It had taken him long enough.
Thendryt opened the door to the far section of the Rivendell stables. He didn’t try to be silent, there was no point. He walked towards the Elf. He took his time, there was no need to rush things.
“Must you creep so much?” Dolthafaer asked as his hand fell from his horse’s mane.
Thendryt sat down, loudly, on the bench right next to the box.
“I’ll need that journal back.”
Dolthafaer crossed his arms and leaned again the side of a post. His horse seemed irritated by the sudden loss of attention and protested.
“Start a new one.”
“You enjoyed it that much huh?” Thendryt replied. “Figured you might.”
“It was a better read than the Lay of Liethian.” Dolthafaer said and shrugged on shoulder.
“How’s the little arrow?” There was no hint of concern in Thendryt’s voice.
“Very well.”
“Next time you send one of your little arrows to do your business for you, it'll end differently.” Thendryt gave Dolthafaer a serious look. “You want to threaten me, you do it yourself.”
“I do not know whether that was the luckiest or unluckiest shot for you that night, Man.”
“You should have been there, it was a toss of a lifetime.”
Dolthafaer shook his head.
“You should have taken the warning for what it was and stayed clear of Imladris. Now half of Vanimar is crying for your blood over that damned stone.”
“Aye, what mess you've gotten us both into.” Thendryt changed his tone. “If there's a next time, it might be a spear being thrown. I'm more accurate with those than stones.”
“Let me make something clear to you, Thendryt.” Dolthafaer’s voice came down to Thendryt’s level as the Elf took a step closer to him.
“If I thought you capable of following through with your threats-“ Dolthafaer eyed Thendryt. ”You would no longer have a tongue to make them.”
“You walk free, tonight, and ever more, because I deem you...” Dolthafaer made a hand-gesture, as if he was trying to taste the word he was about to utter. “Harmless. Of no account.”
“Come now Dolthafaer. We both know that if you indeed deemed me harmless, you wouldn't make such an effort trying to get rid of me.” Thendryt put his right foot on his left knee, shifting into a more relaxed position on the bench. “That would make "warning" me, completely unnecessary.”
“I know you to be harmless.” A smiled formed on the Elf’s face. “But others do not. Raolor does not. I wonder if even your own kinsmen know it? Perhaps the warning was more for your benefit than mine.”
Thendryt snorted.
“Raolor is weak; bound by forces he cannot control. When it comes to my kinsmen, and I'm assuming you're talking about others of my Race –“
“No.” Dolthafaer interrupted him. “I speak of Faorie, and of Lilleduil.”
“Seeing me as kin to Elves Dolthafaer? Why, you surprise me.” Thendryt paused. “Didn't think you had it in you.”
“They would consider you a kinsman, would they not?” The Elf shrugged. “It is a mystery to me what binds them to you, but the bond exists.”
Thendryt leaned back against the wall for a moment. The Elf looked confident. Thendryt leaned forward once again.
“What have you told them?”
“What did you tell Lilleduil?” Dolthafaer smiled crookedly. He took out a dried apple out of a pouch, bounced it in the air and caught it. “She had questions, and I was obliged to answer. And after she heard that sordid tale, why not tell Faorie as well? She had questions as well.”
“About that journal.” Thendryt’s tone got darker, more serious. “What did you tell them about the journal?”
Dolthafaer fed the apple to his horse.
“I told them there was a journal, and that I had it. I was not about to read them passages.” Dolth threw a frowning glance at him.
Lies…
Thendryt’s head twisted.
“As I said, Thendryt.” Dolthafaer continued. “Your kinsmen had questions. Others, now, have questions. Tread lightly.” The Elf looked at him with a serious face. “That is no threat, but a warning in truth.”
“And why warn me? Why not read it aloud in the Hall of Fire and be done with it?”
“Would you leave if I did?”
“No, I'd make sure you'd look over your shoulder for the rest of your –“ Dolthafaer chuckled, and Thendryt realized his mistake. “My life.”
They both chuckled.
“Not my greatest threat, I admit.”
“Not really, no.” The laughter died down. “But there is my answer. I deem you harmless, but anything can be provoked. I keep the journal as insurance. Step out of line, and it will fall into Faorie's hands.”
“And what makes you think that will make a difference?” Dolthafaer did not know that Faorie had been in possession of the journal before, but chosen not to read it.
Dolth gave him a sly look.
“You would not have thrown a rock hard enough across a ravine to draw blood if it did not matter to you. I have read it, remember. I know what it means to you.”
Thendryt jumped down from the workbench. A sinister smile formed on his face, before he broke eye contact and walked out of the stables.
