[MR] Sad News From the East Kingdom

[E L Wimett]

News reached me this morning of the death just before midnight of Nick 
Taylor, known to the heralds as Aelfwine Denedom and to the rest of the 
Society as Aelfwine of the Dunedain, Earl Aelfwine or simply Nick.

A friend and mentor to many in lands far beyond the northerly reaches of 
the East Kingdom where he lived, Aelfwine's chivalry, courtesy, humor and 
constant willingness to put aside his own concerns to lend a hand to even 
the most casual of strangers led many of us to consider him the model of 
what a true knight should be.

His house opposite the barn at Pennsic was a landmark for oldtimers and 
newbies alike and his absence from Pennsic this year left a hole that could 
not be filled.

Though small in physical stature, Aelfwine soul was great and nowhere was 
this shown more clearly than in his long and ultimately unsuccessful battle 
against genetically-induced leukemia.

So rich are my memories of Aelfwine that it is hard to choose just one to 
share, but. . .

More than twenty years ago when Aelfwine reigned over the East, I wrote a 
song for him called "Winter King".  Its initial lines carry an image of him 
standing on a frosted northern field that will ever be enshrined in my 
heart:

"Silken strands of honey gold
Blowing in a wind that's cold,
Like a legend that was told
Long ago. . ."

Nick is now truly numbered amongst the lost legends of the East.  He will 
be forever missed.

Alisoun