Yes indeed, rightly do you say that very much time has passed since the Awakening. Yeni follows yeni, swiftly like a rushing stream. And when and where does it all end?
‘Now?’ you say. "Is this the end time?”
Young one, truly do my people believe these are the latter days of our kind. We mean here though, not in the far West. We have had very little to do with those beings you name ‘Valar’, but that does not mean we do not believe they exist. Nay, the One placed us here; the Valar wanted us to leave ‘here’ and go with them. Many did. Did they go to a better, a safer place? You know the answer better than I, child of the Noldor. From what we know, the land of Valinor is stunningly beautiful, but were they safe there? Nay, not even in the land of the Valar were they safe.
The Yeni rush by, one after another, and some of our folk have faded away, into spirit. In some places that they loved, we can still sense them, though they speak not with us. Such is our choice, though none have ever been prevented from seeking the Havens. But as we both acknowledge these are the latter days of our people here, I would speak on what is to follow.
Will you hear me out? That is pleasing. And you have thoughts of your own to add. Well, an active mind that considers issues is usually an advantage to anyone.
So I speak now of why I…we..are so pleased you are here. The in-between matters we can speak of later.
The times are changing. Even the Dwarves in their great Halls, and the Men in their Castles and Fortresses feel it. How do I know that? Ha, we do speak at times with a few from other Races. Dwarves will fight at need, but they know their ways are drawing to an end. Their numbers are reducing even more than ours.
Men are more of a problem. It has oft been said that Men are more like unto Melkor than any other Race. We have found there are some good and noble folk among them, but the tendency is to seek power, to dominate, to bring ruin. On this matter our Elders still ponder. Some there are who would see all Men wiped from the face of Arda. Not many I grant you, for that is not our way. But some have borne witness to the great ill they do to the land, wherever they settle. And they do great ill to each other. Would that their hearts saw true, and they realised we are but their elder kindred. Their elder ‘brothers and sisters’. The land belongs to the One, and to all of us, speaking folk and non-speaking. Then there could be a lasting peace, no?
You know of one who tolerates not any Man? He is a Noldo? Well, I am surprised that more of the Noldor have not taken that view. Some are Man-friends, we have heard of them. May it be we speak with your Man hating friend sometime soon? I would understand his reasons.
No, I do not condemn him. It is an Elf Lord we speak of, yes? Ah, one who suffered a great loss or betrayal no doubt.
The year turns even now, away from the darkness of winter, yet I do not think this coming Spring shall bring the renewal we wish for. That being the case, we should listen to him as well as to the wise who tell us to withdraw into the forest of memories.
Do we aid the elves of the West in the conflict fast approaching? We still have some numbers, though are much diminished from what we were.
Do we stand by, at the edges of our Forests and watch and wait?
Some do advocate that, even to the extent that we move out into the Western lands when both sides in this war-to-come are at their weakest. That sounds ignoble to many, myself included. But all must have their say.
Many of the Eldar are said to be leaving now. They have no heart nor will for what is to come. They have earned their rest. But that leaves us again as we once were. Half our fighting force in Valinor, and enemies here.
We are uncertain if the Dark Lord will be vanquished. He can be, but whether or not that transpires is another matter. Even if he is brought down, as with the case of old, some of his Captains and Lieutenants will remain. It will be a few decades at the least before the lands are rid of all foulness. Many of the Wise say it can never be totally extinguished.
Those who study the histories say the matter will be close run. Those who watch the dance of the stars say much the same. Tumult is coming, and many lives will be upturned.
Yet I am one who believes when the Spring does return, in a year or two, or more, it shall be all the sweeter and brighter. At least for a while.
Have I made you despondent? Nay, you are made of strong stuff I see. This time of year, with the shortest of days, it is easy to think the darkness is all around us, and will overwhelm us. I have many Ages of experience that say otherwise. There is still hope.
Now sit with me awhile longer and I shall send for tea and some cakes for you. Then you can tell me what you know is most likely to happen among the Elves of the West.
