Here is a little insight into our sorely misguided king of Nargothrond's parenting approach and kingship. Cue Finrod and other kings screaming from Mandos: "No, that's not the way to go about it!"

Orodreth

Year 473

My daughter now hates me and is no longer speaking to me. Not after Gwindor was reported killed in battle. His father Lord Guilin is also mad at me. He has resigned his seat on Council and moved to Balar, so I believe. Still have not gotten the hang of this kingship thing. Perhaps I should have written to His Majesty Fingon for pointers, city pride aside. A bit late for that now Cousin Fingon's dead and no one knows where his successor Turgon is at. I don't think I will write to him, even if I know where he is at. He looks so stern in the paintings Uncle Finrod had hanging in his bedroom, I do not think we ever met in Valinor, unlike Cousin Fingon. I remember playing horsie with him and climbing Cousin Nelyo's shoulders.

Should I write to Cousin Maedhros instead? But they say he has gone mad after being imprisoned by the Enemy. Also, it was his fault Gwindor got killed and my little girl's mad at me in the first place. Tried to cheer her up with new dresses and jewels, but she returned everything through her ladies. Should I get her another ellon to take her mind off Gwindor?

Year 475

Finduilas still not speaking to me. I have sent her all manner of ellyn from warriors to bards and none have caught her fancy. Well, her ladies seem to a appreciate their attentions and a fair number of them have since been bound in matri- marri, oh, got wedded. I doubt I will be seeing any grandchildren at the rate she is rejecting her suitors. Lords of the Council also losing patience and insist I order her to wed someone. That seems to be against the Laws of the Valar, right? Maybe my little girl doesn't like males. Darn, I was so looking forward to becoming a grandpa.

Possible ellyn to introduce to Finduilas:

Lord A's warrior son – all brawn and muscles. Not one for talking. Everyone else says he was dropped on his head as a baby.

Lord B's minstrel son – he claims his son is second in skill only to Maglor, but he sounds like a goose to me.

Lord C's brother - both warrior and bard, but everyone else swears he prefers males.

By the way, who is Lord A again?

Also, I do wonder if a Dwarf might do the trick? Understand that some ellyth like beards.

Year 483

My daughter finally spoke to me this morning, even if it was to ask me to get my foot off the hem of her dress. I did try writing to my wife some years back after we lost Gwindor (I heard she was in Falas) but did not receive any reply from her yet. I still wonder about whether I do have a son out there and if it will be proper to fetch him back so the Council will stop badgering me to have Finduilas wed off to produce an heir. Or can we find one of Uncle Finrod's many kids to fill in instead?

I keep getting weirdly vivid dreams about a bridge and a dragon. I think I should stop eating cheese and crackers before bedtime. Other options for bedtime snacks:

Hot chocolate

Warm milk and gingerbread

Spicy cornbread with chicken wings

Strawberry pudding with double cream topping

Year 488

Starting to think my Council members are only watching out for their own interests instead of this 'greater good' thing. Just found out using a dictionary what 'dullard' means. Perhaps I should ask Lord Cirdan to send someone new in from his place. Maybe we can exchange councillors or something. If Finduilas would deign to speak to me outside the usual morning greeting, I will be willing to put her on the Council, even if it will raise more than a few eyebrows. She'll be great with the widows and orphans' welfare. Still, I think I really need someone new to the city to be nominated to the Council.

Things to do:

Order more formal robes to be made

Gift Finduilas more jewels and dresses

Arrange party to try get Finduilas to meet someone (if she will attend)

Write to Cirdan over Council problems

Find someone who can fix the city's defence budget after the last accountant left

Do we still need funds for that tunnel reinforcement project?

Author's Notes:

Poor Orodreth hasn't a clue about politics, administration, and matters of the heart, does he? Also, we can assume his wife isn't on this side of the Sea anymore (or she would return to the city to knock some sense into her husband).