As Aldamir stood feathering an arrow as the sun dawned one clear morning, a swallow flew close and landed not far from him on one of the mallorn�s branches. Giving Aldamir a pert look, it started off into a trilling little song, music pouring from its throat.
�Pouring like the Silverlode�s swift current,� thought Aldamir as he watched. �Ah, little bird, you do not know how much evil there is in this world. None are safe from it. But you, at least, can live in peace under the boughs of the mallorns, and sing every morning. Sing, little one: it gladdens my heart.�
The little one sang; so joyfully and sweetly that for a while Aldamir forgot the orcs, and all evil that had troubled him; his thoughts were born away on the beauty of the bird�s singing. His hand holding the arrow dropped to his side; his eyes looked far away, seeing things that only he knew of. His gaze was drawn out over the forest; the flet he stood upon was high above the ground and he saw only tall trees, and leafy branches. The sun was dawning, sending little shafts of light through the trees everywhere. Aldamir had seen the sight many times, but the beauty of it took away his breath every time, and for a long while he stood silent.
�Aldamir?� Haldir stood suddenly at his side.
�Look, Haldir,� said Aldamir softly. �The little swallow is bringing the dawn to us.�
Haldir gazed over at the singing bird, and at the golden light falling through the trees. �Such beauty,� he murmured. �Alas that evil times are coming upon the Golden Wood, for beautiful as it is it is fading; this forest will not last unto the end of the world.�
Aldamir nodded. �The time of the Elves is drawing to an end, whether we will or not.�
Haldir was silent for a moment. Then he shook himself out of his reverie. �Well, Aldamir, have you finished that arrow?�
Aldamir laughed. �No. The little one�s singing made me forget.�
�Aldamir, since when did a warrior like you forget an arrow in the presence of a little bird?� Haldir teasedd.
�Even the greatest of warriors can be overcome by the beauty dwelling in the Golden Wood. Haldir, do not lay too much blame upon me: even you forget things!�
Haldir joined in his laughter, and together they went down to finish the forgotten arrow.