Chapter 3A– Respite
19/5/92 TA
Dear Diary,
I am writing this in a delightful little clearing, ringed by majestic birch trees, just West of Lorien's borders. Provided the weather remains fair, I should arrive in Calas Galadhon in time for lunch tomorrow.
Although I am greatly looking forward to my stay in the Golden Wood, the months apart from Lindon providing a welcome respite from the possessivness of court life, I can't help but feel slightly apprehensive. The lord and lady have agreed to me teaching the elflings of Lorien, but there is, as always, the barrier presented by those who do not wish for their child's learning to be sullied by the influence of a Peredhel. I wonder what sort of welcome I will receive? I suppose it all depends on which stories have filtered through from court, and the Western side of the Misty Mountains.
The majority of tales and songs (embarrassed as I am to admit there are many about me and my life and works) are based on truth and are therefore reasonably flattering, but I am also constantly aware of those penned by anti-Peredhel minstrels, which more often than not portray 'my kind' as lustful, blood-thirsty beasts. I shall have to be careful not to prove any of the bad examples true!
At least I will have a comfortable bed and a decent meal tomorrow: dried, salted meat and nuts are hardly court fair, quickly becoming dull after a fortnight of travel, and rocks do not help the old wounds on my back one iota…
Elrond