In the Hall late today, but had no wine as I have not settled my bill with Sogadan yet. After a little angry talk, I have concluded that he is the most ill-humored, miserly elf that I have ever met in all my life. The Hound Daegond was here earlier, and though I did pretend not to notice him over my book, he stood at length glowering with those dark eyes of his until I was near flummoxed, and had to acknowledge his presence. He did hint that something was not right in the House: he said that he could smell it. I suggested that Lord Elrond must need to wash the draperies, and this made him laugh in his odd, mirthless way, but he told me to report anything amiss to him.
I am mightily troubled by his words. Last night, by accident, I met Galdorion, my mistress Rainith’s golden-haired husband, whom we thought was exiled to Lórien by Lord Veryacano. It seems he never left the Valley! There he was, discoursing with Rainith in the courtyard, wearing a flowered velvet dress very rich and all laced with pink ribbons. Mistaking him for a smart, handsome lady, I introduced myself, and paid him many pretty compliments. I would never have known of this awkward deception had he not cast off one of his earrings in a fit of passion, telling Rainith that he loved her, and could not bear to be away from her, and other silly declarations. My mistress was made unhappy and sore wroth, and said it was the most impudent thing he has ever done. To risk the wrath of Lord Veryacano – well, it might, perhaps, be the most foolish thing I have ever seen anyone do, and it might cost him his place in the House of Vanimar if he is found out. Yet Galdorion cares not, that love-smitten elf thinking with his heart and not with his head, and would not listen to Rainith, and did not seem to have wit enough to realize that he must leave the Valley forthwith. For my part, I shall pretend that I have not seen him, and do right by my mistress Rainith, though I hope it will not turn to my wrong. Perhaps Galdorion’s heart has cooled and he has seen the folly of hiding in the Valley. I have not seen him since, so it may be that he has left. I hope so, for all our sakes.
Rainith has been a good, kindly mistress to me, only she is not Noldo, and with this fresh business with Galdorion, and the rage-filled Estarfin casting shadows around the House, watching me - why, I am not certain, but perhaps he waits for an opportunity for revenge; and the Hound’s sniffing and watchfulness, methinks I am not secure here. I have heard no reply from my Lord Anglachelm; perhaps my counsel was too weak, or perhaps I should not have spoken out about the Hammers, and found fault with that folk without knowing more of my lord’s mind. I have no reason to worry that my letter was not read, for my lord read all my other letters, and so he should have read my latest, and out of the greatness of his wisdom, he may decide to show his power and answer it by and by - or perhaps he will not. But I am not at all sorry for writing it.
