The letter itself arrives as any parcel or mail should, wrapped in a ribbon, stamped and cared for delicately. It is clear that the recipient of this letter, even across the sea, was important to whomever wrote it. Within the enfolded letter is a tiny, sewn package with a clear cut sapphire about the size of a flea inside.
Zaiss had not been able to wait himself on the docks while he persisted in Rivendell, but he had sent for a trusted courier, and they had ridden from The Valley of Imladris all the way west to Celondim, and there had waited. This courier was instructed to deliver the letter without a scratch upon it, not a wrinkle, to someone who will depart from Middle Earth, as he knows many do. The integrity of the letter did not overly concern him, if the courier reported some unfortunate rip or tear, he would simply send it again. Zaiss Kromwell is many things, and even forgetful is he, but the words he strewn across this letter would not soon be forgotten.
"Sellig, Lichieth.
I know you would snap at me or bare your teeth at such a lie that it is to believe I am your father. While not physically true, as I am sure you know as a creature of beauty that is older than I...Well, you cannot mail me back, and therefore I get the last word here. Fate is cruel in that way isn't it, fiery little one?
Ah, but so I wish I could fight you for that last word again. I recall when it was something I could actually do. Winning...like this? Winning like this is even less fair to me than it is to you. I fondly remember when you and I sat at the table in The Pony, and joked of crude things and spoke like family. I would lie to hide my weakness, oh dearest...I am weak writing this to you. Sometimes when I am alone I find myself crippled by your absence. I hate that the time we had together was not enough. I spite this world for that. My wound of you spites this wretched reality. My telling of this to you only serves to remind you of how I miss you, daughter.
There is so much to tell you of, but I cannot waste a mere inch of paper upon it all. Your mother is well, happy with me as we remain in Rivendell. She has grand plans, plans that will bring some peace. I would not pretend to know her entire motivation behind it, but I suspect your departure that sundered her has something to do with it. I suppose what I am saying is that we both miss you. You were bright upon both of us, and I want you to know that. The other part of you not being able to respond is that when you have moments of doubt, I therefore cannot reassure you. But I do so now. As scary as it may be, as terrifying as it is to be alone, please know that you live here still with us. You never leave me, my dearest.
I have enclosed to you a similar stone I gave your mother. A sapphire. A reminder that I love you, that I miss you, a symbol of the affection me and your mother share. I had it well cut and manged, and I hope it pleases you, or at least reminds you. I will send more if it does not hold up. You may not respond, but in my heart I shall know, I shall feel it from here.
Oh Lichieth...I wish your healing there. I wish your happiness. I hope to see you again at the end of all things, but of all the faces I have seen, all the people I will forget...I will never forget you or your visage. I will guard you with my life in memory.
-Ada"
