Rohan, village of Stangard, about 30 miles west of the Anduin
Mid-Summer, T.A. 3018
Edstan glanced to the lovely Ælbdís and said softly: »Why not go back to that tavern? I saw that you were with someone the other night. Who was it?«, he asks curiously, flicking his wrist to lead Ælbdís to follow alongside him. »It feels like weeks since we last talked, does it not? You are so secretive, even for a woman.«, he chuckles. »Do tell!«
Gaomee smirked at the man. She found it amusing when he tried to stick his nose everywhere he could, not taking into regard what could come of it.
»A mere girl«, Ælbdís said. »I told her about Manwë and the belief to him.«
Edstan snorted. »Indeed? That is all? You did not learn her name, find out her purpose as to what she was doing here; Better yet, introduce her to me?« His hint was very obvious in his disappointment in meeting a lovely lass, especially in a post where vagabonds were ramped and men a plenty.
»I could have even had a simple drink! You could have told her about what we were planning, even have invited her to come!«
The Elf rose her eyebrows at that and tilted her head ever so slightly to the side.
»My point is, without me, things are just not said.«
Gaomee held her hands up at the playfully ranting Edstan. Wind came up and played with the white-golden hair of the priestess. It was certainly one of the last strong breezes this day, because the year had come to its half. Midsummer it was and albeit Ælbdís knew that many people would celebrate these days, there had been no great mood for a festival here in Stangard. The rations were still short, the man tired and the general morale was low as the swallows that flew over the ground at the now coming summer thunderstorms. The occasional trader that passed through brought a bit change into the monotony of the village.
»I know her name and much more about her«, the priestess said before Edstan could start again. »Her name was Creowyn, a wandering bard, so she said.«
Ælbdís stroked a bit of her hair behind her ear. »Her mother is a servant at Edoras, her family throughout villeins working for the nobles of the land. That had provoked my interest.«
Edstan raises a brow. »And you thought this wasn't something you should have brought to my attention? You didn't think«, sucking in his chest, he tried to imitate the rich accent of Ælbdís, even catching the attention of some of the wandering men on the road. Enough to give them something to laugh at over their drinks when their shifts came to an end. »You should meet my friend Edstan!«, he said, fluttering his eyes. »I cannot see him, but he's right brave and handsome! You'd like him!«
Gaomee felt quite a bit rebuked at the open and direct disrespectfulness of the knife-fighter. But she could not be mad at him. That was who Edstan was and despite all that and the incredible huge ego, the priestess liked the man. She decided to reply as sharp. »I intended to talk with her, not to scare her away.« The shrewd smile appeared again on Ælbdís' lips.
Edstan grinned. »Scare her? By having a drink and conversing? Now you're just trying to justify your simple mistake!« he chirped. »I personally and honestly believe you sincerely forgot I was even travelling with you. That our trip into the forest earlier was ill forgotten and you went off on your way without a care as to: Where has my companion gone?« he cocks his head, smirking. »I do not enjoy being dismissed without a proper farewell, and I certainly don't like missing introductions. I am offended.«
Ælbdís threw her arms into the air. »I did not dismiss thee!«, she defended herself hissing. »And neither have I forgotten thee. I merely did not notice thee when thou enterest. I just spoke to the girl.«
Now the priestess did indeed appear quite offended herself. She did not, could not see the smirk in Edstan's face and so knew not that he did mean it more in jest than anything else. Ælbdís crossed her arms before her chest, stood a bit side-ways and turned at him with a frown. The shrewd and cute smile had been exchanged against a pout.
Edstan snorted. »Dear, you need to get a sense of humour.« he finally laughs. »And I thought you knew me! Oh well, anyway, it would have been nice had you grabbed me for some simple talk is all I am saying.«
The Elf was looking quite perplexed at his words. The indignation she had felt fell slowly off of her. »Fine«, she said after a few moments in which she grasped the situation a new. Her voice had still a faintly hissing tone swinging with it. »Next time, I will search all town after thee only to drag thee to a conversation with a local.«
Edstan couldn't help but laugh. »I didn't say that you have to go around like a pup searching for it's master!« he says, rubbing his waist. »I meant that if you happen to know I'm about, actually bring me up! I guarantee that you didn't even mention me to this lass. Now if ever she sees you, it's going to be odd stares and I don't like introducing myself to someone that is going to be queer about what should have been told.«
Ælbdís had taken out a brooch and brought it upon the two edges of her mantle, that held them together before her chest. As she then crossed her arms beneath the white cloth, the picture of a foreign cleric was complete.
»Next time then«, she promised half-hearted. »Though thou didst not even come up in the conversation, nor did the girl ask if I travelled alone or with someone.«
Edstan scoffed. »I'm certain that the question: 'what are you doing in these parts' was brought up«, he says. »You're starting to sound like some Breelander wishing to weasle their way out of a mistake that they know was committed.« Pursing a lip, he shrugs. »Anyway, none of that matters. Here we are, still. I put extra emphasis on still«, he says.
