It was the afternoon of the fourth day when the first of our visitors arrived.
Belegos had taken his leave earlier, having stayed to help with Aearlinn’s burial among the trees near the Hall, and to see Barahirn make some progress. He had not wanted to so leave us, he said, but he had others he must join with several days' ride away.
“Trouble in the North,” he had said with a frown.
“Is there not always?” I questioned, thinking of issues with Angmar and possibly Gundabad.
Belegos laughed. Not a laugh of humour, but a dry one of the frequency of the issue. “I am not at liberty to discuss the matter. Suffice it to say, my company would not be sent there if something was not quite wrong.”
I nodded. I had been under orders. I knew what it could be like. But I was sad to see Belegos depart.
“Thank you for all you have done,” he inclined his head to me. “Barahirn owes you his life.”
I nodded again. I thought he may had survived anyway, but probably not with his sight restored or use of his legs.
“Go in peace, Belegos,” I raised a hand in blessing. “May the Valar watch over you and keep you safe. May your sword strike true and your arrows fly swiftly.” It was not much, but it was the best I could give him. I turned my head to the sound from the set of armoured training dummies on the slope outside the hall. The ‘clanging’ began again as Ceuro attacked them all. “Ceuro also needs much healing,” I commented, “but for now repeatedly slaying all the training dummies will suffice. Do not fear for our safety. He prowls Numentsya like a lion of the South patrols his territory. The other householders keep a watchful eye on us, and there have been two patrols ride past every day. Lord Cirdan also has his eye on us. We are safe.”
Belegos nodded, resolute of expression. “Give my regards and condolences to Lady Danel when she returns if you will. And to my brother, Estarfin, and Parnard also. Farewell.”
He turned his horse to the path to the gate, raising a hand in ‘farewell’ to Ceuro as he passed. Ceuro stopped attacking for long enough to raise a hand in turn. “Safe travels, Belegos.”
After that I remained outside in the sunlight, sitting on a stone bench and sipping a mint cordial. My Alimiel sits in the hall watching over Barahirn for an hour, that I may take rest. There is little she need do save bring him a drink and a straw when he indicates, or drop a little of her fresh soup into his mouth. He is understandably withdrawn, in shock I would say, but he is a fighter. I have reduced the concentration of the poppy extract I have been administering to him. Ceuro stays by him most of the time, and my wife’s gentle speech has brought a tiny smile to his face. Bruised and swollen though it is, at least some of the swelling round his right eye has diminished, and he can fully open the left one.
Visitors, ah yes. The first to arrive that day was my friend Lelyaro, and he having ridden from Mithlond.
Now Lelyaro and his wife, Arnone, are friends of my wife and I. They are also old elves, older than we are, having come from the Blessed Lands themselves. They came, so they tell, with the host of Eönwë, with the Noldor under King Finarfin. To fight against Morgoth, yes, but also with a mission from Mahtan of Tirion to find and return any of his kin they could. There were several with such instructions from various Houses. Some found who they searched for and returned. Lelyaro and Arnone lost almost all, save for a few descendents, including Danel. They have been among the stalwarts in her life. Yet this last year she asked them to prepare to take ship. They have a missive from her hand to her Great Grandsire, and others to present to close family as and when they return from Lord Namo’s care. But she herself will not go with them.
Not that it comes as any surprise to those who know her. I was oft with Lelyaro and Arnone while they spoke with her, after her Grandmother took ship, about the letter she received from Lord Estarfin, and her wait for a reply to her reply. It never arrived. And so, after a few years, she went off on one of her wanders. We three, and Gaerion of the Uinenlindë, knew what ailed her, and that she would never sail without him. We strongly suspected he, who bore two charges of kinslaying, would never sail.
So it is, Lelyaro and Arnone will finally depart, knowing Danel shall not be alone. And I think I shall not be far behind them. But in these past years they have cared for Danel, ordering the household she inherited, making a home and library first in Tum Escale in Forlindon, and far more recently in Numenstaya near Mithlond. It was they who employed Filignil as Housekeeper and Barahirn as Stable Master, and they told Aearlinn she would always be welcome in the Halls. They would suffer considerable grief at what has transpired.
