Torech Besruth, Falathlorn, Lindon
May 2nd in the Shire-calendar
Book, I have so much to tell you! These last few days have been wonderful. The biggest news of all is that Ada and Danny have come home!!
Naneth called a House Council as soon as she got the tidings that they were due to arrive – she actually hugged Captain Teahesto when he delivered the letter, and would you believe it, I saw him smile! Naneth and Aunt Hartagil started plotting what to do for them when they arrived, and I sat with the Captain; he was still grinning when I snuck a look at him…
Well, a week later, the Household came to the Lair for the Council. As everyone gathered in the Grand Hall, Auntie Berry and Gwentilda were dashing about serving up hobbit-pastries and drinks – and then Ada and Danny entered, and the whole place dissolved into cheers and smiles. But what’s the first thing Ada does? He takes over the Scullery and shoos Berry and Tilda out! How we all laughed!
(Well, not the first thing – because when Naneth and Ada saw each other, they almost sprinted into each other’s arms, kissing until everyone started applauding…)
Then the Council started, and everyone turned serious. We spoke of upcoming expeditions (Eregion and Moria were mentioned more than once), and one of our newest members, Master Nalrok, especially spoke up about the chance of seeing “Khazad-dûm”, as he called it (I can’t quite get the Dwarf-words right, not like Naneth does).
There was also a lot of talk I listened to really close, because it was more like gossip than just talk. All about alliances and agreements between other households and companies; how some were close friends of ours, others not so much, and some to actively avoid! Book, I’m glad to be included in the Councils finally, but this kind of talk is getting a little too serious for my liking. Well, after the Council broke and we all began to go separate ways, I couldn’t help but grab Danny by the arm and lead him out into the Gallery.
“Come on,” I said, “I’m going to change out of these formal robes. You do the same, and I’ll meet you outside in the courtyard.” Danny nodded and we both dashed out of the manor for our separate bungalows. Not long after, we met under the trees and just walked and talked, finally finding a bench by the market, and sitting together.
“Now Danny,” I said, “tell me what was so secret about what you and Ada were talking about with Grandmama. What did you find in Umbar?”
“Has Naneth told you nothing?” he said.
“Only that you and Ada were tracking down ‘The Black Star’, as he keeps calling it.”
Danny’s face got really serious. “You know that ‘Black Star’ was Gilmorwen, Grandmama’s sister; and how she tortured Ada all those years ago. Ada was determined to try and track down any rumor that she had more heirs; the most likely place was Umbar, among the Moredain, the Black Númenoreans…
“Well, we disguised ourselves – and they worked, too, else we wouldn’t still be alive – and learned a lot about the Men of the South. But there’s just no more trail to follow, everything dead ends in Umbar, and the trail went cold. So, we returned to Grandmama’s island in Belfalas, before coming home – oh, what’s with that face again!?”
So I told him, “It’s still not fair that you got to visit Grandmama, and I have yet to go there…”
“Oh, for Elbereth’s sake, Bane! You’ll get your chance, don’t worry. Ada spoke to Naneth about it, and now I’ll tell you: Grandmama arranged with the captain of the ship that brought us home. You’re to go aboard and sail back south, and you’ll visit Grandmama all by your own self!”
Book, I hugged Danny so tight that he choked! “Oh Danny, that’s the best present I could’ve hoped to get! When do we leave – I mean, when do I leave? And where do I meet the ship – and I have to pack – “
Danny laughed, “Hold on, Bane! It’s not for at least a fortnight yet. I’ll help you pack, there’s some things that you’ll need when you arrive, to fit in better. And besides,” he said with a huge grin, “we get to spend some time together ourselves, I still have so much to tell you…”
So now, Book, I’m planning an expedition of my very own – and I get to see Grandmama’s island at last – on an Elven-ship, too! I wonder if I can take Moondance along with me, at least she can be an extra pair of eyes…
