The Hall of Fire was still and empty. The large fireplaces, burning with its usual comforting flames, lit the hall with its soft glow. Not a single elf stirred. Except one.
Faorie sat alone beside one of the fires, fixing her ardent stare at the burning logs in deep thought. The memory of Thendryt near Delossad was not as strong as it was the night before, though the image was still clear in her mind. The forest dark and pouring with rain, the perceived hatred in Thendryt's eyes... it was all rather heavy to bear. If only there was someone else who could have seen what Faorie witnessed; maybe then she would not feel so -
“I thought you had left the vale,” spoke a familiar voice from behind, pulling Faorie back from her thoughts. She lifted her chin and glanced over her shoulder to see Nelnardis standing only a meter away. She looked down upon Faorie curiously. “Did Thendryt return?”
Faorie and Nelnardis in the Hall of Fire
“Ah, Nelnardis,” Faorie said, smiling faintly. “I hadn't realised you had come.”
Nelnardis nodded politely and sat herself on a small bench beside her friend.
“How do you fair, my friend?” Faorie asked in a kind voice.
Nelnardis looked at her knowing that she had yet to answer. “I am well, what of yourself?”
“I am well,” Faorie responded quietly. “Simply...” she paused, “Simply in thought is all.”
“Faorie?” Nelnardis sat herself straight. “You did not answer my question.” There was a brief silence between the two, though it did not hold Nelnardis back from asking again. “Did Thendryt return?” She shifted her eyes about the hall. “Or did you come back on your own?”
Faorie, furrowing her brow, turned her attention back to the fireplace. “I alone returned to the vale,” she said, stating every syllable as clearly as she could. She stared forward intently, holding one hand over the other upon her lap.
Nelnardis noted the internal struggle Faorie was experiencing in that moment. She did not speak. Instead, she watched her, waiting to listen to the next words she may share.
The next words spoken were low and said in a way that seemed directed at herself more so than to her company. “I had not even reached the lands of Eregion before losing sight of Thendryt.” Faorie tightened her grip over her hand. “I don't understand, I was so careful. I -” Realising what she was beginning to say aloud, she stopped herself and immediately went silent. Her gaze lowered from the fires to the floor.
“It is all right,” Nelnardis said in a gentle yet knowing tone, “I am sure you did your best. Thendryt did not want company. Perhaps he was being just as careful as you were. In any case, I saw the heavy rain. Difficult conditions in which to spy.”
This did not change Faorie's downwards glare. Her face expressed anger, but even from the side her eyes showed hints of disappointment which did not escape Nelnardis' watch. She then turned her head to the side, away from Nelnardis, and whispered, “What is he hiding?”
Nelnardis stared at Faorie. “If he is true to Lord Elrond and the Warband, he will tell Lady Elisbeth, and perhaps Khalis as well.”
“But I wonder why he has said nothing yet.” Faorie then turned to Nelnardis suddenly. “Nelnardis, I have asked him time and time again – what is it that he hides so dearly? Is it a threat? Should there be any concern whatsoever or is it all in my mind?” Her face shifted from anger to one of a mild desperation and her voice softened to match her expression. “He never answers. He avoids every question, as if evading blades. I do not understand.”
“Has he been questioned by Lady Elisbeth or Captain Khalis?”
Faorie leaned forward, placing her elbow on her leg and lifting her hand to rub her temples. Shaking her head once, she responded, “No, not at all. Though I believe they are realising, even if just a bit, that there is something beyond what we see.”
“Perhaps if, instead of you, they were to ask him directly he would answer.”
Faorie shook her head again in disagreement. “I don't believe he will. I have seen him recently...” She lifted her chin, gazing forward as if recalling a memory. “His eyes... they were dark – as if tainted.”
Nelnardis did not like the sound of that. She leaned forward and spoke calmly, “Faorie, I think they are the ones who would be able to sort out this matter. If he will not answer you...” She did not finish her sentence, for the rest was clear.
Faorie slowly lowered her gaze back to Nelnardis. “What do you think of all this, Nelnardis?” Her eyes proved a genuine curiosity. It had not even been considered what others were thinking of the entire situation.
It did not take Nelnardis long to answer, for she had already gathered her thoughts on the matter long before asked. “I have only met with him a few times. When I first saw him he had been absent from Imladris for the last few years. His face, and even perhaps his body, is covered in scars. I'm convinced that he has been through much struggle in his lifetime.” She continued to watch Faorie, who watched her in return. “It is clear he has many tales of his numerous adventures, though he shares none of them.” It was Nelnardis' next words that caused Faorie to feel one of the greatest conflicts in her heart, a sort that she hadn't experienced in a long time. “Any man not eager to share his tales must be very wounded within.”
Widening her eyes, Faorie lifted her stare from Nelnardis.
“Maybe he can trust an extremely limited few, but there surely must be someone he confides in.”
Faorie lowered her head, her gaze slowly following. Conflict was clearly seen on her face. “Nelnardis...” she whispered, “You may be right.” Clenching her fists, she continued, “I don't understand why I had not thought of it in that sense before.”
