“No, I must say, they did not seem at all impressed, but seemed very careless about the subject, and even disposed to joke –“ Sogadan said.
“These Noldor,” interrupted Parnard, “never will have sufficient ability to appreciate their Ambassador, whatever he does, or may wish to do; and he will merely receive grief for his attempts.”
This excited the warmest sympathy from Sogadan, who patted him on the hand and said, “Well I am glad you are back, and thought I had lost my best customer; I know not where to look for another. And I am happy to say, that he did not change his feeling towards me, since he became Ambassador. Whoever receives a grant of power, becomes more or less different, and, of course, less friendly to a simple vintner such as myself.“
“No, no, no,” said Parnard, “there is no more society for me here; do you think that becoming Ambassador has changed anyone’s opinion about me? Of course not! I am not so proud, nor as foolish, to suppose that this position would matter much. Oh, some are civil towards me, at first. But once certain talk is repeated – you must have heard how they spoke of me last night?” Parnard sniffed, his voice adopting a pettish tone. “And that wretch Telpenaro – why, he could not even remember my name – and all the praise that Laurelindo received – well! Who was it that assisted him, when Lord Anglachelm was near death, on the shores of the Anduin? Hmm?”
Sogadan gave Parnard a blank look. To hear complaints too well founded, from all appearances, and to have no consolation to offer, save of the kind corked in a bottle, was a very hard situation for him. So it was that he merely shrugged and refilled Parnard’s wine glass.
“Why, it was myself, Sogadan! – thank you. Oh, do not misunderstand me: I admire Laurelindo in many ways – but I feel that we are too far apart in our view of physic, and therefore cannot reach any understanding, when it comes to practical medicine. You know me, friend Sogadan! I do not like to contradict anyone, because it is quite disagreeable, and yet –“ Parnard lowered his voice to a conspiratorial whisper.
“Yes?” Sogadan said, intimately familiar to the ways of gossip, and recognizing that some particularly juicy bit was about to be divulged, sat up straighter on his hard-backed chair.
“Oh, ‘tis all the same to me, I assure you, Sogadan! I knew what should have been done, then, and many-a-time before, and since. But it was just as if my opinion did not matter – not one bit! Did you know that, when we were transporting Lord Anglachelm in that rudest of conveyances – a ramshackle cart thrown hastily together, because he could not ride – that I said, Halt! Let us not go down that path, as it led to the foulest of mires – but did anyone heed my warning? Of course not, Sogadan! I thought that, being very familiar with the roads in that part of the Greenwood, so that I could follow them, blindfolded, with one leg tied behind my back, surely, someone would listen to me - but no! We continued down that track – the road getting more and more soggy, and I feared the wheels of the cart would become stuck in the mud. Quite a pretty procession it was! Ha! I knew not what to do, but to protest louder, as we followed Lord Veryacano, who, as is his wont, disregarded anything I had to say, and then I saw that he was determined to ignore me. After all, he has not forgotten the map incidents – which I told you about, and how they were complete accidents! And I must have mentioned how he was prone to losing his temper with me, even during better occasions? – but nothing, nothing but my devotion to Lord Anglachelm made me hazard one word of advice. And what did I get in return? Triple helpings of scorn!”
“I look upon you as a friend, Parnard, and we shall never quarrel if you never give me any advice,” Sogadan replied.
“That is mighty gracious of you, dear Sogadan, mighty gracious and good of you to say!” declared Parnard. “I say, the time has flown past, and it is almost morning. Well, I am sorry to say it, but I sense that I shall be blamed for anything that goes wrong, and my detractors will turn everything to my disadvantage, and exaggerate every error, however minor. What Lord Anglachelm thinks of my service, I know not.” Parnard sighed and shook his head, quite crestfallen.
“Why do you not ask him?” suggested Sogadan.
“Ask him! Ask him! Whatever would I want to do that for, and hear the humiliating truth!” cried Parnard. “Oh what can I do? What should I think? Whither shall I fly? Where shall I hide myself? I foresee much misery in my future, that I am unable to serve Lord Anglachelm, and not be assumed a villain.” Parnard drew his sleeve across his eyes, which were very inflamed now from wine and depth of feeling. “It grieves me to the core, just how little these folks know me. They think they know - but they are wrong! The only one that shows me any respect is Lord Estarfin –“
“He does?” cried Sogadan in amazement. “Why, I thought that you hated him -“
“I must seek him out, and ask for his help!” Parnard burst out. “Surely, he can think of some way for me to be of use to Lord Anglachelm – or at least, some deed or task that I can do which will make the House less scornful of me. Yes, there must be something, some way,” said Parnard. “I shall find it!” Upon which vow he set down his empty wine glass hard upon the marble table, that the stem broke off, and he turned upon his heel, and walked out of the Hall of Fire to find his laconic friend.
