Meeting with the House of Vanimar

Today I woke up with an aching head, as I spent the evening celebrating my safe return to Imladris with a good company of Elves: Ruthoiël, Arivien, and Idhrelleth. In the Hall of Fire we drank wine and were as merry as can be. There was one very quiet elf in the corner by the hearth, who was drawing a picture of the reeds and the lilies of the River Lune, which he said was in his homeland of Lindon, but I cannot recall his name, being very deep in the ruby river myself. I urged him to have some wine and dance with us, but he politely refused, as he had to rise and leave for a early journey, and said that he needed his wits about him. So I let him be, and returned to the others, and we had a poetry contest, but who was the winner I know not, nor do I recollect any of the poems. Arivien played one song after another on her lute, and so our joyfulness was drawn on and on, and it was a very fine evening of merrimaking. It was late when I found the door, and found my bed underneath the porch of the Last Homely House, but I was comfortable enough, and slept a long while.

Before this party, I met the Master Elloen in the market square. He is a wise and learned elf of the House of Vanimar. We talked, and I told him of the Master Athradir, and that I had returned to Imladris to beg Lord Elrond to find me a new master, one who is more eloquent, clearer of speech, and not so crabby and cross all the time. He told me that I might be able to be find a place in his household, but I would have to seek out its head, the Lord Anglachelm. It just so happened that he was staying in Imladris on business, so it was quite a fortunate chance for me. And sure enough, the next day I saw Lord Anglachelm in the hall of Elrond, and I bowed deeply before him, and introduced myself. He did not seem surprised to see an elf of the Greenwood so far from home. I suppose it is no great feat to wander, but I did travel very far to get to Imladris, alone, and it was not easy, and very dangerous.

Many of my people do not travel far beyond the borders of our forest, only riding as far as its eaves before returning home. The wood south of King Thranduil’s halls is not a very hospitable place. The Shadow has been looming ever closer, and we have to look to ourselves for protection against it. It has been a plague upon us for many, many years, and it has pushed us back into the far northeastern corner of the woods. We can go no further, for there is no more forest left for us to hide in. So we have become an isolated and secretive people in our struggles, as we have not the power to keep back the darkness with force of arms. Lord Anglachelm said to me, We Elves are much lessened a host in this age, but though we have dwindled, those few who remain on these shores are the stoutest of heart and the boldest. Excepting my people, I think, but I did not tell him this.

Lord Anglachelm counseled me to remain in Imladris, for the lands all around were full of wicked men, and some hated us, and hunted us down, if we did not travel in numbers on the road. I thought of bandits, and thanked his lordship for his consideration, but I replied that I had been commanded by Lord Elrond to study under the Master Athradir in Celondim, so that I could not remain in Imladris, as much as I wished. And just as I was about to beseech Lord Anglachelm for a place in his household so that I could study under Master Elloen, the Lord Daegond, dread captain and Hound of the Order of the Hammer, burst into our conversation, and when he arrived, I know not.

He spoke some hasty words to Lord Anglachelm in the ancient speech. It must have been very urgent tidings, the way he carried on. Lord Daegond is a most ferocious flame-eyed Noldo, and he turned and glared at me, and told Lord Anglachelm that I should learn how to wield a blade. I asked if he taught sword lessons, and he gave me a dark look, and growled that all his pupils were slain. So I said that I would rather study under Master Elloen, in that case. Then Lord Daegond drew his lips back and bared his teeth at me in a snarl, and shook his hair like some shaggy wild thing. I was sore troubled by his words, and his glowering, and the terrible light in his eyes, and not made a little afraid: though violence and bloodshed is forbidden in the halls of Elrond, methinks that this elf does not care a fig about this custom. To my great relief, Lord Anglachelm bade him leave me be.

When I gazed upon these two ancient lords, I felt as though I had come to the foot of a terrible mountain, a place of flaming fire, darkness, gloom, and whirlwind, and I was quite overawed and filled with doubt. Then Lord Anglachelm looked upon me with favor and smiled, and it was as the sun breaking through the dark clouds, so I was not afraid any more - not while he was there, but I would not wish to be left alone with that Hound.

But Lord Daegond kneeled before Lord Anglachelm, and left. I was able to ask my boon at last, and to my great delight and joy, he granted my wish.  It is just as Master Elloen said: Lord Anglachelm is noble, kingly, and kind. I find him tolerant in opinion too, yet there is a gloomy air about him, and an odd expression in his eyes which I cannot find words to describe. He said that he would speak with Lord Elrond, and so release me from Master Athradir’s service, and then he gave me a finely-crafted pin of jade to wear, to mark me as a member of his household, and then he recited some words spoken long ago in the realm of Gondolin of the Seven Names, and bid me welcome. Then he stuck his hand out in front of him, and I did not know what this custom was, but I had seen folk submit themselves before King Thranduil and kiss his ring, so I kissed his hand. Lord Anglachelm looked mightily surprised, and I do not think I should have done it, for his hand looked most unclean, but I thought it was the right and proper thing to do.

So in this way, I have chosen a new path, both for security and to better myself, and become more versed in lore and the ways of my people. I will prove myself, and thus earn the esteem of the House of Vanimar, and not break my Lordship’s trust.