Sunday May 27th, Mirobel, Eregion
Sunset at ancient Mirobel, the company from Echad Dúnann finds themselves somewhat reduced in numbers as both Coruhuron and Eluineth have been called back to Rivendell by raven message earlier that day.
As the sun finally comes to rest behind the mountain range on the other side of the river, the remaining elves gather on top of a nearby outcropping. Nienorë works with her drawings, carefully, yet with a steady and experienced hand. Elvealin and Ealendil are sitting next to her, enjoying the quiet as the night gains in strength, finding comfort in each other’s company.
Soft conversation leads to memories of old, of Eregion in its glory, before… Suddenly Elvealin stands up and points at a distant rock. Both Nienore and Elvealin rise sharing questioning looks. The rock Elvealin points out is all what remains of the house where once Elloen and his family lived, before… The mood in the company turns somewhat somber, and Ealendil picks up the harp she had borrowed from one of the minstrels and plays songs of old and hope to dispel anxiety and raise their spirit.
As the music quiets, the elves settle once more, and talk now touches upon the need to get back to the base camp at Echad Dúnann. They have stayed at ancient Mirobel long enough, and no one has come looking for them yet. It is decided that they should pack and make ready for the return.
Ealendil returns to the summit where the bard is, returns the harp and thanks him. Just as she is about to turn around and leave, Amarthaniel, one of the scouts of the Arrow, stepping out of the shadow, greets her. A joyous encounter, finally someone has come looking for them. The two of them descends quickly to join the others.
As the two of them joins the others atop the outcropping, Amarthaniel speaks of her scouting of late through the Red Horn vale, tracking the other party led by Lord Tindir and Himwen. Alas, no sign of them yet, but with a worried expression she pulls out a small cloth patch, a piece of a uniform, to show the others what she had found instead. The make of Angmar is easily recognized, and Amarthaniel speaks of having encountered several of them in the vale. This is ill news. Angmar may be no more, but many are the soldiers and servants left marooned roaming Eriador, and though they may not pose the same threat as before, they are still a danger.
Now worried by this news, the elves decide the time to return has come. All four of them descend to gather their packs and horses.
The return journey is quiet, mood is somewhat low, and talk turns unfailing to the history of Eregion when they stop briefly closer to the rock that marks Elloen’s former home. As the moon rises the they continue and with the stars as guidance they navigate the old road along the Sirannon.
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Upon the return to Echd Dúnann, Elvealin check with one of the messenger elves if news has come in concerning Lord Tindir and Himwen, sadly none has and the four elves gathers around the camp fire. Amarthaniel offers some waybread that she had brought with her, but the others decline politely, reminded of the provisions of Telpenaro they had brought with them.
After a few hours, Amarthaniel leaves the fire to rest beneath the trees, before setting out once again to scout the surrounding landscape.
Talk turns to music and specifically its ability to affect inanimate objects of Arda. Ealendil retells her experience she had with a crystal, light blue in color, that she had found in the shallow waters in Harlindon last summer, a gift of Ulmo as she had come to think of it. The crystal, warm to the touch, had glowed with a faint inner light when she had played notes of old, notes echoing aspects of the song of creation that her mother had worked on. Elvealin brings out her own crystal, Bell of Lórien and shows her. It too encapsulates a single note, attuned to the very fabric of Lórien. She tells Ealendil that she has crafted several such Bells, yet have not made one for either Eryn Galen or Doriath. Ealendil gasps slightly hearing Doriath, and Elvealin noticing, asks whether she would like one for Doriath. Ealendil closing her eyes, nods, and in a low voice whisper please. Elvealin explains that a proper crystal is needed, from Doriath. Ealendil thinks of the crystal she had found, and how it had come to feel like it belonged to her. She promises Elvealin that she will show her the crystal when they come back to Rivendell.
When the hour grows late, the elves decide to settle in for the night. As Ealendil prepares her bedroll, and carefully goes through her packs, her hands touch upon something hard hidden in one of the inner pockets. Reaching inside it, she comes brings out the blue crystal. It had been lying hidden in a small pocket inside one of her packs all this time. She stops breathing for a second, “Why did I bring it? I thought I left…”, she thinks to herself, yet picking it up she caresses it fondly, and touching her cheek with it, savors the warms and peace it emits, filling her with a calmness only a gentle sea may instill.
