I couldn't find the exact number of daggers forged. You should know, my friend, that the chronicles of elves, although written very beautifully, are far from as accurate as our Tucon Chronicles. Even Big People take their notes much more carefully than elves. How many days have I spent trying to get my notes together for one date - what I say, one year!
Okay, I was distracted. Anyway, there weren't too many daggers either. Apparently, they were forged a little more than long swords. They were mostly additional weapons for royal guards - but they were also used by women of high gender. One of the sigill's helegs belonged to Turgon's daughter, Idril Kelebrindal.
Dear parent, you must have guessed by now that Jalo is one of these blades. It is possible that he is the last one in Middle-earth - many disappeared during the death of Gondolin or in the War of Wrath, when the valar finally defeated Morgoth. A few elven daggers took with them to Valinor when they returned - perhaps so did Idrill. And Jalo, Orcrist, and Glamdring stayed in Middle-earth. And don't ask how they got into the troll cave - even Elrond didn't know that. All records related to Gondolin are broken in the year of the city's death. The surviving residents who left for Nan Tatren under Tuor did not chronicle anything - they left some beautiful but sad songs about the death of Gondolin or about the battle of Glorfindel and Balrog.
I don't know who my heleg sigill belonged to. Balin, it was ridiculous at first to say that it was probably not a sword, but a knife to open envelopes. But he quickly changed his mind when he saw Jalo biting the enemy. I remember how surprised he was after our fight with spiders.
- I take it back, Bilbo Baggins," he said then, breathing heavily. - Your sword is clearly combat and not just weapons. And I didn't know you had it so well. I'm increasingly surprised at you, young hobbit.
- Yes, I know how to do a lot of things," I said, trying to keep my eyes open. In fact, I was just as surprised by my dexterity. To be honest, I didn't know what to think about it.
You know, my friend, I was the first person in my life to fight with a sword in my hand. Ever since Gandalf gave it to me, I had only tried to train once, but the dwarves had been joking about me, so I decided not to give them a show. I scared the goblins in the dungeon with Jalom Gollum - but it doesn't count at all, and the sword seemed strange to me. I didn't think it was mine at the time, and I always thought I looked strange with it. But in a fight with spiders... You know, it would sound funny, but I thought the sword was helping me. It was like the previous owner's experience was still in it, you know? All I had to do was think of the sword as my own, believe it, and he woke up. Since then, I've always felt his call and knew he'd never let me down.
Of course, I asked Elrond about that, too. But he just smiled mysteriously and said:
- It's ancient business, dear hobbit, and the deepest secrets of Eldar. I can't tell you that, but you put your hand on the sword handle and look into your heart. And if you are careful, you will know.
Well, it's typical for elves - they always respond more or less evasively. Their sword was no exception to this principle - I tried to find out many times, touched it with my hand many times - but he kept silent. Or maybe he tried to answer me - but I couldn't hear it. However, I feel it, and I'm sure he has his own memory of both Enerdil, who created it, and the unknown warrior, who masterfully possessed it. And this memory comes to the rescue in case of any threat.
That's all, my friend. I hope you will now look at my sword differently and not consider it one of the many methos that Beg End has to offer. This sword remembers a lot, and maybe he'll want to tell you more than me? Anyway, when you see him after you get home, remember me too.
Stay healthy, dear cousin.
Your Bilbo Baggins
I've been studying ancient Gondoran chronicles for a few more days, but I've found nothing else - no mention or even a hint of Enerdil's swords. During the reception with King Elessar and Queen Arwen, we were mainly talking about the affairs of Shire - the royal couple was interested in how life flows in our cozy country. When I wanted to return Bilbo's record to the king, he just shook his head and objected:
- It's yours, Faramir, or rather, it belongs to the Shire. I just kept it, at Bilbo's request. Now it's time for this record to find its place in the Great Beauty Library. It's part of your story, Faramir, and it's your job to tell all the hobbits about it.
- It's not an easy task," I sighed.
- Yes, the hobbits are known for their reluctance to show interest in the outside world," Arwen said. - But still, that's changing, too. I have one of the ladies in my court, Elanor the Beautiful. And among the guardsmen you can find several young hobbits.
- I would also like to ask Your Majesties... - I hesitated, but decided to continue the question. - I'm not a sword expert, of course, and I'm not likely to be, but I'm just wondering if it's possible that the sword retains the previous owner's experience. And passes it on to the heir?
Arwen and Elessar looked at each other thoughtfully. There was silence in the room. I waited patiently for an answer, and finally, Arwen said quietly:
- I'm afraid no one will answer that question, Faramir, son of Faramir. Those who might have known the answer have long gone to the Ancient West. Together with them, knowledge and almost all the ancient records were gone, and we have only what is left of our world. I can only repeat my father's advice - you can learn all this yourself if you are careful.
I nodded. To be honest, I didn't expect anything else, but I still couldn't hide my disappointment. The king, when he saw it, smiled a little and put his hand on my shoulder.
- Don't be sad, Faramir," he said. - And don't give up, even if the mystery seems unknowable. Look for, explore, and look into your heart. And one day, all of a sudden, you'll see exactly what was closed a long time ago. You will see a picture that nobody has seen before you. And you can tell others about it like your father.
The king got up and walked up to the big window that had a beautiful view of the far mountains. I wanted to get up too, but the queen stopped me with a gesture. Elessar turned around and winked at me.
- And also, remember, it was probably the last blade of Gondolin in Middle-earth that was stinging. The orchestra is forever closed under the Mountain, Gandalf took Gandalf to the Ancient West, and no one knows about the other "ice" blades. You have something to be proud of, my dear hobbit.