Estarfin felt the brief resistance of cloth and flesh before the beautiful blade nearly bisected the dark figure. He kicked the almost-lifeless body from his sword, flicked the blade back, taking the misshapen head from the thing, then watched with fierce satisfaction as it slumped to the floor. Another wrong righted, another of their wicked race wiped clean from the spheres of Arda. He raised his crimson blade to the stars, a gesture of both reverence and defiance.
"I keep my oath, no matter the cost. See what you have done." He called up to the stars, knowing his words were in vain, and ill-advised. He heard the sound of an approaching horse and readied his sword once more.
***
Danel spoke, yet he could not hear her. He was rooted to the spot, hot blood rushing through his mind, clouding his hearing with his own anger and hatred. His eyes were fixed on the betrayer, the traitor. He forced the immediate fury down as Parnard, Danel and the Woman spoke briefly.
“She is a guest of yours?” Estarfin asked through gritted teeth, trying and failing to understand her presence.
“Not exactly,” Danel replied, looking concerned. “Slay her not, I ask of you.”
Estarfin was rendered speechless once more. Why had she brought one of their kind here? There must be a reason, but he could not see it. Yet he would obey her request, so nodded and walked quickly back to the house.
Why? The thought tormented him, and he lashed out with his heavy steel-shod boot, shattering a flowerpot as he passed it. The tall, yellow flowers fell to the ground in a spray of dark soil. It did not improve his mood. He wrenched open the door, letting the heavy oak door slam into the wall of the grand house, leaving it hanging open as he stalked inside.
A fire was dancing merrily upon the grate, and wine was laid out on the small table. He took a deep breath and walked past the large stone sink that Danel insisted on keeping fish in, into the cosy nook and sank into a deep armchair. He picked up a half-full glass of wine and took a sip. She must have a reason, but he could not see it. Was she a friend, a servant? Had she brought her here as a deliberate insult to him? He could scarce believe that, not now, but the shadow of doubt had entered his thoughts. Yet his rage could cloud his judgement. He had learned that lesson many times over. Had he not been ready to slay Parnard over his desperate insults, failing as he did to see that they came from the wood Elf's frustration at his own circumstance, rather than any real anger towards Estarfin? Could he be lacking clear thought now? Perhaps this mortal was not wholly wicked?
His thoughts briefly drifted to the tall, valiant, golden-haired Men of Hithlum. They had stood together ages past, defending the fortress of Barad Eithel from all the darkness spewed forth from Angband. Comrades, brothers in arms. He drank more of the dark red wine, feeling his anger seeping away. There was goodness in some of them, even now. He remembered their almost-childish wonderment and delight as he had taught them some of his skills with metals in the forge, their eagerness and haste to learn. His mood lightened at the memory and he tried to forget his anger, staring into the dancing flames. It did not last.
He stood suddenly, memories of their betrayal, their terrible defeat and all that came after. He hurled the glass away in fury, hearing it smash to sparkling splinters against the cool stone wall. How dare she bring one of their kind here? Did she take him for a coward, or fool, to let such a challenge lie? He stalked towards the rooms that he currently kept for his own, seeking to arm himself and make amends for such a challenge. He stormed through his dark room, colliding with a low table and cursing. He kicked it out of the way, spilling clothes and tools across the wooden floor. A porcelain vase fell, spilling water across his leg and boots. He grabbed it up and threw it away, his anger only increasing as it sailed through one of the decorative panes of glass, shattering it. He snarled, and took up his sword and shield.
***
“Why do you look at me so, Master Elf?” asked the interloper , her crude language almost paining him like a splinter in his mind.
“Who is this fool that speaks! I will forget what mercy I have so far shown,” Estarfin snarled.
“My lord, please let her depart. She is from the eastern lands, a wandering minstrel,” pleaded Danel, looking at Estarfin as she spoke.
“I do not care where she is from." He spoke truthfully. "Their petty realms mean nothing to me.”
“Of course, Estarfin. But there is no need to slay one offering tutelage to Parnard.” She sought to mollify him as she spoke, but his mood was dark. He pulled his arm free, dropping the half-full bottle of wine as he did so, and made ready to draw his sword and challenge the mortal.
She spoke once more in her grating voice, trying to offer her crude flute to Parnard, which he of course refused in his worthy pride.
"I am sorry I have angered you, Master Elf.” Her apology meant nothing, and he watched her depart with unmasked hatred.
Both Danel and Parnard then spoke, but he was deaf to their words.“What is the meaning of this?” he said, his voice cold and quiet, yet their could be no mistaking the depth of anger behind his question. What was this betrayal?
