My time back in Imladris is reaching a conclusion I think, or at least I have reached the auspicious milestone of beginning to plan for our departure. I find as I recline on the East Terrace of the Last Homely House that I am deeply and powerfully exhausted, simply from the emotions and memories that resound around this valley for me. Every moment of my stay in Rivendell has seemed fraught with meaning and import, even those which have in fact been mundane and banal. Such is the aura of this place, or perhaps it is due to my response to that aura. Either way, I feel as if I have spent a month on a battlefield in Golgoroth in the few days we have spent in Imladris.
A few events however of the last few days stand out as being worthy of exploration by my weary mind and pen.
First and foremost, as I alluded to in my last journal, was the discovery of Calidis Merifindiel, a craftswoman that Fillegedhiel felt may be able to aid our research into Cyndwin's blue crystal. After getting to know one another, I felt I could trust her with the puzzle which had brought me home to Rivendell. Therefore we found a quiet glade in Imladris, near the rushing waters and I shared with her the full story of Cyndwin's crystal and her disappearance from Angmar. At first she was deeply concerned for Cyndwin's safety, but I assured her that the actions of the Crystal, if indeed that was what caused Cyndwin to vanish for a year, seemed totally benign towards her. It could not be expected to understand the agony and horror it had caused me as I searched for her without success for so long.
I found her quiet, careful thoughts about this riddle to be most reassuring, indeed as I found her overall. Descended from a ringcraft adept of ancient days, she is the repository of powerful and mighty secrets, yet she is scorned and ignored by the grandees of Rivendell, so concerned are they with "forbidden knowledge". I find such thinking foolish at best, and dangerous at worst. Any craft and wisdom of that nature may be used for either good or evil depending on the heart of the smith, and I felt nothing but light and love in fair Calidis Night Eye, though her spirit had been sadly wounded through the long centuries of isolation.
From discussing the mysterious crystal, we fell to speaking of items of power in general, and I spoke to her somewhat of Heartbreaker which peaked her interest. She seemed quite amazed that Lilta, the soul of the bow I call Heartbreaker, often sings to me, or speaks in visions and dreams. She was even more dumbfounded to be told that others close to me had also been sent visions by Heartbreaker. I offered to allow her to hold the bow, to see if the spirit within would speak to her, and she seemed moved by the offer, as well as frightened. However, the curiosity of a scholar quickly overcame her fear and she allowed me to lay Heartbreaker in her outstretched hands.
She stood, eyes wide, for several minutes, until I took the bow from her when I felt the moment right. I then held her, for I know how traumatic such things can often be. She did not tell me what visions she may have had, though she did say she would need to prepare greatly to work with the blue crystal if it would "look into her as deeply" as Heartbreaker. She also asked if some of the visions showed the future as well...I explained that they show futures which may be, for Heartbreaker sees very little difference between what has been, what may still be to come and what can never be, as time seems not to matter to Lilta. Simply being in Lilta's world a few minutes after I fell in Kheledul was enough to addle all sense of linear time I may have had for days afterwards.
We have spoken several times since, as it seems I challenge Calidis in some way to break free of the prison she has built around herself, and soon she will attempt to understand the crystal now in the hilt of Warsong. I shared my suspicions with her which she said sound possible...but only time will tell. In the meantime I have been urging her to travel with us when we depart from Imladris for Rohan, and she is considering if she has the courage to leave the Court of Elrond behind her at long last. I deeply hope that she will accept my offer, for it would be good for her to realize she has wings to fly with, and her wisdom and skills will almost certainly be very important in the days to come. Beyond that, I enjoy her company and would not be robbed of it if it can be avoided.
On a sadder note, dear Maeredae, who I have come to value as a little sister and who traveled with us to Imladris, decided she had seen enough of the timeless valley despite all the books and cakes it provided her. She desired to return to her lover, awaiting her in Bree, and therefore wished to ride forth. I could not fault her that choice, for I urged her to ever follow her heart, but it was a sorrowful parting as beyond myself, both Hawke and Eduwiges had grown very close to the girl in a very short time.
I know I will see her again when our road takes us back to Bree and we parted in love and tender embraces, but it was a troubling moment for me watching her ride away. I fear I failed to protect her or support her in this place so strange to her, which caused her to hasten her departure. Imladris will be a bit lonelier without Mae, my sweet baby sister.
As one dear friend departed, another reappeared, for in the dead of night I felt a call in my mind that I had not expected. Nethrida of Gondor, who stood with us so valiantly in Kheledul, was in danger and was reaching out for me from the darkness. She had opted to remain in Breeland when we left pursuing her own business, and now after a pitched battle had found herself trapped in the arid Lone Lands in peril of her life.
I rode through the night, filled with terror that I would be too late and therefore fail her faith in me, until I came to her location just before dawn. I took some time to assess the reality of the situation and after slipping into their fortress unobserved by the many sentries, I came to bloody grips with those that menaced her. I will not further explain this event out of respect for her privacy, but once the threat had been dispatched, I was deeply moved by her emotion in our reunion.
After we had regained her equipment, I told her if she wished, I would escort her back to Bree, or she could continue back to Rivendell with me and then on to Rohan and Gondor. Without pausing even a single moment, she asked to remain with me and rejoin our company. Of course I readily agreed for I was thrilled to have her back with me and told her so directly. The swift ride back to Imladris together, and her happy reunion with Cyndwin, Eduwiges and Hawke, was truly a joy for me. I had not realized, in the rush of events, how much I had missed my warrior Nethrida.
Lastly, as Cyndwin, Nethrida and I were relaxing in a secluded garden after making solemn bonds to one another, we were surprised by the arrival of the Lady Arahen. After I knelt and gave her proper respect she drew me up into a tender embrace which I can still feel. It was the first time that my Cyndwin had actually met my liege, and I was pleased to see them both well impressed by one another. Nethrida was an acquaintance of Arahen's already, and like me was anxious for news of the Lady Ahmo who Arahen was attending upon. We were pleased to hear that Ahmo was improving after her travails in Kheledul, and we fell to discussing our mutual friend Addie and her impending marriage to an unknown lord of Rohan.
I sadly explained that I had promised sister Addie that I would not slay either her groom or her mother, against my better judgment. However I knew that Addie was going to throw herself upon this groom's mercy and hopefully he would allow her to forgo their union. We all agreed that, as my company would be in Rohan by then, we would seek to stealthily speed her escape from her kinsfolk...and if a stray arrow should happen to pierce her mother's head, those things must be expected in times of war.
And so, with that pleasant thought warming me, I will set down my pen and rejoin my loves in our chambers. On the morrow I hope to know more about Cyndwin's strange situation, and then next week, our ever growing company will depart for Rohan, and after that, Gondor. In my next entry, I will discuss our plans and destinations.
