Dúath ná vanwa! (The Shadow is gone)
Sun was lazily moving on its afternoon path and fresh wind was driving greyish clouds across the sky. Spring was in full strength and the slopes around Mitheithel were radiating with bright green. The area was calm and birds sang joyfully. But the more Kor and Sheila were alert, because they knew how Trollshaws can be tricky. And it is always better to spur the horses to escape a hungry troll than to face it. They both traveled since morning and were looking forward for soon stopping.
They went through notoriously known curves of the road, winding up to a small clearing with a bonfire – Barachen’s camp. From shorter distance they already heard lighthearted voices of elves.
Oh, we should have picked another place, said the grumpier part of Kor, that enjoyed solitude. But Sheila had opened eyes from curiosity and expectations.
When they arrived from behind the last rock, they finally could see the company at the camp. Nearly a dozen of elves were there, some of them were dancing and all seemed to have drunk elven wine more than usually.
When they jumped off the saddles, two of the rejoicing elves came to them.
“Come wanderers and join us! Drink and sing!”
Kor hasn’t recognized their face, nor they knew him.
He nodded. “Mae govannen and thank you. What do you celebrate?”
One of them bursted out laughing, the other just smiled and gestured to his companion. Then he spoke.
“You haven’t heard yet? The shadow is gone! Dark lord has been defeated!”
Kor and Sheila stood shocked, but immediately they cracked smile with relief. Sheila started jumping from joy and hugged Kor, forcing him to jump a few times too.
Hard to believe… he still couldn’t get used to the fact. But…
It was true. He realized they both felt it a day or two ago already, mostly Sheila. The nature itself was rejoicing.
The relief was undescribable.
“YES!“ he shouted with clenched fists. There was everything in this short, elemental and victorious shout.
The other elves came with jugs of wine and passed two goblets to our wanderers.
Kor raised goblet to a toast.
“Praise Elbereth! Cheers!”
Only after a long while and several glasses Kor realized that Barachen is missing.
“He went to Rivendell. Many of us are now preparing for the journey west.”
One of the elves finally recognized them.
“You must be Kortheod, slayer of orcs, worms and trolls!”
“Rather a vermin hunter, but yeah, it’s me.”
“Master Elrond left a message, that you are invited too him, ‘s soon you will ‘ave time.“
The dorwinion wine was already showing its might.
Sheila looked at Kor. He winked.
“I think we will have time the day after tomorrow. After we celebrate!“
***
Rivendell was different. There was far more elves, drinking, dancing and chattering. The mood was high.
Elrond welcomed them in the open, as he was celebrating in the sunshine too. They exchanged some general greeting and celebrating sentences.
“I have to thank you two as well as I already thanked many brave warriors and free folk. You have done your part in all this and whole Middle Earth is grateful.”
Accepting gratitude was not Kor’s strong point, so he just went over it with a warm smile.
Then, Elrond’s eyebrows lowered and reached his nose bridge, as always he wanted to say something important and dire.
“You surely know that the work is not done completely. There are remnants of evil within the country, and lots of foul creatures running loose. Sauron’s corruption infested vast regions.“
They all took a sip from the goblets.
“Speaking in proverbs: If bad seed comes to a fitting ground, or underground… you know what comes out of this.”
“I know, Lord Elrond. We don’t plan to leave the battlefield yet.”
“I know you are tired and deserve a rest. But if you reconsider retirement, there will be work for you still.“
Plusheila frowned a bit and Elrond noticed it but continued.
“My scouts have found out a few lesser followers of Sauron’s legacy. Especially in the north, under the Gundabad mountain.“
Kor nodded.
“Many of our allies, my agents are continuing to be the vigils and the wardens of peace. One of them is also wise Seregrían. I know you are in close contact with her.”
Elrond smiled: “She is the only one who has as much books as I have in my library, maybe more.“
Kor had to agree.
“She also played an important part in the war, and I know of her hatred to dark beings. So I know you can continue very well together.”
“There are many brave adventurers gathering at her house. We surely will not be alone.”
“Good to hear. I have yet to make many preparations for my kin to help them depart to the West… but a few of them agreed that it is not their time yet.”
Kor smiled lightly and knew he personally could name two or three at the moment.
“And what about you, my lord?”
Elrond smiled in one of his mysterious ways. It could be both yes and no.
“I think our business is concluded. Let us continue the celebrations!” he raised his goblet.
After two glasses, Sheila finally lost her timidity and put out her flute. The right rejoicing were just about to start…
