She returned nigh midday, to find Estarfin speaking casually with the Dwarven workers about the wall building. He hailed her as she rode past him to the stables. Despite his earlier words, he did not seem particularly at ease.
“Any news, Yrill?”
“Let me stable my mare and check on Pelorian, and I shall tell you all I know,” she replied.
“Nothing urgent, then.” He returned to his conversation with Sna, the leader of the masons.
Barahirn was still there in the stables with the horses, looking in his element. The grey mare, Pelorian, stood at ease, the arrow removed and the wound washed and with a healing salve applied. Yrill’s mare, Talligar, whinnied to her and to Swan-Hoof, seeking confirmation all was well. Not to be ignored, Norlomë kicked lightly at the side of her stall.
“Yes, I know, Norlomë. You are eager to be away, and you are ready to be away. But we wait upon your master.” Barahirn spoke reassuringly as he took Talligar's bridle.
“Lord Estarfin still does not want to ride out and look for them?”
“I have not spoken with him.” Barahirn stroked Talligar's nose affectionately. “He knows what he is doing, though Filignil is pacing about on the ridge. She has said before she went on guard she will be searching soon, if he does not.”
“Ah yes. The appointed Guardian does not easily desert her role.” Yrill turned back to the door, fully confident in Barahirn’s ministrations to the horses. “I would ensure all horses are ready to travel at a moment’s notice, though.”
He nodded his understanding. “They almost are, Yrill. I do hope Lady Danel and Lord Parnard are safe.”
With a final nod, Yrill walked back to the grounds in front of the houses.
The Mirkwood elleth, Marawendi, had joined Estarfin, and was now holding his attention with her questions. Yrill joined them with a courteous bow of her head.
“Well met, Marawendi,” she said.
The young elleth turned to her and curtsied. Her eyes were red, as if she had been crying. “Do you know what has happened to Lord Parnard and Lady Danel? Their horses are returned, but they are not.”
Yrill was about to reply, but then Estarfin said, “Parnard’s brother has happened to them. Some foolish joke of his, or plan.”
“Where is he?” Marawendi asked the Noldo, her pink lips quivering slightly.
Yrill sighed. The child did not understand.
“Gone, for now,” Estarfin raised the glass of wine now in his hand to his lips.
‘He drinks more than usual,’ Yrill thought, but it would not help to try and guess what was transpiring in Estarfin’s mind.
“But where is my mistress and Lord Parnard?” Marawendi asked earnestly.
“I suspect they are still walking back,” Estarfin answered.
Marawendi seemed confused by his words, but only nodded, and smiled a little at his surety.
Ceuro exited the hall and walked over to join them. “What news, Yrill?”
Estarfin looked to the huntress again.
“I rode to Duillond and spoke with the Guards there. Then I searched the area by the Lake’s edge, and the trees on the descent to Rath Teraig. Captain Culufinel spoke truth about the blood, and about the finding of a body.”
Marawendi’s eyes widened. “What did he say? What about blood and finding a body?”
“He just told us there was some sort of scuffle last night, and that there was blood near the lake, and a Man’s body was found, run through by a sword.”
Marawendi looked relieved, and made a sudden clutch at Yrill’s arm. “I wonder if Lord Parnard or Lady Danel slew him.”
“I hope so,” Estarfin commented, his eyes darkening.
Yrill patted the young elleth’s arm in turn, wishing she could give her more positive news.“I saw not the body, but the guards told me he was run through with a very finely made sword. A clean thrust. Both our folk have very finely made swords.”
“But no sign of either of them on the road?” asked Ceuro, looking restless.
She shook her head. “I searched both sides of the road, in case either were injured and had fallen. I found no sign at all. I did find a second body, and reported it. Another Man, with his throat torn out by fingers. He had been thrown into the undergrowth.”
“What?” Estarfin's thoughts momentarily emerged from their comfortable interpretation of events. “He is a snake. He sent Men after them.”
Marawendi made a little gasp and turned even paler.
“Parnard asked Culufinnel for his help to build a tower here,” continued an angry Estarfin. “Perhaps he did not bow and scrape enough to that wicked Captain. So he hired a couple of Men, knowing what happened in Numenstaya, to try and scare Parnard and Danel away. Things must have gone badly.”
Ceuro raised a hand to his chin, and nodded slowly. It was possible perhaps?
“I cannot see an Elven Captain hiring Men, but then again, I know not Culufinnel.” Yrill said, her expression was one of confusion. She looked at the others in turn.
“Are there many Men in Celondim?” Marawendi asked, rather naively, Yrill thought.
Estarfin shrugged.
“Very rarely do any Men come here,” Yrill started to explain.
“Why could he not have simply asked them to leave? Why was he made a Captain if he is so terribly wicked?” The questions tumbled from Marawendi’s lips. Tears welled up in her eyes.
Estarfin shrugged again. “I did not make him Captain.”
“I know not, dear Marawendi,” Yrill placed an arm reassuringly around the young elleth’s shoulders. “It was Lord Cirdan’s doing, and in that perhaps there is a reason.” She looked to Estarfin. “Danel is friends with Lord Cirdan, is she not? One of his students for a time. Perhaps Culufinnel feared she would speak against him to the Lord of the Havens?”
Estarfin appeared to be considering the suggestion. He sighed.
“It is all very odd,” said Ceuro. “I do not trust this Captain. Two dead Men: there may have been others? Perhaps they took the dead Men’s horses and gave pursuit?”
With a sudden move, Estarfin finished his wine. “No, he has gone too far. Ride to Celondim, Yrill, and if he will not return with you, his life shall be forfeit. I shall visit him myself and no door will bar my way.”
She gave a quick nod of assent, thinking ‘finally!’and giving Marawendi a quick hug, ran to the stables.
“Shall I accompany her, Lord?” asked Ceuro, also appearing relieved.
“No. But if Culufinnel does not answer my summons, we shall both visit him.”
