Danel

I have not kept track of my painting in the last days too often in the form of Tengwar – since the brush strokes of light, shadow and colours are also a language, I have let it speak instead.

The wind howled. As the fireplace struggled to survive in the relentless rain, they all huddled next to a somewhat less damp tree with a hot cup of tea in their hands. Now, rain is not something that worries the odd elleth or ellon. Rain can even be seen as a release, a way of comforting the fea. However, if you have paper with you, that is another matter entirely.

My Caun,

Norliriel and I have done as you requested, and spoken with Helcequen. While she herself is resting well in the Houses as I write this - Norliriel was there when I left, and may have stayed all night - the matter is... unpleasant, at best, and may require all of our scholars to unriddle. As well as the Lady Ambassador, Sileril, Anglador, and Sorontar are out of the Vale, as you know. But there is some urgency to this.

Well, Diary. That was quite a day.

Losgael was proud -- proud of her man, who is my only known living kin; proud in every possible way. That is the way of the Hammer. And because Meluilindele loves her, though -- I did not know this until the day of the contest -- he had forsworn fighting at the request of his father and brother many yéni hence, he arrived at the appointed time, bearing a sword.

O Diary! Oh, oh, oh, I cannot believe it, yet -- it is true!

Anáwiel was lying motionlessly on her back in the grass, her hands resting on her chest, silently admiring the stars above. The moon hadn't risen yet and apart from a few clouds the night sky was unobstructed and visible in its full glory. The seven stars of the Valacirca looked especially bright that night.

Oh, Diary. Oh, oh, oh.

It started innocently enough. Anglador, the astrologer, came by to show me some star-charts, and Norlië came along with him. (I refer to her by this name still, though there is a more intimate name she told me that only her family ever knew. To keep it that way, I shall try not to quote it in these pages.) Hir Tindir of the Hammer was out on his evening stroll just then -- I had been puttering about in the garden before the visit -- and Lady Ambassador Tingruviel, before long, and Caun Danel ended up joining the group.