He was looking over a rolling valley which reached far to the horizon, and he covered his eyes from the sharp morning light that shined on his balcony. He had eaten breakfast and he was ready to take a closer look in Dorthonion. ”Telpenaro, was it?”, a voice called from behind. ”The recruits are expected to meet downstairs”, he added. The Elf he saw was the sarge, and Telpenaro followed him.
The call of the house went well, and Telpenaro was appointed to serve as a guard in daytime. Though there was also another young Elf there called Alcarestel, who had similar goals that those of Telpenaro. ”Don't think that you'll have it easy, just because you come from a family that is already close to the King”, Alcarestel said to Telpenaro. ”You'll see that you are not the only one who is likely to meet Aegnor”.
Alcarestel was haughty in nature and eager in competition, and much to Telpenaro's dismay they were in the same shift. Telpenaro and Alcarestel were both talented in battle arts and were capable of seeing the enemy far off, and even though they did not prefer each others' company, they could work together.
In the fortress that they worked an Elven maid was also found. She was also young, a daughter of an officer, and she was adventurous in nature. ”My mother would have wanted me to take interest in more common crafting, but she died in an ambush. I wanted to avenge her by being a soldier myself, but my father kept reminding that he would not want to lose me as well. So now I am assisting in what craft I may, to help the soldiers”, she said to Telpenaro once. Her name was Celuwen.
Celuwen though of herself as a common Elf, just as another maiden of the Noldor. But to Telpenaro she seemed as fair as a princess for her silky hair. Most of all he liked her because of her nature; he found that she was always easy to talk to, and they quickly became friends. Perhaps he felt something deeper for her as well, but before he could confess it, his words were halted suddenly when he found out that Alcarestel was already courting her.
Telpenaro said nothing, but kept her around as a friend still, despite his repressed emotions. In his spare time Telpenaro explored the forests nearby and look for some fresh and sweet fruits for her. As he wandered further, he became better in looking for trails and learning about the wildlife around the fortress. Celuwen appreciated his gifts and they brought her much delight, but her attention was still for Alcarestel as well.
Eventually Telpenaro's inclination of studying the wildlife was noticed by the officers. He was transferred as a warden and a scout, and even though he enjoyed his new position, his shifts became longer and sometimes he would be away from the fortress for days. He found himself away from Celuwen more, which made her wonder. Eventually she would also spend more time alone, and not talk to Alcarestel about her worries. She also had affection to Telpenaro, which she never told about to either of them.
One day Alcarestel was in a march with Telpenaro. ”Hail, Telpenaro. It has been a while”, he said. Telpenaro was reluctant to say anything, and both remained silent for a long way. He looked sideways at him, and he saw no silver ring of betrothal, but he had little doubt that it might soon appear around his finger. But he tried to shake the thought off his mind.
What happened next was not what either of them expected. The marching soldiers were assaulted by a scouting group of Orcs, and one of them wounded Alcarestel badly. Suddenly, for some kind of instinct, Telpenaro would turn the Orc's attention to himself and stab him to death.
Later Telpenaro visited Alcarested at his bed of recovery. ”I know that we have not really been friends, but we do have a friend in common, and for me it was a reason good enough to save you. She has endured much, and she deserves better than two friends in discord”, he said. Alcarestel smiled slowly and nodded, but he had no words, and he was not able to speak yet.
The deed was well known among Telpenaro's group, and with the deed he had earned the invitation from Lord Aegnor himself. He bowed deeply at the grand sight of a Noldorin prince. He felt ready for the training, since in his mind he had matured. His talent in using the spear was honed as long as Lord Aegnor saw fit, but Telpenaro also knew that his goal was drawing near, and it also meant that the shadow of farewell was over him. He would have to return back to Nargothrond, and he realized that he was more reluctant to go than he thought he would be at the start.
Eventually Telpenaro bid farewell to Celuwen with an embrace. ”I wish all good the things for you and Alcarestel”, he said and gave her one last bag of plums. He did not see her when he departed, but she was looking at him departing the fortress in the sunset when he went, and she stood there accompanied by nothing but her thoughts.
