Continued from High on the Mountain
Veryacano studied the eager elf before him for a long while before speaking. ‘‘Spirits you indeed have, young Parnard!” he said, chuckling, and gestured for him to stand.
‘‘Your story is intriguing...but it seems to me that you have troubled yourself in vain,’’ Veryacano said bluntly. ‘‘Men, in their ignorant pride, have long forsaken the counsel of the Eldar... save the descendants of the Numenoréans,’’ he added, raising a finger high. Amid the howling wind and echoes of the mountain, his voice still found its way to the ears of those around him and it sounded clear as crystal. ‘‘Hence, you should have known that, for the greater part, men are beyond salvation.’’ Veryacano concluded, and surveyed the elf’s reaction. Parnard stood motionless before him, a perplexed look in his green eyes, but said nothing.
‘‘Instead of such idle pursuits,” the Hammer Lord continued, “you should look to the coming storm. Our ancient enemy is once again awakened, and war is brewing in the south. Soon, kingdoms of men will be under siege from all sides.’’ Veryacano glanced at the Hammers resting nearby. ‘‘And the land still held by our kind will have its share of the war.’’
What dreadful news - when did this happen? thought Parnard, but did not dare interrupt him.
‘‘Before long, men and the other evil servants of the enemy will strike at us in our homes.’’ He pointed his heavy gauntlet to the east. ‘‘Just beyond these mountains,” he said, his voice growing louder with urgency, “the enemy has been testing the strength of the Golden Wood. Soon, he will seek to overwhelm our kinsmen, and if we stand idle, they will set fire to everything!’’ The Hammer Lord now turned his piercing gaze to Parnard. ‘‘When the time comes, your high spirits and your able arms will be needed there.’’ Veryacano looked at the Hammer troops nearby, and pointing at each in turn, said: ''Yours as well.'' Daegond, Estarfin and Maikanáro all nodded with grim looks.
Veryacano turned back to Parnard. ‘‘I look upon you, and I see that you are a brave soul Parnard. You have somewhat of skill in arms, but it is not enough for me. Do not be downcast! Some are simply unfit to fight for the Hammer: it is not their fate.’’ Veryacano once again lifted his finger up to the stormclouds above, and said, his voice as firm as adamant: ‘‘Your real strength lies in your high spirit, together with your talent in words. But your speech failed upon the dull ears of men because they are worthy of our counsel no longer. Therefore, you should put your skill to use where it is needed most.”
Parnard now looked even more confused at his last words. ‘‘Great lord,” he said eagerly, daring to venture a question, “tell me where this might be, that I may go there at once!”
Veryacano’s eyes gleamed even brighter with a fiery light. ‘‘For a long time now we have wrestled with the enemy over our ancient land of Eregion,’’ he said, and clenched his fist tightly, making the leather lining of his gauntlet squeak in protest. ‘‘We swept the enemy as they came to our very doorstep!” he bellowed. “Soon our might will be most needed by our most beloved lady - Lothlórien is where the enemy will strike hardest at the Eldar! We should all consider it our duty to step up and defend our Lady!’’ The Hammer Lord looked at Parnard, and noticed that he was staring up at him with wide, shining, eyes, his mouth agape. In a softer voice he said, "We must offer this counsel to Lord Anglachelm. I know that...lord...is reluctant to take drastic action at this time. However, if we do not act swiftly, it may be too late!’’ Veryacano said and turned away for a time, pondering.
After a few moment's silence, he suddenly he turned back to Parnard and said: “You wish to be of service? Then you can help me with what I could not do on my own. And I tell you, by this you will be of the greatest service to all our people. You must help me convince Lord Anglachelm; convince him to order all our available forces to Lothlórien to bolster the defenses, so that our Lady may endure the coming storm!"
Continued in Privilage and Duty
