“Shall I make a necklace for your lady?”
This question made Parnard pause in his fluting and grow uncommonly thoughtful.
“That is - if you think she may like it,” added Danel, “for whenever you wish to gift it. And, of course, I would be honoured to fashion the rings for you both.”
“We speak too soon of such things,” Parnard answered at last. “Perhaps once her father has agreed to the betrothal, it can be done.” He put the flute back to his lips and blew a low dismal note.
“Oh, I forgot that.” Danel lowered her head and sighed, realizing she had once again said too much in her eagerness to help. “Are you enjoying that flute? Playing it, I mean?”
“I confess, it is harder than I thought it would be. Dancing with maidens is more enjoyable, but we cannot dance without music, so I shall persevere!” And to show his dedication to his new art, he blew a second discordant note.
Danel winced a little at the sound. “I will try to improve with the harp.”
“Harp! That is not a very merry instrument for frolicking.”
“The fiddle, then.”
“Fiddle! You must want Estarfin to become enraged. A fiddle is a Man’s instrument.”
“So it is. I do not want to grieve Estarfin over Men again.”
“I am right glad to hear that.” Parnard threw the flute down on the grass and stretched out to look up dreamily at the stars.”If you were to make something for Brasseniel, the stones should be blue to match her eyes, blue as flax flowers; and the chain must be strong, unbreakable, like her unbending will, made of a white metal, to go with her black hair and pale skin…”
“Silver and steel, or mithril - though I have but little of that.”
“Whatever the necklace is made of, it must be big and glittery, crammed full of gems! I would see her father amazed.” He looked sideways at Danel. “Do you think it would make a difference?”
“If he is the sort to be impressed by such things. Some folk are. He would think you either had riches or a friend with skill.”
“Both are points in my favor, are they not?”
“It is hard to tell. Perhaps Estarfin could forge a dagger for the Captain, and you could present that to him with the necklace.”
“No - that is too much. The Captain will think that I am plying him with gifts in trade for his daughter, like some pack–mule or horse! He might even become insulted. Perhaps if I was still Lord Ambassador, that might have impressed him, but I cannot claim that title any more.”
“Is there any other title that might impress him?”
“Captain, I think, as that is his title. In order to be Captain Parnard, I would need a command, and soldiers to lead - I think it rather unlikely, for I do not have the temper for soldiering.”
“It is indeed unlikely, my friend. You are not meant to be a soldier,” Danel agreed wholeheartedly.
“I must be patient I suppose,” Parnard said, returning his gaze to the night sky. “Brasseniel has a way of getting what she wants.”
“No doubt she chafed at her father’s refusal, as I oft did -”
“Yet I have heard no word from her!” interrupted Parnard. “Well, many letters fail to reach their intended reader these days: no doubt I shall hear word from her soon.”
“Much can go awry, as you said. You received no letter, and heard no rumour of her?”
“No…no letter, nothing. Now that you mention it, I find it strange. Do you find it strange?”
“Her father may have pressured her into silence. Estarfin’s father pressured him to have nothing to do with me, you know,” said Danel.
“Oh!” cried Parnard, sitting up. “Why did I not think of that before! Of course! Then what if I was to take the necklace and bring along friend Estarfin? That is, if he agrees to journey back to ‘that dark and dingy wood’ again? Estarfin has a talent for questioning folk: I think it is a most excellent idea!”
Danel put a hand over her face. “Let me speak with him about it when he returns.”
“Yes, yes, of course. Speak to him and see what he thinks: Estarfin is plump full of ideas, but he is so modest that he never tells them, haha! And he is stalwart, as fixed as the bedrock, that he cannot be coerced; in fact, he will not listen to others when his mind is made up, he is so firm of purpose.”
“There is some truth in that,” admitted Danel.
“We will wear our finery and Estarfin will wear his black and silver armour, and we will go there, stride in, demand to see the Captain and -”
“Demand? I do not think this is the best approach. Why not write him a letter first, and ask him how his daughter is doing?”
“Another excellent idea! I shall do it at once!” said Parnard, and hastened away to his dwelling. There he took up pen and paper, and began to write:
Dear Sir,
I wish to write to you upon a matter in which the happiness of my life and that of your daughter’s is concerned. When we met and I introduced myself to you, and made my intentions known, your prudent response made me both happy and unhappy; happy in knowing that I still had a chance, and unhappy at the knowledge of a possible future which might await us at the hands of the Enemy. Know that this did not alter my feelings in any way; in fact, it only strengthened my resolve.
Ever since I had the good fortune of meeting your fair daughter, the one wish of my heart has been to become a worthy husband. I may have several disadvantages in your eyes, but do not think badly of me; there are many wild rumours connected with my name floating around, both in the Mirkwood and beyond its borders, rumours that are best left unheeded.
I look forward to the future in the hopes of seeing your fair daughter again. Ever do my thoughts return to that fleeting happiness we shared amongst Elrond’s folk, and now that we are separated, these memories have become painful. Those who love us will not rejoice to see us made sad and lonely. Will you not write and tell me how Brasseniel fares?
Awaiting your answer,
Parnard Teludarion
