Letters from Middle Earth

[Valandil]

At another site, someone had found a trunk full of documents, which turned out to be all manner of 'Letters from Middle Earth'. In hopes of attempting a translation, I stuck my hand in it and pulled out a packet of letters which were all bound together. This is what I found...

EDIT: (14.5 hours later) - I see a mod or admin changed the title of this thread. That's fine with me, but I'll change the titles of my posts so that these letters can be found. Would whoever made the change please PM me or post that you did so... just so I know who it was? Also, please tell me if there's anything else I should do / know / whatever.

Oh - and BTW... I plan on at least 12 'Letters of Firiel'... and have written 9 to date. Just didn't want to drop them all on you at once.

[Valandil]

First in a series:

10 Ninui, 1940

Dear Mother,

Greetings. How is gran-mama doing? Give her our best wishes and hopes for a graceful recovery. Our thoughts are with you and her when we look to the West each evening.

Without even your presence, your court’s late winter outing to South Ithilien appears on its way to becoming a great success. We have 24 men and 24 ladies, with a total entourage of over 100, counting our guards, messengers, servants and the musicians. We began with a 3 day boat trip down the Anduin to Pelargir. We stayed there only 2 days, then on down toward the Sea, until we reached the Poros after 1 day more. It was slow going upstream, but after 4 days of that, we debarked at the Crossings. Our pace and path made the trip so much slower than riding overland, but the travel was an enjoyable part of the outing… and the slow boats made for nice chances to mingle and to talk. Every day we drew names to see who would be in each boat (6 men and ladies apiece, to keep things even) – and, worry not, we were well protected from the winds and cold with canvas coverings.

It was at the Crossings where we met most of the guards and servants and then, equipped each with a horse, we spent 1 more day at a pleasant pace riding up into the hill country of South Ithilien, along the north slope of the spur from Ephel Duath, which reaches to the Crossings. This took us to Earnil’s estate. We have now had only two days here, but will stay quite a bit longer. Already it’s looking to be as memorable a trip as that the summer before last, when you accompanied us to the Argonauth, Angrenost and the Aglarond – or even the year before that when we all spent the entire summer in Anfalas.

I’m not certain of my brothers, but this is the first time I recall being away from both you and father. While Artamir still remains aloof, he does seem a bit more relaxed. Faramir is quite the charmer among the ladies of the court (only myself excluded, for the younger of my two elder brothers charmed me long ago). It’s hard to tell for sure whom he even favors, though I suspect he may be trying to force Artamir’s hand a bit. Once Artamir makes his choice, the rest of us will be free to make our own matches. And with the way this trip is shaping up, my hopes are that by the second winter hence, you may find yourself with only two knees to share among three grand-children.

Well, after all mother, I WILL be 44 this year! Although this leaves me still quite young for a Numenorean woman, and my best years are by no means behind me, STILL I wish to get on with things. And I wish Artamir would DECIDE! There seem to be three leading candidates; Gilaewen, Culuial and Silahist. Faramir has been… well, ‘testing’ them I should say. Artamir – I don’t know if this bothers him, or if he simply observes and Faramir helps him make his choice, or if he inclines toward another whom I suspect not. Artamir is quite hard to read – though I imagine this is right for one who will be King someday. Please don’t misunderstand me either. I love Artamir greatly, but we have discussed this all before.

Mother, with whom do you think I am best to be matched? Oh, of course I have my favorites. And of course, the young men of your court are disinclined to display their own interests until the Heir has chosen. When you assembled our court, I imagined that all the men apart from my brothers would vie for my hand, when the time came. Now, I am not so sure that to marry the daughter of King Ondoher, and the sister of our future King Artamir, is such a thing to be desired. Besides all that, I feel myself less pretty, less witty, less graceful than the other ladies of the court. Is it so, or am I unjust to myself?

Oh there is Celebron, he seems worthy enough and might desire a match. Still, he bores me at times. Most times, I should say. Tendumar has possibilities. For ease on the eyes though, it may be difficult to surpass the new guard from Lamedon whom father has in the palace. Oh – do not tell father I say so, or I’m sure I’ll not see him again, but still, he is fair to look upon… and regrettably, not among the guardsmen sent along on this trip.

Earnil seems to be going on quite well enough. He is happy, I think. Worry no longer on this one either, my dearest mother. I have been over that particular interest for some time. This visit only confirms it. I know that I was a bit on the young side when he desired to marry, and suspect father explicitly forbade it for that reason, for I thought surely that Earnil had desired my hand then. Still, the mind plays with what might have been. His wife seems distant toward me, as though I were still a rival, but it’s truly not the case.

Their son Earnur has been a great delight to all your court. He can be no more than 10 or 12 and is a bundle of energy. He delights in competing with our young lords in sword practice… as well as attempting to wrestle them, though he’s still far too small to closely contest any among them. The young ladies think him handsome, but he is too young to pay heed to that.

We rested yesterday, recovering from our travels with good food, soft music and light activity. Today’s activity was quite vigorous. After a small breakfast, we spent the entire day outside. It’s just cold enough that the snow does not melt – and we were sheltered from the heavy winds. The plants begin to peek up through the ice now – and some of the brightly colored birds have returned. We saw squirrels and other small animals starting to venture forth. The young men began to play a bit roughly in the snow – throwing one another into drifts and making balls of snow to hurl at one another – or to push into one another’s faces. Not a few even of the ladies joined into this action… led by your own daughter, I fear. We all laughed so… I believe even Artamir had a great time – and none could out-do him, unless perhaps our cousin Minohtar, but that would be a close call to make. We all then sat in the piles of snow, laughing and watching our breath form clouds of frost. This day of snow was quite the delight.

We went in just at dusk, changed out of our wet clothes into our formal outfits and gathered in Earnil’s great hall for the evening entertainment. All our ladies wore the rose-colored dresses and the gentlemen wore black. We ate such a feast – with hot drinks to warm us, then danced long into the night, finally sitting and talking in small groups. As you can see, I stay up quite late to complete this letter to you.

Mother, we know you planned to come along on this trip and we sorely miss you. It is unfortunate that your own mother’s poor health forced your sudden visit to her side in Belfalas – and we of the court, most especially your sons and your daughter, deeply appreciate that you and father have allowed the remainder of us to continue with the trip as planned. Remember me once more to my gran-mama, as well as Uncle Oldo and his family. Remember me also to young Imrazor, son of Adrahil, if you see him once more. It would please me greatly if you were inclined to invite him to join your court. I expect he would consider me quite old for himself, although it’s only two or three years, for men always seek to match with one younger than themselves. I fondly remember our times as playmates in the days of childhood, either when we visited Belfalas, or when Prince Adrahil brought his family to Minas Anor. And if not me, then perhaps someone else of our court would catch his eye. Many of the young ladies of our kingdom are in your court and he will not find the like where he is. Tell him I jest that the Elven girls of Edhellond would surely not find him to their liking!