»Why are we not off on the horizon? Some pressing matter still has you here?«
Gaomee nodded hesitatingly. »Actually, no«, said the priestess and brought forth a small sachet with coins. »This is your part of the orc-hunt. I am free of my debt and have gotten a few coins that I wish to share.«
She hoped to be able to change with that the topic entirely. »Our horses can be made ready in a short time and we can leave within an hour if you like.«
Edstan raised a brow. »And what of your friend in the tavern? Will you be departing without her now?« he asks. »You see? You leave me in the dark and I know not what is left undone.« he says. »Aye, we can be on our way, but only if you are ready. Aisling and I are ready to get out of here and see some far off sights, particularly Mirkwood."
He brushed his hand over his rugged face. »Alright, alright. Words won't say anything.«
Ælbdís frowned again as the man is able to bring the topic up once more. »I never planned to take the girl on a journey perilous as our«, she commented. The priestess turned towards the direction where the gate would lie.
»We will go through Lothlórien and they will blindfold thee.« Wondering about Edstan's reaction she waits for him to answer.
As expected Edstan waved his hands defensively. »Now hold on! Blindfold? I've snuck around the Golden wood plenty of times and I've even had the privilege of navigating down the riverbank on my way out of Mirkwood!« he says. »What would make it any different now? Just have a word with them and vouch for me and I ought to get through! It isn't as though I am visiting the heart of the place!«
Ælbdís had feared for such an answer and she bit her lip. The realm of Lothlórien was closed to foreigners especially those who were not of elvish blood. The first time, Ælbdís had tried to enter, even she was stopped and interrogated. But by now she was known to be harmless. »Not thee, but I will have to visit the centre for a few hours or a day.« Her face formed into a encouraging smile towards Edstan.
»They will only blindfold thee for a few hours and I will walk beside thee. Once we reach the inner lands thou may receive back thy sight,« she tried to assure him. »I can vouch for thee, but it might be futile.«
»So why can't I grace the outskirts for a while? You go conduct whatever you feel you need to do in Caras Galadhon and I'll just mind myself! I know how the elves are in the Golden Wood. They will not have anything slain nor shall I make work of a fire with the trees that linger there.« Finally though, he let out what was bothering him now more than the idea of being blindfolded. »What do you have to do in there anyway?«
She remained quiet for a moment. The priestess was not too sure if she should and could initiate Edstan into the business that was actually not appropriate for mortals. »I must speak to someone about my travel to the old ruins of my home. I need advice for the road through Mirkwood«, she finally said. It was not lie that she told Edstan but she did certainly withheld quite a few information. Ælbdís hoped that her talent of orating would have let the words sound convincing enough for Edstan.
Edstan didn't fall for the ornate words. He was a silver tongued trickster and he knew all the manner of sugar coating vague answers and he'd not be blindfolded, despite the charm he'd experience in living blind as Ælbdís was for every second of her life.
»We already know the road within Mirkwood, you and I. Like the back of our hands and you far more than I.« he said. »What business have you with those elves of old? Especially with rumour of the powerful witch of the wood?« That too was but a rumour he had been warned of in the cold, black depths of Moria. A warning of the Golden Wood. »I think I deserve that, far more than I deserved to be excluded from the conversation but yesterday, Ælbdís.«
Gaomee knew that Edstan was right. She nodded at his words. »True, that thou art. Prepare thy horse and leave with me to the north and I will speak to thee of what business carries me entwined with fate towards the Golden Wood and further into the north.«
With that she turned and walked up to the stables. A fresh breeze danced again around her and it brought the smell of the approaching evening with it. A slight coolness of gathering water lay in the air, the heat of the day was gone. She gathered her belongings quickly. A mere backpack was enough to contain what she needed. A spare set of clothes, old and worn and a number of tools. Her longbow of course that made her general appearance as cleric rather incredible, for the weapon was certainly not usable by someone who did not learn the mastery of archery.
The priestess mounted up on Sora as soon as she had everything together. The mare welcomed the near of her elvish mistress with a neigh. Perfectly the horse manoeuvred itself and the priestess out of the open stables.
Edstan still did not entirely enjoy the idea of riding off without word of what was to be had, but he'd not question his friend either. Without words or rebuttal, he followed after Ælbdís, even still with his sly smirk on his face masking his true concerns. With his horse long packed and visibly disturbed by lack of haste, Edstan leapt onto the saddle, grabbing hard to the reins as Aisling kicked once to try and throw him off for good measure and he patted her mane, reaching for a spiced carrot to give the beast.
"Damn horse, I hate you too." he muttered.
Pulling alongside Ælbdís, he clicked his tongue and led his way towards the far gate near Stangard's tavern. It was time to be rid of this place.
Ælbdís turned her head at a voice. Wulfwine, a man of Stangard waved at her, then remembered and said his farewell. If any man but Edstan had been polite to her, then it had been Wulfwine. They had often sat together and exchanged their words. Wulfwine had even gone so far to build a shrine to Manwë in Stangard. A bit downcast did the man look after Ælbdís. Heart-broken one could say.
