Himwen

So many departures. They knew that this day would come, that they would have to be prepared. It still made her wonder, despite their training, were the Fountaineers ready for this? As she left the Pillar hall, her conversation with Tingruviel still rung in her ears.

A clean cloth. Or what used to be a clean cloth. It was now covered with dust. The whole room smelled like distant memories, as if someone had not occupied the space for a long time. And it was true. It had stood empty for a while now.

She had taken it upon herself to clean it, as it felt like desecration of a holy place to let someone else in. She knew it was folly, of course. The lady Danel had left for the Havens, and would not return. But the idea that she might one day reappear kept Tingruviel busy tidying the space.

While Loth i Lonnath pushed ahead to recover any kinsmen that might be scattered to the south and west, the Orders of the Hammer and Fountain followed at a slower pace, with the Hound -- Sergeant Daegond -- tracking the yrch that may have been responsible for the shocking murder at the Ford of Bruinen.

Ealendil lets her gaze wander the rolling plains before the Redhorn Pass, no movement, no breeze stirring the grasslands, not even a bird of prey hovering in the air… It was the morning the day after she had left Earcalie north of the dry riverbed of Nan Sirannon. Earcalie had continued on her own back to Imladris, and Ealendil had since been following days old tracks from a large party going north.

It is late afternoon when Maedhrathin arrives at the small meadow leading down to the lake of Hidhuinen. The air of the vale is still warm, despite it being the season of Rhîw. Finding a comfortable spot he sits down to wait for the arrival of Ealendil, savoring the last of the warmth of the afternoon sun.