The following details the appearance and content of the package given to Finchley by Cesistya for her journey to Gondor. The package consists of three items: an Itinerary, a Linen Letter, and a Red Letter.
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Itinerary
A heavy piece of folded parchment, waxed to minimize weathering for a long voyage. Upon it is penned in dark ink letters in the Common tongue, written bold and firm so they would not easily run or fade.
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~ Bree to Rivendell, 300 miles, 6-7 days ~
The Lone Lands are sparse. There is ample grass for your horse, though you would be advised to bring two sacks of oats and take rest and drink at every stream, for there is opportunity to gallop. Ride hard at first, but ease your pace the day after passing Weathertop so your horse is rested for the Trollshaws. By the end of the 4th day, if you reach the Last Bridge, you have ridden too hard; the forest is more dangerous than the plains, and a well-rested steed may be needed to escape danger. Depart the Last Bridge no earlier than late morning on the 5th day. Check your pace through the woodland, but do not linger; rest frequently but travel often, and you should reach Rivendell by the 7th day, or sooner if you make haste. Travel light, carry only enough food as needed, for you will find fresh provisions in Rivendell.
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~ Rivendell to Anduin, 160 miles, 4-7 days ~
I would recommend you leave your horse at Rivendell; the mountain-passes are no place for a horse, lest they are trained for such a journey. And the route you are following will be difficult for a horse, though not impossible, for ponies take the path regularly. If you do intend to take your horse, give them a day of rest in Rivendell; if not, you may depart as soon as you wish. The journey to Anduin will not vary greatly in length or time even with a mount, such is the nature of the route you must take through the mountain-passes. The Elves of Rivendell will give you detailed and up-to-date maps with the safest routes. If you feel it necessary, please give the enclosed Linen Letter to the Healing-Elves and they will provide medicine and cordial. The latest information I have is that the Pass is open and frequented by travelers, mainly Dwarves who trade between the Blue Mountains and Erebor. Be sure to inquire about the status of Woodmen on or near the Old Forest Road; they may have boats to trade. The journey into the Mountains should take less than one day, and three days to pass through them. Avoid all caves, including seemingly wholesome ones. When you reach the other side, travel swiftly, for goblins are known to raid at night, but rarely go further than half an evening's travel, for they cannot abide the Sun. With good speed, you should reach Anduin by the 7th day, though you may reach it sooner of you are still mounted and push hard. Here, if you know of local Woodmen, you may attempt to barter a boat or raft, but if you do not, hew and limb three to five straight trees; poplar, if you can find it, though any will do. Lash these with cross-beams to make a raft, and bring with you a pushing-pole or two. If you have brought your horse, I fear you may need to make the raft a great deal larger; fifteen to twenty trees perhaps. This task may take a full day of good labour, but two will make the task lighter.
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~ Old Forest Road Bridge on Anduin to Silverlode, Lorien, 340 miles, 3 days ~
If you sleep and row in shifts, Anduin will speed you southward. If you must take rest or build camp, do so on the western bank only, and know that this will delay you. Ere the end of the third day, you shall find a fair woodland on your right, and by evening you will reach the confluence where Silverlode meets Anduin. If the currents are slow, you might pole your raft up Silverlode, but if not, you may travel on foot. The harbours are nearby, but you will be found before you reach them; follow Silverlode or her bank upstream and the March-wardens will meet you within the hour. Show that you come unarmed and speak your business; have in your hand the Red Letter, and give it to them, as well as the names Captain Thandind, Brother of Cesistya, Son of Lassiel and Rautano. I beg that you do this swiftly, for the reputation of Lorien toward strangers is not unearned. They will not harm you, but they may turn you away without hearing you, so you must ensure you are heard before then. I trust the guards will lead you then to the ones you spoke of; they are my family, and they will aid you. I doubt not that a small boat may be given, or traded for, and that lodging and some provisions will be provided. If you are not given a boat, I do apologize, for your raft may prove insufficent for the next part of the journey.
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~ Silverlode to Rauros, 370 miles, 3 days ~
Continue downriver. Be mindful of the currents, for there are rapids that even an Elf-boat cannot safely pass. If you meet them, pull onto the shore (again, only on the western bank) and carry the boat past them. If you still have your raft, I fear there are few options; it will like as not be very heavy to carry, maybe even impossible. On the third day you will pass the Argonath and reach Nen Hithoel, a wide lake before the falls of Rauros. Nothing that floats can survive the falls, save by the blessing of the river-spirits; I advise not to rely on them, but rather to take to the western woodland and find your way down. Here you must decide what path next to take.