She was silent for a good while after Wulfwine had given his farewell to her. Then the priestess turned around her head to Edstan. »The reason, why I must speak to Grandmaster Yarilyión'', she began, »is because the Dark Time is only one step away from its return.«
Edstan had no words to offer. He was still unsure about what they were on about. His only reason for following along with Ælbdís was because of what he had learned on his last stay in Bree-town. Rumors of ill tithing to his home, and more. Now there was reason to actually commit to such a journey. A companion made it easier, yes. But one such as her was far more precious a thing.
»And you think that mortals are not to be swept away by such a thing? Or that we have no word of it?«
Ælbdís shook her head. »The Dark Time is an ancient occurrence«, the priestess said. »Seek Eärendil at the sky and thou wilt find him shine weak these months.«
Indeed, Eärendil's star was dull in its shine as if it had been clouded by a jealous entity. »There are many prophecies about the Dark Time to return after the Master of Angband was cast from this world. In my old home, we will meet such a prophecy, a part of it.«
Gaomee raised up her head as they were halted by an imperious voice. »Do not step any closer, vagabonds of the south!« The voice was definitely elven and came from the front. Ælbdís turned her head to Edstan then to where the voice had come.
»I am Ælbdís, servant and priestess of Manwë, Lord of the Winds and Knowledge!«
Edstan cocked his jaw and just sat still. He knew that any words he spoke, even in the elvish tongue, would be disgarded. Reaching for his pipe resting in his saddle's side satchel, he struck a chalk of flint against his bracer and lit the bowl.
»We should have just gone around the damn river...« he muttered, giving a glance to Ælbdís. Despite what she had told him about prophecies and events of the past and those that had not yet come to be, Edstan cast aside all notions of such a belief in exchange that everything was not determined by the written or spoken words of some seer. No, his life was in his hands as well as his destiny.
»What of the man? Thee we know, Ælbdís, but no man may enter Lothlórien.«, the guardian replied.
The priestess frowned slightly and raised her voice to give a countering answer: »I remember days when this was not the case! Wouldst thou doubt this man, thou wouldst doubt me and is such thy intent, Guardian of the Golden Woods? To insult a priestess of thy highest patron?«
One with good ears could have heard a second voice speaking to the first. Obviously Ælbdís' words had shown effect and the guard was getting his lesson taught in politeness. The priestess smirked at Edstan knowingly.
»I vouch for this mortal who is named Edstan. I take the full responsibility of any of his action.« Acting impatient she moved her reins.
They waited for good a few moments in which the guards most likely held council. To reject the priestess would have been an audacity for which they would have been punished. Letting the man in, could mean a punishment too. Finally one of them spoke. »Enter ye may, priestess Ælbdís and man Edstan. Rooms will be prepared in the citadel of Caras Galadhon, but make sure the man stays with thee priestess, else he will be hung with heavy chains and brought into the dungeons.«
Ælbdís turned to Edstan with the shrewd cute smile of hers. »It went better than expected.« She gave Sora the sign to continue the travel.
Edstan bit down on the end of his pipe, smoke bellowing from his flared nostrils. Indeed, it had worked and they were both aimed to enter Caras Galadhon, which was not expected. He had snuck around the Golden Wood many times and even been on it's outskirts, but never had he thought to enter it's midst. For all the times Edstan had wandered, he was now truly catching sight of what most mortal men never did. His eyes glimmered with excitement, taking in the sights of such splendour and grace. His smile, broken and formed into a wide grin. Even Aisling his mare, seemed content with the ride. »Aye...« Edstan finally responded, looking to the ornate statues. »This place is magical. But what ever happened to blind folding me? And what of the witch?«
Gaomee laughed loudly and with the sound of silver bells. »Obviously they trust me enough as priestess. Or they did not dare to offend me«, Ælbdís answered.
»The witch is a queen. Do not forget that.« The elf's voice warning and determined as she addressed Edstan clearly. »One wrong word and thou wilst never leave the dungeons again, so think twice of what thou sayest.«
Edstan snapped back into attention at the word of 'dungeons. »What? Oh right, words«, he said softly.
»Right now I am not a man of words. Just let me look around.«
That was all that mattered to him. The experience of it all. He was thankful that there would be no blind fold but he was not at all expecting any sort of warm welcome in the realm of this Queen. Many scribes had he read in her regards and not much was there to be found other than she was a powerful and wise person. As they both approached the stables, Edstan leapt from Aisling, surprised that she had not tried to toss him aside and he smiled at the mare, rewarding her with a pat to her nuzzle and few share of spiced carrots. Stepping forth but a few feet, he cast his gaze to the great city.
There it was, immortality's achievement. He imagined what he could have shaped with his bare hands had he the time to spare on such things. Alas, his rugged state proved the futility of a man rising above that which most men could bear to attempt. »Magical indeed...«
Ælbdís dismounted Sora as they reached the walls of the capital city. Time seemed to stop and go quicker in Lothlórien to the same time. While the ride from the gates to the city had actually taken many hours, it felt as if it was just briefly that she had spoken to the guards. Now only a bridge was between them and Caras Galadhon. Ælbdís smiled, for she heard and smelled, perceived many things. She did not need to see the city. ''Dost thou like it?'', she asked the astonished Edstan.