“I know nothing about it!” Parnard answered, and Estarfin believed him. “I was mightily surprised! Mightily surprised!”
Danel then spoke, and her words went through him like a knife. “Parnard asked to find someone who could teach him to play music. The woman was travelling toward Celondim. I saw her on the road and we spoke a little, and she said she was lost and trying to find her people. But I persuaded her to come here and teach Parnard...” Danel and Parnard then bickered a little, their argument inconsequential at the time.
“But why here?” asked Estarfin quietly, unable to understand why she would have done such a thing.
Danel sighed. “She offered a favour. I would not have her slain for that. I must go to the house and return with wine. Shall I take your shield back with me? No?”
Estarfin offered no answer, still unable to understand her actions. He looked at Parnard, wondering briefly if he would have answers.
“Her halls. Hers,” he spoke to himself, a reminder of his place in things.
Parnard smiled reassuringly and spoke a few words of comfort, but the tall Noldor was not really listening.
“It would have been better if I had not returned when I did,” he offered, unsure himself if he was only speaking of the passing night. His brooding was interrupted by Danel, who returned with a tray of wine.
“You wanted to learn to play?” Estarfin asked, in an attempt to make conversation.
Parnard nodded. “You said there was no music at the feast and how strange it is to dance without music - as you rightly noted, lord! It is not a bad wine, is it? A little young and rough, maybe?”
“Passable.” Estarfin replied.
“The wine is young but not unpleasant,” said Danel.
There was a silence then between them for a while.
"Estarfin,” Danel broke the quiet of the night. “You say these are my halls, but they are also yours, and Parnard’s. I certainly know your thoughts…"
He could not believe the presumption of her words, and interrupted through gritted teeth. “Tell me then what I am thinking." He took a breath to calm himself. “There are three possibilities to consider. The first: these are your halls, and yours alone. You are free to invite who you will, as you will. The second: You sought to bring a mortal here, to my home, in secret. To keep it from me as if I were a fool? The third, and last, possibility: You bring a mortal here, to my home, not in secret, but not caring that I would find out. You insult me, think to test me? You bring such here, but ask that I stay my hand? So tell me, which is it?” Estarfin offered the challenge, neither knowing more caring at that point which of the choices was true."
“There is a fourth reason,” said Danel sadly. “I am a fool. I was thinking of Parnard and his wish to learn music. I know your thoughts regarding Men. It was not to insult nor test you, but my shortsightedness. I do not understand how you think I would deliberately insult you? You know my thoughts, you know my heart - you know it all. Estarfin, you were merciful to that Woman. I made a mistake. I think it better if I do not cause you more anger; I shall retire to my room.” She turned to walk away, and he despised himself for causing her such pain.
"Do not leave on my behalf.”
“I leave because I thought you understood. It seems you still do not. My apologies, Parnard. I would this had been a merry evening.”
“But the stars have just kindled!"
“Then enjoy them,” she said, and left.
“What have I done!” asked Parnard, and Estarfin looked at him with pity, seeing that he blamed himself.
“There is no blame here,” Estarfin reassured him.
“We will ne’er see any mortals here ever again."
“Perhaps,” said Estarfin.
“You do not trust her word?”
“I do not question her intent.” Estarfin thought aloud, trying to explain himself clearly. He took a drink of wine, then continued. "I do not know - it is hard to think when it feels as if a fire is burning inside me - I try to understand that whatever action she took, it was well-intentioned. Yet all I can see is that mortal, standing here, sullying this place…” “Yes!” agreed Parnard, surprising Estarfin with his surety.
“You feel the same?” Estarfin nodded, and set off for the stables. Her blood would satisfy his anger, would put paid to Danel insulting herself.
Parnard called after him. “Wait, Estarfin!” and ran to catch up. He slowed his pace a little to allow him to make the distance easily.
“She is the cause of all of this. All of this anger and confusion.”
Parnard understood, but spoke caution nonetheless. “If Danel finds out the minstrel is slain, she will be sore distressed, and will blame herself and be grieved.”
“Danel called herself a fool on the mortal’s behalf. It will not stand." He greeted Gilastor swiftly, and mounted him. "We hunt once again, my friend."
Parnard bowed, but made no movement towards Swan-Hoof. Estarfin looked down at him in surprise. “You are not riding?”
“Oh. I will need to don my armor and get my sword. Allow me to prepare myself,” Parnard said. Estarfin nodded, then waited in the dark, seeing how Gilastor and he would ride the mortal down, and return in triumph. He smiled slightly too himself.
