It's the small hours before full sunrise and all is quiet and still in the courtyard of the fortress at Rivil fort. Standing alone at the parapet, Angadil gazes eastwards, a tall, lone figure upon the stone walls, whose grey cloak flaps slowly with the morning breeze. Suddenly he turns and looks to courtyard.
Teigril slips from the wagon, to stand stretching in the courtyard.. she moves to add wood to the fire, and edges a small pot into the center of the remaining coals. She looks up..and waves to the figure on the wall...
Angadil returns the wave quickly and his face is suddenly lit, perhaps by the rising sun... Quickly, he strides along the bulwark and down the stair, heading towards the Atan woman as he reaches its bottom "My Lady Teigril... Two lights rise together this morn..." He says as he approaches. And while his smile is broad and frank there is a tinge of sadness in the light that flickers in his eyes.
Teigril smiles, and laughs softly.."You do ..make a woman feel good...tis the elvish .." and she nods towards the fire.."Tea is almost ready..would you join me??" turning a bit towards the fire.. "Tis not long .." she says quietly..glancing about the compound.."And you all will be leaving..." she looks up smiling.."I am so glad..to have met all I did..especially you.."
Angadil nods as he moves to the fire's side "Once more I'll be grateful for your tea, Lady" Then extends a hand as she keeps speaking "Nay, tis my honor and privilege to have met you and those of your kindred..." he lets those words trail as if assailed by a sudden memory "Many wonders we were promised in Endor, and the Edain have not been among the lesser of them..." He says shaking his head
Teigril kneels by the fire..tipping the pot to fill two cups. She reaches up..handing one for Angadil.."You have taught us much..in the while we've been here.." she says, "Your stories..of the Eldar days. I will carry many memories with me from here..those are among the treasured ones..our visits here by the fire..or on the wall..." she reaches for her own cup an sips..
"And there is one custom we have, that I know not if the Secondborn share" Angadil's smile becomes almost mischievous as he says this. He sets his own untouched and proceeds to rummage in one of the pouches hanging from his belt "We give gifts of parting to those we held dear in our hearts..." The he produces and holds up a silver vessel, simple looking and plain, yet subtly elegant. "For Almar I crafted a name. For you I have this..." He extends his hand slowly towards her presenting the object.
A small, silver vessel that one could easily carry in a pouch or pocket and use to drink should the occasion present itself. It is of simple and sober design, though elegant and well-proportioned. Its outer surface is smooth and sports no decoration whatsoever. Yet, on the inside the silver is artfully embossed and tinted depicting the figure of a grey-clad Lady of benevolent beauty standing among tall golden trees. Sometimes, when liquid fills the vessel, Feanorian letters arranged in a circle about one inch below the rim gleam brightly for an instant and then fade and disappear. The writing is in Quenya and it says: Ehtelion Esteva ilye fear calpa sere. (From the fountains of Este all spirits draw repose).
Teigril eyes widen.."Tis..lovely.." she whispers...looking up.. her hands tentatively reaching..pausing as though it is too fine to touch..then gently enfolding it.. She looks at it..her gaze going over the details.."It is ..so right..so perfect.." her fingers tracing the finely chased designs.."I..we do, but ..I had not thought.." she says..looking up.. "I would have had..something special for you as well..perhaps..I will..for I will not say goodby, surely we will meet again..somewhere..
Angadil shrugs and his lips thin in repressed smile that, nonetheless, lights his eyes. He extends his right hand, palm outwards, as if to stop her thanking "Pour now your tea from your cup into that vessel" He says, a strange emotion in his otherwise calm voice and a sudden blaze shining in his gaze as it becomes locked on Teigril's face with sudden intensity.
Teigril looks at him..then at her cup.."The tea..." and her eyes a bit puzzled she does as asked..tipping the cup so carefully ...the amber liquid pouring into the silver vessel..she glances up.."Like so?.." and sets the cup down again..keeping the silver cup supported on both hands..
Angadil nods "Look inside" he says, his eyes never wandering from her face.
