[Annunfuiniel]

Silence fell between the two grey figures; not an awkward but kind of relieved one, such that follows when a difficult conversation is over, despite the outcome. Taralphiel had made her mind and Annunfuin knew he could not change it. Uttered words would only have dropped to the air to hang between them like a blurring haze.
Annunfuin tried to steer his thoughts elsewhere, away from the difficulties ahead to some useful matters. But stubbornly his mind turned to their desperate situation, their defencelessness against the enemy’s overpower. While turning these matters over in his head Annunfuin paced feverishly to and fro on the smooth lawn. There must be some way… there must!

But no matter how he twisted the truth the Gondorian saw little hope in their case. Their company had scattered; first they had split into two groups and then, when the attacks came, the disaster was a fact. Now, judging by the little what he had heard, things in the Village were nothing short of a chaos and at the House… The last time I saw us all together was just before the raid. Annunfuin stopped, his frown revealing his perplexity; Was it just two days ago? It felt like years had passed since he last saw Sir Thagon… or heard that one young lad so proudly present his parchment to the Lady. A small smile crept to the aged man’s lips as he thought of Cartil Stone – only to disappear in a flash when he remembered what had happened to the young diplomat. Why did he come here? What a waste… Annunfuin turned on his heels and began walking the same route as only a moment earlier.

Suddenly he froze still and felt his heart skip a beat. Lady Taralphiel’s expression was quite a sight when Annunfuin without a warning swung round and exclaimed;

“Of course! What a fool I’ve been!” In the excitement all blood rushed to his cheeks making him blush like a teenager in love. “The parchment! King’s parchment!” Annunfuin suppressed an urge to grab the old Lady by her arms and shook the answer from her. He steadied his breath and continued in a calmer, yet a bit shaky tone; “What was it about?”

It took a while for lady Taralphiel to recover from Annunfuin’s sudden ‘attack’. Her green eyes that had first flown wide open now narrowed as she searched his face for further signs of insanity. Then, little by little she began to perceive what he was talking about and the expression her face took was a mixture of hope and anxiety.

“How could I forget? Now it may be too late! Yes, it was important: ‘Two times fifty men to be put into Your command if need be. . . two days ride, the camp is located at the Mouths of Anduin. . .’ Oh, I can’t remember it all!” But the newly kindled light in Taralphiel’s eyes died even as she finished her last sentence; “But four days to get there and back again. It’s too late…”

Just then they heard the sound of nearing footsteps and both turned to face the comer. Annanoldowen stopped in front of them and bowed.

“It has come to my consciousness that I am no longer desperately needed here at the house. The half dozen maids in my wing had all but perfected the simple yet necessary methods of healing and the survivors are well in order preparing for a second ambush. The village most likely would welcome my assistance. I wanted to let you know before I just disappeared though and see if you objected.”

Taralphiel was still too shocked to answer to the elf-lady’s polite words. She had sat on a bench and now just looked at her friend, speechless. But seeing Annanoldowen in her riding wear gave Annunfuin an idea which he rushed to speak aloud before lady Taralphiel could give her permission for the elf to leave.

“Lady Annanoldowen. Though the House would be ready to let you go I’m afraid we will be needing your assistance in another matter.” At these words both the ladies turned their questioning glances at Annunfuin. The late-morning sun shone high over the House and already made the air quiver. “How fast could you make a ride of about fifty miles?”

[ August 27, 2003: Message edited by: Annunfuiniel ]