“Well, Estarfin,” Parnard called, once he was ready and returned. “If you are set on doing this, I am ready.”
Estarfin urged Gilastor on, and he bounded forwards eagerly. Parnard followed on Swan-Hoof, the companions ready to ride through the night to find their vengeance. Suddenly Danel stepped into the road before them, forcing them to halt in their tracks.
“Why are you doing this? I asked her to teach music to Parnard. Have I not said the fault is mine? You do not believe me.”
The guilt in her voice further justified his path, and he responded. “She was the cause of this."
“Ride me down then.”
Estarfin shrugged, confused by her words. Gilastor stamped his hooves, keen to ride but awaiting his Master's command. Estarfin rode around Danel and spurred Gilastor off to a gallop.
Riding through the night, Estarfin felt his doubts and grief dark from him as leaves before a storm, sweeping away the angry words of the evening. Gilastor ran swiftly, outpacing Parnard and Swan-Hoof, for a while at least.
***
He lowered the sword and sheathed it, recognising Parnard and Swan-Hoof approaching.
"Estarfin!” Parnard called to him. “Did you find her?"
It had not been the Woman, just another of the brigands that roamed the land. Yet for now his honour had been satisfied. "I do not think so,” he replied, showing the corpse to him.
“A fine night for riding,” Parnard said, looking away. Estarfin could see the frustration in him that they had failed to find her. “Shall we press on, find the mortal, and make her pay for her presumptiveness?”
“Would that solve things, do you think?”
“Would it? There are many Men in the world…and she is only one meager Woman,” Parnard answered quietly.
“Yet this discord was her fault, was it not?”
“It was indeed. Ever do Men sow discord in the world, but all shall stay away from us! And if any do not, we shall slay them swiftly.”
Estarfin was moved by his friend's words, but for a moment felt shame at his failure. "If she were here, I would not hesitate. But perhaps it is not wise to chase after a spectre in the darkness, when we do not even know where she went.” He called Gilastor to him. “Was this the wrong path to take, my friend?”
“Where shall we go? I am no tracker of mortals,” said Parnard. “Belegos, now - he might track her down.”
He wondered if there was a note of reproach in his voice. "Perhaps we should return. This is a bitter night; I would not see it soured further.” Estarfin replied.
“Very wise words, friend Estarfin. We shall return home before sunup.”
***
They rode back together, lighter of heart and spirit than when they had departed. Gilastor and Swan-Hoof were led to the stables for rest and food, whilst the Elves returned to the fine halls. Estarfin took a moment to wash the brigand's blood from his gauntlets in the wide stone sink near the entrance, watching the fish panic and dart around as he did so.
“Now sit, lord, and rest yourself. Oh, good evening, Danel. You see that we have returned." Parnard said.
“You slew her.” Danel said, her expression cold.
“No. We could not find her.” Estarfin answered, pouring himself a glass of wine. “It was another of the brigands, I think.” He laughed at the thought and looked to Parnard.
“I am sure he did not feel a thing,” Parnard said and laughed too.
“Then I hope your honour is satisfied,” Danel replied and walked away.
“Sometimes I do not understand Danel." Estarfin told Parnard in a low voice.
“Well, well, she is an elf-maiden, after all. One cannot fathom their thoughts easily."
Estarfin nodded, listening intently. Danel walked back into the room at that point though, interrupting the wood Elf's wisdom.
“You are ready for a journey from the look of it.” Parnard stated.
“As I told you before, you both may stay here as long as you wish. These houses are your home.”
Estarfin sank back into the chair, staring into the fire and taking a last sip of his wine. It had been a strange evening, though it has ended well enough. He put the empty glass upon the table and closed his eyes, feeling the waves of tiredness pass over him.
He jerked awake, feeling a hand on his shoulder. “Estarfin - lord?”
“Hmm?” he asked, seeing Danel standing over him looking down. “Has morning arrived already?”
“Aye, the stars are gone, I am afraid. I must beg you to forgive me. I wronged you, yet again.”
Estarfin smiled gently, having had time to cool his temper and realise he must have been mistaken. "No, it was a misunderstanding. You would never knowingly wrong me. The fault is mine.”
Danel touched his face gently. “I know that you seek to protect us and that sometimes this is not clear. No Man should ever be anywhere near this place.”
"I would not knowingly dictate to you who you can and cannot invite to these halls, you know that? Yet some things are beyond my control, even now." He sighed, then sleep took him again.
