[Alcarillo]

Cainenyo felt a deep sadness come over him. He knew in his heart that the city was no more than a house of cards in a foul wind, ready to fall at the slightest breeze. He placed a gloved hand on Sairien's shoulder for a brief moment, and turned to leave the glittering river. Now he truly noticed the dismal outlook of the future and the way the city seemed so frail and fragile when set against the might of Sauron.

As he passed Celerimbor's palace Cainenyo felt in his heart a new anger. He felt anger towards Celebrimbor and the Mírdain for believing Annatar's deceits, and how they too readily let him ride into the heart of Ost-in-Edhil to forge his wicked plan. And Cainenyo also hated Sauron himself for ensuring the city's doom. How could the Mírdain have accepted him? How could they have so happily welcomed the Lieutenant of Morgoth? Cainenyo passed the palace with a fiery heart.

And how many villages must be razed to the ground for Celebrimbor to act? Death tolls were rising, and even more refugees poured into the city each day. The city was not a haven, but a trap. Within these walls the people would be slaughtered if arms would not be taken up, if soldiers were not mustered, if the people lived in silence and did not do something.

With these words in both heart and mind he passed through the city. Cainenyo bought a few flowers for his wife at a florist with the coins in his pocket that were intended to pay for the knife. He was soon passing through the shadowy alleyway next to Fëaglin's shop. Across the street he saw Celebdur's red door open and Arenwino stepped out. A cool wind was now whistling down the street and Arenwino was dressed in a dark grey cloak. He spotted his father emerge from the alley.

"Hello there, father," Arenwino said, "what have you been up to?" His voiced sounded too joyful for these dark times.

"I was just down by the docks," he told his son, recalling Sairien's distress. They walked together down the street. After some moments of silence Cainenyo finally said, "Are you worried for the city?"

Arenwino was surprised by his father's question. "The city may be attacked, but we are not without allies." A weak glimmer of hope grew in Cainenyo's heart.