Danel

The festival has ended and we three must make ready for our journey to Mirkwood. We shall stop a short time at Imladris however, to take stock of what we need in crossing the Hithaeglir this time of year. Our purpose after that is to see Parnard reaches his home, and if at all possible, she to whom he would be betrothed. 

I remember...

Home, before the Dagor Bragolach, before the fire and the dragon and the armies of orcs. Before retreat, unthinkable until then, before riding to whatever sanctuary could be found in the lands of Ambarussa. Before so very many were lost.

And then, the day before the last of the festival, out of the morning mists walked Belegos. 

"Just a fleeting visit," he told them "And to remind you I have my eye on you. Both eyes when I can."

He was warmly greeted, and asked how he was, and how his mission progressed. There was ever hope he would be free to spend some time at Numenstaya, but his three friends understood. 

"Someone has to save Middle Earth," he said to them, with a grin, knowing all of them did their part when needed. 

“You doubt his love for you?” Parnard asked of me.

“No Parnard, I do not,” I replied without even thinking. Why should I doubt that? Estarfin merely said he wanted an apprentice. Am I wrong in not welcoming Ruineth?

Seating himself more comfortably on the grass, my wood-elf friend took up his flagon of wine, and had a few sips. “With all the talk of bringing that maiden here?”

I shook my head. “If he loved her, he would be with her. Not planning betrothal with me. I do not doubt him.”

"Who took you?" Danel asked.

 "Was some of Lotho's men." Guy replied.

"That accursed name again," 

 Estarfin, rushing up breathlessly, seemed not to recognize his friends at first, then lowered his sword. 

"You must break the lock," Parnard told him, pointing downward at it.

It had been a very rainy day. I minded not at all, for I had my work cut out for me. I had shut myself away in the small room I used as my workspace, and finished the second ring first. 

Fortified wine seems to do the trick. 

Filignil hands out warm blankets to the cold neri, and passes round a bottle of the best fortified wine. She warns them to sip it, but both Estarfin and Parnard down it in one. After that the Housekeeper relaxes with her feet on the table, and watches as the drinking continues. Eventually Parnard has had enough, and curls up on the floor to sleep. Filignil excuses herself and retires. 

After the meal, the four elves take a short swim in the lake under the stars. Estarfin takes some persuading, and when he does get in the lake he mostly shivers. Parnard swims off like a fish, and Filignil proves she can sleep while while floating on her back. Danel's main concern is how to warm up a freezing Estarfin again.