The faint flickers of the dying firelight flashed from the edge of his polished silver shield, drawing the eye of Estarfin and bringing his focus back to the present. Moving his gaze from the shield to the small fire and blinking the images of the past from his grey eyes, he ran a gauntleted hand through his black hair and let out a quiet yawn and looked around. The snow that covered the slope he was sat upon that was brilliant white under the morning sun was now a dark grey under moonlight. Moving his gaze across the vista, he watched the ridgeline in front of him; dark pine trees swayed slightly in the chill wind, although from this distance he could not hear the rustle of the frozen needles. The small fire was still burning, flames dancing upon the glowing red embers. Surrounding the fire in a ring was an assortment of items: weapons, travelling packs, animal hides and a cooking pot. Pulling a black wolf-skin from the pile of hides and wrapping it about his shoulders, Estarfin looked over to his companion, his face covered in his usual green hooded-cloak.
"This is a thankless task" Estarfin said, as he hauled himself to his feet, arching his back and stretching his legs. "I do not see why Ancalasse would charge us to watch this pass, rather than to eradicate that goblin camp once and for all."
"We have our orders Estarfin" said Belegos with a slight shrug. "The sergeant will have his reasons."
"Humph" snorted Estarfin, seemingly unsurprised with the response. He pulled his wolf-skin around his shoulders, trying to keep the biting wind out. "If they wanted passes watching, they should have sent the warriors of the Fountain." Estarfin sneered.
Belegos shook his head slightly, both frustrated and amused at his companion's dour mood. "Do not vent your frustration on our worthy brothers Estarfin, you know that the Fountain live up to their noble heritage."
Estarfin opened his mouth to speak again, but closed it quickly, clearly having second thoughts. Kicking the heel of his padded boots into the crisp snow, Estarfin raised his eyes to the peaks of the Misty Mountains and looked irritated. "I assumed the purpose of the Hammer was to strike, not to be held in defence. Foul goblins, wargs and treacherous men infest these peaks, so close to Imladris, and yet we watch and do not act?"
Belegos sighed and lowered his hood, his noble face betraying hints of frustration at being drawn into the same conversation yet again. "Do you think that I wish to remain here in these frozen heights, watching and waiting? I do not Estarfin, and please do not think that you are the only one who feels this way. But we have our orders, and we must trust that Lord Veryacano will reveal our purpose in being here in time. Dawn will come soon, and we will be relieved by our brothers and can return to camp."
"Do not mistake my frustration at inaction with a desire to return to Imladris" Estarfin said, his eyes flashing with reflected light from the fire. "Yes, this is a miserable place, but there is a purpose to being here. But I do not understand why we are not fulfilling it. Daegond and I scouted the goblin camp by Ancalasse's word. We know where it is, we know their strength. Why do we not march to destroy it? Why do we sit here and do nothing, waiting for them to come to us?"
Belegos looked at his friend as he paced back and forth, unable to keep still. "Sit down Estarfin," said Belegos. "We have been commanded to keep watch upon this pass carefully, not to pace back and forth like a scolded child. I have already disobeyed the sergeant once and built this fire to silence your grumblings about the cold, at least repay that kindness by watching the pass." Belegos spoke the last words slowly, laying additional emphasis upon them.
Estarfin halted his pacing, his fierce eyes fixed upon Belegos. "Scolded child?" Estarfin hissed, "Scolded child?"
"You heard me" Belegos said, his eyes never leaving Estarfin's. "You are a member of the Order of Hammer of Bar-En-Vanimar, and you should act as such. Do not be angry with me for reminding you of your obligations. Sit down and cool your temper, brother."
With that Belegos looked away, gazing down the slope towards the pass, the light of the moon illuminating the snow and throwing into relief the outlines of rocks and trees, but no goblins or wargs. Estarfin's hand rested upon his belt, his gauntleted fingers upon the hilt of his thin dagger, his eyes boring into the back of Belegos. He froze that way for a moment, before closing his eyes and taking a deep breath. Opening them again he sat upon the ground and held his head in his hands. Underneath his cloak, Belegos released the handle of the blade he had been holding and let out a deep breath as well. They both stared into the night in silence, allowing tempers to cool and rational thought to take control once again.
"As usual you are right brother" said Estarfin after several minutes of silence. "You are wiser than I, despite appearances." Belegos smiled at the friendly barb, glad that Estarfin was seeing sense again.
"It is difficult, but we must remain patient. I am sure you will soon be gifted with all of the blood that even you could care to spill." At this Estarfin laughed, although his eyes remained cold and unsmiling. "Just ensure that your anger is targeted at your foes, not your friends. I hope that you have learnt that lesson by now."
Estarfin flinched at the careless words, his hand grasped for the medallion that he wore around his neck. It was a gift from the Lord Anglachelm that he had received upon reciting the Oath of Vanimar and submitting to the will of the Swan Lord. The medallion had once been elegant, but now it was black and burnt, and the eyes glowed red. One of the last remains from a burnt haven, given to remind Estarfin that some things could never be forgiven. The words of Belegos had caught Estarfin at unawares; he had never thought that his friend would remind him of such black deeds in so callous a way. "Do not worry Belegos, I have always seen the line between friends and enemies." With that Estarfin stood again, pulling the wolf-skin tight around him. He grabbed his shield and slung it upon his back, then picked up his cruel spear.
"What are you doing Estarfin?" asked Belegos, uncertainty written across his face.
"I am going to watch the pass brother" Estarfin said, turning his back on Belegos and taking a few paces down the hill.
"Estarfin, wait! Ancalasse told us to..."
"You wait here then!" Interrupted Estarfin. "Wait and hide here, whilst our enemy is out there." Estarfin spat into the snow. "It is just a shame that there is no great wall, or seven gates for you to hide behind as well. I hear you were good at that." Taking satisfaction in the pained and angry look that appeared on the face of Belegos, Estarfin turned and marched down the slope. There was fury in his heart, and he would see blood tonight.
Belegos watched Estarfin stalk down the slope, torn with emotions. His eyes flicked down to the great bow that rested unstrung before him, and to the long sword of Gondolin that was wrapped in leather next to where he sat. Before Estarfin reached the pass far ahead, Belegos reached his decision.
Continued in http://laurelinarchives.org/node/12148
