The late afternoon of the fourth day saw me ride into Celondim. I wanted to pick up a few resources from my house, and speak with the stone mason. As fortune would have it, a patrol was just passing Numenstaya and I joined them. Lelyaro has been to visit Barahirn, and spoke encouragingly to him. He was not to be concerned about the horses; there was someone on their way to act as temporary stable hand. The job would still be his if and when he wanted it. There was no pushing to even remain in his position once well. Lelyaro said, and I am inclined to agree, that Barahirn needed to heal before he thought about decisions like that. He would always be welcome at Numenstaya, but if he decided to go elsewhere, he would do so with blessings and an excellent reference. After that, Lelyaro went to see what he could do to aid Ceuro.
The patrol consisted of ten mounted guards. They were one of those regular patrols from Mithlond, now interspersed with Celondim patrols again. Their leader, one Tonner, was as his name implied, rather tall. I looked up to him out of necessity. But I came to appreciate that he was a thoughtful and efficient ellon.
“How have the paths been?” I asked, only knowing the most local ones.
“There is some restlessness, I admit. Folk are not overly concerned, but are travelling in numbers now whenever possible. There was that nasty business with the ellith and the child. What was that, some two months ago? And now this attack on Numenstaya.”
“Are we any closer to knowing the culprits?”
He shook his head.”We patrol to put them off returning. Catching a few Men in a harder matter, though several scouts have been out. From what we can tell so far, it is a small number of particularly unpleasant Men. Few would travel this far unless they had a purpose: theft or some sort of perceived vengeance being the most likely.”
I nodded, taking consideration of his words. The workroom had been ransacked, with gem stones and some items of jewelry dropped as they made their retreat. But only Danel would know what was missing. “Has any word been sent to the Mayor of Bree?” I enquired.
Tonner shook his head. “Bree would see this as outside of their ‘jurisdiction’. Besides, we can protect ourselves for the most part. The rarity of such events alone speak of the need for extra guards. Once this group are caught or deterred, I doubt we shall have more troubles. And caught they shall be if they set foot in Ered Luin again.”
I looked back over my shoulder at the grim faces of those in whose company I rode. I would not have liked to be hunted by them.
And once in Celondim we parted ways. I went to my house, and the riders to wherever they were expected.
It did not take me long to find what I was looking for. A pouch of dried valerian, and a pouch of dried athelas. A tub of arnica tincture and a bottle of eye-bright solution. I also found my wife’s latest embroidery to bring to her, as it looked as if we may be away from home for a week or two more.
The next visit was to Echadrion the stone worker. Now he was quite skilled in all forms of stonework, but he was also one of the most artistic folk I knew of, and I wanted to commission a small statue of Aearlinn, showing her lighthearted and carefree as she oft was, with a few of her animal friends about her. I realised it was not actually my place as a healer who hardly knew her, but I thought Danel would have enough to contend with upon her return, and there was no remaining family.
After that, I walked down to the riverside to speak a little with some of the fishermen and their customers. I was simply basking in the late afternoon sun, and my more familiar surroundings, when a tall, lean, red-gold haired ellon drew alongside me.
“Good evening,” he said, inclining his head to me in a measured manner that, along with his garb, strongly suggested he was a soldier.
I nodded respectfully in turn. “And to you sir. Though I cannot say I have seen you in these parts before.”
“I am Culufinnel,” he said. “And although I have patrolled the paths of Ered Luin for some time, this is my first visit to Celondim. A small fishing village beside excellent vineyards, and not in any way fortified.”
I was momentarily taken aback at the mention of fortifications. We were nearer to Mithlond here than to the borders. Very little would threaten us as yet.
“Curumaito,” I replied. “I am the small village healer.” I held a hand over my head, indicating my height, or lack thereof.
My new acquaintance studied me with a grave expression before saying, “There has been trouble of late but folk are reluctant to speak of it.”
I nodded. If he considered me short for a Noldo he was either too polite to remark upon it - or his mind was preoccupied on more pressing matters. “Folk here are kindly and tolerant. You may find them a little less forthcoming at present though. The death of one of their own has hit them hard.”
“Is it known why the Men attacked the hall nearby?”
“Not of certainty. There is talk that they were looking for three elves who dwell there but who are away in the eastern lands at present. In fact, they were travelling to your native land, if I am any judge of accents.”
He looked at me with somber green eyes. “Which way did they head?”
“The Men?”
“Yes.”
“We know not for certain. Perhaps have a word with the new Captain of the Celondim guard. He may already be well acquainted with the news. All I can repeat is some found signs of a group of Men passing Nobottle, and some suspect they may have ridden north, into Evendim. But I think the Bree-lands more likely.”
Culufinnel looked around the harbour and the shopkeepers shuttering up for the evening. He seemed to nod at every elf that looked our way as if say, ‘Be about your business’.
“Can you believe that they slew a young elleth and nigh trampled the stable hand to death?”
