I cannot remember a time when I had smiled and laughed so much. My face ached, but it was worth it, every minute. A serious declaration had it been by both of us, with a nod to the difficulties we had endured to come to this night. But it had also been light of heart and joyful, with no room for any somberness. And he was happy too. I don’t think I had ever seen him quite so content? Indeed, we both embraced this future most willingly. A life together that, to some extent had begun with the dance at Midsummer and finally acknowledging what we both wanted. But we really knew it had begun thousands of years past, in Thargelion. This night we had made our declarations and exchanged rings. In a year or so we would wed, replacing the silver rings with ones of gold. That was our way, the way of our parents, long gone from these lands, and of all our people before them. We were Noldor; we were strong, we were learned, we were one in heart and mind.
I would still argue with him though, I had chuckled to myself. No doubt he thought the same about me, considering the epesse he had given me. At first I had taken it as I would have said it, but I knew him. I knew what he would say. Argue, yes, but I accepted that name with the knowledge nothing but love came with it. I accepted ‘Scarlet Wolf’; for I understood. I had not given him the epesse ‘Noble Flame’, without reason.
We had been in the Hall of Fire, with Parnard and Sogadan, and a small number of others, most engrossed in reading, or their wine. It was an atmosphere that put me at ease. We three spoke briefly of our travel plans, depending on the weather and news of goblin activity in the High Pass. We needed warm clothing, furs for ourselves and for the horses. For my part I still had soft leathers and a few furs in Than Forodrin. Estarfin offered a key to his armoury, to Parnard, so our friend could help himself to whatever he required. It was a matter easily sorted. Both Estarfin and Parnard were drinking happily, enjoying the hall. But there was another matter I would have us attend to, before we departed the Vale.
“Estarfin, what think you that we exchange rings this night?” I felt I was acting in a slightly unseemly manner, with the other folk around, but Estarfin seemed unperturbed.
“Under starlight, do you not think?”
Parnard’s eyes swiveled slowly back to us, him having been gazing up at the draperies.
“I agree. Under starlight. I have looked a little for suitable places since we arrived. There are a few more obvious choices. But what about witnesses?”” I had one place in mind, but it was not my choice alone.
Estarfin looked at me a little puzzled. “You wish for witnesses?” he said, curiously.
“Is that not the way?” Parnard asked.
Estarfin shrugged. “For some,” he said, sipping at his wine again.
“We have no family left here, though a betrothal was usually announced before both families.” I tried to explain. “I am not concerned, save that we are here, and Tintalle witnesses our words and exchange. Oh…and you, Parnard.”
Parnard laughed.
“We would not forget you.” I swiftly added. “Our words are already spoken. Our agreement made. We just need to make it…official.”
Estarfin smiled at me. “I do not criticise, I was merely asking.”
I smiled back warmly, the first of many that night.
He nodded.
“So, how do you make it official? asked Parnard, refilling his glass, but beginning to smile a lot himself.
I looked to the windows, as did Estarfin. It was the afternoon of a mid-winter’s day, but the sunlight was still streaming in.
“We need the stars,” I said to Parnard. “The sign that the Starkindler watches over us, and gives her blessing. She is the best witness.”
Parnard grinned. “The very firmament itself.”
“But I…we…would have our good friend there also, if he wishes,” I looked briefly at Estarfin, already knowing he would agree.
Parnard laughed merrily and looked to Estarfin.
“You are most welcome of course, as a friend.” Estarfin confirmed.
Raising his glass in a toast, Parnard said. “To the next evening of stars then!”
“To this evening of stars, if she will grace us,” I raised my own glass. “We need but one star, but a star filled sky would be more memorable, and a good sign.”
“Tintalle will hear your words, but should you be closer to her stars, in the mountains perhaps?” Parnard suggested.
Estarfin shook his head. “She will hear. In valley or on mountain. Under tree or upon the shores of the sea.”
Parnard nodded, then grinned at me. He seemed to be rather excited.
“As to where, Orladion has a good view of the skies over Imladris, and few folk walk that way. And to be truthful, I hope it is just us there,” I said.
“Or the platform below the falls?” Estarfin suggested.
I thought about his suggestion. It was a good place save for the spray and roar from the waters, and I was reminded of the last time we had met there. A time when he was far from recovered from his injuries in the Hithaeglir, yet I had so wanted him to accompany me on the mission I had before me.
“If you are looking for a warrior to travel with you, I am not the one,” he had said. And I replied, “It is not a warrior I want, for you know I can fight and defend us at need. It is you I want.” Alas, that through need I had set forth without him, and though unhealed he had still followed, though not managed to find me in barren Angmar.
No matter. We had found each other now. I would not easily lose him again.
Parnard drew our attention to the slowly diminishing light. He pointed to the window. “The sun will be setting soon!”
“We have time to walk to that platform by the falls, and to Orladion,” I said. “We can make our choice after?”
Estarfin nodded, but then we both became aware that Parnard was staring at my red gown. Estarfin looked down at the familiar red hauberk he was wearing.
I smiled at him reassuringly. “You look fine. It is you, not your outfit I declare my intent to.”
He chuckled. “No, this is comfortable enough.”
Just as well, thought I, for it was one of the hauberks that suited him best. I had on an appropriate gown, but it was the only one left at Tham Forodren, and I would not have presented myself to him in armour or leathers.
