Estarfin….beloved...I saw you for a moment, I heard your voice, calling to me. I hear it still in thought and I reach out to you.
But I could not answer you in words. I knew what would happen if I did.
Alike, yet unlike my dream of days past, I dare not bring about the ‘rage’ that would see all lost, including us. No spoken voice dare I use. If only you would not close your thoughts to me so much. I understand the pain of believing we are losing all we have hoped for, all of our dreams…but this is me, not some stranger, and together we are strong. We have not lost each other yet, nor shall I permit that to happen. Any future I have is with you, any home I have will be with you. I will not let go of that. You must not allow thoughts of failure in your mind. You will not fail. Neither will the other two with you.
There was a rock-slide. Yes, it was planned, but now you are following the maze of the Ram Duath. Know we are not that far ahead. These Umbari have maps, and have spoken with scouts. They know of hidden paths and caverns such as the one we recently traversed that they now have a couple of hours advantage. But even they need to stop for rest, and for a meeting.
Parnard and I are still unharmed, although he sits under a pile of chains to contain him so he does no longer try to escape. We fare better than others. Horses were already in the cavern, so although the floor is treacherous, we do not have to walk it. The two Halflings are also safe for now, although Henepa cannot walk well. They are fed, but other than that rarely bothered with. I see the look in Gaisarix’s eyes, and hope he isn't planning some folly. I think Henepa knows that Parnard and I will do all we can to keep her and Gaisarix safe.
The brigands are faltering. This is beyond what any of them expected. Their general tiredness and the building sense of dread in this place has weakened them all. So have certain Elven items.The limping Rohir is still with us, and Jexson, their leader, although much lessened from his constant thirst, still has strength to shout nonsense. He also has Sarphir.
Some of the Men say they saw you. I told them they saw their Doom. Parnard recommended they flee. It unsettled some. I think all save Jexson know they are walking dead.
The Umbari themselves do better. They are tired, but they are soldiers. It is hard to gain useful information for they speak increasingly in their own tongue. What Parnard and I have overheard though is their ‘Lady’ is named Zairaphel. She is a servant of the Dark Lord, a sorceress. She wants him and me, but she also wants you because she believes you will slay her nephew, their King. I would say her actions have made that more likely rather than less. We know little of this ‘King’. He does not seem to be one of those Heirs of Castamir I have heard of. Balkumagan also spoke with Parnard and I outside of the other’s hearing. He is a strange man. Do not underestimate his skill with the sword, nor his brother’s. But he, at least, is not happy with his task, and appears to deem it dishonorable. He may even hesitate to kill Parnard and me.
And then there is this. Think not overly on it, for you could slay him with a stroke, but the man who wanted me captured arrived. Naraal, Balkumagan’s captain. And so I looked with contempt at the cause of our pain. Could I have smote him down at that moment, I would have done. But there was Parnard, and the halflings, and Sarphir in the hands of a posturing fool.
Naraal, the Captain of a Corsair ship and ally of a would be King. How dare he think one such as I would want him! How dare he think this waylaying was appropriate! Indeed, Parnard rebuked him most strongly, but I think the disgust on my face struck him harder.
“Mortal, I tell you at the outset, you have nothing. If you try to take me by force I shall die. If by any means you manage to slay my betrothed, I shall die of grief. Did you not know that about us, that we can give up our spirits under certain circumstances? What could you possibly offer me that would make it worth drawing breath?”
He is physically strong of build, nowhere near as tall as you that I look him eye to eye. He seems to be beyond first youth, but not elderly. The others treat him with respect. He is nothing though. He offers nothing but shallowness and lust.
He led me away to a quiet corner. Poor Parnard was distraught, but in truth the further away this man took me the more chance I had of slaying him.
And what did he speak of? The home he could offer in bright Umbar, the beauty of his land and civilisation, the wines and food, the luxury of silks. What is any of that to an Elf? I told him a little of we Noldor, that he had no idea of ‘Civilisation’ or beauty or strength, and certainly not of honour.
He said it was good I was of a warrior race. I would bear him many strong sons.
I told him all I would ever bear was loathing for him. That if he actually cared for me, he would let me go, let Parnard and me go.
He said that I would think otherwise when I met his King.
I told him he would always have to keep watch for, as a prisoner I would slay him as soon as look upon him.
He thinks he will slay you, and I will reconsider. He has no idea what love is. He will learn otherwise, if he lives long enough to learn anything.
I do not fear him, dear one. He is typical for certain of the Secondborn. He thinks his strength of arm makes him invincible. This great-granddaughter of Mahtan is stronger. He has not even seen you! But I fear for the others, and for what this Zairaphel may be capable of given her allegiance, that she could work against him and the more considerate Balkumagan.
Oh yes, the ‘First Mate’ came to tell us we were all moving on. He did not view his Captain quite as favorably as before. He saw my expression on parting from Naraal, and saw me slap him so that he stumbled and nigh fell. In private Balkumagan told me that he felt compelled to step forward earlier to see you in person. To see what you and the others were like for himself. He understands. Though he will do his duty for his Captain, he knows any romantic pursuit is in vain.
Meldanya, I know not what power this woman Zairaphel has, nor her full intent. Illusions perhaps, lies and twisting of certainty. If you hear anything of my thoughts, tread warily. It may be that we face something stronger than mere Men. We have faced such before, you and I, though separately. Together we can face whatever comes against us, save Balrogs.
