The sea is wild today, roaring waringly at high tide, indomitable, immense and beautiful… oh, how I missed it… there were times especially during long watches on our recent journey to the east when I found myself dreaming of Belegaer, contemplating its beauty and greatness unsurpassable… now I feel more like being caught up in a dream but my mind reminds me gently that I can come tomorrow again to take delight in its magnificence… it is good to be home again.
The military season is at a close now with the coming of Rhîw, wintertide of the year. I was given a permission to visit my family and friends in Brithillond, while my brothers- and sisters-in-arms sought respite either in Rivendell or on the coast. We were given a choice to decide which way we wished to take, it was not an easy choice for I had longed for Imladris since my childhood, on the other hand I had missed my family and the sea bitterly. With my heart heavy a decision was made to return to my hometown and join Midwinter celebrations with my dear ones. As if reading my torn mind Lord Curugirion later allowed me kindly to travel to the Hidden Valley this Rhîw as well (enjoying the time in Brithillond first) taking a ship to the mouth of the Gwathló River and approaching Rivendell from south.
When I look through the entries in my diary it seems I have become very negligent of it. One would think nothing important has happened since my ceremony at Midsummer. Quite the contrary! But perhaps only a green recruit full of excitement and determination to prove herself cannot suppress the urge to share any progress that was made.
But true challenge comes after that… when you are expected to act upon everything you have been taught and to put all you have learned into practice, so it may become natural and automatic. The officers of the Flower lead by example, so all of us younger in the service have a unique opportunity to simply watch and learn. Showing our passion and initiative we are often given assignments that would require more experience. Quite aware of this fact the officers are always ready to help if anything goes amiss. Such a display of trust is the best motivation an aspiring warden could wish for! I will never forget my first banner command back at Haudh Lin when we were tasked with purging of the spiders’ brood (with both conin close at my heels, that is).
Looking back at the first season amongst the wardens of the Loth-i-Lonnath my heart is filled with gratitude. I was given a warm welcome, I was lucky to have excellent and patient mentors during my training, I made some amazing friends within the Flower that I hold dear. I have learned that a life of an honourable warden is not the one of continual excitement but rather marked with daily commitment and readiness to do whatever is needed never measuring the deed.
Our duty brought us to distant lands that I had known only from tales and songs, some of great beauty, some foul and desolate, lifeless. When my eyes beheld lakes Nen Harn and then Nenuial I was astonished bowing humbly in my pride, for my love for the Sea had been too blind to concede existence of anything comparable to the beauty of Belegaer. My heart treasures also the memory of the magnificent Old Forest, the home of Iarwain Ben-adar, so different in appearance, yet impressive in its own way. I would have let myself follow the haunting voices whispering in the dark of the wood if not warned against that repeatedly. I still do not understand what happened to me that I found it so hard to concentrate or worse… that I would have left my duty so easily unable to resist the mysterious echoes of the deep forest. There are so many strange powers in the world, their source being often hidden even from the eyes of the Wise. I should have had the wit not to fall victim to the mystery of the unknown. Yet I wish to return there some day…
By the end of Iavas season we reached our destination of the journey, the vale of Meluinen where we met our kin, Gildor Inglorion’s folk, who became exquisite hosts of ours for next few weeks. Lin Giliath is a small refuge in size, yet its position is of strategic importance being located on the road connecting the North Downs to the Weather Hills. The enemy attempted to destroy Lin Giliath only a year ago for obvious reasons but the host of Eldar that came to aid was victorious although some paid dearly for the triumph. Since then the scouts of Meluinen have remained vigilant keeping a close watch on mountain passes leading into the vale. The enemy suffered a defeat, his minions became scattered and leaderless. Now the presence of the Flower helped to strengthen the defences warning our opponent not to repeat the mistake from last year. At any rate no matter how the situation looks under control the perilous proximity to Ram Dúath, the gate to the formidable Witch-king’s realm, makes lush Meluinen an excellent objective. Should the forces join under one command of Angmar and Lin Giliath is lost, then the forces of Angmar could sweep south invading Eriador and cutting off the Way to the West! Oh, I do not want to see all the dire consequences then…
The ride of the Mithdirith remained unnoticed for the most of the time, yet I am confident that the enemy acknowledged its presence. Again. Let that be a warning that the fair lands to the West are well-protected and closely watched!
Now I sit on the same rock as I did a year back in reckoning of the Edain, such a short time for an Elf but not for me this year. For my long-time wishes have come true despite all expectations. Watching Eärendil steering Vingilot into the sky I look towards the future with hope.