He waved his hands towards Ælbdís and said softly. »May it be that I am blind, deaf and mute and I'd still feel and taste what you perceive and more.« he responded. Falling to one knee, Edstan pressed the end of his nose close to the blades of grass and the bushes scattered and adorn with flowers. The air was sweet and the breeze itself seemed to nourish his otherwise filthy self. His hands traced and felt the soil, rubbing the specks of it between his fingers before he stood. Deciding that he had explored the stables long enough, he turned to Ælbdís and said: »Will I need to discard my trappings and weapons before the gates or shall you hold onto them for me? I care not.«
Ælbdís waved dismissively her hand and began to place the quiver into the backpack.
»Keep them. This is not Imladris where the lord of the house demands every weapon to be placed away from one's self. No, this is the realm of the Woodlandkin.« The priestess loosened the tendon of her longbow and set everything down on the ground. »But thy packs thou may leave. They will be brought for thee into our rooms.«
At last she put on the cloak again, clasped the edges together with the brooch and had done her transformation from battle-maiden into the cleric. Only Aldoreel the sword she kept.
Edstan loosened the straps to his pack and let it fall to the ground beside him. Latched to his worn and weathered pack, his longbow, which Edstan found little significance of carrying but to simply intimidate the ideal that he knew how to use it. Within, various rations and a set of different clothing, which at this point, was pointless anyway. »I should have bathed in the Great River before coming here.«, he mutters. »These elves will certainly be looking sharp to my actions and I have need to taste their liquor and explore their treetops before my time here is spent and I am above that of a wanderer to become a master ascender to the land and it's barren seas.« He grinned crookedly.
»I think they'll like my cloak!« With that, Edstan took a deep breath and announced himself to the realm of elves with a loud howl. Yes, he was finally here, and announced.
Ælbdís turned at Edstan by the howl and was quite irritated at it. But she decided not to ask at all. May it be a queer thing of Edstan. Slowly she ascended the steps and was soon greeted by an elf, clothed in garments that appeared to be rather important. His face was masked and first he smiled.
»Suilaid, Priestess!«
Ælbdís smiled as well and embraced the warden. »Farodir«, she said and her eyes were gleaming. Farodir opened his mouth, but hesitated as he saw a mortal next to Ælbdís.
»Thou hast brought a visitor?« Carefully Farodir eyed the man. Latent hostility was in the air.
Edstan knew not to speak. His howl had been enough indication of his presence. When they had finally arrived to the gates to the city and been approached by what appeared to be one of the guards, clamped in fine leather like Edstan had never seen and a mask of such splendour, he listened to their exchange and despite the hostility in their tones, Edstan spoke: »Peditham hi sui vellyn ?«, he said.
»Ada nîn a nana nîn pedannir edhellen, gîl síla erin lû e-govaned 'wîn.« He clasped his hands together, resting his hand on his breastplate above his heart and said: »I eneth nîn Edstan.«
Gaomee heard the words of Edstan and had to smirk, while Farodir's face was covered with obvious surprise. For a few moments, the warden failed to speak, then he nodded simply to Edstan and addressed the priestess.
»We will speak later, dearest Ælbdís.« He turned to Edstan and said: »Behave mortal and please do not give me reason to bring thee before a judge.«
Edstan thought that it was well enough a welcome than any other and simply tipped his head in respect. Nudging Ælbdís, he whispered: »I don't think these elves would enjoy hearing about how I earned the largest dagger in all of Arda.«
Ælbdís nodded friendly and walked through the gate. As she was within the city, she couldn't hold back a giggle that was so very likely to a chicken. Something had amused her. She laughed then up. »No, he at least wouldn't.« Ælbdís was hardly able to control her giggling and laughter anymore.
Edstan couldn't place his finger on what had caused his friend to muster such laughter and he found himself laughing beside her. »Look, I know a few phrases! I'm not too elaborate on the elvish tongue! In fact, I think I might have even pronounced some things a bit wrong, but it wasn't that bad!«
She shook her head. »No, thou hast not been bad. But Farodir was overly jealous of thee. Not of thy skills in our language however.«
Edstan looked perplexed. »But in the company that I was in more or less aye? Or was he perhaps thinking what any other hot blooded male seems to think when they see both you and I side by side, my friend. It is not too far of a cry in terms of being a fantasy, but alas tis' but such a thing and that alone.«
The priestess smiled at Edstan and waved her hand. »In the past me and Farodir shared adventure and romance, but I ended it after a time«, she said. Her head turned from side to side as she tried to orientate herself. »It was a long time however and I am surprised and amused that he obviously still feels like in the past. He has a set mind about things.«
Edstan grinned. "Perhaps I can do the both of us a favour and have him be more jealous of the company that you keep. It could be called something fortuitous when in fact it would be terms of endearment in secrecy«, he teased. Looking around him yet again, he felt the nerve to run ahead and scout the entire area but resisted such a thing in fear that it would be considered a hostile action and he'd have an arrow lodged into him.
Ælbdís smirked and raised a hand. »No, my friend. I rather do not heat on the jealousy of Farodir. He might do so himself, even.« With these words, Ælbdís began to set foot before foot, trying to find where they would live for one or two days.
