I reached out, even though what was left to me of clear thought told me he could not be there. Caranthir was long since in the Halls of Mandos. But something about ‘seeing’ him stoked up my spirit. Would he have ever given in, that cousin of mine?
“Stand,” he said again. It was his voice.
“My mind whirled to grasp onto reality. I knew Zairaphel had given me some form of poison, again a trial, to see what could harm my kind. I knew the other Sorceress, Khahaynd, had administered another potion after Zairaphel departed. I was physically weakened from loss of blood, and mentally confused. I could hardly see anything but him. Dark smoke rose and curled upwards, the heat was oppressive, drawing the air from my lungs. Indeed the air itself had a poisonous taste to it.
I pushed myself up on my arms, seeking to steady myself and gain strength to move, but my legs would not hold me. A sweep of my limited vision showed me Gaisarix, laying like some discarded toy on the floor close by. I had to get him out too. But how?
Then the vision of my Prince shimmered, he spoke again… “Istar..nel.”
I gasped. Not Istarnis? That last part of my name was spoken by a different voice, and one that had my heart beating wildly.
“Danel! Danel! Parnard!” He emerged through the fading form and smoke, tall and strong with the hint of red garb. Though I could only see his outline I knew beyond any doubt who it was.
“Estarfin!” I called with all my might, though what came from my lips was barely a whisper.
There was another voice, a feminine one, and the sound of others knocking into things. “Elf Lady, can yer hear us?”
Another Halfling?
“You came in after us?” Yes, it was Estarfin’s voice questioning her, then he broke into a severe coughing fit.
He had not heard me?
“Estarfin, we are here!” I tried again, this time finding a little more strength.
“No one in the side rooms,” That was the silent-footed Yrill speaking. “They must be in here.”
There was the sound of shattering glass from somewhere above.
Movement from Gaisarix caught my eye. He was awake now, and he, too, started to cough, and as I drew breath a foul smell assaulted my nostrils, now I was wracked by the same dreadful cough.
“Speak up, or be cut down,” said a voice. Could it be - ? Parnard’s brother Culufinnel, the bold, blonde-haired captain of Celondim?
“I am here!” I tried responding, but the crackle of the fire and the falling of timber covered my weak voice. “Estarfin!”
The smoke drifted a little and I saw him again some few yards away, holding on to a small Halfling lass who was guiding him towards me. She pushed him aside as a large plank of burning wood suddenly fell. It almost struck him. I gasped in fear.
Reaching out with all that was left of me, I tried again. “Estarfin, meldanya, I am here!” Much as I wished for rescue, I would not have it at the cost of his life.
He turned at my voice and took a deep breath of surprise. “Danel?
The halfling lass was by me, trying to push me to my feet. “Stand Lady, stand.”
“I am weak, I am not sure I can stand. You must all get out!”
“We all must leave,” he replied, his sea-grey eyes searching me to see how injured I was. “Danel, we must be swift.”
There was no time for talk. My hand was enfolded in his as he helped me to my feet, placing an arm around my waist. But my legs were too weak to support me, so he swept me up as if I were a child, and turned towards what I hoped was the stairs. “Parnard is not here,” I whispered. “They took him with them.” He nodded, though I was not sure he had heard me.
“Follow me,” the Halfling Lass spoke again, she was walking, hunched even lower, just in front of Estarfin. “Come along everyone, them stairs are smolderin’. Ohh -!”
Estarfin took a sudden step back. “The stairs are alight, Mistress Halfling, we cannot ascend the way we came.” He coughed again. I felt his hold on me tighten protectively.
“Parnard!” yelled Culufinnel, and grabbing Gaisarix up, said to Lithea, “I cannot see. Take my hand, and lead us out.”
“What about me? Put me down an’ I’ll find them stairs! I not be useless, you know,” said the muffled voice of a very alive and cross-sounding Gaisarix.
My head was swirling, as if we were spinning around. It is the bad air, I told myself. Perhaps some of Zairaphel’s potions were the cause? Perhaps more poison was descending upon us!
I must have lost consciousness for the next moment we were outside and I was lying on my back on the grass aware of folk coughing and retching.
“No sign of ‘em round th’ back o’ th’ house. Are you all alright?” I recognised the voice of Tolbold, the Assistant Chief Shiriff of Tighfield. But then it was my turn to break into a coughing frenzy and gulp down breaths of less tainted air. Turning my head to one side, my eyes streaming with tears, I could see Culufinnel bent over double, his hand on his knees as Tolbold thumped him on the back. Then he wiped his mouth with his cloak and stood upright, holding up a hand to bid the overzealous Tolbold to stop.
I turned my head to the other side. Estarfin was on his knees beside me, his weapons dropped close by, his face showing a mixture of anguish and relief. He was still coughing slightly. Carefully I reached up a hand to touch his cheek. “I shall be well soon. We shall be well. Thank you, thank you all for rescuing us.”
He took my pale hand in his. “Danel?” And he smiled at me, despite the situation. Then he looked around. “Any sight of your brother, Culufinnel?”
“Someone’s still inside?” asked Tolbold, horrified.
“They left…gone south, though I know not where…” I murmured between gasps. I had to let Culufinnel know.
“Be still, gather your strength,” Estarfin spoke to me in Quenya. He regarded me with the greatest concern, and it seemed to me, also joy. I wanted nothing more than to bury my face into his shoulder, to feel his arms about me, but first things first.
“There was no time to look,” Culufinnel said, his voice raw and catching in his throat.
“The house is collapsing,” cried Henepa.
I struggled to lift myself up and saw the extent of the destruction as the walls of the house caved in, sending up a tall column of whirling embers. Culufinnel made a ragged cry and sprang forward.
“He is not here, Captain!” I heard Yrill call out, but he had already raced away out of earshot. “I searched the whole building,” she added, softly.
“I will go after him,” said Tolbold, jumping up, though he seemed to have second thoughts and soon returned alone.
I coughed, and the Lass that had helped us escape ran over with an open water skin, dripping water slowly into my mouth. “I be Lithea,” she said. “Lithea Glenwood of the Shire.”
I nodded my thanks and closed my eyes again. I sensed, rather than saw Culufinnel return to us, as he said little. He would have died to rescue Parnard, I realized. Now he understood that his brother had not perished in the flames, as he had been taken away from the house some hours ago, and no doubt the Captain was eager to set out in pursuit.
“Taken where?” said Estarfin.
“South,” I said again. “I heard mention of Umbar; it would make sense that she would take him to her home.”
Estarfin shook his head. “Where is that?”, he asked gently.
