[Esgallhugwen]

'Lira, mellon' Esgallhugwen placed her hand on Lira's shoulder gently 'I would not despair, for despair is for those who see the end beyond all doubt. You say they left in dark times? Perhaps evil has not befallen them only the messenger has been waylaid, or perhaps they sensed that some evil had befallen you and had therfore not sent any messengers thinking that it was folly. Much are the strange chances in the world when paths mislead in times of shadow.'

It had now been Esgallhugwen's turn to try and rekindle some hope that her parents were yet alive, though she knew not whether they had left for Valinor thinking that Lira had been taken by the shadows, or that indeed they had not passed to the Grey Havens at all.

She noticed another Elf now preparing feed and singing. The presence was familiar, but she went along with Lira to find the Innkeeper Aman. There would be time to speak with her later perhaps when she was not busy with her duties.

Esgallhugwen felt odd trying to give hope when she had barely little herself. But she felt it the right thing to do, it was the least she could do. The world was harsh she knew that plain enough, but courage and hope are like fire in dark places so her Mother often said when darkness had encroached upon their small kingdom.