Aethelrien groaned and tossed the book to the floor in frustration. The offending object sliding down to rest against another that had been discarded in a similar fashion. She stood, walked over to the bookcase in the far corner, and ran a long finger along the spines. Silently, she read the title of each book; searching for one that might have the answers she was looking for. After several moments Aethelrien pulled one from the shelf and returned to her spot on the floor near the fire. The warmth from its flames did little to quell the irritation she was feeling.
“You’d think this wouldn’t be so hard.” Aethelrien spoke in Sindarin to her friend, Taulian. She snorted out a chuckle.
Taulian simply shrugged, her face hidden in the shadow of her hood. She sat, crossed-legged on the bed, playing with the strap of the satchel, as she watched Aethelrien. She stayed silent as to not disturb her process.
Aethelrien returned to reading the pages of the newly acquired text. She ran her finger across the page and soundlessly mouthed each word as she read.
“What do we have here?!?” Baldune’s deep voice came as he stepped to the door of the study. His red eyes flashed with amusement and surprise. He surveyed the room, his arms crossed over his chest. He leaned against the post of the doorframe waiting for an answer, a crooked grin on his bearded face.
Aethelrien sat on the floor, a pile of books and manuscripts tossed haphazardly around her. She had the appearance of an island in a sea of books and parchment. Without looking up from the book she was reviewing, Aethelrien held up the parchment she previously had pulled from the satchel. She fluttered it in Baldune’s direction, indicating he should take it.
Baldune stepped further into the room, crouched down next to Aethelrien and took the parchment from her hand. Aethelrien placed a finger on the sentence she finished reading and looked up as he straightened. He held the parchment in one of his large hands and stared at it for a moment, “And?” He quirked an eyebrow in her direction.
Attempting to stifle her frustration she looked at him, “AND…” a slow deep breath, “This ranger friend of yours was very cryptic in his notes. They may be written in Sindarin, but they don’t make sense.” She threw up her hands in resignation. “I have spent, what is it Taul? The better half of an entire day just trying to figure out what he is talking about.”
Baldune glanced at the parchment again, the foreign text not giving him any clues. Feeling Aethelrien’s eyes on him, he handed the document back. “What have you deciphered so far?” He looked over the pile of books at his feet.
Aethelrien sighed and placed the parchment gently on her lap. She looked down at it briefly, “Only that it may lead to some sort of treasure or relic.” She looked up, brows furrowed and ran her hands through her hair. “I will figure it out,” determination flashed in her green eyes, “it just may take some time.”
Baldune smiled encouragingly at Aethelrien. With a slight bow of his head, he acknowledged her determination. He turned and left the room, attempting to make as little sound as possible with his large boots. Silently, Taulian slid from the bed and slipped out behind him. Aethelrien barely noticed their departure, her attention had already returned to the book.