Rhovanion, Old Watch-Tower, Halls of Thranduil,
Mid-Summer, T.A. 3018
»The months of the winter are still the best if it is about astronomy. The nights are clearer, brighter, I think.« Farron, a young scholar with white-blond hair and silver grey eyes, gathered up the folded parchment rolls, balanced the scribbling pad with the paper, ink as well as quill on his head and went carefully for the door, behind which he would find the observation-chamber.
Onehundredninetyeight steps he had to ascend with his burden, before he would reach his destination. That he practiced this daily for already some years, it brought him seldom out of breath.
»Mh, agreed, Farron.« At the table sat Ollkas, his elder scholar-college, who was a few ranks further in the schooling. Also he had white-blond hair, that he however now hid below a warming hat. The coif was richly embroidered, the symbols of a master in astronomy gleamed shortly up in the lights of the candles. »The reason is certainly the cold.« He browsed through the last observations, that brought however nothing new. Yet he wished to discover a new star at the sky, as was it the wish of all astronomers.
He stood up and went for his sparse bed. »I will rest for a while. The stars have made me tired.« He threw himself unto the straw-mattress, crossed the hands behind his head and closed his eyes. »And do not forget to re-calculate the path of Betos and Ketos. We had in the last constellation a deviance of an eighth degree«, he ordered his college. »Should it have been thy mistake, be sure to correct thyself. Otherwise thou wilst never become a master of astronomy.«
»Yes, Ollkas. I will check on it.« The young scholar turned around and began to climb up the stairs.
Higher and higher went the circling stairs, every few steps hung an oil-lamp at the wall and illuminated the granite stairs.
Mechanically his feet rose and descended, while in his thoughts he was within the discovery of a new star, the greatest occurrence for every observant.
But the sky over Middle-Earth was perfectly catalogued, ordered into areas, tropics and cycles that nothing, but really nothing remained unnoticed. And that since good two millennia.
Having reached the top, he laid down the scrolls on a large map table, placed also down the scribbling pad and other utensils and strode though the room. The stone walls were adorned by uncountable maps of the stars and their wandering in the passing of years, other decoration were sought in vein.
Determined did Farron walk to the complicated seeming pulley, moved in a certain sequence chains, levers and winches, until the round wooden ceiling above him had opened itself and gave free the huge twelve steps long telescope, in the middle of the chamber.
The scholar prepared paper, ink and quill, sat down on the chair before the telescope and looked through the lens. Forty-two differently shaped glasses were responsible for different views, from very close to a full size look on the sky.
Farron looked first in the full size view for rough obtrusiveness’s, like comets or shooting stars. Then he began as ever, to search the solitary areas, checked on the position of the biggest planets and suns with the help of the maps within the room and corrected the paths if there was a mistake.
After three hours his eyes hurt from the looking and comparing, but everything was in its order. The firmament followed its summer-cycle.
Does not want a single new star appear for me?, he sighed in his thoughts, while he moved the telescope from one side to the other.
He had just passed the tropic of a few planets as something caught his eye. It was more suspicion than actual knowing. He felt that something had changed upon the sky in rapid time.
His interest awoke. Let’s have a closer look at this. Elbereth, grant me a good perception. Carefully he chose another lens-combination and began to search, although he knew not quite for what.
Then he saw it.
That cannot be. I am maybe too tired. Farron rubbed his eyes, splashed a bit cool water into his face and looked again through the telescope.
But he saw the same as before.
That must be an illusion, a wronged adjustment to the lenses. Quickly did he check on the mechanics, but could not find anything that appeared wrong to him.
»That cannot be,« he said half whispering. »Impossible! That contradicts every rule of the Astronomy!«
He sank unto the chair. Absent-minded he stared into the empty air, until he suddenly jumped up and ran down the tower to wake up Ollkas.
»What?«, muttered the scholar still sleepy. »I hope it is more than important. If not thou wilt clean every lens. With thy tongue, wild friend.«
»Come and see thyself, what I cannot and will not believe.« Farron dragged the master out of the bed. »It contradicts everything what I have learned.«
Now Ollkas was worried. His young college was maybe not the best to juggle with numbers, but the rest of the knowledge about the stars he remembered without any mistake.
Heavily breathing he hastened after Farron and sat down before the telescope.
After the first look he drew back his head, blinked several times, rubbed unbelieving his eyes and threw the remaining water that Farron had kept in a glass into his face.
»Dost thou see Ollkas, what I have seen?« Only with a great amount afford he could hold down the triumph in his voice. Finally he had discovered something, that no one before him had seen. »It is ... totally out of the question, is it not?«
Without taking his eyes from the lens did Ollkas point towards the door. »Go and bring me from somewhere a book about the history of Middle-Earth. Quick!«
»Of course«, said Farron and ran off. After half of an hour he returned, in his hand The History of Our Land. The cover showed deep prints.
»Why did that take so long?« morosely did he look at the young scholar. »And how does this book even look like!«
»I have used it as support for the map-cabinet«, admitted Farron without a great deal of repentance. He was too excited for that. »And? Did anything happen?«
Without answering the question, Ollkas took the book from him and began to browse through the pages, until he seemingly had found for what he had been looking.
