Blood and water – so I beheld in the Great Hall as Aearandir tended to the cuts upon his hands, the scrapes and gashes upon his arms - so did my foresight warn me in vision brief of much blood to be spilt in days ahead, that no amount of water would assuage. Naught was there I could do to prevent that which nigh quailed my heart, save my very best to guide my herth to safety when it mattered most.
~ ~ ~
As ever do the days pass by apace that I am prevented from making record as I wish, and from completing the account of my training. Days – the year flies by as a blink of an eye and though in times past would such short a span been of little consequence to me, now do I find each moment is of particular import. So many things have happened this last moon that I must write with some immediacy, or be overcome as by a deluge. And I know not what will happen in the near future...though I am increasingly prepared for affray, yet did the meeting in the Great Hall yestereve leave me with a sense of determination and of dread. Blood I saw in truth, and in my mind’s eye ... and spilt blood there will be before the next moon. I pray to the Lady of the Seas it is not the blood of those I hold dear.
Where to begin, for I must set the scene of what led to this day and right swiftly. The stone in Oatbarton, aye indeed, it was the stone that saw the beginning of this recent activity. But then was there the trip to Mithlond, the delivering of letters and information and the visit with my parents.
Vinya Loa; is that eve and Yestare’s celebrations not worth mentioning, at least as a record of what our lives should be?
And finally, there is the task with which Curugirion has now entrusted me, and that one I dare not fail in.
The matter of the stone I may pass over briefly, for little did I learn save the object bore strange markings, gave an air of great malignance to any who approached it, and exuded some foulness that permeated the soil nearby. Yet an odd influence did that stone also exert upon me, that I deemed it of import and would not easily set aside my desire for knowledge.
Now Istuir had ridden with me to investigate, as oft he was assigned to keep guard of my person. We had met with Culir at Echad Rond, and travelled stealthily to the edges of the village of the Periannath. Naught was there aside the usual until we reached the edge of habitation, then all three of us sensed a growing dis-ease in our spirits that caused us to slow our progress. Now I am but a novice in exploration compared to seasoned warriors such as Culir and Istuir. That the malevolence was felt by both of them as a sense of oppression was most disconcerting. If such Edhil as they were afflicted, be it slightly, what of the ‘Hobbits’ who lived nearby?
Now Tiri had accompanied me also on that journey, but at the sight of a stag lying motionless at the edge of a field I bid my raven friend fly hence, and watch from the distant trees. Most obvious even to an untrained eye was it that something was amiss concerning the manner of the animal’s demise! As we progressed, other creatures did we encounter also lying prone and lifeless upon the ground, with no sign of wound or hunter’s arrow. Culir bowed his head briefly at the side of each with sadness for what appeared to be a life taken unnecessarily.
And then we saw the object of our quest. Aiieee… was not the land and air about it tainted with unwholesomeness, that we wished our time in that place to be most brief. We all looked upon the stone and the rune marked thereon that we could recall the design to others, and I carefully took a small sample of soil from near the base. Both Culir and Istuir bid me hurry, regarding my taking of a sample with something akin to dismay.
“Have a care, Lady Aearlinn,” whispered Istuir, (using the title he insisted on bestowing upon me, despite my frequent protestations that I was but a ship-builder’s daughter!) “Let us not bring back to Thamas Lorn any more of this ill than we must!”
Then we left the way we had come most readily. It was not for almost half of an hour that the sense of oppression lessened, that we could speak to each other with good cheer again. To Echad Rond I would not return – not bearing that phial of tainted earth, for no ill would I ever knowingly take to that place of beauty. So Istuir and I bid Culir farewell some distance from that place.
“The rune I recognise not at all in design or purpose,” my mentor stated just before we parted, “But the sense of ill….alas for the creatures and folk of that area that it feels like a poison has pervaded their land. Close watch must we keep upon them, while we may.”
And so we parted, Culir to return to his own duties in the wilds, and Istuir and I to bring back what little information we had to Curugirion. Swiftly did we ride that the journey was made in half a day less than usual, and once at Thamas Lorn I made straight for the Tham Conin without thought to change or refresh myself. Indeed, overeager was I to make my report, but then the matter seemed one I must bring to the attention of my Hirgonui.
Now Curugirion patiently hearkened to my report, as my words of knowledge tumbled forth in quick succession. He raised a brow at my slightly unkempt appearance, though seemed relieved that Istuir and I had returned unharmed, and bearing no worse news
“The effect of the stone is two-fold, as far as I can determine,” I had announced with urgency, “The effect upon the peace of one’s spirit, and the effect upon the land like unto a poison, or disease.”
Curugirion gently raised a hand in an attempt to slow my thoughts and words. “Yet you say the effect was localised, Aearlinn? That the sense of dread lessened with but a little distance from the stone?”
I nodded affirmation.
“While unwholesome this thing is in nature … there is no immediate pressing danger to the Periain … or to Lindon?” continued Curugirion.
Again I nodded, though could not help but think the stone’s presence masked something dire.
“Well … it is clear the object must be watched.”
“But Hirgonui…” I interjected.
“Peace, Aearlinn….be at peace!”
Curugirion spoke in a tone part advice, and part order, as he perceived the stubbornness of my mind-mood and my will to pour forth my concerns. After a moment, and acquiescence from myself, he continued.