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~ Rauros to Minas Tirith, 200 miles and 4 days by river, 260 miles and 13 days by foot, 6 days by horse ~
Anduin past Rauros winds through the Nindalf, the Trackless Fen. It is not impossible to navigate, but it is very difficult, and the water moves slowly; if you can navigate the marsh and continue to sleep in shifts, it is still the fastest course, but if you get lost, you may lose days finding your way out. Alternatively, you may leave boat and raft behind, and head due south from the hill-land. After crossing the Entwash make southeast; the White Mountains will guide you to Minas Tirith. It is possible you may happen upon a village of Rohirrim; I cannot say if they will lend you a horse to ride, if you do not still have one. They are a fine and trustworthy folk, but their love for their horses outweighs their love for strangers. Still, it is no bad thing to ask, and may save you days of travel. If indeed your mount is still with you, you may ride hard and fast, for there is water and grass and wheat in plenty, and there will be rest in Minas Tirith when you arrive.
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~ Conclusion ~
Total distance: 1400 miles. Total travel time: 20 to 33 days.
There are swifter methods, but these would require an Eagle, a maeras, or an Elf-ship, for there are no Mannish ports on this side of the Mountains. If one could refresh their mount along the Road, one could cover the distance slightly faster... yet there are no such opportunities until one reaches Rohan, and such a task would require agreement and coordination, which does not currently exist.
(( Note that the distances and travel times listed above have been studied and referenced against real-life examples. Message me for references, if you'd like! ))
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Linen Letter
A smallish parcel, about 6 inches by 4, and three hands thick, wrapped in waxed linen. It has weight but it is not heavy, and it is firm but not solid. Twisted white thread holds to it an envelope of waxed parchment sealed by red wax bearing an Elvish rune, a stylized /k/ tengwa. The letter inside is written in both Elvish and Common, with clean, sweeping strokes of a practiced hand.
Esteemed Healers of Imladris,
Within this parcel is a goodly amount of fine ash of sea-weed. I have prepared it thus that a tincture of iodine may be extracted. It is a meager barter, but I would beg you take it in exchange for a thimble-measure of miruvor. My dear friend, Miss Finchley, who delivered this parcel, needs make haste to Minas Tirith, and I wish dearly that she would have a sip of cordial should she find need of it, for her or her companion. If such is unavailable, an equivalent exchange of balm and bandage would be most appreciated.
I have the Honour to Remain,
Yours Most Sincerely,
Cesistya
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Red Letter
A letter of heavy parchment kept within an envelope fashioned out of thin, supple red leather, well-oiled and fire-branded with a large Elvish rune, a stylized /k/ tengwa. This envelope is bound with leather cordage to the Linen Letter for the purposes of travel. The letter inside is written in both Elvish and Common, with clean, sweeping strokes of a practiced hand.
To Whom it May Concern,
The woman who bears this letter is Miss Finchley, which she will confirm when you ask her name. With her should be another named Miss Ryn. They are dear friends of Cesistya, Finnasar, daughter of Lassiel Limbetalya and Rautano, and sister of Thandind, Captain of the Third Squadron of Southmarch. You need not deliver them into Caras Galadhon unless you wish to, though they come with the trust of Cesistya. If that is insufficient, at least do not turn them away without first declaring their presence and this letter to Lassiel.
With appreciation,
Cesistya
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Dearest Mother,
If you are reading this, I am glad, for it means my dear friends Miss Finchley and Miss Ryn have made it safely to Lorien. For my part I continue my studies in Bree, though daily I think of you and Father, and deeply do I miss you and Lorien.
I write to you in the hopes that you might provide aid to Miss Finchley. She has need to make haste down Anduin at least as far as Minas Tirith. It would be too grand to ask if there are boats to lend, but even a light raft would do well, for she must manage the rapids south of Limlight, and possibly the fen of Nindalf. If neither boat nor raft can be spared, a day of rest and fresh provisions of bread and meat, or even a modicum of hospitality, would do her well.
Please give my love to Father and Brother, and assure them that I am safe and well. The lands of Bree have grown more peaceful since my last letter.
With Deepest Love,
Cesistya
