So it seems I am Mistress of Numenstaya.
Not through any doing or grace of my own did this come about. I was simply in the right place at the right time.
The week-long Autumn Festival was a joy to attend. I had not seen my mentor, the Lady Danel, for a few years, and it was a most happy reunion. We spent some time catching up on her travels in Eregion, and mine around Ered Luin, and of course on the changed relationship she had with Lord Estarfin. I had known him distantly in Imladris, but as he was a most stern and dour Noldo, I had never spoken with him overmuch. I was only a little over three hundred years of age, and I was of the Falas - what could I possibly know or tell him? Not that he was ever ill tempered with me. Lord Belegos, another ancient Noldo, was of a different temperament. More light of spirit, he has spoken kindly with me on several occasions, and had called me to attend a few musical performances on the sward in front of Lord Elrond’s house. Though I was little more than a child myself, it was always clear to me the Lady’s heart was turned to Lord Estarfin, though she loved Belegos dearly. And now she was soon to be betrothed! It gladdened my heart to know she was finally with the one she wanted, and by the sound of things, it was a most mutual agreement.
And I pondered, just a little, on my own fate. There had been one I had thought, another of the Coast, but I knew that was never to be, and had kept myself away from prospective matters of the heart thereafter. In truth, I seem to have better relationships with the Noldor I encounter. Some few years ago there was the age-worn Saerdir, who was kind to me so that I considered him a friend. Yet he held a dark secret that I could noways guess at. I knew some of the remaining Noldor had committed fell deeds. Saerdir had all but said he was one of them, and then he disappeared from my world in Ered Luin so that I knew not where he went.
More recently there was Ceuro. In many ways he, also, was a typical Noldo. He had one issue however: he had no memory of time before the Battle of the Last Alliance. Having been found on the battlefield with a serious head injury, he had been nursed back to physical health, but little memory had ever returned. He had been driven to search far and wide for any who knew his face. So far, he had no answers. Now he and I had become fast friends though our service to Lady Danel. We had both accompanied her from Imladris to Mithlond, then later to Forlond. For those few years it seemed as if he and I were her household. But then our last duties had been to aid in the moving of all her treasures from Forlond back to Mithlond, here to Numenstaya, and two others, Filignil and Barahirn were now her household. As one of that body of smiths, seemingly a most honoured occupation among the Noldor, Ceuro found some commissions at the coast, but then returned to the forges of Imladris, and I had gone to my parent’s house, until they sailed. I missed them. I missed him.
And then I encountered him again last week, on the road to the Havens; he was riding West and I was riding East.
And as we were delighted to see each other again, we took a chance to rest and speak at Duillond, to the effect that I was a day late at the festival. I disliked letting down Lady Danel, but I could not let Ceuro just pass me by. We spoke of matters past and present, and agreed our time at Tum Escale in Forlond had been a happy one. The thought came that, in part because my parents had sailed, we could ask if we could again become part of the Lady’s household, willing to accept lesser positions to just be there again.
We agreed, I would travel on to Numenstaya, and Ceuro would join me there as soon as he could. Lady Danel would not object. He hoped to be there within the week.
Upon my arrival, I had asked her. She had agreed, and even spoken with Lord Estarfin of Ceuro as a smith of much skill. I had the impression the two neri had met once or twice in Imladris. I spent some time with the Housekeeper, Filignil. I found her strict but fair. She had a Sinda assistant who seemed little actual help, and it added to my impression that Filignil rather liked me being there. I did not know the full reason for her gladness to see me until the end of the week.
Then there was Barahirn, the stable master. Another Noldo was he, though from Forlond, and closer to me in years than most I knew. He was a surprisingly gentle spirit for one with such a name. Very good with horses in particular, he also showed interest in my birds. Cugu and Tiri took to him almost as if he were a bird himself.
Last, but by no means least, was Ambassador Parnard!
