Vinyalonde

As we were sitting at table, Culufinnel told me that I drank my wine too fast, and that one should never drink wine until well after a meal, or it would go to one’s head.

My days and nights are so busy, that I have scarcely a moment to think and there is even less time for writing in my journal. Culufinnel keeps a close eye on me and none of the Golden Host can leave the fortress without permission. The guards watch the gate carefully and know me by sight now, for I am the ludicrous person wearing the thick leather armour who can barely move or lift his arms, and I stagger around the camp as if dragging a plough behind me.

Parnard opened his eyes and stretched his limbs, feeling all weariness gone. He was glad to see the sun had gone down since he rested.

I was selected by Captain Lomdognir to send word to Thangúlhad Fortress via letter. He said that I am perfect for this errand, and told me not to loiter, but to ride straightaway. One of his men remarked that this should not be a problem, as there are no roadside taverns from Ost Galadh to Thangúlhad, which made the Captain laugh. He is in surprisingly good spirits and seems to have forgotten about his irritation with me last night.

In the Fortress of the Trees, Parnard stood before Captain Lomdognir to give report. He was overdue at camp by several days, and when he returned, he was covered in mud and had the shaft of an arrow sticking out of his shoulder.

It is a strange occurrence that of all the people in the wide world, I have run into that golden-haired brother of mine.

Sometimes I wonder if Lord Estarfin is in his right mind. But what is right?

My Worthy Friend,

The moon hath no fixed course, and is wayward, and wanders about the heavens among the innumerable stars that glare and wink out. It said that some of the best and brightest of these have fallen from their place to the earth and are sunk in darkness forever. Some folk are like these fiery stars, and shine for a time, and when they fall, they cannot recover their places, so their light is forever extinguished. There will never be any more brightness or comfort again from their radiance, and they leave behind a deep blackness of gloom, that which was first before the stars were ever made.

Today Lord Estarfin recognized me, which is something. We dare not allow him any liberty, having no trust in him, he being in much perplexity and confusion. As far as anyone else can see, he is just like everybody else in the city, and wears no longer his green gem circlet or his black armour, but is clad in a simple white robe. He is very neat and clean in appearance, and we see that his hair is combed smooth, and Lord Estarfin seems outwardly calm and pleasant.