Gently I used my comb on the tangled ends of his damp hair, wishing one of us had brought in the orange oil. Just the smallest drop would have aided the process. I knew it would be a long work, but I was patient. After the end of the feasting, which I knew he had enjoyed, to see him huddled in a blanket seated close to the fire and still shivering, well, I needed to do all I could to improve matters. He had turned and leant back against me a little, so I could reach him more easily, and warm his back as well as attend to his hair.
It had been a very good evening until the swimming. Parnard, with Filignil’s assistance, had laid out a stunning feast. Not all may have been in the manner of the Greenwood, but we all had ample food and wine, and there was much merriment. Tales and toasts abounded, and we were most relaxed in each other's company.
The speciality of the night, the tripe, met with a mixed reception, though all of us did our best with it. It was not one of my favourites, but I managed a small bowl. The rest of the food and the wine more than made up for it, in my mind. And we looked at the stars and marveled at the clear, bright sky. It felt good to be together at the table. It felt like family. Now I know Filignil was new to all our acquaintances, yet she fitted in as if she were also an old ‘cousin’ returned to celebrate. She was strong and capable, and clearly had our best at heart. I had no qualms about leaving her in charge of Numenstaya when we three soon travelled East, to find Parnard’s Lady.
And after the making merry, we all swam in the lake.I had been so taken up in the company that I had not realised how low the temperature had become. I had not realised what that would do to Estarfin or I would never have encouraged it.
It was the chill of the Lake and the sky above that got to him.
I chided myself for encouraging him to swim. “Is it cold?” he had asked us, somewhat undecided.
“It is refreshing, Lord Estarfin,” Filignil had replied, swimming away as if in her element.
Parnard had shivered slightly, but swam off as well, trying to catch the moon in the water. And I splashed a little at Estarfin and bid him come in and find out. Then I held out a hand to him. He smiled back, and stood.
I knew he was not fond of swimming. What I didn’t know was he hated the cold. We had traversed the Hithaeglir and he had never said a word? But it was something that touched him deeply.
Letting out a small gasp as he lowered himself into the lake, he swam over to me. He was shivering.
“The wine will warm you, when we get out?”
“H-hopefully.”
I pointed up at the stars, then at their reflection in the lake. It was what I had wanted him to see. I wanted us surrounded by stars.
Parnard swam by, heading for the waterfall. Filignil was floating on her back, mesmerized by the sky.
“Winter is nearly here, that much is clear,” Estarfin seemed unsure whether wrapping his arms about himself was a good move, as he headed into deeper water. His face was very pale.
I swam to join him, trying to put my arms about his shoulders to share my warmth, but It had little effect. “We can return to the shore if you want?” I said, wanting him warm more than seeing any stars at that moment.
Parnard glided back and forth with great ease. He took naturally to any water. “It would be warmer if you swam rather than floating like a lilypad,” he suggested.
I waved, but turned to the grassy bank.
Estarfin never liked giving up, but he knew this ‘adventure’ was pointless. “To the shore,” I suggested. “I am sorry. Let us warm up again.”
He nodded, though I think his teeth were chattering, and we headed back. As he pulled himself out of the water, he was shivering even more. “C-clear nights are c-cold nights,” he said.
How could I have encouraged this? The water was cold, but had not affected Parnard, Flignil or me as it had Estarfin? I did not understand.
Grabbing one of the folded towels Filignil had left earlier by the table, Estarfin hurriedly wrapped it around himself. I stepped forward to wrap a second round him, but he shook his head as my hand only pressed the now freezing first towel against him.
To the house, and swiftly I thought, looking briefly for the others.
Filignil seemed to be completely relaxed, asleep on her back. I waved at Parnard, “Wake her up!” I called urgently.
Estarfin sat huddled on the grass, his body trembling. I poured him a glass of what was then warm spiced wine, thinking it was a temporary measure. He drank it. He shook again, then realised the grass was also cold and damp, and hurriedly stood.
Reaching Filignil, who had indeed fallen asleep, Parnard took her by the arm and guided her ashore. He helped her out the water, while she questioned as to why we were stopping, then leapt over the table to take a towel and twist it around his middle. He shook the water out of his hair.
