The Great Plague ravages Middle Earth but elven Imladris is spared the worst.
The Great Plague
Imladris, Laire, T.A. 1635
Dear Journal
Ah Eru! Please grant us the fortitude to talk Lord Elrond out of his folly! The whispers of plague in Osgiliath have reached us via Lady Galadriel. The source seems to come from east beyond the accursed land of Mordor. The whole thing smacks of the Shadow and Elrond is thinking of journeying down to investigate. Erestor is trying to talk him out of it.
We have gone through plagues before. This is probably your seasonal flu. Why, there is probably a natural balance to it- keeping the Mannish populations in check. It is pointless, really. The last time local Mannish village had a lung-fever epidemic, my lord opened up the House of Healing to the sick, and a third of them died all the same despite the healers' best efforts. Before they passed, they made a right mess, pooping and puking all over the place.
Master Elrond, why don't you take it easy? With a plague on their doorstep, the Gondorians will not be sending any tedious windbag envoys our way this cycle of the sun. This plague will just breeze past Imladris like all the other ones. We elves need not fear it unlike our Mannish neighbours. Laugh and be merry with your lady. Pop out a couple more elflings- wait, scratch that last part. I am so done with being babysitter.
Imladris, Yavie, T.A. 1635
Dear Journal
After a spirited objection from Lady Celebrian, Lord Elrond has decided to remain in peaceful Imladris, and mostly in their bedchamber, to the twins' chagrin. Bets are being placed as to whether there will be a new addition to the family this time next year. No news as to what Arwen thinks in far-off Lothlorien.
More disturbing news has reached Imladris from Mirkwood and Lothlorien. This plague has already ravaged the Mannish settlements in the realms of Rhovanion and Rhun. Many of the garrisons watching Mordor are now abandoned for the soldiers are dropping like flies. Minas Anor is now the new capital as Osgiliath is now abandoned thanks to the plague.
We have had news from Gildor's band who had taken the less-than-scenic route through Gondor this season. Rotting corpses everywhere. Brings back many First Age memories and grief for poor Gildor. He was hastily sent into the House of Healing with his fellows after he collapsed at the entrance to the valley. Only the Feanorion seems un-afflicted, but he was laid up too after Glorfindel mistook him for a warg when he came running for help dressed in that wolf-skin cloak. A little higher with the blade and Maglor would be passing the time with his brothers in Mandos.
Thankfully, Mithrandir breezes in and is able to assist in the recovery of the band's waning spirits, thus saving them from fading or having to sail. Apparently, Eru is not done with kicking Gildor and friends about Middle-earth yet. No complaints about the plague from the Dwarves though. No sign of them neither. I suppose they shut themselves into their mountain halls as soon as they heard the word 'plague'.
The plague is cutting a path through Cardolan and the Shire as I read, bypassing our fair vale thankfully. At the rate things are going, we Elves might be the only Children of Iluvatar left in Middle-earth, and maybe those annoying dwarves…
Imladris, Coire, T.A. 1636
Dear Journal
A piece of good news finally. The plague seems to have burnt itself out as it spread north and west towards Fornost. Fewer deaths reported among the Dunedain of Arthedain. Alas, the last of their Cardolanian cousins seem to have perished on the Barrow-downs. Last autumn, Glorfindel had to chase some wolves off their corpses and give them a decent burial. Well, as decent as one could having to share a barrow with someone else since Fin was in a bit of a hurry. He just broke one open, stuffed the bodies in and covered them up with earth.
I believe our captain might be to blame for the shades the folk at Bree are whispering about. I guess Fin might have just angered some folks with his disregard for proper burial rites – at least dump a load of rocks on them to keep them from walking like Butterbur says.
The very thought is bringing on the shivers- just like those tales Haldir told us about the faces of the fallen of Dagorland showing up in the Dead Marsh – elf, man and orc alike- as ghostly lights. Or the story of Morwen weeping on her isle as told by Cirdan's mariners. Oh my, I wish I did not think of those tales, now I need to go sit in the Hall of Fire with Lindir. At least Lindir would not scare me with any creepy tales…
Wait, what's this? Where's Lindir? In the House of Healing after falling off the roof? Who's singing tonight? The Feanorion? Can we have something light pretty please? No, you wish to honour the fallen throughout the Ages by recalling their trials and darkest hours? There will be balrogs, werewolves, dragons and vampires in there?
(Figwit spends the night cowering as Maglor lets loose with a veritable horror-thon of scary tales, much to the delight of his other listeners.)
Author's Notes:
No more elflings for Lord Elrond and Lady Celebrian but who says the couple cannot have some fun. Glorfindel is entirely blameless where the barrow-wrights are concerned.
