Elloen had a bandage in his hand, and he was rolling it on the arm of yet another wounded malledhrim soldier. The air about him was foul, and there was little comfort in this place, at the camp of the shore at western Mirkwood. He heard the soldier thanking him and he smiled briefly as an answer. Danel had earlier negotiated that they could stay here if they helped the wounded soldiers and Elloen had agreed to do it, along with keeping an eye over Estarfin. Promise was a promise.
He took a pause as Estarfin and Belegos were asleep, and he went over to the dark stream. The light of Lórien shone faintly across – not long ago he was there, on the other side which was fair, fishing while waiting for Estarfin to get better. The stream was beautiful, and the fish was fresh and healthy, but of Mirkwood fish he wouldn't know, and he didn't take the fishing rod with him anyway.
He offered some of the fish with fresh bread to Parnard back in Galadriel's garden, and he was amused at how fast he took it and ate it all. At least that's what he seemed to have in common with the Noldor to Elloen – he does not hesitate to express what he likes or does not like. Danel joined them shortly after to enjoy the meal as well. Of Estarfin there was some good news, which Elloen was glad to hear.
Danel was saying something about her plans in the area: that she wanted to retrieve a sword from his father from Dol Guldur. Elloen was interested for the matter, because his own cause to continue was not much different to hers, though his treasure had already been found. It was the brooch of his father Fearáto from the First Age. That brooch was now meant to be sent with Telpenaro to Rivendell, for lord Anglachelm to weight whether he was worth to display such valuable brooch of a warrior. For this gesture Elloen was willing to take a test and continue along with Danel and rest of her companions. The brooch was already his by heritage, but like his father, he wanted to earn the right to wear it.
Meanwhile Estarfin joined them, eating an apple which clearly was a good sign. Elloen gave him his food basket of fish and bread, along with lembas and some cream to have Estarfin's stomach filled all the better. The discussion about the sword and the brooch went on, and Elloen got laughed at for his means, since the other present elven lords thought it as a joke. He was disappointed of the reaction, though he didn't show it.
But Danel remained serious, as if she understood Elloen's state of mind, for which he was grateful. He had rather learned to appreciate her presence, noticing that she had a lot of the same qualities and nature as him. But it was made clear to others at last that it was not a joke. He was rather confused but glad when Estarfin laid his hand on his shoulder. For Elloen it was quite a change from the beginning of the journey.
Belegos joined them, and Elloen wondered about him. He had been absent for a lot of times. Perhaps wandering was in his nature and he couldn't stay still for a long time because of it. Soon after Belegos' arrival the company was to depart again, and they picked their weapons and dressed themselves with more lasting clothes. At a glance Elloen saw a silver hair appearing to the gate of the garden again, and he knew that it was a sign that Telpenaro would be also leaving to Imladris.
Feamiril and Linnen had offered to stock the company with some lasting foods, and after telling them Estarfin and Danel made clear that they wanted to pay for it. After they would not take ”no” as an answer, Elloen agreed to deliver adamants as a payment to his uncle and aunt. The food was no doubt plentiful, and it should be enough for several days. Of course, it would be such as long as the company had enough patience to save it over time.
Though something made Elloen wonder. Where was Rainith? No one seemed to have paid heed to her absence. But perhaps it was a sign that they didn't worry over her, and that she was fine, and it would be explained to him eventually why she did not continue with them.
