Cameos

Reader's Depression

For the hundredth time since Faramir’s wedding Imrahil observed his daughter seeking imaginary pictures in the fireplace while a scroll of Rohirric poetry lay crumpled in her lap.

“Lothiriel, mind the scroll.”

“Oh!” she started, fingers scrabbling over the parchment.

“Do you not enjoy the poetry?”

She frowned. “This Westron text does not compare to their bard’s voice ringing in the Golden Hall.”

“Translating an unwritten language is toilsome but King Éomer labored over this piece for you.”

“He did,” she agreed, sounding suspiciously neutral. “Although, he suggested I learn Rohirric instead.”

Ah. Imrahil forestalled a grin, “Did he, now?”
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AN: reader’s depression occurs, for example when you read “Lyrical Ballads” atop Cat Bells and then read it again afterward in a windowless room in the States. Many thanks to my beta WargishBoromirFan and for crit from the folks at GoI.