QUESTIONS UNANSWERED
LAKE EVENDIM (ONCE AGAIN) TO MINAS TIRITH
Dear Arwing,
Such a lot of happenings in this part of the world!
Yesterday I was in the house and heard a lot of arguing and raised voices in the room above me. Boromir and I were below by the base of the stairs talking to one another. When the noise started we tried to listen and discover the cause of the problem. We heard our father's voice highest of all, then King Elessar's voice in a deep, penetrating rumble answering, and sometimes a softer, mellow voice when all became quiet. We could only guess the last belonged to Huinlas. But listen as we might we could not hear well enough to understand.
Finally, a door opened roughly and we heard heavy footsteps coming our way. Father came down the stairs looking flushed and more determined than I've ever seen him. He continued on down the stairs to the lower floor without even noticing us. Next came the king, his face was grave and tired, yet calm, as if he'd made up his mind and had his way. He looked silently at Boromir and nodded to me as he passed. Boromir and I had then been standing in silence for a few minutes and were about to say something at the same time (at least we both opened our mouths), when Huinlas walked down the stairs. Elves never just walk any where, they always have a purpose and usually they seem to dance rather than walk. This was the most absent-minded walk I'd ever seen in Huinlas before. His face was relaxed and his posture seemed collected, but in his eyes a fire burned. He passed us without acknowledging our presence, except to look at me as if I could not see him, and then walked out of the house.
Naturally Boromir and I were very worried as to the reason for such an argument. But we could do nothing but wait, so wait we did.
That night I lay in bed, tossing and turning for I knew something was wrong. And it wasn't just wrong because of the argument earlier. Something was missing.
I got up and started to walk around the house. I looked out a window. There, at the edge of the lake, silhouetted by the moonlight, stood Huinlas. And, dear, he wasn't singing!
Of course I went outside to find out what the problem was. I walked up behind him.
"Why don't you sing, Huinlas?" I asked softly.
No answer. No movement. If I could believe it I would say he wasn't even breathing.
I took a few steps closer. I was almost right behind him.
"What is bothering you?" I whispered.
Suddenly he turned around. His unexpected move frightened me; I gasped slightly and took a step back. His eyes were on fire and his brow was twisted in that mysterious questioning look.
Then it seemed he forced the look to disappear, and his eyes melted from flaming brown to soft, liquid blue. I blushed and looked at the ground. I'm sorry, Arwing, there is an enchantment in elven eyes which I cannot bear to look upon.
He took my hands in his. It was a cool night. Here in the north Autumn is far advanced. When I had walked outside I had been cold, when I had been frightened I had become unnaturally hot and then the air around me had seemed even colder. Now, as he took my hands, I felt warm all over, and the night, its coldness and everything around me vanished from my notice. All I could see were the piercing blue eyes looking into mine.
What he spoke then I cannot remember in his wording. The words were not important, all I noticed was the rhythm of his voice. He could have been speaking in a different language for all I know. Yet somehow the main point was made clear to me, I know not how.
He would be leaving, going away for a long time. Though he would return as quickly as possible, he did not know how soon that would be. He said he had something very important to look after. Something concerning, ah yes, I remember his words, "a friend dear to us both."
When he finished speaking I stood there as in a trance, looking into his eyes. For how long I do not know; a few seconds, perhaps a few hours. Gently he brought my hands together and lightly kissed the back of my right hand. Then he let go and I backed away, walked into the house and lay awake for some hours staring at the ceiling.
This morning he left. Gone away east on his beautiful horse at a speed unsurpassable. Boromir met me on the porch as I was looking away into the distance, trying to see Huinlas. He smiled and took my hand. We both looked east.
"He has gone to Mirkwood, you know."
"Really?" I asked in surprise.
"Yes. He wished you to accompany him."
"Really?" I asked in greater surprise.
"That is why Father was so upset yesterday. He could not, of course, permit it."
"Of course." I said without thinking.
It turns out Father is also upset because now we have no guide home, save King Elessar. But he will not be returning home for many weeks, so it appears we will be staying some time in the hospitality of the hobbits.
Boromir told me not to expect any word from Huinlas while he is away. He said so few travel the long road that Huinlas will be back himself far sooner than any mail could reach us.
So now I sit here in my room pondering the last twenty-four hours with much interest and wonder. So many questions unanswered.
Well, dear, I must close once again. This letter is long enough to make the carrier hesitant to take it for its weight.
