Sogadan

“Well met, Sogadan. Remember us?” Danel said to the Vintner of Imladris. The hour was late; the great Hall of Fire was almost empty, without the usual hum of subdued voices, and the elves’ entrance was marked by few of the Valley denizens.

My heart was lightened when Estarfin pushed open the double doors to the outside world. The exit from Moria had been on my mind. I could remember the entry password, a simple utterance of the word ‘friend’, but I could not recall one for departing. 

As nightfall was drawing on, and the mountain valley was almost all in darkness, for the moon had not yet risen, the elves gathered around the campfire and set out thick furs for bedding. Parnard laid out yellow cheese on thick slices of bread beside the fire, dexterously spinning and flipping them around so they would not burn, and when everything was toasted to a turn, he took up the bread and cheese on his forearm, offering it to Estarfin and Danel with a bow.

After Parnard assured Danel that he would only listen to the conversation, and not say a word, to his surprise Ruineth turned to him, and speaking quickly and quietly, said that she wished to speak with him, alone. Then she led him away to a quiet corner beside a beech tree, and told him:

I placed my glass of wine beside me, on the bench, and kicked off my shoes. Estarfin put his wine on the floor for the moment, and stretched out his long legs. It was good to relax.

“The Hall of Fire is so empty now,” said Parnard, with a hint of wistfulness.

I will say from the start, I have no great love for Ruineth. By her words was I kept from Estarfin’s side while he struggled to recover from his extensive injuries in the Hithaeglir. By her words did I accept what I thought he wanted, and stay away. She spoke with me while I too was recovering, and still quite blind, that I could not look upon her face and demeanor.

Estarfin closed his eyes for a moment, then looked up at the sky again. “As she always has. She has never forgotten us.” Then he looked at me, and began reciting …

I cannot remember a time when I had smiled and laughed so much. My face ached, but it was worth it, every minute. A serious declaration had it been by both of us, with a nod to the difficulties we had endured to come to this night. But it had also been light of heart and joyful, with no room for any somberness. And he was happy too. I don’t think I had ever seen him quite so content? Indeed, we both embraced this future most willingly.

“Let us look for Estarfin in the Hall of Fire, and we can talk to Sogadan again. As you said to him, we have more tales to tell - or peradventure, there are tales being told there now about us,” Parnard said with a grin, brushing off his brand-new green velvet doublet and making a few adjustments to his twiggy crown. “Am I presentable, Cousin?”