Estarfin and I stood before the Sindar Captain, Brethenel, I at least wondering on the point in us remaining. We had accompanied our mutual friend, Parnard, to his homeland hoping he would be able to undertake a betrothal ceremony with his beloved Brasseniel, despite her father previously telling him she would not be permitted to wed until after the brewing war with the Dark Lord.
Although Parnard was quick witted and far more capable than we thought when we first met, we also knew he could lack confidence, especially when coping with certain matters in his past. So we stood by him and encouraged him to act with purpose. We were ready to bear witness to the many noble qualities of his character, and while we knew of weaknesses and flaws (who among us does not have these?), the Wood-Elf that had first set out from his homeland to explore the wider world was greatly changed, for the better.
But I wondered, as I looked questioningly to Estarfin, what was the point of being here? The Captain had seemed to have already made up his mind concerning our friend.
I was not unfamiliar with the attitude. Had not Prince Caranthir once told my father that under no circumstances was Estarfin to approach me? I had been strong willed and outspoken even then, and argued with him. I thought not that Brasseniel was like me? In truth, our Prince had later relented, and spoke highly of Estarfin to my father. But by then our chance had passed under the doom of the Battle of Unnumbered Tears. If I could argue with Caranthir the Dark, who was this Captain Brethenel to stand against me?
This was different, as Estarfin had reminded me: we were guests in Mirkwood, and Brethenel held power here. It was his land and these were his people.
No osanwe was it, more a deepening familiarity, but again I all but heard Estarfin’s voice in my mind, cautioning me against anything rash. Let us at least try to reason with this Sinda. Sea grey eyes held my gaze for a moment longer, then he blinked and turned to face Brethenel again.
I was like a hound let off a leash.
“You say it will come to naught without even hearing from us. We are true friends, and are here for Parnard whatever the outcome, whoever makes judgement, whatever they base that…”
Danel…Raicarne… I heard in my thoughts.
Ai! I knew what he was thinking. This was not the place to let the Red Wolf loose.
I sighed, took a deep breath and began again. “We have both Parnard and your daughter’s best interests at heart. Whether we have words that will alter your opinion is not the point, but that they and their feelings are truthfully set forth. I am to take it Parnard is deemed an unsuitable match?”
Brethenel’s steely cold eyes regarded me for a few moments then he folded his arms across his chest. “It is not a suitable match,” he said. “Parnard thought you would speak on his behalf but I have decided.”
Estarfin had been sipping at his wine, no doubt watching Brenethel for any false step in reasoning. He then put down the glass. “We hold Parnard in high regard. That much is plain from our presence here.”
Brethenel nodded, raising his eyebrows as if to say “Well, that very much is true…”
“If you wish us to speak for him, we shall,” continued Estarfin, maintaining a calmness I could not. “Do you wish it?”
‘Do you have the wit to listen to what he is like now, rather than base your decision on the follies of his youth?’ I wanted to say, but out of respect for Parnard and to help Estarfin persuade the Captain, I remained silent.
Brethenel seemed resigned to listen, so Estarfin began. “I did not think much of Parnard when I first met him. Alone, lost in the snow, poorly-equipped for the conditions. Yet despite such humble beginnings, he swiftly rose to prominence within Imladris.”
“How exactly did that come to be?” asked Brethenel: such an unusual swing of fortune for one such as Parnard was likely a strange concept to him.
“His ability with words was recognised. He became Lord Ambassador of our House, of Vanimar,” Estarfin explained. “It is an ancient Noldorin Order. We are not known for tolerating or promoting useless folk, or fools.”
“He can speak very well when he wishes. He can be eloquent, wise, and humourous. All are valued in debate and diplomatic matters.” I could not help myself. The words just fell from my lips.
“I do not deny that he can be glib and quick of thought when need be,” the Captain countered, and again motioned towards the bottle of wine. I shook my head. I wanted naught from such a short-sighted ellon. Estarfin held out his glass.
