Estarfin

It is over. Darkness fills the hall, tempered by the light from the huge fireplaces. Sogadan mutters something and scowls at her, refusing to be cowed by Cachunir's reproachful looks. She stares into the gloomy depths of her wine, ignoring the vintner and scholar alike. Eventually, their third companion, still clad in his uniform, draped in Elrond's colours, speaks.

“When do you leave?”

Estarfin came into the Hall, and, as he bowed to me, obviously took note of my garb. He looked at me very keenly for a moment, and seemed very surprised. Then he said, in his abrupt manner, “You were made a Caun?”

“Well? Were you able to find him?” asked Sogadan.

Parnard shook his head. “Pour out the wine.”

The Vintner of Imladris was a sleek little elf, and knowing well the tastes of his clientele, poured out a tall glass of Dorwinion Red, and pushed it across the polished marble table.

Laurelindo was at home, sitting near the little pool, harp in a side, writing supply on his laps, writing :

'Yesterday was the trial, finally. It has been long in coming…

The trial was long and, despite the seriousness of the crimes and of the situation, it was quite… Entertaining. Between the famous argument of : 'Feanor did that, why can't we also… ?' and other liberties taken by the defendants, much to their attorney's despair I believe… Really it was entertaining.

The trial being concluded, I approached Lord Estarfin to congratulate him on his victory, but he only shook his head at me and gave me quite a cold answer. I perceive that he takes very ill with me, and thinks me a faithless friend, when I insist that I did all I could to help him.

I understand from your letter that you wish to receive a commission from Lord Veryacano. I do not know your particular reasons for wishing to join the Order of the Hammer, but it seems fitting, and very favorable; if you are accepted, you will find all manner of honours conferred upon you, which are exclusive to the Hammer Order.

The next morning I sought Nirhen, whom I found by the pavilion overlooking the river, alone, because she is unsociable, and delivered Lord Anglachelm’s message to her, and said I would attend her to the Hall of Fire, where she would await our Lordship.

I had heard some talk in the courtyard of one of the guests leaving very abruptly, having taken sick, and all his symptoms indicated that his sickness was probably due to the food that he ate while in the Hall of Fire, which, it was said, was a seafood repast graciously supplied by my Lord Anglachelm.

The Ambassador inquired whether there would be any objection to his communicating with the prisoner. There was not. Mirdoron and Mallenhadh seemed to think nothing important would likely result, and that the skinny, mild-mannered elf seemed harmless. They waved him aside.

"I should prefer to speak to him alone, in more comfortable surroundings - perhaps the Hall of Fire? No? Well, have it your way, then." Parnard smiled affably.

“It is not your place to command me, I am free to stay or go by my own will!” Galuoneth spoke the words with a certainty that she did not feel, not when faced with the grim Noldor before her. Estarfin stood to the fore, dressed in a thick leather apron, carrying a heavy hessian sack over one shoulder, a wooden case of tools in his other hand. To his left stood Ruineth, dressed in a tabard of thick suede, turned almost black from long years spent before the forge.