Daerundros

I looked again – for the fourth or fifth time I think – at the letter and once more quietly cursed myself. I had never asked for this, oh no. Fate, it seemed, felt it knew better than I what I wanted. If only fate could be dealt with as easily as some of the other foes I had bested over the years.

I looked at the letter in my hand, my tears pouring over the paper, that with a soft plap landed on the Parchment.

I looked over at his words, "I fear becoming too close to one soul again." What did he mean by this? Was his loss so great that he was incapable of feeling true Love?

Alas, the pain was to great.

My Dear Daerundros,

Your letter has reached me and your words touch me. But I am sorry, for I cannot return your feelings in kind.

The Letter is discarded, crumpled, with several words here and there Scratched out. It must have been a very difficult task to write this letter: Tear-stains are visible on some of the parchment, smidging out some words, and there are various Ink blobs here and there.

"Hîr vell Taramthir,

As you may recall, the Ten Chapters of Daerundros' tales told of her beginnings, meeting in the Hall of Fire, her eventual discovery of the Order of the Green Elves, and her inaguration as a Member, her discovery of goblins, and the Climax - her rescue and safety assured by the Order.

As I surveyed the whole neighborhood, walking down the cliff with a company of Hobbits to escort, and following other Elves, I lost myself in thought, wondering why I was feeling so empty these days.

I barely noticed myself nearly walking towards the Cliffend, and why I nearly fell off. I gasped and swayed, regaining my balance just enough to make it look like I was peering down onto the house below me.