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As Lindir talked, all else fell quiet. The silence lasted even after his fiery reply was over, as if the burning words, blazing to hide the fear behind them, still hung in the warm air, not suffering any to follow them.
Then the Smith spoke, wherever he was. His voice was stern, exasperated, schoolmasterly.
"I believe the insult to my...state of being...was one you should not have uttered, Lindir. In this place you must have met many of the Houseless Ones. I remember how to be an Elf a good deal better than most. I recover, even, the appearance of a body when I toil in any way, such were the chains of love that bound me to work in life.
"I have not forgotten to be an Elf. I fear you've forgotten to be a friend, young one, for all your bombast. I said I would get to your Malris in due time and I do not lie."
Another pound sounded on the anvil and the Master Smith was before them again, hammering a grieve into shape. It was crafted of bronze and gleamed strongly in the fire-light. The Smith's black hair was wild behind him, tossed by his continual, slamming motion.
"I care not what you think, young one, of my assurance that Maglor is at the keep. I told it merely so you'd understand why I, a plain worker in metals, pay heed to some echoing minstrel's fancy. Some time ago...the night before last as you'd know it, perchance...the Singer told of a wife and a husband, long ago sundered, who were to meet again briefly come the daylight. I was confused, certainly; for when I hear Maglor, usually his strains pertain to my work. I hear of armour forged, worn to battle, swords broken and made anew, gratitude for martial services rendered...listen this eve and perhaps it'll be in similar vein."
The Smith had finished the grieve, and so naturally could not, once more, be seen.
"So you might say it was out of the ordinary. But Malris had a wife, didn't he, lost in the retreat? Perhaps, sour Lindir, Maglor is not so uncaring of you and your kind after all. But I have more to tell, and if you were hard put to listen to me last time, you'll be twenty times more so now..."
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