Rivendell

      Torrigan stood looking at one of the great fires that gave the Hall of Fire its name. For a week he had been a guest at the Last Homely House, under the protection of Lord Elrond. He was well rested, garbed in the finery of a guest of Imladris; silks and soft linens of red and white. He had eaten and drank his fill every day since he had arrived and was well tended. He was granted everything he needed to be comfortable. Yet he was still unhappy.

Day One

It had taken Druda many days to journey from Bree to the Valley of Imladris but the weariness soon evaporated as she turned the corner to gaze down into the valley below. Beyond the lofty pines that covered both sides of the valley lay the exquisite gardens of Rivendell. Druda made her way down the meandering path to the valley floor. As she approached the bottom of the steep slope the noise of the river began to intensify and she could at last see small groups of Elves at work tending to the gardens.

Druda awoke early and quickly packed her belongings, making sure the small wooden box containing the recovered necklace was buried safely at the bottom of her pack. Entry and exit from Bree was controlled by the four large gates in the towns’ wall. Druda was keen to keep a low profile following the events in the Prancing Pony the previous night so had decided to leave via a slightly different route. Her rooms in the Mudgate district of Bree had been chosen carefully.

 A hand comes down over the sheet I am working on, startling me. Wordlessly, Condir pulls it towards himself, frowning at what he sees.

After a moment that frown turns into his familiar wry smirk, although he says only, “This is not entirely what I expected.”

This song I remember my Mother sang for me, when I was a little child..

Often when I ride around the Vale..I can hear the song even if she is not around... It always remind me of her, but also how special we are...and how gifted and blessed I am to be the person that I am...My mother always reminded me about that.. I was never allowed to have low thoughts of myself, nor was I allowed to take my surroundings for granted..