Ithilwë

I am sitting in front of the fire, resting my legs from the long journey he had endured. The sky is darkening with the pinks and purples of the setting sun. Not too far off, I can still hear the hustle and noise of Bree town as people returned to their homes. As the fire warms my body and eases my aches, my eyes begin to glaze over in rest…..

A barely legible page of a journal. The date seems to read "First Age, Year 450".

Naneth says that it is high time that I start writing in a book of my own, instead of spare pieces of parchment found around the home. Though the search for such articles of parchment has been a joy for quite a few years, I am glad to have a proper journal. It is one for my eyes, and my eyes only. 

Being back at my camp is an odd feeling. I had not thought I would be returning to this spot under the trees. Even though I am further from home once more, my heart seems lighter than it did the last time I ventured through these lands. This time, I have good friends and companions who will happily occupy my time. A darkness still lies on these lands, but the new companions I have had the pleasure of meeting have turned the darkness into little more than a shadow in my eyes.

The first thing I heard was the crashing of waves along the shoreline. The sound was hypnotizing but arrhythmic, no true pattern to be discerned as the ocean crests and falls. It soothes a longing in my soul. I heard the cries of seagulls as they flew overhead, sharp and piercing, but familiar. 

I must be getting flighty in my old age. I have only once or twice in three ages, made such rash decisions before. I am on the road once more and Imladris is behind me for now, but I shall come back soon. Hir Elrond is my lord, and my bow is in service to him, but not like others warriors. He has given me free reign to travel where I think I am needed most, as long as I occasionally return to report to him. That is all well and good for me. 

Back in Imladris, things are much more peaceful. We found, but then lost the nazgul in the wilds. It seems this task is doomed for naught but failure. But I will not dwell on that for now. I will rest here in the peace of the valley until duty calls once more, though I wish for a longer rest. 

After I arrived back in the valley, I made myself look presentable before reporting to Hir Elrond. I am sure there will be more to do soon, but I will make well of the time I have to spend in the valley. I visited the libraries and mindlessly picked out a book to read.

And so it is that I have made the journey to Imladris. It has been long and hard, and most importantly, dangerous. The roads hold more evil to them than I remember. Though the nearer I traveled to Imladris, the less danger I felt. It seems like the scouts and warriors of Imladris gaurd the valley well.