I quickly poured two further glasses of warm wine, handing one to Parnard and one to Filignil, wanting to ensure they were not freezing. Parnard sipped at the wine and smacked his lips.There was little ailing him.
“The dawn is nigh upon us,” I said, “but too weak will be its warmth. We need to return to the house.”
Still holding his cooling glass with both hands, Estarfin asked “Is the f-fire lit?”
“Yes, but I shall add more fuel and stoke it further. Come.” I grabbed a towel to wrap around myself, though I was wet rather than frozen, and headed at a pace to the closest source of warmth.
Estarfin moved on ahead, opening the doors to my home, and sat as close to the fire as was safe.
I followed the footprints, for none of us had attempted to put shoes or boots back on, and I avoided the small puddles as I headed for the side table where hotter wine resided. I poured four tall glasses full, and took one to Estarfin, and passed one to Parnard and one to Filignil as they also puddled through the house. Taking a quick sip from my glass, I ran to the study to get more dry towels and some thick, warm blankets.
Filignil caught my eye, as Parnard shivered slightly.
“What is wrong with the neri? It was cold out there, but not bitterly so?”
I shrugged. I knew not, save I had never known Estarfin quite like it. “Let us all warm up. I cannot say I am overly hot.” I wrapped another towel and a blanket over Parnard’s shoulders.
“Thank you, cousin,”he said.
Filignil winked at me.
“What is it?”
She said naught, so I made swiftly to Estarfin, wrapping the blanket around him. I handed him the glass of hot wine, and he inclined his head, swapping the now cool wine for the hot. I sat slightly behind him, hoping my warmth would reach him, and wondering why he was afflicted so.
He was still for a moment, then pulled the blanket off, and removed the wet towel and undershirt and tossed them on the floor.
I heard a snort from Filignil, as he wrapped himself back in the warmth of the blanket. ‘Clothes on the floor, again!’ I could almost hear her thoughts.
“Autumn nights are beautiful, but not for swimming. At least for me,” Estarfin said, taking up the wine to drink. He seemed a little calmer, a little more comfortable.
“I shall not make that mistake twice,” I whispered. “Swimming is for the summer months, if at all”
I noted Parnard was grinning. “This was a different feast, that’s for certain.” He laughed, then helped himself to some of the honey cake, which Filignil had thoughtfully already put on plates on the table.
Filignil herself had disappeared to the side room for a brief few moments, but she returned with a clean towel around her hair, and a dry overdress. She held a large bottle full of a dark amber liquid. I recognised it, nodding to her with approval.
“As we are discarding clothes, I left mine in your room, Lady, and borrowed an old dress. I think it time you did likewise. You are already dripping over Lord Estarfin in his warm blanket.”
I gasped. Of course she was right. I stood up straight away, and headed for my room, hearing her say ‘Try some of this,” as she moved towards Parnard.
“What is it?”
“A fortified wine. One of the best. No, do not gulp it down,” she warned.
Hurriedly I stepped out of my wet clothing, leaving it near the pile that could only be Filignil’s. I patted at my hair, which had curled tightly, with a dry towel to remove what water I could, and then dried myself off, before selecting a warm linen dress. Wool would be too warm for sitting close to a fire.
In the main hall again, I saw Estarfin was looking at an empty glass.
“It is…pleasant,” Parnard said, looking at his own barely touched drink.
Estarfin coughed a little.
“Very warming, as you said,” Parnard looked to Filignil, who was pouring me a glass of the amber liquid. “It smells like pears.”
I took the glass with a nod of ‘thanks’. “Now this is quite medicinal when sipped. Thank you for thinking of it.”
“It’s very strong,” Filignil gave warning again. “I brought it out to warm everyone up, not burn your throats.”
“Oh!” said Parnard. He looked thoughtful, then copied Estarfin’s example and downed it in one. He coughed a little.
Estarfin looked up. “Strong but smooth. Is there more?”
I smiled at Estarfin, placing a hand lightly on his shoulder.
“You feel warmer then?”
He nodded. “Somewhat.”
He looked a lot better. I suspected it was the drink. Then I turned.
“I can feel it burning, all the way down my gullet!” Parnard said, holding his glass out to Filignil to be topped up.
