Estarfin had suggested Parnard slept outside, under the lights of Tintallë. I first thought of the sea, the mantle of Ulmo, for defense. A different Vala, but the same need for an ally whose will could not be challenged. Oh, I was angry then, at myself for not seeing clearly earlier; with the Sorceress Zairaphel and her petulant tenacity. She had not bothered to recapture Parnard when he escaped, but now that he was home, she would grant him no peace of mind.
If we were fighting flesh and blood we would have little problem. Estarfin stood ready, spear in hand, to do whatever mischief he could against Parnard’s enemy. I would stand at his side, as would the others in Numenstaya. We would inflict much injury on our friend’s behalf. But this was not a struggle against anything physical, rather an abuser of a form of osanwë.
I knew enough on the subject to understand she could not take over Parnard’s mind, but she could weaken him by disturbing his sleep; she could trick and deceive him into voluntarily lowering his innate defenses. And this by techniques taught by the Dark Lord. I was learned in some matters connected to this, and had experienced some attempts made to disarm the thoughts of others in the siege of Eregion, but I was no expert. My attempts to communicate with Estarfin by thought had haphazard results, although I believed it was more attributable to his instinctive shielding of whatever he could hide, rather than his ‘stupidity’ - as he termed it. I smiled to myself. It was a matter he and I could work on in due course, but this was Parnard, and the time to act was now!
Marawendi was sobbing and wringing her hands. She would protect Parnard as much as she could, but staying awake day after day to keep watch would only exhaust her spirit. We needed reinforcements.
“The Dark Lord loves not the Stars or the Sea. Both Vala are his nemesis, that he will not easily support one who will antagonise them. Without his support, Zairaphel is weak, mortal-born, and yes, a shapeshifter. But she has no power over minds, over…” I halted for a moment. “She cannot have a Palantir?”
Estarfin looked over at me, “Are they not all accounted for?”
“I believe so. And it is unlikely even the most skilled of Umbari smiths could make one. Nay,” I laughed, “no mortal is as skillful as Feanarö.”
And so the idea of a Palantir was eliminated. She may have some lesser form of a seeing stone, or it may be her own thoughts alone, but even so, I was at something of a loss as to how to stop her.
“Very well. Marawendi needs rest, and Parnard needs company and protection. Let us do as you say, Estarfin, that Parnard sleeps outside on the sward by the statue of Tintallë and does not stray from her protection. I will stay the night with him, if that is acceptable?” I looked at Parnard as I rose from my chair.
He nodded, somewhat hesitantly, I thought.
“Marawendi, please seek your rest, either in your own room in Parnard’s house, or in the room over the workshop, where Fearanë now resides. There are two beds, and everything you might need in there, as I was readying the room for the both of you, before this interruption.”
The tear stained face of the young elleth turned towards the older Wood-elf. “I am tired, Lord Parnard, but I do not want to leave you.”
“Rest, Marawendi. He shall not be alone.” Estarfin reassured her. We both nodded.
“We will just be outside, underneath the starlight. In the morning we can consider what action to take. Perhaps we shall go to the coast?”
Estarfin looked grim.
“Only at great need shall we go there, meldanya. First we shall see what we can do here.”
He looked more at ease. “That would be my preference, but shall we do what is required.”
There was a knock on the door. “It is I,” Filignel announced. Estarfin stood aside as the door swung open. Our housekeeper’s eyes widened as she saw him, spear in hand.
“Was my dinner that good that it needs guarding from others?” she said with a twitch of an eyebrow. She held a towel in her hands, enclosing a large cup she must have wanted to keep hot. Steam was rising, and there was a sweet and fruity fragrance in the air. “I heard you were not sleeping well, Lord Parnard. I made you a posset.”
“What sort of posset?” Parnard asked, giving her a suspicious look.
“Honey and elderflower, with vervain and hops,” Filignil replied, presenting the cup to Parnard.
He gestured for her to put it on the table. He did not seem to like the idea very much.
“The stars are beautiful tonight, are they not?” Estarfin was still standing by the open door, though now looking out. “I am glad they never change,” he continued in Quenya.
I nodded at his words, as I too took a peak. Filignil, also a native Quenya speaker, nodded her head.
“I am comforted that we have Tintallë to watch over us,” I said in Sindarin. I headed outside, moving towards the statue at the side of the house. The others followed. Her stars overhead, her statue before us: it was the best plan we could think of just then.
Estarfin smiled as Parnard drew nigh. “How do you fare?” he asked.
“I am restless, weary of lurking indoors, hiding under lock and key,” he replied.
“Do you wish to ride out, or take a walk?” the Noldo asked, his face grave with concern. “We can accompany you.”
“We will help you as you wish,” added Filignil as the full seriousness of the situation dawned on her.
Parnard scuffed a heel against the marble floor as he brooded, and seemed unsure how to answer. “How long must I remain ‘under the stars’, do you think? Will I need to build a hut?”
“Remain?” Filignil whispered in my ear.
I waved a hand, signalling ‘not here’, and said, “There is more to this situation than meets the eye.”