I hope to see you soon mother. I retire now to bed for the night, but wanted to fill you in on events of the trip to date, and needed to finish it up tonight, for Artamir will send the first messengers out to both you and father before first light tomorrow morning.

May Eru and the Valar watch over you.

Your daughter,

Firiel

[Valandil]

Second in a series:

13 Ninui, 1940

Dearest Mother,

I know not what to say for I am in deep distress. If the care of my grandmother is in good hands other than your own, can you come to Minas Anor right away? I beseech you mother!

A messenger has just come hither from there and father has summoned me home. He has promised me in marriage! Nor is it to any of your court, or of our kingdom, nor even the lands on our borders… he gives my hand to the prince of some distant northern land of which I had never heard!

Artamir tells me it is Arthedain, and that they are our far kinsmen, though long sundered by the years. Numenoreans even, as are we, but that they have fallen into insignificance! He tells me further that Mithrandir, that Grey Pilgrim, has long urged our father to renew old ties with them. Oh! Though I loved his visits and his stories as a little girl, if he is at the root of this, he shall one day feel my wrath!

Father never seemed willing to marry me for an alliance, so I had falsely considered myself safe from such a fate. Why not Frumgar, son of Marhwohli? Although not Numenoreans, they are allies – and I would be nearer to you, as they are just beyond our northern borders. My worst fear on such lines was that we would renew ties with Umbar and father would marry me to a prince of that house… but THIS seems far worse! Surely those further north are even LESS civilized!

Artamir will accompany me, for father sent for him as well. Because of my great distress, he has permitted me the use of another messenger to send you this appeal, although our last rider to you was sent only days ago. We leave before dawn tomorrow morning, by horse – and one part of the mounted guards ride with us.

Please come at once mother – and intervene to father on my behalf.

Eru and the Valar watch over you – and me as well.

Your loving daughter,

Firiel

[Valandil]

Third in a series:

22 Ninui, 1940

Dear Mother,

I send you greetings and all my love. Your message has reached me just today at Minas Anor with your regrets that you could not yet come. It seemed good to write you now with an account of more recent events.

You may tarry yet longer in Belfalas, for all here is well.

That is to say, I give you leave, as far as that may matter. For mother, I have met this northern prince and we shall wed. Further, I am… happy!

I know this seems a strange turn of events following my earlier distress. And I regret the time taken away from gran-mama with which you labored over your own message and offered such splendid advice. However, it is advice not to be heeded, for it is no longer needed. I have found the one for me mother, in the place where I did not expect it.

It amuses me to think how you must be beside yourself upon reading these words. Let me tell you more of what has happened:

Artamir and I indeed left Count Earnil’s mountain home before the break of dawn on 14 Ninui (February). I’m certain I was quite a hindrance to Artamir and the mounted guardsmen, for we did not arrive at Minas Anor until late on the 19th. However, Artamir did not seem displeased with the pace, nor did father seem to think we had been overlong when we arrived, for we came a full day before he had commanded. Also, he had news of our impending arrival from Artamir, via messenger.

I had expected we would ride north from the Crossings of Poros, through Ithilien and along Emyn Arnen, up to the Cross-Roads and through the remnants of Osgiliath. Instead, Artamir took us west toward Pelargir, saying that the other passed too far to the north. The very messenger who carried my last letter to you rode with us for the first day, down to the Crossings. The following day though, he picked up his pace and left us behind. We arrived at Pelargir before noon on the 16th and I was a bit surprised we tarried there for the night, as there seemed so much more time to ride. Still, I wished that if we had continued on, my path would have been behind the messenger to Belfalas, and away from what awaited me at home. My mood was quite dark.

Artamir and I spoke but little, by his nature and my mood. I’m certain he would have indulged me if I had been myself, but he was content to let me be. He did tell me that while we were descended in direct line from Anarion, son of Elendil, both of whom had fallen in battle with the Dark Lord, the rulers of Arthedain were descended only of Valandil, who had no part in the war.

Mother, have you ever looked into the ‘seeing-stone’ which my grandfather, King Calimehtar placed in the top of the White Tower once he built it? I saw it once on errand to my grandfather, where I found him gazing into it, surveying scenes of lands about our kingdom. I was but a girl then, but it had a great allure to me, which I never quite forgot. Some few years later, perhaps at 15 or 16, I gave the slip to the guards at the tower base and found the rest of the way unattended. I looked into it. Only for a moment, for I think my conscience gained mastery over my mischief. At first all was like a mist, but then I found that I could see things in it. Things far away, and some things nearer – things mysterious and strange, as well as things mundane. Before long I feared discovery and crept back down the stairs. I even dropped some three rangar from a rear window rather than risk the guards a second time… not that I expected them to harm or hinder me, but I knew they would not keep the secret from grandfather – or from father.

You are the first I have told of this. I think it matters little now, as so much time has passed and such great expectations now await us.

Anyway, I have seen the stone and used it myself only yesterday, and in father’s very presence. This is how it was:

Three hours after mid-day, father, Artamir and I ascended the stairs of the tower and entered the chamber of the stone. By this time, father had told me that the stone had been the means of his contact with Araphant, King of Arthedain and father of my intended. He would not tell me if Mithrandir was involved in all this, but he did tell me that the arrangement had not been finalized and that both fathers wished for their children to consent. I had little hope that my wishes would be considered though and had begun to resign myself to my fate. As you can imagine, I sulked and cursed that stone. How I laugh at myself now – and this was only yesterday.

Oh – I should tell you that father had prepared for me a new dress. And such a dress! It was the last detail I would have expected of him, but it was done. It was dark – a deep blue-gray, but it managed to accentuate my features while maintaining my modesty and my dignity. If I had indeed wished to meet a suitor, it would have been much to my liking. However, in my mood I cursed even that lovely dress. Father bade me put aside my tears of anguish and to give an aspect of good cheer. I determined to try, but my heart was not in it. He gave me also a fine necklace with a silver pendant and a tiara of bright gems to wear.

(continued)

[Valandil]

Letter #3 - cont'd:

When father sat first at the stone, we found those from the north already awaiting us. At first though, I saw only mist, then another chamber came into view, and then, as father ‘spoke’ I saw a man like unto my father, but as I stood to one side, he appeared ‘bent’ – as one appears in a bent mirror. He and father seemed to be ‘speaking’ to one another, but without a sound and without moving their lips. I began to find it fascinating, and even tried to ‘listen in’ but could not do so.

After a time of this, the man in the stone removed himself from his seat and was replaced by a younger man. My heart trembled at first, for I knew this had to be the one my father intended for me. Though I could not catch their exchange, father’s tone seemed to change. Although newly acquainted, our two fathers and kings had seemed quite jovial with one another. Father took a sterner visage with the younger man. At first this almost delighted me, but then I began to pity him for having to deal with father like this. And then I saw that he seemed to have a strength of his own, and... I began to find him intriguing.

