For the hundredth time, Tuilérie goes through her light pack, the bedroll, and spare supplies. "Lembas", she thinks to herself, and nods. And there is the map of Eregion, safely rolled and carefully stowed away in a water-proof case, as well as her fishing rod. She pats Nolandur gently on his head, who follows her around, tail wagging without cease, sniffing at everything.
Tuilérie had brought everything outside, crisp air of the early morning greeting her, a morning bordering on the late hours as sun hasn't risen yet and stars were still as bright as always. She had risen early, sleep deprived, excitement seeing to that.
Everything is carried down to the stables, where one of Ladrochan's helpers greets her with a yawn. She smiles back, but leaves the poor ellon to himself. Seeing to her horse, saddle, grim and tack, she leads it out into the paddock and loads the pack onto it. The horse snorts, muscles rippling a little, signs that her excitement has carried over to the animal, and she settles to wait for the others to arrive for the journey ahead to begin.
–
Several days earlier a messenger had arrive at her door, handing her a nondescript letter in silence, a letter with only her name written upon it. When she opens the mysteriously plain envelope it reads:
"Hail Tuilerie of the Arrow,
You may remember my wife and I from when we met, travelling to Imladris together from the Last Bridge. We did not have much opportunity to speak, as the Lady Manadhlaer had other issues on her mind. I do recall you saying that you were from Ost-In-Edhil, though. My wife was, as well, and while I was born long before, across the sea in the Uttermost West, the land of Eregion was still a place very important to me and held dear in my heart.
Which is why now that we are back in Imladris, we wanted to pay a visit to the ruins once more, and walk among them as we did in the days of old. I wished to request you to come with us, as a fellow scout and as one who understand this place as well as us.
Sincerely,
Raudnucal Hundaquildo"*
When Tuilérie had read that letter she had stood silently, seemingly deep in thoughts. Suddenly, she goes tense, as if she had made a decision. She did remember the couple that she had met at the last bridge as she and Lady Manadhlaer had made camp there for the last leg to Rivendell from Lindon. And she was filled with warmth as she realized that they actually wanted her to accompany them.
She had quickly dressed in the official uniform of her Order, official visits were never to be taken lightly, and though those of the Arrow, were not required to dress in uniform on patrol or other business, it would never do to visit her captain on this errand dressed in anything but the uniform. She often met with her captain, reporting and getting new orders, but this time she had another matter to bring up with her, of a more sensitive nature, and she felt the respect of the her Order was paramount. Last she had met her captain was when reporting on the journey to and from Lindon. She had left as a detailed report she could, assured of that the captain would summarize and report to her superiors as needed.
Not many words needed. Captain Saranassë had understood her wish to visit the land of old and revisiting old memories and sights, had given her consent, and seen to that she was given leave of duty.
Running all the way home, smiling brightly, joy ill-concealed, and not caring who saw her, Nolandur having sat guard outside the captain's office ran next to her side, howling all the way as if anticipating a hunt, and she had hurriedly, still in uniform, written a reply as soon as the door of her house slam shut behind her..
"Le suilon hîr Hundaquildo,
I well remember our meeting at the Last Bridge after we had crossed river Mitheithel, it was a pleasure to talk to you and your wife on the way, and tho we had little time and opportunities for doing so, as we were in a hurry to get back to Rivendell, I do remember our conversation about Eregion of old. It brought much joy to me.
I too, am planning a journey to the land of my upbringing, and I would be honored to accompany you on this journey, as it coincides with my own desires. I have already asked permission from my captain, Captain Saranassë, for leave of duty to undertake this journey, and she has given it.
Tuilérie of the Arrow."
–
The rivulet in the vale, her favorite spot to fish from, bathes in sunlight filtering down trough the canopy. Maedh sits silently by her side, fishing rod lying untouched next his side. Tuilérie throws the line out in to the river, letting the current catch her float, carrying the sink and baited hook a little further down streams. She had come to him, and asked if he would make her company, like so many times before. She needed to talk about her plans for the Eregion trip with someone, if only to straighten her own thougts, and Maedh was a patient listener.
