I was out of bed yesterday without too much pain, and ate with a very good appetite, as I used to do, and being so long indoors, I was allowed to walk on the grass a little and look upon the stars, when the lady Rainith came to me, and among other things tells me that her husband Galdorion has gotten himself mixed into a great pot of trouble, and all tongues are wagging about it in Imladris.
That is what happens when one trusts a smirking elf-maiden, and I have never seen one smirk more than the Princess Rildheldiel in all my life! Poor Galdorion can trust to nobody it seems, save his kindly Rainith, and she tells me none will come forth and speak on his behalf. Why this is, I do not know, but perhaps they are too craven-hearted to speak up for their friend. I said I would, gladly, but I did not know him. I gave Rainith much encouragement and advice. She, in turn, portioned out a goodly amount of this on my plate, but by her words and gestures, I deemed there was more unsaid than said, and her manner was altogether very strange.
She advised me to give up my pursuits and go back to the valley, lest I be branded as disobedient and rebellious, and punished. But as I told her, I cannot go back and sit around and come to naught, and never make a name for myself. And I would never in a hundred thousand years forget my service and love to my Lord: I adventure for him, in these dangerous times; therefore none should doubt or fear for me, as I am carrying out my Lordship's will. She did not see it my way, and said that while the Noldor value nobility and martial skill, most of all, they desire unflagging obedience. I replied that our Lordship has this from me in bucketfuls, and she should be of easy mind, for I have written to him, and begged pardon. I still have not heard anything from him, but the letter must have been mislaid.
I told Rainith that We are not Noldor, and we cannot fathom their desires, nor know Lord Anglachelm’s mind. Yet I would plumb this to the depths if I could, and know all the workings of his heart, so that I could serve him the better, and do that for him which no one else has done. Then I showed Rainith the fine pin of silver and jade which he gave me, and she looked mightily surprised, and said that he was not in the habit of handing out gifts, which only makes me admire my Lordship the more, and even more proud of his esteem of me, but I will not let it go to my head.
I do find Rainith to be rather gloomy company, and I hope that Galdorion’s name is cleared, so that she will not be so moping and downcast. I confess that her sighs and fretting had me very worried, so that I began to fear for myself, enough to blabber out that I would return to the valley and beseech pardon. My wound must have troubled me more than I thought. But it is morning now, and the birds are singing gaily, and my wits are more settled. I have drunk some wine, and thought things over in a fresh light, and have decided to keep after my Lordship’s business, else it fall to wrack and ruin without my careful attention, and he will be sorely disappointed.