»There! There it stands! O Manwë, help us that we understand.« His eye returned to the lens, while the other scholar read the passage out loud.
»And Gil-Galad and Elendil came upon the slopes of Mount Doom, where they fought against the Lord of the Black Land. But albeit the host of men and elves was great and gleaming, it was a dark time and no stars were lit over the skies. And so they fought within void, in blackness.«
Slowly he raised his head and looked towards the south-east, but Mordor was too far away as that he could have spotted it with the mere eye.
» ... it was a dark time and no stars were lit over the skies«, Farron repeated the words quietly from the legend. »But there are no stars now.«
Louder he addressed to the master: »There are no stars over Mordor, Ollkas, are there? I have not been falling for an illusion.«
The observant looked at him. »Yes. But not only that. The stars seem like they have vanished. Simply gone and leaving nothing but a black hole.«
»O Elbereth, what could that mean?«, the young scholar asked and sat down upon the table on the maps, that he pressed and crinkled through his weight.
»I do not know«, said Ollkas who had lost colour from his face, »I do not know. But I wager it is nothing that we should be happy about. I will inform our history-scholar immediately.
Lothlórien, Caras Galadhon, Fleet of Telain Galadhrim,
Mid-Summer, T.A. 3018
Gaomee was obviously excited. Steps carried the blind priestess from place to place, from one side of the large fleet in Caras Galadhon to the other. Her hands were crossed behind her back. She had not said a word why they would wait here. And as much as Edstan would press her, the priestess had remained silent.
Edstan let out a sigh of contempt. While Edstan was certainly just as thrilled of being within the gates of Caras Galadhon, his limited access had been a disappointment.
During the long hours of the night, Edstan pleaded with his friend to allow him the right to go exploring every crevice and tree top of the fabled city only to be shunned. Now they both stood here, quiet and awaiting something. There was nothing more to ask or anything to do but keep to patience, a trait which Edstan lacked. He bit his tongue for good measure, stepping around in mindless circles, his eyes falling to every twitch and movement that came to his eyes.
Ælbdís turned her head from side to side and placed a hand on Edstan's shoulder to halt him as he passed her. »Not long anymore, I am sure« she said, though that was what she had spoken an hour ago. The priestess felt how impatient Edstan was and could not blame him for that. While an hour was nothing within her world, it could mean a small eternity in the mind of a man.
Edstan scoffed in response. Indeed, it had been long past the hour since last she had spoken and it was only that which she had said. »Couldn't you turn to look at me? Perhaps have some words with one another? Anything but just stand around idle like some cattle on the range somewhere far off?« he said tossing his arm into the air, his wrist snapping back. »If I had known it was going to be this long, Ælbdís, I would have broke out a nice campfire and cooked us up some tomatoes, sausages and nice crispy bacon.«
The priestess laid an arm over her chest, the other on her chin. »It is a question of etiquette«, Ælbdís answered and nodded. »And patience is still no virtue thou didst acquire. I thought thee to have earned it on thy travels, since we last met«, she rebuked him friendly and amused.
Edstan begged to differ. »I am patient enough, but if you expect me to be like a damn ent and stand idle long enough until roots dig deep into the earth, you've yet to learn a thing about men, much less about a real man such as I!« he proclaims proudly.
»I could have been sharpening my knives or perhaps looking to the elves here for perhaps some fine leathers! After all, while my armour is sufficient, I could be running along in elvish armour!«
Gaomee was about to reply, her mouth already opened as the door to their opposite opened. Two very tall elves with long white-golden hair came out and walked the short distance up to them. They wore a odd looking, many jointed armour made of shimmering metal, wood and leather parts, that appeared very light and thin. On their back hung two swords for each of them. On those places where no armour covered their body, white floating and soft cloth was to be seen. Pride was set into their faces, the eyes that were of the same colour as of Ælbdís' looked down even on the other elves of Caras Galadhon with a certain arrogance. The two elves gave their greeting as they had reached Edstan and the priestess, by showing their empty hands and bowing for but a few inches. One could have interpreted that movement rather as swaying forward than a true bow.
Edstan was no fool and despite his own selfish goals, found it quite easily within himself to bow low to these elves. He was a guest and he was only within the city because of Ælbdís' negotiating. He'd not taint her name.
Silence on his lips, the only indication of defiance could be read from Edstan's eyes, but only discipline was the foremost thought on Edstan's mind as he awaited to hear this conversation of great importance.
The priestess greeted the two armoured elves, that were good a head taller than her in the same manner. She showed her open and empty palms to them. »I greet ye both, Tobaar the Elder and Símar, the Younger.« Surprise made its way on Tobaar's and Simar's face and the Younger gave Edstan a long look. Now that they were close, their armor could be better expected and it was quite similar to what Ælbdís wore. Hair, eyes and even the colour of their skin seemed only to differ to the slightest by these three elves. And Tobaar and Simar were not either fitting into the setting of Caras Galadhon.
Edstan clasped his rough hands behind his back and looked at the exchange between these elves and Ælbdís. He even gave a bold look to Simar when the long look was pressed onto him. A mere mortal man would have shrinked away in fear but Edstan feared not these elves and his belief was by returning that which was being given to him, they too would know that he was friend and not foe to an estranged Ælbdís.