After a bit, father seemed satisfied and rose from his chair. I was anxious, afraid both that the interview might be at end, or that it might be time for me to continue it. However, father signaled to Artamir to take the seat before the stone. Artamir then sat and ‘conversed’ with his fellow prince in much the same way as father had, two future kings of the Dunedain it seems. Artamir appeared to be quite natural about it all, and he told me later that father had taken both him and Faramir to look into the stone several times before.

All too soon, it WAS my turn. Artamir arose and held the seat for me. I decided to put on a brave face and jump in, as it were.

I now saw my ‘intended’ straight on, and saw that he was quite fair. We looked only, at first, for I knew not how to ‘speak’. Artamir told me that I should direct at the man in the stone the thoughts I wished to speak, as though I were speaking them, but that I need not say them aloud. He told me that if I would, at first, I could actually say them, or mouth the words, if that was helpful to me, but that I could refrain from this and it would work just as well. I desired to refrain, that my own ‘conversation’ be as private as that between those before me. But I asked father if my other, unspoken thoughts might also be heard by the one in the stone. Father assured me that not even he was able to draw a thought unbidden from one he faced in the stone, and that there was no record to show it had been done. Then I felt a hand on my shoulder. I thought it would be father and turned to smile at him, but it was Artamir – and somehow that made me smile even brighter.

I ‘heard’ or ‘felt’ the thoughts of Arvedui before I ‘spoke’ to him. For Arvedui was his name. It seems an ill omen to be called ‘Last King’ but he told me later it was a name given by a great seer among his people, and that though his name sounded of doom, it came also with a hope and a promise. When he first spoke though, he told me his name and he told me also… that I was the loveliest lady he had ever seen. I tried to tell him that he had not seen the other ladies of Gondor, but I’m not sure if he ‘heard’ the thought, for it was my first attempt and truly my heart was not in its sending. It seemed to fade from my will as speech unbidden will at times fade from the lips

Mother, poets and others talk of this ‘love at first sighting’ – and we all learn of how Beren and Luthien were taken with one another from the beginning. I had come to think of this as a fool’s hope though, or at least thought it would not strike home to me. But mother, something happened as we first exchanged our thoughts through the stone. My heart turned to him somehow, and rather quickly. Although parting from you and all of Gondor would be hard, I suddenly desired to go to him in the north, to dwell with him there forever… even to bear his children and one day be his queen.

It was as though our minds touched and connected. He also had been hard-pressed to find one whom he desired in his own kingdom. He also had been loathe to marry me – stranger from a distant land. And… he also felt his own heart turn toward me as we sat together… though hundreds of leagues apart. I sensed it first, and then he told me.

Mother, is it possible for a man to be strong in mind and will, and yet gentle of heart and speech? Arvedui seems so. We sat long and talked together. Finally, he asked me if I would consent to be his bride if my father would grant it, though I knew long by then that the question was coming. His question made me sad only in that I felt our time to speak was drawing to a close. I tried to hesitate a bit before giving my own consent, but I fear he already knew my answer. After I told him so, I informed father that the Prince Arvedui wished to speak with him once more.

Artamir assisted me as I rose and wiped the tears from my eyes and father returned to the seat. The arrangements were all made quite quickly. Arvedui wishes to marry me in our own city at noon-time on Mid-year’s Day, a lucky sign to his people. He will set out on the First of Gwaeron (March) and will arrive sometime in Lothron (May), that he may spend time with us and see a bit of our kingdom before we wed. Father will send an escort to meet him at Tharbad and accompany him through our land. Artamir will go, and father has sent for Faramir to join him.

Father even permitted me to speak with him a bit more after making those arrangements. He has granted that we may meet again at the stone on the third day after our first meeting, so I find myself counting the hours until the day after tomorrow. He says we may talk on that day for as long as we desire. Then he will allow us to speak again on 30 Ninui (February), the eve of Arvedui’s departure. Father wishes to wait until the celebration of the Erukyerme to announce to the kingdom our engagement, so we must be a bit discrete for just over a month more.

So mother, again I will ask you to return to Minas Anor. However, you may first linger a bit more with gran-mama. I do hope her health is restored. As it may cheer her, please inform her that hopes for great-grandchildren may not be long off, but be certain that the servants in the household discover it not. I do hope that you can come home to me by the beginning of Gwirith (April) though, that you might stand beside me when father proclaims the news. Besides, we will have a wedding to plan – and just three months left to do it from that time. And you shall gain a son-in-law.

Also, you must tell me more about how it was with you and father. Tales you have told me come to mind, and I see them all now in a different way.

May Eru and the Valar watch over you – as they have me.

Your daughter,

Firiel

[Valandil]

Er... some of you may have noticed that Firiel's letters are a bit, um... verbose! In contrast to that, consider the following. While I was translating the latest treatise, a scrap of paper, of a different sort - and seeming to be a corner torn off of a full page - fell to the floor. I cannot vouch for its authenticity, and wouldn't even know how to begin to try. I suspect it's likely a 'halfling jest' inserted by some Took or Bracegirdle who was poring over the lengthy epistles of this fine lady of Gondor. Anyway, it reads:

Hey Ma,

Met a girl. Heading down to Gondor to pick her up. Will have her home by Yule next!

~ Arvie

judge for yourselves

[Valandil]

Perhaps this should have all been mentioned before the translation of the first letter, but it seemed good to at least do so now. In fact, my reasons for delaying this until now will soon become apparent.

The earliest of these letters are dated from 1940 of the Third Age. At this time (almost 1100 years before events recounted in 'The Lord of the Rings'), Gondor still had a king - and Arthedain, successor kingdom to Arnor, was still in existence. We're told in Appendix A (in the section on Gondor) that this was the year when Gondor (line of Anarion) and Arthedain (line of Isildur) re-established contact and took counsel together after long estrangement and silence (going back at least to the Great Plague of some 300 years before, I imagine), realizing that some Power was seeking to destroy the Heirs of Elendil - and when Arvedui, son of King Araphant of Arthedain, was wedded to Firiel, daughter of King Ondoher of Gondor. This would later set into motion an interesting chain of events.

It is illuminating to have these letters from Firiel's point of view. We first see her as a young lady, enjoying the priveleges of royal rank, in the company of the court of her mother, the queen (whose name, sadly, we have no mention of - as she is the recipient of most of the letters she is not referred to by name). We then sense her shock and distress at a sudden arrangement of marriage to a man she does not know from a kingdom of which she has never heard. Yet, happily - we see in her third letter that she seems to have already begun to warm to the idea, by the same vehicle through which the kings had made contact - the palantiri.

