We three set out for Tûm Escal, early in the morning, two days later.The journey was just under two hundred miles, but on mostly easy trails and under shade-giving trees.
Parnard spoke eagerly of swimming and fishing, even offering to tutor Estarfin in the art of the rod and line. He mused aloud on the vintages that might await us in the local taverns, suggesting we share the hearth-duties in the Hall, or else leave the provisioning entirely to his care. As the village drew near, his eyes swept over the shifting landscape and the solitary wanderers bound for Mithlond. Pointing out toward the scattered skiffs dotting the Gulf, he turned with a knowing smile to say, “Estarfin, my friend—you have no love for boats, remember?”
Estarfin shrugged, riding a little closer so he could take my hand.
“We shall not be going on any boats, Cousin, though of course you may do so if you wish,” I replied, to settle the matter.
And so we progressed west, along the coastal road. A few riders passed us and were likely heading to the homesteads around Mithlond. We crossed a final arched marble bridge and there, just off the road, lay our destination. It brought back recent memories. Somewhat sorrowful was I that Istarnië and her servants would not be there to receive us, nor be able to meet Estarfin nor Parnard.
My paternal grandmother had long dwelt in that place, having arrived in Middle Earth with her husband, among the forces of King Finarfin at the time of the Battle of Wrath. Alas, he had been slain in that battle, though she had continued to search for any remaining family. I had been one of the last, and she remained as long as she did because of my unwillingness to seek Valinor. We had never been overly close, nor had we spent much time in each other’s company. But she had been there when needed, and had listened well to me. She kept an efficient house, with study and collecting of Lore a priority. We found we had quite a lot in common, though she laughed when she first beheld me, telling me I had more of her sister’s look about me, than her own.
My grandmother’s Halls were not overlarge, but had a moderate amount of land. The house was perched on a cliff top that overlooked the sea and passing ships. The small village at the eastern edge of the great harbour had a market, a few artisans stores, and a couple of inns. Life was slow and easy most of the time. I liked it there, away from the harbour itself, although Forlond of the many waterfalls was also beautiful to gaze upon. There it was that the much altered Gelion River poured over the cliffs and into the gulf.
We found the place a little sparse, though the stables were clean, with fresh straw set down and the mangers newly filled with hay. The trees and plants appeared well tended. The buildings were all in good repair. I knew the care of the place had fallen to the local innkeeper and his family, for which they had been paid a goodly sum. We all dismounted, stretching our limbs from the journey, and left our horses to wander and make themselves at home.
“The water and beach are back over the bridge and downhill, my friend,” Estarfin addressed Norlomë in the usual Quenya. She tossed her head and trotted off in that direction, the other horses following.
“Go wander among the grass and sand dunes, my friend,” Parnard called out after Swan-hoof.
Pelorian knew the way well, having dwelt here with me in recent times. Our horses would not get lost.
We three stood nigh the cliff edge, taking in the view. From those grounds the sky seemed endless. No hills to break the horizon, and only the place where sky and sea met, in the far distance were a limit. The air was warm and fresh, with just a slight salty breeze. There were several large trees, a rotunda and an elevated gazebo, from where one could have a further view along the gulf. A good spot for watching the ships, and watching for any enemy, Corsairs in particular! I rebuked that line of thought. They were gone, those sea-borne brigands. I would have no such nonsense disturb my husband.
Estarfin seemed happy enough. He commented on the sound of music carrying up from somewhere on the shore. Flutes and voices it was, and a small group who were, no doubt, enjoying the weather on the sands below. It was a merry tune they played, one that made me feel like dancing. But not yet. My first need was to ensure Estarfin was not affected by our location.
“To the house?” I gestured ahead. Though the grounds and view offered much, I would have my companions know where they could go to take rest or refreshments. Both neri nodded, though I saw Parnard was distracted, and he ran briefly back to the cliff top to wave at a passing ship. A few on board waved back.
We took a tour of the house. There was the old dwelling hall and an even older, larger library that was built early in the Second Age. The latter would keep for now. I wanted to search for certain records at some point, but that could wait at least a few days.
“Estarfin, is there any effect upon you?” I glanced at him in as casual a manner as I could. He was wearing the ring I had fashioned for him to aid against the sea longing. Mine was among the few items of jewellry I had brought with me. I had not noticed Parnard wearing his replacement ring.
He shook his head, though he seemed just a touch quiet, even for him. “And you, Danel?”
