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Sitting under my tree proved useful at last. One morning she walked by on her way to the well. I offered to carry the pots for her. We chatted merrily while getting the water and I was eager to please her, although I must confess I had no idea how to. She asked about what I did and she seemed impressed when I told her of the lore of the materials.

"So", she said "you seek to know the name and the properties of all metals, all liquids and all inanimate objects of Arda?"

"Yes, lady, that is my field of study. Alas, I am no philosopher like my brother and my conversation would surely bore you."

"Not at all! Tell me of your travels and your findings."

And so began a conversation that lasted for quite a while. She was a good listener and in her wisdom she was patient and eager to learn. Ah, to have her undivided attention! What wonderful hours... It was not until another person came to the well that we realized the Sun was well up in the middle of the sky.

Andreth was terribly concerned she would be late in her daily tasks so (once again) I offered to help. She laughed this time and said such tasks were surely not fit for an Elven Lord who had seen the Light of the Two Trees. I followed her anyway and she was genuinely shocked to see that I could cook as well as any other neri. It was Finrod who explained to me later that among the Atani, cooking was usually reserved to the women. What a strange custom, but Andreth had not seemed to mind my help in her kitchen. She wisely abstained, however, from making any comments when the food was being served to the others.

And it was thus that I could deny no more my interest in her. I longed to speak to her again and perhaps (ah!), to be able to hold her in my arms. I have often wondered at the strange fate that made me fall in love with one of the Edain. In my youth in Aman, none of the nissi could hold my interest. I knew this was an issue of concern to my mother, who often sought to soothe my heart with gentle words. I remembered her sadly lying in my tent at night. We knew little of her fate after we boarded the ship. I could only hope my father had found her at last and that they were together again. But my last thoughts before falling asleep were for Andreth and the way her eyes had lit up as she listened to me.