The final visitor of that day arrived after sunset. The clear sky was ablaze with the glory of Tintalle’s creations as she rode into Numenstaya, set about stabling her mare, and found us all in the Great Hall.
My wife and I had been sitting in the ground floor study, still not partaking of wine, but with a very palatable elder-flower and rose cordial that lifted our hearts somewhat. We had visited Barahirn earlier, and as I found him to be in no danger of worsening from what was already a bad situation, we had let him drift into sleep. Ceuro sat beside his bed, keeping watch. He was undoubtedly still in much pain, though I wished to reduce the poppy tincture as soon as possible. But rest was his best ally. His thoughts, such as he could express them were concern at the trouble he was causing, concern on how he had let us all down, and concern for the horses.
“All is in hand,” I reassured him. “Put aside your concerns.”
I am not certain he understood, but he drifted into sleep quite swiftly.
Indeed, his concerns were misplaced. It was not he who had caused any trouble, nor he who had let anyone down. And as for the horses. I knew Lelyaro had something planned. He had already told Barahirn that someone was on their way.
“Danel still has some friends in this area.” Lelyaro explained, as we passed around a tray of fresh baked cakes. Thankfully the oven was still in good order. “I had thought of asking Gaerion to join us. You know he views her almost as a Granddaughter. But he will wait until she is here before he pays a visit. He is not long returned from a patrol in Belegaer. There has been more Corsair activity of late and some of our ships have been keeping close watch. But as matters transpired, I encountered another friend on her first visit to Mithlond. She is more commonly in Eregion, from where her heart has never departed. But she had planned to venture to the shores, she said, and intended to visit Danel if she could.”
Now I had a small notion of who he meant, though I had never met her myself. “You speak of Yrill? Yrill of Eregion?”
He nodded, picking up a cake with violet icing and cream.”They have a bit of a history between them you know. Yrill attached herself to Danel when still a young child. She wanted to learn about Lore, and although Danel was in Eregion to pursue her gem smithing, she was also a Mistress of Lore. Then, when Eregion was overrun, Danel was taken north by friends, against her will I believe, while Yrill was rescued by the forces commanded by Lord Celeborn. Both met again in Imladris, and the teacher and student continued their friendship.” He halted a moment and smiled. “I believe Yrill was another who tried to instruct Danel in the use of the bow, but she succeeded no more than Belegos in a later Age.”
“I looked to my wife. “You will have company, dear one. This is a house of ellyn. It will be good to have another elleth here.”
Alimiel leant forward. “She is welcome to visit, but will she help? We need someone to work with the horses, and to watch and feed the other animals. I can do some, but not cook and tend to Barahirn as well.”
Lelyar smiled. “Yrill is a warrior, an orc huntress. I will say that at the start. But she is not too proud to help where needed. Danel has always spoken well of her. And if knowledge of her being here spreads, she will be another deterrent to any more brigand attacks.”
I took a deep breath, and the opportunity to speak my mind. “You think they may return then, old friend?”
Lelyaro looked me straight in the eyes. “I do,” he admitted softly. “If they had any sense of course, they would never return. But sense does not seem to be high on their list. And it seems they were after Danel and Estarfin, possibly Parnard as well.”
“Fools indeed are they if they think to take those two.” My wife said. “Even I know something of their exploits. The Lady is trained as well as any ellon in the use of a sword, and as for Estarfin, are there not tales of him carried by some from Imladris. He is one of the strongest, skillful, most highly regarded of Lord Veryacano’s soldiers. And he hates the Secondborn.”
I knew she was right.
Lelyaro leaned back in his chair. “Truly do you say none in their right mind would choose to do such a thing. But what if they are ordered so to do? What if there is a large reward? Something gnaws away here that leaves me ill at ease. I deem Yrill Urugdagnir to be an asset to us.”
It struck me then that, far from us taking care of one who was injured, we may all be potential victims of some Secondborn mob. I determined that Alimiel should leave for our home the following day.
There was a loud knock on the door.
Lelyaro nodded to me and rose to his feet, intending to answer. Looking to the main hall, I saw that Ceuro now stood there, hand on his sword hilt.
“Brigands do not knock,” said Alimiel. “They smash down doors or set fire to them.”
Lelyaro took a deep breath, then walked forward and pushed the doors open.
And in walked a tall, fair skinned, raven haired elleth, clad in brown leathers.
“I am Yrill,” she said in a clear, firm voice. “I have heard the news. How may I help?”
