Reading order is after Warmth on a Cold Night
So it was I found the Lady and Estarfin wrapped in blankets and still asleep on the floor when I finally decided it was time to start tidying the house. I had let them sleep a good many hours, knowing that Lord Estarfin at least, had been indulging frequently in the brandy. I had tended a little to the fire in the early morn that they be warm. Parnard was already gone by then. I wondered if he had slept at all? Perhaps my Wood Elf friend was immune to the influence of brandy? I was aware he was capable of many surprises.
Lady Danel woke easily enough when I shook her shoulder a little. But Estarfin only murmured something about ‘oranges’ and went back to sleep. I thought then he must have been extremely drunk. Although he always seemed to enjoy the wine, to drink as much as he did the previous night was not quite like him. I thought then perhaps it was because of the cold, or possibly because he had actually been able to relax that day.
Danel had stretched her arms and yawned, but then took note of the situation swiftly. “Oh Filignil, I had not meant to leave all the work to you.” She sat up.
“It is fine, Lady. The tables outside have already been cleared, and Barahirn and I have done much of the washing up. I was hoping to tidy up in the house…but…” I nodded to Estarfin who seemed to be smiling to himself.
“He is probably dreaming of orange juice,” Danel said with a warm smile of her own. “It was a rare treat in Thargelion.”
“We never had it in Himlad. I never tried it until quite late in the second age.” Not that I was jealous of the comparative luxury of Prince Caranthir’s realm, it was just a reason for me not developing a strong liking for the drink. “But if you will Lady, can we try and move Lord Estarfin?”
She understood. She nodded at me and turned to sit on the floor. “Estarfin?” She shook his shoulder gently. “You must get to your feet and we will help you to your old room.”
He opened his eyes on hearing her voice, and laughed a little, then said ‘ouch.
“Your head hurts?”
He nodded slightly, alternating between expressions of amusement and of pain.
“Come then, you can sleep it off in your room here. It will be cool and dark, and none shall disturb you.”
I waited for Danel to help Estarfin to his feet, then moved to the other side to also help support him. Of course, he was rather heavy for the two of us to move, so I went and fetched Barahirn from the stables. Three managed the short journey much easier.
Once upon his bed, Estarfin was soon asleep again. I returned to the main hall to start the tidying, and thanked Barahirn as he passed on his way back to the stables. I heard Danel drawing the long drapes over the window, then she said, “I know. It cannot be helped, meldanya. I shall bring some more diluted orange in a jug, and a glass. Call if you require aught else."
She left his room, drawing the door ajar after her.
“Oh, what a day…what a night!” Danel ran both hands back through her hair, then shook it so that the curls settled in ringlets.
“As I recall, it was all rather fun,” I encouraged her as I took up the blankets and cushions.
“So it was, Filignil. It was only the chill of the water that was any cause for dismay. And even that was dispersed soon enough with warmth and wine.”
“And fortified wine,” I added with a light laugh. “On that matter, I am surprised Parnard was gone as early. It could not have been long after sunrise that he left.”
Danel smiled merrily. “I should not worry. Parnard can enjoy rather a lot of wine. I think it may come from habits formed in the Greenwood, but although I have seen him drunk many times, I have never seen him unable to walk.”
“Unlike Lord Estarfin.”
She smiled back at me, her cheeks flushed rose, and she laughed softly. “Estarfin also enjoys wine, though usually nowhere near that amount. He often falls asleep after a while.”
I smiled back, happy that she was happy. Happy indeed that the small household were all getting along so well.
But I had matters on my mind that would need finalising by the end of the festival.
At that moment the main doors swung open, and in walked the very wood elf we had spoken of.
Parnard bowed politely before Danel. “Good morning cousin; good morning Filignil.”
I bobbed my head at him, nodded at the washing in my arms, and excused myself to the kitchen and store room.
But from my small domain, I overheard a little of their conversation, and chuckled to myself…just a little.
“How do you feel?” she asked Parnard, with genuine concern.
“Fresh and ready,” he replied.
‘After all you drank?’ I thought with amusement.
“No headache?” she asked. I could hear her feet pacing, soft upon the marble floor. Then there was the sound of wine being swooshed in a wineskin.
“A headache? Why?” came the answer.
“Estarfin has one. He is still sleeping off the effects.”
Parnard laughed at this. "If we do not hold our drink in the Greenwood, others play all manner of tricks on us.”
I could well imagine!
I passed by the open door to see Danel making scissor movements with her fingers.
