Despite the sun smiling down there was a chill on the wind which was winding its way through the vale as I left that morning. With a last look down upon my home I turned my horse away from the sun and out the western gates of Imladris. Once across the high moor I picked my way down the slopes till I came to the Bruinen which I intended to follow southward till the rise into Echad Gwingris. The few menfolk who had chosen to make their home along the Bruinen are used to the elder patrols from Imladris passing this way so there was no need to hide my features. I stopped by the small fishing cottage and exchanged a few words with Garbert and his wife Afenen. I still remember when they first settled there.
I smiled remembering how now the cottage was much improved than the original which had two there prior to being burned down over two decades ago.
“Good day to you Garbert” I spoke in Westron to the fisherman, “May the blessings of the Valar fill your nets a plenty” I then offered in Sindarin. Garbert always enjoyed hearing the use of Sindarin in the form of a blessing. I am sure he thought that the words offered some kind of enchantment and would ensure good fishing.
The fisher and his wife did offer me share their table for a midday meal which I politely accepted despite their food not being to my usual taste. To turn their kind offer down would be hurtful to them and I knew they would bring out their best wooden plates and cups for the meal for menfolk often see the elder ourselves as a bright moment in their lives.
A few hours later I was once again on my way taking the winding path up out of the Bruinen gorge towards Echad Gwingris and the road southward to Nan Sirrion.
