Imladris...
I sit by the heat of the flames in the Hall of Fire as I write this. How many winters have I spent by your blazing hearths? How long has it been since Edhellond became the dwelling place of seabirds and Nature's wild creatures?
Men now dwell in great halls along those shores. From over the Sea they came to spread across the land, felling our trees for their ships and building grand cities and ports from Tharbad to Pelargir, and beyond. I watched as their shipyards grew ever larger and the forests I loved became ever smaller. The axes' hunger was insatiable.
Many years I spent wandering between the Numenorean port of Lond Daer and the outskirts of the Elf city, Ost-in-Edhil. That city, though, I would not enter. Those whom I named Foe held sway there and I would not look upon them for fear that my vow against their folk would cry out to me for satisfaction.
War began to tear at that land. I do not feel shame for ignoring Celebrimbor's call to arms. He was the Scion of all those I despised. I answered, instead, when word reached me that the King's lieutenant Elrond had need of scouts on their southward march. It saddened me not at all that we arrived late and could not turn the black forces, nor stop them from destroying the Feanorian's home.
I fled north with the remnants of an army, racing with the rear guard, fighting a running skirmish with the Enemy until we vanished into what would one day become a haven to all those in need of sanctuary. A haven we named Imladris.
In those early years I did not settle long in Lord Elrond's halls, although I would eventually find my way back. That would come much later. For now, when our allies lifted our siege, and the Dark One's armies were utterly destroyed in Eregion, I first turned my feet to those now empty lands. Beautiful they were, and quiet but for the sounds of the birds and beasts. The great city in the Land of Holly was no more, left in broken ruins where the only song now to be heard was the mournful crying of the wind as it passed among the fallen towers. As far as I knew, my ancient enemies were buried beneath the stones. My vow at last fulfilled, I had nothing else to guide me.
I wandered as one lost until I found myself joined with a band of Elves intent on visiting this far land of Numenor. We found the Men of one vessel were quite intrigued by the thought of us joining their crew, and we learned from them that Elves had long been visiting the shores of the Western Realm. On the tide one day we swept out to sea. I watched as the shores of my home slid away to the stern. New lands, new discoveries awaited and it would be many years before I'd once more find myself next to a roaring hearth in Elrond's fair Imladris.
