Folk were talking, whispering almost confidentially as I passed them at the stables.
“That is Filignil. She was at Numenstaya,”
“That is their Housekeeper. Why is she in Imladris?”
What had happened that I seemed to be a topic of discussion? I still wanted secrecy. So I swiftly went to my sister’s house to hide away from public gaze.
~~
Losshell rushed to me as soon as I walked through the door, grasping my shoulders with her hands. Her face bore an expression of much distress.
“I am returned, Losshell,” I said. “Though I am uncertain if I achieved my task or not. Lady Danel has returned safely through..?”
“You have not heard? You do not know?”
I felt a sudden chill, a questioning of my expectations. Had they not escaped Moria? If not, how would anyone here know?
“They took the Moria path,” I tried explaining. “I could not follow them there alone - it was my hope that the fouler enemies would keep to the Lower Levels. Carnifinde knows the way through the main dwelling levels. She would not have gotten lost.”
“No, no!” My sister let go of me and took a step back. “They passed through Moria,” she said. “They arrived here the eve before yesterday and left last night.”
“So short a stay?” I asked, the chill intensifying as a sense of doom unlooked for flooded me, and I began to tremble. “What has happened, Losshell?”
“Numenstaya was attacked a few weeks ago. Aearlinn was slain, Barahirn trampled, and three of the buildings burned to the ground.”
“Numenstaya?” I was momentarily silenced as the impact of her words struck me. “But…all was fine…”
My sister nodded, face pale and eyes beginning to redden.
“They were supposed to be safe, else you would not have left them?” she said.
I was swaying on my feet. What was this news? I had known there was a grave danger looming, and had followed the Lady to protect her. I had thought I had done my work with diverting the werewolf in Mirkwood, but no. Had I made a deadly error again, like I had in Eregion?
“Sit down sister. I shall bring you some wine. You must rest a while. You must think. This is not Eregion, you have not accidentally driven Carnifinde and Raumoliro into a trap.” Losshell went out to the small kitchen. I heard her pouring wine from an opened bottle. She had already been drinking. “I will tell you what I know, what is spoken of in the Vale. They departed last night, heading on the swiftest trail. All were safe.”
“All were safe?”
She nodded again as I sunk into one of her overstuffed chairs before my legs gave way.
“Carnifinde, Estarfin, Parnard and a young lady from Mirkwood. All were caked in dirt from their subterranean journey, and not a little in need of rest, but they left the Valley in great haste.”
I took up the glass with a deep sigh and drank it in one gulp. How could I have been so wrong?
“Tell me what you know then, I would hear all. Aearlinn dead…? Ai! Killed by my folly.”
“Nay, sister mine, it seems all save Estarfin and Marawendi blame themselves. But it is not so. Aearlinn was slain by a Man.”
I looked up. “Marawendi? Who is that?”
“The young elleth who accompanied them out of the Greenwood.” replied Losshell. “Young Ellith always did like to flock around that skinny Lord Ambassador: I never could understand why, but I think that one is to be apprenticed to Lady Danel, at least that is what Sogadan said to Elwen who told Cachunir. I know not what happened with Parnard’s betrothal. Brasseniel is not with him.”
I nodded. At that moment, what had happened concerning Parnard’s betrothal was low on my list of priorities. It was not that I did not care - on the contrary, I thought highly of him, but he was alive and unhurt.
“Continue, please.” I managed to calm my breathing enough to take up a second glass of the wine. A robust red it was. I drank slowly enough to notice that time.
“It seems a large group of Brigands came out of nowhere. Some set fire to the buildings, pillaging much of the Lady’s fine gems as they went. With only Aearlinn and Barahirn there, they had little resistance.”
I felt nauseous as I pictured the event. Brave though they were, those two youngsters would not have stood a chance against a large group. I should have been there.
“It was good fortune that Belegos was nearby,” my sister said. “I heard that his timely and unexpected arrival and hail of arrows drove the men to flight. He must have slain at least a dozen of them, and his cries of rage were heard as far as Duillond. At least that is what Ciwiel told me.”
“Lord Belegos,” I said, and nodded to myself. He was a most capable ner, and superb with a bow. I silently thanked Oromë that Belegos was there.
“Alas! It was too late for Aearlinn, but Barahirn was taken to the house, and a healer was sent for. Lord Cirdan and Lord Elrond have reports.” She reached out to lay a hand on my arm again. “You were not to know this would happen, sister.”
I was silent, sipping slowly at my wine.
“But what of your oath to Princes Caranthir and Celegorm?”
“I swore to protect Carnifinde. I thought I was doing so, and when I got ahead of them in Mirkwood and led off that werewolf that was attacking a couple of Elves and Men, I thought that was it. I knew no arrows could bring it down, unless directly in the eye or throat, so I led it deeper into the forest. I hoped Carnifinde’s party would be able to travel through. My Oath kept. My task done. But it was the wrong task.”
Losshell sat back in her chair. She watched me coldly for a few moments, trying to weigh what had happened and decide which side to support.
Eventually she said, “You did what you thought best, sister. That sense of danger of yours is not always accurate. None of ‘The Red Order’ were infallible. You are the last of that group. Tell Carnifinde and Estarfin about your promise. They will listen. And sister…take counsel with yourself. Such self accusation is not like you. Rest awhile, clean yourself up, then ride after them, and do your very best to set their home aright? As it is your home, too!”
I actually laughed. A warm and hearty laugh it was, despite the aching sorrow, for rarely did Losshell set me right. Rarely did she set anyone right. My task had only just begun.
