Avarand

Ilviel the elven-fair,

Radiant maiden, gladness of heart!

Starlit is her golden hair, her limbs are white.

Most lissom and happy her dancing light. 

There she danced on the riverbank

In the Halls of Fire many songs are sung.

Her loveliness and heart so fair,

In a few days I shall be once more leaving Imladris. What used to be a solemn ceremon with great sorrow of heart to leave such a blessed place, is now one I feel I look forward to. It is a strange feeling... Some time I have now spent here, finding consolement in the many books of Lord Elrond's library. Yet, it is not longer the same. The books does not give me the comfort they used to. Perhaps it is my worries for my beloved, whom travels beyond my reach. Perhaps it is the terrible feeling of pain of Hiril Rildheldiel's broken promise to me... I am now at a crossroads.

Here lies a proprechy once sang by a minstrel in the Vally of Rivendell. 

Thus a maid shall flee

The starlit valley of song and dance

The last home of the Eldar will see

The day a maid holds a blade

Strong and free.

As now the long time of the day start to pass into the rise of the evening when once more the gems of Varda will grace us all with their ever-presence, it is fitting to sit down to reflect. For it seems under the startlight of the night that my thoughts are ever clear and peaceful. Alas there is little news to be had. My beloved Ilviel Is still nowhere to be found, and despite reassurances of her well-being, I still worry.

Avarand sealed the last letter with something of a relieved sigh. He had spent the whole evening making arrangements, writing invitations and preparing the feast for the wedding. On his worktable he had piled the invitations neatly, all sealed and handwritten. Next to the invitations laid the list of the food required for the feast, and the ingredients required. He put the invitations in his bag, and carried it out into the main hall, putting it down by the door.

Ilviel is riding through the night. Her path leading her past Bree, towards the hunted Barrows. Her heart feels heavy as she knows this mission will indeed provide a challenging one. Collecting ten Barghests paws, at the Tomb of Maenadar. Who would have thought it would come to this? As she enters the southern Barrow Downs she stops suddenly, her heavy heart preventing her from continuing. She dismounts, leading her steed Evermind to take shelter by the wall of the small mountains surrounding the haunted vale.