Chapter Text
[The following letter was handwritten by Haleth leader of the Haladin, in the spring of 1853. It comprises a single sheet of white paper, without letterhead, and a yellow envelope of finer make, sealed with candlewax. One incomplete fingerprint, marked where charcoal dust mixed with grease from the candle, can be faintly made out upon the left edge of the envelope: this is presumably Haleth’s own. The envelope is not addressed.
[The letter itself is written in black ink, excepting only a note in pencil at the head of the paper, which was seemingly added after the main letter was complete, likely at the time of sealing it. This note reads, in the same bold, printed hand:
This letter entrusted to my man Wister, whom you know. -H
[This rare surviving Haladin letter, almost unique among surviving samples for being written in English instead of that clan’s private code, is itself reproduced in full below.]
May 2, 1853
To Maedhros of Mithrim Fort, greetings.
I have spoken with Thingol, and with my own people. I have confirmed that your story is true: Mairon was here in the midsummer last year, under the guise of a journeyman smith. He stayed in the fields and outer longhouses where the traveling laborers live, and he did not ever win his way to the villa. Thingol does not know his face, and never met him. He was angry when he heard what I had to say, but he is afraid too, I think. He had not thought your Morgoth so near, believing as he has that any threat of Bauglir’s is years behind him. Mairon did work at branding and simple repair for some weeks, signing with a false name on the 8th of July, but he was gone by the end of the month without collecting wages. He called himself Annatar, and said he came from San Francisco. I do not know if these details will be significant to you.
This Annatar stole nothing, and hurt no one. Most here do not remember him, and if they do, they remember him kindly. Thingol has a man named Mablung, who has worked here longer than I have. Mablung is the one who gave me most information, and who remembers Annatar best. Send back further questions for him, in your reply, and he shall answer you honestly. You can trust him.
Luthien is unsure if she ever encountered Annatar. She does recall visiting the smithy on one excursion and that she helped a man there who had a burn upon his hand. He did not frighten her, and she does not know his name. The burn was upon his right hand, across the palm, and very deep. She thinks he had fair hair. Does this sound like the Mairon you remember?
I write too quickly. I think I misspoke before, when I said Thingol is afraid. He is too proud for fear, and he is still very strong. But he is thinking about Bauglir, now, and he does not like this. He has added guards to the northern outposts without giving reason, and he has halted hiring any new men, despite the summer being nearly here. This is unusual.
When I spoke with him, he expressed continued hatred for your father. He called you and Bauglir both snakes. He is aware that you were prisoner, and that you were mistreated, but he does not, I think, know details, because he does not care to. He says Mithrim is a place of empty promises, and he says you are the same as your father was. I urged him to listen to you, despite this. I did not know your father, Maedhros. But if you are to succeed in the alliance you seek, you must not be him. You must provide Thingol with something of value to bargain with, and you must be honest. He hates men who lie, and he hates anyone who tries to take advantage of him and his people. Your father, I think, did both these things.
Thingol is angry that you knew anything about Mairon’s presence here when he did not, but he has also acted upon the information you gave to him. He is angry with me for speaking well of you, but he did not say he would not hear you himself. I think you may take this as hope.
Wister shall take this letter from my hand directly, so you should receive it in five days. May it be of good use to you.
Haleth
PS- Do not concern yourself over Luthien. I am here with her.
PPS- Give my regards to my captain Wachiwi
PPPS- Also remember me to your kinsman Fingon. That is all. -H
[Graphite, ink, and paper, 1853. Gift of Idril Celebrindal in memory of her father, Turgon Fingolfian, 1892.13]