Excuse the nature of this letter, but my head is throbbing from the antics of my apprentices this evening.
Bainith is once again recovering in Imladris. He took it upon himself today, after reportedly unable to find you, to ride back to the Shire to visit his parents. That part was not overly concerning to me, as his new horse rides swift and true between Rivendell and Michel Delving. Unfortunately, after the visit, he heard my other apprentice and adopted daughter, Culgondrian, was in the Dwarven realm playing the rather dreadful beer brawling game. The two are kindred spirits, siblings of a sort. He went to visit, offered to aid her in one game, and before long a messenger had to retrieve me in haste from Evendim to sort the two of them out. They have both been strictly forbidden to enter that place for quite some time. I felt since it was really Culgondrian's fault for making Bainith feel like he needed to stay and help her, she should write an apology to you. It should be forthcoming.
Amid his long apologetic sentences, Bainith did seem to realize that he did not need to do everything another Elf did in order to try to be an Elf. It has been difficult for him to find other Elves who are accepting of him, and who he can feel comfortable speaking to. Until he met you, he always complained that Sindarin was too difficult to learn, and Imladris was a place he would never want to go. This evening as I made sure he was safely in his room for the night before dealing with Culgondrian, the majority of the conversation always led back to what has become his favorite topic: You, and what you are teaching him. I hope you are not gone over-long, for he seems to be quite fond of you.
I made a very strong suggestion he stay now in Imladris until you return.
Safe journey, wherever you are,
Zhie, Scribe of Imladris
Author's Chapter Notes:
((And a letter from Zhie to Valanyonnen, after she probably had a drink and the Elven equivalent of a couple of aspirin))