“He was trusted enough to speak on behalf of Lord Anglachelm!” I said sharply.
“Anglachelm? Who is that to me?”
By the Valar, the Captain was ignorant as well as arrogant.
“Lord Anglachem is mighty among the Noldor of Imladris. He is the head of an ancient House, and of much import to us. He saw in Parnard what lesser neri could not,” I replied, and was about to say more, then Estarfin’s eyes met mine. Patience, Raicaime. I needed no such reminder: I knew that I was not doing Parnard any favours, yet it was with the greatest of reluctance that I checked my speech.
Brethenel sighed, and moved to refill Estarfin’s glass. “After Parnard spoke with me last, before he left Mirkwood, I made some enquiries. His name came up on the lists many times.”
Estarfin took the wine with a nod of ‘thanks’ and listened.
“He was mentioned in many disciplinary actions,” the Captain continued.
“He is no soldier,” Estarfin said bluntly.
“To put it lightly! In fact, he is the laughingstock of the army.”
“He is too headstrong, I think.”
I almost frowned at Estarfin, but stopped myself. It was true: although Parnard was a much beloved friend, he was no soldier.
“They even sing a song about him.” Brethenel’s grey eyes sparkled, but not with good humour. “My men tell me it is very popular.”
“Indeed?” Estarfin looked impressed.
I lowered my head a moment. There was something about the Captain’s manner that made me think the song was less than complimentary to our friend. I knew then that we could not defend Parnard’s lesser deeds or weaker traits, and Estarfin was right to not even try. We would but make ourselves sound like unreliable witnesses.
“There are many reports from his commanding officers: missing for long periods, not reporting back to his post on time, oversleeping, drunkenness, the list goes on and on ….”
Estarfin nodded. “As I said, he is no soldier. He has not the temperament for it. Yet he is a fine warrior.”
I saw Estarfin smile to himself at those words, and I knew he had in no manner betrayed Parnard’s trust.
“He has fought at our side. He has saved my life on several occasions,” I interjected, smiling with pride at Estarfin. It was noble-hearted to give credit where it was due. Parnard had flaws and weaknesses, but he was loyal to a fault. And he could use a sword!
Brethenel passed a hand over his face to suppress a chuckle, and said, “I am glad to hear that. But folk here know nothing of it: they know only the foolish Parnard, the inept Parnard, and our memory is long. My family has its standing to consider. I am sorry to put it so frankly, but I wish there to be no misunderstanding.”
“His reputation stands against him,” I said softly, knowing that, while unfair, it was truth.
Brethenel spoke again, a little more kindly: “Life among the Noldor seems to have favoured him: I suggest that he return to that life.”
Then I knew that, were it not for Brasseniel, it was the best thing Parnard could do.
I caught Estarfin’s eye. 'The Captain has a point,' I thought. 'But he values his reputation over his daughter’s happiness.'
“I cannot have my daughter leave with him,” Brethenel was saying. “She must stay here, and perhaps take my place one day.”
“What are her thoughts on this matter,” Estarfin said.
I almost cheered aloud - surely that was the heart of the issue!
“That is my family’s business,” retorted Captain Brethenel.
I felt my cheeks redden with emotion. I had endured my own feelings being ignored in my youth, and would not stand idle while it was done to another.
“If she wants to be with him, you may find many challenges in the near future,” I said, my blood coursing in her defense. Did she wish to be with him? “You know her heart better, of course, but if you keep them apart, your daughter may prove most difficult and ungovernable.”
Brethenel sighed. “When she is older, if she wishes to be with him, then that is her right. But for now she is under my care.”
I frowned, my expression hardening into one of challenge, as I remembered:
“Lock her in her room until she remembers how to address her betters. Five years should suffice. Neither is he to have aught to do with her. He is not worthy. You understand!” Prince Caranthir had said to my father. (1) My anger had been hot against him for some time, and never again was our relationship what it had been. But the Captain was not thinking of such outcomes.
“She told me she met him when she was far from home, and that it was pleasant to see another of her kindred in Imladris.” He watched our reaction to this closely.
