Thanks to a certain incident involving a shiny gemstone, a pair of Feanorion brothers and a very dead Finrod Felagund, Nargothrond will only commit a small company to the Union of Maedhros. Who knew what manner of backstabbing happened in the gilded halls of Nargothrond?

Battle of Unnumbered Tears

Year 472

Orodreth

Not sure if it is the right thing to do but Lord what's-his-name insisted it would be proper for my future law-son to prove himself in battle before the actual wedding. Lord Guilin, being the lad's father vetoed the idea but was vetoed by everyone else. I think I am getting the hang of those complicated words like vote and veto. The lad seems rather keen on the suggestion – ah, must be that thing they call the foolhardiness of youth.

My little girl was not too happy about the idea though. She started screaming and threw her hairbrush at me when I told her Gwindor would be away for some time fighting with Maedhros and our other allies. It's not as though Gwindor will be going off to war alone. I sent the brightest and most capable elves of Nargothrond to fight alongside him – Lord Guilin helped me draw up a list of worthy warriors. Not that we have that many to start with I think, if we had to add Lord Whoever's stripling son to the company. I think Gwindor might have liked having his father along as an advisor, except that he broke his leg falling down a long stairway after Council. I do wonder what started that shoving match with Lord Whoever at the top of the stairs.

This kingship thing is all gloom and boredom. Uncle Finrod must have real gumption (another big word) to see it through. Must think of happy things.

Happy things:

Spinning tops

Munching on cherries

Nice warm bath after long session at Council

Planning my little girl's wedding (without my wife interfering)

Finduilas

My Atto is an idiot. Curse the damned Council for getting my darling Snookums sent out into the dangerous world Outside. Morgoth take them all. I already get chills imagining him running into orcs when he is off on routine border patrol. Now we are talking an actual battle with thousands of orcs and maybe dragons and other nasty things thrown in for good measure. Also, I hear the entire thing is planned by a Feanorion. When did they ever come up with anything good? Cousin Tyelpe notwithstanding. I do like the hairpin he gave me as an early wedding gift before he left for Balar. Do I make like the fabled Vanyar in the tales of old and pray on my knees until he returns in glory? Or do I start tearing out my hair and weeping like some damsel in those mawkish Mannish ballads?

Tried to emulate the fabled warrior women of the Haladin but I couldn't find a smith willing to make me a functional suit of armour. I bet I would not have this problem with Cousin Tyelpe. My handmaidens are next to hopeless when I asked them if they knew any properly trained warriors around willing to give me a quick lesson or two. I suppose I just have to pray for my Gwindor's safe return. Does one petition Lord Tulkas for victory in battle or Lady Nienna for mercy? Or will it not work for all Noldor elves in Beleriand since the Valar cut us all off? I recall Uncle Finrod saying Lord Ulmo is a tad partial to us elves. Perhaps he might work if the battle's fought on water…

Gwindor

My comrade informed me it is a custom for some Mannish tribes not to see one's beloved before battle lest it weakens one's resolve by having their womenfolk turn all weepy on them. I doubt darling Faelivrin is the weepy type, but I better put my remaining time to better use seeing the sorry recruits who have volunteered for this mission.

Another elf suggested I leave a parting poem for her in case I don't make it back. What should it be about?

Parting words linger

Across the battle-dust field

Hope springs eternal

Ugh, that sounds so wrong and sappy. Maybe this will work:

Your lovely face will

Be the light in my darkness

Even to Mandos

That is even worse. Sounds like I am expecting to leave her a widow. I think I better see to my weapons.

Author's Notes:

This is not going to end well for everyone involved. I noticed a distinctive change in the tone of my writing without Finrod's hijinks. Now it is more soap opera-ish with some buffoonery from King Orodreth as comedic relief. I imagine the Haladin ladies as Amazons and possible ancestresses of the Riders of the Mark and Eowyn. The practice of writing parting/death-poems does have its roots in Japanese history and culture, even as late as WWII.