The next day I came to see the Lieutenant, who was recovered from his wound, and he shared gladsome news. The filthy Orc were finally beaten back and scattered into the woods, for now; no doubt, they would gather their strength again, and assail the fortress. Our losses were great, but not as great as I imagined. He talked to me at length, and said that I was free to go as I wished, and free to go into any company indifferently; he said that he had said so before, many-a-time, to his sister Rodelleth, and he had always felt so, for he did not want to have any one about him who did not wish to stay, and thought my temper was not fit for soldiering. So that is why he tried to exercise little restraint or control over me, and shielded me from his domineering sister, who believes locking folk up in a dank, gloomy tower would somehow wrought a great change of mind, and turn me into a perfect soldier! I was very glad to go, and immediately arose, and said I would be leaving as soon as Swan-Hoof was saddled. I begged for a paper with his seal on it, so that others may see that I was given permission to go, and not worry me with accusations of deceits and plots, and destroying property, and abandoning my post, and horse-thievery, when I had only borrowed of it.
But Soldier-Page, said he with a smile, I would fain know how you fared; and he thought I should not wander at will through the Greenwood, and did try to persuade me to ride swiftly to Ost Galadh, while the orcs were retreated. I said I was more beholden to him than any one in the world, and I wished to repay him one day; but now I wanted nothing but my freedom; I have always wanted it, and I would be riding east to see what lay outside the borders of the wood. There can be no good in venturing in that wilderness, Parnard, said the Lieutenant; I tell you the land is otherwise from the narrow borders of this wood, and I wish with all my heart, you would reconsider your plans. He asked that I seek out the Commander Rodelleth for advice. But it was not long since I had been released from Nothgar Tower, and I wanted to leave Thangúlhad at once, and did not care to listen to what she had to say, which I thought would be contrary to what I wished to hear.
Well, my lord, I replied to the Lieutenant, methinks you are not safe in this place which lies under terror of death; there is more danger here than many places in the wood. I have been a prisoner of darkness and fear, and I had rather do any thing in the world than be its prisoner again.
Grant that you may find safe havens, Parnard. Those were the last words the Lieutenant Handelen spoke to me before I left Thangúlhad, and headed to the East, not knowing whither I went, nor what sort of country it was, for this land was unknown to my people, described by the faintest of markings on my map.
