Rings on a Rainy Day

It had been a very rainy day. I minded not at all, for I had my work cut out for me. I had shut myself away in the small room I used as my workspace, and finished the second ring first. 

I did not need to finish it yet at all, but having been ‘gifted’ the necessary metal, I was keen to show Tintalle what I could do with it. 

There was a knock on the door, just as a beam of golden light pierced the grey. It was Parnard’s knock.

“Enter my friend.” I called out. And in he came, a little damper than I suspected he liked, but with a cake on a plate balanced on one hand, two glasses in the other, and a bottle of red wine under his arm.

“Oughd you lie a bread…c’sin?”

He had a slice of the cake in his mouth. 

I smiled and bid him welcome. He set what he had brought upon the table, and  opened the wine. 

He finished his cake, then looked at me, sitting at my work desk in front of the window. 

“Not dressed for going out today then?”

I pulled one of the silken ties a little tighter around my thin outfit. 

“Not even dressed for getting out of bed?” Parnard laughed as he poured out two glasses of wine. 

“The work I do this day does not require leathers,” I replied with a grin. “And this is comfortable. But the wine…just half a glass for me. I have all but finished this ring, but I would make a start on yours, for Brasseniel.”

For a moment Parnard appeared to encourage me to take a very full glass, then he nodded, drank some from his glass then topped it up with mine. 

I nodded that he should put the glass on the desk, as I turned to show him my work, the gold wedding ring I held carefully between my fingers. 

“From the gold we found on Mount Rerir,” I said, turning the plain band around so he could not quite read the inscription. 

“We foun' gol' there?” Parnard’s words were muffled by cake again. 

“Oh, did I not mention it? It may be you were asleep by the time I returned. I apologise. I must have been too excited.”

“Where was the gol’? In ‘at house?” my friend asked.

I laughed and shook my head.“Nay cousin. It was in a stream running from the mountain to the sea. I took two pieces.”

“There is a gold mine there?” Parnard’s eyes widened as he finished a second piece of cake.

“There are nuggets in that stream.” I sipped just a little of the wine. 

“Washed down the mountainside. There is a gold vein inside. Do not tell the Dwarves or they will go there.”

I shook my head. “I have no intention of telling anyone else. I took it from what remains of Thargelion for Estarfin. Though I have enough to make a gold ring for you, if you want?”

Parnard thought a moment, then said “Do not forge that ring yet, there is time enough.” Then he looked over at the ring I still held. “What is the inscription on it?” he asked with a genuine smile.

I closed my hand. The golden light faded to be replaced by a grey sky again.

Parnard laughed lightly. “Keep your secrets and your ring, cousin. I understand.” He sat upon one of the wooden chairs and relaxed with his wine, taking up another piece of cake. 

“I made this wedding ring before I finished the betrothal ring. I hope that is not bad fortune? I think not. I have heard naught, even though it is strange. But this I could see in my mind, whereas the other ring I am still considering. I have the silver and mithril, and the diamond flakes for the stars…..no dwimmer of course.”

Parnard looked up, and swallowed the last of his cake. 

“The metal of the gold ring can be enchanted, but I will not do so.”

“Estarfin enchanted my sword?” Parnard said of a sudden.

I thought for a moment. Then I thought of Sarphir. “He may have?” That notion was new to me. I recalled seeing the narrow cuts on his arms after he had finished work, and wondered? “With weapons and armour, he may know how.”

“Hmm, I think he will not like to tell his craft secrets,” Parnard considered.

“Neither will I tell him how to enchant gems,” I smiled, though new thoughts were running through my mind. 

“And I will not tell how I make tripe!” Parnard laughed. I laughed too.

Placing the ring in a soft, red cloth, I laid it back upon my desk. “Now Parnard, I think we should at least make a start on your betrothal ring.The metal I have from Imladris, but you must choose one or more stones, and an engraving, if it is your will? A blue beryl you said before?”

“I did,” he confirmed. 

I stood and reached to the top shelf, bringing down a turquoise coloured wooden box. Placing it on my desk, I opened the lid. “These are all the beryls of that colour that I have. I can always order another, or we can find a supplier in Mithlond. But perhaps one of these is already to your liking?”

Parnard looked at the set of sparkling stones. 

“Two are deeper blue than the others, three are oval, two round, and one leaf shaped. They all have light within them.”

The wood elf took up the two deeper coloured stones and held them up to the light. “This one I think,” he said, passing the deepest coloured one to me. 

I took the stone from him. “Ummm.”

“Umm? Is it not a good stone, cousin?”

“It is my favourite. But the choice is yours, my friend.”

“Ah, you are of the same mind, cousin, and as you are a Mirdan, it must be so.”

“I shall set the stone on the band as flat as I can manage, so it does not catch on a glove or gauntlet. Now, diamonds?”

Parnard shook his head. “I think the stone will be enough. Only the beryl. “

“That leaves the inscription.”

“Does it have to have an inscription,” asked Parnard.

I shook my head. “No, not at all. Many do, but far from all as I understand it.”

“I do not wish the captain to read it. And he might,” Parnard explained. 

I smiled with understanding. “I see. Then I have all I need and can start work. It needs to be finished before we ride out.”

 

(With thanks to Estarfin for the picture. I could never make anything like it. )