Ethuilon,
Spare me your apologies. I'd rather your sworn word that it won't happen again, and I don't care how harmless you think it would have been. One philosophical conversation is no basis for
But never mind all that. You asked me to write to you - don't be a stranger, you said. I'll ignore the irony in that, if only to make sure you stay in Rivendell to await my letters. I'm sure you can find ways to make yourself useful up there. Find a friendly tree to play your harp at, or some such. Make some friends who don't have leaves, even. You can't be the only wood-elf imposing yourself on Elrond's hospitality.
To answer your question, no, I've never heard of any Hravanis - unless she used to go by a different name? My mother mentioned a Thakala, a few years back. One of those rare elves tolerable enough to call dwarf-friend. An acquaintance once-removed of a distant ancestor, or some such -
- and now that I think about it, it's funny my mother should have brought that up when she did. I wonder if my parents knew more than they were letting on.
Have you got back in touch with your folks yet? You did say you might, and I imagine twenty years is a long time, even for an elf.
You asked about Bree. Well... it's Bree. Hasn't moved nor changed since you last graced it with your presence. Still full of Men, plus a few Hobbits and the odd eccentric Elf. I've not been many evenings in the tavern; I'm trying to get some work done before I move on. I'll head to Ered Luin first, maybe drop in on Celebreneth and her gentleman if they're still there, but it's high time I swung back the other way for a home visit as well.
I'll be taking the long route around the woods, obviously.
Still, I have work enough to do before then. I'm putting the final touches on a new hand for a fine lady of Bree. I only hope she'll receive it well. When she came to see my progress yesterday, she seemed... disappointed, and I don't think it was for any lack of craftsmanship on my part. Perhaps she was hoping it would look exactly the same as the one she'd lost to sickness, but no amount of fine work can restore our missing pieces as they were.
Anyway. I hope the valley is treating you well, and that you're staying put. If I see you around Bree again, I am going to take that false foot of yours and sell it to a hobbit. Don't think I won't. I already have a buyer.
Be well, Ethuilon - and try to be sober, too, on occasion.
Cordially,
Kolbrand
