It is said that the first of us awoke late at night, under skies of unclouded stars, and the stars were their earliest memory. They loved all of Arda, but were ever moved most in heart by the stars, and the hours of twilight and morrow-dim.(1)
So it is said. So I have found among most of our kind.
The other races also hold love for the stars, it seems. But I think not as deeply as we do. Our ‘Legend’ of creation ties us most closely to the works of Tintalle on our behalf, and our first memories, both those who eventually moved on to Valinor, and those who remained.
And it seems normal to me that I am drawn to stand and watch the skies many an evening. Not all night, every night….but often. Now it also seems I am aware of more of the tale. Not that I would dare to question Eru, but I cannot understand why He did not cause them all to awake at the same time. Nay, the elf men woke first, and saw the stars first, and the women asleep on the sward second, whereas the first sight of we women was the men waking us up to watch the stars with them!
So it is said. So I am finding it.
I dare to say that being together under the stars has more meaning to our folk than to others?
I would not have it any other way.
Now the following morning found me in the stables, speaking with Barahirn on the state of readiness of the horses. I knew Estarfin was impatient to dispose of the remaining brigands, and that if we, Parnard, and the horses could travel, we would be heading back to Yondershire later that day. I was like-minded in the matter, wishing to move on with some plans of my own with my crafting. But first we would see the Halflings and our borders with Yondershire were safe.
Parnard walked by the stables and grinned archly as he saw me. “Good morning, Lady,” he said, approaching. “I trust you had a good night? I suspect we will be riding out as soon as Estarfin is ready.”
I looked around the homestead. There was no sign of Estarfin. We had parted at fore-dawn, and on good terms. I suspected he was still resting.
Barahirn coughed politely. “Forgive me, Lady Danel, the Lord rode out a little after sunrise. He had a message delivered by one from the Falas.”
There was a sudden lump in my throat. Though he would do as he wished, I wondered who was seeking him here, and at that hour.
One name was first in my mind. Lord Veryacano?
My eyes met Parnard’s and I realised he was thinking the same thing.
“Estarfin will be back soon, I am sure of it, Danel,” he said, trying not to seem troubled.
There was the sound of hooves even as we spoke. Gilastor, bearing Estarfin, rounded the corner by the lake and stopped a short distance from us. Estarfin waved and dismounted, then walked casually towards us as his mount sought the stable. “I bid you both a good morning.” He was wearing a black Hammer Hauberk.
I had known from the first we met again at Echad Eregion that this could happen. Did I not say to him he was always free to follow where he would? Of course I wanted him here with me, but he was no captive. Nay, duty was most important to him. Veryacano would mean duty. But of all the times to summon Estarfin...
I waved back, and tried to smile.
“Lord Veryacano summoned me to Celondim,” Estarfin said plainly, confirming my fear. “I was assisting him and Sergeant Ancalasse. They are recruiting.”
“I understand. When do you leave?”
“Leave?”
Dear Parnard understood my sudden difficulty. “Estarfin friend, I have not seen that uniform in some time. Are you riding back to Imladris?” he asked.
“No,” said Estarfin, looking a touch bemused. “Now if all are rested, we can make haste to ride back to Yondershire.”
“But when do you leave?” I asked again, angry with myself for even thinking he would leave without explanation.
He turned to look me in the eyes. “I stay here,” he said.
“But the uniform?”
“I was assisting Ancalasse. Then I came home.”
I heard him, but it took a few moments to fully understand. This was home?
“They ride back to Imladris, having achieved their goal. I remain.”
I felt ashamed of myself. I truly was so vulnerable to him now, having set aside the last ‘shield’ I had, and I knew that would not do in situations like this. I had told him I trusted him, and I did.
Parnard laughed to see the expression on my face, yet I could tell a cloud was lifted from him, too. “No time for a proper breakfast then. I think this calls for wine," he declared, and ran off to get some.
Estarfin gave a nod of approval to Parnard as he passed by, and smiled just a little to me.
“And I shall change into armour again. Leather this time though, and wear the new green cloak Parnard made for me so that I am not highly visible.”
“Good. Scarlet would not be suitable, Danel.” he said provokingly.
“Have you not noticed that, since we left Imladris I only wear red at home? I have a black and now a green cloak that are both hooded?”
He laughed with amusement.
~ ~ ~
Within the hour we three were back on the road, fortified by wine, cold chicken, and fresh bread Filignil had hastily brought us. She also gave us some waybread and apples, and handed Parnard a big piece of cake wrapped in cloth.
The trail to this castle was not so clear cut. We could not view it from a distance. Hills and a tall dark forest lay to the north of Tighfield, that it was obscured - yet Parnard and I had seen it.
“It is there, friend Estarfin," he said, munching cake. "On a hilltop with a view of the surrounding land lies a fortress with crumbling walls and turrets. During the day, it looks abandoned, but it is not, for the light of many torches shine out at night."
“And how did you come to see this place?” Estarfin asked, turning Gilastor off the road and into the deep wood.
“Danel and I explored the lands hereabout, when you were in Mithlond,” Parnard explained.
“That castle is not easy to reach," I said. There seems to be a path to the left, easiest to follow.” I pointed ahead, seeing the trail of earth flattened by much walking and riding and passage of laden wagons.
“That way leads to another Halfling village, Danel." Parnard flicked his dark hair out of his eyes. “It lies very close to the ruined castle."
We continued at a steady pace among the trees, still keeping the path in view.