“I feel fine. This is a place where we can relax, I hope. Where we are free of concerns and of urgent thought. The fortifications and restorations will keep, as will lessons, and training. Filignil will watch over Númenstáya during our absence. “
He smiled more openly at me. “Our Housekeeper is a treasure. Prince Celegorm trained her well. And here, Parnard will tell us if he thinks aught is wrong.”
Parnard smiled at us. “You both are my first priority, Cousin. My second is finding the kitchen, and food and wine.”
“Wine would be welcome,” Estarfin said.
Parnard hurried off towards the kitchen. I had sent a letter to the caretaker to prepare a large box of supplies, nourishment for the night, and two dozen bottles of good red wine. My cousin would not be disappointed.
I sighed and turned to face Estarfin. “It is so good to see you happy at last, meldanya. Since we found each other again, that wish has ever been foremost. When you showed me the village in which you spent most of the Second Age, it nigh broke my heart. I would replace those days of pain, of emptiness and solitude, with many good memories, many good yeni.”
He took up my hand and kissed it. “As I would replace your sorrowful thoughts with happy ones. I respect and honour your desire to come here. Being completely at ease may be somewhat challenging. Perhaps we shall spend more time in the village and mountains, and less on the beach? At least to start with?”
I understood. He would not risk spoiling these days we had to ourselves.
“I see no chicken, but there is a basket full of mussels and scallops, a loaf of bread, and a couple sea bream. I shall cook a stew tonight,” Parnard called out from the kitchen.
We both smiled, resting our foreheads against the other.
“I shall aid Parnard with the cooking,” Estarfin said softly.
“You cook well, meldanya. I have never gone hungry or been disappointed on any of our journeys.”
“I cook stew well,” he chuckled.
I laughed. I wanted rest more than food at that moment. “Parnard has his choice of two rooms downstairs. We shall have the upstairs to ourselves. Perhaps we shall share wine, and then rest? The stars will be beautiful this night.”
Later that afternoon I left Estarfin asleep, and returned downstairs to see how my cousin was doing. He was sitting in a cushioned armchair with his feet propped up on a side table, a large glass of wine in one hand, and was eating from a platter of bread and cheese. He looked up at me, and with a somewhat guilty expression said that he had eaten the jar of pickled samphire.
“We can ask at the Inn for more,” I told him. “That is one of their cook’s specialties. And you do not have to make all the meals. Estarfin will help with the cooking, as will I.”
“Boiled eggs and beans then,“ Parnard laughed. “I suppose Estarfin is asleep, again. It is a good thing you brought me along, Cousin, to keep you company during the long hours.”
I took the glass of wine he offered and sat beside him. “I do consider this is the first time Estarfin has truly been at ease for oh, since the First Age…” I confided. I could not think of when he would have been as happy or content since the fall of Beleriand. That memory hurt me. It must have shown on my face.
“There, there, Cousin, drink up! Wine will help. Wine helps most everything, I find. Estarfin is happy now. Maybe he is tired because he is so happy?”
“I want him to be happy.”
“I know that. He seems happy. I think he has been tired and quieter lately.”
“He has been toiling with walls and defenses almost without cease. Ceuro helps out, but he has his own work to do. I think he misses Yrill.”
Parnard raised a brow as if that had never crossed his mind. “Yrill?”
It was not the time to illuminate him on our somewhat confused and confusing younger warrior. “Cousin, I do not want you to be bored here. We thought of inviting someone to keep you company, but did not wish to give up our solitude. Do you understand?”
Parnard only stared at me.
“Estarfin and I need time alone, without any disturbances or worry. We know you will be considerate. Others mean well, but they may not understand-–in particular, the girls. However, we were considering inviting Miruviel and Fearanie for the last week we are here. It would mean some company for you, a pleasant change for them, and a way to ease ourselves back into life at Númenstáya.”
We sipped our wine in silence.
“What say you that we go for a walk outside, Cousin?” I suggested.
He cocked an ear. “Why not? The rain has stopped,” he replied, and rose to his feet.
“We can talk further about our young ladies, if you wish?”
“Both are well on their way to becoming fine ladies.”
“With a little help, and nudging in the right direction,” I told him.
~~~~~~~~~~
Parnard and I took ourselves outside, the rain having subsided. The air was wonderfully fresh, with a sharp coastal tang to it. The breeze ruffled our hair, but was in no manner building up to be anything threatening. It held the promise of a peaceful, long evening.
