“Any development with your…predicament?” Belegos asked Parnard as he settled himself on the floor.
“Danel said we should hear from Lord Cirdan within two days,” Parnard answered, having difficulty piercing bread and cheese on his toasting fork while holding his wineglass. “We need a toasting pan, cousin!”
I nodded. “I sent the letters asking for aid or advice, Belegos. “If Lord Cirdan deems it significantly urgent, we will have a reply within days.
Estarfin was trying to balance a piece of bread near the flames so he didn’t have to hold it. “We used to have a rack we left by the fire. Easier than holding a fork.”
“Indeed, at home and in Imladris. I shall get us a few soon, from traders in Duillond.” I remember using both toasting fork and rack. Estarfin was correct. The racks were easier, I thought, as I watched Parnard testing the sharpness of his fork against his leg.
“I hope those Lords have some lore knowledge that will help with this problem,” said Estarfin as he retrieved a satisfactory slice of golden-brown bread gooey with cheese. He looked slightly disappointed with his efforts.
“I am hesitant to meddle with such a matter, lest I make the situation worse. But I have a few ideas we could consider, and begin to work on.”
“Work?” Parnard said with a notable lack of eagerness.
Again there was a knock against the thick oaken doors, and the sound of Filignil’s soft footfall as she went to answer. We all fell silent as she greeted the guest, took his wet cloak from him, and bade him enter.
“It is Curumaito,” I said, recognising his voice. “The healer is already with us.” A shared feeling of hope stirred among us. At the least, he was another ‘old’ experienced head, likely with some sound ideas. We heard Filignil patter back to the main hall, as Curumaito ascended the stairs.
“Filignil does not join us, or are we expecting more visitors?” Belegos tilted his head towards me. There was the slightest hint of disappointment in his voice.
“I am not expecting any other, my friend. That does not mean no one else will arrive. And Filignil has already given me her counsel. She will prepare a meal for us later, and a bed for Curumaito.”
Belegos nodded. I believe he had enjoyed the conversation with our Housekeeper, and as both were experienced and highly regarded Hunters and Trackers, there was much they could speak of. There would be further opportunities, if his duty permitted him a few days with us.
“Mae govannen,” the newcomer said. The healer was garbed in a long stone coloured robe, not his official wear, but likely what he was wearing when the message arrived. The front of his long, brown hair was lank and wet from where the hood had not covered him. But his warm, blue-grey eyes were bright and keen. He would help.
“Mae govannen, my friend. You know all others in this room, I believe?” I reached over to take his hand for a moment. Estarfin and Belegos greeted him, inclining their heads as both stood to show respect to another old Noldo.
“Yes, of course. Well met all, but we are here on a serious matter, alas.” He bowed, then turned his twinkling eyes on Parnard. “I came as soon as I could.”
“It is good to see you again,” said Belegos, recalling Curumaito’s help with the sorely injured Barahirn. (Barahirn had been with Aearlinn at Numentsya when a group of Brigands attacked. Aearlinn had been slain, and Barahirn beaten and ridden over several times that his body was quite broken. Thankfully Belegos had come to the rescue, and summoned a healer, that our Stablemaster was almost as he had been, save for an enduring guilt over Aearlinn.)
“You did a great service for the young stablemaster when we last met. Let us hope we can all do a great service now for Parnard.” Curumaito saw the seat situation and joined Belegos and I sitting on the floor. He placed a leather satchel bag on the floor beside him, its top slightly open and a few green herbs poking out.
Estarfin looked over, gesturing that the healer could have his chair, but Curumaito shook his head.
“I fear I may be sitting and rising on and off through the evening. Do keep the chair, Estarfin.”
Picking up his ‘satisfactory’ toast again, Estafin sat down.
We watched Curumaito open his satchel, and take out three bunches of herbs, a small censer, two large bottles, and a piece of silver jewelry. “Now, Parnard my friend, do be seated. It may take a while to determine what to do, so please bear with my questions.”
The Wood-elf shrugged, but remained standing by the fire holding his wine glass. “You want answers. So do we all. What do you wish to know first?”
“Do you have any thoughts or insights on the matter?”
“Of course I have thoughts!”
Curumaito laughed. “Good. Humour is a defence and upholds the mood, though sadly it alone is insufficient in cases like this.” He gestured again that Parnard should sit.
“I shall remain standing, so as not to fall asleep,” he said.
I took up one of the bottles of wine and a new glass. “Wine, Curumaito?” I asked the seated healer.
“Just half a glass please. Wine also lifts the spirits, but I need a clear head.”
I did as he asked, looked to Belegos who shook his head as usual, and turned to Estarfin. He also shook his head. “Not tonight, thank you.”
