Our pleasant stay here in Rivendell draws slowly to a close, in a few days' time we shall be on the road again divested of most enjoyable safety the Vale provides to all who come without ill intent. I think I have grown much accustomed to this fact in past weeks, perhaps too much to my liking. I have also noticed many of us becoming softer, irresistible to all that pampering Imladris offers. On the other hand it is definitely a well-earned rest everyone deserved after all we had been through past seasons. The halls are filled with laughter and merriment, all of us are enjoying company of friends old and new.
As my eyes wander around the beautiful scenery of the Hidden Valley now bathing in golden rays of sunset my heart is being filled with uncommon feeling of inner peace, almost ethereal sensation I have experienced only a few times at Sea. Mesmerized by this precious moment I feel out of place and time wondering if that is really the echo of Aman on the Hither Shore. However marvelous and unparalleled it still remains only an echo every edhel perceives at some point in life... or am I missing something? I hope not. But I shall keep this experience deep in my heart. A day may come when it all makes sense.
Trying to release my cloudy mind out of spell my ears suddenly catch busy twitter of a few birds sitting on a branch above my head. I cannot help but smile watching their ceaseless quarrel over a worm one of them holds in its beak trying to escape the others with its precious prey. Summer breeze whistles around as I make my way to a waterfall nearby. Closing my eyes I feel spray of cool droplets on my face, blowing wind in my hair - the illusion seems so perfect that I dare lick my lips realising it is freshwater. Silly me, Belegaer is hundreds miles away!
Seating myself comfortably on the bank of the Bruinen I roll up the sleeves of my dress studying both of my arms now barren of battle scars that marred them when we arrived. To my delight, I have also regained full use of my shield arm, the range of motion in my wrist has improved greatly and is almost normal now. The skills of Imladris healers are truly remarkable. But healings of hröa mean little compared to recovery of fëa. I heard locals say even some hearts beyond all hope opened anew here in Rivendell. Imladris remains standing as a silent beacon of hope mocking the Enemy that wins only by instilling fear and despair into enslaved hearts of his servants.
Running a hand through my hair I recall that I pinned a hazelnut bunch to my headband earlier. I picked it this morning while on a walk. Unable to separate the nut easily from the husk its greenish look suggests the fruit is not ripe yet. Leaving a strange taste in my mouth I only now realise the unusual yet fitting resemblance of myself to the nut that was picked early. The hour is late, the Enemy grows bolder each day and the Firstborn who always cared little for time unlike their younger siblings now must adopt their ways of thinking in these matters even if it often meant learning through trial and error. There is no longer the luxury of yéni spent in training and perfecting skills. Perhaps all that matters is a willing heart that once answered the call to embark on a journey with the Flower united under one blue banner.
