Tuiler coughs a little and raises her hand shyly, "If I may, I would like to share a happy memory from the days of my youth in Hollin, ..."
"... not that there are many such one’s left."
Tuilerie smiles sadly, "In those days I lived... no, my parents lived in Ost-in-Edhil, and I... was mostly away..."
And she goes a bit silent, but then continues.
"I was always most at peace away from home out in the wild, in the forest of the mountains, north or south..."
"Wood.... wood is what I loved to work with and still do."
"It has always had that special appeal to me, and to craft with it gives me much comfort."
"I can make small amulets, and bows, like the one I usually carry."
Tuilerie's eyes shines with happiness as she apparently recalls times of woodworking.
"My mother played the flute and harp, though music was not her gift..."
"...but working with jewelry and forge rings and bracelets... like so many in those days."
"I never learnt to play an instrument, but for her sake I learnt to craft some, like the flute and harp."
Tuilerie sighs, "I often travelled up the slopes of the Hithaeglir and to he lands south..."
"...searching for trees that had of that special quality I needed."
Smiling brightly, Tuilerie goes on "Along these trips Gladron often accompanied me."
Sighing she frowns, as if a distant painful memory comes to mind, "He was a gentle-hearted one, who, like a kindred-soul, shared my passion for woodworking."
"Anyhow, on one such trip..."
Seemingly loosing herself in old memories, she goes on more slowly.
"On one such trip to the south, to the lands between Baranduin and Gwathló we had traveled, ..."
"...running and laughing together... Oh what joy it was to run together."
Tuilerie beams brightly, as her gaze seems to wander among memories most cherished.
"Eventually we reached the old forest of Eryn Vorn, where..."
"...we lost ourselves in the green, seemingly forever wandering among the trees, ..."
"...swimming in small pools of water, and laughing always laughing together."
"We came down to the coast, and bathed in the sun, ..."
"...plucked sea-urchins from the rocks, and swam in the sea."
Tuilerie halts in her story, as if taking a pause to reflect upon what to tell next,
"Time passed... I don’t know how long..."
"...but this far away from Ost-in-Edhil, I had never felt more at peace."
"We often stayed up long into the nights... beneath the light of the stars..."
"...talking of the future... close together..."
In more quiet voice Tuilerie continues "I held warm feelings toward Gladron, and he to me..."
Then she goes a bit quiet, as if not wanting to go on any further.
After a short pause, "Here we found wood to work with, willow and birch, which had grown strong and sturdy."
"We never cut anything from the living tree, ..."
"...oh no, but searched among that which storm had brought down."
"The living wood is sacred, and it would be sacrilege to cut it wantonly."
Tuilerie sighs slowly, "Ack, such happy days, and what a joy Gladron was to me then."
Shaking her head sadly, "such days were simply not meant to last..."
"One morning I awoke, with a terrible feeling haunting me, like a premonition..."
"I dared not to linger any longer, but urged Gladron to return immediately with me home."
Looking a bit strained as she continues her tale.
"We ran all the way, but did not come far before smoke in the distance, ..."
"...and signs of the land all spoke of something terrible that had happened, or was about to happen."
"We met with other groups of elves that had come south, fleeing."
"And the words they shared were dark and terrible."
"We were effectively cut off from our home by the armies of the dark lord."
A painful expression comes to her face, "I worried something fiercely for my mother, but there was nothing to do..."
"We joined other groups of elves fleeing, trying to protect them with our bows."
After a long pause... "You all knows what happened next, but that is not what I wanted to share."
"I wanted to share the memory of me and Gladron, ..."
"...as we found our hidden sanctuary among the birch and willow of Eryn Vorn... far, far to the south."
"Such days will never come back, but the memories are my most guarded treasure."
Tuilerie curtseys to those listening and lowers her gaze. "Thank you for letting me share them."
