[Annunfuiniel]

"Umm, Helloo?? Are you going to help us or what?"

Annunfuin’s wandering gaze stopped at the girl who had introduced herself as Fiona. One impatient young lady! he mused but couldn’t really bring himself to disapprove the girl’s lack of manners. Suddenly a fresh wind seemed to sweep through the room and Annunfuin smiled.

"Hello. Welcome to Swan House." he began; "My name Annunfuin and I’ll certainly try and help you, dear Ladies." Then he turned to address Elena who still looked a bit shocked. "I didn’t mean to frighten you, my friend; I wasn’t angry at you though I may have looked like I was." Annunfuin paused and once again his thoughts wandered far, trying to recall the last time he had actually laughed.

"You see, I don’t smile often. And while staring at you I was trying to remember if I had seen you earlier – and when I think hard about something I usually frown, like this..." and Annunfuin’s brow furrowed as he gave a coloured demonstration to back up his words.

Now it was the girls’ turn to stare at the man but as Annunfuin burst into laughter they soon followed suit.

"But now I remember! Elena, you are the girl from the Swan village whom Lanaey, one of my companions, nearly rode down." But presently Annunfuin remembered something else too and his face grew grave again.

"You say that the Village was attacked yesterday? That is dark news..." After a moment of consideration Annunfuin decided it would be better to take the girls straight to Lady Taralphiel to give a full account of what had happened.

"Briana" Annunfuin addressed the maid to whom he had been talking before the girls entered the room. He sat up in his bed and then cautiously tried if his wounded leg would bear his weight already. "My gear... I need help with the chain-mail..." Briana nodded and went to the door to call for another maid. Together the young women lifted the heavy mail and aided it on Annunfuin, tying the leather straps with practised fingers. Daughters of a soldier, Annunfuin thought approvingly as Briana brought him his sword. Over the clinking steel he pulled the black tunic of his guard uniform.

Annunfuin was just putting his sword into his belt when Fiona spoke after a silence which, the Gondorian could guess, had been uncommonly long for her tongue.

"Why did you get up only just now? We could never sleep that late! Well, unless we are very ill and then we must stay in bed many days and that’s boring."

"I didn’t sleep this late. But I have been very ill and I was told not to get up." Annunfuin spoke earnestly but then his eyes glinted; "Boring? Yes, it was boring – until you came."

"But now I’m feeling better and we should go and find the elf that healed me for I wish to thank her once more."

"An elf?" Elena exclaimed, finally finding her words. "Is she the same elf Lady?"

"You mean the one who nearly rode over you? No, this is another one." Annunfuin saw the disappointment on the girl’s face and rushed to continue; "But I’m certain you’ll find her as nice and fair as the one you have already met. And then I will take you to see the Lady of this House who is very old and wise..." Glancing at Fiona he added, casually; "...and must be addressed accordingly."

* * * * * * *

Annunfuin and the three girls wandered through bright corridors and spacious halls as Briana led them towards a chamber wing that she told had been rearranged as a hospital. There they should find the lady Annanoldowen.

On their way the company came to a room where a small cot had been placed in the middle. Annunfuin halted, bowed his head and raised a hand first to his brow and then to his lips as a token of respect and grief. One of those who gave their lives in the battle... Eru, keep his soul for only You know where it now dwells...

"Girls, follow me." Annunfuin heard Briana’s whisper and was about to turn and go after the others when suddenly he froze. His eyes had caught sight of the gear placed in the foot of the cot. It can’t be... He didn’t die!

And yet Annunfuin knew what he saw and great sorrow landed heavy on him. The long sword and the shield with the insignia of the White Tower... Sir Thagon Kestner had born them proudly in his life and now, in death, they rested beside him. Annunfuin kneeled and his grief was silent.

[ July 17, 2003: Message edited by: Annunfuiniel ]