“Unless my knees are jointed as a horse’s, and I can fall asleep on my feet,” Parnard said, then he asked Curumaito, “Are my knees like a horse's knees?” I had a feeling he was putting the healer’s anatomical expertise to the test.
Belegos’s question was more pertinent: “You said ‘in cases like this". Have you come across such things before?”
“I have several such cases in my records, though most are from the First Age. In none were the Dark Lords personally involved, rather would-be leaders of the wicked hoard.”
We sighed with relief. The ‘worst’ was most unlikely, according to our visitor.
“I am speaking of those who are close to a force of…well, evil,” Curumaito continued. “But not in any case drawing energy or aid from him. Acolytes, want-to-be Dark Lords. It has been said to me he watches those who would usurp him most closely. None ever have, none ever will according to the Wise.” He turned to Parnard again, who was still waiting, most likely, for an answer about his knees. “Parnard, do you know this person in your thoughts?”
“What do you mean, ‘know’?”
“This woman of Umbar, have you let her into your mind or not?”
Parnard looked shocked at the implication. “Whyever would I do that!”
“Surely not,” Estarfin said, and scoffed at the absurdity of the thought.
“Do not be offended, please.” Curumaito continued to speak calmly but firmly. “No judgement is implied. Evil can oft approach as a friend, as one bearing gifts even. And before you know what it really is…”
Parnard narrowed his eyes. “The woman is not a friend, but an unfriend!”
“Ah, good. So from the start you resisted her.”
Before Parnard could answer, Estarfin said, “We shall not be fooled again, as we once were, by her or any of her servants.” I knew he was thinking of Khahaynd’s ill deeds towards him. And no, she would never get near him again while I drew breath. Nor would she get near Parnard. But Khahaynd was weakened. This was Zairaphel, Head of the Abysmal Order, whom we spoke of.
Belegos mostly listened as he only knew of what transpired from us. He nodded at Estarfin’s words, though. There were four sharp Noldor swords that could be drawn at need in that room, and another downstairs. All of us would guard Parnard from her.
“A trained, strong-willed user of osanwë can do much damage. But osanwë follows certain innate rules. No mind can be taken by force, not even by one of the Powers. So these tainted ones use tricks and cunning.”
“I was ne’er deceived by her,” Parnard said, his voice a fraction higher than usual, as he downed the rest of his wine.
“We always knew her to be our enemy,” I emphasized.
Smiling a little, Curumaito nodded his head. “That makes it a little easier. We all have the ability to refuse others’ thoughts entering our minds.”
I glanced at Estarfin, who looked momentarily innocent. We would talk more about it later.
“You have some insight into this then?” Belegos asked Curumaito, his eyes bright with the desire to understand more.
“Like you, Estarfin and Danel, I am old, my friend. This has happened before, more often in the First Age, but even the Second, and in this Age on occasions. It has grown rare to my knowledge, but I know not of what happens in other lands. I have dealt with a few cases. But remember, I am a healer, not a Sorcerer who can bring down blasts of lightning against any opposition. Nor can I appeal to any Vala to do so on my behalf.”
“Tintallë is enough, and we leave matters in her hands,” Estarfin, ever loyal, spoke up.
“She watches over us, and it is enough,” I added.
Curumaito pointed to the silver jewelry that he had brought, then held it out to Parnard. It was a mithril formation of stars in the shape of the constellation Valacirca, hung from a short chain. “Put this on. Wear it until the matter is resolved,” he said. “I know she is our best defense against any work of Morgoth or Sauron, but this will keep that knowledge fresh even under Anor’s brightest light.”
Awed, the Wood-elf took up the necklace and placed it around his neck. “Look, Cousin! Is this not fine? Have you ever seen its like?”
I nodded. “Once before, Cousin.” I said no more. I knew not how Curumaito had come across it, but I remembered being enthralled by that pendant in my youth, seeing it on the work-table of my ‘cousin’, Celebrimbor. Parnard was already better guarded than any of us would be.
Curumaito sat again, making himself comfortable. “Now Parnard, have you tried shutting your thoughts against her?”
“You can do that when your mind is wandering in sleep?”
“Oh, yes. You can set your thoughts before you sleep, by an actual decision, an act of will.”
Parnard looked unsure. “Estarfin friend, what do you think of that?” he asked.
Estarfin thought for a moment before replying, “There have been times when Danel has tried to reach me, but my mind was closed to her…”
“Whereas when you call me, meldanya, I tend to hear you,” I whispered.
“So perhaps it is possible…” Estarfin mused. “Though I admit, I have never been skillful in the art.”
“Yet you followed us into Angmar. Yes, I know you had Yrill there, but from what you have told me, you were sometimes following…instinct?”
“I was following you.”
“Indeed. You have never really practiced osanwë, and you believe those who told you you lack the skill. But you found me. Forgive me, but I do not think you are a good example of shutting someone out.”
He sighed.
