Eduwiges of Faldham was frustrated. She sat at a table in the corner of a low rent tavern just inside the walls of Linhir. Edu sat where she could see everything in the tavern. There was no way she was going to have her back to anyone. She was wearing light brown armor that sufficed for patrolling and roaming on horseback. The golden circlet given to her by Moriaith, the disgraced captain of the Imladris guard, was on the table in front of her.

Maybe she hadn’t seen this book in her brother’s collection yet, or maybe she hadn’t noticed it since witnessing the mysterious door, but Leohtwyn would recognize the motif when she chanced on it: an emblem of three mountains, framed by swirling clouds. The book cover was embossed leather—the effect of the door's marble inlay was reproduced in the layered quilt-work of stitched, colored hide.

Eyes slowly cracked open, a brief moment of puzzlement before I clued in slowly where I was through my tired mind. I shifted a bit and rolled onto my side, wrapping not one, but two figures into my arms, both of them men. Just days prior to this, I was a doting father and husband of one woman. Now I was giving into this... beast inside me I had no idea existed. It lay dormant in me for years.

The younger of the men called me a wolf, though the Eorling's eyes showed pain briefly at me being called that. I'll ask him in private about it later.

Lothuialwen crossed her arms as she stood in front of Haldir, her entire posture radiating stubborn determination. “Forgive me, Lord Haldir, but I do not regret my actions.”

The Galadhrim sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose. “Hiril, you are a good warrior and have a keen mind. Why must you be so stubborn?”

It had been months since she had been home. Delicate hands were now calloused and strong, her thin arms taut and muscled as never before. Long brown hair, once worn flowing around her shoulders, was now tied back in a tight bun and covered in a glimmering grey hood that shifted with the light.

She tapped softly on the door of the little home on a high flet.

Mortals:  A Case Study (The Thrill of the Hunt)

Torech Besruth, Falathlorn, Lindon

50 Quellë in the Reckoning of Imladris

“Iell nîn, what do you wish to do with your life?” 

Mother and daughter sat under the branches of a tall mallorn, the silver-green dappled light dancing over their weaving. Lothuialwen’s hands stilled and she nearly snapped the delicate golden thread as the unexpected question hung in the air.