The crystal phial flashed brilliantly as it caught the rays of the mid-day sun streaming through the open window. He rolled the half-empty container between the fingers and thumb of his right hand, his left sitting motionless in his lap. The dull amber liquid within the glass tube flowed lazily as he moved it, the contents seeming to match his mood as he sat near to the open window. The fresh winds of the Valley pushed the lank hair from his face and carried with it the sweet scents of honeysuckle and jasmine, yet it stirred nothing in him. The movement of his hair was the greatest change that came over him. No matter how elegant a cage, no matter the beauty of what can be seen through iron bars, a cage is still a cage. At least the fresher air was a welcome change from the sickly sweet reek from the decaying flowers placed at random around the room he occupied. He almost thought of smiling at the thought; as he had laid upon the edge of death more care had been given to the pleasantness of his surroundings than to his recovery. Now that he was as healed as he would ever be they were almost obsessed with feeding him elixirs and potions and caring not a thing for his once-gilded prison. Let him sit and rot, staring out of the window that taunted him with the promise of freedom. He sighed. A test by Veryacano he assumed. Why else leave a guard on the door but an unlocked window? Perhaps he hoped that Estarfin would save any further trouble and simply slip away like a thief in the night?
A noise from the entrance hall caught his attention and he looked away from the window in time to see two figures entering the room. One was tall and dark-haired, her proud face fixed upon his as she strode to his side. Estarfin nodded once to Ruineth and then turned to her companion. He was slight of build with grey or silver hair, the light of the room made it difficult to tell. The face was vaguely familiar at least. “Lord Estarfin, forgive my intrusion. I am glad to see…” he broke off as he looked at the seated form of Estarfin “To see you looking so… well.” He bowed, attempting to cover his brief pause. “Talkale, at your service.”
Estarfin glanced briefly at Ruineth as if seeking confirmation. She spoke softly in Quenya “One of the Order of the Pillar and a servant of your Ambassador I believe, although the rumour is that he has recently disgraced his position. I do not know why he is here.” Estarfin nodded once and looked to Talkale.
“Well then Talkale, what do you want?”
“Firstly you should know that I spend a great deal of my time within the libraries of this House and that the high tongue holds no mysteries to me.” He coloured slightly as he spoke. “The Lady is well-informed Estarfin, I do indeed serve the Lord Parnard and it is upon his behalf that I am here.”
Estarfin looked mildly interested at the statement. “You have a message to deliver then? What does the Ambassador want? And what constraints are upon his time that he cannot come to see me himself?”
Talkale smiled slightly. “Lord Parnard has a great many duties that call for his time, but you must forgive me, I do not bring a message from Lord Parnard, I am simply here upon his behalf.”
“We have little patience for riddles scholar. Make your purpose plain.” said Ruineth coldly.
“Oh, of course. Of course. There is no need for raised tempers or fists here Ruineth, we have seen enough of that from you. I simply…”
Estarfin placed the crystal phial down and raised his hand to stop Talkale speaking. “What are you speaking of scholar? Raised fists?”
Talkale looked to Ruineth briefly, then to Estarfin, an incredulous look upon his face. “You speak in jest of course? You do not know? You do not know that Ruineth struck the Lord Parnard in the Hall of Fire? My my, I would have thought that someone would have passed that news to you? Has Parnard not visited you regularly? Perhaps you did not think to ask about the bruises on his face? What of your many other visitors? Lord Parnard and Lady Danel cannot be the only ones surely?”
“Ruineth, is this true?” Estarfin asked, trying to ignore the sharp tongue of Talkale.
Ruineth knelt down next to Estarfin, taking his right hand in both of hers.” I lost my temper with him my Lord, forgive me. He would not answer as to why he had placed a guard upon your doors. I was…. frustrated. Surely you can understand that? You have told me before of your time in the mountains together when you...”
Estarfin pulled his hand away from hers roughly. “You speak of that which you do not understand. That time was different, he was different. He is the Ambassador of my House, and you have struck him with no provocation. Anyway, it was not he that placed the guard upon my door, he has told me so himself. Why have you done this Ruineth? What quarrel do you have with him?” Estarfin sighed. “You should leave. Find him and apologise.”
“My Lord, if I have upset you please forgive me. I did not mean to…”
Estarfin pushed himself to his feet slowly, his eyes dark and dangerous. “Did not mean to? Fists do not fly without thought Ruineth. Or did you mean that you did not wish to upset me? Fear not, my anger will not cause life to flee from my body.”
Ruineth got up from her knees and brushed her light green dress clean of any dust. “I did it for you my Lord, for you cannot see what he, what they, are doing.”
“My Lady, really! I must protest at…”
“Silence” growled Estarfin. “Ruineth, you will find Parnard and you will apologise to him upon bended knee and beg for his forgiveness. Do you not understand how deeply you have offended our House? Offended me?”
“You cannot ask me to… To him? I will not. I cannot.” She wiped her eyes and bowed to Estarfin. The she turned and walked swiftly from the room, knocking past Talkale without looking back.
Estarfin shook his head and sat back in his chair looking tired. “Did you have a purpose in being here, besides telling tales on others? My patience is worn through, so speak swiftly.”
Talkale nodded and cleared his throat. “I simply wished to bring you a little news. My Lord Parnard will not be able to visit you for a little while due to more pressing concerns.”
Estarfin smiled softly “Is he concocting this strange potion that he has been speaking of?”
“I could not say my Lord, only that he will be too busy with his duties to spend any further time here. I believe the same can be said of the Lady Danel as well. She also used to visit I think?”
Estarfin nodded. “Yes, they both did. I suppose it is as you say though, they have duties to occupy their time. They would not want to come here. No, who would? Who indeed? Thank you for letting me know Talkale. Now go.” Estarfin turned away and looked back out of the window.
Standing for a moment in disbelief of such a rude dismissal, Talkale turned on his heel and strode from the room, leaving Estarfin alone again. He sighed gently and picked up the crystal phial, rolling it between the fingers and thumb of his right hand as he stared out of the window and waited, although he was no longer sure for what he was waiting.
