Vanimar

Ealendil paces back and forth, restlessly back and forth in the small chamber of her house, on the second floor where she usually works with her music. Notes are everywhere in apparent disorder, some on the floor, some scattered across a small table. The packing is done, and she impatiently awaits the day they will be going east, east to Lothólorien. However, it is not the waiting that makes restless. A few days ago, Filegris had sung, or at least clapped with her hands, the rhythm of the song the dwarf Jarpr had sung.

So many departures. They knew that this day would come, that they would have to be prepared. It still made her wonder, despite their training, were the Fountaineers ready for this? As she left the Pillar hall, her conversation with Tingruviel still rung in her ears.

Ealendil is overjoyed, the journey that she had wanted, dreamed of, needed, to undertake to Lothlórien is no longer just that, a dream. All the talks and plans she and Evlealin had had and made through the days of last autumn, and which had had to be laid to rest, are finally no longer just that, talks and plans.

A clean cloth. Or what used to be a clean cloth. It was now covered with dust. The whole room smelled like distant memories, as if someone had not occupied the space for a long time. And it was true. It had stood empty for a while now.

She had taken it upon herself to clean it, as it felt like desecration of a holy place to let someone else in. She knew it was folly, of course. The lady Danel had left for the Havens, and would not return. But the idea that she might one day reappear kept Tingruviel busy tidying the space.

We are suitably accommodated in Celondim. Whether our stay will be but a few days, or far longer, is yet to be decided.

My lady wife has seen to all provisions for our party and speaks, with Aearlinn, on our behalf to those who have closest connection with the sailing of the Grey Ships from Mithlond.

Now it falls to me to decide, though I shall take counsel from Gaerion, and from the Lady’s granddaughter.