True to his word, Cemmen saw that our horses were stabled and cared for. He directed us to the inner caverns of Felegoth for the rest of that night, promising there would be rooms available for us later in the day. There were a few guest quarters, but he would have to speak with the right folk about them.
So we parted from the guards. All three of us had been in the caverns before; their beauty, though awe inspiring, was no surprise. We made our way to the Feast Halls, thinking it was the only place still likely to be providing food and wine given the lateness of the hour, and quieter than usual so we could find a spot to rest in. And so it proved.
“I forgot how lofty it was,” said Parnard as he wandered around, gaping at the ceiling.
“It is good to be home?” asked Estarfin, as we both followed the Wood Elf.
“Home?” Parnard replied, “This is not home.”
Estarfin frowned.
“But Felgoth is part of your people’s lands,” I said, trying to remember the path we were following. I noticed some of the guards stationed along the walls at intervals, stared at us curiously. Parnard was ignoring them, though I suspected their stare was rather more at we Noldor than at him. I looked to Estarfin and frowned back. We were safe, but as before, I did not feel we were welcome.
“I have not been in the Feast Halls in many a day,” Parnard said to us as we descended a short flight of steps beside an illuminated pool. “Hmm…” He halted for a moment. “I think it is this way.”
There was a larger, well lit cavern before us with a small bridge over a stream. On one side several folk gathered and spoke softly together before a blazing fire. They fell silent as we passed. We followed Parnard across the bridge until we reached a wide area scattered with long tables and benches. A few folk were seated around a table beside a wine seller’s cart, but otherwise, the Hall was empty.
The wine seller was telling a customer about King Thranduil closing roads and what it would mean for trade.
“Did you hear that? The King is going to close the roads again,” said Parnard.
Estarfin shrugged and looked at what wine was on offer.
“King Thranduil must have a very good reason for such an action,” I volunteered, thinking both about whatever slew the elves we found, and that maybe we would not easily be able to leave.
Gesturing to a few steps that descended into a small almost enclosed area, Parnard turned to us. “It is quiet there; we may even be able to sleep a little.”
Indeed, the area was quite private, it would be unlikely anyone disturbed us. There was one circular table, and two ornate benches.
“At last we can rest,” I said thankfully. Whatever lay ahead there were no wolf packs, no spiders and no wall of eyes in the dark, just some hanging ivy vines and the gentle lull of the nearby river.
Parnard stretched out on one of the benches, Estarfin sat on the other.
“For a moment,” said Parnard, loosening his doublet at the collar.
Estarfin was trying to run his hands through his hair, but it was too tangled.
“Once we have cleaned up properly in the morning, I will brush your hair out for you if you would like?” I said. I did not like putting it off, but I was almost too tired to stand, and I knew we all needed to be refreshed with a bath, and change of clothing.
He managed a small smile, but looked so very tired himself. I sat down beside him, but soon realised there was not enough room for two to stretch out.
“I shall fetch food and wine and return at once,” said Parnard, rising to his feet and heading back to the Vintner.
“I shall sleep on the floor,” I said to Estarfin. “You haven’t slept well in days.”
I saw him open his mouth as if to protest, to argue with me. I shook my head. “I can easily sleep on the floor. Please, indulge me.”
He looked at me as I moved to sit, leaning back against the bench but with room to stretch out my legs. He sighed. “I do feel weary,” he admitted.
I smiled and nodded that I was content, as he made himself as comfortable as possible. Then Parnard returned carrying two large trays, one with a variety of food: meats, cheese, fruits, and lightly cooked vegetables, and the other with a large carafe of red wine and three glasses. He looked at me.
“Do not be concerned cousin, Estarfin is in need of rest more than I. '' I did not want to say to Parnard that he had not slept for some days. That would keep until Estarfin and I were both a little more awake, and alone.
“So he shall get rest," Parnard replied as he poured out wine. " But first we must eat and drink.”
“Just wine for me please, cousin." I was hungry, but felt beyond eating. I was still struggling a little with thoughts of blood and gore.
Estarfin took a small apple from the tray. He started eating it with a look of appreciation that I recognised as enjoying something other than travelling rations.
“You will be comfortable enough on the floor?” asked Parnard.
I nodded as I took the glass of wine, and smiled at him for his consideration.
“For Estarfin, the most stalwart of companions," he said, and handed a glass to him.
“To your homecoming,” Estarfin said.
I raised my glass too. Whatever had transpired on the journey, we three were happy to be at our journey’s end, and still alive.
