To the forges I went, and there I did find several people of the House of Vanimar waiting, Master Elloen among them, who was also taking his Oath. I was worried to see my former mistress Rainith absent, and none had seen her, except a smirking maid by the name of Maltariel, and she said Rainith would not be attending. Then I sweated, and wondered who would bear witness for my good works if Rainith would not attest to my service. She must still be upset with me, but said nothing to Lord Anglachelm of her displeasure, and for that, I am grateful. Perhaps it is better that she did not come, but I hoped she would be present for my Oathtaking.
I was mightily relieved to see the Lady Danel arrive, and hastening over to her, I begged her to act as my witness; as I told the lady, there is no one else whom I could ask. She gave her gracious consent and declared that she would be glad to do it; and rejoicing in my heart, I returned to my place and waited to be summoned before my lord.
Lord Anglachelm was surprised that such a great lady came forward on my behalf, but the Lady Danel delights in doing good, and she knows of my faithful service to Rainith, and she approved my conduct before all the house, so he bade me swear the words of service. I spoke the Oath in Sindarin, because I would not say the words in Quenya without knowing their right meaning, and thus profane my word and render the Oath vain and contemptible. My lord seemed disappointed when I did not speak the words in the ancient tongue, for there was a long, awkward silence afterwards, that I was made ashamed, and silently cursed my ignorance, and even feared Lord Anglachelm would reject my oath, and tell me I was unfit to serve in the House of Vanimar. But I reminded myself that a vow is a vow, and the Lady Danel gave a good account of my service, so I took heart again: all saw me kneel, and heard me swear my oath solemnly and firmly, and I laid myself under obligation to perform it, else I bring the everlasting darkness upon my head.
But Lord Anglachelm deemed the Oath properly spoken after all, for he presented to me a finely-crafted silver medallion of a swan taking flight, made by a master craftsman of Gondolin long ago: I cannot recall his name, my mind was made so uneasy by the Oathswearing, and having to scramble to find a proper witness at the last moment. I shall honour and treasure it always, just as I have treasured the delicate jade and silver pin Lord Anglachelm gave me at our first meeting in the Valley.
Then the ceremony ended and soft music played, but Lord Anglachelm must not have been in the mood for music, for he strode off for the Hall of Fire seeking wine. I would have followed after my lord and spoken with him about that business Lord Veryacano had set me to do, which is sadly unfinished, and I wished to ask him whether he had received any word from the Hammer Lord on this matter, but thought it would be impudent, and the wrong time for worrisome discourse.
The talk is full in the Valley that the Lord Anglachelm hath been shut up in sorrow in his rooms, and some say he is too peaceable to meddle with fighting any more. Whether this is true or not, I know not, nor am I much concerned: his wisdom is known by the judgments he executes, and his gentle encouragement. He is far from being proud, arrogant, or overbearing, as so many other lords in the valley are; and most importantly, Lord Anglachelm entertains a good opinion of me. I wonder if Lord Anglachelm has a counsellor, or anyone to advise him what is good and right, or does he keep his designs and counsels like himself: that is, inscrutable. It is not my place, but I yearn to know all his mind, and the unfathomable depths of its wisdom and knowledge. But as I cannot comprehend him or his plans, I can only admire him in silence, and obey every one of his commands with alacrity and delight.
