It surprised many in the household when our lord chose me as his emissary, rather than some powerful warrior or other person prone to quarrels and fighting, and striving about things to no profit, which is very unbecoming to a person of dignity and authority. When, instead of a help, a ruler has a glowering, unmannerly, warlike counselor who will not sit himself down first before counting the cost, and who speaks without mildness, or of things which he knows nothing, then his mind fills with worry. A word of counsel, or reproof, rightly spoken, ought to be the aim of any person entrusted with matters of importance, and that is why Lord Anglachelm selected me to be his ambassador to the naugrim.
I confess I was anxious at first when our Tûr called me forward. I was at a great loss to bethink myself how to carry this business, but Lord Anglachelm took me aside, and did give me kindly encouragement, and said that I would be sent with an armed escort. He instructed me on what to say, and what not to say, and told me that if I did not know how to answer, then I should say, "We shall consider this." Most importantly, he instructed me to report all that is said, good or bad, at this meeting, and told me to expect difficulties. "There are many," he warned, "who shall not be with thee, but against thee." I should not be drawn aside by strange and devious persons, whose words fly from their mouths like bitter arrows; their points sting deeply, and that I should deal with them as I would. I kneeled before my lord, and said that I would leave off contending with such folk; I would do nothing without his mind, and have no wish to discourse with vexatious meddlers, nor will I be stirred up to fight with them: if they will not pay any regard to my words, and show no inclination to attend to the counsels of my lord, then they are unworthy of them. I swore that all would be done as he commanded. He bid me rise, and took his signet-ring from his finger, and put it on mine, telling me, "Take care of this sign of our house, for by it you have my authority to act in my name in both word and deed." Then he arrayed me in garments of soft white linen, cloth of the finest quality, and handed me a heavy purse of gold and a decorated scroll, the summons to this meeting of foreigners, and turning me around to face the assembled household, announced, "Here is an ambassador! Though he faces danger, he is of a good courage, and very brave."
I will go forth and settle Lord Anglachelm’s mind on this matter, this Ting as it is known, and a great way off it is, and I have little time to prepare. But I shall do it all cheerfully, and suffer all things laid on me, and persevere amongst the strangers; by it I shall make my service dear and valuable to my lord, and faithfully fulfill his wishes in every way. My words shall be acceptable and gladsome to him when I return, and he shall know everything. Nothing will be kept back.
