Greetings Friend,

Fréa had a break through earlier this morning. The maiden has told him how she knows of the Old One. It is an astonishing tale to be certain. One that reveals more about her than she would have liked to have revealed perhaps. Time will tell. Maybe she desired it to be that way. Below is recounting, spoken exactly as she herself told me. Fréa's words would have confused even the most scholarly scholar I am afraid.

"My childhood is one that does not concern you; even I could speak of it. All that you are interested in, and that I am willing to tell you, is in regards to Eli (pronounced Ee-lie for future readers reference). Eli is indeed the Old One. I had traveled to Rivendell during the time of the War of Therion… even as the huge army FAME was passing through that hallowed place. Lord Elrond gave me shelter and food, thinking I was one of the army. This I will admit, although a subvert way of gaining access, was effective in its simplicity.

I remained there after the army had departed, after learning much of the world. You must realize there was little I knew before this, and if I did know I had forgotten it. Along with everything else… But that is not important. I learnt much of the bardship you have seen of me from the elves until it was brought to Elrond's attention that I still lived under his care. I was brought before him, unsure of myself and not willing to look upon him. After a long interview with his Lordship he entrusted me with the task of taking a message to Thranduil; King of Eryn Lasgalen. The message asked of the King's aid in fighting off an increasing number of troll attacks upon the pass into Imladris. He made it quite clear that he had given me this task because he felt it too dangerous for his own soldiers. I was a stowaway, someone who had lived quite fruitfully off another's fare and was now to pay the price. I do not think he intended for that price to be so high.

I reached the borders of Eryn Lasgalen safely enough, only twice did I encounter a hostile creature. Both times it was down to luck that I escaped with my life and body intact. Upon entering Eryn Lasgalen however that all changed. As soon as I passed the perimeter I felt a presence, one that followed me constantly through over the subsequent days. On the fifth day of travel, without any of Lord Elrond's fare left on my possession to sustain me, that I met it. A Dúfaroth I believe you call them. To me they are merely scum.

This Dúfaroth spoke condescendingly of my mother, who I do not have the fortune of knowing, calling her weak and a fool for valuing love over power. All my life I had desired power and yet now, knowing what power I was being offered I felt myself bereft of it all. I knew no love, nor did I wish for such a dark power. I felt my life futile. It was then that the creature strike.

In moment's I found my consciousness discarded to the darkest recesses of my mind as the Dúfaroth swiftly took over my body. Here I was left to dwell on all the misfortunes I had caused others during my lifetime. Disgust was rife within my heart. I hated myself with a passion… despised what I had become. The Dúfaroth fed on this hatred and grew all the more powerful for it. Before I had time to realize what my actions were causing Eryn Lasgalen had returned to its former state; Mirkwood. The forest was wrapped in darkness as more and more Dúfaroth descended upon the forest. Frightening the woodfolk so badly that many were forced to leave or seek shelter in King Thranduil's woodland castle.

The havoc they wrecked on the land during those days is unfathomable to someone who has not experienced it for what they done was on such a large scale that it should have been deemed impossible. For a mortal at any rate.

Needless to say the message calling for aid never reached the King's ears until Elrond's plight was realized by Gwaihir; Lord of Eagles. Both Lord Elrond and the King swore to rid Middle Earth of me, neither knowing what fate had befallen me.

Yet something was still in my favor. The Dúfaroth that had possessed my body had made himself an enemy many years before. This enemy was the only Human to have ever seen a Dúfaroth before me, very few Elves and Dwarves had seen one either. To a Hobbit they were simply an old wive's tale, to be disregarded as folly. This particular human had been blinded by the Dúfaroth when he had thought the human weak enough to take control of. The human was to strong and fought bravely against the Dúfaroth and his compatriots. He killed three other Dúfaroth before this particular Dúfaroth and one other turned tail and fled. The fight had left the human blind.

This human's name was Eli.

When he had heard his enemy was in Eryn Lasgalen he hastened there with all speed, relying heavily in his other senses that had become more pronounced to accommodate his lack of sight. When he reached Thranduil's residence he begged for the King's aid in banishing the Dúfaroth from me so that he could kill it without causing me injury. It took many, long hours before he was convinced. Together with Lord Elrond he spoke words of dispelling to remove the Dúfaroth, although they had the benefit of magic that the Lady Éowyn did not when she released the Ent from his prison.

Eli dispatched of the Dúfaroth swiftly and rode through the forests on a great white steed, slaying as many as he could before the remainder fled. To Ithilien I presume… from what I've heard this is where the majority of them are situated. It was not a mere blade that could kill the Dúfaroth however, and this is why your attempts thus far have failed. This blade…

Here she produced a sword from her side and displayed it proudly

"… is tipped with Mithril. The only thing that the Dúfaroth fear most in the world. When they were first awakened in the Mines of Moria, during the time the Balrog was released by the dwarves, the first light they witnessed was that shining from the Mithril. Being a substance of darkness and shadow this not only horrified them but effectively killed those closest. Over time they built up a resistance to the light of Mithril and other forms of light and it is only when they are pierced by a blade with Mithril on its tip that they are harmed. In most cases this is fatal; there are very few who are resistant even to this.

Eli called this blade Doldagnir and it was his pride and joy. Before Mandos forbid him to speak with another soul again he passed on to me all the knowledge he knew of the Dúfaroth so that I might continue his work. During our final meeting he gave me this sword so that I may keep my promise. But also to remember him by… he was the only family I have ever known. Even if it were but briefly.

You see me here now, none the wiser and yet with more knowledge of the world than perhaps I should have. Indeed many things have been made known to me that perhaps should have been passed on to another. But who am I to disagree with Vairë? It is she who weaves the histories of Middle Earth. I will leave my fate in her hands, for unlike others of our race I do not have a destiny to call my own. I sold that long ago…

She cut off her dialogue here and would not talk again. But we know how to deliver death to the Dúfaroth now. She had a purpose after all. Lady Éowyn has decreed that she shall join us for the rest of our journey. Imrain has suggested we travel to Khazad Dum; to beg the aid of the Dwarven King.

Yours in good faith,

Malachi, Scribe of Ithilien.