Torech Besruth, Falathlorn, Lindon
16 Tuilë in the Reckoning of Imladris
The planning and preparations for the Household’s expedition to Nîn-in-Eilph (what Men call Swanfleet) continue apace. Cutch and Ardanion departed Falathlorn three days past, headed south as our advance scouts. Sûlpadron flies with them and shall bring back report of their progress and their findings.
Little Royzenberry departed the same day, bound for the Shire to plead the case for giving Lancogard and Applecider relief from their Bounder duties. I have had no word back from any of my halfling friends, but there is yet time.
And Iyenue, my devoted friend who, though a former member of my Household, still answered my call and eagerly joined the company as my vanguard once more. She will join Kortheod and his beloved Plusheila and will form the fighting core of the expedition. I still await word from my two strongest, however: my Huntress, Hartagil, and my champion, Aifiolossë, have been abroad and out of contact.
Secretly, I am cheered by the response and the swiftness the Household has shown in response. Such a company has not been assembled since the expedition to Angmar, or before that the Rescue Mission, as we call it. More may arrive, but I tell myself over and again, there is yet time…
For my part, I have spent the days closeted in study, rifling every shelf of my book-hoard regarding my lore of the Dúnedain of Cardolan, in an effort to familiarize myself with the lands and its history. In this effort, Bainiel has been an apt pupil and helper, assembling disparate tomes for my research. But a real breakthrough occurred in the watches of the night, from an equally new and young member of the Household.
It was just the last evening after Bainiel retired and I found myself in the main library when young Aamu arrived. Here I must set down my impressions about this young elf. Aamu, daughter of my old friend Ahmo, hails from Lindon where she stands service with the Mithlond Garrison. She has seen service in the Mithlond Archers for some time, being present for the great campaigns where the North-kingdom of the Dúnedain fell.
Since those days her mother, seeing that the young elleth was growing despondent over tedious sentry duty, suggested she come into company with me. The change in her demeanor has been both palpable and promising; but in addition to her skills as a combatant, she has now begun to show promise in other ways, as I shall explain…
I welcomed Aamu’s arrival as a break from my research, and after sharing a light meal and pleasantries, I returned to the library with Aamu in tow. I spoke of the upcoming expedition, and I was warmed by the eager light in her eyes as she offered to accompany the main body south. She also, to my surprise, began speaking of what she recalled from her days on the frontiers of war.
“Those were exciting and desperate times, Your Ladyship,” Aamu said, “better than the boredom of march-warden that I’m forced to do these days. The Dúnedain knew they could not hold out against Angmar, but they fought like cornered tuskers just the same. All along the frontier from Amon Sul and along the forts of the East Road we fought alongside them, falling back each season until the very slopes of Dor Ernil were beneath our feet.”
As Aamu spun her tale, I reached for different accounts on my shelves, both hearing her and absorbing what I read. Each location, each name she spoke pulled me along to another tome, another scrap. Her voice was as a hare, dashing across the fields of memory and bolting down holes of lore, until at last we alighted on…
“Tharbad!” I cried out. “There’s the answer! Look here, young one, see? Tharbad, the great inland port of Arnor, where Glanduin and Hoarwell join their waters to form the Greyflood. Ships could not navigate past that point, so the port was built to serve the roads and towns. And the Great North-South Road crossed at that point – “
“Aye, I recall the bridge well. Well maintained and guarded it was, until war, disease and cold scattered the folk and the region was deserted, falling to ruin. All that remains is a treacherous ford.”
“A port, even in ruins… ports and docks mean storehouses, and… and those might contain records! Even if the goods and stores are long since gone, some artifacts and pieces of lore might be found. Aamu, you’re a treasure! You set my eyes to the right path at last. All this time I was concentrating on what lay to the north, but you’ve turned my eyes to the real prize!”
Aamu blushed at my praise, but the look in her eyes was of grateful pride. She was outwardly pleased to have been of service; had her mother never said anything of same? I have indeed known Ahmo for a long age, and know her as a stern and stoic mind, more worthy of ithriel than maethoriel; but Aamu speaks her name with a hidden dread that puzzles me. Perhaps there will be a time when I learn what troubles this young ward of mine.
But that is for another time. For now, I await tidings from the House as they gather to my call. And with my new-found lore, we have a firmer destination to follow.