“But if I am right, then I am unsure of what can be done.”
“Shall I leave him be for now?” Faorie turned quickly to look into Nelnardis' eyes. “Shall I dismiss all questions from my mind?”
“If he cannot trust his fellow maethor, then who does he trust – and more importantly, how can we trust a man so secretive?”
“It is all so difficult.”
“I think perhaps the only way would be to speak to the Lady of your concerns.”
Faorie shook her head.
“Why do you hesitate, Faorie?”
“I have tried a few times...” she paused, “Yes... yes, a few times to speak to Khalis of the matter before speaking of my concern with Lady Elisbeth. He had shown trust in him, excusing my worries by emphasising his appreciation for Thendryt's skills in battle and presumed loyalty to the Warband.” Inhaling deeply, she continued, “I understand Khalis in this. Thendryt is an incredible warrior, for I have fought against him once in the past. Mutually consented, mind you. When on duty, I have seen his intent on protecting our home and its people. I understand that, truly I do – but there is much more. I fear that I may be the only one who sees it.” Pausing briefly, Faorie lowered her voice to nearly a whisper. “Or perhaps, even worse, I may be the only one who sees something that is not there.” Faorie then took her face into her palms, rushed her hands through her hair and linked them together behind her neck. She was clearly in stress.
“No, you definitely have a point, Faorie. He is very secretive and it's strange that he did not want company on his journey.” Nelnardis placed her hand on the bench and leaned in closer to Faorie. “Perhaps the others overlook the situation because they have known him far longer than we have. And as you say, he is a skilled warrior.” She distanced herself back to her usual seating. “Or so I've heard.”
“I don't know when he will be returning,” Faorie said simply. “But when he does, and I see him again, what do you suggest I do? Speak to him as if nothing has been burdening me? Do I see him and not think to my usual worries? I don't want to be wrong, Nelnardis.” She exhaled quickly, as if momentarily exhausted. “But I don't want to be right either.”
Understanding, Nelnardis nodded. “Try to question him again, but try not to stir him to anger.”
“Is that possible?”
A silence followed Faorie's question, but it did not last long. Nelnardis grinned, and scoffed a laugh. Faorie turned to her and smiled slightly.
“You can always try. In any case, persuading Elisbeth or Khalis that something is definitely wrong would be a good idea.”
“I will wait for his return then. If I am to do so, I would want him somewhere open to find should his audience be needed.” Faorie moved her body a bit to better face Nelnardis. “Also, Nelnardis, if you are to see something different from me next you meet with him...” Faorie's voice began to struggle in keeping her voice from lowering to silence, “Share you experience with me. I don't like going about this on my own. I need someone to tell me that I am not being unreasonable or unfair to an ally. Between being right and being wrong, I truly, truly hope that I am very wrong.”
The two sat in silence for a long moment. The sound of flames flicking upwards and the logs crackling from the heat were the only audible noises filling the hall. There was an incredible amount to consider now, for if Thendryt was to hold great sorrows he would have to be assured that his place in the family of warriors was not to be taken as a nuisance, for he was greatly cared for not just as a defender, but as a friend.
However, with the relationship between Faorie and Thendryt straining, such an idea would be difficult to see. Had it all been that Thendryt was struggling on his own with regret and frustrations in his heart, Faorie would owe him an immense compensation for all the bother and suspicion she had placed upon him. And the shame she would carry on her shoulders for ever thinking Thendryt a possible threat...
Standing up, Faorie turned herself to Nelnardis and smiled faintly. “I should go. I've spent enough time thinking over this.” She adjusted her cloak behind her and began to bow her head. “I hope my concerns have not taken too much of your time, Nelnardis.”
Faorie thanks Nelnardis shortly before departing from the hall.
Nelnardis looked up. “Faorie, you are doing the right thing. It is far better to see concerns where they may be rather than to wave them by and let events worsen.”
“You are right,” Faorie said gently.
“If I talk to Thendryt, I shall let you know, of course.” Nelnardis stood herself up and reached for Faorie, pulling her into a friendly embrace.
“Thank you, I don't know when he should be returning to the valley, but hopefully he will be in a better stare of mind than he was when he initially left.”
Nodding, Nelnardis released Faorie and held her by the arms. “Have a good evening, Faorie.” Smiling, she added, “Perhaps a walk in Imlad Gelair will do your mind some good.”
“I'm sure it will,” Faorie said, smiling in return. “Navaer Nelnardis.” Faorie stepped to the side and walked past Nelnardis to leave; but after a few steps, she halted, turned back to face her friend, and said in a somewhat humourous tone, “Oh, Nelnardis?”
“Yes?”
“I think it is your turn to patrol the Western Trollshaws.” Faorie grinned.
Nelnardis smiled, a bit thrown off from the strange notice.
Faorie gestured a final farewell and walked out of the Hall of Fire. She never did go take a walk in Imlad Gelair.
