Parnard

“Mmm, I see,” said Parnard, nodding. “That this rankled in your breast so, all this time: you should have told me sooner.” 

The words stunned Estarfin into a temporary silence. Even after the passage of years, Parnard still did not understand him, did not understand how deep of a wound his failure in the mountains had caused him.

And the mood shifted yet again, as I watched the stars, and them. Estarfin was pointing to constellations and giving the name for them we Noldor used. Parnard was responding with the names from the Greenwood. They spoke as friends discussing a shared joy.

Joy? My heart was happy to witness such. May it be we all grow closer. May the Star-Kindler show us the way.

I went to replenish the wine, with a lesser sort alas. But it would still make for a mellow mood. 

And as I returned I thought they had been...disagreeing? There was a feeling in the air, of tempers barley controlled? 

And as I watched them it came to me that Parnard, though annoyed, was doing his best to speak kindly. And Estarfin....he was controlling his short temper. I could have embraced them both. But then the stars were in the sky, and as usual, Estarfin turned to view their beauty. Parnard and I joined him. 

It started off most pleasantly. Esterfin had rode at dawn to the coast, so great was his wish to see the Sea again. He returned around midday, with some ham and cheeses from the market, and an exceptionally good bottle of wine. It was one of those rare bottles that could put the best Dorwinnion to shame. Proud was he to share it with Parnard and I. 

"I would hear your tale, if and when you wish to speak of it." I said to Parnard. And he told me he was fine. Then he told me the rest, and still I though thankfully he was mostly fine. Aye, there was a small matter that concerned him and I, but I tried to install hope. The way things were at the moment, I doubted he would have years of waiting ahead. 

And in the end, I told him a little of what was on my heart. I am not sure he could take it in. 

And I found him. Standing, looking over the waters was he, with a rare expression upon his face. He turned as he heard my approach, smiling cheerfully as he gave greeting. But I knew Parnard well enough to see a hint of shadow in his eyes.

We sat by the waters, and spoke a few pleasantries before opening up more, each to the other. of what had transpired in recent years. 

It was with a sense of much relief that I awoke early, and took a short walk around the gardens, and down to the small lake. There was no sign of Estarfin, and I had no intent to awaken him from any restful slumber he could manage. Neither was Parnard there at all. He had sunken to the floor in a merry enough mood the night before, and resisted our attempts to move him. 

We dismounted, leaving our horses in the care of a stable master I did not recognise. He told me Master Lelyar and (my steward) had appointed him a little over two years past, and that he was proud to serve. Lelyar and his wife, it seemed, had gone into Mithlond for supplies and were not expected back for a week or two. But there was food in the pantry and wine in the cellar, 

I would make time to know all servants of my House, but Estarfin and I needed a little  rest and refreshment first, I felt.