Estarfin frowned slightly. “You would not have asked to speak with us of Parnard if your daughter had no place in her heart for him.”
“You are astute, Estarfin of Thargelion. I wished to thank you for returning the bodies of our fallen.”
Estarfin nodded. I was on my guard.
“What was it you saw in the woods?” the captain asked suddenly. “Parnard spoke of something moving under the trees.” He looked directly at Estarfin, as if he suspected him of some mischief.
Estarfin frowned. “There were many things moving in the wood.”
Brethenel turned to try and hold me in the focus of his gaze. He failed. I had put aside my sense of guilt over the man at Estarfin’s suggestion there may have been more than two. While I could not accept that two ordinary Men had overcome two trained soldiers, had there been three or more Men it became more likely.
“The creature moving through the forest? I saw it not, only heard its movements, and felt a rare and great malevolence. It was a solitary creature, not a pack.”
“My scouts found strange tracks,” Brethenel said, his eyes still fixed on me, unblinking.
“You want my suspicions? I cannot give facts.”
He nodded for me to continue.
“I have never encountered one in battle, though I have been close to one a few times in the past. They are a ‘favourite’ of Sauron. Of course I speak of werewolves. Could this one originate from within the dungeons of Dol Guldur? Few creatures could do such damage as I saw inflicted on your folk.”
Brethenel grimaced. ‘He knows of what I speak,’ I thought.
I felt Estarfin’s gaze upon me. He did not agree. I did not know if he had ever encountered such a creature. “As I said, that is my impression, but not a fact.”
“A - werewolf! Such has not been seen in these parts for …”
“They have been few in number since the First Age,” I continued, trying to convey how dangerous an opponent they were. “There are still a few, favoured by Sauron, who takes their form at times, it is said.” I held up a hand in caution. “I am not saying the Dark Lord is abroad in your woods - this was a servant, not the master.”
Shaking his head, Brethenel said, “Long ago, there were many werewolves in the lands to the west, now under water.”
“I remember.”
I felt disbelief emanating from Estarfin - he still thought I was naive to suspect a werewolf was loose in the wood.
“And you, Estarfin. What do you think it was?” The Captain fixed his steely cold eyes in a challenging stare, sensing Estarfin’s doubt.
“Do not underestimate the wickedness of Men,” he answered.
Brethenel blinked once. “Men?”
Estarfin nodded.
“What do Men have to do with killing my scouts?”
“It is not beyond them. The two we found at the site played some part in your scouts deaths. We do not know how many others left before we came upon them.”
The Men could have played a part, I thought, Estarfin had convinced me of that. They could have.
“Did you see the Men leaving?” pressed Brethenel.
Estarfin shook his head. “No. But we heard them in the trees, moving about.:
“And why do you think Men killed my scouts?”
Estarfin only shrugged. Brethenel narrowed his eyes, studying him closely as if looking at him for the first time.
“Captain, there are wicked Men about. I have encountered far more of their sort than I have werewolves,” I hastened to say, wishing to distract Brethenel before Estarfin matter-of-factly admitted to killing them, thinking naught of it. “You know of Men from Laketown and likely Dale, and the Woodmen from the South, but I know of Men who torment and kill those weaker than themselves, just for petty amusement. I know of Men who would run a blade over a child’s throat, or a woman’s should she nay-say them, if the mood took them. As Estarfin has often said, ‘do not underestimate them’.”
“The two men you encountered were Woodsmen traders, on their way west, heading towards the mountains.”
“So your Gate Guard, Cemmen, told us. They were traders in honey,” I replied.
“Honey and wine,” said Brethenel. He looked back at Estarfin, narrowing his eyes again. “More wine?” he asked.
Estarfin drank what remained in his glass and held it out before him. “Please.”
“My guards told me they found the torso of one of the Men,” Brethenel said, taking up the bottle and refilling the glass, then set the bottle on the table, motioning that Estarfin should help himself as he wished.. A wolf pack got hold of it.”
