It was the Springtime of his twenty-fifth year, and Brinhelm Halladin was mid-way through his musical tour of Rohan and Gondor, traveling to Minas Tirith to perform at the request of one of the City's Chief Librarians, Septimir the Learned. It was the old man's Ninetyeth Birthday, and being a great fan of music, the celebration planned for him had no shortage of talent in store for the respected Gondorian Book-keeper.
As Brin's blonde steed Goldenstride galloped up the road, he caught his first glimpse of the City of Kings as he cleared the White Mountains from the East. Stunned by it's magnificence, Brin whistled to himself in awe, and spurred his horse to move faster, his eagerness to see more of the city growing fast.
Getting closer to the City Gates, other travellers began passing him on the road, some on foot, others on covered wagons loaded with goods, heading out of the Capitol to sell their wares. Passing by a Farmer's wagon, the Gondorian Merchant bid Brin a good morning and tossed him one of his pears from a basket on his wagon. Catching the pear with one hand, Brin smiled at the friendly face and thanked him for the fruit. Taking a bite, he nodded in approval of the juicy and flavorful snack, as well as the kindness of the local people, munching on it as he continued to ride toward the White City.
Approaching the massive fortified Gates of Minas Tirith, Brin counted at least two dozen armed guards stationed around it and the overlooking towers. Questioning him as to his reason for entering the City, he replied that he was invited by Septimir the Learned to perform at his Birthday Celebration. Nodding they motioned for him to enter, and gave him directions to the Great Library as well as an Inn where he could find a bed for the night.
Having a few days still before his performance, Brinhelm purchased a room at a humble little Inn on the second level of the City, preferring to be thrifty with his coin when touring rather than spend it on lavish accommodations. He found that the events he was hired for provided enough frills and indulgences to meet his needs, a wonderful perk he thought, more often than not having grand buffets of delicious food, the finest wines, ales and meads available, and comforts a plenty. And in most instances, he would be invited to meals with those involved with the event several times throughout his stay, eager to meet Brin and hear of his travels and stories.
The following day Brinhelm met Septimir at the Library high atop the City, almost to the very peak, and was enthralled with the place. Shelves upon shelves, stacks upon stacks, books, scrolls, loose parchment, bundles and tapestries filled his field of view, his eyes widening at the sheer amount of history and knowledge before him. Noticing immediately Brin's admiration of the place, Septimir smiled as the two discussed what songs he would like to hear at his Birthday Celebration in two days. After deciding that, they continued to talk, about History, Music, and the Library that surrounded them, for hours.
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*Excerpt from their conversation.*
"I can tell already that you are an educated young man..." Septimir said. "You understand the importance of the written word, and how much we can learn from those who came before us."
"I do indeed." Replied Brin. "One has a clearer view of their future by knowing more about the past."
"Quite right." Nodded the old man. "Be it through harmonious song, or musty old tomes, preserving one's History is of paramount importance. I am glad to see that you follow that same noble tradition, and are not just another talented yet vapid performer with no grasp of the content within their own stories and songs."
"You are too kind, Sir." Spoke Brinhelm. "But yes, I have always felt that the origin of the song, the reason it was written, whatever it may be, is just as important as the melody chosen to represent it."
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Having gotten to know Brinhelm better made Septimir even more eager to hear him perform, and so impressed by the similarities to himself as he was, invited Brin to return to the Library as often as he like to read and learn from the great collection. Something he would spend a great many hours doing over the next few months, learning more about several subjects that interested him, including the Battle of Dagorlad, The Elven King Gil Galad, and even the Wastelands of Mordor adding some Black Speech to his knowledge of various languages.
Before he could do so however, he was first determined to give Septimir a performance worthy of the gift of such knowledge, and spent the rest of the night and next day preparing. He stayed mostly in his room, strumming his harp for hours straight, rehearsing the songs Septimir mentioned he'd like to hear until he had them down flawlessly.
Getting a good night's sleep the day before the event, he awoke and was treated to a home-cooked breakfast by the keepers of the Inn he was staying at, saying the other guests delighted in listening to him practice his harp over the last couple of days, and were glad to have him staying there. Thanking them for their hospitality, Brin then made his way to the Festival Chamber in which the Birthday Celebration was being held for final instructions on when he would perform in the evening's line up.
