Found:
The strangest thing...
I wasn't expecting any visitors today. I never do. Least of all was I expecting this particular one.
It was still early morning when a knock sounded at my door. It took me a few moments to realise what the sound was. Of all the people I could have found standing on the other side, he was not one that I would have had upon the list. Gone without a word so many months ago, I'd never thought I'd see him again. Not really. Maybe some half-remembered tales of his "glorious" demise, but certainly not him in the flesh...
But there he was! Tall, handsome, well again, and... smiling! That was a shock!
He'd brought breakfast, helped me prepare a fire and tea - my aching bones have become quite problematic when it comes to crouching and the like. He even stayed to dine. We spoke, we laughed and joked. He apologised for prior behaviours, although I've no idea why. I tried to set his mind at ease about those things; as far as I'm concerned, he had nothing to apologise for and thus I refused to give forgiveness where none was necessary. He seemed to accept that notion. Good. One less thing to weigh down his shoulders, though they no longer look so frail.
His mood soured the moment I mentioned that I am still in possession of that Angmarim tome. I wonder why. 'tis just a book after all. Alone, it can do no harm. It must be read and acted upon to harbour any influence. But then I never did understand superstitions - they always seemed so silly to me. Perhaps I shall ask him about it should he return...
A thing he has said he will not do until that book and its translations are gone from my home. I'm loathe to do as he asked but... if it sets his mind at ease then I suppose it is a small price to pay. Still, the idea of burning a book, any book, sets my teeth on edge. The loss of knowledge and recorded thoughts, even ones so blatantly ridiculous, just feels wrong.
Regardless, I am resigned.
When my work is done, when I know the full extent of what is written within those pages, then I shall consign the parchment to the flame and leave sign that it has been done, as promised.
But what sign?
That shall take some thought.