Tolkien has supplied us with many of the outlines of these events - and also many of the names (see appendices of LOTR, as well as 'The Tale of Cirion and Eorl' in 'Unfinished Tales') - he tells us already of Firiel, her father Ondoher and grandfather Calimehtar, as well as her brothers; Artamir and Faramir. He tells us what later becomes of Earnil and Earnur, and he makes mention of the cousin Minohtar. We can guess that the Prince Adrahil of Belfalas is the same who fought in the battles of 1944 (along with Ondoher, Artamir, Faramir and Minohtar - who fell there) - and that his son, Imrazor, is the same as the father of the first Prince of Dol Amroth. Still under his father's rule is Frumgar, who will lead the Eotheod into the North almost 40 years after... and we see in Firiel's letter the full name 'Marhwohli' for his father... when we previously only had the first four letters. In Arthedain, we know of Araphant and Arvedui - as well as a few more in subsequent letters. Other names found in the letters (other than 'Mithrandir') I have seen no other reference to - and can only conclude whatever seems right from inferences made by Firiel - in the first letter, young nobles and ladies of Gondor who are in the Queen's Court - in later letters, well... I'll let you decide.

I consider myself quite the novice in regards to translating such wondrous links to the past. However, I have done my best. I chose early to give the Sindarin names of the months in dating the letters - particularly since the first letter mentioned it being a late winter outing, it seemed the reader would infer the month to be February. However, upon reaching the third letter, I began to regret my earlier decision with all the months mentioned. It seemed the best solution to retain the Sindarin names, as used by the Dunedain, but to provide in parenthises the common, modern names for the months. I found the letters dated after the European fashion - with the day of the month given first, followed by month and then year. I don't know if this was common practice of the Elder Days or was peculiar to 20th cent TA Gondor, or even to the Lady Firiel herself.

The letters also provide some insights into royal marriage in the courts of Gondor and Arthedain at this time. Those of Gondor are hinted at quite strongly in the first letter. The fourth letter (which is quite lengthy - hence the delay in my completing the translation) explores the issue a bit more and provides contrasts between such customs in Arthedain and Gondor.

The letters themselves are largely written in a flowing, somewhat florid script on fine, decorated parchment. The handwriting on letter #2 seems a bit more erratic and perhaps 'rushed' - and the type of parchment changes after the first three - though the following letters are on parchment of equal quality, they are most certainly of different make.

I hope you will find these of even half as much interest as I do myself.

[Valandil]

Fourth in a series:

4 Gwaeron (March), 1941

Dearest Mother,

I send you greetings from the North. This past year has brought much change indeed. I hope that all is well with you and father and with my dear brothers, Artamir and Faramir. Arvedui sends you greetings and we both send our appreciation, once again, for the wonderful wedding you and father gave us on last Mid-year’s Day. You and I saw so little of one another even for the ten days we stayed on at Minas Anor for the feasting, celebrating and preparations for my departure. There was always so much to do, and so little time to talk. Therefore I have settled in to give you as detailed an account as I can of all that has happened since that day.

Although you’re likely free of snow in Gondor, save in the mountains, winter is much slower to loosen its grip here in Arthedain. Only now, the first of this year’s caravans prepares to depart for Gondor, although the start of their journey will be in winter’s remnants. Thus I avail myself of the first opportunity to send word to you, knowing that your first letter of the year has likely by now reached Tharbad – and I eagerly await its arrival here. Still, I have always loved the autumn and the winter – and it seems that life in Fornost will give me my fill of them.

Bid father to not be displeased with Faramir. I think truly that he was watching out for me, and wished to ‘measure’ my future husband, when he convinced Arvedui to come with him alone (with only a single companion each – Arvedui took his friend Celebereg, while Faramir brought a Ranger he had with him for this purpose) from Tharbad. I know it caused alarm among the remainder of the party – and concern that such a small group might encounter trouble upon the road. Arvedui recounts that as one of the highlights of the trip though… third he says, then tells me that our wedding was second – and when I was evidently downcast by this, he tells me that the first was the long trip home with me! Still though, he enjoyed seeing the sights of Calenardhon, rather than sticking to the road and to the slower pace of the party. He perceived Faramir’s true wish as well, and wished himself to respond and meet the challenge. I gather that somewhere along the way they tried one another, and that my brother was bested. As I understand it, they themselves journeyed to Angrenost and the Aglarond, and then on to the Argonauth. There, Arvedui spoke to the figures of Isildur and Anarion, shouting to them that at long last their lines were to be re-joined. Arvedui marveled at the Falls of Rauros and they swam in the lake at their head. They climbed both Amon Hen and Amon Lhaw. From Rauros, they took a boat down to Cair Andros and re-mounted, Faramir having sent their horses overland by soldiers from one of the forts of Anduin. They rode first north – to see the abandoned forts at the north entrance of the Black Land, then down to the crossroads and east to Minas Ithil – home in ages past to Arvedui’s great ancestor Isildur. Finally they rode on through Osgiliath, which Arvedui liked very much and likened to the former glory of Annuminas in the North, and at long last they rode to Minas Anor, the sight of which took his breath away (second only to his first sight of me, so he says). After all that detouring, they still arrived on the 14th of Lothron (May), a full day before the royal party from the North, and stayed outside the gates until the others joined them. I know father was displeased with Faramir for this, but I hope he has forgiven him, for as I say, Arvedui was delighted by it all.

You were present at my first meeting with Arvedui. Oh I hope that I did not blush too brightly. I wore the pale green dress, and he was dressed in deep blue. He was tall… perhaps taller than my father and brothers. He was also quite well-formed, both in face and in body. What truly took me were his eyes – light eyes, but their color changes. Once he saw me, his eyes stayed fixed on mine. His eyes pierced me and seemed to read just who I was, at the same time, openly revealing himself with his own commitment to truth, duty, faithfulness and love. Even as he gave his gifts to us, his eyes returned to me time and again. Do you remember those gifts? Swords to overcome evil for my brothers (translator’s note: could these have been of similar make to the daggers taken from the Barrow Downs by the four hobbits?), the wonderfully embroidered cloak and bejeweled brooch he gave to you, the finely made cups of gold with gems inlaid which he gave to father, and the necklace he placed around my own neck. I fear I trembled so as he placed it upon me, as we touched for the first time, he taking my hand and asking, once more, if I would indeed deign to wed him now that we had met face-to-face.

And, of course, following our banquet later on, that was the last I saw of him for six weeks. For father sent Queen Elenawen of Arthedain, Arvedui’s young sister Forniel, and you and me, along with six ladies of the court up to the cottage in the hills of Lossarnach. That was a wonderful time for us all though, making wedding preparations, for me to be instructed by the ladies of Arthedain and their Chief Loremaster in the customs, places, people and history of the North. It was also good for us, mother, as we shared those days together. Although we hope to visit at times, even to dwell together again one day, if at all possible, yet we know that none of this is promised to us. I fondly recall our long talks and your wise counsel.

Arvedui and King Araphant both were quite in awe of the White Tree of the Citadel. They tell me that after their tour of our whole city, and in between each jaunt they made to explore it further, they kept returning to the White Tree by the fountain, in the court of the 7th ring of Minas Anor – just to sit beside it and meditate upon their fathers, the Faithful of Old. When the days were pleasant, King Araphant preferred to sit outside by the Tree when he and father worked out arrangements to renew trade with one another, to provide support in times of need and to share their knowledge in all matters.

