Why all this to-do? he asked Dolthafaer. Why had the Man Thendryt yelled so, raising the ire of the Hammer folk, ever ready to burst forth at any moment? Why were certain people in the Valley searching for this Man to seek revenge against him?
The Warband of Imladris was no more, disbanded for who-knows-what reason. Now Thendryt was prowling around looking for answers to this mystery, and even yelled at Lord Elrond. He was not welcome in the Valley by more than a few Elves, not only for yelling at the leader of the elven haven and making a disturbance in the Library, but because he had thrown a stone and injured Yrill, and for terrorizing Laelas in the Trollshaws. All because Parnard set Limiriel, Drinker of Dwarven Kegs, to follow Thendryt when Elves and Men journeyed together for a time. Parnard had thought it wise to keep an eye on this black-clad Man and see that he came to no harm, but his plan went all wrong. Thendryt discovered that he was being followed, and now held a terrible grudge against the folk of Vanimar.
It was strange and unreasonable, this anger, thought Parnard. But Men were strange, and there was no use in reckoning their reasons for doing anything. Yet these Noldor, on the other hand, let pride and haughtiness make them passionate. Such folk continually deal in wrath, as if it were their trade to be angry.
“Whatever the Man has done, Parnard,” Dolthafaer said, jarring him out of his thoughts, “it has not been enough to drive him out of Imladris. That is why we watch him. That is why we wait. Lilleduil knows everything -- or nearly everything, anyway. Thendryt told her.”
“She did not tell me that!” cried Parnard.
“Because Thendryt does not know you are involved.”
“Ah - that is good news!”
“If it comes down to it, we might blame Limiriel. She has not been seen for some time now.”
“True, true. And yet, if she were harmed - I do not like that idea!”
Parnard considered what to do. He could go to Raolor, he told Dolthafaer, speak to him as a friend - no, that would not work. He could command him as a Lord of Vanimar, and tell him to stand down, leave Thendryt be - no, no, that was a foolish idea. He had no authority to command Ráolor, and Parnard had the suspicion that he would not listen to him anyway, even if he did. He waffled and sighed. It was another one of those times as Lord Ambassador when he felt so much frustration.
"I will speak to him, and do whatever I can to keep him from chasing down Thendryt in the night. Childishness, that is all. Lilleduil promised to keep an eye on Thendryt for us. She heard and accepted my version of events, and I think a watch is unnecessary while she keeps him under watch. Naturally, Thendryt thinks himself deeply misunderstood and wronged. It is a very messy affair. I wish to see the end of it,” said Dolthafaer.
Parnard hesitated. Dolthafaer was always so self-assured, always knew what to do. But somehow, it did not seem right, all of this sneaking about, waiting and watching - not to mention the telling of half-truths and pinning blame on innocent Limiriel. "Should we - apologize to him?" he asked, wringing his hands.
Dolthafaer looked at him as if he were insane. "Ha! I would sooner accept him as one of my Arrows!”
"What do you think Thendryt would do, once he found out who set the tracker on him?"
"In truth, Parnard, I think his animosity towards me has drowned out any thoughts of who initially set a tail on him."
More good news! So Parnard went away, much relieved in mind, thinking the matter passed, or at least, out of his hands: let others see to the mopping up!
But the next evening, as he was taking a walk, he saw a dark figure standing at the end of the Bridge of Rivendell.
It was The Man. Parnard could not help but take a step backwards, he was so surprised. All that talk of Sogadan, who told him that the Man was in hiding. And there he was, standing in plain view, looking as tall and immovable as ever. Well he must do what he could, after all, he was not Lord Ambassador for nothing! What good is a title if it has no power?
Putting on a bold face, he stepped forward and addressed him in the most civil tone that he could muster. "Well! here you are - ‘tis no mystery! So many folk, eager to find you, and - I am the one." He could not help sounding a little regretful.
To his horror the Man stepped closer. "Let us not play any games," Parnard said, a bit too quickly, and looked around. There was no one within eyeshot. Lilleduil said she would watch him for us. Where was she! "Ah...I spoke to Dolthafaer yesterday eve. And I heard of what happened in the Library. Everyone is talking about it. Let me say that the truth is far less interesting than the rumours…" he found himself saying, all the time eyeing Thendryt's expression. The Man seemed calm. That was good. "Ahem! Well! I know what those Hammers wish to do. Very rash. Reckless, I might add."
