The problem with associating with elves on a regular basis, Eirallyn reflected as she arranged for Yaisaelwen's care with the Celondim stable master, was that no matter how cleanly one was, there were always times when one felt grungy and grubby around them. For instance the stable master, despite his profession, looked to her eyes to be cleaner and more put together than she herself did at the moment, despite regular baths in some damned cold streams and even a hot tub in an inn or two between here and Imladris. But he was polite as most elves, and did not comment upon her disheveled state.
“I have messages for Lord Fingolrin,” she told him. “Do you know where he might be found?”
The stablemaster gestured down the road. “His house is there, close by the water, Ranger,” he said, looking at the star brooch on her cloak. “But he is often found on the docks of an evening. You might try there first.”
Eirallyn thanked him and draping her saddlebags over her shoulder, sauntered down towards the docks, enjoying the opportunity to stretch her legs after a day spent in the saddle. The sun had just set and the twilight glow made Celondim even more lovely than it was in the light of noon. There were no ships at present, she noted, but there was a tall figure in blue robes standing on the docks.
The stable master's description was a bit worrisome. Had Fingolrin been bitten by the sea-longing upon his arrival here? Eirallyn did not want to tell Lilleduil that her beloved was pining to go West. Was he in fact only waiting for Lilleduil's arrival to tell her farewell?
As she approached the tall elf, she realized it was in fact, Fingolrin, looking musingly into the West. But it was merely a thoughtful look and not a longing one, which was reassuring. She approached and bowed deeply, smiling. “Good evening, Fingolrin.”
He looked at her, surprise etched upon his face. “Eirallyn! Mae govannen. I thought not to see you here! What brings you, mellon?”
“Mae govannen,” Eirallyn responded with a smile. “I have a couple of letters for you.”
“Are you well? Have you news of Lille?”
She inclined her head politely. “I am well. I was headed to Esteldin, so a certain lady asked me to carry a letter for you. And one of your friends included one as well.” Fishing within her saddlebags, she found the two sealed letters and presented them to Fingolrin, who smiled broadly as he took them.
"I am gladdened to hear you words, hiril. Daily I wonder how my beloved fairs away in the east." He looked at the second letter curiously. “Another letter? From whom?”
“Lord Annunghil.”
Fingolrin smiled softly. "I thought it may be, Raolor is not one for letter writing."
“I did not see Lord Raolor before my departure, or he might have made an exception in your case.”
Fingolrin looked at the letters a moment longer, then turned his attention to her. “I shall read them later, but for now tell me of your journey and of yourself...I trust I find you well? And why Esteldin?”
“The journey was uneventful. I am now working for Lord Elrohir, as does your lady. For that reason, he gave me leave to go to Esteldin and see my family, as well as informing the leaders of the Dunedain of my new employment.”
Fingolrin nodded sagely. "Elrohir chooses well."
Inclining her head in acknowledgment of the compliment, Eirallyn added, “I think Lilleduil is probably hot on my heels, to be honest.” Fingolrin smiled back at her, obviously delighted.
“Lilleduil is coming here!?”
Touched by his reaction, she said, “Oh yes. It has been permitted. I think Lord Elrohir intends to send us far abroad, from things he has said. Before he does that, he wishes her to have a chance to see you.”
Fingolrin 's face brightened even more. "Oh that is news beyond my greatest hopes! It has been but moments in the life of an Eldar, but to me an eternity in the waiting."
“That warms my heart. I have been a bit worried about her.”
Sobering, Fingolrin asked, “Did she take my parting hard?”
“I think she did. But it was compounded by the fact that many of her friends are leaving the Valley to go join the battles in Mirkwood.”
“Alas I could reside not a moment longer in Imladris... in the company of those Eldar I considered my kin.”
Eirallyn nodded. “She understands that. She doesn't blame you in the least. But she is of course, bound by duty there. I think she has been much worried about your state of mind.”
"She need not worry. I am at peace here, away from the machinations of Feanorian bigots and Eldar not worthy of the name." Certainly, Fingolrin seemed very content and peaceful. After a moment's silence, he asked, "Mirkwood? Whom?"
