Penned in the House of Healing,
In the Realm of Dorwinion.
I have bent my thought to Ioriston's wise counsel regarding my livelihood upon my long journey westwards, and though the garnering of coin is vital, I deem it need not be the heart of my toil; for surely it is possible to reap reward not merely for the sake of payment, but whilst giving aid to those in need, and thus perhaps redress -- in some small way -- the ills of Arda Hastaina. For doubtless many of those who will be most in need of such aid will be the poorest of the poor, they who can spare naught in return save perhaps a little food and shelter from the night.
But what aid can I offer? Alas, my choices seem slim. Foremost it needs must be something that does not cause me to linger too long in one place, for ever must I hasten westwards to the Sea. And I cannot be burdened with baggage, for though Lord Iavasdir has pledged to me a swift Dorwinion-bred steed, to bear a cumbrous load would hinder my progress; and now that I have learned of the guileful hearts of covetous Men, too many possessions would surely draw the unwanted notice of brigands in the wilds or footpads in the towns. Now the Edhil use no coin and barter wares with the men of Rhovanion, but they pay with míri at need, and Lord Iavasdir thought to gift me with precious adamant and chalcedony -- for which I am grateful to him -- but I refused this boon for these too would doubtless bring peril un-looked for.
I cannot hunt, for my connexion with the beasts of the forest prevents me from the taking of their lives, even for provender; nor will I take an axe to any tree. My toil in the vineyards gave to me some knowledge of growing and harvesting the yield of the soil, but I deem that the farmers of Eriador seek younger and more hale farmhands than I. My long sojourn in the House of Healing allowed me to glean something of the leechcraft and herbal remedies of the Elves; also words of healing for both hröa and fëa (with which, to my astonishment, I have some skill), and thus might I serve my fellow Men as a healer. And I am no quentaro, but sarmë and lambë are perhaps my greatest strength; mayhap the role of wandering scribe would best befit me, for there are likely many folk who cannot read nor write. However, as Ioriston remarked when I sought again his counsel, I needs must amend my common loiparë... my careless habit of imbuing my writing with words of edhellen!
But his counsel is this: Dorwinon houses many master craftsmen within its confines, and I should seek out each and try my hand at their divers arts, for a talent hitherto undiscovered may be revealed under their skilful care.
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