Oh – the wedding day! Truly splendid! Arriving by barge at the quays on Anduin, proceding on horseback with my train through the great gate of our city, up the streets by all our people, flower pedals filling the air, joyful shouts and mirthful music. Finally reaching the court of the White Tree, dismounting and waiting in my cloak, attended by the ladies of the court. Then… my love coming for me and stating aloud his intentions... father giving his blessing… my cloak was lifted and my white dress revealed… then we two pledging our troth. The next ten days of feasting and celebrations and preparations seem a dim memory. It is almost as though so many things happened so quickly, but I think in actuality that so much of my life was changed. In truth, I had gone from being a princess in the royal house of Gondor, to becoming a princess in the royal house of Arthedain. And my long home was no longer my true home.

(continued)

[Valandil]

(Letter 4 - Part 2)

So many came! Those from all across our kingdom and our allies beyond our borders. People high and low. I was so happy to see gran-mama there… give her my best wishes. Even Mithrandir came – and with him Curunir and Radagast. The latter two left just after, but we were delighted to hear that Mithrandir would journey back to the North with our party.

Now, let me tell you of my voyage to my new home. It was grand to begin it by sea, especially as Arvedui wished to see Pelargir as well. We sailed there much more quickly than my last trip, and we spent two days in Pelargir, giving me the chance to show him around someplace myself. We sailed on out into the Bay of Belfalas, stopping at different ports of call. I think Arvedui wanted to see more of our kingdom, and this gave him a chance to do so in small measure, though after a time, it was mostly all coasts, dotted with fishing village after fishing village. We enjoyed sailing on that small ship though, and received all courtesy from her captain and crew. We had use of the best cabin for sleeping and private moments, and he otherwise allowed us the run of the ship. Of course we had no trouble from pirates or Corsairs, thanks to the escort of two rather large ships father commanded for us, until we were safely beyond reach of our foes. The sea breeze kept us cool in the hottest time of the year. We enjoyed the breeze and the open water, the sea spray and smell of salt water, the views of the coasts, the night skies over the seas or just ashore and the gentle rocking of the ship. We traveled more slowly going up the Greyflood, but when we finally reached Tharbad, we almost regretted debarking. However, by then Arvedui was eager to begin to show me the lands of the North.

We reached Tharbad on the 25th of Urui (August) and had five days there before Arvedui’s father, mother and sister arrived, along with the remainder of their entourage and the Gondorian escort. After a day’s further rest, I said my final good-byes to Artamir and Faramir and watched them depart back across the bridge and make their way along the causeway beyond. In our five days of waiting, Arvedui had taken the chance to show me around Tharbad – quite pleased to be the one to show a place to me, I think. The escort from Arthedain arrived while we waited. Also while waiting, Arvedui took me to see the swans of Nin in Eilph for a couple of days, a short way up the River Glanduin. And, before we left Tharbad, I saw Dwarves! Durin VI himself did not come, but a royal delegation of Moria brought us his greetings and best wishes. They presented me with a lovely pair of mithril earrings, for which Arvedui had made payment on his journey south (I only learned then that he had ridden far ahead to make this stop-over there).

We traveled slowly from Tharbad. Much of Arthedain’s escort was unmounted, and the roads were not in the best repair at first (as I am told was also the case from the Fords of Isen to Tharbad for the group which came overland from Minas Anor). Arvedui and I rode at times apart and at times with the rest. The delegation of Moria was the first, but it was not alone. All along the way, people came out to meet and greet us as we passed. They seemed to all think our marriage quite significant.

We rode beside Forniel quite often. Faramir was all she spoke of. She’s quite a charming girl really – and I quite enjoy feeling as though I now have a sister. Please bear her wishes in mind though if our fathers plan to match yet another pair of their progeny. Although I do not know if Faramir would be so inclined. He was charming enough toward her, but I know not whether that was courtesy, natural inclination or something more. Nonetheless, I’m certain her father would have her wait another ten years or more before marrying.

Mithrandir, Malbeth and King Araphant made quite the threesome. “Gandalf” was what the other two called Mithrandir, and they seemed every bit as much acquainted with him as we are. Those three rode together to lead our procession and they sat together at meals. They always have much to talk about and they often laugh together. You know Mithrandir, and you became acquainted with the King. Malbeth is a different sort. Quite grave much of the time, yet jolly in his moments. He speaks little now, but measures his words – even when speaking in jest. And men attend to his words, having much respect for his insight and not wishing to have his wisdom fall to the ground unheeded. Especially as his words might speak even to them – or of them. He and Mithrandir seem to have a certain respect for one another, each perhaps recognizing the other’s purpose.

As we traveled north and the summer changed to autumn, the trees began to display a great range of vibrant colors. There were reds and golds and browns and all colors in between. Each tree was different from the next. The autumn colors here far exceed the array of those in Gondor. In any event, we managed to spend most nights at either an old way station or villa or cottage, most often deserted, but if the roof was no longer overhead, at least we had four walls about us. It also began to grow cooler. I was told some terribly dreadful stories of the downs to the west of our road.

We stayed for three nights at a crossroads town called Bree. We arrived there on the 17th of Ivanneth and there we stayed at an inn for the first time since Tharbad. We had not yet seen many Dunedain of Arthedain, though we did see some in Bree. I was told that they mostly live now north of the Great East Road which crosses the Greenway at Bree. We did see more dwarves there, and I saw halflings for the first time. Gandalf took his leave of us there, traveling west to a Land of the Halflings. Arvedui wanted to show me their land as well. This seemed to please the rest of the party for they wished to make preparations for our arrival at Fornost. Save Forniel, for Arvedui and I were to go alone, and she desired to continue in our company.

So on the 20th, we departed early and took the Great Road. We had traveled only a short while when two figures appeared to our left, hailing us from a bank above the road. Arvedui was quite surprised and shouted back with joy, begging them to come down and speak with us. They were an odd pair; a quite unusual-looking man, full of both laughter and wisdom, I came to find. He wore a bright yellow hat with a feather. His companion was a lovely woman with hair of gold. His name was Orald and her’s was Goldberry. They said they had come out to see the bride Arvedui had found himself in the South. They were quite gracious and we spoke for over an hour together. They would invite us to their home, they said, but that they lived between the peril of the Barrow Downs and the peril of the Old Forest. Besides, Orald told me I needed to be moving on, for I would be anxiously awaited in other places.