Eirallyn pondered for a moment, remembering what she had heard and been told. “Raolor, Annunghil-he may tell you more about it in the letter. Eliriael, Vorongwe, Uilossiel...quite a long list, actually. Those are the ones I know off-hand.”
Fingolrin raised an eyebrow. "They can better aid the free people there, than sitting in Imladris serving a house with no purpose but it's own...I am glad for them. Is Lilleduil going also?”
She shook her head. “I think Lord Elrohir has other plans for her.” Fingolrin seemed to almost breathe a sigh of relief. That relief is misplaced, Eirallyn thought. I suspect whatever Lord Elrohir sends us to do may be every bit as dangerous as Mirkwood, or perhaps even more perilous! Elrohir had been perfectly open about his intention to use his people in any way necessary to combat the Shadow-even if it meant using them up. But she was not going to tell Fingolrin that. She had other concerns to relate.
“Lilleduil has gotten...distant and fey of late. More like she was when I first met her. She is much with her wild friends, and was spending little time in the Valley when I left.”
Fingolrin 's face took on a look of sadness. "I feared that she would withdraw. Oh I wish it hadn't been so. I should have stayed with her."
“She didn't expect you to.” Eirallyn hastened to assure him. “I think, as does Lord Elrohir, that she will be better once she sees that you are well-settled here.”
Fingolrin smiled. "She shall see that I am. And she will also know again my love for her... never diminished, forever burning."
Eirallyn grinned. This is really too sweet! Aloud, she said, “That will undoubtedly cure matters quickly.”
A large black form came lolloping up the dock towards them. A large dog, she thought it at first, but as the animal drew near, it became obvious that it was an adolescent bear. Not alarmed, for no one else it had passed seemed so, she looked about for the loremaster, but she and Fingolrin were the only two people on the dock. Eirallyn blinked in surprise as the young bear rubbed up against Fingolrin in welcome, then she chuckled.
“It would seem there are a few surprises in store for Lilleduil as well.” She patted the bear on the head, which he suffered well enough. He seemed mostly interested in adoring Fingolrin. “I think she will be very pleased to find you are a friend of the wild now.”
Fingolrin gently stroked the bear. “I found him injured on my way here from Imladris..he's still young and very boisterous.'
“He is lovely!” And obviously well cared for.
“But I have given up the way of the sword, and have taken books and lore closer to my heart.”
Eirallyn smirked a little. “You needn't give the sword up entirely. Lilleduil swings one now and again. I've seen her do it.”
Fingolrin grinned back at her, even as his hand continued to scratch behind the bear's ears, "To look upon him, to be around him... he has his moments.” He laughed.
“It will certainly make housekeeping easier, if neither of you object to the animals.”
Remembering Lilleduil's account of the semi-disastrous first time Fingolrin had taken her to see his house, Eirallyn found that she couldn't resist. Leaning closer, she muttered in Fingolrin's ear. “Didn't you used to have one of these stuffed in your house?” Her eyes were twinkling. Poor Fingolrin. He'd realized too late that it might not be the most tactful thing to take someone who loved animals as madly as Lilleduil did into a home filled with some really fine taxidermy...
Lilleduil's love shook his head, and muttered under his breath, "No. T'was a brown one." A good sport, he was chuckling, though she thought his ears might be the least bit pink. Though it could be just the twilight...
“If you say so...” Eirallyn feigned a doubtful look for a moment before relenting and smiling. “Well. I shall leave you to your letters.” Gloaming was well-advanced and she needed to find lodgings for the night.
“Please, rest the night with me!” Fingolrin offered. “I will feed and water you before your journey... a bed rest would give you freshness to carry on tomorrow, would it not? I can even offer a bath!”
“That offer I will take, for it is sorely needed!” she replied gratefully. “And the rest of it as well, with my thanks. And I might make a late start of it-there are some books here I wanted to look into.” She found herself relieved. Lilleduil might be in for surprises during her visit, but they would be happy ones.
Her fellow scholar smiled in understanding. "You're welcome to stay as long as you wish, my house is your house." He beckoned to her and they set off towards his home, the bear gamboling beside them, as night drew down.
