Parnard

Danel and Estarfin try to support the distraught Parnard. There is little they can actually do save listen to their friend's distress. Estarfin offers to spar with him, but that is not to the Wood Elf's taste. He sinks into his bottles of wine. The two Noldor think it best to return home soon. Parnard agrees. 

Estarfin and Danel are summoned to the rooms of Captain Brethenel. They are expecting to give witness to the character of their friend, Parnard, but there seems to be some discreet interrogation concerning the deaths of the elves and men as well. 

I killed him in cold blood...nay, hot blood, rather. It was in the heat of a rage that I drove Sarphir through his heart. 

And why I acted so, I know not. My hands still tremble at what I have become.

Oh I am no stranger to slaying an opponent. But that is the key, I have willingly slain those who sought to attack me, or others. I have slain some who would have slain me if they had the chance. I had recently participated in clearing certain ruins in Yondershire of brigands who preyed on travellers, and on the Halfings. But today was different.

So the three of us walked on, into the darkened and corrupted Forest, that was once Greenwood the Great. The horses followed slowly behind us, as alert as we were to threat of any sort. 

Story: Something is Wrong Picture by Estarfin. 

He reached over and raised my chin that we looked eye to eye again. “I do not ask you to share my actions, Lady. But I need you to know, to really know what I am.”

There were dark places, and there were very dark places. It was a challenge to hold to the path, even with the signposts.We made for the pools of moonlight that sometimes broke through the canopy of trees, but they were fleeting and far spaced. And then there was the river. Even Parnard was not certain which it was? We did not wish to get close to the river that put folks to sleep.  

As ever, Estarfin and I turned to the stars of Tintalle for guidance. Parnard also turned to her, I believe. We had a task ahead of us that we hoped would result in happiness for our Wood Elf friend, but it meant returning to Mirkwood, his home...a place we were not fond of to say the least. But friendship is a special bond. We would do our uttermost to see him realise his dream. 

(Picture by Estarfin  )