(continued)

[Valandil]

(Letter 4 - Part 3)

After meeting Orald, we continued on to the land of the Halflings. We crossed a great bridge over a River called Baranduin on the 22nd which brought us to their land, a land they call their ‘Shire’. From there, the roads were lined with them, coming out to see us, until we reached a place called the ‘Three Farthing Stone’ in the heart of their land on the next day. Then we feasted! Mother, these people only come to our waist, full-grown, yet they can eat so much! And Mithrandir was there. We three, Arvedui, Mithrandir and I, were still relaxing after the mid-day meal, when the little people began to set up for yet another one! To their evident dismay, we declined to join them for that one, as we would save our appetites for the evening meal. We stayed on for that, and ate some more. After the sunset, a great bonfire was lit and then, we had an amazing display of lights in the sky, which were called ‘fireworks’! The halfling children are just adorable, as you might imagine.

It was in Bree that I first began to taste the food of the Northlands. In some ways, it is like our own. It is simpler perhaps, but it also has its distinctions. They have plenty of some things, of which we have little or none. They prepare some of their food differently. Many of their drinks are even hot, especially as the year wears on and grows colder. They don’t have the variety of fruit we know in Gondor, but they have many apples, as well as cherries and all sorts of berries. They grow vegetables we rarely see, potatoes, sweet potatoes, carrots, tomatoes and more. They make different kinds of bread, from different kinds of grain, including oats and corn, while we use mostly wheat and rye – which they have as well. They have all sorts of cheeses and prepare their meats somewhat differently from ours, but there is too much to explain with all that.

Arvedui took me to Fornost a different way so that he could show me Annuminas. We went north up a little-used track, and camped outdoors at night. Annuminas did indeed have the former glory of Osgiliath. It sits on a large hill, at the foot of a mountain range to the west. To the north of the hill, at its very foot, is the Lake Evendim, with its shimmering dark blue waters. Alas, the city is long deserted now, and in ruins. We strode about it though, marking where its important buildings were and imagining what it was like in the days of Arnor’s High Kings. Arthedain longs to reclaim the name of Arnor someday, but to do so, they believe they must regain all their lost territory and rebuild Annuminas. At least three kings of Arthedain have attempted to restore their former city, but always something has prevented this. There is a sadness to it all, but there is indeed a hope as well. These could be high times now – and together we dream of what could come to pass in another 60 years.

We reached Fornost on the 1st of Narbeleth. The city is a bit smaller than Minas Anor. It is also quite irregular, rather than symmetrical in shape and in lay-out. This is owing to the way it is situated. The city sits on a low, irregular, rocky plateau at the end of a range of small mountains called the North Downs, though it has of late expanded beyond the plateau and the outer city has a low wall. The inner city is delved into the top of the plateau and the main gate is cut from the south face of the plateau, which leads then sharply up into the city. The passage from the gate is in the stone itself. The inner city has a higher tier of plateau at the northeast corner, where the palaces and other official buildings are. The buildings are not quite so grand as Gondor’s, but they have a charm of their own. The stonework is not black and white marble and granite, polished smooth – but is often rough-cut and has more colors of natural stone, grays and browns and reds and more. The woodwork inside is quite lovely and intricate.

The streets were lined with people coming to see us, and I saw at last in large measure the people of my new kingdom. Their clothes were more rustic than in Gondor, their means seemed less and their lives more simple, but they were Numenoreans without doubt. There’s more of a Beoran ancestry among them than among us, I would say. They are much inclined to be tall and dark, although some are lighter and some are broader. I met so many people that day. Arvedui’s two other sisters, who are both married – the older has three children already, the younger has one and bears a second. I met his younger brother, Araphor, who sat as Regent while King Araphant and Arvedui came to Gondor. Then I met all the Royal Officials and their families, the nobles, the chief craftsmen and guildmasters. Finally, I met the Chief of the Palace Guard. He was gracious and kindly toward me, but then turned gruffly to Arvedui and asked him if his trip South had made him soft, or if he was up for a game of rochdol. Everyone laughed, and Arvedui insisted he was none the softer. The Chief Guard smiled and went to make preparations – and I was later to find out what this would mean. Before long, 80 to 100 young men met in the square before the palace. The Chief Guard divided them into two groups, giving to half a sleeveless red shirt and to the other half a similar shirt of yellow. Arvedui and Araphor both received red shirts, while Celebereg received a yellow. I saw little of Arvedui the rest of that day, for each group went off to make its plans and preparations. Forniel and her older sisters took me into their care until the time of the game.

(continued)

[Valandil]

(Letter 4 - Part 4)

The game is played on a rather large field – about a league long (the long way ran north and south) and a fourth as wide, though players may go beyond it. There are intermittent woods and hills, but the middle has a wide clearing, with fires to light both ends of the mid-line. In the game itself, those with the red shirts hide a red sack near one end while those with the yellow shirts hide a yellow sack near the other end. The sacks are filled with dry beans and sewn up tightly to prevent being split open. Each group seeks to keep their sack hidden and to find the sack on the other side. Once a sack is found, the merriment begins. The finders must bring it down the field and cross the mid-line in order to win the game. Naturally, the others wish to prevent this, and will do all manner of things to prevent it – usually, it seems, knocking the one with the sack to the ground. The one holding it may throw it to someone else with the same color shirt, but if one from the other team gets it, they will attempt to run it back the other way. If a man caught on the wrong side of the line can be dragged over to a marshal of the field at either fire, he is withdrawn from the game. The Chief Guard served as marshal on the near side, but I don’t know who was the other. (translator’s note: sounds like a cross between ‘Rugby’ and ‘Capture the Flag’ – on a rather large field)

The field of play is perhaps two leagues west of the city and we arrived just about midnight. I sat on a hill just behind one of the mid-line fires, along with the King and Queen and Forniel. We had a great view of the middle field (once the moon rose and it was light enough to see). Forniel advised me to take a brief nap, as Arvedui was quite notable at this game – and made a practice of finding the opposing team’s sack just after daybreak and running for the mid-line when all could see him. That was just how it happened. Soon after dawn we heard a disturbance from the trees to the north, then down the field, toward the mid-line burst a figure in a red shirt, bounding like a deer and bearing the yellow sack, which he held tightly to his breast. It was Arvedui. Beside him and behind him ran about 6 or 8 comrades in red, along with a dozen or more in yellow. A great cry went up and others in yellow shirts came forth from hiding places all directions – and the pursuit was on. None could catch him, but some were yet ahead of him. He ran this way and that until finally, four large yellow shirts closed on him and hit him all together. I gasped, but saw that my companions only laughed – for it was part of the game. Also – he had managed to throw the sack to another red shirt before he was hit. Then, so much happened at once. His captors tried to take him to the fire by us, but he escaped them. The one in red who had the sack also tried to throw it, but a man in yellow got hold of it and ran the other way. Mayhem broke out, and then I saw that Arvedui himself had made it back to drag down the other with the sack – and before long, his brother had retrieved it and carried it over the line. Only just in time too, for a few men in yellow then brought forth the red sack from the south end of the field – but the red team carried the yellow sack over the line long enough before the yellow team could carry the red sack over the line.

I hope you have understood all this. The game must be seen to be imagined, but it was quite exciting to watch. We followed this with more celebrating and more meetings of folks and, that following night, despite having gone a full two days and a night without sleep, having such hard activity and taking the pounding he took, my husband proved to me once again that we are indeed newlyweds.