The red-gold haired ellon leaned closer to me. “The elleth, what was her name?”
“Aearlinn, one of the Falathrim, a quiet and gentle person.”
Culufinnel nodded. “I have lived a little while amongst the elves of the Falas. Her name will be in my report to Lord Cirdan.”
“Forgive me, but being one of the first to the scene, I have already written a report of this bad news to Lord Cirdan, and I sent message to Lord Elrond in Imladris to inform Lady Danel’s company when they return from the Greenwood.”
At these words Culufinnel started and frowned. I had done only my duty by writing to Elrond and Danel; it surprised me that this ellon seemed to find it so displeasing.
“We have so few problems in these parts,” I explained, “this is something of an exception. Our patrols have always been sufficient for the occasional wandering Man or Perian.”
“Sufficient - until now,” came his slow reply. “Men become bolder as the Enemy musters his forces; we must bolster our defenses here.”
I knew something was amiss to the east. I was far from the only one who realised we had not seen the last of Sauron. War was only a matter of time…I knew that. But I had not expected such a response to one group of likely brigands.
Culufinnel swept an arm out to indicate a wide area from the hill to the docks. “There are too many open points of entry all along here.”
“Ah, then you are here to help us?” I should have known who Culufinnel was earlier by his manner, for surely he was the new Captain sent to us. “I think you will find a fair number of folk from the outlying villages, as well as those from Celondim and Duillond willing to give aid.”
“A watchtower needs construction, up there,” continued Captain Culufinnel, pointing to sunlit fields nigh the hilltop. We may come to find ourselves pressed up with our backs against the Sea.”
“And with no Noldor host, fresh from Aman, landing to the North to rescue us,” I commented. How easily it was forgotten that had my folk not landed when they did, the old Havens would have been overrun. Once could almost think our arrival to be providence, but no: we were war-bringers, the other kindreds said. But Culufinnel was not listening to me.
“Will there be enough boats?” my new acquaintance postulated, looking upriver as far as he could, then back down towards Mithlond. “If things grow worse we must encourage more to sail. We cannot have a press of folk all wanting to sail at once.”
“Perhaps my family and I will sail sooner than planned. I can speak with others on the matter, but many still are not ready to depart.”
“The ships do not return; more must be built, and quickly,” said Captain Culufinnel.
“You had best speak with Lord Cirdan on that matter. I am sure he is aware of the possibilities.
“But back to the news of the nearby attack. You should visit Numenstaya when you have time. Some of the buildings still smolder from the fire, but thankfully the main Hall is undamaged. The person who can give the most information is the stable-hand, Barahirn. His jaw was broken and he finds it hard to speak at present. His right arm and hand are also broken, so writing with his left is the best he can do, but even so, he tires swiftly. He has implied the attackers were after Lady Danel and Lord Estarfin.”
Suddenly I had Culufinnel’s full attention.
“The Golodhrim!” he exclaimed.
“Not that a dozen Men would long survive if they had found them,” I reminded him.
“Naturally, trouble finds them,” Culufinnel said, a cold flinty light appearing in his eyes.
Then I added, almost on instinct, “And their friend the High Lord Parnard, too.”
Culufinnel took the bait - his head snapped up. “Who?” he exclaimed.
“He travelled East, with them,” I smiled.
“But who did you say travelled with the Golodhrim?”
“Parnard. He is from the Greenwood, as are you, are you not? I can tell by your accent. The local Perianneth call him ‘High Lord Parnard,’ although why that is, I do not know. Perhaps it is because they consider him to be the brains of the group. You may have heard of him? They headed to Felegoth some few months ago, and have garnered the ire of the local brigands.”
The Captain’s eyes widened at this news, then narrowed again in disbelief. He shook his head and cried, “That foolish brother of mine! What has he done now!”
I shook my head in mock innocence, my suspicion confirmed. “Your brother, sir? Why, High Lord Parnard - I mean Parnard of the Greenwood is your brother?”
“Where is the ‘High Lord’ now?”
“Somewhere between here and Fellgoth,” I replied. “In truth, I would expect him back within the month, if all went to plan. The Lord Estarfin in particular can be - well, swift of action.”
Culufinel nodded, flexing a gloved fist as he listened. “And the homestead that was burned, Numenstaya you called it?”
“Indeed. It has a few small houses and a great hall beside falls and a lake. And as I have said, you would be welcome there.”
“I shall include it in my report to Lord Cirdan, and patrol the place myself.”
I thought then that I did not dislike him. I was glad he had been sent to us, for he was certainly a soldier, and looked swift and agile enough. I was less convinced of the sharpness of his thoughts, though time would tell. And that he was brother to Parnard, though seemed very not happy about it, told me a lot. I inclined my head to him.
“Men take what they wish, when they wish. Though many are harmless, we cannot permit this act to remain unpunished,” he said, and making a hasty excuse, he hurried away.