Thendryt just stood there, still as a stone.
"Dolthafaer said he would speak to one in particular," said Parnard, "one who seems to have - er - let me simply say that a fire has been kindled. Dolthafaer is not pleased, oh no, not at all! So..." He flitted his hand around in the air as if to insinuate, Everything is settled and All is Well!
"Am I making you nervous, Ambassador? You seem surprisingly apologetic."
"Nervous? Oh no, no, no - I do not like to see the peace of the Valley broken, nor harsh words spoken in the house of Elrond." Parnard ventured a faint smile. It was a feeble one, however, which did not brighten his eyes. "A gentle answer deflects anger, but harsh words make tempers flare. And. Well. Those Hammers..." He felt as if he had said enough, more than enough.
Then the Man made a dismissive gesture in turn, his face stern. "The Hammers have made their motives quite clear. I'm sure there are other Elves in the Valley that share their feelings and opinions of me. But, as you can see, I am not that hard to find. The Hammers, and anyone else, are more than welcome to try their luck. I do not 'hide,' Ambassador.”
“Ah, no, that is certainly true - you are hiding in plain sight, as it were! But, you see, folk said you were hiding, and Lilleduil was quite mysterious as to your whereabouts. I believe she is very angry about all of this. It is - regretful -"
Thendryt snorted and shook his head. "Lilleduil is most kind to defend me in my absence. But it is not a service asked for, nor required."
"She said you are her Sword-brother. That is a great honour, do you not think?"
Thendryt says, “I'm sure all former Warband members feel a strong bond. We look out for each other.”
"Ye-es...very strange it was, the news of the Warband disbanding. Do you know any reason for it?”
"No."
"’No?’ Very strange...very strange indeed! but these are such strange times. Strange." Parnard watched Thendryt carefully. "A sage once said, 'Anger, however great, is checked by answer sweet.’” Having delivered these words of wisdom, Parnard pressed his fingertips together. Thendryt's expression was still the same cold, hard mask.
"I shall speak to the others," Parnard offered.
"You do as you wish. Was there anything else, Ambassador?"
"One thing. Do you not know that by acting thusly, you make yourself as an enemy of my people?"
"Parnard," said Thendryt, stepping even closer, his voice cold and low. "If I make myself an enemy to the Elves by demanding an explanation from the one who disbands my order - if I make myself an enemy to the Elves by receiving death threats - if I make myself an enemy to the Elves by walking away from Elves who display their wish to see me dead - then, by all means, I am an enemy to your people."
"Then you have settled yourself. Is this your answer? Shall I tell Dolthafaer that you are set upon this path?"
"You can tell Dolthafaer anything you wish, don't pretend my words hold any meaning. But you may remind him, and any other Elves among Vanimar, that if they desperately want a confrontation..." Thendryt stepped even closer so that Parnard felt his hot breath on his face. "They will eventually get one."
"You have stripped away what niceties clad the Hammers, however flimsy. It is very bad for you, methinks."
"I would think it would be worse for the Hammers."
"They are many. You do not know them as I do. It is not as simple as you make it seem."
"Which is why speaking with me changes nothing."
"But it may bring about some understanding!"
"What would you like me to understand, Ambassador? By all means, let's hear it!"
"Good words and fair speeches will not prevail: it is as pouring water on a stone."
“Which is why I do not bother with them,” retorted Thendryt.
“You will not live long enough to learn to listen!"
"I tire of the threats of Elves, Ambassador."
"Threat? 'Twas no threat but truth! The lives of Men are fleeting. If I were you, I might consider leaving the Valley - I do not know your reasons for lingering here. You have no Lord or Lady to serve, not anymore."
Thendryt said stubbornly, "When Lord Elrond asks me to leave, I shall."
"As you will...as you will. It is not my place to tell you what to do, or where to go."
Thendryt turned away, saying, "Until then, the rest of you might as well endure me."
"I shall try my best," said Parnard, a slow cold anger creeping through his veins. He frowned hard at the Man’s back as he watched him walk away. Did this Man think he was the first being in the World to be deprived of what he wants? Yet he did not have the constraints of time as did Thendryt. Then he realized that he was not angry at The Man, but at himself.
