All the day long doing work, writing over list after list by my own hand, because when Sorontar finished it, by mistake I laid hold of the inkpot and not the sandbox, and almost blotted out the accounts. This put Sorontar into a hurried sort of fit, and I grew worried for his sake, so I said I would copy it again for him. After I finished, nobody was answering the bell when I rang, and when I opened the door of the closet, I found my clerk fast asleep upon the floor. So I left him there, and went home for dinner, and after dinner, walked to the House, where outside Danel was standing on the front porch, waiting for me - so it pleases me to think. After a little talk, we went into the Hall, and there without any notice taken by Sogadan, we talked of many things, but mostly about Estarfin.
It did not seem right, the way things were done, putting him in front of his brethren, and forcing him to answer questions like an idiot, and Veryacano looking at him with an awful sternness, intended to cow him. But Estarfin did not seem to care very much, and there was no sign of any sulkiness, no clenching of the fists, no clutching at hair, no sign of the terrible anger of that Noldo. Poor Estarfin! Never did he look more foolish than he did at that moment.
While thus absorbed in talk, I happened to look up, and saw one of the folk who contented himself with staring at Estarfin during the Council meeting. Danel catching my eye remarked that the fellow’s name is Fingolrin, and he wishes to join Veryacano’s troops.
“You don’t say so!” I replied. It is strange what ideas folk will take into their head. And so, indeed, it proved; for before she could tell me anything else, down he came to join us at table, and introducing myself to him, I gave him wine, and said that I perceived that he had the look of a soldier about him. I did what I could to make him understand his duty, namely, respect his superior officers, especially Estarfin, for he was once a Sergeant of Arms, and still holds high favour with his lord Veryacano, though perhaps not so much lately. Then Fingolrin found his tongue, and no sooner did Fingolrin speak his name, when my friend Estarfin walked through the great double doors, and made his way through the Hall, with the apparent view to spend the remainder of the night in company, and not in his arm-chair by the fire.
I was delighted to see him, and did him honour, and poured out a handsome allowance of wine for him. Introductions were made, and I saw no sign of coldness, and he spoke jovially and talked of dances by the river! whereat I was much amazed. Then Fingolrin wished for a Dancing Master to teach him Round-Dances of the kind done in the Valley, and Norliriel, who had joined our little party, said it could easily be arranged. I thought Estarfin should attend a lesson or two, for dancing improves the graceful movements of the body, and can strengthen the limbs; it is not done purely for leisure or enjoyment; and if a person should not have been favored with the happiest of figures, he can try to mend it, or at least disguise any defects or injuries of the body with dance, for art lends grace where nature fails. A clumsy, heavy gait can be made light and graceful, limbs stiffened from injury and disuse can be made supple again, and awkwardness diminished: all with a little care and attention to the dancing lessons.
But every scholar requires in some degree different lessons, according to their own needs; and this is the business of the Dancing Master, not the Lord Ambassador. I shall speak with gentle Eliriael: I imagine that she would very gladly receive Estarfin as her new pupil, seeing as the other day she wished for any excuse to visit him.
