Rainith and Belegos are mighty frank and familiar towards each other; they seem as old friends reunited. I sit by the fire, a little apart from the company, waiting for this accursed haunch to finish cooking. The spit is set too high over the flames, but these burn so hot that to roast the meat any closer will char it. Belegos guided us safely to this encampment of Echad Eregion. How Rainith gained his respect, I know not, but perhaps it is because she is learned in woodcraft or some other skill. She is always reminding me that I have much to learn, yet it is unlikely that I will learn it from her. Rainith is not a very patient teacher and often rolls up the whites of her eyes in contempt as I am speaking. I cannot help it that I was not trained in the use of a sword or bow.
My people are not minded to hazard their lives on the high places of the battlefield. It is not that we are craven, or love ease over hardship, only that we are far fewer than we once were and not as eager for service. We do not care to venture anything for the good of distant places, because our brave resolve has oft come to nothing, and many of our finest soldiers perished while serving under foreign command. Our king has had battle enough, having suffered too much by it, and recounts losing his father and most of the nobles of his house in one of the great wars, and now sayeth that it is best not to make hasty battle when victory is uncertain. This choice of our wise King for his people shows his love for them: rather than subjecting us to more defeats and plunderings from outside, he keeps us secure and safe inside his wood. And for many years, the voices of messengers were not heard as he would not permit any person to wander without his permission.
So my folk have been kept safe from the plots of the bad and lawless Men, men who surpass wild beasts in ferocity, and so we came to be called the Hidden Ones. But as private as my people are, we could not keep the world out entirely, though we did try, and there have been a few folk, like me, who wandered away from the dark northernmost woods. I would lose all I have in the world rather than return home and desert Lord Anglachelm. I only wish I knew how to serve him better. He told me to report to the Lady Miste, head of the Order of the Harp, but because I cannot sing nor play any instrument, I did not, and therefore, I was never given the white robes to wear. White raiment is an appropriate color for those who desire peace and learning above all. Dyes are not applied to the clothing except for wartime decorations, and those of this house do not go to war, unless at greatest need.
But Estarfin wears the black hauberk of the Order of the Hammers, and this color, as well as his cold, angry complexion, best shows his character and demonstrates his habits. He never seems content, this gloomy-faced Noldo. Last night I watched as he furiously twisted his locks into many thin braidings and shined these up with oil. I do not think he did this out of elegance, but so his wild tresses would not fly around and interfere with the eyes as he is swinging his sword. On his finger is a ring with a stone of ruddy hue from which arises a fiery gleam and sparkle. The Lady Danel made this for him. Ever and anon I catch him glancing at it; perhaps he is thinking of her with affection, but he seems turned away from the favour and grace of that beautiful lady, so I doubt it. I need no such dainty ornament; my hands will be freer for work without them in whatever I need, and I would not want to worry about such a costly signet falling off my hand. So it is that Estarfin hath changed his fashion, but not himself nor his manners, and he is as silent and grim as ever.
The talk now is of the Lord and Lady. They are concerned that these two will not permit us to wander at will through their forest. We would be their guests, as I told them, and either welcomed or not, but the bonds of kinship are strong, and I can claim these, at least. It is said that a sentence is passed upon all who enter the Golden Wood: woe to those who practice deception, for all hearts are laid bare before the Lady. The others seem afraid of this judgment, and of being ‘waylaid’ as the warrior Estarfin put it - as if my distant cousins would want to keep him as a pet! Methinks they will not be as fond of him as that and they would rather see him get gone, the sooner the better. The Lady Danel mentioned some deed of her father, or his father’s father, but it troubled her greatly to speak of it and she grew cold and icy to me, which I did not like. She has little to fear; the Lady of the Golden Wood is reknowned for her fairness and impartiality in judgment. But some may have done some things, which would make them well-known to the Lord and Lady, and they will accordingly be judged for their works. Every work, both good and bad, is brought forward and considered. If we choose an evil path and follow along it until we meet our end, we should not expect easy pardon. The past cannot be undone, and what is done by us endures in the world, so we are judged by what we have done and the paths we have taken. The blood will be on our own hands and heads.
And now I follow in the tracks of these Noldor; dangerous they are and not easily known: it is possible to slip, and I must take care against falling, lest I be brought to Mandos sooner than I wish, and have much explaining to do.