“Estarfin is fond of the young ones, you know. But I don’t believe he is quite used to so much chatter, so many questions.”
Parnard nodded and slackened his pace to allow me to catch up. He wandered over to a wisteria vine to sniff its fragrance. “Both of those girls are remarkably keen,” he said. “They would surely appreciate a visit here, given that it is your family home. But that can wait a few weeks. Let us allow Estarfin to return to his usual untiring self first.”
“Filignil is very good with them; both kind and stern as needed. She will keep them occupied. I was hoping Yrill would take them under her wing a little, and teach them the arts of tracking and defence. That shall have to wait until she returns.”
“Where has she gone?” Parnard asked, strolling toward the cliff’s edge. He stopped, momentarily captivated by the beautiful vista of the harbor spread out below. It was the perfect spot for a picnic. With a sigh of relief, he put down the wicker basket he had carried all the way from the hall.
“She did not say exactly. Only that she felt a need to be traveling again, and would likely visit Imladris. She has been at Númenstáya for quite some time. She was ever restless.” I thought then that he had never quite gotten to know my old student from Eregion. When she returned I would have to try and remedy that.
He opened the basket lid to show the contents: a pigeon and rabbit pie, half a ham, some Duillond cheeses, sandwiches, bread, some pastries, and a bottle of wine.
“In case the sea air makes us peckish, Cousin?” I asked.
“Quite so. I am almost ready for a bite to sustain me.”
We laughed.
Now the grass was still just a little damp, so we stood there with the open basket between us. I was not particularly hungry, but took up a piece of bread and a slice of ham. That and a little wine would be sufficient.
“Is Estarfin’s unusual torpor a natural part of married life?”
I halted, the bread and ham almost in my mouth. I lowered the food and looked questioningly at Parnard. He seemed to be asking in earnest.
“It may be so, for some,” I replied. “There is nothing unnatural about either of us, save we wed over six thousand years later than we should. We are not the only elves to do so, though it is rare. Neither are either of us exhausted by the ‘adjustment’. But after the past year, our misfortunes with those brigands, I admit I am more tired. What happened afflicted me…and you as well, body and mind. One does not get over such an ordeal quickly. Nor does Estarfin easily mend from the anguish of believing us forever lost to him. It took a great toll upon him, you must understand. I suppose it will take just a little more time for us to truly be at peace.”
“Of course. I am sure Estarfin will be restored soon.”
I nodded and decided to change the subject. “Look there, a short distance out upon the Gulf—a scattering of small craft, swift and nimble.”
“Is it a boat race around the bay?”
““I cannot say. I have never heard tell of such a contest, though perhaps it is some minor regatta held along the northern shores.”
“Look at the array of colours of their banners!” The spectacle held Parnard fast, erasing all thought of his repast.
“They do not bear the likeness of Corsair ships. For that I am glad.”
We looked solemnly at each other.
“Could they come here, Naraal and his crew? Could they attack us here?”
I swiftly shook my head. “No raider would approach Forlond so closely without our ships in pursuit. Though I know you bore him little affection, my friend Gaerion gave me his solemn word that it is nigh impossible for a Corsair ship to steal into the Gulf unobserved. We remain safe, Cousin.”
Bright Anar had done her work and left the grass dry. For a time we sat eating and drinking wine from carved wooden cups.
“On the morrow, I shall look for shells upon the sand,” Parnard announced. A sudden gust from the harbor caught his hair, stirring it about his face as he continued. “If I find a token of worth, perhaps your skill could transform it into jewelry for Marawendi–I mean Miruviel, Cousin. And could you fashion a companion piece for Fearanie? Young maidens hold a fondness for jewelry.”
“Indeed, I will,” I said, lifting my half-filled cup to Parnard, offering a toast to his gentle nature. “Your foresight serves you well, Cousin. It is best that both are equally favored. Many ellith, young and old alike, are ever enchanted by fine jewelry. It would bring me great joy to shape tokens of beauty which you may bestow upon them.”
Parnard smiled, his eyes returning to watch the boats sail across the harbor as the cool sea breeze caught his hair once more. We sat in companionable silence, sipping our wine upon the dry grass, content to watch the little vessels dance across the glittering waters until the sun began its slow descent.
Estarfin walked from the house. He was garbed in a loose robe suitable for swimming. He smiled at me. “Just in case we are trying the water, under the stars?”