Estarfin sipped at his wine again.
And I felt…I am not sure what I felt? I did not like anyone’s remains being left to wolves.
“It looked as if it had been run through by a sword, so forgive me, but this talk of a Werewolf is hard to believe,” he added, and gave me a meaningful look.
I almost gasped aloud.
"We did no wrong,’ Estarfin’s expression and posture cried out.
I was not so certain of that. “A Werewolf has no use for weapons.”I replied. “I saw no sword strikes on either elf; their injuries were consistent with the bite of a very large animal with powerful jaws.”
“Yes,” agreed the Captain. “The elves were slain by an animal, not men, and one man at least was slain by someone wielding a sword, not an animal: it is quite the mystery.”
“I still say a werewolf was involved, few things could cause such an ill sensation.”
“But your companion here says it was Men.”
I did not want to say it aloud to any but Estarfin himself, but other lives could be put at risk.
“Estarfin oft sees more clearly than I. I nigh always agree with him. In this instance I beg to differ; it matters, Captain, because it will be a totally different expedition sending a patrol to apprehend another Man or two, versus tracking a werewolf.”
Brethenel turned aside and called for his Lieutenant to triple patrols and send them out in groups no fewer than twenty.
“Spears would serve you well,” commented Estarfin, that I wondered if he had encountered one? “Heavy armour also, if your hunters have it.”
“We have spears, and an arrow in the eye or through the throat will fell a creature many times the size of a horse. As for armour, leather must do. Now, if you will forgive me, our meeting is at an end, and I must see to the mustering out.”
“If you wish to speak again, we should be here another day at least.” I said.
“The paths are closed by order of the King. If you are wise as Noldor are said to be, you will remain within Felegoth until we have apprehended the malefactor,” he replied, and with a polite nod of his head, Captain Brethenel departed.
Estarfin sighed and placed his empty glass on the desk. “That was not the outcome we wished for.”
“Nay, but we were never going to sway such arrogance. At least he takes our warning seriously and sends out troops.”
“It was Men, Danel.”
“Perhaps. And a werewolf.”
He grinned at my stubbornness, and shook his head.
“We should speak with Parnard,” I said, hesitating at the door.
Estarfin hesitated also, casting an approving look at the empty bottle. “Parnard chose a good wine. But I think he will seek us out when he is ready. Such news must have been hard for him to bear.”
We left the Captain’s office and walked towards the gardens, heading slowly to our temporary lodgings. True to Estarfin’s words, there was no sign of our friend in our rooms. No doubt he would seek us out when ready.
We returned to the gardens. “It is beautiful here, with the water and crystals,” I said, glad for something less dark to think upon.
Estarfin looked up. “There are no stars.”
“We will walk outside the caves, once we speak with Parnard?”
That time he smiled and nodded. “I would see the glory of Tintallë wash away the taint of this ill-fated meeting. Let us do soon.” We walked hand-in-hand, further amid the trees and blooms, and found a measure of beauty: more than we had expected, but it was tinged with sadness that our friend was denied his heart’s desire. I was uncertain how matters would progress for him, but I was determined to be of what help I could, and I knew Estarfin was of like mind.
Of a sudden he said, “You struggled there a few times, Scarlet Wolf! “
I looked up at him and laughed. “That is Red Wolf to you! Or have you forgotten?”
It was not the time nor place to engage in our usual provoking of each other, though the familiarity and sense of comfort in being together warmed away some of my disappointment. I had wanted the same comfort for Parnard. I thought then we two need act and speak with consideration for our friend, at least for a while. Though there was one matter between Estarfin and I that I would not ignore.
“But in all seriousness, dear one, I am concerned for you. These dreams - can you speak with me about them?” I was concerned. I had never known him quite like he was at present. It seemed he was taken up in something he felt he could not control, and that was not Estarfin.
“Perhaps when we are under the stars, when dreams have to pass the watchfulness of Tintalle?” he replied. “When we stand in her light.”
