Aldúya, the 46th day of Tuilë, year 3008 of the Third Age.
We rode into the Valley late this afternoon, when Anor's rays had bathed the trees in golden light. Our journey was swift, guided by the capable hunters and woodsmen of Lindon who had escorted us from Falathlorn. I am glad to be home once more in Imladris, although my studies in Lindon have been most interesting and fruitful. I went to see Ada and Naneth at once when we arrived, and spent a while rearranging my belongings in my room. It is quite incredible how much dust can gather in my wardrobe corners after a few years' absence.
Now my old writing-desk is dusted off once more, and here I sit, writing in my journal as I have often done before. My satchel sits on the table before me, filled with scrolls and parchments that I must remember to return to Lord Erestor tomorrow at the earliest convenience. Speaking of which, I must not neglect to mention this evening, when I made the acquaintance of some of my fellow House members for the first time.
My father, though he is not of Bar-en-Vanimar himself, is well-acquainted with their ranks. He recommended that I join their House upon finishing my studies in Lindon, for he wishes me to have another place to put my skills to use besides the archives. I daresay it will be good for me to be surrounded by my House members rather than by only my dusty books. But I am rambling again ... yes, about this evening. I was taking Agarel for a leisurely trot along the paths in Imladris after the evening meal, when I nearly collided with a hunter dressed in deep purple robes. At least, I assumed he was a hunter because he carried a great bow and twin knives. After apologizing profusely, I dismounted and asked his name, since his face seemed vaguely familiar. I suppose I must have seen him a few times in the halls of Elrond.
He gave his name as Dolthafaer, a kinsman of Vanimar, and I told him that I had also recently joined their ranks. I felt quite nervous in his presence at first, since I saw the mark of centuries of experience in his deep grey eyes. I thought he would surely regard me as a child, at best. But he very kindly asked of my occupation and training, and his friendly manner gradually put me at ease. The evening had grown increasingly chill, so we removed to the Hall of Fire to continue our conversation. There we met with Lord Tindir of Vanimar, as well as Parnard the Ambassador and two ladies of Vanimar. It was a wondrous evening, filled with music and much pleasant conversation (as well as several glasses of Dorwinion red, on my part). The Ambassador's fabled penchant for drink was quite amusing. I was quite glad of the warm welcome these kinsmen and kinswomen of Vanimar extended to me, and hope that I shall find another home within their ranks.
It grows late, and my candle is sputtering in the gentle evening breeze. I can still feel my cheeks glowing from the excitement of the evening, and feel as if I could go on writing all evening - that is, if my hand were not growing tired. There is much more I could say about that evening, and hopefully I shall write more on the morrow. I will surely have much to think on through the night, even though I must cease writing at the moment...
The handwriting of the last few lines trails off listlessly, as if the writer's pen had gone slack. A few ink blots appear below the last lines. There appears to be an area where the text has been scratched out.
