This evening, as we crept through the woods of the Horse-men, we found a cache of supplies, abandoned we think, or stolen from a village, more likely. We stole it back, and decided to keep the goods ourselves, for safe-keeping. Inside we discovered dried beef, and cheeses, all unspoiled, and in another crate, many bottles of wine, young and harsh red. We were mighty glad of this treat, and it was a stroke of good luck to get it; for we had near run out of supplies, and we had not had any wine for many days - none since I left the Valley.
We got a fire started and a few bottles uncorked, and passed them around, listening to the sounds of twilight, each one of us keeping his own thoughts, but not for very long. Lord Estarfin suddenly announced in his strange manner, She is following us. I did not know whom he meant, and guessed that he must be speaking of the Lady Danel, but he corrected me, and told me he was speaking of Nirhen. Truth be told, I felt lighter of heart since she was gone, and it gave me peace of mind to avoid thinking about her, but Lord Estarfin apparently missed her presence.
Nirhen will be put to trial, said Lord Veryacano, when we return to the Valley, for her offences; and no appeal from Lord Estarfin softened his heart towards her. Laurelindo did not mince words, and after a secret murmuring to himself, told us that he preferred her company over the ‘false kindnesses’ of others in the company! He said that none of us spoke out against her, not until she lost her lordships’ favor, and was commanded to return to the Valley. This surprised everyone to hear, including myself, coming from our kindly, soft-spoken healer, but then Laurelindo turned to me, and said that I was not false, for I never hid my low opinion of Nirhen from anyone.
That is because I perceived her nature clearly, after having personal dealings with her, of which Laurelindo knows nothing. There were a number of incidents that happened, not only during this journey, but when I traveled through the Hithaeglir with Lord Veryacano’s men, which revealed her true character to me.
I remember that time when we ventured into the caves of the goblins. In that dark, noisome place, Nirhen spoke to her comrades, not in my language, but hers, so that I would be reminded of my ignorance. When she would deign to speak in my tongue, it was only to mock me, and tell me how I was too weak, too unskilled with a blade to help. And then she scraped me with her nails, and tripped me, laughing as I fell on my face! I remember that time very well, and how I did not speak out against her. I often regretted it. I should have said something; but I did not. I did not think Lord Veryacano would believe me.
Methinks she has ruined his trust utterly, and it is well known unto the lords of Vanimar, that Nirhen is full of cunning wickedness, and now he refuses to listen to any good words spoken on her behalf, not that I had any to speak, but the Lord Estarfin seemed mightily annoyed that Lord Veryacano sent her away. I was sorry to see him distressed, when all Nirhen had to do was apologize to Lord Veryacano, and tell him she would not disobey his orders. At least, that is what Lord Veryacano said she should have done, but it is my experience that when one loses the trust of his officers, he finds it very hard to regain. Perhaps Nirhen knew this, and it was not pride that prevented her from bowing and scraping before her lord, but her wisdom, overspread by malice as it is.
Lord Veryacano said that his judgment must answer for her ill deeds, and he hoped to appease the mind of the party by telling us she was cruel, and recalcitrant; but Lord Estarfin, being of an unquiet spirit, and under the effects of raw table wine, broke out into a bitter complaint to his lord for sending her away, and said that Lord Veryacano did not consider the whole interest of the group. Then he called him prideful! And Laurelindo seeming to fancy himself a judge of all of us, and Lord Tindir being altogether too quiet as he sipped his wine, because he follows Lord Veryacano’s humour, and would not brand his friend with aspersions like all the rest, and I trying to pick up the pieces, and calm raw tempers (as I am used to doing among these Noldor) by agreeing with everyone but agreeing to nothing, the mood of Lord Veryacano quickly soured. Finding the party set on making reviling speeches against his judgment, this great and worthy judge drew himself up, and forbid any more discussion on the matter, and that was the end of our wine tasting.
