Isilya, the 54th day of Lairë
Míril has grown up so much, since I first brought her to Imladris. I cannot believe she was once small enough that I could hold her in my two hands, when now I have to balance her on my arm like a small child. Oh, she is as inquisitive as ever, perhaps even more so than before, now that she knows the house well, and the ins and outs of the household. She is quite fond of fruits and berries, as now the wild berries are beginning to be in season. When she was still quite young, I brought her to the Hall of Fire, and Tathlas there offered her some mint leaves and raspberries.
She loves raspberries especially, I have found. I had to ask my nephew Lachmir to build a fence around the berry bushes in the garden, else she will eat more than she ought when she is left to wander around on her own. At this moment, she is sitting on my desk, her grey velvet ears twitching occasionally. I went out for a walk in the gardens this morning, and she trotted along obediently, pausing every so often to sniff a stray blade of grass or investigate some flowers. It is quite welcome to have a little companion to whom I may direct my thoughts, as I have the unfortunate habit of talking to myself when deep in thought. Perhaps it looks less strange to be talking to a rabbit, rather to thin air.
But I have not lacked in company, these past few days. Just last afternoon, I had tea with Eliriael and Lilleduil. Eliriael brought the most delicious raspberry tarts, and Lilleduil plenty of exciting news from around the Vale. They were discussing the afternoon of swimming that they and some others from Vanimar and the Warband had enjoyed in Imladris. Tyelco told me as much, when he stopped by to visit me yesterday morning. Apparently there had been some swimming- races, in which he was bested by Fingolrin, and Lilleduil by Faorie. I have never been one for swimming, but I could see that Tyelco had the time of his life. He was grinning like a fool the entire time he told me the story ... perhaps this has something to do with the elleth I suspect he fancies? I will have to do some judicious snooping, for my own brother's benefit.
And, in fact, this is not all. Apparently Eliriael is going away to the Havens for a few weeks, escorted by some captain from Lórien who is a friend of Annúngil's. Aicalion, I think his name was. Ah, I remember the days when I was in Lórien, while battle raged in Eriador and Imladris was beseiged by the forces of Angmar. Tinwen, my younger sister, was then betrothed to Gilthalion, a warden of Lórien, and I was always caught in the middle of the military gossip. Apparently this Aicalion was quite well known in Lórien, having been a captain of the House of the Heavenly Arch in Gondolin. I told Eliriael as much, during our tea yesterday, and she seemed to be quite pleased. I am sure he will make a fine escort.
Lilleduil was also lovely company - she understands animals like none other, and told me that Míril was quite happy to be with me (and that my rabbit thought the food was quite fine, indeed). We spoke and drank tea while Míril perched on the table to my right, nibbling some raspberries which Eliriael had brought over. It was a lovely afternoon, and I hope there will be more to follow. Books make wonderful friends, but they are not quite the same as actual company, a fact I am increasingly realizing in recent days.
