(Written in a somewhat spiky, spidery, yet nonetheless legible hand)
Faorie,
I hope this letter finds you well-I hope it finds you at all! If it does, please tell Forostel that I gathered all the herbs on her list. Since gathering is my strong suit and not processing, I put them into the hands of the healers of the House, who promised they would be properly prepared for distilling and set aside for the Warband’s use, so that she might deal with them upon her return.
How is Forostel’s quest to improve her healer skills coming along? I hope that it is very successful, very swiftly, and that you will both be able to return soon. Everyone seems happier when you are around, Faorie.
We have just finished the prolonged expedition into Eregion, Enedwaith and Dunland that I spoke to you of so briefly in the House. I do not believe it went so well as the Tur would had wished; though we acquired considerable intelligence, our ability to actually thwart what was going on was limited due to the small numbers that we had.
My coming back to Imladris on that occasion actually had more than one cause. Seeking knowledge of Eirallyn’s survival was paramount; but I also wished to re-stock the medical supplies we‘d expended upon our wounded. And lastly, I just wanted to get away for a bit from the wonderful privilege of acting as nurse to Thendryt Morson, and having to listen while he and Khalis sniped at each other continuously.
From the time Thendryt was conscious, Khalis was the picture of worried sanctimony, determined to save Thendryt from himself, gently expostulating upon the weaknesses and deficiencies of Men, while Thendryt, his back understandably up, insisted that he would fight with what were mere flesh wounds. (They weren’t flesh wounds, but they weren’t that bad-a couple of punctures and a slash; none of them in his head or spleen where they might have done some good.) Meanwhile, I spent a lot of time sitting on my staff to keep from beating them both about the head and shoulders with it, since Khalis was my commander and Thendryt was wounded. I was not entirely sure how long those two considerations would suffice to dissuade me from mayhem.
Poor Caleniel had a perpetually worried look while all this was going on, as if she were wishing for biscuits and milky tea to appease the unruly children. She really doesn’t like conflict of any sort, I’ve noticed-other than with the Enemy. Eventually, she went out to help the sentries as a way to escape from us all. Caleniel can be clever that way.
Elisbeth was wafting about the camp exuding clouds of disappointment and disillusionment with the lot of us, when she wasn’t taking Thendryt’s part in the argument or being exasperated with me every time I opened my mouth, even if it was only to say good morning. I do wish the Tur had realized she found my presence insufferable before she oath-bound me to the Warband-it would have made avoiding each other so much easier!
When Thendryt was stronger, there was still more argument, after which Elisbeth decided we needed an exercise in fellowship building, so she commanded us to make our way to Echad Dagoras together, while she traveled there separately. (It is possible she may have just had her fill of us and I can’t say I blame her!) From things she said to me after our arrival, I think she expected us to all sit down amicably about the campfire and reach a consensus on the best way to accomplish this. What actually happened was that as soon as she was gone, Khalis told us to mount up, put me on point and commanded that we ride swiftly, which we did, obedience to our commander’s wishes being so ingrained. I cannot say if it was a deliberate effort to illustrate Thendryt’s disability, but he managed to keep up and I was careful to look back and keep an eye on him.
More argument between Khalis and Thendryt and disappointment from Elisbeth ensued upon our arrival at Echad Dagoras. I had finally had enough of Khalis’s bigotry and told him I’d be telling Eirallyn not to bother with joining the Warband, and anyone I recommended in future would be an elf. He actually shut up about the weaknesses of Men after that, and from that point on, I thought things started to go more smoothly. We crossed down through Enedwaith, mostly leading our horses, and spent a rather pleasant evening at Maur Tulhau. Thendryt had decided that I was an evil necessity in his life and allowed me to care for him without any further objections, which certainly made my life easier!
We couldn’t find any definite signs of a river-based trade route in Enedwaith-the river there is very shallow-so we disguised ourselves to hide our elven nature and crossed into northern Dunland to do some reconnoitering. Thendryt actually had connections in a village there, so he went in and did some intelligence gathering while the rest of us hid outside. His news led us down to Avardin and the fighting arena the Dunlendings keep there.
There were some disturbing signs that the White Hand was very active in Avardin. After some discussion, it was decided that we would do battle in the arena, and reveal ourselves as elves afterward. A display of our prowess, we hoped, might give the Dunlendings second thoughts about encroaching on elven territory.
Good times followed, as we all came together nicely to combat elite Dunlendings, giants and drakes. Even Elisbeth could not fault our fellowship in battle! Then the White Wizard himself made an appearance and set several of the toughest Uruk-Hai I’ve ever had the privilege to fight upon us. I was sure he knew exactly who we were. We were a bit winded by then, but we managed to defeat his creatures as well, whereupon he retired, disgruntled. I thought of you while all the fighting was going on-you would have quite enjoyed it, and we could have used your swords.
When we stripped off our hoods and masks, dead silence fell over the arena, and we marched out of there, heads held high. None of the Dunlendings hindered us. Thendryt had taken another minor wound in the battle, and he actually sought me out for treatment! So it seems that I have acquired yet another surly bear for my collection.
We took horse and rode unopposed back up over the border into Enedwaith. Elisbeth asked us for a consensus about what to do next-I think she wanted to stay longer, but Thendryt seemed eager for home, as did Khalis to some extent. Caleniel would have stayed, and I had no real opinion on the matter, though I did suggest that accomplishing much with the numbers we had would mean guerilla warfare and would take quite some time. Eventually, Elisbeth decided we would return to Imladris and she would give our intelligence to Hir Elrond and the Council and they would decide what to do next. There may be a trip to Isengard in our near future. You wouldn’t want to miss that, would you?
We made it back to the Vale without incident, but Elisbeth is obviously still very distracted and unhappy, either about the decision or us or something else entirely. I, The Source Of Her Exasperation, am hardly in a position to do anything to offer aid, though I would if we could talk to each other civilly long enough for her to suggest what would help matters. That’s the main reason I’m hoping you’ll return soon. I know that you and Elisbeth are friends, and I think she needs a friend at present.
This letter is entirely long enough-you don‘t need a book to read! Safe travels to you and Forostel! We’ll sneak off to Bree when you come back and drink and dance with the farmers.
Your friend,
Lilleduil
