Eliriael descended down the long, winding path into the valley. She patted the neck of her horse, Faenaur, showing affection and gratitude to her friend, who had carried her over a long distance for many days. Faenaur seemed to sense that they had reached their destination and gradually slowed her steps to a full stop. Eliriael deftly slid off Faenaur’s back to the ground in one fluid movement. She did not ride unless there was need for she wished as little discomfort upon her friend.
Glad to be free in movement again, she spun on her toes with her arms out, stretching her limbs. She smiled at the sun that was now descending below the high hills of the valley and bathing the trees below in a warm auburn glow. She rubbed Faenaur lovingly, pulling an apple from the small pack strapped to Faenaur’s side and extending it before her friend. Faenaur seemed grateful and took her time enjoying the snack, knowing from Eliriael’s relaxed expression that the journey was over. When she had finished, she seemed eager to reach a final resting place for herself and Eliriael so she began to continue the descent into the valley.
Eliriael walked beside Faenaur, pulling her pack from her friend’s back to lighten her load. Despite the extra weight, Eliriael still stepped lightly along the road. Both the elleth and her companion knew their way around the valley from visits before and they turned towards the stables when they had finished descending the path down into Imladris. Faenaur walked ahead while Eliriael trailed slightly behind, gazing upon water flowing past and the wind rustling playfully through tree leaves. She walked unmindful of their direction, but followed her horse trustingly. Her gaze lingered elsewhere until they reached the stable and when they arrived she greeted the elves there as old friends.
When Eliriael walked with Faenaur into the stable, a purple twilight fell upon the valley as the golden sun finally disappeared behind the hills. Another elf brought provisions and water for Faenaur while Eliriael removed the blanket and rest of the baggage from Faenaur. She began to brush her horse, pulling and cleaning away the residue of the road and wilderness. When she finished, she patted Faenaur, whispering with a comforting smile on her lips, “You will be well looked after, here. I will come to you in the morning again.”
Leaving the stables, smiling at all the elves she passed, her feet swept her along the paths toward the Last Homely House. With each turn she danced by old meadows and wooded areas that held the sounds of her old memories in Imladris. Caught in her musings, the path carried her to the doors of Elrond’s house.
Here, she found more elves lingering and their conversations awoke her from her thoughts to the reason why she had come to Imladris. She saw, just before the entrance, a fair elf maiden arrayed in blue hues that darkened in the coming night. Eliriael finding her countenance inviting and friendly, lost little time introducing herself. She learned the elleth to be named Tamaren. “I have come recently to Imladris in search of Lord Anglachelm of the House of Vanimar.” Eliriael hoped that someone, perhaps this Lady Tamaren could help her find the tur. She pleasantly found out that the Lady Tamaren was of Bar-en-Vanimar and even offered to deliver a letter to Lord Anglachelm on her behalf. It seemed, unfortunately, that the tur was often busy as he attended to many matters. Though Eliriael was not disappointed for she had expected it would be difficult to gain an audience with such a highly esteemed lord of a great house.
Lady Tamaren invited Eliriael into the Last Homely House to pass the evening together. She entered, her heart filling with a comforting peace, that quickly flooded into the rest of her being. She made straight for the Hall of Fire, a place for her of constant music and warmth. It turned out that she would meet many of the lords and ladies of Bar-en-Vanimar that evening and even catch a glimpse of the great lords Anglachelm and Veryacano. Yet, this night was not fated to be the one chosen for her introduction to the tur for he was immediately taken into business with dwarves, who had come in great numbers to propose some Ting. She stood by with the other on-looking elves and spent the night in merriment, waiting for another day to attend to formal meetings and matters of a more serious nature.
