*Arostir's quarters were barren and empty, all his equipment and gear he took with him and there was no sign of the man anywhere. The only thing that was found was a curious brown envelope on the end of his bed... Arostir appeared to have taken little thought of stamping the note or even addressing it to anyone.*
*The crumbled brown piece of paper contained on it strange scripture... But upon closer inspection, it was clear that this was just Arostir's usual untidy scrawl*
Dear friends and companions I regret sorely to announce that I must depart in such an unofficial manner like this. If I told you in person you would have attempted to persuade me to stay with the company out of friendship... And I fear I would be too easily
convinced to stay. My concern grows for the safety of my friends here... I cannot trust it will be safe here... I talk of my blade, Silherenya. I am beginning to fear it as much as I am attracted to it. For Silherenya sings for battle and it does not stop unless I quench its thirst for vengence in combat... Only when it spills blood does no longer sing its song of death in my dreams.
It is hard to explain this feeling... Silherenya is an ancient blade forged perhaps from the ancient forges of the Numenoreans themselves, imbued with strange power, it has seen battle long before I discovered it in the shallows of Nenuial many months ago... It thirsts for vengence as passionately as I defend the good people of Eriador. But I fear it may betray me and harm one of you through some wicked trickery... It's as if the blade has a mind of its own.
I will be traveling to Annuminas, the city of the Kings of old, to lay Silherenya in the tomb near the place I had found her. Her service has come to an end and so has mine for now, I retire from the company until further notice. Though I wish with all my heart that we meet again, I shall be watching the roads always for your return. And when you do... Please do not think ill of me. I have done what I must, for Silherenya grows strong...
After the battle of Harloeg where we routed Saruman and his vile miniond, the edge of the blade had glown red as I smote down my last foe. It heated like a fire burning from within its bright steel. The burning heat of the red gem in the hilt scorched my hand, whether this was just some trick of Sharkey's or not... I grow to fear Silherenya... Its power is beyond anyone. Yet I wield it with great mastery for the most part, I cannot predict the nature of Silherenya and I do not wish to harm any of my companions. It would kill me if any harm came to my friends by this sword...
Despite Thorontir's advice to keep the blade under the watchful eye and wisdom of Ulfey, I must refuse, I cannot be tempted to leave this thing under the care of another... I fear they may become too attracted to its keen blade. And even if Ulfey is a woman of healing and not hurting, I fear it may harm her mind in other ways...
It's funny actually... Come to think of it, as much as I fear this blade I also cannot help but to see its beauty. It is a fine blade, I have grown attached to it indeed... If it were not for Silherenya and her keen bite, we would not have been able to defend the North as we did so well. It is precious to me...
A curious encounter brought me upon this sword... It was made by our ancestors and it sings for vengeance! Though I will still never forget the time it betrayed me... I was too keen to draw Silherenya and ended up making a terrible mistake. It shall always haunt me, I do not want to hurt another innocent person. This is why I must do as I have said...
I will await your return at the old fortress of Nen Harn. Or maybe we shall meet by chance at the Prancing Pony one day... I hope you do find your Eagle, Thorontir... I wish the company a safe return... But for now, I guard Bree in your absence. Farewell for now. We will meet again...
*What strikes you as you read the note is how Arostir appears to have been at a conflict with himself during him writing the letter, one moment he refers the sword as "it" and fears the blade, the next he calls it "her" and speaks proudly of its deeds and heritage. Though one thing was clear... Arostir was not coming back. You can only hope he stays in Bree and stays out of trouble until you eventually return to meet him...*
