I am laying down in the Imladris Valley, enjoying the colours of the dusk. They do not call this place as a refuge or sanctuary for no reason, each time the leaves rest in the lack of wind and sun sets down like this, I truly feel peaceful. From far off I hear music, quiet but clear.
It is good to have a break from my labour. For labour it truly has become, making long lasting and nourishing food for our soldiers, and for both Fountain and Hammer for that matter. Both Vorongwë and Veryacano know about my efforts, and have asked for more. The idea grew as a seed in my mind like the vegetable seeds in front of me are growing right now.
If we are waiting or preparing, I'd rather prepare and use my experience and knowledge about what in the stomach keeps a soldier going, while the others wait. I have experienced the care for the Elves in the guard I was in long time ago. I could still pass it on to my House to make the soldiers feel a little more than just soldiers.
Danel knows of my efforts as well, and after discussing with Vorongwë and her, I realized that if I was to do the work effectively, I would need someone to assist me. I am willing to share my recipes if it is of any help.
I hear approaching footsteps, but I feel too much at ease to get up. They get closer, and get ever lighter, as if someone is trying to sneak closer. I turn around and see someone who I have been expecting to see, though not really have been anticipating to.
”Well, well. I see you still haven't changed much, the entitled son of a mighty guard. You still live an easy life, despite being in a service. Where is the lovely wife of yours?” the voice asks. ”And what do you know about my life being easy, Alcarestel? I see you haven't changed much either,” I say back to him sharply. After all these years, a haunting ghost from the past returns to me, looking very much alive, and still having the words of venom which are disguised by a voice as smooth as velvet.
”If you truly bothered to find out about Celuwen, you would know that I didn't get a chance to marry her. Death got her first long time ago, and there was nothing I could do about it!” I look at the face of Alcarestel, and his shock, if it is not real, seems at least well acted.
After a small while he finally speaks. ”I assumed she chose you. While she was lovely, I always had to make more effort to get her attention. She always gravitated to you, even after you were gone from Dorthonion. Forgive me, I see my joke went too far”. I sigh slowly and quiet, calm myself down and listen to him.
He points to his finger and says: ”See, this ring is not here because of her. I married, but seems like our ladies are in the same place.” I look in his eyes and see something that I haven't seen before. If anything, sorrow has never reflected to them in my sight. ”I am sorry,” I answer. ”As am I,” he continued with a change of tone - ”but I am not sorry of my past. If I said before that your king was too soft and unfit to lead, I still think so. He should have never opened his borders to Men. But I have to take back what I said about his guard before. You obviously went to Dagor Bragollach, and lived. We both are survivors, and worth something. Even if another one of us is a half Noldo.”
If anything, he has kept his mastery of saying compliments and insults at the same time, and I am unsure of what think of him. ”Very well,” I say. ”Thank you, and welcome to the Valley.” I look at his face for a moment and I don't see many marks of battle on his skin, but I can see them in his eyes. What else is there, I am not too sure yet. His features are still sharp and his hair is still dark.
He smiles for a moment and bows, and then his silhouette diverts to the ever deepening twilight.
