Danel sighed, and turning to Estarfin said, "Perhaps it is time? Time we told Parnard?"
"There are no secrets here."
Satisfied with this reply, she said to Parnard, "You have asked questions of late that have been awkward to answer."
"It has been a strange time, to be sure! But cousin, worry no more about it," Parnard told her, waving a hand carelessly, and went back to sampling the new wines from Celondim.
"We do not know how much you know about the Noldor," Danel said, cautiously.
"I think I know a great deal. Have I not served in a company of Golodhrim?"
"You know a great deal indeed, but it is a long history," answered Estarfin.
"I am sure it is, I am sure it is: you old ones have lived and seen much!"
"There are certain matters we all must speak about. This will be a long tale," Danel said, sitting down on a bench and arranging her skirts around her. "You know of the Valar, do you not?"
"Do I know of the Valar? Do I! You told me about them just a short while ago, ha ha ha!" laughed Parnard.
Danel shook her head. It was certainly going to be a long tale. And so she began at the beginning, as so many tales do. She told him of the Valar, whence they came, their powers, and what they created in the world. She told of their early struggles with the first Dark Lord, who was called Melkor, before he was renamed. She spoke of the awakening of the Eldar beside the lake of Cuiviénen, under the enduring starlight, before the night and day were divided, and how the Three Kindred were summoned to Valinor to abide under the auspices of the Powers that rule there. Every so often Estarfin would interrupt Danel and say a few words intended to clarify. Then Estarfin said:
"Tell him of Laurelin and Telperion. I always loved that tale."
So then she spoke of the Two Trees of silver and gold, and how they were made, and the Noontide of Valinor, when all was at its brightest, and there was no Shadow - until the slaying of King Finwë by the evil Melkor. She told him of Feänor, and his creation of the hallowed stones, the Silmarils, and how they were stolen.
"Yet the Valar do not actually do anything now in these lands, do they?" interrupted Parnard, looking to Estarfin for confirmation. "Perhaps they are a bit grudgeful, as your people left their domain without permission?"
As soon as he spoke these words it began to rain heavily. Danel and Estarfin did not seem to notice, but when Parnard felt the rain trickle into his boots, he said he did not wish their fine raiment ruined, or the wine swept away in a flood, so they betook themselves inside Danel’s home. A fire was burning cheerily in the fireplace, and cake and wine was laid out on the table, as if Filignil had expected them home at any moment. The elves seated themselves comfortably, and Danel sipped wine and continued to tell her tale:
"Not even the Valar know Feänor’s secret as to how he made the Silmarils, and trapped the light within," she said, with more than a little pride. "Now, to whom did the Silmarils belong, do you think?" she asked Parnard.
A question to test him and prove he had been mindful! thought Parnard, sitting up straighter in his chair. He thought about everything Danel and Estarfin had told him before answering, "Belong? Well, they belong to the creator who made them. And yet the Master can lay claim to the servant’s property that he makes with the Master’s goods."
"The Master - Eru, that is correct," Danel said to him.
Parnard settled back in his chair and threw one leg over the armrest in triumph. "It is quite a history lesson you have given me, cousin," he said, reaching for more wine. But Danel was not finished with her tale: she told him of how Melkor came knocking on Feänor’s door to slay Feänor’s father, Finwë, High King of the Noldor, when Feänor was away at a festival, and how the Two Trees were killed, and all was thrown into darkness and dismay.
"Melkor wanted the Silmarils for himself but Feänor saw through his cunning lies," said Danel.
"At least someone there was not tricked. You Noldor must have been very powerful for this Dark Lord to rely upon stratagems of deceit and subterfuge, and not simply take them by force. But why did he steal them? Could he not make such works himself?"
"The Valar’s power was beyond Feänor’s, but his skill was greater. Feänor always saw the truth in things. It was the first blood spilled in Valinor, that of our High King," said Estarfin.
"A terrible pity! Where were the guards?"
"They were slain too," said Danel, "and then Feänor and his sons returned to find all destroyed and the Silmarils stolen! And that, cousin, is why we left Valinor."
"But why did the Valar not pursue the Dark Lord and steal back the Silmarils?"
"Valinor was plunged into darkness, and all save Feänor were frozen by fear and doubt," explained Estarfin.
"Long were the Valar in council. They did not protect nor avenge King Finwë’s death. Many cast blame on us, the Valar not the least," said Danel.
"Is that true, Estarfin?" Parnard asked. "The Noldor were wronged by a Vala, blood was spilt, and the other Valar sat by - and did nothing?"
Estarfin nodded slowly.
"It seems unfair, unfair and capricious - and yet our people fly to them even now for protection," marveled the wood elf.
"It is unfair. Unfair, unjust," said Estarfin.
"And capricious," added Danel.
"Well, well. What sort of Masters rule our folk?"
"But now you understand why the Noldor returned to these lands," said Danel, and told Parnard that the first part of her tale was over, thinking there was no need to mention the First Kinslaying at Alqualondë, unless Estarfin wished to tell it.
Parnard looked relieved to hear his history lesson had ended, but said with a smiling face, "I shall do my best to remember all you told me."
"We returned because we no longer trusted them, because they let our King be murdered and our jewels were stolen!" emphasized Danel.
"We returned because we were not afraid," added Estarfin, saying nothing more on the subject.
"Very brave and bold of heart it was of your people to leave the gilded cage with so many duplicitous Masters keeping them captive," agreed Parnard. "I understand better why you are here now. I thank you." Then, looking at the two elves pensively, he said all of a sudden, "Perhaps I can call upon you if I ever need help?"
"Help?" asked Estarfin.
Parnard nodded and smiled broadly. "Yes, if I ever need it."
To which Estarfin replied: "You need only ask."
"If it be within our power…or without," Danel said, giving him a knowing look, for Parnard had already told her what he wished to do.
Encouraged by Estarfin’s courteous reply, Parnard rose to his feet and made a sweeping bow. "Thank you, Estarfin friend, and you too, cousin," he said, stifling a yawn, "but now the sun has already risen and I must rest my weary head, and see that the words stuffed into it do not fall out. This is how I learn my lessons: listen, then fall asleep."
Who better to explain Noldorin history than a Noldor? he thought, as he strolled back to his dwelling. The unsuspecting wood elf was rather flattered by the interest taken in his education, and felt very privileged to call such knowledgeable and wise persons his friends.
