The Last Homely House

As I stand here in Imladris, my adopted homeland since I first travelled here from Lindon so many centuries ago, I ponder what my contribution has been to Middle Earth and if it is worth saving at all. My ambivalence comes from dealings with the Numenoreans who escaped the cataclysm that sank their Westernmost isle, where it is said the Undying Lands were visible on a clear day. These Men have been given chance after chance and have failed miserably. I even sense a wavering of sorts in whom Master Elrond has confided to me as being the last great hope for Men, Aragorn Son of Arathorn.

I have had many conversations and even sparred with Aragorn and he has demonstrated an inner fire that burns brighter than any Man I have known or heard tell of since the days of Elendil. Yet I fear for him, for Isildur had such promise before he came into contact with the Enemy's weapon, his Bane, which consumed his will and in the end betrayed him to his death. Elendil's strength is present in Aragorn's bloodline, but so is Isildur's weakness in the face of temptation. He is now, as I write, on the most dangerous and important mission he has ever faced. I will not mention this mission here nor in any subsequent writings because to do so would be to betray all the Free Peoples of Middle Earth in our fight against Angmar, the Great Eye and as I have just come to learn, Orthanc.

I shall stay and do my part for Middle Earth, the shadow upon my heart is lifted as I enter the Gates of Imladris and I converse with Master Elrond as well as Gandalf the Grey. I was greatly surprised to have come across Glorfindel, an Elf Lord upon whom the Light of the Valar is still present. I was delighted to see him and converse with him at length since I marched under his banner at the Battle of Fornost. He has both great wisdom and strength and I learned much from him. That he caused the Nazgul to dread and run from him is a testament to his terrible wrath and might.

I am now going to prepare for a long and arduous journey where the strength and knowledge I have gained in my 2039 years of life will be put to the test. Suffice it to say that I face, along with my fellowship, a long darkness.