Continued from Letter to Anglachelm and Veryacano: esteemed Lords of Bar-en-Vanimar
In the Hall of Fire during Autumn, there were burning candles in silver holders set on the polished table, and masses of red and golden yellow flowers abounded, and trails of dark-green ivy led from them, softening the effect of the lights on the metal, the wood, and the flame-colored blossoms.
Parnard gave Danel a knowing glance when she spoke of Mirkwood, and listened to her account of a family heirloom, a treasured sword, taken from her by force. She was unlike most Noldor ladies he had met, and was not coldly prim as some, yet there lurked in her firm voice, in her refined features, the determinedness and steely pride of her people, but she was never haughty to him. Her face was crowned with a haze of soft copper-brown hair, and her white dress was simple but not somber. The more he contemplated her, the greater was the charm, and he retraced the lines of her delicate face. There was a tenderness, a softness of light and shadow on her hair and skin. To see her gracefully smile, drink, look around, was to feel wondrousness about the world and a strange satisfaction that such delight still existed. Hers was an unspoiled beauty that belonged to the Flowering-Time of Sun and Moon!
She was asking him a question. She needed his help, for him to go with her as far as to the borders of his homeland, but she was planning on entering the Necromancer’s tower! Parnard was distressed to hear the conviction in the lady’s voice, and saw that there was no possibility of changing her mind. Danel would not be persuaded from her journey.
She is a Noldo, stubborn as the day is long! None should venture to that place alone - but now she speaks of abandoning her guides and entering the tower alone when she reaches it! What folly is this?
He shook his head doubtfully but could not refuse her, and said he would do all that he could to help her regain her family’s treasure. She put a hand on his arm, smiling at him, and said her heart was lightened; and as she had many preparations to make, she bid farewell and left. Parnard went searching for Rainith, very troubled that the proud Lady Danel was so headstrong that she would risk flinging her life away for a sword, no matter how fine and priceless to her family. He hoped that his late differences with Rainith would not cause her to ignore his advice. Lady Danel must not be permitted to go into the tower alone.
He found Rainith beside the rushing water. “It is a long way to the tower,” she told him, and not a matter to worry over yet. Rainith said she would ask Lord Veryacano for Estarfin to accompany them.
“It will be good for us to leave the valley,” she said. Good! Good to go to the dark woods of the Necromancer with that fearful, crazed warrior? Parnard was annoyed that she had such confidence in Estarfin - they all did! - but he wished to be friends with Rainith, so he did not say anything against it. He admitted that he had not behaved as he should have done while under her service, and made many regretful declarations until Rainith made a slight smile, and said that she had often said that they should be friends, but he was the one that insisted upon calling her his ‘mistress,’ and invented tasks to do.
“But it is Lord Anglachelm’s will that I serve you,” Parnard replied, wondering what his lordship would think of his leaving the Valley again. Any letters would not reach him in time before they departed. Rainith said that the Lady Danel had already written Lord Anglachelm, and his mind should be eased on that account. She had, it seemed, thought of everything.
