Hi Everyone!

I'm very pleased to announce that here is the third chapter. Hope you enjoy.

Dear Eruaphadion,

I am very glad to hear from you! Some decent conversation at last! Ah I have not forgotten my mission though oftentimes I wish I could forget and simply travel from place to place with my healing. The mortals here often succumb to disease and it is so hard to continue my journey when they are in so much need. But my mission is clear and we cannot afford to abandon it or all our efforts will be in vain.

I have heard rumours that what I seek lies yet further to the east. However, I fear the Dark Lord may also know if its existence. My mind goes back to those groups of orcs I dealt with recently and I now wonder if they were not indeed there by chance, or because they were lost, but that they were searching for this artefact. This troubles me greatly that he should have even heard of such a thing. I can only assume that his discovered its existence when he lived among the elves in his fair form though even at that time it was kept as the utmost secret. Of course that was when dwarves and elves were friends. Such a shame that friendship could not last. I can only hope that one day there will be a reforming of their hearts.

I would urge you to be cautious my friend, diplomacy is a dangerous game and especially so with those men of the south. They are often prone to impulsiveness and are driven by fear. If what you guess about the Nine is true then be careful in your speech. No doubt they are beholden in fear of what recriminations will come their way if they do not cooperate with the Witch King. Your use of your skills would certainly draw them to you. I can only hope their hearts have not already been corrupted by the false promises of Angmar. But though I am cautious I wish you well in your endeavours. It is better to hope that they will indeed fight with us.

I have not heard much of Gandalf for many a year. Certainly not before the White Council (why weren't we invited to that again?!) intervened at Dol Guldor. I am glad he still works for the cause. But what of our leader; what of Saruman? Has he forgotten what reason we came to this world? It is a sad day indeed if this is the case.

Thank you for your advice. It was well timed for I have felt it growing stronger as I have walked further east of Erabor. It is as if it knows what I seek. But I take courage in the fact that this was made by those with pure hearts and minds and that though it may try to lure me in with its power, it has not half the effect of so many relics of Mordor.

I look forward to your next letter – remember – smiles can be faked but the eyes never lie.

Yours in uneasy hopefulness,

Erulissë

Sooo thank you very much for reading and sticking with this story so far. Just waiting for the reply (quite literally!) and you shall have it post-haste. Please leave review for ideas and so forth - we both really appreciate them.

Annapurna