The look was noticed between Simar and Edstan and Ælbdís decided to quickly interfere. »This is Edstan, one of the greatest warriors of his kin and saviour of my life«, she said quickly what caused also Tobaar to look at Edstan. The Elder turned then to Simar. »I believe thou owest this man an apology. Thy starring had been most impolite.« Tobaar's voice was deep, imperious and there was now no doubt left about his authority over Simar.
»Forgive him, it is usually not our manner to do such things. A friend of Ælbdís is a friend to our clan«, he said and displayed his teeth that appeared spookingly sharper than by other elves. Infact also Simar's and Ælbdís' teeth seemed to be sharper than those of her brethren.
Edstan shifted his gaze between Ælbdís and the two other elves and replied in his best elvish response: »Gîl síla erin lû e-govaned 'wîn.« It was all he would allow himself to say and if ever Ælbdís cared to wager whether Edstan was not a precise man with rational thinking, this display of patience and nobility would cast away any doubts that ever plagued her mind.
Tobaar's eyebrows went up. »That may be not our tongue but it also well to meet thee,« he replied to Edstan before looking at Ælbdís. »Then this is thy companion?« The priestess nodded slowly to the question. Innerly she was relieved that Tobaar and Simar had taken Edstan's presence as something that did not disturb them. The time in which their kin and men had been bound in friendship were over since many millennia. All too often it were now men they had to fight against.
»Yes, that is him.« A short break followed until Tobaar's took up the word again. »I take it that ye both know that the way to the Withered Heath is as perilous as never before? The Kingdom of Dale is at war with the men of the east after a wrong reaction upon an all too obvious provocation from the side of the Easterlings.« Tobaar's teeth shimmered up again. »After the ultimatum had been reached, troups were send. We have our misgiving that they will surround the Erebor to the North. That we cannot abide. We must intercept the warriors before our old borders which would mean battles on dalish ground.« He threw a look at Edstan.
Edstan grit his teeth behind sealed lips. It was not the talk of war that bothered him, no. There was little to come from battle in Edstan's experienced eyes, especially fear. But the idea of having to return to Esgaroth and it's surrounding regions brought a wave of memories back into his mind. There was freedom that Edstan longed for his whole life in his hands, now his, but the responsibility of his original point in life still rang true. Protect your people, son, Edstan remembered the words of his father. Give onto them the courage which only a noble like you could offer. Make them believe. Shaking his head, Edstan rested his troubled brow into his palm, his eyes lowered and his mind pulsating with intentions, promises and his own stance in this revelation. What could he say that couldn't be said better by Ælbdís?
She turned her head at Edstan, tilting her face to the side and placing a hand on his shoulder. »Is everything well?«, she asked, despite this would interrupt her talk with Tobaar for a moment. The tall warrior would understand. Indeed, Tobaar and Simar just followed the scene quietly, waiting patiently for Ælbdís to return her attention to her brethren.
Edstan shook his head. »It matters little Ælbdís. There is duty and there is opinion. Speak now with your kin. Leave my worries on my heart.« he says softly. He would reach his hand out to pat at Ælbdís hand. A sign of reassurance that he would overcome what troubles plagued him.
Gaomee smiled faintly at her friend and was only interrupted by the friendly coughing of Tobaar who tried to get her mind back to what lay before them. Ælbdís rose her head. »Forgive me, friend Tobaar. Please do continue.« The tall elf bowed as thanks and continued: »Thy task is it Ælbdís, so it was decided, that thou and thy companion speak before the king of Dale. Inform him of our coming and that of our swords, should the Easterlings come too close to our borders.« Ælbdís understood.
»That will prevent any fear of the king that unknown warrior might join the ranks of the men of the East.«
»Exactly«, answered Tobaar. »I am certain thou wilt accomplish this task with ease, Ælbdís since thou hast a mortal with thee who might verify thy story.«
Again Tobaar's look rested on Edstan as if he was looking for a reassurance of the man.
Edstan shook his head and finally spoke up. »I am a deserter of my post.« he said. »The King of Dale will be no more thrilled to learn my name some years later as my peers will be to finally lay out punishment for my actions.«
»If I were to come hand in hand with Ælbdís, the bearings of you and your kin would be frowned upon but taken all the same if the situation is indeed as troubling as I have come have word of.«
Ælbdís tilted her head at the words. Tobaar and Simar looked at each other and the Younger spoke finally to the first time. »Then take up a new name for this matter?«, he suggested friendly. »Men do not look the same through years and their eyes go not as far as ours. They are easy to be deceived.«
Ælbdís smiled encouraging to Edstan. »This we can try, can we not? To claim thee to be a wanderer, a farmer's son, from the outer villages?« she asked.
Edstan shook his head. »I can attempt it but there are too many distinguishing things about me«, he said softly. »I'd have to abandon more than my name. It would need to be my blades, my beard...« Cutting himself off, he smirked.
»If anyone can do it, I can do it. But I don't like the idea of it.«
Tobaar spoke before she could reply. »The Cloud-Children would be grateful for thy sacrifices«, he said, oddly understanding.
