Melumatyar

Arriving at the ruined fortress in the Lone-lands, Gaerondil and Melumatyar discover that Glorfingwë has already made a friend -- a mysterious Dwarrow who introdusces himself as Dzbog. In typical fashion, Glorfingwë has already begun work repairing the handle of the fellow's mug. The two fall into a surprisingly deep conversation about wine and ale, and by the time the Elves are ready to depart, they have made a fast friend.

When one plans a journey, one must have maps. But do they hold the right information? Manadhlaer finds the index to her atlas completely unhelpful when it comes to a tiny, pastoral corner of Middle-earth. There is plenty of physical geography, but no political geography, and the Elves do not quite know whom to ask about the herb-lore they seek.

Lirisseya, having consulted one of the most ancient tomes of herb-lore in Master Elrond's library and then obtained a brief personal audience with him, now strongly believes the house needs to undertake a journey to seek an entirely different sort of counsel about the plant. Members of the House begin making plans, but Manadhlaer stops them, having something to say first: Melumatyar, having served the House faithfully and with distinction, has earned a promotion!

Members of Lósengriol gather and enjoy a bit of wine in advance of Lirisseya's revelations about her research into the mysterious flower.

Upon discovering that the seed-oil of the mystery flower eases Melumatyar's burns -- with Lirisseya still neck-deep in books in Elrond's library, looking for any clues to the greater meaning of this discovery -- the friends are delighted, although they realize that this is only the first step in truly putting the hardy little shrub to work. But why was Arradril compelled to look at it, to her detriment? Is it truly the omen of some greater good to come, and if so, what?

Melumatyar limped into the hall suffering from burns on his arm and leg: in the aftermath of Arradril's injury, he went chasing the goblins of the region and unexpectedly ran into some armed with fire-pots. Manadhlaer interrupts the discussion in progress to bathe his burns with infinite tenderness, and then coat them in a remedy she hastily snatched from a nearby table. As Glorfingwë lights a fire to warm Melumatyar, those assembled are pleased, if astonished, to watch the blistered red skin dry up and hurt less within half an hour's time.

Ulvoin of Vindurhal meets the Elves from Imladris. Melumatyar explains what he saw in the snow on the return from Hrimbarg the last time a group rode out in this direction, and what the current task is: not only to find the strange flower again, but to bring one back to Lady Manadhlaer alive and intact, so it can grow and be observed and tested.

Manadhlaer opens a bottle of white wine. She, Lirisseya, and Glorfingwë listen to Melumatyar discuss the flowers -- which he describes as rather camellia-like, and like camellias, ranging from white to deep pink -- that he found growing in the foothills of the Hithaeglir, amid an eerie silence broken only by howling. 

Flanked by Harnack -- most recently of Hrimbarg -- on her left, and Ulvoin of Vindurhal on her right, Hrundis, sister of the slain Vigfús, enters the Lósengriol halls and meets Branalph, Glorfingwë, Melumatyar -- and her brother's murderer, Krimruk Dourhand.  Harnack, who cared deeply about his slain friend, has a simple question: if Krimruk is kept more or less intact for the journey back to Erebor to stand trial, is it acceptable to cause some "cosmetic damage"?

The last tale of the evening was given by Melumatyar, in which one of the Eagles of Manwë Súlimo guards the hröa of a slain warrior and explains to a naive inquirer wherefore such a mighty bird would perform such a duty.