Imladris, 48th day of Ethuil
I returned from a lengthy ride, into the foothills of Hithaeglir - such tremendous terrain - and sought a restful moment for reflection by the Great Fire, with some wine, before retiring for the night. To my pleasure, I found the Hall to be near empty, but for three or four individuals, talking and reading quietly. After the solitude of the wilderness, the hubbub of a noisy crowd is not the immediate sound I wish to hear!
With some surprise, I recognised one of them: a lady by the fire named Amorith, whom I'd met a few days previously. She stood in the company of an elf of Nargothrond, Failandos, and invited me to join them by the fire. We made polite conversation - nothing stirring, just the briefest few exchanges that make a pleasant end to a strenuous day. Failandos was keen to hear some tale from my past, though Amorith was quite adamant that it should not be some staid retelling of a tale of war and bloodshed; she seems more receptive to tales of love, of romance.
However, the hour drew late, and since I wore the fatigue of the day's ride upon me, I had to decline. As I made to depart, Amorith bestowed to me a gift of juicy berries - fine fruits, and much appreciated. I have already reduced their number by a tasty third! I shall try and regale her with some tale when the opportunity arises, one pleasing to her gentle tastes. I shall give the matter some thought. Time to lay my pen to rest now and retire: the terrain of Hithaeglir is most unforgiving on horse and rider - I ache in places I had quite forgotten!