Especially Tobaar as warrior understood the importance of carrying a weapon as a symbol of strength and honour. Someone who would tell him to lay them down spoke blasphemy, insulted the warrior's honour, had to count with an act of gratification.
»As compensation thou mayest utter what thou needst for the journey. Caras Galadhon is rich and despite that we are only guests as well, our word has much weight in these parts.« Tobaar said and Ælbdís was thoroughly surprised by the generosity of the tall warrior. »Take from the goods that we can offer freely.«
The man rubbed his chin in thought. It was an offer, yes. But spoken in haste would prove to be ill for them both.
Instead, Edstan replied: »I need time to think. For I already have what I believe is essential, and I am a man who is content with what he already owns.« Bowing politely, he stepped back and gave Ælbdís a polite nod.
Ælbdís Gaomee bit her underlip. It was no rejection from Edstan's side, but with his words he had made clear that he might be declining the service and offer after all.
Tobaar and Simar exchanged looks, recommended themselves and left Ælbdís and Edstan. Through the door they had come, the two warriors left again. Ælbdís sighed up.
Edstan rolled his eyes. »What are you sighing about?«, he asked Ælbdís. »You spoke to your kin and now I know that we are headed into Dale sooner than later. What would you have me ask of them that I do not already own? A set of shining mithril daggers from the Noldor elves of the first age? Or perhaps a cloak from these very woods?« he asked.
»Any answer would be selfish and I will not be made to play the part of what is already spoken of when it comes to men. I am my own being and I cannot attest to the whole race!«
The white-blond haired priestess turned her head in surprise at Edstan, raising her hands in defence to his hard words. »I was not implying any of that!«, she said and her eyebrows raised up. The priestess took even a step back. »I was merely sighing for what all had happened upon the world and how my kin's relation with the men of Dale have broken.«
Edstan shrugged. »That is not my dispute. The forefathers of my people are to blame for their dalliance and ill tempers, not I.«, he says. »And as far as I am concerned, I am one of very few that took the time to deal and trade with the wood elves neighbouring my home. Now I have word of war, strife and my return? It shall not be met with any cheers of admiration or words having been wished to be spoken for years! It shall be met with a tongue, sharp on both ends, ready to place judgement on me.«
Ælbdís waved her hand. »Not if they do not recognize thee«, she said. »I do need thy help on this.«
Ælbdís stepped closer to Edstan and smiled faintly at him. »And it is also thy birth-land that needs thee. A warrior of thy skill is more worth than a hundred soldiers on the field.«
But Edstan only scoffed. »And do you not think that I have not already made it so that I have never once hidden my face in a manner that does not involve a hood or cloak? I have many faces, many alias«, he answered.
»But in that land, it is Tempest which will reveal me for who I am and I care not for my identity, I will not forego without her at my side or hand in both combat or exploration. It is selfish but it shall be as such. If you feel there is something you could acquire from your kin, then speak and take it, but I do not see what I could profit from them that some greedy man would not ask themselves.«
Gaomee frowned now. Despite Tobaar's rational thinking she knew the offer had been made of friendliness and understanding. »It was a compensation!«, she said quite indignant. »The warriors of my kin know how much a weapon means to its master. Tobaar wanted to show his concession to thee and thou namest it in the same breath with greed?« The friendliness of the priestess was as if blown away. Anger marked the beautiful and freckled face, the silver eyes glowed up.
»I do not force thee to do anything of what was just spoken and neither do Tobaar and Simar«, she said after calming down a bit. »It was a symbol of thanks, wouldst thou decide to take up the burden on thyself.«
Edstan snorted at her words. »I don't wander these lands and happen upon such lavishing gifts, Ælbdís. Should you find something you think I require other than manners, then by all means speak it now so that I may bargain and then peddle my goods to someone.»
There was a flare of anger on Edstan's face, not because it was something offered in kindness, but because he felt he had to earn everything. A sacrifice of which he was to return home after deserting should not have been met with pity and a reward, but with harsh words. Instead, he was offered something entirely from his thinking. He had no idea what he could ask of these elves and he'd rather not begin to give off sporadic lusts.
Ælbdís' lips formed a thin line. She had expected the presence of her kin entirely different. »I will go before the king of Dale and then continue my way to the Withered Heath. Wilt thou come with me?«, she asked Edstan, all anger seemed to have gone.
Edstan groaned. The moment of truth had surfaced and he knew that there was no backing out. Certainly, he had a choice but to give into his instincts on straying far from the path, he'd live the rest of his days in his own self perpetuated cowardice and all joy would be soaked from his feats. Indeed, he had no choice but to follow through.
»It's my destiny, I'll follow it«, he snapped in response. He felt the urge to leave Ælbdís there alone to converse whatever else needed to be said to her brethren, and he being free to wander the rest of the fabled city. But he knew the law and instead, he turned away from her, arms crossed over his broad chest, disgust written over his rugged face.
Gaomee came up to him. Her feet made no sound as she stepped behind Edstan, placed a hand on his shoulder and bend forward to give him a slight kiss on the side of head.
»I thank thee,« she said and was about to turn and to walk after her brethren. Through the same through which they had left.