“To that,” said Parnard, and raised his glass.
“To your return to Mirkwood," said I.
And so we continued drinking wine, the neri picking a little at the food, and all of us growing more tired by the moment. In due course Estarfin and Parnard lay down on the benches, and I curled up on the floor, using my cloak as a pillow. I tried to stay awake a little longer, to see if Estarfin slept, but he kicked his boots off and leant back against the cave wall, and was still turning and tossing when I succumbed. What was ailing him?
I awoke quite early in the morning. Parnard had already left, but Estarfin was sitting back with a glass of some half-drunk cordial before him on the table. There was also a full glass near to me.
I could see from the dark circles around his eyes that he had not slept. “Parnard has a busy couple of days ahead, I suspect, and he is likely to be apprehensive over the outcome of this journey,” I said.
“Our friend left a couple of hours ago,” replied Estarfin, unable to stifle a yawn. “He had people to visit.”
I nodded. Parnard would likely have old friends and acquaintances to speak with. I took up the glass and had a couple of sips. “Elderberry cordial, it is refreshing. Thank you.”
“I asked if they had any orange, but knew it was unlikely. This will do for now.”
I stretched out my arms to remove the stiffness in my shoulders, then spoke one of the things on my mind. “I do not feel fully confident Parnard will gain his desired outcome. He has changed much, and is so much more learned and polished, but I fear these folk will think of him as he was.”
Estarfin shrugged. “We shall do our best to aid him. What will be, will be.”
And then a ner, looking like he was one of the household in a plain brown tunic and trousers, approached us, telling us rooms had been prepared for our visit, and that if we would follow him he would take us to them.
“Please give Cemmen our thanks,” I said as I rose to my feet.
“Oh it was not the King’s Guard, lady. He has been searching, but another has a place available. There you will find baths, and food and drink set out.”
Estarfin finished the cordial. We looked at the state of each other for a moment. Blood and mud, and I could still see some webs and leaves caught in his hair.
“You go first, Danel.”
I shook my head, then the ner said “There is a bath set in each room.”
Well, that was good news. I felt and looked like I had been dragged through a forest backwards. Estarfin looked even worse.
The provisions were as good as I hoped. It was a small suite of rooms. A table was laid for breakfast with fruit, bread and butter, cheeses and smoked fish. There was a large pitcher of milk, one of water, and two bottles of a light red wine. Elderberry wine apparently. My room had a comfortable bed and a bath sunken into the stone floor, with various soaps, oils and towels left nearby.
It was so good to wash away all that dirt, and memories. I felt almost clean.
Our travel bags had been brought in from the stables and set just inside the main door. I wrapped myself in a thick, rose scented towel and brought it to my room, looking for the silver and white gown I had packed. I swiftly combed out my hair, thinking I would later ask Estarfin if he would braid it again. Loose hair in that forest was a disaster waiting to happen. Then I went to the main room. Estarfin had also bathed and changed into a clean red robe. He was helping himself to the breakfast, and I noticed a small bowl of hard boiled eggs. That had to be Parnard mentioning it to a cook, it was too strange to be a coincidence. Estarfin turned to look at me, and smiled his approval.
“That is a lot better, no?” he said.
Yes, and he looked a lot better too, that the tiredness was lifted from his features. I walked to the table to help myself to some cheese and fruit, but halted and, with a small smile asking his permission, ran a hand through his still damp hair. “I will comb it later, if I may?”
He was about to reply when Parnard strolled through the door, his hair glossy with water and a new tunic on.
“Refreshed, I see. Did you bring that from home?” he asked, indicating my gown.
“I know…I carry unnecessary things with me.”
“Ah, maidens and their finery,” Parnard laughed.
I had thought he knew me better than that. Although I was not adverse to a fine gown and jewelry, it was certainly not something that occupied much of my thoughts. I had wanted something suitable, if I was to attend any ceremony.
Parnard bowed deeply. “Mighty lordly and noble are you now, Estarfin."
I nudged Estarfin. “See, other folk notice it too,” I said.
He smiled slightly.
“I know, no titles between us. It is Parnard speaking.” I lay a hand on his arm for a moment. “But I must say that I like this ‘house’ they have given us. We are favoured.” I looked pointedly to Parnard, suspecting he had something to do with it.
“Is it usual to provide such lodgings for guests?” Estarfin asked.
“No.” Parnard looked mysterious, then explained, "Ailanthas let the rooms to us."
