Falasgil

The sun hung low in the sky when the two riders sighted the grey spires of Mithlond rising above the Bay of Lhûn. As they drew closer to the Grey Havens, the call of the gulls wheeling above the quays grew louder and more insistent. Cúrandir watched in silent wonder as the great stone ramparts of the city rose up before them. At the gate, an arch carven with the likenesses of blooming flowers and foaming waves, a guard stopped them and Falasgil dismounted, speaking with him in an undertone. Cúrandir hung back, still gazing at the city in awe.

"Are you certain this is a good idea?" Cúrandir frowned at Falasgil, who was busily closing up the windows and door of the hunting lodge.

"Of course! Do not even worry, Ningloriel can never refuse me a favour after I have been away for so long. " Falasgil flashed Cúrandir a grin.  "Now come and help me with this window, unless you want to stay in a mouldy lodge when we go hunting next summer!"

A fire crackled merrily before Falasgil and Cúrandir as they ate in companionable silence. The summer day was drawing to a lazy close, light falling honeyed and golden through the whispering leaves of beech and elm surrounding their camp.  The low murmur of the nearby stream mingled with the distant music of waves upon the shore. A little ways aside, Amloth and Limros grazed contentedly on the lush grasses which sprang up beside the stream. Falasgil took one last bite of his roast venison, and grinned at Cúrandir.

Tancamir wandered into the open door, absently holding a rolled-up letter in his hand. It had arrived from Lindon several days ago, delivered by a chattering young elleth named Aurineth. She had come to deliver a letter to Cúrandir from Ningloriel of Mithlond, who she claimed as one of her neighbours.

Morning dawned clear and bright, with the promise of a radiant spring day. Tancamir set out early for the wooded slopes on the northern shore of the lake. The woods here seemed wider than the narrow confines of the forests near Imladris.  Evergreen forests stretched north and west, a seemingly limitless sea of living green. Sunlight glimmered upon Amloth's chestnut hide, illuminating the white star upon his forehead.