It was six days after our wedding.The guests from Celondim had returned home, Curumaito with a promise to visit again soon. Filignil had parceled up most of the remaining feast and was sending it to some of those who could not make the event. In this matter Captain Culufinnel was to be a major recipient, with enough to live on for a week. The weather had been kind to us, glorious sunny days and clear night skies were additional gifts. But by that evening it had begun to rain. Not a downpour exactly, more a light drizzle, refreshing, but somewhat limiting outdoor activities.
Estarfin and I had been talking in our home, considering possible plans for the near future, and how to initiate them. We both wanted Númenstáya to be something special. Small though it was, we hoped it would grow just enough to become a true sanctuary for any in need. For any unsure of where they would be welcome. Not that Elven hospitality was lax in Ered Luin or Lindon in general, but rather we knew from experience of some few who had hidden away. Were we to welcome Kinslayers? In truth, if any came to us, how could we turn them away? And more than that: we were building to last, not for a few decades before we took ship, but for as long as Arda remained.
There was a sharp knock on the door.
Estarfin looked over, and sighed slightly.
“Well we have had the whole afternoon to ourselves. Who can it be? Filignil or Parnard would be my guess,” I suggested.
“Guessing is not required.” Estarfin called out ‘Enter’, and the front doors swung open. “Welcome, Parnard,” he added.
An unexpectedly dry Parnard walked straight over to us, a merry smile gracing his face, and bowing low said, “Are you ready to visit my dwelling and eat cake?”
“Cake?” Estarfin turned to me. “Another cake?”
Thankfully we had only eaten lightly that day. “Yes, meldanya, Parnard and Miruviel have a sort of surprise for us.”
Parnard nodded. “Miruviel fussed over it so much. She is very clever with sugar paste, and has painted it with a rainbow of colours.”
Estarfin stretched and smiled. “Miruviel makes excellent cakes.” He emphasised her new name.
“You shall see how I have decorated my house. The stars are bright, and the moonflower shines its ethereal glow upon us.” Parnard seemed in the best of moods. “And Marawendi is now Miruviel, although I do not fully understand her wish to take a new name.”
“Not all would wish for a Quenya name,” Estarfin pointed out. “She wished for a name like ours?”
I nodded. Not even all Noldor wished their name to be in Quenya. In truth a large number had taken Sindarin versions, or even different names entirely.
I tried to explain further. “As you know, I am Carnifindë Istarnis, but I chose Mírdanel in memory of Celebrimbor, then shortened it to ‘Danel’ in memory of those Mírdain who perished in Eregion. Now, well, my heart tells me I am Racarnë.”
Estarfin glanced over at me.
“But that name is most special to me, so in general I shall still use Danel.”
Parnard gestured to the door. “We should go to the house. Marawendi–I mean, Miruviel, is waiting there.”
Rising to his feet, Estafin said, “I wish to see this cake.”
I gently nudged him. “And eat it, too?”
It was a pleasant walk to Parnard’s house, the drizzle had abated for a short time. We did not hurry, although he appeared so eager for Estarfin to see his house, and for us both to sample the cake, that we did not dally. “Just over the stream,” Parnard skipped over the bridge. “Oh! There is the Remmirath!” he exclaimed, and pointed at the stars.
“Our friend is in an exceptionally good mood this eve,” I whispered to Estarfin, as Parnard plucked a few night-blooming flowers.
“It is pleasing to see him so,” Estarfin replied, then he took up my hand and kissed it. “And to know that we are happy, also.” He fished a small black bag out of his pocket to show me. “
“My ring?” I asked hopefully. “Then you think it acceptable to keep the betrothal rings we made for each other?”
He smiled. “Who is there to nay-say us? The customs of our people are important, but they should not overrule our own wishes. May we not make our own customs?”
I kissed his cheek. “We may do as our own hearts tell us, as far as I am concerned. It just so happens I have your ring on me. May we gift them again to one another, after this visit, and under the stars?” I carried the ring I made for him on my person every day. For me it was a symbol of ‘us’ and if custom bid him wear it not, then it would be in a small pouch about my neck, close to my heart.
He nodded happily.
Then Parnard’s house was in sight, white candles lit and set in each window. As he walked along the stony path, Parnard tucked flowers in the wreath upon his brow, in order to freshen it. “No one has lived here for some time. The entire street lies empty. It must have once been quite a merry place.”
“Too many homes lie empty,” Estarfin murmured.
I nodded my agreement. “I am acquainted with your remaining neighbour, cousin. They do not intend to travel West just yet. As for this street - I have purchased four vacant houses here, but as you well know, our funds run low at present. Every so often, I check in Celondim to see who has departed. Then the houses can be sold, after a time, but for a fraction of their real value. Thus we have four houses standing empty, and three needing much work.”
“One of these houses to clean and furnish is enough,” sighed Parnard. “Perhaps the newcomers can do it themselves.”
“Most are looking for a place to stay only for a few years, while they gather kindred and their thoughts, and say ‘Namarie’ to all they have known. It is not worth their effort.” Estarfin ran a critical eye over the nearby empty houses.
“But if any have second thoughts on leaving, or perchance wish not to leave at all–what then?”
“Then why would they travel here, Danel?”
“Why are we here? This is still a good land, and the nearest to our home of old?” I replied with a smile.
Estarfin shrugged, but he would think more on the matter, I suspected.
We followed Parnard through the neatly-tended garden to the door. It suddenly opened, and Miruviel was there, framed in the light, adjusting her much-loved blue bow. She curtsied to us.
“Well met, Miruviel,” I said with a warm smile. “Parnard was telling us about your cake.”
She blushed. “It was Lord Parnard’s idea…High Lord Parnard that is.”
She heard about the Halflings, I thought. They almost always addressed Parnard as ‘High Lord’.
Estarfin made a formal bow to her. “Well met, Miruviel,” he said to her in Quenya.
“Only her name is in Quenya, meldanya. I doubt if she knows more than a few words,” I reminded him in Quenya, not wishing to embarrass her.
Estarfin nodded. “Well met’ is what I said to you.” He smiled. He always acted with consideration to the young Wood-elf, understanding that her life had changed much since she had chosen to join us.
“Oh, yes of course,” she said softly. “Do come in. The cake and the wine are this way. I hope it is to your liking.”
We walked into the entrance hall and followed Miruviel to the nearest side room. I found the decor…interesting. It featured an abundance of colour that I found brighter than expected. Parnard needed room to express himself, after all.
“This home has been made warm and welcoming,” I said.
Parnard smiled. Miruviel positively beamed. “High Lord Parnard has been cleaning it, and bringing in furniture, although some was already there,” she said.
“Oh yes. And there are several maps in here.” Parnard gestured to the side room. “ I let them be. Who knows, they may prove useful,”
