This letter is not in the elegant, flowing calligraphy of the Pillar's secretary Sarmëtecil. It is scratched down in haste, as if fear had been struck into the writer.
My honoured liege,
Much has happened. The yellow gem is no longer in the possession of Tolmen. He came into the Hall of Fire raving and babbling about having to kill people and take vengeance. Luckily Silwë subdued him -- my own efforts were in vain. It was Silwe who removed the gem from its hiding place: Tolmen's empty eye socket. The gem is now in Silwë's possession, in a lead-lined box. I do not know why he chose that material, but he felt it would be a stronger enclosure. I might have saved a few pennies on those mithril gauntlets, had I known!
Daeruth, who Norliriel tells me had custody of the sapphire, has not reported to me. Her desk in the Pillar Hall is covered in dust. By this time she should have given me a thick sheaf of paper full of her disdain for Earcalië. Norliriel agrees with me that she must be found -- that the gem she carried through Enedwaith must be found.
We both agree that we must complete the set now as quickly as possible. If Silwë had not stopped Tolmen, many lives might have been in danger, including yours and mine. Indeed, Silwë would have slain his own cousin, had Tolmen raised a hand to you. But had you drawn your sword first, things might have been very ugly indeed.
What does the poem say, lord? What must we do to put the blasted things all in one place so they become happy again? Because it must be done, and done quickly, ere a new Kinslaying breaks out among oathbound comrades driven mad. Shall I send for Elvealin and her crystal bells?
If we must use force in some way, I reluctantly put my name to it. This devastation -- you saw what happened to Norliriel, to Danel, to Carniquesse -- must stop. Hammer time is upon us.
Yours in haste and devotion,
Airesarë Celulinda "Manadhlaer"