“There is a high waterfall and a beautiful tree next to the castle walls," added Parnard.
I looked to Estarfin. “If we carry on past this village, will we be in sight of the castle.”
Parnard nodded, patting Swan-Hoof's neck. The little black horse seemed uneasy.
Pelorian tossed her head and flicked her ears back and forth. “Wolves?” I said.
Estarfin nodded, then gave Gilastor an encouraging pat on the neck. “Nothing we cannot ride down, my friend.”
Slowly, softly we made progress as Anor reached the zenith. Then we could see the village spread out over a few small hills, surrounded by many trees. There was a lake with a few boats on it, and we could make out conversation from those Halflings fishing on the banks, as the sound traveled far on the water. A lot of their talk seemed to be about the best way to catch that ‘big one’, and what would be on the menu at the ‘Brimful Quiver’ later. A couple of women passed not too far from us, empty wicker baskets over their arms.
“And I tell yer, there be trouble brewin' again, Rosemary. Them neighbours of mine have two milk cows missing these several days. And Crystal Twofields had all her washing stolen off her line. What are them bounder’s doing is what I want ter know.”
The second woman, presumably Rosemary, was nodding. “There be word some men were in the village the last few nights. Missin’ chicken and some kegs from the Tavern
“Men, not orcs?” the first woman asked.
“Men,” replied Rosemary. “Though these days some don’t behave much differently ter orcs.”
Then the Halflings were out of sight and hearing.
“They talk just like that Halfling in Tighfield,” said Parnard.
“They intimidate the Halflings that they lose their will to fight at the start. They are the demons,” observed Estarfin, turning Gilastor to a side lane running over to a stream. Parnard and I followed.
“This path leads uphill, and I believe that is the direction we should be heading in.” Estarfin continued.
We rode on.
~ ~ ~
Meanwhile, as the Elves ascended the crest over the village, folk were gathering in the ‘Brimful Quiver’. It seemed a couple of folk had seen three riders on the edge of the village.
“Three of ‘em?” the Tavern keep had asked.
“Aye, Pello,” came the reply from a local forester. “Two all in black, and one in deep forest green. Long cloaks and hoods an’ all.”
“Did ‘em feel foul?’ asked a youngster in his mid tweens, as he took a seat among the old Gaffers.
“Nay, Rimbart. Them feels…..like twilight.”
“Elves,” said Rimbart. “Them be Elves. “Tighfield had ‘em just a few days ago.”
“And?” asked Pello.
“And them had a Star Fin with ‘em.”
They all nodded wisely, though they hadn’t a clue.
“Ah, I heard young Guy Appleby has turned into one o’ them,” said Alvane Drinkwater.
~ ~ ~
Riding up the hill to the East of Gamwich was harder going for the horses than we expected. It was steep and rocky, and there was most definitely a deep ravine. Higher still was the large waterfall, freshening the more humid air from under the blanket of trees. Then we were out in the open, with only several large rocks and a sparse scattering of trees between us and a castle ruins.
“There!” Parnard announced proudly. "There is the nice tree by the waterfall, just like I said."
We all dismounted, taking up our swords. Estarfin took up his great shield as well.
“Stay under the trees,” I said to Pelorian.”Do not come forth unless called.” She snorted softly.
Likewise the others also bade their horses remain under cover of the trees.
The grasslands ahead of us sloped up to the stone walls of the large castle. There were a few bears and wolves in sight, though no wolf pack by the look of things.
Carefully we began to head up to the crest of the hill. Nothing paid us any attention. There was no sign of movement from the castle but, as we closed in, we were assaulted by a horrendous odor from the upwind building.
Estarfin spat out “Men! They cannot ever wash!”
Now we were close enough to see the castle had several levels. The strong walls were topped by battlements, upon which we could see guards patrolling. There were a couple of what looked like small keeps inside the main wall, and a turret.
“Only one entrance.” I pointed at the wooden stake gate at the top of the single slope that accessed the castle.
Estarfin nodded. “I will take a quick look to see if there are any other possible ways in. You and Parnard, get closer and watch the gate: who goes in and who leaves, and how many. Do not be seen.” And then he was away, that I could not even make out where he moved.
Parnard looked at the gate and frowned. “Perhaps there are too many, " he said glumly but crept through the tall grass to get a better look.
We saw no one enter the castle, and no one leave. There were four guards at the gate, and from different vantage points we could see several other armed men moving about.
“No way in,” said Estarfin, who was suddenly with us again, as if from nowhere.
“There has to be something, a window, a scalable wall, a breach?” I asked.
Estarin sat down, placing his shield on the grass. He ran a hand over his face. “We three cannot storm this place. Neither can we creep past those guards.”
“If only Belegos was with us,” said Parnard. “He would scale those walls and tell us what is on the other side.”
Well yes, were Belegos with us, he may do just that, or not. But he was not with us. The mention of his name seemed to suggest something to Estarfin though.
“We cannot take the castle by force, but perhaps there is another way.”
Parnard and I turned silently to face him.
“Wolves in sheep’s clothing," he said, with a grin. "We did it before, in Dol Guldur.”
So we had! I smiled brightly. “What a wonderful idea, Estarfin!” Had not we, Belegos, and Elloen gained access to that wicked citadel by disguising ourselves as Angmarim?
Parnard was smiling now, too. “All we need is some men’s clothes,” he said.
(1. Based on ‘Quendi and Eldar’ . The War of the Jewels. JRR Tolkien ed C. Tolkien)
