Esteldin
31 Quellë in the Reckoning of Imladris
(being the 28th of October in the Shire-Reckoning)
My decision to husband my time at each waystop along this journey had proven wise, if not economical. First, Trestlebridge north of Bree proved less than comfortable, there being no accomodations for travelers there. Next, the rolling hills and pastures of Kingsfell has few settlements, even these years after their sorrows; it would appear that even the hardiness of the Dúnedain requires, not unlike a great tree, time to take root once more.
But these are not the only places where rest in the Wild might be found. South of Kingsfell sitting at the edges of the fens can be found the Elven haven of Lin Giliath - and within sits Tham Giliath, a small but well-apportioned library with adequate staffing in the person of its curator, Glambaen.
I rested there for a few days, deep in conversation with both Glambaen and a distinguished guest, no less than Gildor Inglorion. Gildor has been known to me through the ages of course, even as far back as the founding of Lindon and Eregion; indeed, Eregion is where I first met him, as many of our kin traveled between the two realms. Being as he is of the High Kindred and a house of renown, I pressed him for anything he might recall concerning my quest for lore of the Oath-stones.
What I learned from him, I fear, may not be as much as he learned from me - not of scholarly value, but his keen mind and will divined from my words some of my plans. And though I did not divulge the truth, I strongly suspect that he reasoned out one secret I held tightly: for during my time in Ruddymore, I did in fact recover a shard of the Ambossar!
It was during my time near Gaervarad where, while either avoiding or subduing the local denizens of the ruined keep, that my suspicion proved true: the artifact would be unnoticed by any who didn't know what to look for. Having acquired the shard, no larger than the blade of a kitchen knife, I set heel to horse and began my long trek north.
I still feel uncomfortable at Gildor's penetrating stare - I confess to being unnerved by his gaze as well as his veiled comments. I am more convinced than ever he has guessed about the shard, but nothing as to my purpose.
For the present, I am departing in the morning bound next for Esteldin, for two reasons. One, the meager library at that stronghold may yet provide a few kernels of information.
And second, it stands at the next stage of my sojourn: north into Angmar.
Previously: Part the First
