Estarfin

Parnard opened his eyes and stretched his limbs, feeling all weariness gone. He was glad to see the sun had gone down since he rested.

Whether it was night or not, the others did not know, but Belegos' instincts told him that the sun had set a while back. It was impossible to tell under the lichen-smothered boughs of Mirkwood. Day was only ever an almost imperceptible, lighter shade of darkness that passed quicker than what seemed normal. A storm had rolled overhead and it had been raining for hours. The company were sodden and miserable. The rain had soaked through their cloaks and hoods to run down their backs and collect in their boots.

Elloen had a bandage in his hand, and he was rolling it on the arm of yet another wounded malledhrim soldier. The air about him was foul, and there was little comfort in this place, at the camp of the shore at western Mirkwood. He heard the soldier thanking him and he smiled briefly as an answer. Danel had earlier negotiated that they could stay here if they helped the wounded soldiers and Elloen had agreed to do it, along with keeping an eye over Estarfin. Promise was a promise.

Sometimes I wonder if Lord Estarfin is in his right mind. But what is right?

My Worthy Friend,

This place somehow feels old and new at the same time; a fact that both puzzles and delights me. The tall silver trees with their golden leaves are beautiful, never before have I seen their like upon this earth. As I lie upon the soft green grass threaded through with delicate purple flowers, the winter sun shines through the golden canopy above, bathing me in light and warmth. Sleep will take me again soon and perhaps this time I will find rest. I am reluctant to sleep, although I have never been this exhausted before.

The moon hath no fixed course, and is wayward, and wanders about the heavens among the innumerable stars that glare and wink out. It said that some of the best and brightest of these have fallen from their place to the earth and are sunk in darkness forever. Some folk are like these fiery stars, and shine for a time, and when they fall, they cannot recover their places, so their light is forever extinguished. There will never be any more brightness or comfort again from their radiance, and they leave behind a deep blackness of gloom, that which was first before the stars were ever made.

Elloen was still in Lórien, and once again a guest to his uncle Feamiril and aunt Linnen, sitting next to the table in his thoughts, though he didn't have much time, since he had promised to lady Danel return to his companions soon.

Today Lord Estarfin recognized me, which is something. We dare not allow him any liberty, having no trust in him, he being in much perplexity and confusion. As far as anyone else can see, he is just like everybody else in the city, and wears no longer his green gem circlet or his black armour, but is clad in a simple white robe. He is very neat and clean in appearance, and we see that his hair is combed smooth, and Lord Estarfin seems outwardly calm and pleasant.