I had not known Lord Parnard well in Imladris, but from what I heard, he was quick to offer advice to any young maiden, always eager to show them the latest dances, and pleased to squire them around the Valley to show them places of interest. I met him again briefly last summer, when he and the others stayed at the beach house. It was during the short time we were both at Numenstaya I got to know him better. Quick of wit, both kindly and lively, he put me at my ease as we took walks around the grounds and went riding at the edge of Yondershire. Glad indeed was I to greet him, and even more pleased that he remembered me.
The only one I could not gain any friendliness with was the silver haired Sinda, Hithaeriel, who seemed to think she was above us all. Why she had been employed was beyond me.
Each day I would look with hope for the arrival of Ceuro. Each day I was disappointed. I knew he had business in Mithlond, and I kept reminding myself he would be here as soon as he could. The Festival continued under Lord Parnard’s direction, it supposedly being a ‘Greenwood’ feast. But the Noldor added their own touches, and we had sparring and something called ‘Fighting in the Dark’ and ‘Who can be highest’ which the Lady and her Lord said they had played in their youth in Thargellion. There was some sort of dice game, with forfeits of drinking more wine, and I fear that somehow Lords Estarfin and Parnard tricked the Lady as she retired early that eve, because Barahirn and I later heard him calling up the stairs to her “Sleep well, Danel. May the morning bring us understanding,” while we were still washing dishes.
“Oh, they seem not to be seeing eye to eye this night,” I had said, thinking it a rare disagreement over some matter.
“They never see eye to eye. He is almost a foot taller than her,” quipped Barahirn.
How we laughed!
The following day I shadowed Filignil, on her instruction, that I understood her daily routine. But a second table was set up by the lake so Barahirn and I (and Ceuro if he arrived) could join in the celebrations. I saw Danel and Estarfin in the early afternoon, looking just a little subdued I thought, but walking and talking so close together that I knew their disagreement had been resolved. Later that afternoon a wandering minstrel happened by our homestead and played four songs for us, so that we could all dance. I think I trod on Barahirn’s toes a few times, although he did not complain. For his music the Minstrel was rewarded with a leg of roast boar, many silver coins, and a cloak clasp in the shape of a sea swell that the Lady had fashioned some weeks earlier. He was very well pleased. Lord Parnard also handed him a small bowl of a special tripe dish that he had prepared himself. But it was early evening that saw the main surprise of the week.
Lord Belegos arrived.
I was sitting down by the lake and looking out for any riders, when he came silently out from the trees. He put a finger to his lips. “Shush, Aearlinn,” he said with a smile. “Are they here tonight? I would surprise them.”
I nodded back and indicated the small armoury, where Lords Estarfin and Parnard, and the Lady had gone. “They are now preparing Lord Parnard’s armour for travel,” I explained in a whisper.
“It is good to see you again, young one.” He ran a hand over my hair, almost as if he were blessing me. He had always been kind. Then the door of the armoury swung open, and the Lady Danel walked out, heading for her house. I remained quiet, while Belagos smiled at me, and walked after Danel, to surprise her.
I think from Barahirn they all had a merry evening, with some sort of hard boiled egg eating contest between Belegos and Estarfin.
As for myself, that night Filignil came and found me, and taking me back to her kitchen in the main hall, explained what she wished from me.
I was surprised, shocked even that she thought I could manage Numenstaya in her absence.
“They will all depart later tomorrow,” she explained, “And I cannot afford to be too far behind them. Besides, you will have Barahirn and Hithaeriel to aid you, and this Ceuro, when he arrives.”
She made Lady Danel’s life being at risk sound like an everyday event. But of course once I had heard that, I was only too willing to help.
“This place all but runs itself when there are no visitors,” she explained further. “See to the animals, the kitchen garden, and the cooking of the meals for those who are still here. Any messages, which are rare, should be left in the Lady’s study.”
It sounded so simple. I was growing to like Barahirn, and knew he would help. I was certain Ceuro would be there soon. What could go wrong?
Well, Hithaeriel disappearing shortly after Filignil the following day was only just the start.
