From Mirkwood with Love

Haarland —

My fond greetings from beyond the Anduin, within the depths of that which was once Greenwood the Great.

Fell creatures dwell here in Mirkwood, savage and strange and unlike any I have yet seen. Here, in the decrepitly beautiful ruins of Dannenglor, the Enemy keeps their prisoners. Even during high daytime, the light is weak, here. And the rumors I have heard are true – there are day-walking Trolls, more powerful than I have ever seen, as Thalya and I found out. We were victorious, by the grace of the Valar it seemed, and lived to tell the tale.

As you know, I am quite tall — but I am dwarfed in the shadow of these day-walking abominations.  They are far from the worst.  Far, far from the worst.  I will not speak to you of other things, as you need not know.  I do not want you to.

At night I cannot help but to look back and think… My life now is so much different than my life “back home.” My life after coming to the western reaches of Eriador – the Shire, Bree, when we first visited Tinnúdir. And traveled to Amon Sûl.  We were so much more care-free – ah, I would give anything to be back there. My very soul itself feels heavy, being here. This is an oppressive, almost tangible darkness. Anything could be just beyond my lantern, and it does not help me rest. I have not slept comfortably in weeks.  My memories are what I have now to keep me comfortable.

As my people say:

Ná Elbereth veria le, no in elenath hîlar nan hâd gîn.
May Elbereth protect you, and her stars shine upon your path.

Namárië.

(Valaraen)

Caras Galadhon

 

Haarland —

My greetings from Lothlórien!

I wished to show you my home, because I saw your enthrallment at the beauty of Rivendell.  Here, Thalya and I sitting near the fountains close to the center of Caras Galadhon, our city.  In the background, high in the mellyrn are the telain (platforms) upon which we live.  Few Humans have seen this place – if only I could show you.

This was my whole world, before I left, and before and met you.  I look unfamiliar in silken robes, and I rather wonder if you would recognize me.  The long years of my life have been spent in our insular realm among these trees and gardens, existing in quiet, peaceful solitude.  But now, with all I’ve seen and done, I feel so out of place.  I cannot stay here.

I hope that you are well and happy in Rivendell.  I may return sooner than you think – I seem to be traveling far and quickly, in recent days.

Namárië.

(Valaraen)

Into the Waterworks

Haarland —

I am quite grateful that I was able to communicate with you, a link to the outside world is a rare and welcome thing for me.  Your assertion that I am your “favorite Elf” makes me feel quite special.  That is one of the most touching things anyone has ever said to me, and I have been listening to people say things for a long, long time.  I suppose I can say that you are my favorite Human.

We are quite deep beneath the mountains, in a place known as The Waterworks.  The constant sound of rushing and dripping water and the odd blue lighting makes me weary.  The circumstances are uncomfortable – I have no great love of Dwarves (many of my kind do not), and we have taken shelter with them.

The journey down here was not the easiest I have ever made, by far, as you can see above.  Most of the time, I can hold my own, though often it is difficult, it seems that things are never easy here. The circumstances are different than the the hundreds of times you have seen me take up this stance – it is now more often that I must defend myself.  I fear that I will fail to do so.

I am very lonely here, and I rather miss your company.  It was never like this before.  This place makes me so glad that you are safe, somewhere, and that you are content, and happy.  I promise I’ll try as hard as I can to come back.

Namárië.

 

(Valaraen)

Sûri-kylä

Haarland —

It is our last night here in Sûri-kylä, the northernmost Lossoth settlement on the Ice Bay. I cannot wait to come south again, where I can breathe the air without feeling as though I am going to choke on it. I have been fortunate to be given lodging by the Lossoth in their claustrophobic huts of snow and ice, heated inside by a candle, with furs and hides as bed and blanket. Thalya at least has that enormous cat of hers, Steve, to keep her company.

The great lodge, a pavilion made of bone and hide, is large enough for a bazaar and fire pits, forges and workshops. It seems so foreign and barbaric. I must learn to refrain from passing judgement on their kind. The lives of Men seem shut to me, except as an observer.

I leave tomorrow to return to the darkness of Moria, deep underneath the mountains. I do not want to admit this… But I am somewhat afraid.

Namárië.

(Valaraen)

Forochel

Haarland —

I apologize for the infrequency of my communication.  My family, my friends… none of them know where I’ve gone.  It was easier that way, and I’m not sure what I will tell them — I have yet to write to them, as it makes me feel somewhat self-conscious. I have my reasons for leaving, with more questions than answers.

I am in Forochel, a frozen wasteland at the end of the world, north of Evendim — we had drawn close, together, when we were at Tínnudir, if you can remember. Never in my life have I been this cold.  Lorien, for the most part, is always comfortable… but here… it is bone chillingly cold. 

However. it is so beautiful… The sky is filled with aurorae in shimmering hues of blue, green, purple, white… all across the sky.  The snow and the sky light up the land in a permanent twilight at night.  During the day, the silence of the ice and snow make me feel like I’m alone in the entire world.

The Lossoth (the Men of this land) are hostile and unwelcoming, but have allowed Thalya and I some brief moments of hospitality , trading with us for thick bearskin cloaks to wear against the biting wind.  I do not know exactly why we are here, I go to these places under the assumption that Thalya knows what she is doing. 

I think of you often. These thoughts are what keeps me warm in this bleak environment. I hope you are well, and happy.

Namárië.

 

(Valaraen)

Lothlórien

 

Haarland-

I promised I would write when I arrived, and here I am, safely within my homeland. I admit I am very apprehensive about this entire situation – I have not been gone long, though it feels like I have.  Very, very soon I am returning to my home to see my family, and I’m not sure what they are going to say to me when I arrive. Maybe they’re going to be embarrassed, or disappointed. I’ve forgone my previous life, in many ways, for a new one.

This, Lothlórien, is my home. Until I  arrived in Ered Luin (shortly before we met), I had never ventured outside these golden woods, if you can imagine that. We do not often leave this place of sparkling water, stone paths and verdant greenery. The gardens and pathways lead further into the cool, silvery blue shade of the forest. Within, there are lush gardens with streams flowing into small, still pools, surrounded by arbors fashioned of graceful tree branches.  And above rise the towering silver and gold Mallorn trees in which we live, under a the canopy of leaves and branches.

I suppose the idea of living in trees for thousands of years is rather absurd and probably humorous. I only wish I could bring you to the land of my birth to show it to you myself.

I hope you are happy in Rivendell. I regret being unable to remain there.

 

(Valaraen)