Elloen's Journal, first page:
First of all, I do not write to my journal all the time. I only do that when I feel I have something important to remember. My mother Sírewen used to do so – but unfortunately I had no chance to take it with me, because it all happened so fast. But at least whatever happened to me in Middle-Earth, the Elves that are close to me will get to read about it later.
– Elloen Furinmír, Second Age 1708, Imladris
Return to Former Home
This is something that had very little planning involved. Elvealin got a message from her father Fëamíril, telling her about a ”very special gift”, and how he wanted to meet her. Elvealin really wanted to go, just to stay for day or two and then come back.
I understand that she has some Noldorin blood in her, and even when she can act like a sweet maiden in one moment, that blood can cause some unrest in her, though fortunately I know that she can also be calmed, to assure her not to make hasty decisions. So I offered to go in her stead, and she was fine with it.
Anglachelm agreed that I could go in her stead, but before I did, Elvealin had gifts for us both. They were melodic pendants, made of the same crystals that she used for the bells which she crafted as a memory of each great Elven dwelling. She is crafting them as a memory which she could take across the sea, like I am writing this book for the same purpose. For Anglachelm she gave one reminding of Gondolin, and for me one reminding of Eregion. His was mix of brilliant hues of green and clear, and mine was fiery red.
I met Anglachelm briefly at the stables before I went on to Eregion. He wanted to be sure that I was prepared, and he did not want me to travel alone, and so he told about a company that would be passing to Lórien in my path. I also offered to deliver them messages if he so wished. He gave private messages to Lady Galadriel and Lady Danel, as well as verbal message to us all: 'to remember where our true homesteads are'.
The last sighting I had of out Tûr was him gliding out of view as my horse took me out of the Valley. Elvealin saw him soon after while she was trying to reach me, but too late.
When I reached Eregion as fast as I could, I followed their trail and noticed their struggle at the ruins of Pembar. There I found my father's brooch, beyond any doubt. Then something moved deep inside me as if my father's spirit took me over, and I felt that I could honor my father in a befitting way by not stopping to Lórien only, but also by offering the company the help they needed. Little I knew what it would mean.
Either way, I knew that Fëamíril was a jeweller like Elvealin, and he could help in repairing his brother's and my father's brooch. And perhaps Anglachelm could weight whether I was worthy to use it – after all, wasn't it a jewel of Aman that came across the Grinding Ice, and a jewel of a champion? My father earned the right to carry it and so, I thought, should I.
Meeting the Company
I reached the company eventually, in Echad Eregion. It had Lady Danel which I already knew, her servant Parnard, Lords Estarfin and Belegos, and Lady Rainith. I did deliver the messages as Anglachelm told me to, and we all had a short meal before continuing to Caradhras.
Something always struck me in Lady Danel as something very familiar. She reminds me greatly of my mother, who was also known for her wisdom. She also had a russet hair and even very similar facial features. Perhaps it also triggered my will to join the group which I later admitted to her. By helping her, I could help someone like my mother, which I never had the chance for.
Soon enough I found the group interesting, with very different personalities, which would cause amusement, problems and solutions all the same. All surprised me to some extent, especially Parnard and Estarfin. First of all, I did not expect them to become friends so soon after seeing them in the start. And yet already before we reached Caradhras, Parnard saved Estarfin from the ghosts of Eregion. Or was it merely a spell, I am not sure, but I am sure that it was a trap made by Annatar.
I could swear I felt something similar when I entered the area in Eregion where my house used to stand!
In Lórien
When we arrived to Lórien, it became more clear to me that Danel and her companions weren't meant to stay in Lórien. Strangely enough, they rather preferred to avoid Caras Galadhon. It started to seem to me more and more that they were not on a holiday, as wonderful place for holiday as Lórien may be. It certainly is one of the last places in Middle-Earth that is spotless.
Danel and Estarfin eventually entered the city, but with strange results. Lord Estarfin in a white robe was a rare sight indeed, and it was quite sure to me that there was another side to him which he tried to hide. But he did not seem to remember our place, time or names, and he couldn't eat. Perhaps all the years of war had taken a toll on him at last.
Uncle Fëamíril and aunt Linnen were helpful indeed, and they helped me in finding a draught which could help in returning Estarfin to present. Most of it's power was based on tears of compassion while playing to Nienna, so she could be present. Elvealin used something similar to bring me back from the brink of death. It did seem to work well but slowly, along with Danel's therapy, which was rather rough to watch.
Now, I have seen war too, unwillingly since I was but a boy, and I have taken part in some battles. But Telpenaro is far more experienced than I, though Elvealin knows him better than I do. Has he not been a part of Finrod's royal guard, is he not an independent survival, did he not take part in War of Wrath? If I was to continue to Mirkwood with the others, someone should take my brooch and Fëamíril's gift to Elvealin in Rivendell, along with news to Lord Anglachelm.
He was given a leave to depart and to do so, and because of that, he is now part of Vanimar as well. While he was preparing to leave, so was I. I was glad to see that Estarfin was better. Though when I told about my wish to go with the company, they thought it as a joke, but they eventually understood that I was serious.
In Mirkwood
When we left to Mirkwood, the trees looked like they were dying which was to be expected, and weather was not exactly cheerful in the entire journey. To our surprise Rainith stayed in Lórien – not necessarily fully for her own will, though. At least we got some news from Rivendell along the way, but as it turned out, things had changed quickly even more while we were gone.