She chuckled. “How many times do I have to warn you, my friend?” Then she walked closer to the fire, picked up Estarfin’s wet clothes and towel and carried them to the kitchen. “I will see to these tomorrow, Lord. Quite right, you are better off out of them, or you will feel cold all night.”
He looked after her, and drew the blanket tighter about himself.
It was all said in good humour. I saw nor felt any annoyance in that room. It struck me then that we were all understanding each other much better than earlier in the year. The warmth from those dearest to me was a headier draught than any wine.
Filignil returned with a clean, dry, folded black tunic. She placed it a few feet from the fire to warm it.
“Thank you,” Estarfin said. He showed no sign of abandoning his blanket though.
“You are welcome.” And Filignil did another round with the fortified wine, and then with the honey cake.
I placed a hand over my glass. Already I was feeling a little dizzy and I did not want to relax until I was sure the others were fine.
“Come, it is a celebration,” Estarfin encouraged me, that I relented. He held up his glass as if in a toast.
“As you wish. A toast to your swift and full recovery.”
He smiled to himself. Yes, he was much better.
In the meanwhile, Parnard had thrown off his towel and blanket, and stretched out to bask in the warmth of the blazing fire. He looked very content.
Looking over to Filignil I asked,”Why is it we nissi do not seem to feel the cold as much? I am not sure it is a general matter, or just us?”
Parnard raised his glass and peered through the amber liquid at the fire. “Because you have no choice: we steal all the blankets.” He burst into wild laughter.
I laughed at Parnard in turn, and noticed even Filignil was smiling. “Only because we let you,” she said softly.
The wood elf turned to Estarfin, who was contentedly relaxing, “I am sorry our path to the Greenwood will take us through the cold. But we will have furs and fires, and perhaps some of this..brandy?”
Nodding, Estarfin raised his glass, “To Thargelion, the Greenwood and Himlad,” he said.
I rubbed his back a little, feeling no chill or remaining dampness, though his hair was a riot of curls. Reaching over I took up my glass, which had but a little left.”To Thargelion, the Greenwood, Himlad and Ered Luin,” I said.
“Are we toasting again?” asked Parnard, realising his glass was then empty, and fumbling around for his wineskin. “To Thargelion, the Greenwood...and the rest of it!”
Noticing his glass was empty, Estarfin took up the glass of tepid spiced wine he had brought in from outside.
“To Himlad and the brandy,” I said with a smile.
Filignil was there in an instant, refilling everyone’s glasses.
“Filignil, we could not have had this without you,” Parnard spoke up. “Not just the brandy, all of it,” he waved his arms.
“It is warming,” Estarfin raised his glass to the Housekeeper. “You were right.”
“I could not have managed without you, Filignil. You think of everything, especially what I forget. My thanks to you. You are become like family to us.”
The tall, brown-haired nis inclined her head, raising her glass in turn. I thought I saw a slight rosy hue on her cheeks, but it passed swiftly. “Family is a most special word,” she said. “I am honoured.”
I was hoping Estarfin would sing for us tonight,” Parnard broke the silence. “A feast without song is like a jest without laughter.”
Estarfin appeared to think for a moment. Then he started singing an old harvest song. I remembered it. I think Filignil did as well, for she tapped her foot. And Parnard must have known something similar. He rocked back and forth to the rollicking tune.
“Now I can call today’s part of the Feast complete,” said Parnard in delight.
Filignil was on her feet again and off to the pantry, returning with one of the large boxes of confections. The ones with the Gondorian brown creamy paste it was, and lots of fruit flavoured with wines and covered in the paste. And we ate and drank our fill. The housekeeper pushed back her chair and put her slippered feet on the table, in a manner similar to Estarfin. She nodded to him. He smiled back.
It felt so special.
Eventually we all began to tire. When no one took up any of Filignils spiced chicken, I knew it was nigh time to sleep.
Parnard lay, still stretched out in front of the fire. He looked half awake, but was fading into sleep fast.
Filignil rose from her chair and bid us all a good night. She would retire to her room, and see to tidying on the morrow.
Estarfin and I sat in silence for a few moments. Then I asked, “You have enjoyed the evening, apart from the cold?”
“A fine night. The cold has passed.” He leant back slightly against me.
“In future we swim in the summer,” I said, recalling the time we had all gone to the coast with a smile. I think from his expression he was remembering the same. Then, of a sudden he changed, as his thoughts went elsewhere.
