He stood silently by the window, deep in thought as he stared out across the valley. The leaves had turned from green to gold, and from gold to brown, and he could feel the time slipping away. Winter would follow soon, and many of the passes would become closed until spring arrived, the chance to leave the valley lost. The last of the day’s sunlight flowed lazily through the thick glass, casting his shadow across the richly-inlaid desk behind him. A map and a letter lay upon the desk, but otherwise it was bare. A sharp knock came from the heavy oak doors, and Lord Veryacano called "Enter" without turning away from the window. The handle of the door turned, and heavy footfalls echoed through the room. There was a small click as the door closed, and then silence. Veryacano stood, and watched the rain pounding against the glass, glad of the fire that burned in the grate.
"Estarfin" said Veryacano after a few moments.
"My Lord" replied Estarfin, pulling down his hood and carefully pushing the wet hair out of his face. Veryacano turned, his eyes quickly passing over Estarfin in his wet cloak, plain robes and muddy boots. He raised an eyebrow at the state of his face; there was deep cut in his left cheek, and half of his face was completely covered in bruises. Sitting in his ornate chair, Veryacano steepled his gloved hands together, waiting to see if Estarfin would explain his appearance. When nothing was forthcoming, Veryacano looked down at the letter upon his desk.
"You have come here to speak to me about this?" asked Veryacano, holding the letter up. Frowning, Estarfin peered at the letter, clearly unsure what it was. Seeing the confusion upon his face, Veryacano smiled slightly, the expression cold and containing no happiness. Looking down at the letter, he said "You are torn in your duties? You come to me now, to ask permission to leave the valley?"
"My Lord...." began Estarfin. Veryacano glanced at him with a warning look upon his face, and he fell silent.
"You tire of your duties then Estarfin?" Silence fell as Veryacano stared up at Estarfin, standing still and silent. Tossing the letter back onto the desk, Veryacano gestured for Estarfin to speak.
"My Lord, The Order is currently resting and training here within Imladris, and I do not see that as likely to change before the spring. In the meantime, the Lady Danel is preparing to leave on a dangerous journey, and I am here to ask your permission to accompany her, to try and ensure her safe return." Taking a deep breath, he looked down at Veryacano, searching his face for any sign of a reaction.
Veryacano opened a drawer quietly, lifting out a bundle of letters. Slowly rising from his chair, he started to sort through the letters. "Perhaps next time you would do me the honour of asking such a thing yourself, rather than relying on others to do it for you?" There was still a note of anger in his voice as he spoke, or perhaps it was frustration. The Hammer Lord clearly chafed at his confinement to Imladris, although he hid his impatience well. ''No matter, all will be set right soon.'' He smiled at Estarfin, and this time there was warmth behind the expression. Pulling a single letter from the bundle, he looked down at it. ‘‘Do not worry, you shall have my permission to accompany Lady Danel on this journey, but there is more.’’ The Hammer Lord handed him a closed envelope with his name written upon it in black ink. Veryacano gestured for Estarfin to open the letter and read it, then sat back in his chair, watching him carefully. Breaking the wax seal, he read through the gracefully written lines quickly.
Frowning at what he read, Estarfin looked up at Veryacano. “Lothlórien my Lord?”
‘‘Estarfin, you will provide close escort and you will not leave the lady’s side.’’ he folded his arms. ‘‘The rest of the Hammer will act as vanguard and rearguard.’’
Estarfin looked down at the paper again and after a moment spoke again ‘Lord, the Lady Danel wishes to march to Mirkwood, not the Golden Wood.”
“There is more at stake here then the personal honour of Danel” barked Veryacano, a note of annoyance in his voice. “Take these, and round up as many of the Order as you can find.” He tossed the remainder of the letters onto the desk. “There may be more depending on this mission than you know.''
“We will journey to Mirkwood after reaching Lorien then my Lord?” pressed Estarfin.
Looking at him in frustration, Veryacano spoke. “You have your orders, carry on.”
Throwing a salute at his Lord, Estarfin picked up the letters and strode from the room, leaving nothing but muddy footprints upon the floor.
