Estarfin

“You doubt his love for you?” Parnard asked of me.

“No Parnard, I do not,” I replied without even thinking. Why should I doubt that? Estarfin merely said he wanted an apprentice. Am I wrong in not welcoming Ruineth?

Seating himself more comfortably on the grass, my wood-elf friend took up his flagon of wine, and had a few sips. “With all the talk of bringing that maiden here?”

I shook my head. “If he loved her, he would be with her. Not planning betrothal with me. I do not doubt him.”

"Who took you?" Danel asked.

 "Was some of Lotho's men." Guy replied.

"That accursed name again," 

 Estarfin, rushing up breathlessly, seemed not to recognize his friends at first, then lowered his sword. 

"You must break the lock," Parnard told him, pointing downward at it.

It had been a very rainy day. I minded not at all, for I had my work cut out for me. I had shut myself away in the small room I used as my workspace, and finished the second ring first. 

Fortified wine seems to do the trick. 

Filignil hands out warm blankets to the cold neri, and passes round a bottle of the best fortified wine. She warns them to sip it, but both Estarfin and Parnard down it in one. After that the Housekeeper relaxes with her feet on the table, and watches as the drinking continues. Eventually Parnard has had enough, and curls up on the floor to sleep. Filignil excuses herself and retires. 

After the meal, the four elves take a short swim in the lake under the stars. Estarfin takes some persuading, and when he does get in the lake he mostly shivers. Parnard swims off like a fish, and Filignil proves she can sleep while while floating on her back. Danel's main concern is how to warm up a freezing Estarfin again. 

Parnard and Filignil had been working on a suitable Mirkwood based celebration to share with their friends. There was plenty of food and drink to go around. It should easily last the required week out. 

But that first night was Parnard's specialty, Tripe! The others ate it with varying degrees of enjoyment. The roast venison seemed to be acceptable, and the rabbit and pigeon pies disappeared swiftly. Good conversation, after Parnard had removed his antlers, meant they hardly missed music at all.