Entry 1
Thamas Lorn... at last! My dream has come true, I have been accepted among the Flower. Although only a recruit but still a part of the Herth! Alfiriel, daughter of Bregon - Hadron of the Mithdirith, shall become a warden too!
So much has happened today! I still cannot believe it... but they say that it is so with great accomplishments and dreams fulfilled.
Today I finally met Hîr Curugirion, the renowned commander of the Flower, my childhood war hero from thrilling tales my father used to tell me when I was an elfling. I feared the day of our meeting for very long perhaps since the time I had decided to join the Mithdirith: how should an elleth approach him, how to convince him her interest to become a warden was genuine and how to persuade him that her lacking physical strength was counterbalanced with determination and strength of the spirit?
I wished to be ready when I faced him so I often repeated carefully chosen words learning them soon by heart. They almost became my daily prayer voicing my wish to become one of the Mithdirith:
„I offer my service to you, lord. I wish to fight for those who cannot raise their weapons, I wish to protect our beloved land and I wish to see peace restored again!“
And there was the letter my father wanted to deliver to Hirgonui which content I could only guess and hope that it would help my cause...
When I approached Hirgonui I handed the letter to him waiting impatiently what would happen. While reading through the lines Hîr Curugirion's face remained expressionless and I became agitated even more... then he smiled gently and asked a few questions about my father. I was delighted he remembered adar well but still no word of my cause. So I acted... and spoke up my lines I knew so well. And Hirgonui... was listening to me patiently, perhaps he was slightly amused but also very kind. And to my surprise he did not doubt my motives.
After hearing my part he offered his – presenting facts about the Mithdirith and the training of the recruits, mentioning consequences of joining the Herth and pointing out possible dangers but never trying to discourage me or scare me needlessly... Now I knew: I was given respect before I thought it had been earned. In fact I expected him to send me back home at once not to talk to me as equals. Strange are the ways of the Flower indeed, I have much to learn and much to understand.
It would be an honour to find a new home here where wisdom and valour reside side by side...
Now when all was discussed Hirgonui invited me to the enclave of Duillond, a beautiful study in the centre of the refuge. Wooden shelves full of ancient tomes lined the rounded walls of the hall made of white marble, skillfully decorated with golden flowery ornaments – I have not seen anything so gorgeous before.
Then he took a large book from the shelf and placed the Roster of the Mithdirith on the mahogany desk.
Letting my eyes wander among the neatly written names of the long list of members who had joined the Flower during almost three millenia I felt suddenly unworthy overwhelmed by the solemnity of the moment. This was it, just a final step and I would be in, yet from now on nothing would be same again...
Hirgonui must have sensed my uneasiness for he gently turned my attention elsewhere, to my hometown and my family. While speaking about my dear ones former doubts were washed away leaving only pure wish to become a warden again.
Then the inevitable question came and I gladly let him write my name on the Roster. Adding my own signature I felt inner peace return again... and I knew I did the right thing.
A small ceremony indeed but an important one giving the moment a special seal of irrevocability and creating a reminder of a decision that was made freely. I will treasure this moment in my heart.
The hour grows late but there is still so much to tell... I will rest a while for now. Then I will write a letter home bearing new tidings as Hirgonui suggested.
