Chapter 104

As we walked through the streets together Elien spoke animatedly of the course of her life since we had last parted, her eyes shining with happiness. Finding myself anew in her company stirred long forgotten feelings and I realised both how much I had missed her and also with something of a jolt how much I now desired her. The latter impulse caused me to feel a deal of confusion and guilt, which worsened when she quietly took my hand and kept it as we walked together. For there had only ever been one love in my life and to harbour such feelings for another, and one who had been her dearest friend felt like a betrayal.

She told me that she had found it hard to begin with at the Houses of Healing, harder than she could ever have imagined, for her work had exposed her to all the worst suffering that men could endure. But she had devoted herself to it wholeheartedly and had at last been accepted as an apprentice to one of the wisest and most skilled Healers in Arthedain. As we spoke we reached the city walls, and I followed her through the doorway of a tower and climbed a long stair that eventually brought us out onto the ramparts, far above the street below. The view that now unfolded before us across the city was immediately familiar, for I realised that I had seen it before, glimpsed through the window in a vision in the Palantir. "It is a fine sight is it not?" asked Elien, following my gaze. "Lastbridge seems small and mean in comparison, and so many of its people were ragged and hungry, whereas here all prosper and things are as they should be. Of course there are some things I miss from my old life, but I am happier here than I ever was before. But what of you, Esteldir? I have often thought of you and wondered how you fared". I looked into her lovely face, her grey eyes fixed on mine and the soft breeze ruffling her hair, and for a moment I found myself unable to speak. "I am content" I replied after a pause "I serve with good men and we live well but plainly, ready for whatever may come, for I do not think this current peace will hold long. I serve under Prince Merendir, who I am sure you must remember, and he is as fine a captain and leader of men as any could wish to serve. Indeed I recall that when you met him he took a particular interest in you, and as far as I know he remains unmarried, though as the youngest of five brothers his prospects may be limited". She laughed merrily at this, judging rightly that I teased her, but mention of that time prompted her to ask after some of the others who had travelled with us. After answering her as fully as I could on the matter I formed a question of my own but then felt foolish at my sudden reluctance to frame it. "And Thanguron?" I asked hoping I my voice would not catch as I spoke. "He seemed so devoted to you, are you now pledged to each other?" She laughed again, and shook her head, smiling. "Nay, nay. He was a sweet youth, and perhaps for a time he did give his heart to me when we were both lost and far from home, but he is like a bee in a summer meadow full of flowers now, his fame and reputation grow apace, and according to the gossips all the fine ladies in the city are a flutter over him. It is said that the King too favours him greatly and will often listen to him sing, but he has not forgotten whence he came and I am sure that he too would be glad to see you and the others again while you are here. But no, as for me, my heart is given to none, save one who I knew would never be able to return that affection. But like you I am content with my lot and devote myself to my duty in the service of others".

We stood silently on the wall, hands still clasped and lost in our own thoughts for a moment, gazing across the lands to the south. It brought to mind another time long ago when I had stood on a different battlement with another that I desired and lived to bitterly regret not declaring my true feelings to her when the opportunity had presented itself. But no sooner had the thought come to me than I dismissed it, telling myself that this was a different time and place. I did however release her hand and put my arm around her shoulder instead, and as I drew her to me she laid her head against me. When she eventually raised it again I saw there were tears running down her cheeks, and I immediately took her in my arms, where those tears turned for a short while into great gasping sobs. "Forgive me, I am being foolish" she said when she eventually drew away, smiling once again through her tears. "The day is too fine to be wasted in sadness and weeping to little purpose. Let us go down now and let me show you something of this place". With that she took my hand anew and we returned to the street below, spending the rest of the day seeking out the many fine sights the city had to offer. It was a day I will always remember, for despite my uncertainty it was the first time since the loss of Idhrethil that I had felt anything approaching true happiness, and after Elien had told me her heart was given to another the turmoil I had felt had diminished. Fornost was a truly magnificent place, and seemed by all appearances to be thriving, yet I learned from Elien that it had not always been the chief city of Arnor, and that another, even greater, had once stood to the north east but now lay in ruins. It seemed hard to comprehend that things might be in decline here too in Arthedain, and it was not a comfortable thought.

That wonderful day ended with a fine sunset, and we concluded it with an evening meal an inn close by Elien's lodgings. There I met many of those who were employed with her in her work at the Houses Of Healing and was heartened to see the evident high regard in which she was held by them. Afterwards I walked with her back to her home, and we said our farewells tenderly and with promises to return safely and without such delay next time. But our final embrace was warm and strong and after we parted my fragile equanimity regarding my feelings towards her was again thrown into doubt. The next day our company marched south, and I regret that I was unable to keep my promise to return promptly, for it would be several years before we met again. It was also something of a relief to return to Amon Sul, to a life untroubled by complications of the heart, but thereafter I often found myself thinking of her and pondering all that had passed between us.

From the spring of 1345 onwards Angmar once again began to test our defences, and yet again it became clear what a tremendous advantage the seeing stones conferred , for no incursion of orcs or northmen came unanticipated and they were slaughtered and driven back at every turn. This was never without cost, but if the King Of Angmar thought he could grind Arthedain down in the same way he had Rhudaur in a war of attrition then he would be greatly mistaken. For our own part we stood firm, successfully defending the stronghold at Amon Perin against numerous assaults and keeping the road open as far as the river for any who wished to travel it. The men of our company gained even greater renown during this time, and I was able at least in part to honour the vow I had made at Idhrethil's graveside.

The year before Argeleb came into the Kingship I returned to Amon Perin with my men after a patrol south of the road and was met with a summons from Merendir. He himself was newly returned from Amon Sul, so I assumed that it would be in regard to news or fresh orders from the Prince. However when I attended on him I found him to be in an unusually jovial mood, and was mystified as to what this might presage. After questioning me regarding the patrol, which had been uneventful he came to the matter in hand. "Esteldir, I have news for you" he said smiling "as you know I am lately come from the tower, where I met an old friend of ours who made a point of asking after your health and wellbeing, and for any news of you. They are newly posted there and would be pleased to make your acquaintance again next time you have occasion to return". I was initially mystified as to who this might be and my first thought was that Thanguron must have grown weary of his songs and of the attentions of the ladies of Fornost, but it did not seem very likely so I asked him who it could be that he spoke of. "The fair Lady Elien" was his reply "for she has completed her apprenticeship and joins the healers at the fortress, wishing to serve alongside her countrymen. She is a fine and most singular woman, for I deem beneath that gentle exterior lies a steely core, and I would also hazard that there is more to her than her tale suggests. But no matter, I know how close you were, and that you are due to be stood down, so should you wish to ride back with Arathor and his horsemen in the morning then I will make no objection". I thanked him profusely and went immediately to the stables to make arrangements for my return to the tower the following morning, full of happiness and anticipation at the thought of our impending reunion.