Tianwen·Magweth Pengolodh

Raised black eyebrows.

"I've been fighting in recent years. But at Gil-Gallard's court my role was to make and preserve books, and to study the lore of how we speak. I can read and write many languages, and I work as a clerk and translator officer's work."

Melpermane said: "Oh, there are always all kinds of people coming and going in the Black Forest, and everyone who does business there can speak many dialects. But when it comes to writing, that is the art of the wizard! Only Thrandur Those priests at the court of Yi know how to carve runes." Aristor and I exchanged a look.The young man used the word "carved", and he obviously only knew Dai Long's linear runes.

"Are you trying to say that you, my relative, can't read and write?" I asked.

Melpermane was taken aback. "The king said only wizards used those great books, and he said that any decent bard in his palace must know the long tales and songs by heart."

Eristor next to me coughed: "That is Orofer's opinion. He has long considered it a luxury of the Noldor to write long works in Tengvar. Since your king still treats us The clansmen are resentful, what's the matter with you here?"

"King Orofer says that if he refuses to help you, he will kill you. He will never do that." Melpermine said proudly. "He is as good to evil as he is to the Noldor. Hate much more."

"Glad to hear," grumbled Aristor, whispering to me, "you should teach him the runes of Daelon and Tengwar, and let him know and go home as a thank you Olofer's generous assistance this time."

Melpermane didn't catch Aristor's sarcasm.He said eagerly: "In that case, I too can be a priest, and can decipher official documents, and be allowed to read the great books. Can you really teach me? Will it take a long time?

"It depends on whether you are talented or not," I said.

Melpermane said quickly: "I can memorize 120 songs and understand three languages. The officer said they will keep some people stationed here and turn this place into a shelter. I can stay and study."

"I—I've got to think," I growled.

Aristor moved, his face tensed like a racehorse eager to gallop: "Tell us first what you already know. You weren't born with a hundred songs , right? Anyway, how did you join the army?" he asked Melpermane.My new nephew poured his own life story into the elderly scholar's ears, and Aristor gave him occasional words of encouragement to lead him on.The two of them hit it off immediately, which is the kind of tacit understanding and affinity that is necessary between teachers and students.

I should have felt jealous, but I wasn't.The scene unfolding in front of me seemed to happen in a legend, and it felt out of reach.I saw Melpermane's youthful vigor, but I couldn't get rid of the shadows of those I loved but passed away. Every time I saw it, my heart ached.He is a continuation, a bridge, a hope, but not for me.My heart has contained too much sadness and exhaustion, what he deserves, I can't give him.

Aristor interrupted my thoughts: "It all sounds good and promising. Pengolod, what do you think? Will you accept him?"

Both of them looked at me.

I shook my head. "I'm going back to Linton for a while. I have a lot of responsibilities there. Also, nephew, it's not about you - I've never been very good at teaching. In that regard, Iris Toto is better than me. Just now, he knows what he should ask you."

Melpermane looked at Aristor nervously and longingly: "Maybe...can I please..."

Aristor tried his best to look serious: "You don't just learn runes and new languages. You have a lot of work to do. When you leave the army, you may think that being a soldier is an easy job. My apprentices are to learn the full details of book-making, for I shall remain here and help Lord Elrond."

Melpermane's eyes lit up.He began to assure Aristor that he would obey every requirement of his adventure of learning new knowledge.I back away slowly, sad but content.I saw their prospects as if everything had been written.Melpermane draws on new stories and lore.Aristor would have the heir to his lore he had always wanted, and his grief would be lessened, and his life of service to Elrond would be easier.And I, I'm not going to change the plan I made when we learned we were rescued.My grief remains deep for my peers and those close to me.I will go back to Lyndon, close my book, and do what I have put off for so long—leaving Middle-earth for good.

So I put Linton's transcription office in the hands of other people for two years, and then I left.

Then, here I am.

Here, for a time, I found those memories I loved, those old people, that bygone world.They were evocative enough, but not sharp enough to hurt me again, like Melpermane's face.But, Alfwine, the past is gone.I must not continue to deceive myself.Neither you nor I should be in it.We all have to go on living, I'm going to accept what fate brings me, and you're going to enjoy what you've won against fate.

Another drink - just what I needed, friend.A few more glasses to come.Then it's your turn to tell the story—the whole story of you and Rosenzil.

****

They got drunk that night.Alfwine confided in all the details of his and Rosenzier's flirtations, and with every drink they had, the things he said grew more intimate.Pengolod, in turn, told Alfwine a great deal of the lore of the Elven lore, and how some of the tales besides Turin's had been revised and deleted.Halfway through the second bottle of wine, they became philosophers and agreed that it is necessary to properly preserve such wisdom for the benefit of future generations.

The next morning, they competed to see whose head hurt more as they cleaned up the products of this unwise writing project.Pengolod picked up a piece of paper and looked sideways: "I really can't tell which is worse: I actually wrote this kind of thing, or I chose such a tricky angle when I wrote it."

Someone knocked firmly on the front door of the shop, and Pengolod couldn't help but turn around abruptly.But it wasn't the guards who came to watch him.A clear female voice was calling cheerfully: "Oh ho! Is Mr. Alfwine there? I'm Rosenzier!"

Pengolod looked at the sheets of written paper in his hand, and folded them in half. "Can she understand Elvish?" he whispered.

Alfwine said in a low voice: "She can speak Adunak, but not Elvish. Anyway, I don't know half of these Elvish words." Having said that, he still hurriedly cleaned up the leftovers. the pages, before calling out, "Come in, my dear!"

Losingziel came briskly in, eyes sparkling, with the confidence of a much-cherished woman, and she muttered, "Good morning, Mr Elf! Did Alfwine tell you about our good information?"

"Long story, very clear." Pengolod stuffed the pages dipped in wine into a shelf. "Congratulations on your engagement. Alfwine is really lucky."

"I'm lucky too. Look at my lovely ring!" Pengolod praised the amethyst ring again.Rosenzier said to Alfwine: "My dear, have you asked him?"

"Ah, I wish you'd been there," said Alfwine, with the tone of a married man. "Yesterday we wanted to know if you'd like to take the vows at our wedding."

"Well, I—when do you plan to get married?" Pengolod asked in embarrassment when he realized that he had forgotten.

Rosenzier replied, "We want to do it soon—in two months, about harvest time."

Pengolod shook his head sullenly. "Ma'am, I have to go before then. I have to leave within a week. I am deeply sorry to learn that I will miss your wedding."

Rosenzil's eyes widened, looking frustrated with disappointment.Caught between friend and fiancée, Alfwine is clearly torn.He looked at Pengolod and said, "Can I tell her what happened yesterday?" He spoke in Adunak so Rosenzil could understand.

Pengolod recalled Losinzir's reliable judgment and thought that Cirjatan might have follow-up actions, so he nodded.They told her everything.

Rosenzil's expression was a mixture of relief and regret.Pengolod expected the former - who wants a house where they honeymoon with a tenant? —but the latter surprised and comforted him. "If the crown prince is looking for trouble, we can always find a way to deal with it. And once the elf nobleman leaves, he will definitely forget about it. As for us, can we... get married early?" She said rashly.

Alfwine said: "You mean, before his ship sails? But, my dear, what about your reputation!" Pengolod was bewildered at this.

Rosenzier shook his head: "I will lose a little bit of fame, but you will gain a lot; believe me, I know what people say! Anyway, I can't think of any other way to find a beautiful race—your friends, needless to say—to officiate the vows. Since the Tower