So it was that Lelyaro rode into the homestead upon his black horse, stopping off to look at the destruction of the two buildings nearest the gate. The workroom and forge were now faintly smoldering ruins, as was the storage hall. The brigands had avoided Parnard’s house, set back as it was from the path and hidden behind a copse of trees, but they set flames to Lady Danel’s home, though they only succeeded in burning one room. I watched Lelyaro’s progress from my seat outside the main Hall until he arrived at the grave. He dismounted and walked closer, bowing his head in sorrow, his expression grim. Then he turned to his mount and withdrew a large bunch of white, purple and yellow sea lavender from a loosely closed saddle bag, and respectfully placed it on the ground.
“May you rest well, Sea-song, daughter of the waves, until you awaken to a brighter and happier day. We shall look for your return in Aman, Arnone and I.”
As he backed away, I put my drink on the bench, rose to my feet and walked to join him. He hailed me.
“Well and sadly met, old friend.”
I nodded. “It is indeed a sad time. She had much here to live for and had hopes of exploring the lands before she took ship.”
“Ceuro, is he here?” Dark eyes were turned to me. I could see it was a struggle for Lelyaro not to grieve more openly. He had looked upon many sorrows in his time, but such a pointless destruction of a young life was beyond him.
“He thunders around the place focused on preparing himself to take vengeance. He has ridden out a few times through Yondershire, the direction we expect the brigands took, but has not returned with anything more than signs a number of Men rode past Nobottle.”
“They would likely have returned to the Breelands as soon as they could, or possibly even to Evendim. The patrols have been increased, and word in Mithlond is Lord Cirdan has sent for a new Captain to watch over Celondim and doubled the patrols, but we know unless they return there is not a great chance of apprehending them.” he sighed and ran a hand over his face. “This is one of the last things I expected to happen. I thought all were safe here! And where is Filignil? Has anyone spoken of her? We chose her not just for her cooking skills, but because she is skilled with a bow.”
I shook my head. “Barahirn may know, but if he does it is not that important, else he would have tried to say. There is no other, with Aearlinn lost.”
“To the house then?” Lelyaro indicated the Halls. “I would speak a little further with you, before speaking with Ceuro. I don’t want him disappearing in a pursuit. He is fiery enough to do just that. I must persuade him to wait until Danel and Estarfin are returned, for she also will be much grieved, and he may well see it as an affront. Any….serving of justice must be achieved carefully and effectively. I do not want Ceuro running about slaying every Man he sees.”
“If you wait for Estarfin to return then you may well have two like it.” I knew from Danel and from times past that Estarfin would not spare the blade where Men were concerned, but he was also an experienced warrior. Even Ceuro himself could only remember his life and experience back to the War of the Last Alliance.
“Danel will keep order,” Lelyaro said with a firm nod. “Estarfin will follow her, and ensure Ceuro follows them both. I am hoping Parnard and his Lady will aid me with planning the restoration of this place. Busy hands and minds can ease the pain of heartache somewhat.”
I turned towards the Hall again. “It will have to be cordial or tea, old friend. I have set myself not to enjoy the fruit of the vine again until Barahirn is much recovered.”
“I have set no such bound upon myself,” Lelyaro replied, taking Hellomë’s bridle. “But it is a noble gesture, and I will join you in observing it for now. I must see to my horse, as there is no stable master here, but I shall join you very shortly.”
I watched him walk to the stables leading Hellomë, and knew he was much affected by what had happened. Likely Arnone was as well. But he was wise, and would try to see Ceuro’s anger restrained a little, that nothing foolish was attempted. I wanted to speak with him at length, because whatever we were thinking, the matter that consumed me most was why? Why had a group of brigands targeted Numenstaya, for it seemed to me there was no possibility of it being attacked by mere happenstance.