"You do not mean to tell me that you cut his hair whilst he was unaware!" I heard Parnard cry out.
“No, no! I would never do that. I but combed it, hoping it would sooth him and aid his sleep."
For all their banter, both had much love for Estarfin, I realised. Good! All three would seek to protect each other, and that comforted me somewhat.
My mind returned to my own matters. I had kept it secret of course, Danel could not find out. It could work against my orders if she did. I had been there, as commanded, on many occasions in the past. I would be so again. Not that she had been without friends or protectors often. But there had been times, mostly to the end of the First Age when much was chaos, and also at the fall of Eregion and ensuing battles, where, unbeknown to her, my arrows had saved her life. Of late she had Estarfin with her. My sister Losshell had not approved of him, but I had come to know him, and held him ..well, in as high esteem as any I had ever met. Losshell would not like that. But the orders were mine, not hers. It would be my decision.
The clothes, towels and blankets sorted into washing piles, I turned to set up the oven. This was only day two of a week-long festival. Plenty of food and drink was left over from the previous night, but the festival warranted that I make a few fresh dishes and set the table again.
“This will clear your head,” said Parnard from the hall.
There were a few moments of silence while I suspected Danel was coaxed into drinking more wine. But she had drunk lightly the previous night and was unlikely to be much affected.
So I had already prepared my saddle bags with supplies to reach Imladris, and a basic healers pack. My mare was in good condition, and regularly exercised. She knew the trail well. My sword was sharpened, my bow checked, and a few fresh arrows made. It would not take me long to set out after them, though I intended to always keep a good distance behind. I checked the letters again. I had made an error once before, in Eregion, that had almost cost her life. The threat would be ‘soon’ they all indicated. And soon she would be crossing the Hithaeglir and traversing the Vales of Andune.
“I might swim again, a little later, if the mood takes me. Estarfin friend was mighty cold last night, mighty cold," said Parnard.
“I found it cool last night, but I was not freezing. Estarfin was shivering from the moment he got in the water.” she replied with a renewed hint of concern. Danel lowered her voice as if speaking a secret, and I struggled to hear clearly. “There is a tale in it, somewhere…about bare feet in snow.”
“When he was young?”
“Perhaps, or something that occurred during one of the wars. He waved it off, so I did not press him further. He likes not the cold. He will not enter the water in winter again.” Danel continued.
I certainly had no answer as to why Estarfin had been so afflicted the previous night. None of the rest of us had suffered. In truth, it was cold, but it seemed to have sparked a particular memory of his. Any warrior would carry memories, both fair and foul.
Then Danel came into the kitchen, and Parnard, having followed her, leaned against the doorway, and drank from his wineskin as he watched us bustle about.
“I want to take that drink in for Estarfin. Is the orange cordial here?” asked Danel.
I nodded and pointed to a shelf. “Alas, there is not much left, Lady. We could order some more but it will not arrive before you depart.”
She pondered a moment, tucking a lock of wayward hair behind an ear. I thought again how bright she looked. Bright enough to meet whatever was heading her way? I knew she was capable with the sword. She had been trained by the best Thargelion could offer.But even with such companions, she was not invincible. And yet, she had narrowly missed death at least four times that I knew of.
“Watch her well, Huntress,” the tall, silver haired ner had said to me in Ages past, “for she is dear to us and we will not lose her.” I remembered his words as clearly as if he had uttered them only yesterday.
“I intend to plant the orange tree in the greenhouse at the coast,” Danel continued speaking with me. “But that shall not bear fruit for some years. We shall save whatever pips we have, and see what we can do with them, but it will all take time. Order more for me, Filignil. Estarfin has some expensive tastes. I shall need to take to my crafting in all seriousness when we return from the Greenwood to pay for them.”
“Ah, but he is worth it, no?” I joined in the gentle baiting.
She laughed lightly, her face flushed, as some of those of her lineage were want to do when feeling strong emotion.
“Of course he is. And he works as well."
She took down a tall glass and mixed the cordial with a little water, smiled at me, and left the kitchen, heading for Estarfin’s room.
A glint of amusement in his eyes, Parnard announced that he was taking leave of us, but would soon return, with "a goodly armful" of that tripe dish he concocted, and we would all make merry again.
I bobbed my head at him. “Thank you. Barahirn will help us ready the table, too. We shall not feast as grand as last night, but it is still Festival time, and we will make merry.”
Parnard and I turned at the sound of Danel laughing again, carrying to us from Estarfin’s room.