The housekeeper nodded. “Tell me if I can be of aid. I can do more than make unwanted possets.”
“Write a letter to Curumaito,” I instructed, certain that the healer’s wisdom would be of aid. “Tell him to pay us a visit as soon as possible. I shall ask Yrill to ride to Celondim to deliver your message.”
“Curumaito?” Parnard said, understanding nothing else, for we Noldor conversed in Quenya, and he had not mastered the most basic elements of that language.
“You know his skills, Cousin, and have already met that ‘old one’ - as you would term him. He may have some helpful suggestions.” Now I had much trust in Curumaito’s skills from the time he aided us with the severely injured Barahirn, and from general conversation. Another Noldo, of the people of Maglor, he had also fought against Morgoth during the First Age, and snatched many of our wounded from the grip of death.
“Perhaps we should also write to Lord Elrond?” Estarfin suggested. Then he shrugged.
“Indeed,” I replied. “It is a wise suggestion, to ask one of our wisest, and a healer in his own right. My only concern is the time it will take. I can send Ceuro as soon as he is ready to ride?”
But the other three were distracted by something or someone behind me. Parnard pointed, a small smile of recognition brightening his pensive expression.
“Belegos has returned,” he said.
Estarfin smiled as our old friend crossed the sward towards us. The Hunter from Gondolin, oft busy with his own appointed tasks, was always welcome among us. He looked well, there was no shadow about his eyes, and he walked with his usual vigour and confidence. He bowed. “Well met. I have missed you all.” His eyes turned to Filignil, whom he had not encountered before, and he made a separate bow to her.
“He must have news!” Parnard exclaimed with more enthusiasm than he had shown for days.
Estarfin stepped forward and slapped his ‘brother in arms’ on the back. Oh yes, the mood was definitely lightening. Belegos smiled back.
“It has been too long,” he said, lowering his green hood so his dark brown hair cascaded around his face.
I stepped forward, reaching out to hold his hands in mine for a moment. “Dear Belegos, it is so good to see you again. You could not have arrived at a more opportune moment.”
“Indeed? I cannot stay long, but I thought as I was nearby, I could spend a couple of days with you all. I see you have been busy building defensive walls, a gate, and a new bridge.”
Estarfin looked pleased. “It was needful, after what happened. We still have much work to do.”
Belegos nodded, then turned to the quiet Filignil. She curtsied to him.
“Filignil, of the people of Celegorm. Huntress and tracker, and some say that I am a skillful cook. I have heard much of you. It is an honour to finally meet you.”
“Belegos of Gondolin, and Imladris. Of late on a more solitary mission. And the honor is mine.”
Yes, she would have heard both Estarfin and myself speak of him, and Parnard at times. She may have heard of some of his exploits, for some were common knowledge until more recently. He was less likely to know of her, however. She had concealed herself for my sake for so long. Filignil the cook, yes, some knew of her as that. Of Filignil the protector through the ages, Filignil the Swiftbow, the tracker and warrior - he probably had not heard of that.
“We were just discussing a matter of some concern, my friend,” I told him, driven by the need for him to understand the present situation.
“Then do not let me interrupt.”
I waved a hand. “You do not interrupt, Belegos. Quite the opposite. We are in need of all the wise counsel we can find.”
His eyes narrowed. “What has happened?”
“There is an issue with Parnard.” I saw my cousin look annoyed and cross his arms, so I moved to stand at his side. “Belegos, I do not suppose you have any experience with Southron Sorceresses?”
I said it swiftly. It was not a question he would be expecting, neither did I expect an affirmative response. But he was very well travelled, so I asked him anyway.
“Experience?” he said, tilting his head to one side.
“Yes, surely you have encountered at least one or two in all your long, long, long years of patrolling the land?” said Parnard.
Belegos drew a deep breath. “I suppose I have a little experience. I will offer what insight I can.” He removed his gloves and dusted the dirt from his otherwise unusually pristine garb. It struck me then that with my concern for Parnard, I was lacking in my usual hospitality.
“Oh, Belegos…we should have wine and refreshments for you before we begin.”
Parnard looked up with some frustration on his face. He was usually the first to offer and provide wine. “I would fetch wine, only -” He jerked a thumb at the statue of Tintallë.
“Only what?” Estarfin questioned him.
“Only this: who knows what will happen if I move away from my sanctuary?”
“I shall go fetch wine and a bowl of water to freshen your hands and face, Lord Belegos,” Filignil said, though with what I thought was a tone of reluctance at having to leave.
“Thank you Filignil. Most considerate. Could you also give my message to Ceuro to ride to Imladris as soon as possible. If he prepares now, I shall have a letter ready for him within the hour,” I said.
She inclined her head and hurried away. We were fortunate to have her with us.
I turned back to Belegos. “Estarfin was just suggesting we sent to Lord Elrond for help, which we may well have need of.”
“For help - or advice?” Estarfin looked at me.
“Both, meldanya. His advice would be most welcome. If he can spare one of his Lore masters or Healers, help would be even better?”
