To Thalawyn and Pethrondir, in the Street of the Artists, Mithlond.
Le hannon, Nana, for the charming pocket-portrait you sent. It has been scarcely six months since I left you both, but already my heart aches with longing to see you again, to walk together again along the rocky shores and watch the sun descend shimmering, towards the land beyond the sea...
Nevertheless, I have come far and it would be ridiculous for me to give up now, before ever I have reached Imladris.
The hadhod trainer that I mentioned to you in my last letter was easy enough to find. Master Ultan is a dark and taciturn, but not unfriendly, soul, and he accepted Drambor's recommendation of me and agreed to teach me his techniques of swordplay.
I spent two weeks with him and learned much, and with practice I hope to become more adept in these techniques.
I also took the opportunity to explore the town of the edain, Bree, as well as the surrounding countryside. It seems that there have been very many brigands about lately: these greedy, violent ones have come up from the south, or maybe from the north, it is not clear. And indeed the Bree-folk are very troubled and afraid because of the brigands, and there are a great many Watchers in Bree (much more than formerly, I am told), and the Mayor (or Lord) of Bree is much pressed to take action. I visited the tavern, and although there were a few folk about playing music and dancing, still, the mood was somber, and folk whispered of the troubles.
To my relief I had a letter from Parnard: he has reached Imladris already, and fallen in with a kindly group. I shall set off soon to join him.
Na lû e-govaned 'wîn,
Celegeth
