Both Estarfin and Parnard had departed the house by the time I rose from slumber. It was still early though, so I had plenty of time to bathe and dress, and make my way down to the Last Homely House for a few words with one of the librarians, before setting off to the forges to speak with Ruineth.
I took with me my old and worn sabatons.
In the library I was ‘greeted’ by the studious, grey haired Talkale. I had been hoping one of the learned Noldor would be available, as I was doubtful any of the Falathrim save Cirdan himself would have the knowledge I required. But it was Talkale who was there, so to him I spoke, he seeming unaware of me standing before him.
“Aiya Talkale. I seek assistance in research. Do you have time for that?”
He looked at me with an expression of mild disinterest on his face. I doubted he was pleased to see me, but no matter. “I need to know if there are any surviving First or Second Age records of the Halls of Lord Mandos?”
He raised his eyebrows slightly, and smoothed his fine silk robes, as he made a small bow. “Lady Danel, or should I simply say Danel, it is a surprise to see you in this place. I had heard the gossip that you had returned, and in such fine company of course. Both Estarfin and our former Ambassador? I am surprised Sogadan has not run dry of wine. As to your question; yes, I believe so, yet surely your kind know enough of what awaits?
I held his gaze. He would not thwart me. “Rightly do you suggest I know much of what is said to await. I also know the moment one thinks they can learn no more, one has grown beyond all usefulness to self and others. Better to be as a hermit in the mountains than to inflict such arrogance on others.”
Talkale held his ground, but ran a hand over his immaculate hair, and looked as if he wished I would go away.
“Indeed. That is where you are travelling with your fine companions, is it not?”
I could have put the dust dry Teler in his place; but concentrating on the matter at hand, I said, “There is little ever recorded concerning the nature of the Halls. Only one returned from them shortly after we Noldor departed Valinor, and that Queen Miriel, and for the shortest of times. There are records of some of the Noldor who came with the Valar in the War of Wrath, both of her and of Prince Finrod, and some others. Then, of course, in the Second Age there was Lord Glorfindel. I have read all the main scrolls in Lord Elrond and Lord Cirdan’s libraries, but are there…lesser known documents that you are aware of?”
With a rustle of his silken robes, he turned away, a hand poised by his chin as he appeared to ponder.
“It seems strange that your kind should seek such ancient lore. Are you looking for a way to help Estarfin escape his deserved fate? That is not a path to wisdom.”
It was a challenge to maintain composure in the face of that passionless husk of a ner. “What I seek is my business, librarian. Do you know of such information, or do I seek the Lord Elrond himself?”
“You would waste his time with this as well?” Talkale walked to the stairs and descended to the lower level. Below one section of books there was a deep drawer. He bent down and pulled it open.
“There, Danel,” There are a few dozen letters, still unclassified, from the time of the War of Wrath. Nothing from Princes or Captains, but perhaps something of…use?”
I nodded to him. “My thanks, librarian.”
And with that he hurried back up the stairs and to the desk he had been working at.
And despite Talkale’s lack of any semblance of manners, I found two letters that deserved further study. I took them with me, and would return them to their place of safe-keeping before nightfall.
As I descended to the ground floor of the House, I saw Estarfin making for the Hall of Fire. He saw me too and smiled up at me. I hurried down to his side.
“I plan to find Parnard, and go visit Ruineth now, if that is still acceptable to you?”
He shrugged. “Of course it is.”
And there was something wrong. I could see it in his eyes. Oh, he looked at me with the usual affection, but...he looked so tired.
“You have not slept well?” I asked.
“It is nothing. I will go to the Hall of Fire and rest awhile.” he tried to dismiss my concern. It wasn’t anything concerning Ruineth, I was certain of that. And I put it down, at that time, to our forthcoming journey over the Hithaeglir. He loved not that place, and as I had recently discovered, he loved not the cold.
“You are dressed for travel?” I noted his less casual garb that morn. No more red, but the black armour he had donned when we travelled East a year before.
He looked down at himself. “We must be ready for when the weather breaks. Perhaps later this day, perhaps tomorrow there may be good news in that respect.”
I nodded, laying a hand on his arm for a moment. “All is well,” he repeated.
“Then I shall also change into travelling gear after I have spoken with Ruineth. I am not expecting a great deal, but I hope at the least she will accept my commission,” I drew the sabatons into his view. He nodded. “And to let her know our doors are open to her.”
He nodded again, but seemed eager to rest somewhere.
Then Parnard arrived, and crossed the courtyard to us. We both smiled a welcome to our Wood-Elf friend.
“There you are.” He smiled back, and bowed to Estarfin. “Are we ready to visit the forges, Parnard?”
“Yes. I am ready."
"We can walk there, it is not far. And Parnard…”
"Yes, Cousin?"
“Do tell me if I become…more animated than is want.”
Parnard laughed. “I shall do that. Although I shall watch from a distance.”
And so, bidding a brief ‘farewell’ to Estarfin, Parnard and I set off for Imlad Gelir.
We arrived to see the forges already being worked to the full. There were more folk around than I had hoped, but I would carry out my plan, being as discreet as possible. It only took a moment to spot Ruineth, clad all in black, with her leather apron on. She was watching Rombrennil critically.
I took a deep breath, and pondered for a moment on the outcome I wished for.
“I shall wait here, Cousin, unless you wish for me to come up closer.”