They had talked a lot about the trip for quite some time, but now there was silence, and she looks at Maedh, and wonders what he is up to. He often came with her on these nearby fishing excursions, always eager to catch something to bring home. "Poor Lady Ealendil", she thinks to herself, "She must be getting tired of all the fish." She smiles to herself in silence and looks at Maedh. He sits there silently, legs crossed, eyes closed, fishing rod untouched, and Tuilérie cannot but ask him what he is doing. "Hush", he responds, "Do you hear her voice, her singing?", he asks. "Uinen speaks to me...", and he resumes his silent vigil. Tuilérie is unsure what to make of it, and try as she may, she cannot hear anything. She knew he was a follower of Uinen, spouse of Ossë, lady of the tranquil streams. Suddenly Maedh picks up his harp, that had been resting on his other side, and plucks a few clear notes, notes that seem to mimic the ‘song' of the stream. Tuilérie blinks, forgetting her own rod, and looks at him. He winks at her, lays the harp to rest in the grass, and picks up his rod.
It doesn't take long until all of the sudden, he brings up on the shore the largest trout she has ever seen in the valley. Maedh only winks at her as he takes care of his catch, and Tuilérie is left speechless, mouth gaping. "One has only to listen carefully...", Maedh explains, "And Arda provides". Giggling he settled down back on the grass next to her.
Then she notice something she hasn't seen before, a small, almost not visible frown of worry between his eyebrows. Maedh notices her gaze upon him and sighs. "I miss Lindon", he almost whispers. He looks out at the stream, "When the time comes, I may try to convince my Taurlillel to move back 'home'… The little ones should grow up near the sea, feeling the salty breeze upon their cheeks, singing with the seagulls..." Then he goes silent, and seems to loose himself in thought. Tuilérie looks at him in silence, but then averts her gaze. She knew he had come to the valley because his love was here, but she hadn't realized how much he missed the sea. If, no, when, as it was only a matter of time now, they were to have have child, they might very well be leaving. Tuilérie feels a thorn tugging at her heart. What would she do? If they left, she would be alone again, they were the closest she had to call 'family'… The afternoon was spent in subdued silence, Tuilérie seemingly having lost her enthusiasm for the fishing, and as the sun wanders behind the mountain ridge, letting ever growing shadows cover the valley floor, she walks home alone, deep in thoughts.
–
In the morning hours, as the sun gaining strength replaces the night sky with colors of an approaching dawn, Tuilérie greets her traveling companions as they arrive. First to arrive is hir Tolmen, whom she bare knows, save that she had met him a couple of times before. She had chanced upon him at the market, and had greeted him. They talked about this and that, and of the quality of the wares the merchants sold, well, mostly hir Tolmen made the complaints, and soon talk had broached the subject of Eregion. Tolmen had shown a great interest in, and had offered to with them, claiming that his knowledge of the lands, together with his sword, would come in handy. Tuilérie had thanked him and invited him to join them. As they walked their own ways, it struck Tuilérie that Tolmen had been very eager to come, and she wondered what his motives were, but shrugged, an ellon of his stature need not explain himself.
Hir Hundaquildo and hiril Almanulde are the next to arrive, and greets her warmly. Introductions are made, and hir Tolmen is greeted and welcomed into their company. Mounting up the company departs in silence, letting the horses find their way up onto the road leading to the high moors.
Not being in a hurry, the company stops to admire the vale below as the morning sun paints the landscape in bright golden colors.
Tuilérie looks down at Nolandur resting by her side, and smiles. She reaches in to her jacket and touches the small toy she had brought with her, the toy of her childhood, making sure it is safely stored away close to her heart.
As the company finally leaves the valley, the sentinels guarding the Gates of Imladris greet them and resume their vigil, letting them pass out on to the high moors.
After leaving the high moor, and following the eastern side of river Bruinen, the company stops at a lone ruined monument to admire the view of the gorge below and the ancient keep Echad Candellth on a steep hill-side on the western shore.
As dusk approaches, the company finally come in sight of ancient Gwingris. Rather than continue, they decided to make camp beneath the trees on the road-side, and as gloaming turns into night, the old city is painted in silver by the stars.
*Letter is original work of Hundaquildo.
