S.A 2035
After days of riding, the weary travelers finally crossed into the lush realms of Lindon. For Mannamo, it felt like stepping into a cherished memory as he made his way to the docks of Mithlond. Once a bustling hub of trade and travel, the docks were now relatively quiet, with only a few ships moored along the quayside. Walking along the wooden planks, memories of his past flooded his mind, reminding him of the many voyages he had set out on from this very spot.
Meanwhile, Lady Lanyarë made her way to their old shop, which had been temporarily closed. The sight of the shuttered windows filled her with nostalgia as she thought of the many joyful moments she had shared there with her family. Orneth watched Lady Lanyarë pass by the shop on her daily walks. Orneth could tell that, despite Lady Lanyarë's happiness at reuniting with her family and getting to know her grandson Falchon, there was a deep emptiness in her soul. Her daughter, Manyamë, was still missing. Even though she believed Manyamë was most likely alive, the uncertainty about her mental state and well-being was tearing Lady Lanyarë apart inside.
However, her spirits were lifted as she was reunited with her loved ones and they embraced each other with heartfelt joy. The reunion was a touching and emotional affair. Orneth, Mistamë, and Alcarinien were locked in a warm embrace that lasted for what seemed like an eternity. Even Mantaro was moved by the scene and joined in, sharing the love and happiness that was palpable in the air. Giril and her brother Carvedir were also present, welcoming Falchon and Haldanáre with open arms, offering them a place to stay in Harlond. As they made their way to Mannano's brother's house, Orneth was given a small room in the attic. Though humble, it was a comfortable abode, and she felt grateful for the hospitality of her hosts.
Despite the troubled times they were living in, there was a sense of hope that pervaded the air. Orneth sensed it as she mingled with the locals and observed the preparations for Marilo and Simawen's upcoming wedding. The joyous occasion was anticipated with great excitement, and even rumors of naugrims coming from the Blue Mountains to attend the celebration could not dampen the spirits of the Lindonians. Simawen, a highly educated and cultured lady, was an expert in bookbinding and often spent her days poring over the lost tales of old. Her knowledge and passion for history were greatly admired, and she was well-respected in the community. As the wedding preparations continued, Orneth couldn't help but feel that this was the perfect time for such celebrations. The defeat of Sauron's army, led by Gil-Galad and the Númenóreans, had brought a new dawn of hope to the lands, and the Lindonians were determined to celebrate it with all the joy and fervor they could muster. Orneth watched as Simawen drew a crowd around her, admiring not only her skill in bookbinding but also her striking beauty. Her dark features were accentuated by bright natural reds on her cheeks and lips, making her an object of desire and envy for many. Orneth couldn't help but feel a twinge of suspicion around Simawen. Was it justified, or was it just a touch of jealousy?
One night, as Orneth strolled along the pier, she heard footsteps approaching from behind. Turning, she saw Simawen standing there. "Orneth," Simawen said softly, "I have something for you." Orneth regarded her curiously, bowing her head politely. "I’ve felt guilty for keeping it from you all these years," Simawen continued, her voice tinged with regret. She carefully untucked a small cloth from under her arm and unfolded it, revealing an old book. Orneth’s eyes widened as she recognized it instantly. "The diary from Golden Hope—room number three," she murmured. Simawen looked at her in surprise. "So, you remember?" Orneth nodded. "Why did you feel the need to keep it from me?" she asked. Simawen’s gaze fell to the ground, her cheeks flushing deeply. "I’m not entirely sure," she whispered, her voice barely audible over the gentle sound of waves lapping against the shore. For a moment, the two stood in silence, the weight of their unspoken thoughts pressing heavily in the cool night air. Finally, Orneth broke the stillness. "I don’t quite understand, Simawen," she said, looking at her questioningly.
Simawen held out the book to Orneth with a gentle motion, her eyes filled with emotion. "I just wanted to spare Lady Lanyarë the pain," she said softly. Orneth didn’t fully understand what Simawen meant, as she had barely known Marilo's family back then. Simawen continued, "I know what you’re thinking. Yes, I should have given it to you right away. But the more I got to know Lady Lanyarë and Lord Mannamo, the fonder I became of them—and the harder it was to show them the diary." She paused, then added, "I know you’re stronger than most. I believe you’ll handle this better than I could. Please don’t take offense, but I trust your reactions will be more thoughtful and measured than mine. I wanted to give it to you before my wedding. I’m done with my secrets now. I hope you’ll understand me better once you’ve read the diary. But I’ll warn you—it’s not for the faint of heart."
Orneth took the book from Simawen and noticed the lock had been broken. "It had a key," she said, surprised. "Yes," Simawen replied. "I remember you mentioning that. I’ve felt guilty about lying to you, but I did what I thought was right at the time. You’ll understand more once you read it." Tears began to stream down Simawen’s face, and Orneth embraced her. "You had your reasons, Simawen," Orneth said gently. "There’s never one ‘right’ way to handle things. Who am I to say otherwise?" She gave her a reassuring smile. "Now go, Lady Simawen, and don’t let this trouble your heart. You have a wedding to plan!" Orneth watched as Simawen walked away, her face clouded with sadness. The night had fallen, and the moon shone high in the sky. Orneth retreated to her small attic room, where she sat on the bed, holding the book in her hands. A sense of unease washed over her as she opened it, knowing the pages would reveal dark and painful secrets.
Picture AI-generated from Microsoft Bing DALL·E