“It is up to you, Parnard. I would ask that you do not stand too close unless it is warranted. I would we did not seem to crowd her at her work.”
“I shall only listen.”
Ruineth had not noticed us yet. She picked up a mostly finished halberd, feeling the balance. “It feels strange,” she said, to no one in particular, “as though it should be something else.”
“She looks very busy,” Parnard whispered, hesitating for a moment as I walked forward and nodded greetings to those smiths I knew.
“You must impress your will on the steel…else it will never be what it should,” said Ruineth.
I knew she was quoting Estarfin’s teachings. “Ruineth! A word with you, if I may?” I spoke clearly.
She turned, still holding the halberd. She looked surprised.
I held her gaze with as warm an expression the situation warranted. I meant well. “I have something to ask of you,” I said.
Parnard sidled up, a smile on his face. “Good day to you, forge maiden,” he said. She saying nothing in response, perhaps from surprise, he made a courteous bow. Then Ruineth made the slightest motion of her head to show she had noticed him.
“I do not wish to disturb your work, but my time in Imladris is short,” I explained as Parnard readjusted his wood and leaf crown.
Dropping the halberd on the table behind, Ruineth looked around, still not seeming to believe this was happening.
“But I have a commission for you…two actually, if you are interested?” I continued in an encouraging tone.
“You seek me out?”
“Of course. I need the best craftsmanship.”
Ruineth tried to wipe a little of the soot from her face, and stood a little taller.
“I know your work is highly thought of. Any here in Imladris will attest to your skills,” I continued, and gestured to everyone. Parnard was now staring at a clematis plant coiling up a nearby pillar, then he turned and seemed to notice the pool of molten metal for the first time. His eyes widened in wonder.
“What a great vat of -– !” he said.
“There are two items I am in need of,” I said to Ruineth.
She smiled briefly and nodded. It gladdened my heart, that smile. She had looked so sorrowful before.
“A new pair of boots..eh sabatons, and a long but light dagger.”
Ruineth tilted her head slightly as I placed the sabatons I had been carrying on the table.
“The sabatons are quite old. I think not they can be restored? So I would commission a new pair, with pointed toes. And a well made general long dagger for off hand.”
“I could roast more pigs on that fire than you could jump over in a mile,” said Parnard to the person nearest at hand. Rombrennil ignored him.
“You have never sought me out for such work before. What has changed?” Ruineth stated.
“What has changed is I find my old sabatons worn and uncomfortable,” I gave my answer. “And why you? I have already said I want the best.” I tilted my head slightly. “You doubt your skills?”
“Mighty fine stitchery, friend!” Parnard called across the forge to a leatherworker who was fashioning a harness.
“Lady Danel,” Ruineth regarded me questioningly, “I find it strange that you seek me out at such a time. I would wonder if you sought to wound me further, but I do not believe you are so cruel.”
“Oh Ruineth, I can understand why you may think so, but please know I have no intention of wounding you. Far from it. The commission still stands, but I will leave immediately, if you wish? I genuinely have need of those items, and I know you are very well trained.”
“Indeed I am,” replied Ruineth,”but are you not betrothed to one who could do this work more easily for you?”
I sighed. Ruineth blinked. “Did he suggest that you ask this of me?” She folded her arms.
Parnard pursed his lips and leaned on one leg, affecting an air of pleasant detachment as he smiled around at each of the forge workers in turn, seemingly uninterested in our conversation. Ruineth gestured for Rombrennil to stop staring and get on with his work.
“He could. Such is truth. But I had not realised how worn the sabatons were until we set out. My fault, for not checking my armour more regularly. The dagger I had been thinking of for some time. I thought I may as well commission both. Asking you…it is asking another I can trust with such work, and in truth, I also wanted to know how you were. I am sorrowful how matters have affected you, and would speak more, if i may?”
I needed to show her I meant no ill, though I equally well understood how I would have felt were our situations reversed. How I had felt, when she led me to believe she and Estarfin were happy together.
“Why?” she questioned swiftly. “There has never been a friendship between us?”
Parnard’s eyes were now darting around. Was he searching for one of the wandering guards? There was no need for that. “Is friendship needed to speak with another, to care about them?” I asked.
There was a slight softening of Ruineth’s expression, that she might have thought twice about her words?
“If I bring you distress, I shall leave now. Though the commission still stands, to be ready in three months, which is the earliest I think we shall return.”
“You bring no grief, but I do not need your pity. If you wish for these items, then I shall have them ready for you,” Ruineth said firmly.
“I wish for the items, and you do not have my pity. You have a measure of my understanding, and wonder if more understanding will soften the pain?” I doubted she knew much of the history between Estarfin and I, or she would have known earlier there was some form of bond between us. I started somewhat hesitantly, watching her face for any sign of distress.
“I know not what Estarfin has told you, but we knew each other from very young.”
I saw Parnard make an almost imperceptible shake of his head at this, but Ruineth must understand, so I continued:
“I only ever thought of him from, oh..my twenties. We were children. But for me there was never any other. For him I think, too. Had his father been willing, and the Flames of Morgoth not loosed upon us when they were, I think we would have been wed before we were two hundred, rather than six and a half thousand. But I lost him, when he was at Dolmed and I at Amon Ereb.”
“I did not take him from you,” Ruineth said.
I smiled in a kindly fashion. “No. I know. I am trying to say I know what it is like to lose him. I thought him slain. “
