This story directly follows Letter in the Library: Part The First.
Alphaear is so surprised by the sentiment that she almost spills the vial of ink all over the parchment; in her scramble to save it, she smears another long stray mark across the paper. “Go to Bree? Is that truly a wise course of action?”
The ellon takes visible offense to the implications beneath her tone. He straights his back up and stands to attention; the change in the crease of the fabric over his eyes makes it clear that he is attempting to glare at her — or is at least glaring in what he hopes is the correct direction. “And why not?” He demands in a sharper tone. “There is no use in sitting about, especially for one like me. I have been looking for him for millennium upon millennium. I can not simply sit around and hope that he will show up as if by sorcery.”
She watches Arrvelas with an uncertain gaze and holds it for several seconds before she returns her attention to finish drafting the letter for him. “That may be so. I merely mean to ask, is it wise to go alone? I hear the road westward is being stalked by orcs, and other fell beasts of shadow.”
At this proclamation, Arrvelas begins to pace back and forth. As he sighs and turns repetitively on his heels, he only narrowly avoids crashing into her, the desk, or the various stacks of books lying around in wait to trip him up. “I am blind, not a child. I can still use my sword. But your concern is noted… appreciated, even.”
Every time that he brushes by her, she stills herself so he does not actually hit her. She releases an exhale once he passes, and then blows a gentle breath from a pace or so back to try and urge the ink of the letter to dry faster. “I do not mean any offense, of course. It is a simple concern. I would say the same to anyone taking that road.”
Arrvelas pauses in his quick pacing, and he turns to look in her direction; or at the least, he is looking to her closely enough. “I thank you for your concern, hiril. Whom would you suggest that I have accompany me, however? None of these dimwits are friends of mine — and I would not trust them with doing my laundry, much less my life.”
Alphaear does not answer until she is sure the ink is dry. She carefully rolls up the parchment and then moves to firmly place it within his hand. “Besides those who frequent the Hall of Fire, hir, have you any other close friends or acquaintances in the Valley?”
The question draws out laughter from the ellon, though Alphaear is uncertain as to what about her question is funny. It is a genuine laugh, however, and it echoes throughout the otherwise quiet library. “Oh, by the Valar, no! I do not think that I have been here long enough to make such friendships like the ones to which you refer. As it may be, I have a thought that the residents of the valley may be afraid of me, or that they find me odd; both of which I cannot argue against.”
Now, she must consider his words carefully. To her, it is obvious that Arrvelas will be making this journey to the west regardless if a letter returns to him in such a timely manner, and it is also obvious that she may be the only one whom he can consider a friend, or at the very least a familiar face… familiar voice that he may let accompany him. She frowns and casts a side-long glance to the stack of books just beside her. “I suppose I could take a break from my studies if you are uncertain about taking this journey alone.”
Arrvelas smirks and leans closer to her — and although he does not intend to, or at least she assumes that it is not intentional, the elf-lord leers tall over her much smaller frame. She notices the ghost of a smirk on his lips, however, and then she wonders if he knows exactly what he is doing. “Ah! So you do agree that you should spend more time away from this library? Good! For if no response is received within the month, you and I shall be riding to Bree. Prepare yourself for a difficult journey, Hiril. I do not waste time with leisurely travels.”
“I agree to nothing, hir,” Alphaear counters with more of an amused frown than anything else. “Though I can assure you that I am no stranger to difficult journeys!”
The ellon leans back, likely sensing her irritation at being leaned over. “If that is the case, then this ‘dangerous journey’, as you called it previously, shall be a breeze! Will it not? Of course, this is only if we do not receive a response… or perhaps we shall just journey there regardless. This Valley has come to bore me.”
Not at all missing the sudden use of ‘we’ by Arrvelas, she bites back a groan. Alphaear does roll her eyes, for it is not as if she is going to be seen doing it. “Ai! Whenever you should choose to leave, hir Arrvelas, send word.” She promptly crosses her arms over her chest, assuming that the conversation is now finished.
Yet she is proven wrong, as Arrvelas promptly sits down on the ground and leans his back against the bookshelf. He blatantly ignores the insinuation of her words that she is finished speaking with him. “I will! Fret not.” As he sits, he reaches out and pats along the ground until he finds one of the shorter stacks of books out of the myriad she had made. Grasping the uppermost one in his hands, he pulls it down and into his lap. Although he opens it, and even flips through some of the pages, it is obvious that the irony of the action is lost on neither. It is not as if it will do any good for him. “What is this ‘light research’ that you are doing, anyway?”
