Delossad.
A very good name for a prison, thought Parnard.
Who was kept there? And who kept them?
That is where the story begins, Fingolrin had told him with a smile.
Upon which, to satisfy his curiosity, Parnard got up and left the Hall of Fire, and went seeking knowledge.
“Friend, you are a little too bold; I will tell you that nobody knows anything about those strange ruins in the mountains,” Cachúnir told him.
"Keep your secret, Master Scholar," said Parnard laughing, "and do not reveal it to me, if you must remain Master."
"Nay, I do not conceal any secret," said he, "but a secret with me is as secure as if it were behind a locked door."
After having in vain searched through all the maps and books in the library Parnard declared, "This is the most singular mystery that ever one faced!" and it was impossible for him to sleep. The next day he was back in the library. "Do you know of the Place of Abhorrence? Why would it be called such? Whatever misfortune befell that place, I cannot forbear asking. Some terrible circumstance must certainly be the cause, therefore I implore you to tell me anything you may know."
To these pressing questions the scholars only answered, that he should do well to hold his peace.
At last, being unable to restrain himself he said that they are as clouds hindering the light of the stars, so do their dark looks provide no counsel. How extraordinary it was to be told that he should not seek knowledge from scholarly folk!
Then one of the scholars spoke, in behalf of the rest. "Do not wonder at our conduct: if we have not granted what you have asked, our hesitation has been an act of kindness, to prevent you from knowing any sorrows of that place."
"What sorrows?" pressed he, but the elves only shook their heads solemnly. "No matter," Parnard replied, "I declare to you, that if a misfortune befall me in connection with this ill-named place, I shall not consider you blamable." But they still would not tell him a thing.
Then Parnard thought it proper to draw up an account, in his own hand-writing, of everything he knew of the Man Thendryt, and what Dolthafaer had told him, and the circumstances in which Laelas had been found. He likewise made a copy of this account, and locked it securely in a steel box. “Dolthafaer will hear of what little I discovered,” he said unhappily. “Perhaps he has had better luck than I.”
