Greetings Friends,
It has been many hours since the Lady Éowyn foolishly risked her life by
going up against the Ent. My heart felt as though it skipped into my throat as
I watched, helplessly. I have never seen her more powerful, nor more radiantly
beautiful. The sunlight, for which we have all craved dearly for over the past
weeks, caught in the strands of her hair and glistened as of gold. She held her
head high and proudly, our Lady did, as she moved to stand before the Ent.
Pacing restlessly he, for I now
realise that he was of the male variety, dashed towards her only to have some
invisible force check his movement and cause him to turn and walk away. Looking
into his eyes I sensed a spirit greatly trouble and injured and yet I felt the
overwhelming presence of the Dúfaroth. Even Captain Eithelfar seemed to sense
it as he glanced nervously towards the dark forest behind us. None of us wished
to return to the horror inside and yet the danger we felt in this Ent's company
was tangible.
I, recklessly, have jumped to my feet upon seeing Our Lady conversing
with this strange creature, my impulse to record this strange event taking
precedence over what my mind considered to be natural sanity.
"Tell me friend, it has been many
years since I have seen your kind face. What ails you now?" Éowyn said softly,
yet her voice holding a power that made the Ent pause in his stride and turn to
face her. From behind I hear Imrain gasping faintly.
"Your
face, it is one I remember. Hoom, yes. Yes it is. But your name is one I have
forgotten. Must forget. Hoom Barum. Can never revisit the past. Death. Pain.
Lost loved ones. Must forget it all." The slow, sonorous voice of the Ent
seemed misplaced against the harsh appearance he bore. It seemed soothing, like
a deep running river skipping over many rocks. Trickling quietly, gurgling to
itself.
"Indeed, and have your
forgotten who you are? You seem hasty, for your kind, to leave those you love
behind." Éowyn retorted, moving so that she stood before the Ent. The darkness
around him seemed to be dissipating, and yet it still pulsed horribly as though
it hated Our Lady for sending it away.
"Leaving? They have
left me, will leave me. Barum. Only sadness for old Ent now. What to live for?
Hoom. Let me pass." He said desperately, seeming clumsy in his pain and slow
behavior. Yet Éowyn did not back down, even as he pleaded wordlessly with her.
"Old Ent indeed. My
friend it is a sad day for me if you consider that I would leave you. I would
not leave you…"
"Please, do not speak
my name. Hoom. It will make it harder"
"If it is what will
make you see sense, rid your soul of whatever is plaguing it so ruthlessly then
I will."
Branches wrap around
the Ent as he slowly shakes his great head. A murmured No, No, No can be heard.
Repeated endlessly, I know it is a sound I will hear for evermore.
"Glingol"
The Ent screeched
loudly and the darkness that still remained as a shroud suddenly vanished
completely. In the forest their came a deafening screech, as of many voices
calling up in lament. Hands flew to ears to stifle the horrible sound yet it
still managed to pierce through. And nothing could prevent the eyes from seeing
a Dúfaroth, fleeing from where we stood into the forest behind.
"I would thank you
Lady, if there were anything left to me that would deem me to be thankful.
Hoom. But I fear there is nothing." The Ent, Glingol, said softly as he placed
a branch upon Éowyn's golden head. Her eyes closing, Éowyn let soft tears flow
down her pale cheeks. Neither noticed the presence of Undew until he stood
spoke.
"To be sure of such
things can bring them about Glingol. There still remains some dear to you, and
one whom you thought had vanished from this world now lives. Return to your home, learn of what
you can and go wither your heart would lead you. Listen to the song of your
soul, it has traveled many lives and knows many things."
Although none of us
knew what he spoke of even the gruff Kleo seemed to take heart at his words for
what they were worth. Drawing himself up to his full height the great oak Ent
bowed stiffly to them all.
"These words give me
hope. Hoom Barum. And with hope comes great joy. I will be off now. Yes. Time
to go home. Find those I love and who love me also. Goodbye to you all, may
Yavanna bless you all."
As quickly as he had
come the Ent disappeared from view, leaving us to puzzle at this new mystery.
The darkness we had seen around him had possessed him? Surely the Dúfaroth is
not capable of such a monstrosity, and yet I would not put it past them. What
are we to do if they possess those back home? What if they possess us? These
are evil portents indeed.
Yours in good faith,
Malachi, Scribe of Ithilien.