”I think I have always hated the cold,” he said, lost in thought. Little equals the warmth of a summer night.”
“I agree. But I used to enjoy the winter snows we had.”
“Snow is fine when wrapped in furs and leathers, but not when walking barefoot through the storms …”
He wrapped the blanket more tightly around himself, and I wondered what he was referring to. Was it something ordered in field training? If so, I was not aware of it. Was it something his father had had him do? I knew not. I think he saw my concern, for he waved a hand dismissively, then reached over for the brandy and poured himself a glass. He refilled my glass too.
He frowned, then smiled, then looked confused. I was rather confused too, until he announced ‘To oranges!” He drained his glass in one. I followed suit. But I had drunk but a small fraction of what he had, and I realized he was getting increasingly drunk. He was oft merry with drink, but could sometimes become morose. I hoped to avoid the latter.
Looking at the state of his slightly damp hair, I decided it was time he permitted me to comb it. It would be soothing at the least. I drew my own comb from my pocket, and looked to him with wide eyes. “May I attend to your hair?”
He looked round and frowned. Then he poured another glass for himself and topped my glass to the brim, even though I had drunk naught.
From the corner of my eye I noticed Parnard moving slightly, but he was not fully awake. What he heard now would seem like part of a dream.
Estarfin chuckled to himself, then turned his back to me to make it easier to reach his hair, He continued drinking, so that I wondered more what was on his mind? Something from his past most likely?
I sat close behind him, and started moving my comb gently through the tangled ends of his hair.
“My hair can also be something of a challenge,” I said. “Yours is no worse.”
He looked over his shoulder at me. “Your hair is beautiful. Mine is like dry twigs.”
“Yours only needs a little more attention. You know it is beautiful.”
“So my mother used to say.”
“And rightly so.” I moved the comb as gently as I could. It would take some time, but I was not concerned. “Mine can be nigh straight one day, and a mass of curls the next. It changes with the weather.” I had long since noticed his hair had similar qualities.
He leaned back, getting more comfortable.
“Tell me something of your mother, perhaps,” I offered as conversation. “I cannot say I knew her, but she always had a few words for me, and was kind.”
He finished his glass and poured another, that I was slightly concerned. Was this about his memories of the cold? He would tell me if he wanted me to know.
“My mother..” he said after a few moments. “I sometimes wonder if I disappointed her. She was tired much of the time, and lonely, I think. I could have spent more time with her.” His head slumped forward a little, but I continued combing, gently and as soothingly as I could. Was my combing reminding him of her?
“My father was a Captain of Prince Caranthir, you will understand some of the duties involved. He was often away.”
“I understand. My father was also away, a lot more than he wished.”
Again Estarfin lowered his head. I continued working on a larger knot in his hair, with steady, patient fingers.
“I was away also. I did not go home often.”
“Deliberately?” I began to understand.
He was remembering. He looked a touch melancholic.
“Yes,” he replied.
I lowered the comb a moment and put my arms around him and hugged him. “It shall not be like that with us, you know that?” I whispered.
He shrugged, but then lay back against me again.
“We can do this more often if you like?” I asked, taking up my comb again.
He smiled. “Yes. I would like that.”
My concerns were assuaged. He knew the difference between his parents and us. History would not repeat itself. I continued drawing the comb through his long raven locks, smoothing as I went. “I used to think all families were as mine. I suspect most children do. But I knew your father struck you. I didn’t want him to hurt you, but there was nothing I could do.”
“I disobeyed him. It was his right.”
“His right, yes. But he did not have to do it.”
“It was his way of protecting me from the doom he and my mother were under, of ensuring that I had all I needed to survive.”
He looked tired all of a sudden, he turned his head to rest it in my lap. “Do not stop just yet,” he asked.
I continued combing through the strands of his hair until it was all smooth and silky. And he was asleep.
“I do understand,” I whispered “I just hated that he hurt you, and there was nothing I could do to help.”
I sat for a while longer, still stroking his hair, until my own eyes grew heavy. I hoped the morrow would see him recover from this mood, and perhaps partake a little less of the brandy. But for then, I carefully moved the tunic on the floor under his head, and curled up at his back, less he again felt any discomfort.