We have separate accommodations in the royal palace (the town actually has another palace, of the Princely House of Fornost, from which line Celebereg descends), but we mostly join in with the family at meals and for daily activity. We have to ourselves two rooms on the third storey, a modest outer chamber and a smaller inner chamber – each with a window and a fireplace. It was pleasant to finally arrive here after all the travel, and is actually refreshing to settle into a routine of sorts. Arvedui has returned to duties of his own, but it appears those duties are light for the sake of his new bride. We were also given a cottage a bit north of here that we might escape at times and be alone together for 3 or 4 days at a time. They call it a ‘cabin’ and it is made from logs of tree trunks, stacked one upon another. It’s a day’s ride away, so we have gone by horseback, and a few times in winter by a wooden sleigh, drawn by our horses. What horses they have in Arthedain can be ridden well enough through the snow though. You saw them last summer – big, large-boned animals with thick hair and long manes.

As winter drew near I began to notice something. While gardens and courtyards are the delights of Gondor, the fireplace is the delight of Arthedain. As the days shorten, and the air grows cold, the people gather closer to the fire and talk and laugh together. The short days are much shorter here as well. Oh – and I have seen what are called ‘The Lights of the North’! I saw them first when we visited our cabin just after Yule. I awoke one night and saw that the northern sky was alight. At first I thought it was more fireworks – I even feared the sun might rise in the north that day! But Arvedui awoke as well and told me of the Lights.

Of course, they like the warmer weather when it comes. They say too that the long days of summer are even longer here than in Gondor, and also that if one traveled far enough to the north nigh the Mid-year, the daylight would be constant, and that the sun would go around in a low southern arc from east to west – and would then continue low on the horizon across the north and back to the east… day after day without ever sunset. They say too that in winter there will be no sun at all for many days. Arvedui himself has not traveled so far north, but this was known in days of old. He says that the Lights of the North mean that Varda promises again that the Sun will regain its northern path… but that the Lights also mean it will not yet do so.

(continued)

[Valandil]

(Letter 4 - Part 5)

The Yule is a great occasion here in the North. The people celebrate it for the last week of the year and into the first week of the new year. There is some feasting, but much more general gaiety and merriment. During the days, the young venture out to play games in the snow (oh – and the snow here! It is often up to my knees, higher near our cabin and they tell me there are years when we get deeper snow still – that this year was one of light snowfall). There is much music and dancing and sitting at the hearth before a bright, crackling fire. The Queen hosts a great ball, and many come indeed. Minstrel Elves come, wearing bright red and yellow and green, trimmed with silver and gold. Young men give gifts to the ladies they favor. Decorations of evergreen boughs and silver bells and gold stars abound. They use much holley, with its berries of red, and they have a custom with a branch bearing white berries, that a couple may freely kiss below it – though they are generally quite reserved in such regards. It was not even unseemly when Celebereg kissed me upon a cheek as I stood at a doorway, unaware of the white berries above me. Arvedui stood beside me and laughed, though he did give the rogue a friendly cuff. The eligible young men and ladies take these times as rare opportunities to meet and match. They like to ‘find love at the Yule and marry at the Mid-year’.

Mithrandir even came for the occasion, to ‘see how the happy couple was getting on’. Being emboldened enough by Celebereg’s actions, I caught Mithrandir in the same manner, as a ‘thank-you’ for helping me find my husband. I then bestowed the same favors on old Malbeth and the King, but after that Arvedui took me upstairs for the night.

And, lest all my talk of feasting alarm you, do not fear. There were perhaps 5 or 6 true feasts in all this, but they came between long stretches of travel and months of activity. Lighter meals were still the standard fare and your daughter has not sunk into gluttony.

The Yule was actually a different sort of feast. Preparations began after the last of the harvest. The men went out to hunt wild game and the women and children went into the forests as well, to gather nuts, berries, herbs, roots and whatever other wild-grown food they might find. This was done in the past that the people might have an early winter feast without depleting the stores saved up from the harvest. These days, they tell me, in all but the scarcest of years they supplement the wild food with some from the harvest, but the tables are mostly laden with returns from the hunts and gathering forays. Also, at most times, the food is laid out on side tables while the people either dance or walk or sit talking by the fire. Then they simply retreat to a table to take a morsel now and again.

Arthedain’s court has different practices from our own. Some parts are less structured, but in other regards they are more strict. In Gondor, the court of the Queen (or the princess who is mother to the unmarried heir, if his grandfather still reigns) is made of both men and women, and they mix regularly. In Arthedain, the young men of standing in the kingdom gather to the heir to be trained along with him, submitting mostly to the Chief Guard for weapons training, but also learning tactics of war from the Captain of the Army, learning lore and music from the Chief Loremaster with his scribes, learning of agriculture and trade from the Chamberlain, learning woodcraft from the Chief Forester and learning construction from the Chief Builder. They also learn from woodworkers, metalworkers, miners, boatmen and teamsters. Many in the line of Anarion wed at 50, but most in the line of Isildur have married much later, thinking their training only half complete at such an age. Therefore many kings of Gondor have seen great-grandchildren, but the most a Northern King has seen is his own heir’s children.

Meanwhile, ladies of standing come here to serve the Queen, but also to wait upon and entertain with instrument and song the young men of the heir’s company. Most do so hoping to catch the eye of the heir or another of his companions, but that part of it is not so rigid as ours, and the heir is more free to select someone from outside the court (provided she is nearly full Numenorean – even if only a farmer’s daughter, for here the Numenoreans seldom have wed others, though they live at peace with other tribes and rule gently over them). Rarely do the men and women of those two parts of the court speak to one another, more than in passing. The three festivals at which they do so are Mid-year’s Day (which was a two-day event this year, since we had two of them – and I was married on the first), the completion of the Harvest in early Hithui (November), and the Yule Celebration. The King here keeps the Erukyerme as well as the Eruhantale, but those are times of work even for the court’s young men, for they partake in the sowing and the harvesting. In fact, they learn by doing in each area of their instruction. Their view is that a Numenorean ruler should fully understand the Numenorean crafts.

(continued)

[Valandil]

(Letter 4 - Part 6)

One custom we share is that the young men who come to the heir’s company and the young ladies of the Queen’s court refrain from marriage until the heir has chosen whom he will marry. If anything, they observe this more strictly than we do in Gondor. Their numbers are often smaller, for perhaps only 12 or 15 young men will come – and perhaps as few as 8 or 10 young ladies, though sometimes there are more, and it was several more in the old days of Arnor – more akin to the size of our court in Gondor. I have not perceived much jealousy among the ladies of the Queen who would have been previously vying for Arvedui. In fact, as none had caught his eye, when he married me, it released the rest of them to find another. And already there have been 3 marriages from them, and at least 2 more are planned. I think Araphor desires to wed soon, and has his eye on a young lady at court, but his father wishes him to wait yet 10 or 20 years and wed the girl’s younger sister, and to let the elder find another. He is not yet 40 and besides, I believe his father wishes the children of Araphor to be quite younger than Arvedui’s – that there be no questions of succession.

