It is nigh time we ride down to Mithlond, to prepare for Lady Istarnie's voyage.
Curumaito plans to discuss preparing a gem elixir with Carnifinde later this day. He is unsure what is possible; what is safe. Even if he decides to go ahead, such things can take days. I cannot risk the Lady missing the ship. There is no assurance that particular gem will have the virtue to return her to health. Valinor remains her best hope, I deem.
The ship the Lady and Gaerion are to sail on is due to depart in two weeks to the day. In her current condition the journey to Mithlond itself will of necessity be at a slow pace. We must move her to the Halls of Healing in the port itself where other healers will also be in attendance.
Aearlinn’s parents have offered to accommodate Carnifinde and Gaerion, though the later wishes to pay visit to his own ship and crew before departing. Arnone and I will be adequately served in a local hostel of my previous acquaintance, the keeper being most discreet.
The others are to return to Enyalie Mardi in Tum Escal.
I do what I can. Yet I am greatly unsettled. There are too many pieces that seem to be missing from this puzzle. Would that I could give the healers in Mithlond more to work with.
At early light Curumaito called me to the Lady’s room. He had removed many of the bandages and would not be replacing them. Ai, though her wounds were but faint scars, and would be invisible by the time she set arrived in the Blessed Realm, she was so diminished. Like a child's doll made of finest paper she appeared to my eyes; fragile, emptied, the merest shadow of her former self. It was in my thoughts that she should have perished from such injury to body and spirit. Yet something in her refused to relinquish life.
Varyamo is silent on the matter. He is also greatly distressed. Oh I understand the seriousness of an oath, but he knows the Lady’s life hangs in the balance. Despite my firm inquires they give nothing away. Why did she bind him to silence? What could it be that is more precious to her than her survival?
And then there are the other pieces of the puzzle I move about in my thoughts. Why did she refuse to be taken to Imladris? Where is the great-sword, ‘Urusse’? That sword is precious to her, and dearly won back by her granddaughter and others. She would never lay it aside willingly. But it is not returned with her, and the closed-mouthed ellon only shakes his head.
My suspicions have grown that something more than a shadow from the past has taken shape. In part it adds to the urgency to get her away from Endor. Not that he would willingly harm her…..nay, he would be the sustainer. Yet trouble would follow on..
Gaerion does not see. Neither does Carnifinde, it appears. Both are too close to note what lies before them. Neither will I speak to them of the matter unless need arises. The smith I must watch, however. Ceuro is more perceptive. He has already asked if he may be of help discerning the problem. A curious mind, and one used to looking for the smallest clues, it would seem, he having lost his own memory some yeni past. I cannot let him pursue the matter, though the likelihood of him returning to Imladris in the near future is much diminished. Can I not find something else to occupy him?
