The afternoon found us taking a short tour of the main streets. I was trying to show Estarfin the places and views I was most fond of. There was the Central Library, down on the island between the falls, the Scholars Enclave, whose steps I had climbed very many times, and there was the Gem Smith’s quarter.
“It used to be busier,” I informed him, not wanting him to think the Forlond of my earlier years as as quiet as it was today. “The streets would be full of folk visiting one place of learning or another. The roads would be full of carts bringing in provisions from the surrounding lands, or fish from the quayside. There would sometimes be musicians to quicken our steps and heart alike. And there was the arena, to the north. Many enjoyed watching the sporting contests.”
“Did you ever enter any?” he asked with a level gaze.
“You know I am a Mistress of Lore far more than an athlete, meldanya. But I used to sometimes enter the horse races, and the hawking competitions. “
“We are mostly all gifted with animals, but you are particularly good.” he commented. “I have ever seen you as such. I recall the hawks you used to have at hom - in Thargelion. And an eagle at one point, if I am not mistaken?”
I nodded. “Just so. My horses and my birds took up a lot of my time.”
I had questions for him also. “You dwelt by the coast for much of the Second Age, yet the Sea Longing did not afflict you there?”
He halted as we crossed a small marble bridge, much the same as others save for carvings representing Ulmo. “It came upon me after that time. And at a different part of the coast. Once I travelled to Imladris I rarely headed back West. And when I did, I found I could do so no longer without some form of summoning. As you now know, it is not a pleasant experience.”
I knew. I did not want that again for either of us if it could be avoided.
“So Numenstaya is nigh ideal? Any nearer to the coast and we would both live with the possibility of being afflicted, any further and we would miss being nigh the coast?”
He shrugged. “I am more than content with matters the way they are, as long as you are happy. I would have us a little better defended, and all our folk trained to defend themselves at need. "
“My thoughts also, meldanya. There will almost undoubtedly come a time when we shall need all the cunning and defensive skills we can muster.”
But he had seen the jewellers row, and led me towards it. There were many stalls and shops, some quite elaborate, selling things from simple and plain jewelry, to highly designed intricate work. “Did you used to sell your works here?”
“Sometimes. I did spend time with some of the silver-smiths, improving my smithing. There were always a few Teleri smiths here. But for working in gold, it was our smiths who were sought.” We halted by a gold smith’s stall. I inclined my head in recognition. “Lomemir, it has been some time. How are you? How is your family?”
The ner raised his head. Long dark brown hair was held back from his face with an ornate band. He looked tired, but brightened as he saw us. One look at Estarfin and he rocked back on his heels, temporarily abandoning his work. “I see you found him then, Danel. About time. I told you he was alive.”
Estarfin looked at me.
“I am very much alive. Estarfin of Thargelion.” Estarfin inclined his head a little to Lomemir as he introduced himself.
A swift glance at our ring fingers told the smith all he needed to know. “Ah, I shall tell the others when I am home. They will be so pleased. But please forgive me, Estarfin. I am Lomemir, son of Rilmion of Barad Eithel, in the distant past. My children, and their children’s children have tended to take up my craft, though a few have been drawn to more scholarly pursuits.” He placed his hand over his heart and bowed again. “You are looking for jewelry?”
“Estarfin held out his right hand, betrothal band, wedding band and ring to lessen sea longing all present.
“I think my lady covers all my jewelry requirements, unless I grow more fingers.”
The silver smith laughed. “She is a very fine smith.”
I lowered my head, but I knew myself to be as skilled as most, if not all jewel smiths in that place.
We spoke a short while about Lomemir’s family. I mentioned the sea longing I had experienced to him, and asked if any he knew had sailed for that reason?
“Those who are so called have sailed already. Three of my grandchildren have done so. The rest of us are content to dwell here for some time longer. We shall see. It seems it can come upon folk at any age.”
I had cast my gaze over many of the stalls by then, and not seen what I searched for.
As the afternoon wore on, I led Estarfin to the steps by the waterfall. They rose in seven stages, separated by ornate viewing platforms with images of Ossë and Uinen woven in metal upon them. There were two slopes that rose to the upper land, but even with our horses that route would have taken over an hour. Climbing the steps only winded us slightly. Not for the first time was I glad he had not donned his full armour that day.
Then, atop the heights, we could look around at smaller green hills, and moorlands. The river ran a wide course to the cliff top, where it fell in a dozen smaller streams.
“The Gelion?” Estarfin asked.”It cannot be the same as the one by Thargelion? That is under the waves.”
“I do not understand myself, but this is part of the lower reaches of that river's old course. Lands sunk and rose in the War of Wrath. Much of the lands that bordered Beleriand have changed. I at least find some comfort in the sound of this river running. Somewhere, in distant memory, it was familiar to us?”
We turned to look over the foreland, towards the Gulf and the Great sea. It was just visible on the horizon, as the hills somewhat obscured the view. He placed an arm about my shoulders.
“This is home,” he said. “You are my home. I cannot break my oath, long ago though it was. Such a thing stands forever. Neither are you bound to it, as you know already. But for as long as I am able, I will stand by you.”
I lay my head against his shoulder. “You are my home. I have far from finished with Endor, and what may yet be discovered. Here I remain for as long as I am able.”
I believe he was beginning to realise I meant it. There would be no sending me away if I had a say in the matter. I did not tell him then of the plans that were beginning to form in my mind, that would mean we would never have to part. That could only happen when I was certain my skills would accomplish my need.
We watched as the day turned to a warm and starlit evening. Folk bustled around the city below, now returning to their homes after the day’s toil. Some could be seen, little larger than ants, heading for the harbour lights, and the music played there. Forlond may have shrunken in size, but it was still inhabited, unlike Estarfin’s old home.
I sighed. It was not a moment we could hold onto forever. “Back to Tum Esgal then? We will find what Parnard has prepared for supper.”
He nodded slowly. “I shall stay away from the coast for a few days. We can ride in the hills? In a couple of days I am likely to be able to face the sea again.”
I was concerned, but trusted him to keep track of any effects he was experiencing. For my own part there was no hint of the ‘madness’, it was almost as if I had never experienced it.
Then we descended the steps and made for the stables and our horses.