“What I propose is this: the phial of soil you should not unseal here. I would that you take it on the morrow to Mithlond and present it, and your findings, to the keepers of Lore there. I cannot help but think that counsel must certainly have reached the Wise of the Havens from Imladris by now, and that all that needs to be done is being done. But it will do no harm for them to know what you have found as well.”
Curugirion paused a moment, considering me. “And I would that you carried some letters of mine to ‘South Watch’ as you travel in that direction, Pethroval, and….make a visit with your parents!”
I glanced up, eyes widening at the last suggestion.
Curugirion chuckled. “I know you have been in contact with them through messages by hawk, but you have not seen them in person since first you joined us. That is also a matter of import, and must be remedied.” Then, with a twinkle of kindness and good humour in his silver-blue eyes, my Hirgonui waved me out of his presence.
I knew he had treated my information with respect and sincerity, but I also knew he would not have me overly concerned with the matter of the stone…..at least, not for the present.
~ ~ ~
A little later in the afternoon, bathed and attired in a plain gown of rose-coloured hue, that I was again my parent’s daughter rather than the Pethroval of the Mithdirith, I walked down to the pavilion in the lake, where some others of the herth had gathered to enjoy each other’s company. Brightly garbed were they – not in uniform or scouting attire, but in clothing that emphasised their individuality.
The fair-faced Istuir waved to me to join them from afar, and laughed and called that I travelled with him at need, for my sense of direction was hopeless. At that the others smiled, knowing it for a good-humoured jest, (though never has my sense of direction been the best, even with Culir’s most thorough instruction. Did I not lead him a merry trail throughout the Shire before completing my training, ...ahh … but that is another tale!)
Durthand was attired in a dress of her favoured deep blue, her harp lying at her side upon the grass. Radiant was she with her aura of beauty and gentleness of heart that it was difficult to reconcile her presence with the doughty, formidable warden she became when in uniform. She smiled welcome, and bid me sit and join in the converse that the others had enjoyed, though doubtless there had been music too.
“Welcome back, my friend. We have been talking each about something of our youth, that Istuir grows to know us more, and we him.”
Had I not oft wished to know more of Durthand’s history, yet never had the opportunity presented itself wherein I felt comfortable to enquire. Now it seemed I may hear but a little, for she had nigh finished her account.
And Aearandir, his eyes shining brightly as he rose to his feet, made a small bow in my direction, enquiring enthusiastically “Ah, Aearlinn, you are arrived at just the right moment, and with more wine I hope?”
We all laughed, that stones and malevolence and poisoned creatures seemed far distant. My own thoughts turned to my parents, whom in truth I had not seen for almost four years. Had I not encountered Curugirion upon the road home to Mithlond after spending three years in the wilds with my animals? Right was he to point out the importance of all forms of family, that I smiled to myself I had not thought it right to ask for a short leave of absence earlier.
The evening moved on apace. Istuir left us to seek well-earned rest and then, after a song to welcome aduial, Durthand headed uphill for her quarters. Aearandir and I remained, seated within the pavilion itself, watching the shimmering waters of the lake and the stars of the heavens reflected therein. Silent did I become in his presence for a while, that I wished only for him to enjoy the moment and not be distracted by my voicing of thoughts. But eventually my tongue got the better of me.
“I am to go to Mithlond in the morning,” I broke the contemplative mood, telling Aearandir of Curugirion’s plan with a mixture of emotions. “Though my thoughts are here, yet do I long to visit with my family, and tread again the paths of my dear home. And I am to bear letters and speak with others concerning the stone.”
“The stone!” Aearandir broke from his indulgence in a final goblet of wine and the beauty of late birdsong, turning to regard me as if he saw through me.
“You have done all that you may, Aearlinn, now it will be in other hands.” The caun’s usually bright countenance darkened but slightly as he continued. “It is likely a matter that does not affect our folk greatly, this and other such stones being confined to Mannish lands. Expect not great enthusiasm from those to whom you speak in Mithlond. It will not be a high priority for them, I warrant. Why, with many departing these shores for Valinor, some will think little of any event east of Ered Luin. And even if they do …’Grey Watch’ have had but few reinforcements of late to deal with the matter, few can be spared for few are our kind left east of the Great Sea.”
He looked at me in a manner that willed me to leave alone that which I had no power to alter. “We have enough to do maintaining patrols of the paths of Lindon and keeping goblin movements at bay, so few are we become from the days of our glory. If the stones are a danger why, I know not if we can muster the strength of numbers to deal with them as well.”
Such an honest confession of what likely burdened his own thoughts brought me out of my obsession with knowledge in a manner little else could have.
“I understand!” I whispered my reply softly.
“Good! Then let us be merry under Elbereth’s stars…here..” he rose to his feet and took up his harp, “I shall play for you….what song would bring you joy?”
Aearandir sang and played into the deep of the night, revelling as he oft did in life, and Aiwe came and joined him that for a while ellon and bird voiced a most beautiful duet. So was my mood, and my heart, inexorably lightened.
~ ~ ~
He will not play now, not for some days I fear. Aearandir’s hands are torn and bruised. Blood there was upon him when I entered the Great Hall, and found him attending to his wounds with water and salves.
“It is nothing, Aearlinn,” said he, hastily pulling down the sleeves of his robe, “ I have survived far worse!” He laughed, ever merry of nature if it be possible – but I saw the transitory flicker of pain in his eyes – and I think likely he saw not the vision I perceived in that moment, and what was but confirmed for me by Curugirion’s later words.
