Once Cutch and Ardanion had retired for the evening, Lumenire and Teahesto returned to the dining hall with wine.
He poured, as he always did when, over the millennia, they’d met in private conference.
“The Order has disbanded”, she commented in a matter-of-fact tone before sipping. He froze and regarded her with surprise for a long moment before setting down the bottle and lifting his glass.
“The Order of the Hidden Star is no more?” he asked and took a sip as he waited for her to continue.
She nodded. “Officially, yes, but the members have scattered to take on a new mission. We will assist the Men of the West learn the techniques, and wise use, of the rune stones.”
With a confused frown, he shook his head. “Isn’t that precisely the opposite of the Order’s original purpose?”
“Aye, my old friend, it is indeed. But things have changed. The Elves and Dwarves that formed the Order were all in agreement that the rune lore should never be revealed to Men, for they could not be trusted with such power. Unfortunately, according to reports we’ve gotten from the East, the Dark Lord has given that power to his Mortal minions, and now that he is defeated, they will use that power towards their own ends.” She paused to consider the cheese plate at her elbow.
Teahesto continued the thought, “…meaning they will remember their own hurts from the Men of the West and regroup to turn their attentions there.”
Lumenire nodded as she nibbled and took another sip of wine. “…and armed with a power they should have never been given; yet another catastrophe a Dark Lord has left us after his defeat.”
“So, the former members of the Order now seek to attain a balance of power between Mortals using rune lore?” Teahesto searched her face for assurance that he’d gotten it right.
She shrugged. “What better option do we have? If the Order simply went on an unaccompanied rampage against the East, there is no likelihood that we could ever be victorious, for it is surmised they have the greater number, even though they are recovering from their losses following their Dark Lord’s failed conquest. If we go to the new King of the West for alliance, he will also say he needs to rebuild after having achieved his costly victory.”
Leaning back, Teahesto followed her train of thought. “So, the plot is to prepare the Men of the West for the inevitable time when both sides will have refreshed themselves and remember their old squabbles…”
“Aye, Teahesto, and we must hope that if both sides are equally armed with the terrible power of the rune they will think twice before warring, and instead prefer negotiating their differences. It will be a vital test for the dawn of the Age of Men.”
He gave her a doubtful look. “That is a very dangerous play, my lady. Mortals have memories even shorter than their lives.” He jerked a thumb up towards where Cutch and his son slept. “You have read Her Ladyships blunt essays on Mortals. They do not have the benefit of having lived the long history of their kind. Their libraries are impressive, but they do not sting the senses like the actual events artfully depicted on their fine vellum…”
She interrupted with a weary wave of her hand. “Yes... yes... all that is true. And it is also true that she married one, a very good one with blood mixed with our kind. Mortal hope is revealed there, and may hint that if the balance is struck, then the East will not have a weaker West to overrun. Instead, it could be a wiser West with which it must parlay. Reports suggest that Black Numenorians remain in the far East, and they will not fail to take an advantage. But will they act without it? Are they hopelessly infected with the destructive madness of their defeated Dark Lord?”
Teahesto drained his wine glass and poured more for them both. “Whether they are or not, I concede that the Men of the West cannot be left defenseless. All that we have hoped for in the Mortal king’s return would be lost.” He sighed. “So, how do you plan to carry this out?”
She vaguely waved at the island on which the mansion stood. “In places like this, where the most influent Mortals gather, but remote from busy village squares and city markets, where students will not be distracted by mundane influences….”
“…and where mishaps will have the least destructive collateral outcome”, Teahesto sardonically observed.
Lumenire sighed. “Yes, there is that. But we must also provide a learning venue for the healing aspect of rune lore, and that should be in a place of quiet reflection. After all, the lore is, as the Order believed, the leavings of worldly creation itself.”
They sat silently for several minutes, each contemplating what had been shared. “Should this work, I hope to go home”, Lumenire murmured wistfully. Teahesto fondly looked at her, reflecting on the long centuries since her husband and children answered the Westward call. He remembered the day they said their tearful goodbyes on the Grey Havens dock, exchanging their promises to await a joyful reunion in Valinor. Over those centuries his path occasionally crossed hers, their friendship never forgotten, their times together always rejuvenating.
“Cirdan says that our ships will continue to sail the Straight Road for the next century, or maybe two”, Teahesto offered. “Hopefully that will be enough time.”
“For us both, my dearest of friends.” She leaned towards him with a gentle hand extended. He took it and they shared a seemingly timeless moment of precious Elven warmth, each grateful for their long friendship.
Later, in the library outside his bedchamber, Teahesto wrote a letter to Her Ladyship, recounting his conversation with Lumenire. He thought of her daughter, Bainiel.
