The dawn was overshadowed by sorrow as Telpenaro remembered how the reality was no different from his recent nightmares. He had heard news about Lord Aegnor passing away in Dagor Bragollach, along with Lord Angrod, another one of King Finrod's brothers. And as if it was not enough for hunger of the Enemy, the High King Fingolfin of Noldor had been driven by the madness of his anger, and had died in a duel with Morgoth.
Telpenaro had been in the same battle himself as alongside Finrod and Edrahil, who were charging out of Nargothrond in a great hurry. ”A good guardian never leaves the side of his Lord or Lady, despite any measure of threat and fear”, Edrahil had said, which Telpenaro always agreed on. He indeed tried his best to stay with Finrod, and to his horror he noticed that their way had been cut off by the Orcs, and they were soon out of reach of the rest of their kin.
”We are are surrounded!”, ”We are not enough to hold them back!”, he heard from companions around him. Along with Telpenaro the Elves who were protecting Finrod were persistent and talented in the arts of battle, but in face of despair even they could not deny it. That is until Barahir and his Men set them free. He trusted the House of Bëor since Finrod did, but he could never have guessed that they would show such will for a self sacrifice, just to save his King.
Telpenaro put aside his memory and prepared to get back to work in the throne room, as he did every day, and perhaps his mood made his tea taste bitter. When he arrived there, he saw a few unexpected guests. ”We are seeking for a refuge”, they said. To Telpenaro's eyes they seemed both familiar and strange. It got clearer to him why, when the King named them as his cousins, Celegorm and Curufin, and welcomed them to dwell in Nargothrond.
Shortly after the two Fëanorian brothers, a familiar face came to Telpenaro. ”I barely had the chance to thank you when you left, but now I do have it. Thank you for saving me”, Alcarestel said. He had come from Himlad with the Fëanorion brothers, and he was now following them. Telpenaro now saw a golden ring of marriage on his finger, but did not care or want to talk about it. He nodded slowly, and smiled.
Shortly after Telpenaro along with a few other Elves were called in the throne room of Finrod. They were being rewarded for taking a stand with their King in Dagor Bragollach. Finrod had a box of jewellery in his had, and he would give them to the Elves one by one. ”As you may know, I gave my ring to Barahir, as a sign of alliance and gratitude. Neither I will not forget your efforts and let them stay unrewarded”, he said to all. To Telpenaro he gave a silver pendant which is like a sheath for a secret sword that it holds inside, and the sword had small symbols of Finarfin and Finrod on it's blade.
Time passed, and Celegorm and Curufin had started to gain power within Nargothrond. Alcarestel was one of the Elves that were their supporters. ”Back in the days I would have envied you, Telpenaro. But believe when I say: I see now that your King is too soft and too trusting. You will see that once the Fëanorions have taken a hold of this place, you will be glad to serve them”, he told. Telpenaro said naught, but his mind had not changed. He felt more at home with the House of Finarfin than the House of Fëanor.
Once a Man in worn clothes came in front of the King and Telpenaro wondered who he was. When he found out that it was the son of Barahir called Beren, he understood. They went to talk in private, and he thought nothing special about it until Finrod announced that he would go to the quest for Silmaril with him. After Celegorm had repeated the echo of Fëanor's Oath and Finrod had casted his silver crown on the floor, Telpenaro was struck by amazement, wondering what he could possibly do to help his King, which he had never seen in such a mood.
Then he saw the loyal warriors of Finrod gathering next to him, Telpenaro would have also gone there at once, but he felt a strong grip on his arm. ”Son, I do not feel right about this. You have already stood by his side once and stayed alive”, Erendo said. ”Now they are walking to the darkness for the sake of this Man, and I do not know if any of them return.” Telpenaro hesitated and was ready to go again, but he heard the voice of his mother behind him. ”Telpe, please...”, Gillaswen begged. ”You already have done your part to protect the King. Please let him go.”
And so it happened that Telpenaro stayed still with a saddened face as he watched Edrahil raising the crown of Finrod. ”O king, to leave this town is our fate, but not to lose thy rightful lordship. Thou shalt choose one to be steward in thy stead.”, he said. Finrod chose Orodreth as the steward, and Telpenaro watched their backs disappearing through the arches of the hall. Ten was the number of the warriors, and Edrahil was one of them, yet Telpenaro was not. The rest of the day Telpenaro would not talk to anyone for being disappointed with himself, and yet he knew that he would still serve Orodreth as long as he was needed.
In the following days strange events occurred. A maiden came in Nargothrond. She was Lúthien, and to Telpenaro she seemed as beautiful as her reputation had told, and yet she was troubled about something – as others feasted, she wept. But he did not want to disturb her, as Celegorm seemed to already look after her. While thinking of maidens his thoughts turned to Celuwen, wondering where she was, since she had not come with Alcarestel.
Some time after the news came to Nargothrond that Lúthien who had escaped Nargothrond had helped Beren to escape Tol-in-Gaurhoth where he was held by Sauron, though Finrod and all the rest of his companions had met their ends, and that the ploy for coup by Celegorm and Curufin was the reason why the help came too late for them. Death was demanded for the Fëanorions, and yet Orodreth would rather banish them from Nargothrond.
Telpenaro realized that his parents were right, and yet he blamed himself of not going with Finrod. ”If I understand the news right, it was a struggle full of spells. None of his guards were as powerful in such arts as the King himself. I don't think that it would have made much difference if you joined their force or not, because swords and spears were of little help there. I am just happy that you are still here”, Gillaswen told him and touched his face and tresses as she saw that he was trying to get in terms with the loss.
What became of Alcarestel or Celuwen was not well known. Celegorm and Curufin went alone upon being expelled, and after a short time so did Alcarestel, but no one seemed to know where.
