A Letter to Ealendil

((Please forgive my crude attempt at Tenwar))




(Ealendil) - Is addressed in black ink upon the outside of a folded, loosely sealed paper. The letter is written in elvish wording and style, and would be delivered via a friendly young elven messenger to Ealendil directly by her name and description if she should still be within Eregion.

If opened, the letter reads as follows:

"A greeting to you, fine Ealendil and company.

I write upon the return of my comrades and I to Echad Dúnann, and the sorry circumstance of finding you and your company either absent or departed - I know not which, and alas that the dwarves have stalled again in ensuring the safety of entry to Moria after a recent rock-slide, so that we might not even venture ahead to see if you can all be found a short way within.

It weighs upon my heart that we must here part ways, unknowing of the way or fate of your own party - and so perhaps it is for selfish solace that I will write to inform you of our own activities, should you by chance come upon this letter. Though I hope it would bring you some knowledge or relief also, should that be the case. Or Valar forbid, give you or any remaining from your company a direction in which to come in haste for help should the worst have befallen.

When last we met, I had the pleasure of sharing a meal in your company, generously offered and delicious after a day of hard-pressed activity, after which came your invitation to travel to Mirobel, a place I confess I was reluctant to go - but, easily enough swayed by my appreciation of all your company, I am glad that I did.

Shortly after we all parted ways, Eluineth and I returned to our own encampment where waited Aecthel, the other of our group.

What befell us next was unexpected, for the next day a hawk came to us, behaving strangely. Swooping, screeching, and harrying our company. Very conspicuous behaviour for a wild creature, and we all sensed its distress. Upon inviting the creature closer to our camp to feed on a meal readied on its behalf, it then flew off - but in yet another urging way that seemed to bid us to follow. 

We readied ourselves for trouble and did so. The bird led us to a camp of menfolk ruffians hidden in a copse of trees. I questioned them, under friendly terms at first - but these terms were quickly (as we all expected they might be) betrayed, and we were then given cause to fight.

The ruffians were swiftly defeated, though I wished for the death of none - not yet knowing their business, and so we incapacitated and bound them to give ourselves time to learn why this unusual bird had sought this place with such earnest and with such distress.

The last ruffian, was already engaged in a fight when we came upon him. And, engaged in this scuffle, was a mortal woman, whose name we would later come to know as Braigroveth. She is a very misplaced woman of Gondor who has suffered a forcible removal from her home. However, the circumstances under which we found her were decidedly poor, the girl despite having the appearance and bearing of an upstanding lady, was dressed in rags and in a shaken state.

That is why we made the decision to return to Imladris. It was certainly no honor upon us to leave the woman of Gondor in the middle of foe-plagued Eregion, unarmed and unprotected against the elements. We traveled back, thus, to allow the girl to regather herself.

We were fortunate enough to be back in Imladris during a scheduled meeting in the Hall of Fire, which fair Eluineth and I attended. During this meeting, we accepted two more companions into our group for our journey. Menegil and Elemere.

We did make return to Echad Dúnann, however there was fear afoot, trepidation about Moria from some of my companions. Furthermore, some of us had received new ill tidings of the place from Imladris. The deciding factor for me, was when we once again reached Echad Dúnann, and I saw not the fair faces of yourself or your companions, for I hoped to receive more current word from all of you (particularly about your companions whom you had told me ventured up into the mountain and had not returned), or discuss the options and exchange counsel for the road ahead to our mutual destination.

And so with difficulty, I made the decision that we would not take the way through Moria, after all, and instead we will be taking to the south - and by way of the gap of Rohan will venture around the mountains to the east. If you and yours have not yet left, I urge you also to consider this route; for the mountains' innards have an ill feel, and I fear on your behalf for you all to enter them. Know that if you divert and take the longer south and east route you will have welcoming company, should you wish it.

My most significant reluctance is that we shall not know of the wellbeing of your party, and for that reason I hesitate here, on the crest of our departure, to leave you this letter.

While in Imladris, Elvealin's mother and friends bade her and the rest of you all well, and wish you to know that they, too, are fine and good.

I have included within this correspondence, a small piece of music you might enjoy for your harp, and the daring part of me would wish such simple notes to bring you some joy if you receive this before venturing in to the depths of Moria.Of course the more practical side of me knows that such follies are dangerous - and besides, music will sound all the sweeter beneath a golden canopy.

Safe paths to you and yours, and I look forward to when we meet again.

- Coruhuron."

(Link to the harp music ABC file entitled "A melody for Ealendil" - my own short composition. Coru's, IC.)