So now it is that I wear the blue ‘Sea-Eagle’ hauberk of the Loth-i-Lonnath, and with a mixture of great pride and humility. Swiftly has passed the season since first I encountered Curugirion upon the road from Duillond, that I find it hard to keep up with the changes in my life. Yet changes there have been – and all for the better I deem!
Though I may lodge in the quarters of the main hall with the others of my herth, a new place of dwelling have I - the Hawk Tower, a house of my own with a bird loft and tall trees surrounding, that Cugu and Tiri may frequent at will. Here may I serve any who visit, and offer what hospitality I can. Here may I train my existing bird friends, and the hawks I have yet to befriend, to be ‘eyes in the sky’; to bring me news of any trouble that may disturb the peace of our lands.
Truly blessed am I with my new home! The most astounding of views greet my eyes when I look from the windows or the gardens, for my home is perched upon the high rocks overlooking the Great River, that I can see clearly the mountains and falls, and Duillond itself in the near distance. And below in the valley lie the library, the apothecary, and houses of my order – Thamas Lorn. I could not have hoped in my childhood to dwell in such a place as this.
My time of being a grey-garbed recruit has passed – though certainly not my time of training in the arts of stealthy observation, defence – of moving as part of a unit to better protect and serve the folk of the Havens. Now do the other members of ‘The Grey Watch’ name me ‘sister’, and count me as fully one of their number. Herein lies my source of pride!
Yet humility is also a potent force, for I am become responsible, not only for my animal companions and myself, but for the safety and well being of my kin-folk; indeed, for any wayfarer in the lands of Ered Luin whom I encounter. I must ensure I am fully prepared for the duty I have freely embraced.
And with duty, happily, I have found friendships new.
Surely does Aearandir drill us often; to swim at length, to march and ride in difficult terrain. A hard taskmaster is he, though in order to bring out the full potential of those he commands. Yet this I have also found; that if ever I had a brother of my bloodline, I believe I would would wish him to be much like Aearandir - such is the love and loyalty he inspires in me. Our Caun’s words of wisdom and encouragement - his sheer joy in living, have been a constant example to one who has spent overlong of late in the company of creatures of the wilds, and little in the company of her own kind.
Durthand it was who first showed me the paths of our patrol; who introduced me to other members of the Loth-i-Lonnath in Duillond and Celondim – and to certain amongst the Dwarven folk who are counted as friends. Her unswerving patience with one new to any form of military life is very much appreciated, as are her lessons in the finer arts of the dance! Though we have been companions for but the shortest space of time, I ponder that in her I have already found a friend true and dear, whom I will grow to confide in as I would the closest of family.
Older than I by many centuries are these two, and I respect the fact there may be much in their respective pasts that I may not be permitted to know. Yet do I also think time will bind us closer that I may come to understand - to learn from them, even as I learnt my first studies in the Lore of the Sindar from my mother’s sire. I hope to prove as willing and able student to them, as I did to him.
But older by far is Curugirion himself! Of him, I know not what to say – so great is my respect and loyalty - that even he seems to value my presence and name me ‘friend’! It is a strange feeling to be working or making merry alongside one of the elder of our people; one who has seen so much more than I, or any of my remaining kin who dwell East of the Sea. To say I am somewhat in awe of him is no lie, for the gravitas and wisdom of the ages can be upon his brow as a gemed circlet, yet at other times it seems as if I eat and drink and ride with one barely out of his youth, for such can be the lightness of his spirit, aye, even in darkening days.
Others also are become dear to me, that their well-being is of great import, and time spent in their presence is joy! Of fair Linnethril the scout, and Linniriath, her sire; of steadfast Aegledor and the etherial Culir I will write as time allows.
Suffice it to say, that in these recent days I have felt as if I have returned home to my earliest dreams become reaility, and in that does my heart rejoice.
