Chronicled in Gondamon in Ered Luin of Eriador,
On this the 55th day of Rhîw in the Year 3018 of the Third Age.
Two messages did I receive this morning ere I set forth to my daily labours at the forge in Celondin:
The first, a short but polite note from Todsi son of Bodsi apprising me that the caravan to Erebor shall depart Gondamon on the morrow and gathers there today in preparation. Therefore, after swiftly gathering my belongings together in my pack and taking my staff in hand, I had yet time to bid farewell to Isferon in Duillond, and to assure him that I carry with me the mysterious letter that he has entrusted me to deliver to Forgamthan in Imladris; although no more has he discussed the matter since his revelation two weeks past. Also did I call briefly on Fanhir to share with her my tidings, and she insisted on loaning to me a sword, for I am but still a novice at the forge and have yet to make my own. Regarding my swordsmanship, she described it as "adequate", which is not comforting!
I also visited Colchyl the Stable-master with the notion to hire from him a mount for the journey, but alae! To my great delight, he had indeed followed up on my previous request and acquired for me a fitting steed, which had reached his stable just yesterday! She is a gentle brown mare, with bright eyes and gleaming coat and a bright white blaze on her muzzle, and so I have named her Thinelroch. We made fast friends, and I have arranged with Colchyl for her to stable with his horses for company upon my return.
Thus was I able to ride for Celondim upon my new companion, to there pay my respects to Master Curubrannon; and though Thinelroch is not a horse of great speed, her gait is smooth and her temper mild. And Curubrannon did greet her with approval and whispered secretly into her ear in what sounded like Quenya, but a dialect of which I am not familiar; and she nodded and stamped in answer while he smiled furtively at me over her shoulder. Then he took my borrowed sword, and running his hand along its length, he chanted over it, again in that unfamiliar tongue.
"Vanyarin," quoth he upon my query, and bade me farewell with his blessing for my journey and his wish that no ill befall me. Is there no end to the enigma of this ellon?
And now north and westwards have I travelled to from Celondim to Gondamon so to meet with Todsi at the appointed hour of aduial. A light rain falls, but it will surely abate by daybreak, and then shall we set forth upon the long road to Erebor.
Of my second message I will not yet write, for I need time to ponder it once the tumult of my emotions from this day has settled into calm reflection; time that our slow journey will afford.
Harthon an lend and.
| {Previous entry} | {Next entry} |
