“You’ve spelled ‘Eldar’ incorrectly,” the tutor said, exasperated, “it‘s an ‘a’, not an ‘e’.”

Boromir dragged his attention from the open window, which wasn’t easy on the first fine day of spring. “Why do I need to know how to spell ‘Eldar‘?” he complained, scratching his head fiercely.

“Because a Steward should be well-educated, and spelling a word correctly shows you are well-educated, ” the tutor sighed. This conversation was had far too frequently.

Suddenly he saw something moving in Boromir’s hair, and froze.

A louse?

“Boromir,” he said in horror, “have you been playing with those children from the first circle again?”