This summer, Arvedui promises to take me either to Imladris to meet Elrond and Celebrian, or to Lindon to meet Cirdan. He says that I may choose one – and that we will visit the other in the following summer or the one after. I wonder if time may allow us to do both. I long to see the Grey Havens of Lindon and the Emyn Beraid, but it would be marvelous to actually meet Elrond, especially as I expect he would be the likeness of our own distant ancestor Elros. Arvedui tells me the way to Rivendell is more perilous, but is certain we could make it.

My understanding of our two Dunedain kingdoms has been corrected. This Valandil, of whom Arvedui is the heir, was the youngest son of Isildur, Anarion’s elder brother and co-joint ruler. I knew that Isildur had been killed with his elder sons while traveling to the North, but did not know this connection to Valandil. It does seem in some ways that these northern brothers of ours cling with great pride to the fact that they trace descent from the elder of Elendil’s sons (and insist that Isildur intended Arnor to remain the chief realm, only commiting Gondor to Meneldil’s care, as a provincial governor or some such), while we of Gondor seem to take such great pride in how our kingdom has risen so high and become so mighty under Menedil’s heirs. Perhaps such pride errs in both regards… I hope that it will not one day ruin us all.

Arthedain and her people have suffered much in the long ages since our forebears. They also had the Great Plague, although it struck us the harder. While we had the Kin-strife, they had division and continual civil warfare among their sister kingdoms. While we have had the Wainriders fall as a hammer, they have had the land of Angmar, chipping away constantly as a chisel. My mind fails to imagine how great both our lands might now be if not for these great evils.

There is nothing yet to tell of a future heir to this kingdom. King Araphant and Queen Elenawen do not speak of it, but their eyes tell me that their hopes might exceed even your own. Their two eldest daughters have already made them grandparents, but they must be eager to see who will rule this land after their own son.

I hope indeed that one or both of my brothers may come North for a time, if father can spare them. For my part, I would dearly love to see them. For his part, Arvedui feels great kinship with them. I believe too that he would love to return Faramir’s favor to him. And of course, Forniel would be most happy to see Faramir, as would the King and Queen. Arvedui seems to me a pleasant mix of Artamir and Faramir. He says that Artamir would steadfastly do exactly as Ondoher wishes, while Faramir would stubbornly do exactly as Faramir wishes! I would that father would allow you to come as well, but that visit must surely be delayed until you hear further good news from me.

I have written quite a long note, but there is much that was new to me, of which I have to tell you. I made notes of dates and events that this might be a good account and I hope that it is as good for you to read it as it has been for me to live it.

With warmest love and wishes of goodness.

Your daughter,

Firiel

[Valandil]

Fifth in a series:

3 Hithui (November), 1941

Dear Mother,

Greetings. I hardly know where the past months have gone. Arvedui and I have traveled much about the kingdom and even beyond its borders. He went out as duty to his father, King Araphant, and it was my good pleasure to be among his traveling companions.

First, we managed to make that visit to Imladris. It was fascinating to actually meet Elrond. He even spoke with me, and for long hours, as though he had nothing of more worth to do. He spoke much of our ancient ancestors; Elendil and Isildur and Anarion. It staggered the thought to realize I was sitting face-to-face with one who actually knew them. He also told us of Valandil and all his heirs. Meneldil he knew as well, but had little contact with those who followed after him in Gondor. It was as though history came to life.

But alas, though our trip there and our stay occupied much of Gwaeron (March) and Gwirith (April), after that we were obliged to travel by boat down the Bruinen (called Loudwater) and Mitheithel (called Hoarwell) until the falls above Tharbad, below which the Hoarwell becomes the Gwathlo (now called Greyflood). For there Arvedui had work to do… overseeing the repairs and restoration of the road and waystations, to put them all in good order from Tharbad on northward. As you know, a similar party came up from Gondor to begin the same work southward from Tharbad. Does father think a southern connection might be made though by ship, from Pelargir to Tharbad by sea and the Gwathlo? Nonetheless, I expect that the messengers will travel by road. Arvedui tells me that a man who can stop for fresh horses could travel from Fornost to Minas Arnor in less than three weeks. And if a message can be passed to a fresh messenger on a fresh horse at each station, perhaps little more than two weeks. That is, with the fleet horses of Gondor or perhaps horses and riders of the Eotheod, not a man on the gentle, plodding giants of horses we keep here. It would be amazing that we could be so close. Of course, there are those seeing stones, but they are kept strictly for official use, not for mothers and daughters to carry on with one another, as we would so like to.

When at last we returned to Fornost, Arvedui was kept busy helping to bring in the harvest. It was a good year for the crops. While he was in the field one day, I made my first attempt at a pumpkin pie, a delightfully filling dessert of the North. Then I topped it with whipped cream I made myself. I doubt it was up to the standards of the better cooks about, but either from being famished by his work, or seeking to please me, he ate half of it himself at one sitting, and that after a meal.

One would say I’m becoming quite the domestic. Who would have thought it possible? Soon I will begin to assist in preparations for this Yule celebration. There is much to do.

Meanwhile, it has now been just over a year since my arrival here. Although I have been away from Fornost for over half that time, this already begins to feel like home and my love for the North grows. I have been warmly received here by all and am truly made happy by an indulgent husband.

Good grace and love to you and all my family in Gondor.

Your daughter,

Firiel

[Valandil]

Sixth in a series:

16 Narbeleth (October), 1942

Dear Mother,

Greetings. As you have heard no doubt from father, via the seeing stone, my son, Aranarth, was born four days ago. He is quite well and so am I. Arvedui is overjoyed… he is quite taken with the lad really, as are Araphant and Elenawen. His Aunt Forniel makes over him tremendously as well and all the people of the city rejoice. This little one has caused quite the stir already.

He favors more his father than me, but has some of my look as well. The nose I think, which I have from you, he bears – and his eyes are more like father’s. When I saw other women’s babies, I could never see such things, for they just seemed to be… babies! But with my own, I see so much more. Aranarth is long, so he should be a tall one himself. He cries quite vigorously at times, and at other times his eyes stray about the room, as though he reflects on things. And of course, he looks incredibly lovely when he sleeps.

I am tired but happy. We eagerly await Faramir’s arrival for his stay through the winter. He’s sure to make a devoted uncle! We also hope that you and Artamir may visit later, either the coming summer or the next winter. Perhaps when my son is older we may all journey to Minas Anor together.

Give father my best wishes and my love as well. Below my writing I will mark in ink his grandson’s handprint upon this page.

Your daughter,

Firiel


(translator’s note: at the bottom of this page was the handmark in ink of a small child, along with a few stray marks and smears which are otherwise inconsistent with these normally clean and neat documents)