Teigril nods..her eyes still on his face..and looks down..she gasps.."They...where did they come from??" she asks looking up again.."They..are like magic..the whole cup tis..like magic.." ..she smiles..her eyes growing soft.."Tis so very special..like magic for my healing..and tis Este in the bottom I am sure..I will feel very near her, using this.." she says..looking up with wonder on her face..
Angadil smiles, mouth and eyes filled with sudden joy "I knew *you* would see them... I know not if all of your kindred can see those letters, but my heart told me you would..." Then he shakes his head, face still beaming "I know not about magic... 'Tis finely crafted... that is all..." He adds with a slight shrug "And aye she is the Giver of Repose, Este Laurelintari. Sometimes water drank from that vessel feels more refreshing..."
Teigril looks up her eyes still wide with awe.."I can hardly think.. I would see more..but am honored that I might.." she looks down again..studying the liquid..how the light moves through it..making the runes show..the incised lady in the bottom.."I would think so truly.. just looking at it ..is refreshing.." she says.."Tis comforting to hold.." and she looks up.."I shall treasure it always, Angadil..and use it as well, for such a gift should be shared ..not hidden away and saved." She gently sips the tea..a promise almost..
Angadil nods, his pleasure at Teigril's words barely hidden by but a slight remnant, a thin layer, of his usual reserve. For a moment he seems to lack words and suddenly, with a gesture that eyes can hardly follow he hurls his spear upwards. The steel head glitters like a comet as it catches the rays of the still young sun in its ascent. Angadil deftly catches before it touches the ground it as it falls back "Aiya!" he cries "Behold! 'Tis an hour of joy! For I have found true wisdom where many doubted there was any and now I fully see our kindreds are both the Childs of Eru" He nods again to himself as one who sees many hopes come true "Share it, indeed. For that was crafted under a light your kindred never knew and that will never shine again..."
Teigril looks startled..the spear flashing bright..then looks at Angadil.."You..mean.." and she gasps.."M'lord.." her voice gone..she looks down once more..her hands trembling a bit..the tea moves gently in the cup..the lady seems to move in the bottom.."I..am not sure am worthy..if tis the light.." and she looks up once more..amazed..at him..
Angadil looks around. His sudden outburst has attracted curious looks of a few of the peoples that start moving about as the fortress awaken and Angadil's eyes dart from face to face, still smiling. The onlookers soon keep wit their own businesses and pay no further heed. Angadil shifts his weight from one foot to the other, as he himself was if a bit surprised by his own reaction "You are worthy, twice you have proved it already" he states firmly, his calm voice back again "And I know you will prove it further. Make not overmuch of a friend's parting gift, Teigril of Dor-Lomin" he finishes with a gentle smile.
Teigril smiles..the tea warm..and soothing..she looks down at the cup then at Angadil" A friend's parting gift.." she says softly.."whatever it was, would be to treasure.. but could not..make overmuch..for this tis rare..and beautiful.. " she smiles.. "I thank you, Angadil..and shall think of you each time I use it..each time it soothes..or refreashes..know you have a part in that as well??"
Angadil takes breath deeply in "The artisan than made it will have a part..." He sighs and smiles "But I am glad you like it, Lady. Mayhaps one day you will offer me one of your brews on it for, though we now part, my heart tells me 'tis not the last time we see each other..." The whole stronghold stirs now as the morning grows older and movement and noise from the gray tents of Mithrim calls Angadil's attention, making him turn his head towards them "The day is upon us, lady, and my countrymen ready themselves for the journey... I must leave you and see to my own preparations..."
Teigril sits back on her heels watching him go.. a friend she will always remember.. and look forward to seeing again..
Angadil heads towards the busy groups of elves that prepare bundles and load packs. Midway to there he turns "Enomentuvalmet, Heri, ar elen siluva i-lumenna!" He calls loudly "We shall meet again, Lady, and a star will shine upon that hour!" He repeats as he waves his spear once in final salute and resumes his walking.
Teigril nods..and quietly..for he is too far away...repeats his words.. You say, "Enomentuvalmet..are elen siluva i-lumenna..." she says..and smiles..the words so lovely ..the thought as well..and sends them with him as well.."
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