Parnard

I had been sitting on the incline outside the hall. The early evening was a fair one, the stars still a promise below the horizon. It was not as warm as of late. The season was turning, but slowly, gracefully. I had come from speaking with Filignil about our stores for winter, as well as Parnard’s plans for the Autumn Festival. She understood my wish for the latter. Parnard was far from home.

“But you mentioned feasting.” Parnard brought us back to the present.

I nodded. “The evenings are chill, but not bitter. So should we be in the Hall or have a fire outside? What do your folk do?”

I wanted my mind clear to concentrate. This was the most personal work I had ever set my hand to, and it had to be just right. But there were other demands vying for my attention. Parnard’s suggestion of me making rings or wristlets imbued with a virtue to help resist the sea longing was dear to my heart. I wondered that no one had crafted such before? Then again, in the times of Eregion there had been little desire to depart, focusing rather on building our ‘Kingdom’ here.

I heard him move nigh mid afternoon. He had slept long, and I hoped well. I had sat beside him most of the night, watching, questioning myself over what I had done. Oh, he had told me the fault was his. It was not. The reaction was his, but I had initiated the whole problem. Why had I brought a Woman back to our home?

“I would not make a prisoner of you, no matter your words?” Estarfin had said to me, when we were still in the Caverns in the cliffs, partaking of wine and food with Parnard.

I walked out of the Halls, aware of the heavy wooden door swinging closed and the guards bidding us farewell.