Tennis With An Elf and A Dwarf by Grundy, Raiyana

Elf finds an unexpected messenger

Dear Harga,

I write in some haste. Usually I take more time over my letters to you, but I have found an opportunity to send a letter that will arrive more quickly than normal and I dare not miss it! (More on that in a moment…)

First, I have some news for you. Please do not take it as a slight to your people’s work, and particularly not Hafli’s, for Menegroth is truly a wonder. But of late I find life in the Thousand Caves does not suit me as it once did, and it is nothing our queen can help. I have realized on my repeated trips to Brethil that I enjoy the song of the wind and rain, and the caress of true starlight, and those the queen cannot bring inside.

I have decided to try my luck outside the king’s halls, though not outside the queen’s protection entirely. I am not sure I trust these newcomers from the West, so I will remain in the forests she guards. But there are a few settlements on the eastern edge of the king’s realm that are more like how I am told our people lived before the king built his halls. I am going to give it a try, at the least – I have relocated to one in the forest between the rivers Aros and Celon. So far it suits me well, and there is much to learn of plants and trees that grow only here.

I must apologize for having misunderstood your previous letter – I had taken Nestril for a dwarvish name. My new neighbors have had a good laugh at my failure to recognize an elvish name, even if it is Noldorin! While I am still curious to see you among your own folk, I do agree it would be best not to intrude, so I am happy to meet you in Thargelion if you are willing.

And now I come to that bit I said I would mention more on – one of my new neighbors who was greatly amused at my lack of common sense is a dwarf friend. Lord Eöl has visited your people several times, and by chance is shortly to undertake another such visit. He heard of my inquiring for any messengers who might carry a letter to Belegost, and has kindly offered to bear this hence himself. What’s more, he will be able to send me a message swiftly if you are agreeable to meeting in Thargelion. If you will tell him when you think you will be able to arrive, he will pass that on to me that I may set out in good time that neither of us should have an undue wait among strangers. If you have changed your mind and do not wish to travel, then he will bear a letter back to me – either way, it will be far less time between me sending this and your reply arriving than we have become accustomed to!

I am holding my many questions about the fungi, edible or glowing, and what plants your foragers find particularly tasty or useful, in the hopes that you will be able to answer them in person. Though if not – I am sure sooner or later our paths will cross. (And even if you cannot show me in person, I suspect Lord Eöl would greatly appreciate a glimpse of one of your repaired pots – he was quite fascinated by mine, and as you have worked with a goldsmith, I suspect yours are more beautiful still!)

Closing in haste before my unexpected messenger departs, and hoping we may meet before long,

Carweg

[nearly illegible addendum, added in obvious haste] – Also tell Lord Eöl if there is anything in particular you would wish me to bring to Thargelion. I will bring the ingredients for the balm, but unless I can be assured of travelling in the cold, I will wait until I arrive to concoct it lest it be ruined on the journey.