As we found ruins to sleep at, we noticed some green, sickly light from the windows which made us unconfortable. At least the food was well made – uncle and aunt certainly had equipped us for a long way yet.
Belegos was usually always scouting ahead, and he was a great help indeed. The way to Dol Guldur wasn't exactly straight. First Parnard would wander off and make us all concerned. After getting scared that something bad might have happend to him, we found him resting at a pond and he acted like nothing happened, just admiring it. I should say that I have already used to his sometimes strange behavior by now.
Perhaps the pond might have been beautiful in the brighter times in his memory, but at the moment it's hues did not really impress me. When I think of beautiful flowing waters and ponds, Imladris and Lórien arise in my mind. And Eregion as well, from the time when it wasn't as dry yet, so actually I think that I do understand.
After that, Danel would wander off without an escort in a camp closer to Dol Guldur. We waited for some time and found her amid the wargs of the Enemy. We managed to save her, but I think we all agreed that she shouldn't have wandered off alone. Weren't were all there for her support? Why would she just leave?
I had earlier picked still some healthy herbs from Mirkwood while waiting, just in case. It turned out that I needed them now, since I had to make a cure for Danel's foot, and to splint it, just in case. Parnard watched carefully what I was doing, but always in hurry or in more time, I always try to do my best. But it was clear to me that he had a great respect for Danel.
Dol Guldur
As we trespassed through the woods ever closer towards Dol Guldur, we realized that we needed a disguise. And so we decided to slay some evil Men to obtain some of their robes. Killing Men does not really give me the satisfaction that killing Orcs does. But I know that Men can be more unpredictable than Elves or Orcs, since they can sway both ways. And these Men had a choice, but they chose the evil one. And often after such choice there is no turning back.
The robes smelled really bad, as if these Men hadn't had a proper wash for days. But when they are living with creatures such as Orcs, I shouldn't wonder at that. It was just something that we should live with as long as we had the greatest battle ahead. Later I could see my companions abandoning their disguises little by little. I could understand their frustration of carrying around such an un-elvish raiment, but wanted to have some stealth until we were out of the tower.
The goal of the journey was to find Danel's heirloom, of course, which is a sword forged in Aman. While she was looking for hers, I tried to honor mine with my actions. We encountered many monsters on the way inside the tower. Mostly they were common Orcs, but some also were trolls and Cargûl, the lesser forms of Nazgûl. Eventually we did enter the tower, by finding a cave, or as also thought – an abandoned sewer. There were also fell spirits of dead Men around.
What happened inside the tower was rather filled with action. I think we all did see why Sauron was called as the 'Necromancer', with all the undead bone traps littering the floor. The sword was found which was a victory of course, from a man called Castellan. When we were at him, I could swear I felt a chill running down my spine, as I think I heard the voice of his master. Either way, Castellan could not oppose the strength of the Noldor, and Danel looted what's hers from his chest.
However, when we got out of the tower, that's when the less fortunate things happened. We were increasingly being attacked by trolls, and one of them pummeled Parnard to the ground. Lady Danel would not see it because her sword was stolen briefly. She did get in back from the Enemy soon enough again, but as she returned to us she would notice to her horror that Parnard was barely moving. He did regain consciousness, but he would need support so he could be able to move away from the tower with us.
While Estarfin and Belegos fought the path clear for us, I and Danel would carry him. We stopped by a short distance so I could study his injuries. He seemed to have some broken ribs and a dislocated arm. His ribs would eventually rejoin each other within time, but I thought that the sooner I could get his arm joint back in the right way, the better. I did feel the bones aligning right again, when I was rudely interrupted by another troll. We had to move even further.
Afterwards Parnard would complain about excruciating pain, and how he could barely move his arm. I would have looked again if there was something I could do, but he only moved away from me each time I tried to touch him. Eventually we reached Lórien. A weight fell out of our hearts to be certain, but it upset me greatly that Parnard would try to suggest that I caused his hurts in purpose, let alone openly claim such things to the gate warden of Caras Galadhon, where I was trusted.
I did try to explain him that we were in a great hurry and that I did what I could with the time and supplies that were available. If I did a mistake, it certainly was not on purpose. Yes, I was the one who treated him, but that was no reason to direct his anger of his hurts towards me.
I met him later in the garden when he was slightly better. We talked things through and the anger was healed both sides. To me it seems that despite he's from Mirkwood, he grows more like a Noldo every day, and I told it to him. He proudly showed me the signet ring from Lord Anglachelm, which reminded me that it was again time to return home.
When Things Are Not The Same
We met Rainith again in the city and so we soon departed after sharing some tidings. But as we arrived back to Rivendell, to our shock that Lord Anglachelm had been taken captive! Lord Veryacano told us so, and tried to rally us to search for him.
But for now, I am staying in the Valley at my desk. This is because I talked with Elvealin and Telpenaro, and we all agreed that he should be the one contributing for the search. Out of our triad he is the fleetest in foot, quickest in eye and the best in experience. Lord Anglachelm would deserve no lesser Elf for trying to find him.
I also talked with Lady Mistë, and I also understand her concern along with Veryacano's. When our Lords got captured by the Enemy, they would not want their entire house or kingdom to fall with them, and so some the members of Vanimar should remain in the safety of the Valley.
But for a number of reasons, I think we all want him to be found. I do wish that he needs not to suffer too much, though it may be a fool's hope...