“No,” she was saying. “You are not well enough to go swimming, so you cannot have the swimming wine.”
I glanced questioningly at Parnard, although I was reasonably certain of the reference. "Swimming wine? Estarfin is making that up, isn't he?"
Later in the day it was when Aearlinn arrived. She had been expected on the first day of the festival, but Danel, glad to see her, still made her most welcome. Parnard was also attentive, remembering the young student from his days in Imladris.
It transpired she had set out from Mithlond in plenty of time, but had encountered a friend of both her and Danel, on the path. The two had halted at Duilond for refreshments and converse. It had turned into something of a long debate. Ceuro was his name. Although I had never met him, I had heard enough about him to know he was a good and loyal friend. A strange ellon, who was missing memory of his early life, at least all life before the Battle of the Last Alliance. Aearlinn said he had business at the coast, but she hoped he would stop off at Numenstaya for a while upon his return journey.
That news pleased Danel. “He and Aearlinn rode with me from Imladris to the coast,” she explained, “When my grandmother was sore ill from poison. They remained with me after she sailed for several months.”
I nodded as I took the fresh baked bread from the oven, and left it on kitchen racks to cool a little before taking out to the table. “I have heard only good of both of them, Lady. I believe both to be most trustworthy.” I had done my research well.
Danel smiled, and seemed for a moment to be recalling past time as she hovered in my small domain. “I have asked Aearlinn if she will remain here with you, when we depart. She is a little lonely these days, her parents having taken ship. I think it will be good for her, and hopefully for you and Barahirn to have another in the house? Ceuro may also stay awhile.”
She looked at me to judge my thoughts on the matter, though I believed she was already firm of will that Aearlinn should remain. That was well with me. I had my own reasons.
And then we were at the feast table, all looking forward to the meal, and each others company. The table was heaving again under the weight of food and drink. Estarfin did not join us, being still a little unstable on his feet, though the Lady had taken him in a few choice cuts of meat and a rabbit and pigeon pie
Parnard, Aearlinn and the Lady Danel sat and spoke of memories and hopes, and ate and drank as was right to do. I joined them for a little while. Aearlinn sang for us a song of the Falathrim, though as she confessed, her own voice was not as sweet as most of her kin. Something she had in common with the lady, I mused. Parnard told us more tales of the Autumn Feast in his homeland. Danel told us of the surprise feast she and her friends had arranged for their tutor as young children, and I told them of learning to speak with birds, from my folk’s Prince.
Aearlinn had looked at me brightly. “Oh, you must tell me more, Filignil,” her eyes had twinkled with excitement. “I can speak with some birds, well my crows mostly, but also many seagulls.”
I only met Prince Celegorm a few times,” Danel added, pouring herself a glass of sweetened lemon. “He did mention maybe teaching me some of the ways of speaking with animals. But then there was a time, when we were at Amon Ereb, and he and Caranthir argued. I never saw him after that.”
I knew something of that event, though this was not the time nor place to share any enlightenment.
By the time we were upon the Honey cake and cream, Barahirn had joined us, while Aearlinn was looking to take a walk.
It was my opportunity. “Come, Aearlinn, perhaps you would care to walk through the gardens at the rear of the house? There are many fragrant flowers and herbs that will refresh you, and we can take some elderberry cordial with us?”
The Sea-Elf’s face brightened at the prospect. “If you do not mind, Lady Danel? I should like to see the gardens.”
Danel shook her head. “Enjoy.” I knew Danel was quite fond of her student. There was a close bond between them.
Not that I could not encourage Aearlinn to do as I wished, though.
And so young Aearlinn of Mithlond and I walked among the evening blooms, and spoke of flowers and bird speech, and then of matters few others knew of.
I was correct in assessing Danel’s apprentice as utterly loyal to her. I was correct in assessing her as one who could keep a secret.
“I need you to remain until they return, “ I told her. “Ceuro also, if he will.. For it is my intent to shadow the party to the Greenwood and back, and Numenstaya will need more than Barahirn here to maintain it.”
Aearlinn’s sun warmed face had paled a little, as she struggled to be certain it was the right thing. “Of course I will aid where I am needed. But this is behind the Lady’s back, Filignil?”
I nodded. “It has always been without her knowing.”
“But why? There are none I know of who wish her ill. Why does she need guarding, and from whom? Surely she has a right to know about this?” she asked with understandable concern.
“Because secrecy is what Prince Celegorm ordered,” I replied.