I jumped to my feet and walked towards him. Yet I knew the threat of sea longing still existed if he faced it willingly, or not. With only Parnard present, still sitting on the grass with the remnants of our meal spread about, it was seemly for Estarfin and I to greet one another with an embrace and kiss. I reached for his hand.
“Sit down beside us, meldanya. There is still some food and a little wine left.”
He chuckled. “I had a glass or two in the house. It is very nice there, though it needs a few touches if you wish us to come here often.”
I shook my head. “This is part of my past. Our future lies in Númenstáya, though I would not mind if we came here from time to time?” It was a question, or rather me leaving the issue open ended. We would decide together if and when we returned, and we had only just arrived.
“Books and maps, and a marvelous star painted ceiling,” he said. “Obviously a home of Lore Mistresses and Masters. Though many shelves lie empty.”
“Some were moved to our home. Some few have been given to the library in Forlond.”
“I would make more study of the maps. It is time I knew better where I am going. I would find you sooner than last time, should you ever be missing.”
I smiled back. It was a serious matter he referred to, but also it was true that he was not the most reliable pathfinder, save in the Trollshaws and Hithaeglir.
Parnard rose to his feet. “A beautiful night full of stars,” he sang out, then he began dancing in and out of the shadows of the rotunda. He looked very much at peace. “And as for the library,” he said between steps, “if we want books we need a place that does not leak when it rains.”
Well yes. Half the old library’s roof was now missing. The books had found other homes.
“All these books, here and in Númenstáya. Perhaps we should invite Talkale to stay and watch over them?” Estarfin kept a straight face, as he was good at doing when baiting Parnard or me.
Parnard turned to face the nearby cliff. “I wonder if Talkale can swim? We could invite him.”
“Ah, I know what Talkale is like, but now we are being unkind.” I sought to end more suggestions for the Imladris scholar.
Estarfin simply shrugged, then smiled. He walked nearer to the cliff’s edge as the rosy hues of light vanished below the horizon, and the inky black was pierced by Tintallë’s light. He looked at the broad sea.
“Have a care there, meldanya. The land slopes sharply.”
He nodded that he had heard, without turning around, and took a deep breath.
Parnard walked down the narrow path that led towards the beach. I watched him climb onto a rock, then dive into the water.
I left Estarfin alone with his thoughts for a few moments more. His gaze remained fixed on the western horizon; his expression firm, yet it lacked the utter defiance I remembered from seasons past.
“Is all well?”
He turned back to me and nodded. “For now it is. Shall we have some food and wine?” He hurried back to my side, casting a hopeful eye over the remainders for a treat to his liking.
“Come then. No sad thoughts. This is a time to enjoy. Behold, Parnard entertains with all his jumping and splashing; we have almost a full bottle of red wine, and here are roast beef sandwiches, cake, and some hard boiled eggs.”
He looked satisfied and sat beside me. “I am not truly in the mood to swim this night. Perhaps tomorrow?”
“But of course. We swim when we wish. So long as I am with you all is fine. Parnard will have scared any fish away with his splashing. There is no point in trying to fish, not for some time.”
Estarfin poured wine into our cups. “Here fishy fishy,” he said with a laugh. “Although I do not want to recall much of that adventure, I do recall fishing with a sword.”
“You lost your sword and caught no fish,” I reminded him.
He laughed. “I did not lose you, though.”
I ruffled a hand through his hair. “I would not have let you lose me.”
Parnard crested the rise, sea-water dripping from his hair as he approached us. “The waters are warm, the stars are bright,” he sang out, “what better time for a swim tonight?”
“It is time to finish up the wine.” I took up another cup. Amazingly, Parnard held up a hand.
“My thanks, Cousin, but no,” he replied softly. “The wine is nearly spent; let the two of you savour the remainder. I shall return to the house to don dry raiment.” He took the last strawberry tart from the basket and drifted away into the shadows.
Estarfin turned his attention back to me. “Tomorrow morning I will take a ride along the beach, perhaps as far as the main harbour. Join me, if you wish?”
“At minuial*? If you are rested, that would be wonderful.”
He nodded. “I am not totally at ease here, but the air does me good. An early ride then, and perhaps swimming later?”
“If I have packed some swimming wine. We cannot swim without that.” I referred back to the ‘special’ wine Estarfin insisted he had back in Thargelion, when swimming in Lake Helevorn.
Estarfin shook his head, and we both laughed.
*Minuial - First light
