The envelope is closed with a wax seal bearing the emblem of a sword encircled by flowers, and bearing also the tengwar runes for “to the last”. On the back of the envelope is printed in tengwar also the names of Cesistya and Cerrynt. The parcel itself has been left in the hands of one of the cooks, as the writer knew that the pair visited often with them, so the envelope bears a healthy dusting of flour as well. Upon opening it, one would find a letter written in an obviously rushed fashion; the runes were slanted and the black ink had bled and smeared in some places. Towards the bottom of the letter, the side of a faint palm print had been inked into the paper by mistake.
“To my friends Híril Cesistya and Híril Cerrynt;
I wish to apologise, first and foremost, if you receive this letter before we have the chance to speak again. It is much easier for me to express my thoughts in writing rather than words, but I would be a liar if I said that I do not enjoy your company greatly. You have been a welcome and fresh breath of air to both Ithilwë and myself. We had come to Imladris for an opportunity to take rest after I went to Carn Dûm of Angmar and returned with a heavy heart and splintered spirit. To find and speak with the pair of you here in our bittersweet residence was, I am to believe, a blessing.
I continue to apologise nonetheless. We have been informed of the path that we must take to the Rhovanion. Accompanying Ithilwë and I will be Hír Cedmon of Eryn Lasgalen and Híril Celossiel, also of Gondolin, and later, Eregion. We are to be led by one of the Dunedain by the Pass of Khazad-Dum. I am not thrilled by this development, but I have been informed by a dear friend of mine, Master Dalbran, that if we keep from delving too deep, we should be safe through the mines. He is disappointed not to be joining us and has expressed that he hopes we find the same beauty in the halls of old as he does. I hope for such as well, but I remain ever wary of the darkness.
This is to say, I regret to inform you that Ithilwë and I shall not be able to join both of you part of the way back to Bree, and we may not get a chance to speak again before our departure. If that is the case, know that Ithilwë and I are sorrowed for it, as we have found you to be dear companions to us even if the time we spent together was short. In the spirit of keeping that blooming companionship alive, I shall endeavor to send more letters if I ever find us lingering in one place long enough to write them. Perhaps I shall have stories to share with you before we meet again, be it in Imladris or Bree or someplace else.
,Until we meet again, and to the last
Amathlan, also known as Dagnirlhug
As an aside; Híril Cesistya, I know you are a scholarly woman. I ask of you to think about the meaning of dreams among our kin. I seem to be plagued by them as of late.
