The following day, at the appointed hour of dawn, Parnard met Danel on the street. She seemed lighter of mood than the day before, but her face was wan and her gray-blue eyes, though still bright, were encircled by dark shadows.
"You seem tired, cousin," observed Parnard, after greeting her warmly. He had slept deeply, as was his wont after drinking so much wine.
"I will be happier when we are all home again," she said.
"We must leave here straightaway, then. Where is friend Estarfin?"
"Likely he is still sleeping. I think he drank even more after we parted from him last night. He had much to consider. It was a strange night - there was a tension amongst us that we do not usually share, do you agree?"
"Well-l-l-l…" drawled Parnard, "I think so, cousin. But we will fare better at home. T’other home. Away from the creeping waves and frowning clouds of this place."
"Indeed, I would rather ride in the woodlands again, and perhaps visit the Dwarves in the mountains. But let me tell you, since coming to Mithlond, I have learned to value you both even more. Parnard, you have proven time and time again to be a friend beyond price. You have saved us from ourselves many a time. We are…difficult. Not intentionally so, but - we are."
"‘Difficult’? Oh, no, no, no! Both you and Estarfin are so open and friendly to me now," said Parnard, grinning.
"If you will bear with me, I must speak first with Estarfin about what we say as it impinges upon him the most."
"Yes, lady. Uh…what do you not wish me to speak about now?"
"Nothing of the sort: I wish you to always speak as you will. I meant that I must speak with him so that I have his permission to speak of him to you, though it may be he wishes to do so himself."
"Oh," said Parnard, not comprehending a whit.
"Last night Estarfin and I were of like mind, eventually, but I pressed hard with answers to his questions," Danel continued, lowering her head and speaking softly, so softly that Parnard had to lean close to hear her answer, "he wanted to know what I wished to happen between us."
"The wedding! You have both decided!" he burst out with excitement. "There is much to do! We must plan – " he stopped. Danel was shaking her head. "But that is not your mind."
"No, not at all. Estarfin thinks, if he binds me to him in marriage, he will have me a prisoner until Arda is renewed."
"That is awfully gloomy, awfully gloomy news," said Parnard with a frown.
"Because he says he will fall in battle," added Danel.
"What! How does he know this?"
"Parnard, there is a war coming soon."
"I know it," he said. Everyone knows this! She must think I am a terribly thick-skulled fool, thought Parnard. Why could the lady not speak plainly and get to the point?
"Estarfin believes we have not the strength to withstand it. Neither do Men. And all shall fall into darkness." Danel made a secretive smile. "But I have hope. Lord Cirdan told me there is hope, and he sees far. We may yet prevail. Estarfin believes that if we wed we will only have a year together at most. Then I shall be alone."
"Ah," he made a faint smile. "But you would not be entirely alone -"
"I told him I ask not for children."
Parnard’s eyes widened as he listened to her reasoning. It was not a time to bear children. She would be an unwanted distraction on the road for Estarfin, that is, if he allowed her to ride out to battle with him. Later, if peace arrived, there would be time for children. "Of course. I am sorry, cousin," he told her. "I face a similar problem, as you well know."
"There is still hope for us both. Would that you have the Captain’s reply to your letter awaiting you at home."
"I think it will not be waiting; it is too soon by your reckoning –"
"Unless a very swift rider bore it?"
"I should not be so fortunate as that. I must obey her father’s will," Parnard muttered.
"What was that?" she asked.
"I said I must obey Captain Brethenel’s will. I will not anger the Captain of the King’s Guard, father of my beloved, and disobey his request." Parnard’s eyes flashed with annoyance. He could not even call her his betrothed, as the Captain would not permit any exchanging of silver rings.
"To force you to wait to marry is short-sighted. I wish the Captain were not so stubborn-minded, but I understand."
"There might be another reason for it: he may be finding her another suitor, one that he likes better!"
"If she were slain, he would say so," Danel considered, unwisely vocalizing her thoughts.
"What did you just say?"
"Yet surely her father would have the decency to inform you of that."
"If I received any letter - !"
"True, true. Brasseniel could have fallen and we would know it not."
"She could be dead, right now," moaned Parnard, and turned away, aghast at the prospect.
"If tidings are ill, we shall mourn when we know them. Until then, let us live in light, and not despair." Parnard did not appear to be listening to her, so she confided to him, "You know, Estarfin could be so addled of wits from what he drank last night that he has fallen into the Sea and drowned."
Parnard shut his eyes and put his hands to his head.
"But I choose not to think that. Just like I choose to believe that you will receive a reply to your letter soon, saying she is alive and well."
"You are just saying that to try and console me!"
"Yes."
Parnard made a start and stared at her uncomprehendingly for a few moments as the blood drained from his face: he had not expected such a plain and forthright answer.
"But I also believe it," she added. "Until then, let us live in light, and not despair?"
The wood-elf cried out, "My thoughts have been turned down a very dark path from which they will not be turned again so easily! Oh! It is hopeless! There is too much in my way, too many obstacles, reaching up to the sky, just like the - the mountains of Valinor!"
“You speak as one already captive to the Enemy,” she chided.
These words were like cold water dashed into Parnard’s face, and all his dead hopes were suddenly revived, and his desire to marry became even greater. He faced Danel, grim determination etched across his features. He was no craven! The lady noticing this sudden change in his demeanor silently approved, and softened her voice, and sounding as if she were his own mother, said to him:
"Obstacles can be overcome, one at a time. If there is no hope, for whatever reason, the Captain should inform you.”
"Perhaps if you and Estarfin were to speak with the Captain," suggested Parnard, "and if there is hope, then persuade him to let me marry before the War is over. Would you do that for me, cousin? You and Estarfin are very persuasive."
The lady was most pleased by this request, and immediately replied that she would be willing to try, and said, "I think, once we are home, we should speak with Estarfin about traveling there. I would expect Estarfin to also be willing to help, but he does not like Felgoth."
"I thank you for your help," said Parnard, making a deep bow. He knew very well that Estarfin did not like to travel to what he termed ‘those dark and dingy woods’ but perhaps, if he were to ask him nicely, he might agree, and no doubt Danel would help persuade him, too.
