It's strange to remember, but I came up with the intention to keep a diary when a stranger, the scholar, gave me an old notebook with exquisite leather cover. He was very fond of music, and that present was the way to thank me for my songs, which he enjoyed the whole evening. Later, sitting in the little inn room, I decided to describe there some of my thoughts and moments of my life. Also, now I write my first note. My reminiscence of all things I've lost.
My name is Mirvelleth. Long time ago I had another name, which seems yet strange to me. As I was born, my father named me Niniel.
My father, Elhagyr Isilharne, was a brave warrior in Lord Elrond Half-Elven's service. My mother Anthewen was a musician, she played harp during every feast or celebration in Imladris. They met at one of these celebrations. The marriage, then my birth, and their life seemed to be long and happy… But my father was killed by orcs when his detachment patrolled the forest. So I have lost my father.
My mother abandoned the music and went into mourning. But everything in Imladris reminded her of my father, and it was so unbearably that we decided to move from there. Lord Elrond told us that we could go to the Refuge of Edhellion, where Master Talagan Silvertongue would help us to get settled. So I've lost my home.
It was difficult for me to get used to my new home in spite of the good relations with the townsfolk. My mother was still silent and sad, and I couldn't decide to make acquaintance with any neighbors. I was almost alone until I met my Master.
That happened when Talagan invited me and my mother for a fest in the woods. Mother couldn't refuse, although she didn't find any pleasure in this celebration. I felt more lonely than ever before looking at the light-hearted Elves around me. But suddenly I heard a harp playing and a beautiful voice singing somewhere in the distance, and the words of that song seemed to be an answer to my thoughts:
«Silent, my child, be silent,
the night steals any sound.
Wait just until the morning comes -
the light will shine around.»
As Talagan saw me harkening to the music, he led me to the glade under the old elm tree where the singer stood. It was a tall dark-haired Elf, who seemed to be a little like Talagan... and my father. He was grey-eyed, with pale skin and warm friendly smile.
- This is Mirvellas, our Master Minstrel, - Talagan said. - My friend, our little Niniel likes your song very much, as I see.
Mirvellas smiled and answered:
- I will be very pleased if she wants to stay here and listen to some other songs.
I was a little confused but decided to stay. He sang a couple of beautiful ballads and then we got into a conversation, and Mirvellas offered me to study music. My mother never tried to teach me — she abandoned her harp after my fathers death. But I wanted to sing and to play, and I agreed.
Since that time we met every day. Mirvellas taught me all that he knew himself. We sang together at any celebration, and everyone liked our music, except of my mother. She thought, that I betray my fathers memory, because my Master became now like father to me. And once, when I returned home after another day spent with Mirvellas, my mother didn't open the door to me.
She went back to Imladris. Until now I keep a letter from her, a slighting and hurting letter. There stands: «You betrayed your own blood, your family. You have chosen to love a strange, unrelated man like your own father or just more than him. Now it's my turn to choose, and my choice is to repudiate such ungrateful and disrespectful child. Since this day you have no mother.»
So I have lost my mother. Perhaps it's my fault. Perhaps I just had to change my behaviour. But at that time nothing was more important to me than my love to Mirvellas. If only I knew, what loss should I come across...