So I leave you once again,
Silwen
LAKE EVENDIM (ONCE AGAIN) TO MINAS TIRITH
Dear Arwing,
Such a lot of happenings in this part of the world!
Yesterday I was in the house and heard a lot of arguing and raised voices in the room above me. Boromir and I were below by the base of the stairs talking to one another. When the noise started we tried to listen and discover the cause of the problem. We heard our father's voice highest of all, then King Elessar's voice in a deep, penetrating rumble answering, and sometimes a softer, mellow voice when all became quiet. We could only guess the last belonged to Huinlas. But listen as we might we could not hear well enough to understand.
Finally, a door opened roughly and we heard heavy footsteps coming our way. Father came down the stairs looking flushed and more determined than I've ever seen him. He continued on down the stairs to the lower floor without even noticing us. Next came the king, his face was grave and tired, yet calm, as if he'd made up his mind and had his way. He looked silently at Boromir and nodded to me as he passed. Boromir and I had then been standing in silence for a few minutes and were about to say something at the same time (at least we both opened our mouths), when Huinlas walked down the stairs. Elves never just walk any where, they always have a purpose and usually they seem to dance rather than walk. This was the most absent-minded walk I'd ever seen in Huinlas before. His face was relaxed and his posture seemed collected, but in his eyes a fire burned. He passed us without acknowledging our presence, except to look at me as if I could not see him, and then walked out of the house.
Naturally Boromir and I were very worried as to the reason for such an argument. But we could do nothing but wait, so wait we did.
That night I lay in bed, tossing and turning for I knew something was wrong. And it wasn't just wrong because of the argument earlier. Something was missing.
I got up and started to walk around the house. I looked out a window. There, at the edge of the lake, silhouetted by the moonlight, stood Huinlas. And, dear, he wasn't singing!
Of course I went outside to find out what the problem was. I walked up behind him.
"Why don't you sing, Huinlas?" I asked softly.
No answer. No movement. If I could believe it I would say he wasn't even breathing.
I took a few steps closer. I was almost right behind him.
"What is bothering you?" I whispered.
Suddenly he turned around. His unexpected move frightened me; I gasped slightly and took a step back. His eyes were on fire and his brow was twisted in that mysterious questioning look.
Then it seemed he forced the look to disappear, and his eyes melted from flaming brown to soft, liquid blue. I blushed and looked at the ground. I'm sorry, Arwing, there is an enchantment in elven eyes which I cannot bear to look upon.
He took my hands in his. It was a cool night. Here in the north Autumn is far advanced. When I had walked outside I had been cold, when I had been frightened I had become unnaturally hot and then the air around me had seemed even colder. Now, as he took my hands, I felt warm all over, and the night, its coldness and everything around me vanished from my notice. All I could see were the piercing blue eyes looking into mine.
What he spoke then I cannot remember in his wording. The words were not important, all I noticed was the rhythm of his voice. He could have been speaking in a different language for all I know. Yet somehow the main point was made clear to me, I know not how.
He would be leaving, going away for a long time. Though he would return as quickly as possible, he did not know how soon that would be. He said he had something very important to look after. Something concerning, ah yes, I remember his words, "a friend dear to us both."
When he finished speaking I stood there as in a trance, looking into his eyes. For how long I do not know; a few seconds, perhaps a few hours. Gently he brought my hands together and lightly kissed the back of my right hand. Then he let go and I backed away, walked into the house and lay awake for some hours staring at the ceiling.
This morning he left. Gone away east on his beautiful horse at a speed unsurpassable. Boromir met me on the porch as I was looking away into the distance, trying to see Huinlas. He smiled and took my hand. We both looked east.
"He has gone to Mirkwood, you know."
"Really?" I asked in surprise.
"Yes. He wished you to accompany him."
"Really?" I asked in greater surprise.
"That is why Father was so upset yesterday. He could not, of course, permit it."
"Of course." I said without thinking.
It turns out Father is also upset because now we have no guide home, save King Elessar. But he will not be returning home for many weeks, so it appears we will be staying some time in the hospitality of the hobbits.
Boromir told me not to expect any word from Huinlas while he is away. He said so few travel the long road that Huinlas will be back himself far sooner than any mail could reach us.
So now I sit here in my room pondering the last twenty-four hours with much interest and wonder. So many questions unanswered.
Well, dear, I must close once again. This letter is long enough to make the carrier hesitant to take it for its weight.
So I leave you once again,
Silwen