Went for a walk in the gardens, and found my mistress Rainith standing alone beside the roaring waterfall. Very weary she was, as she seems always to be lately, and I thought she looked a little too pale. We talked a good while, and I was pleased to give her an account of my studies, and prove that I shall attain anything that I set out to do, and how I have mastered the first three chapters of the little book of Quenya that she gave me. Those that speak the ancient tongue are mostly those who came from over the Sea, and there is not very many of this folk left, but some in the House of Vanimar speak it exclusively. I will make use of both tongues here, to my great content, and no longer sit like a fool wondering what is said about me, and be troubled when hearing my name mixed in with unclear speech. I remarked to Rainith how Quenya is very much like my native tongue, for they stemmed from a common language, but we were sundered, and over the long years grew apart. Once, there were as many dialects as there were settlements of Elves; that is to say, many, but as the ages passed, and we dwindled and departed from these lands, now only a few remain. It made me sad to wonder if Sindarin will suffer the same fate, and die out, until no one knows what the words mean at all anymore, and then we will truly have faded away.
But Rainith smiled at me, and in her gentle way said, “Some of us fade away. Others grow stronger: we learn new things, we create new lives.”
I was surprised and made mighty merry to hear this piece of great news, which explains much about my mistress’s weariness and wan face. Seizing Rainith by the hand, I asked why she must stand in the blazing sun instead of resting easy in a chair with her feet propped up. I did try to take her by the arm, and guide her back to the house, but she was unwilling to go: she said that she had no need of rest, and, in fact, was going to train her sword-work. This vexed me greatly so that I could not be quiet, and I asked her if it was really the proper time for such a thing. I thought it was a very foolish idea, but I did not tell her this, as I did not wish to incense my mistress at such a delicate time, when she is in need of all care and consideration. And, I reasoned, it is still early, for I could see no outward signs of her condition, besides her paleness. So I only said that she must not overdo it, and I made her promise not to overdo it. Then I offered to bring her some refreshment, if she would not return to the House, but she refused everything. I was very hungry myself, not having broken my fast, so I left Rainith in joyful spirits and returned to the House, mightily pleased that a child will soon be running around its halls, and laughing at how very innocent and coy Rainith carried herself, but she is modest, and it is most becoming. I would speak with her husband Galdorion, for I would tell him that he is the most fortunate elf in all the land, and his mind should be at ease knowing that I am looking after Rainith.
