Estarfin

Parnard gestured around the room. “There is space for dancing; we can push the table aside.” Then he went over to a side table filled with bottles of wine and opened the nearest.

It was six days after our wedding.The guests from Celondim had returned home, Curumaito with a promise to visit again soon. Filignil had parceled up most of the remaining feast and was sending it to some of those who could not make the event. In this matter Captain Culufinnel was to be a major recipient, with enough to live on for a week. The weather had been kind to us, glorious sunny days and clear night skies were additional gifts. But by that evening it had begun to rain.

Yrill retreated to her rooms at dawn’s first light. It had been a merry few days, and an exceptional evening. She was content, more than content with the outcome. She was happy for her old mentor, Danel, and for Estarfin, whom she had come to know quite well by accompanying him and Captain Culufinnel in the search for Danel and Parnard, after they had been captured by Corsairs. 

We left the celebrations prepared by our housekeeper, Filignil, and others of the household, a few hours after midnight. The sky was still dark, with an abundance of stars showing, but we knew it would not be long before dawn. Midsummer was the shortest night of the year! 

“We thought to have a celebration under the stars,” Danel said to the small assembly of elves. “Filgnil has placed food and drink on a table by the lake. This way.” She walked away, the dew-covered grass dampening her trailing skirts. Estarfin made no move to follow; instead, he fixed a heavy gaze on Parnard.

We stood facing each other, but a little over an arm’s length apart. Ithil shone down upon us, touching him with a true-silvered hand. The warm breeze ruffled both our hair. All I could see was the culmination of my dreams. Oh, there were other things I hoped for, other things I dreamed, but this was and always had been the heart of my heart. That he would know happiness. That we would be as one. 

Eventually we were rescued, of course, else I would not be recounting this. 

I walked onto the biting ice of the Hithaeglir to save him. He walked into the flames of a burning house to save me. Perhaps we are equal now? Not that I ever held it to be some sort of contest, nor that I would not do it again. Thinking thus upon our past reminds me of the talk we had when returning from Imladris to Falathorn for the first time. We stopped on the edge of the Old Forest, just in sight of the Brandywine bridge.