The western vales of Andustar on the Great Isle of Elenna were glorious to behold. Highland conifers mixed with Beech trees, singing in the wind as they ringed the lower valleys. Wildflowers covered the hillsides like a painter's canvas. But the wooded glades below were always where I found myself, deep within the shade of towering Oak and Elm. Light breezes found their way down there, the tall trees sighing softly as they enjoyed the feel of the air among their leaves. Few Men came to these secluded hideaways, except the hunters from the coastal villages and port towns, and even those knew little of the land beyond where to find the quarry they tracked.
Although the air was not as clear as some regions of the Isle, the Elves of Tol Eressëa when visiting the Lords of Andúnië would come here to gaze upon the stars and to cheer on the valiant Tilion in his hopeless quest for the hand of Arien as she fled from him across the Heavens. Often were the times I saw them there, and I took pains to keep myself from their sight. Beautiful they were, a Light about them, and I felt ragged and diminished in comparison.
In those days, all people of that Realm were friendly to the Elves. Acquaintances I made, mostly within the coastal towns where we landed between voyages. Men lived longer lives then, and many evenings I spent at tables shared with friends of many years. But as the meals ended, the cups ran dry, and the fires died away, I'd find myself once more wandering under the Moon's light as I made my way back to the hidden valleys of Oak and Elm.
Then came a day when the welcome was less friendly than before. Soldiers moved among the locals and cast suspicious eyes upon me where ever I went. Old friends avoided contact, nervous of the attention it drew. Less and less did I hear familiar words spoken as the language of Men slowly became the chosen means of communication, Quenya and Sindarin seldom uttered aloud. The times I spent on land became more and more distant from populated areas, and my wooded glades became home. Eventually a day came when we we returned from a voyage and as we entered our normal harbour a guard boat met us, soldiers boarded and when they discovered Elves among the crew, we were denied entrance.
One of the officers on board was joining another ship bound to the East, to the lands of my youth. We were welcomed to travel home with them. It was a large vessel being sent by a Lord of Andúnië on some business of its owner and would be many months at sea before returning to their home...without our company. Long was the voyage, and it was with mixed feelings that we watched the old shore grow closer. Upon making landfall, we said our farewells before breaking fellowship and going our separate ways.
My feet led me to the remains of Edhellond. To the highlands I went, near where my Father and I had hunted of old. Some few Drúin remained in isolated villages in those days, and I would trade with them for what meager supplies I needed. I eventually disappeared from the knowledge of all Folk. The years flowed by as Kings fought and died, the Dark Lord was thrown down, and an Age came to an end without my knowledge. It was far into the Third Age before I came once more to the lands of Elf and Man.
