The letter is enclosed in an envelope hastily folded, and slightly bent from where the bearer had tucked it away before its delivery to its recipient. The seal, however, a wax seal of gold color with the inlay of a swan. It was precisely pressed on, careful deliberate application taken in how it was applied to the envelope. The recipient's name was scrawled on the back with a flourished but hurried motion of handwriting. When opened, the wording itself seems to be hurried, as if the writer did not have time to impose everything she wanted to say.
To Cardanith, my dearest friend.
I leave this letter in the hands of Sogadon, the vintner, as he was whom I last spoke to before my departure. I trust that he should see it safely to you, as I know you were not planning to leave for several more days still.
I know our last conversation together was tense and full of accusations. I said things that I do not regret, but I do feel as though I could have presented my thoughts in a more respectful manner. You said things without regret as you always do - and hurtful as they were to hear, I believe you were speaking truth over me. Perhaps a truth that has come too late. You are the Oath-Keeper, Cardanith. I have never been deserving of such a title.
Fear has touched my soul, dear friend. I am fearful of the World and what it has become. The Shadow has touched my soul with cold dread, and in my dreams, I see again the battles that we fought to put a stop to it a long Age ago. Fear has no place in a warrior’s heart, and that is why I feel it is for the best that I leave now Arda in the hands of Men. I know you are disappointed with me, and thusly I will not behest of you to stay your anger. For yours burns a bright and hot tongue, Cardanith, and a temper, and a desire to right the injustices done unto you and yours. It will serve you well in these dark times, a flame against the shadow.
You are of dearest importance to me, old friend. Once I considered us as close as siblings, borne together by the fires as Gondolin fell and bearing arms together through every Age that passed. Perhaps, torn in twain by the fall of our King. For I fear there lies the chasm between us, as your loyalty never faltered and mine merely changed allegiances, from an Oath made to a promise to the Sea. I hope you think fondly of me one day, though I know it shall not be for a time. Ne’ertheless, I will be waiting for you on the shores of Valinor whence you arrive.
If you should wish to send me a reply, although I fear you will not, take care to send it to the innkeep at the Prancing Pony in Bree. I will be spending a few days there to look once more at the settlements of Men in the West, so a letter will best reach me there rather than somewhere in the Trollshaws or the Lone-lands. By the time you will have received this letter, of course, I will be gone. I told you I would warn you not, and merely have Gaearon ready to ride the night before.
I also said I will not be offering any goodbyes, for we shall be seeing each other again one day.
