At sunrise, a sweeping wind kicked up, and it began to rain heavily. Caught unawares by the sudden cloud-burst, Danel and Parnard ran to shelter and lingered on the porch for some time talking. Danel’s manner was approachable, dignified with an easy grace in spite of her highborn status, and she possessed a frankness of mind that she never hesitated to share with Parnard, even if it did cause him to be uneasy at times, and puzzle his simpler views of the world. So when she spoke of her intention of cutting a hole in the roof to see the stars better, he accepted it as just another piece of news that he could not appreciate nor understand.
"Oh," he replied, nonplussed, for he could not see the good in it when it rained.
"It is my intent that it become a place to study the stars better," Danel explained. "Like the courtyard in Rivendell but with one of the glasses that makes everything appear larger. I know some folk have made them. There were two in Tham Mirdan."
"Some virtue they must possess," said Parnard, mystified.
"They take the light and crystals bend it."
"Magic glasses! What I would not give for a set of those! Do the Dwarves make them? They are awfully clever folk."
"Dwarves make almost anything. We would need to go ask them, but I was thinking of walking to Duillond today,” suggested Danel.
'I am wet enough already - I do not have my cloak."
"Or if you would rather visit the place in Mithlond, it is not far to ride."
"No. I will not disturb Estarfin’s peace."
"You are right; I do not want him thinking that we hound his steps. Then we shall ride to Duillond instead.”
Seeing that the lady would not be deterred from setting out someplace in the downpour, and he would not have her go alone, Parnard acquiesced and followed her into the house as quiet as a shadow. There in the hall he watched her rummage around in an oak chest and pull out two old woollen cloaks. Throwing them on, they made their way to the stables and rode off, leaning forward to shield their faces from the rain as their horses fought for their footing on the rough muddy road.
They arrived at Duillond before noon, and after overseeing the horses' comfort, and ensuring their hay was fresh and plentiful, Danel turning to Parnard asked, “So you were here once before, before you visited Imladris?”
“Yes, some time ago. But I am glad to visit again - and to have such a charming guide with me this time.”
Danel laughed softly at the playful compliment. By degrees they walked through the town to the merchant area, she pointing out this bale or that box, and consulting with her list of goods, bargained and made arrangements for deliveries, while Parnard stood by half-listening to the shopkeepers’ chatter as he sampled wine and other choice morsels. Cutting out a small piece of yellow cheese with the tip of his eating knife, he gallantly proffered it to Danel.
“I do sometimes wonder about the amount of wine Estarfin consumes,” said Danel, taking the bit of cheese with a nod of thanks.
“Is it - much?" Parnard asked hopefully, for he was missing a drinking companion.
“These days it seems he drinks more to enjoy, rather than forget. I will order a couple of those cheeses to be delivered, and several cases of wine. It is new, but good with the cheese?”
“We should have a feast for Midsummer’s festival!”
“I have heard of the Wood-Elves and their moonlit feasts,” said Danel.
“You have not feasted properly unless you have feasted with us! The moonlight on the leaves, the stars in the trees, all the dancing, and the laughing, and the music, and the singing,” Parnard said, becoming dreamy-eyed for a moment before suddenly snapping out of his reverie and giving Danel a furtive glance. “Perhaps it seems childish to you, these petty frolics?”
“Not at all. I would that we would be more innocent and carefree, as we once were, as we ought to be. Do not let Estarfin and I forget.”
“Before the weight of cares bore down on us? The times have changed for the worse. We must bear it."
She laid a light hand on his arm. “We live with what is, not what we wish things were. It is easier to bear if we still remember what we once were.”
“Recalling the past is bitter. The future is unknown. All that is left is the present.”
“You speak wisdom, Parnard. Here the sea brings echoes of Valinor to us all. Some hear it louder than others. I hear it, but only faintly. But Estarfin - ahhh…”
“So that is why he goes so often to Mithlond - the Sea is calling, but he is not ready to leave: he cannot because he has his duty and honour to think of, his oath to Lord Anglachelm.”
Danel looked sad. “No, not that oath." Realising she was speaking of things Parnard had never heard before, she was reluctant to say too much. "There was an oath made by our folk when we came to these shores, a terrible oath made to pursue what was stolen from us, terrible because it was binding to those that left Valinor, that they could not return. Estarfin and I are some of the first born on these shores. In those days many still made that oath - he did as a youth - but Parnard, so did I."
“What was stolen?”
“That is a matter to discuss another time.”
“As you like, as you like,” Parnard said, sensing her sudden reticence, and knowing it would be a pointless and rude endeavour to press for details. “What matters is the cost of the thing. Does he regret it? Do you?”
“I do regret it, the oath. We were not forced, but we saw no wrong in it. It was mostly to do with reclaiming what was ours."
“It seems that you have been caught up in some feud of your forebears, but regretting the actions of one’s youth is still common enough nowadays. I know about some of that myself,” said Parnard as he polished his eating knife clean with a cloth.
“When I think of remaining here, I foresee such sorrow as our folk die out."
“There are yet many elves in the wood, Lady. Stave off your sorrow for now."
“I have promised I will sail, and my heart is even heavier -” her voice trailed away.
Parnard looked troubled but asked, very matter-of-factly, "When will you sail?"
“When I must. I have given my word - but not until all is lost,” she said, now avoiding her companion’s gaze. Danel quickly wiped a tear away and made a faint smile. That was as near as she would come to an expression of the doubt and fear which shadowed her heart. She tried to appear calm and confident, making light of the difficulty as something which would, of course, be overcome. "Come, let us walk a while together before it rains again," and taking him by the hand, led him away from the market terrace down the old worn steps.
