Today I went to the place where the broken officer Estarfin lay, but finding the chamber-door locked, I returned to the Hall of Fire, where I stayed a little while talking with Lord Dolthafaer, who speaks exceeding easy, yet with great authority. He told me the door was also shut against him, and the healers coming out shooed him away. I said it must be very bad for Estarfin, and we talked a little of that lord’s rescue when Lilleduil, one of Lord Khalis’ folk, came up. I poured out the wine, and we set to talking of other matters. I did not see Laurelindo, who thoroughly reproached me the day before how I should visit Estarfin on his sickbed, and how I should comport my private affairs in the presence of Tyulusse and Sogadan. We had high words and parted pretty angry. But Laurelindo was not there; and then Eliriael coming into the Hall said that he was attending to Estarfin at that very moment! I confess I cannot see how I can visit Estarfin if Laurelindo is locking himself in the room with him like an ill-cunning rogue.
Eliriael told us Estarfin will not be walking for some time and his arm is broken in pieces. I do fear he will grow crazy; but I confess that he might have already been troubled in mind to have left the Valley and done himself this terrible injury. It may be for his own good, and now the lord may sit quietly and rest for a time, and not go wandering to high places. I doubt when he sees me, and sees that I follow my business and have some questions for him for our lordship, he shall be very glad. But I hope he should come to his right wits again, if he has lost them. And then Eliriael told us very troubling news of Danel’s poor eyes, and not knowing whether she will see again. That put me in a sad transport of grief, and feeling a little overwrought of late, I left the Hall and returned to my chambers, and practiced on my harp, not very well.
