My companions are beckoning me to leave the beacon in their care. They believe that our solitary life atop this hill is killing me after all these years. Fools! One grey hair atop my head and they think I am falling into darkness! I feel their eyes stinging in my back as I lay to rest at night, as if they fear I would not see the light of day. Do they take me for an old man? I have seen but 50 58 winters! Death is not yet upon me, and if it were I would welcome it, for I do not fear death, not like these unfaithful middle-men!
Yesterday we caught a breeze from the northeast. It carried with it a remarkable stench, one that can only be summoned by the rotting of things long dead. We heard voices in the air too. My companions saw it as an ill omen, and thus they slept with a sword alongside their bedding. They think me a frail man, but look at them! I will remind them of their own folly, I will show them! I will do what they ask of me, but I will not go anywhere near the white city, I will move northeast and follow the voices and the smell.
Aglaril
23d of September 3018
I have walked for nearly 50 miles and I have not the need for rest nor drink or food. Who is the weak one now father? I would want to see Beregilthor do this! They know nothing of the world. Their lives are as cold and meaningless as the iron they bare. Honour they speak of, but they do not understand the word. My sword has seen battle too, but I would not profess to be honourable because of it. Honour comes with death and death only. At Amon Dîn I thought I could serve Gondor the best and still be as close to the Valar as I could be. For where there is wind there is heard the voice of Ilúvatar. Yet now the time has come to answer his call. I will sleep here tonight, on the bank of the river. In the morrow I will move north. Ilúvatar guide me.
Aglaril
25th of September 3018
I have finally arrived at the source of the stench. It is as I thought, the Dead Marshes. Nothing here but men long gone. Yet I hear Ilúvatar calling me. The Valar are here. I must find them. Perhaps they bare a sign of whatever will come to pass. A warning for Gondor. Or perhaps they wish me to prove them my loyalty. I am devoted to them, they must know of this! Perhaps it is a test, perhaps I was drawn here to face the evil my companions at Amon Dîn feared. For that I have brought with me my sword and my armour, though one cannot say that I brought them because I fear my fate. Nay, I am certain that the Valar are guiding me. I think I saw a light not far from here, it must be a sign! I will pursue it!
Aglaril
27th of September 3018
