The path was clear of other travellers. The night was still and slightly warm, Tintalle’s stars shone clear and bright. It was no hardship for Estarfin and I to ride down to Celondim. We left our horses at the stables, and walked along the river front. There were only a handful of folk even there.
“I wonder if Culufinnel is on patrol? He could be home, or he may be elsewhere in town, attending to one matter or another.”
At that very moment the Captain of Celondim walked out of his front door. “Danel and Estarfin,” he exclaimed. “What brings you here? All is quiet here in Celondim tonight. Just what I like: a nice, quiet evening.”
“Not for long I fear, my friend,” I said.
Estarfin stepped forward. “We came to find your brother. We hoped he might be here?”
“I know there are few others about, but may we speak in private, Culufinnel?”
The captain darted a look around. “Yes, that is best. Come this way, please.” He nodded towards the tall steps that led up to Tintallë’s shrine. “It is remote enough tonight.” As we reached the grass at the higher level, he gave us a grim look. “What has Parnard done now?”
“That is the issue. We know not,” I said.
“He left Númenstáya without saying a word,” Estarfin explained.
“Left? When?”
Estarfin shrugged.
“Late morning, our stable master told us,” I answered.
“And where has he gone?” the Captain asked.
“We hoped he had come here, to speak with you. He left no message for anyone.”
Culufinnel stared at us for a few moments, then slowly shook his head. “Did you speak with him about the issue of his armour, to dissuade him from going out in search of it?”
“We told him we did not recommend travelling South.”
Estarfin nodded.
“We said there were alternatives, but he would not change his mind. Then he was angry. He is not often angry.”
The captain raised an eyebrow. “Angry? Parnard was actually angry? Are you quite sure?”
“Yes. A strange contradiction that sounds.”
“We should not have become involved,” Estarfin said.
I looked at him. It was I who persuaded Estarfin, against his usual stance. He was normally loath to give any advice, even when it was openly sought, but I told him how much Parnard respected him, and that it was only a warning not to travel to Gondor, not actual advice.
Culufinnel sighed, a long, heavy breath that made his shoulders sag. “Please, do not blame yourselves. I asked that you speak with him, believing he would listen.”
He averted his gaze, turning his face from us to look out across the open harbor. Below the cliffs was the small fishing village, lights twinkling in the windows of of the cluster of stone house cottages. “Please, do not blame yourselves. I asked that you speak with him, thinking he would listen. I have seen Parnard angry only once before—twice, over the long years, now that I recount it. You did not tell him what he wanted to hear, I deem.”
“I am surprised it even happened,” I said. “I have seen Parnard in several moods, but never an angry one.”
“He is usually in a jovial mood. Especially when he imbibes. Did you serve him wine?”
Estarfin shrugged. “Probably.”
I nodded. “I do not recall him drinking, but wine was available and he is never one to refuse.”
This bit of news seemed to dismay Culufinnel. “That is very worrisome,” he answered.
“I am more concerned about where he has gone, Captain.”
“I shall inform the sergeant, Lord Cardavor, Drambor, Gwathel, the harbour master, and–”
But I still had my ‘other’ thought. “May I add…” I cut in.
Captain Culufinnel paused in ticking off the list of authorities he would notify. “Yes?”
“I wonder if he had contact with those Corsairs again? He may well run away, if he thought they were seeking him out.”
“What–!”
“If any of them dared approach Númenstáya, that is?”
“You do not think the brigands carried him off again?” Culufinnel’s eyes widened in disbelief.
Estarfin scowled at the idea.
“I know not if such a thing happened. No one at Númenstáya reported anything, and Filignil was on guard last night. Naught would get past her. But as a possibility, albeit small, it concerns me.”
Culufinnel frowned. “It concerns me as well, deeply.”
“If they did have a piece of his armour, he may have freely gone to them,” I suggested, knowing little would prevent Parnard from reclaiming his armour, not even concern for his own safety.
The captain’s fist drove instantly into his open palm with a sharp smack. “What a foolish Elf,” he muttered under his breath.
“Yet it is folly to pursue the matter without plan or hope,” Estarfin pointed out.
A weary shadow crossed Culufinnel’s features. “Parnard is no stranger to folly, unfortunately. You did thoroughly search Númenstáya? He may have hidden himself away somewhere with a crate of wine.”
“We searched the usual areas. The others were told to continue looking,” Estarfin said. “All apart from Miruviel. She was too distressed.”
“Miruviel? Who is that?”
“A young maiden from the Greenwood. She looks on Parnard as a mentor,” I started to explain. “But I thought you had met her?”
“Two?” Culufinnel repeated in astonishment. “He has taken it upon himself to mentor two young maidens?”
“No. It is the same maiden; Marawendi changed her name to Miruviel.”
“Why would she ever want to do that?” He shrugged, casting the matter aside. “She will have to wait for any tidings of my brother, like the rest of us.”
“Filignil is a scout. We can send her out–perhaps with Barahirn–to search.”
“Send them out along the eastern fork. I will send patrols north and west. Alas! There are only six guards available.”
“Are there any known camps of Men nearby? We could search those." Estarfin suggested. “It galls me just to sit and await news.”
Culufinnel forced his chin up, his voice stiff. “My brother will make quite a name for himself before this is through.”
“Your brother is beloved by many, but he can test us with worry,” I murmured.
“True, on both accounts.”
“I would search, but I am no tracker, you know that.” I could hear the deep frustration in Estarfin’s voice.
“Yes, meldanya. Culufinnel and I both know that. But I can follow most trails. We should do something useful?”
“My brother will go east if he plans to visit Gondor, and south if he heads for Umbar. Would he be that foolish?” He turned to face us. “I know what would be useful: would you ride to Duillond and tell Bregar that the Captain wishes him to return to Celondim?”
Estarfin and I nodded.
“I cannot spare a guard to send that message, and as you will pass Duillond on your way back to Númenstáya…”
“Yes, of course. Wherever Parnard is, I just hope he is safe,” I said quietly.
Culufinnel’s expression softened for a moment. Then the Captain gave us a smart salute and rushed away.
“And hopefully there will be some good news soon.”
Estarfin nodded, then said, “He would not be so foolish as to attempt to ride to Gondor, would he?”
“Not in his usual state of mind. But I am not sure he is in his usual state of mind. It is as if he is obsessed with his armour. We know what such an obsession can do.”
“Perhaps he just does not like to be stolen from?”
“As our Princes did not like to be stolen from. No one likes it, but it depends on how valuable the item is to them. We would have given our lives to reclaim a Silmaril for Caranthir.” I remembered that feeling. I suspected Estarfin did too.
“It may be our course to follow him to Gondor, but I wager that we, or others, will find him before he reaches that land.”
“We would not return from such a journey,” Estarfin spoke solemnly.
I understood. I knew we could not traverse such a land easily. That to Estarfin it would be as a nightmare come true, and he would seek to keep us safe while slaying those men he could.
“But for now, we must take Culufinnel’s order to Bregur,” I said.
