[Imladris]

Iris of Bree

Shortly after Niluial left, Iris rushed to her feet and leaped up the stairways, nearly tripping over them in her haste. She stopped at the Finduilas’ closed door. Pressing her ear against the planks, she heard their soft murmuring as the elf and the blind girl talked softly with each other.

Breathing heavily, Iris strained to listen, but she could not catch the words. The strings twanged raucously as Finduilas touched them and Iris cringed. The girl had definitely lost her touch. But she tried the same not again, softer, and it sounded more pleasant. Again and again the blind girl struck the strings, and each time the note rang more softly.

Shuddering, Iris listened and she collapsed when Finduilas played a perfect scale. Her lips trembled, her green eyes were hooded by a frown, she clutched at the door. No! It couldn’t be happening! Why, why did Finduilas experience all joy! Even now when she was blind she was learning to play again. Through a wavering veil of tears, Iris put her eye to the key hole in the knob and watched Finduilas play the scale again. “It’s not fair,” she whispered as she buried her head in her arms.