The final story in the short trilogy. Directly follows A Letter In the Library: Part the Second.
Alphaear can hardly believe the behavior of this ellon that is sitting before her. Thousands of years old, and acting almost childish in her eyes. She shakes her head at him, though amusement is what glimmers deep in her gaze. “I am researching the tactics used by the Host of the Valar during the War of Wrath. Though I have found little written on it outside of broad historical accounts, and so I must find many specific sources if I want to learn more of the details of their stratagem.”
Arrvelas raises an eyebrow beneath the cloth that hides his eyes as he listens to her words. Growing bored of the book — as he has little use for it — he arbitrarily tosses it aside on the ground. “The War of Wrath was quite a long time ago. Why ever would you wish to learn about the tactics used by the Valar?”
“The Host of the Valar,” Alphaear corrects in a patient manner as she scoops the book off of the floor and up into her hands. “’ Twas made up mostly of the Noldor and the Vanyar. And, to answer your question, it is because I find it fascinating, and there is much to be learned and taken from ancient methods of warfare.”
As he is corrected, Arrvelas sighs. “Yes, yes; the HOST of the Valar. Same difference.” He dismissively waves his hand. “In my experience, war is simply the act of swinging a sword and killing your enemy.”
“Well, that is a rather blunt way to put it,” Alphaear scoffs in retort. “Though you misunderstand me. I refer to the collective whole of the Host and the plans that were enacted on the battlefield rather than from the perspective of a single soldier or the philosophy of war — although each is important to the other.”
Yet the ellon simply shrugs and further leans back against the bookshelf, which can hardly be comfortable where the wooden beams would dig into his shoulders. “I suppose you would know better than I, in that regard. I was never a soldier, nor had I the chance to fight in a large army. It has always been just myself and my sword.”
Finally, Alphaear slips the book back into place on the shelf. As she tucks it away, she leans her hand against the smooth architecture of the wall and leans against it, looking down at him. Although she considers his answer, there is another burning question in her mind that she must give voice to first. “What became of you after the fall of Eregion, hir Arrvelas?”
He begins to hum, not answering her question right away. He waits until he can hear the impatient tapping of her fingers against the wall before he grants her a reply. “I have been traveling since the fall of Eregion. To Felegoth, Lindon, Lothlorien… I have not ceased in my search for Ithilwe since the razing of our home in Sirion. Yet I must come to believe that he has either sailed or that I have missed him wherever I go.”
“You miss your cousin dearly,” she says. It is an observation, not a question. Much of the sharpness that was previously in her voice has waned, and she tilts her head at the ellon as though curious.
Arrvelas simply shrugs, his continuing to hum without any care for the other elves who are seeking quiet within the library. “Perhaps. Yet if we find him, don’t you dare say as much to him.” He tilts his head up and would look to her if he could. “Do you have anyone that you miss, hiril?”
This question gives her pause. She brushes one of her gloved hands over the leather binding of another large tome, though this tower of books is much sturdier and does not tempt to fall as she does so. “…No. No one.”
Arrvelas feels around the shorter stack of books that he had found earlier; he appears to be trying to straighten them out and make them seem more organized. The last thing he wants is an unforeseen fall to come crashing over his head. “Well, that sounds like a very dull life to me, hiril Alphaear. Perhaps one day your answer will change.”
She lets his words settle over the library. She does not give him an answer immediately, instead allowing for silence and peace to once again have reign over the hall. After a few moments, she firmly begins to put away the tomes and books she had brought out and turns aside to the shelves. “Are you genuine about having me accompany you on this trip of yours, should it comes to pass?”
“If you are willing,” Arrvelas replies. He seems to take the cues that follow the sounds of her shuffling nearby. Arrvelas takes a book into his hand at a time and offers it up to her to put it away. As she takes the books from him, readily and without batting an eye, he adds, “I would truly be glad if you would come. Yet will you not miss your research and your studying?”
Alphaear pushes one of the heavier tomes back into place on the shelf with force. Arrvelas flinches at the noise. She answers as she lets her hand linger on the spine of the book. “I will… so I shall simply have to pick wisely about what I shall bring with me.”
“You do not have to go if you do not want to,” Arrvelas points out, picking up another book and raising his arm to offer it to her. “But I would like the company. And, you are right — I should not travel on the road alone. Not with my… condition.”
The elleth hesitates as she takes the book from his hands. Once it has been correctly returned to its resting place, she turns on her heels to look down at him once more. “It is not as if I pity you, Arrvelas. As I said, it is merely of a simple concern to me. There is little in Imladris that holds me here save my research and my studying, so I shall go.”
Arrvelas quickly rises to his feet at her words, using the shelves and now-smaller stacks of books to help himself stand. He raises his head and grants her a genuine smile. “Thank you, Hiril! I am in your debt. If there is anything I can do for you, you need only ask it of me — so long as it does not include socializing with drunkards.”
Instinctively Alphear’s hands lurch out to steady him as if he should need it, yet she is wise enough to know her place and keeps herself from actually making contact with him. “Do I look as though I am one to make socializing with such folk a common practice of mine? No, hir. You can simply owe me the favor. Perhaps I shall be lonely one day and in need of a friend for company.”
He chuckles. “I do not think you will… but, as you say. I shall return the favor to you one day. I promise that.”
At the earnestness in his words, Alphaear merely sighs and rests her cheek in one hand. Thinking deeply, she purses her lips and lets silence settle between them for a few seconds. “Then I shall hold you to it, should that day come. This letter, though,” she gestures to the parchment that is loosely poking out of his robe pocket, “it must be sent. I think I have an idea of where to find someone who can point us in the right direction. Unfortunately, you will simply have to brave the Hall of Fire once more.”
He grimaces. “Just where I want to be! I said I would trust your judgment, however… Shall I meet you there tonight, once you are finished with your studies?”
Alphaear nods to this, though she sits in awkward silence for far too long before remembering that she must speak in order for Arrvelas to grasp her intent. “Yes! Yes, that would be fitting. Meet me at the Hall of Fire tonight.”
