Laurelindo was sitting at his desk, eyes lost on, but not really seeing, the piece of parchment he has been darkening with his handwriting. A tired sigh escaped him while his thoughts went in circle, darker and darker.
The fire joyous crackling take him back to the present time. He sighted one more time and came to read again his letter to his long time friend :
"To Failindo,
My old friend, pardon the sharp beginning of my letter, but events are moving fast here in Imladris. Something terrible happened this day, and I think you would do well to come back home quickly.
Dire news came to us, by the intermediary of the warden Loranthael. One of our posts on the Bruinen bank has been attacked and destroyed. He saw it happened and came to the last homely house to warn us.
Lord Veryacano was there and decided we should ride and help _or fight if there was still something to fight, that is_ with or without lord Anglachelm agreement. Though, I'm relieved to say that Lord Anglachelm, once informed of the situation by Aranglachel, was of the same mind. He gave out orders and the houses of the Hammer and the Fountain went first.
As for myself, I should probably not say so, but I am glad to say lady Miste accepted my help, though I am not, not yet at least I hope, of the house of the harp. We went to set up a camp for the Hammer and Fountain to fall back if they so needed, on the Bruinen Ford.
We were ordered to gather supplies. Wood and herbs. As it was dangerous due to animals and possibly trolls, we were sent two by two. I can't say what we talk about, if we even talk at all. I was way too worried that my knowledge and skills in healing would be needed. I'm all too aware of the limits of my abilities.
As we were waiting to see if our skills would be needed, a falcon came in with a message from lord Anglachelm. They fell back to the last homely house by using a shortcut, and they needed us. We ran back to Imladris then.
The news were terrible. All who were at the post during the attack were dead but lord Tindir, grievously injured. For the dead, we could do nothing more, so I went to the room used for lord Tindir, where, I assisted Tamaren, Mirsilme and Eliriael (maybe you know them, if not personally at least by name ?) in tending to the wounded until lord Elrond's healers arrived. It was a most tiring night, and I can only hope that lord Tindir will be alright.
Only when it was clear that we were only crowding the skilled healers of lord Elrond did we join the others in the Hall of Fire. It was decided that all the houses of Vanimar were going on the war path. I encourage this decision, to be honest. I don't like war, you know that, but just for this... Just for what they did, whoever they are, we need to take revenge.
I'm glad I can defend myself in last resort though.
Once more I beg your pardon for the sharpness of my letter and I pray it finds you well and on your way home. Our house will need all the arms it can get and I know you will want to help us.
Your friend, Laurelindo"
Laurelindo raised his eyes to the sky, no his letter was completely not impersonal and far away from what he wanted to say...
He took the parchment and was ready to throw it to the fire but he noticed bits and pieces of the countless other letters he tried to write this early morning and gave up. He sealed the letter and resolute to send it at first light on the morrow.