Parnard stepped forward and began brushing any dust off Estarfin’s hauberk. And Estarfin began trying to tidy his wayward hair a little.
My heart could have burst to see him do so. There was no need. I had always thought him beautiful, wild hair and dust, mud or blood notwithstanding.
Parnard had taken up a cloth from Sogadan, and began beating Estarfin’s boots with it. “There!” he announced, and tossed the cloth aside.
Estarfin smiled his thanks at Parnard, then said, “Shall we walk then?”
“Let us go at once,” said Parnard, as he copied Estarfin in refilling his wine glass. He also asked Sogadan for a wine skin.
Estarfin waited for me to refill mine, and walk round the table to his side, then we and Parnard walked the length of the Hall of Fire as if we had a secret that was no secret. (Reliable Sogadan had already seen the news of what we intended had been spread) Avoiding a collision with the pacing Gilfanel, we emerged into a quieter central hall, and made for the main doors of the House.
“One moment,” Estarfin halted, then “Go ahead.” and he hurried off in the direction of his rooms.
I had no concern. I suspected I knew what he went to fetch. My gift for him had been resting in a pocket of whatever I wore since we arrived here.
I walked with Parnard away from the Last Homely House, and crossed the sward to the view point by the row of arches. Estarfin had already caught us up. He halted, taking a deep breath of the late afternoon air.
“There,” he said, pointing down at the domed platform that stood nigh the falls.
I looked at him. “It is a lovely place. I am happy with it.” I said.
He nodded, “But we should look at Orladion also, if that is what you have in mind? I have not stood there for so very long.”
I turned and headed back to the bridge by the House, and took the steep slope up to the Haven. The others followed. It was empty, save for the counsellor, Erestor, sitting at the entrance, absorbed in a book, and with a small unlit lantern on the floor nearby.
We all nodded to him in turn. I think he hardly noticed us, but he nodded back, and a knowing smile was on his face. “Mind me not. I shall not interfere but soon be gone. I will watch the star rise first.”
He was not in any sense an objectionable Elf, quite the contrary. And if one of Lord Elrond’s advisors wished to remain, it was no bad thing.
We walked across the tiled floor, looking out at the Vale through the circle of high white marble arches. Anor was low on the horizon, golden light bathing mountains, trees and houses. I loved it there, both sight and feel, but wanted Estarfin to be happy with it as well.
“Which do you prefer?” I asked him, as he made to stand by the edge, and look out. “We chose together now.”
He shrugged.
I grinned at him. “Why did I know you would do that? Shrug, I mean.”
Parnard laughed at Estarfin’s oh so familiar gesture.
“It is windier up here, but drier,” Estarfin observed. “It does not matter to me where we are.”
“Nor to me,” I replied, watching the golden light resting on him for a few moments. “We remain here then.”
I turned to Parnard. “What do you think, cousin. Will it do?”
“I think it is a wonderful place,” he replied,”the falls and the view…”
Estarfin looked up again, taking in the surroundings.
“Between water, sky and mountain,” I added.
“And trees,” said Parnard.
“And with a clear view of the stars,” I smiled at both my companions in turn.
“We seem to have waited on the stars quite often of late, Estarfin.” I turned to him alone. “And I have loved every evening with you at Numenstaya. But we know Tintalle will give forth her light when she wishes.”
We each put down our wine glasses for the time being. Parnard leant against a nearby urn, and swung his wine skin around.
“Perhaps one day we shall only have star light again.” Estarfin said.
“Would you like that?”
He smiled at the thought. “Yes.”
“It would not displease me,” I added, moving closer to him. “Forever beautiful.”
“But how would the trees grow?” inquired Parnard, then perching on a ledge.
I gasped, hoping he would not fall. “Have a care, cousin.”
The Wood Elf sat down. “There, is that better?”
I nodded. “And as for the trees, all I know is Yavanna cared for them. How she did it is far beyond me.”
Parnard lifted his wine skin, then paused and laughed. “It is not time yet,” he said. He came to stand with us as the sun sank below the horizon.
“Dusk departs,” I noted, tingling slightly as I felt a gentle presence upon me. I closed my eyes momentarily and bowed my head.
Estarfin stepped forward, nearer the edge of the platform, and I moved to face him. Parnard took a few steps back.
“It has been a long road,” Estarfin began. “But we are finally here.”
Those few words covered such a long period of time, from two children looking at each other across the floor of Prince Caranthir’s Hall, through the horror of the Dagor Bragolleth, the Nirnaeth Arnoediad, the War of Wrath; through the whole of the Second Age with the destruction of Eregion and the War of the Last Alliance; through this Third Age until these past ten years, until now.
“It has been over six and a half thousand years,” I replied. “Do you think that is long enough?”
I smiled at him wryly. I saw the corner of his mouth twitch, but he was focused.
“It has taken a very long time, but I have grown to know you so much better these last few years. In Thargelion I dreamed and hoped, but in Imladris I finally came to know you as you are. I had hoped for so long that my father had misreported your death. And then to find you alive and well. I could mourn the Ages we were apart, but I choose to celebrate that we are apart no longer. I feel a hand of guidance on my shoulder, and I know this last year, Tintalle was blessing us.”
(Information used from 'Laws and Customs.' Morgoth's Ring. J R R Tolkien)
