Feeling More Elvish Than Ever
Falathlorn, Lindon
50 Hrívë in the Reckoning of Imladris
(being the 18th of Afteryule in the Shire-reckoning)
Oh, Book, what a treat and surprise I’ve had! Now, I have to start from the beginning and not the middle of this, but the main bit is, now I have a bird of my own, too!
As I’ve written all before, Naneth has the rapport and loyalty with all living creatures, as all Elves naturally do. But I always wondered, being Mortal and half-Elvish as me and Danny are, how much Elf do I really possess? Well, I’ve been finding out. Naneth sat me down when I was younger, just after I turned nine years old, and explained that Windwalker, her eagle-friend, had chicks of his own just after she and Ada married, and just before I was born. And to prove it, she summoned Windwalker and he brought one of his children, a daughter-bird, to the Lair.
What an adorable little thing! I asked if I could hold her, and Naneth said yes, if I was careful. Windwalker’s feathers all puffed out, so proud of his little fledgling as I scooped her into a hug. They told me she was already nine years old, same as me, but she wasn’t grown to her full size – same as me, I’m guessing. Naneth told me that, when I was old enough and ready, this eagle could be my companion, same as Windwalker was to her.
“Does she have a name?” I asked, and Windwalker replied, “Surely as thou dost, fledgling. My daughter’s name in thy tongue is Ithililt, that is Moondance; for she did come forth from the egg on a night of fullest moon and wriggled in joy at the moonlight.”
And just a few weeks ago, I was visited by Moondance at my house – and would you know it, she speaks a lot like her father does to Naneth! “Greetings, O Fledgling,” she said to me!
“Greetings, O Ithililt,” I said, “Is it finally the day? Will you visit with me, and share my adventures?”
“And with great joy, ElfViolet,” she replied, and I think I squealed – Naneth is the LadyRedElf, and I’m ElfViolet!
I feel more Elvish than I ever have before!
