Dear Gwanûr,
Do you ever think perhaps that seasons are not certain times of the year, but rather certain times of the heart? It just occurred to me as members of our House, who traveled up into the frosty north of the Hithaeglir, returned to the valley. While they were away, spring had taken its full turn and passed to give way to summer. Yet, upon their return, my kinsmen act as if it was the season of blossoming spring and budding life! For example, I have heard that two of our solid and stern Hammer-folk, pulled out their instruments within the Last Homely House the other day and serenaded – yes serenaded – two ellith, who are no doubt their love-interests. Perhaps, it is due to the long winter they endured up in the Hithaeglir that they have confused themselves and come to think it spring when they returned to the valley. And this time, it is not only the rumour of the valley folk, but I have seen for myself how one Hammer warrior held the hand of his lady and called her his “beloved!” They looked much like two doves, full of blossoming affections and ready to nest with one another.
I learned of this all after a night of grand occasions in the Hall of Fire. First, I met Tûr Anglachelm! Of course, I have seen him from afar before, but it was the first time where I spoke to him directly and he even called me forth to join everyone for a glass of wine! He looked so noble and fine with his flowing golden hair and his garments of blue – a blue that was at once as bright as a clear morning sky and as deep as the depths of the ocean! He generously poured me a glass of wine himself and handed it to me! I hope Master Sogadan will not mind that I have kept the goblet for myself that evening and brought it home with me. It stands upon my shelf, imprinted with Tûr Anglachelm’s handprint as well as mine.
There was much wine that evening, Gwanûr, as my kinsmen celebrated Mistress Losgael joining the Order of the Hammer. I had persuaded her as much as possible that she should join the Order of the Harp and Pillar along with me, for she is a talented tapestry-weaver, I hear. Alas, she has chosen her path and was presented with a black austere uniform that all of our Hammers wear. Lord Tindir taught me that a Hammer’s rank is indicated by their shoulderpads. So I wondered if there were not special shoulderpads for my order as well, but Lord Parnard says there are not. Instead, we sport tassels, the latest fashion, if you remember from my previous letters. Though, I have no idea what my one large golden tassel says about my rank in the order. I think Lord Parnard mentioned that we are not much of a military sort and thus have little business with ranks and such things.
Anyhow, there was a great many glasses of wine had and toasts made in honour of Mistress Losgael. I think back to my introduction to my order and I do not remember being presented to anyone, introduced to anyone, or having any toasts made in my honour. I wonder at that…occasionally I get the sense that the others find me odd and that I do not quite fit in here. Yet, Losgael is also from the western lands near the sea, and is therefore just as different as I am to these folk of Imladris, so I do not think that is it. Perhaps, it is another one of those things our order does not do because we are not a military sort like the Hammers.
I am not so sorry anymore that she has joined the Order of the Hammer, for they are not all so terrible, I have learned. Master Annunghil and I have made amends thanks to Master Nolomir’s gentle and wise words. He even bought me a glass of wine as a gesture of renewed friendship! Is that not very kind of him? Apparently, all the rumours I have heard of him and Mistress Uilossiel are indeed untrue.
Back to the matter at hand, in honour of Losgael’s promotion into the Order of the Hammer, I would like to fashion a small gift for her. She is, after all, among the few friends I have here that can really understand where I am from. Would you do me a great favour, Gwanûr, and send me some items? I have included a separate list of what I have in mind.
I am also hoping to present Lord Parnard with some sort of wooden gift. I will tell you more of it when I have found what I am looking for. Here below, I have sketched a picture, so you might see what it looks like. I had the idea of it when Mistress Lilleduil of the Warband – not one of our House, but a different company altogether – suggested that she would fashion the Lord Ambassador with a thickly padded glove to receive messenger hawks and eagles. Oh, how that reminded me of the dreadful incident with Taursûl! And certainly, it has left an impression on Lord Parnard because he thought Taursûl was an angry bird! I tried my best to appease him and change his opinion of Taursûl, and I even suggested that they should practice with one another. For Taursûl will behave much better if the Lord Ambassador knows of the exact manners Taursûl likes. Then there will be no misunderstandings of rudeness or anger between the two of them. But the Lord Ambassador insists that he will not wear any straw or sticks in his hair for the occasion. I told him not to worry, for eagles are much too large to sit on the type of nest that one wears on one’s head.
Your little bird,
Emliniel