Dear Brother,
It would seem Doom has finally caught up to me, as we both knew it would.
I will not waste words telling you what you already know: that I love you, that I am sorry for leaving, that I hope we will meet again. We were always close and my heart was open to you in these matters.
Instead, I will write concerning what I have not told you. At the end of my journey, I finally have the courage to confront you.
People call you Wise. I have always listened to you and cherished your advice. But you were wrong about Andreth.
You were wrong about love. You were wrong to lecture me on Eru's will and the fate of men. I know you spoke your words out of concern, but you were wrong.
Your ideas on love are so pristine. Fate, eldar, edain, everything is organized tidily into their own place. The Weaver's strands do not mingle, knot, or fray. But I have learned that love is messy.
Do not mistake me. I do not blame you for my own decisions. I simply want you to understand. When you next encounter someone who has the courage to love, in defiance of fate or race, remember me, and keep your wise counsel to yourself. Encourage them, even if their dreams are foolish. There is more to life than wisdom.
Keep Angarato out of trouble. Please continue torment Lord Celeborn in my absence. Inform him that if he breaks my sister's heart, Mando's clutches will not prevent me from finding him. Take care of Artaresto. He needs someone to look after him.
May your life be full of peace, may you always walk under the light of the stars, and may your courage defeat this all-consuming darkness.
Your loving brother,
Aikanaro
This is Aegnor's last letter to Finrod, befor Aegnor dies in battle.
For anyone not familiar with Andreth, she was a human woman who fell in love with Aegnor. Unlike Idril and Luthien, he decided not to marry her.
You can read about his complicated motivations in the "Athrabeth Finrod ah Andreth." I suspect the answer might simply have been that he was an unromantic bum. What can I say? I like shallow, Disney-perfect endings. And yet I love the Silmarillion. Not sure how that works.