i I was given this book on my two hundreth birthday but never had much cause to write in it for my days hardly changed and my activity within them. Though now a greater change has occured and one I would not have thought to arrive for still a generation or more.
The day for travel arrived and I packed what I felt I would be need for the journey ahead, such sad occurance as this that I must go when I do not wish to, nor yet feel ready to depart. If only for my family honour, at the request of my last aunt, do I now travel west with my five companions. Two of whom are my younger cousins who were guardians of our forest and followed in the path of their parents. It is in this path that sorrow took them, that which none should have to suffer, for they witnessed the death of their parents during a raid from orcs. One has gone to join their loved one whom has already sailed upon the sea and the remaining two are much older than I and have come to the end of their days. ii We planned to travel mostly at night and find places along the way that will offer shelter and somewhere to hide from sight, for the first day I could not help but look back over my shoulder to the home I loved. This being the first time I have left the woods and knowing I may never see them again draws heavy upon me. We travel southwards through Fangorn towards Rohan, my companions will not venture too near the misty mountains and talk constently of the fall of Moria and the increasing shadows on our boarders. It is enough to make even the lightest soul fall to despair. iii I write now as we rest on the eaves of the forest and look outwards to the empty planes before us, so few trees and shrubs it tears at my soul, I care little to walk upon the ground and now I am compelled to do so. My older companions talk of how the landscape has changed in the times when they walked here, it seems they continue to persuade themselves that their choice is right to leave now and I should be happy to also. Still my eyes drift back towards home and my heart is torn. iv It is now several days past and I have not felt like writing, we passed by what remained of a village two days ago but all that was left to show was blackened and burnt, the last trails of smoke reaked of death. This sight spurred on my companions and even the older ones quickened their pace, we now pass through Enedwaith in the shadow of the mountain, closer to its feet than they wished at first, for they fear now to travel further into the open. I long for a more homely sight that my heart may be lifted, I do not wish to travel west though the thought is becoming more compelling. v At last we are nearing our journey's end, the trees have become more plentyful and I rushed to climb amongst the broughs of the first one I saw. Running my hand over the bark I sang softly to the tree and pressed my ear against a rough branch to hear its quiet response. Just a whisper I heard, stifled, I sang soothingly of hope and peace and felt a soft sighing as the leaves rustled. Eventually I climbed down and left the tree, following again my companions, though lightened of heart now at least. vi Finally we arrived at the valley of Imladris and I felt a weight lift from my shoulders, at peace we could rest and restore ourselves. We had arrived on a night of entertainment, though my companions had no thought for such and went instead to their rooms. I instead ventured towards the hall , although tired and weary. Inside I heard song and laughter and many voices raised in good natured debate. It felt strange to be alongside other elves who were yet so different to my own kin. It was on this night that futher dilema raised in my mind, for that night I met someone and now not only am I torn between staying or sailing. I am to decide whom to travel with and if I am to break my family's honour and leave my companions side.
The day for travel arrived and I packed what I felt I would be need for the journey ahead, such sad occurance as this that I must go when I do not wish to, nor yet feel ready to depart. If only for my family honour, at the request of my last aunt, do I now travel west with my five companions. Two of whom are my younger cousins who were guardians of our forest and followed in the path of their parents. It is in this path that sorrow took them, that which none should have to suffer, for they witnessed the death of their parents during a raid from orcs. One has gone to join their loved one whom has already sailed upon the sea and the remaining two are much older than I and have come to the end of their days. ii We planned to travel mostly at night and find places along the way that will offer shelter and somewhere to hide from sight, for the first day I could not help but look back over my shoulder to the home I loved. This being the first time I have left the woods and knowing I may never see them again draws heavy upon me. We travel southwards through Fangorn towards Rohan, my companions will not venture too near the misty mountains and talk constently of the fall of Moria and the increasing shadows on our boarders. It is enough to make even the lightest soul fall to despair. iii I write now as we rest on the eaves of the forest and look outwards to the empty planes before us, so few trees and shrubs it tears at my soul, I care little to walk upon the ground and now I am compelled to do so. My older companions talk of how the landscape has changed in the times when they walked here, it seems they continue to persuade themselves that their choice is right to leave now and I should be happy to also. Still my eyes drift back towards home and my heart is torn. iv It is now several days past and I have not felt like writing, we passed by what remained of a village two days ago but all that was left to show was blackened and burnt, the last trails of smoke reaked of death. This sight spurred on my companions and even the older ones quickened their pace, we now pass through Enedwaith in the shadow of the mountain, closer to its feet than they wished at first, for they fear now to travel further into the open. I long for a more homely sight that my heart may be lifted, I do not wish to travel west though the thought is becoming more compelling. v At last we are nearing our journey's end, the trees have become more plentyful and I rushed to climb amongst the broughs of the first one I saw. Running my hand over the bark I sang softly to the tree and pressed my ear against a rough branch to hear its quiet response. Just a whisper I heard, stifled, I sang soothingly of hope and peace and felt a soft sighing as the leaves rustled. Eventually I climbed down and left the tree, following again my companions, though lightened of heart now at least. vi Finally we arrived at the valley of Imladris and I felt a weight lift from my shoulders, at peace we could rest and restore ourselves. We had arrived on a night of entertainment, though my companions had no thought for such and went instead to their rooms. I instead ventured towards the hall , although tired and weary. Inside I heard song and laughter and many voices raised in good natured debate. It felt strange to be alongside other elves who were yet so different to my own kin. It was on this night that futher dilema raised in my mind, for that night I met someone and now not only am I torn between staying or sailing. I am to decide whom to travel with and if I am to break my family's honour and leave my companions side.
