Tianwen·Magweth Pengolodh

What an insult!Sweep them all back to the inn stables, that's where they belong.Good king, you must have muddied your clever mind with too many full-breasted hens for telling us such nonsense—or green almond preserves, perhaps.Tell us all, which one is it? "

The Pocket King pretended to stumble: "Oh, it's true. I'm unarmed, I said, I can't resist such a fierce attack. But no matter what, there are always people who want to get married and be happy. Kind people, you Now that you have received my blessing, are you willing to pay some taxes to the Pocket Court?"

Rosenzil pointed at the food: "It's all there, you pig, enjoy it with your little piggies!"

The clowns happily filed in, packed the shop to the brim, and launched an assault on the remaining food and drink.When the Pocket King rolled through the door, Pengolod met his gaze: "Is this really necessary?"

Nuf laughed: "It's not necessary for my stomach! It's just a custom. But the wine looks good." He picked up a large wine jar and drank directly from it.

Pengolod whispered, "My lord, I have found the answer to that question of yours."

Noof's eyebrows flew up above the spout: "Really?" Pengolod just nodded, and Noof saw this, and shrewdly added: "Ah. You found the answer, but you didn't say you would will tell me."

"I told Alfwine. You'd better listen to him," said Pengolod.

Nufu was silent for a while, and grinned: "Elf man, compared to your painless insult, this is really doubly annoying. This nonsense plus the wedding night, you're going to make me wait a whole day for it .”

"You and Alfwine can talk more than that," Pengolod said.

Nuf waved his hand casually: "If you're thinking of a way for me to take care of your partner, I will. Don't worry, if Qiryatan doesn't like him, it will only make it more difficult to take care of your friend." Fun. So, stop trying to woo! You elves have no sense of humor, and that's the problem. I hear you're leaving. Have one last drink with us!"

Pengolod had only intended to stay a moment longer.Then, unexpectedly, he said his last farewell to Rosenzil; then he said his penultimate farewell to Alfwine, and drank a second glass of mead as they talked.For some reason, he began to help the Pocket Queen to tie the braids of the wig more securely, and at this moment, the guard knocked on the door: "Hey, hey! It's almost midnight. There are still people living in this place who have to work , people are going to sleep. You clowns, come out and go home!"

Amidst a burst of complaints, Pengolod lowered his voice and said, "I have to go! If they are from Cirjatan and see me here again, it will be bad!" He grabbed the tallest funny man The actor's elbow, "You, change the cloak with me, hurry up. Then they won't recognize me."

"You must be drinking too much, my cloak is nothing but canvas," the man protested, holding out his arms and letting the red and yellow sailcloth of the rowing boats hang down.

Pengolod could only plead: "I must get out of here so they don't know it's me—if they think I'm overstaying—don't ask. I beg you!" A fine pale green cloak of silk and wool.

"Well, well. You're the loser anyway," said the comedian lazily.After exchanging cloaks, he winked at Pengolod, put on a swaggering posture, and spun forward: "Hey, everyone, look at me! I'm an elf scholar!" Pocket King roared When they got up, everyone rose up and echoed, and the guards beat them fiercely again.

"Okay, oh, okay!" Noof said, "but I have to take my new staff officer with me." The tall boy and Noof went out first, and immediately began to tease the guards.

Behind, Elfwine opened another door, and Rosenzil stood beside him.Pengolod slipped past.They stood there, staring at each other for a moment. "For so many days, I have always known that this last moment will eventually come, but when it really comes, I still feel unexpected." Pengolods said.

Alfwine reached out to grab Pengolod's arm, or maybe it was Pengolod who patted Alfwine on the shoulder.They hugged.Alfwine said: "I will write to you shortly. I will send the letter to the elf ship."

Pengolod replied: "Some elf ships go in the opposite direction. I will write to you. Farewell, my friend, and take care."

"With everything I got this summer, how could I not take care of myself?" Alfwine said, glancing at Rosenzil who was holding his arm.He gently stretched out his arms wrapped in silk sleeves and hugged her.

At the end of the day, Rosenzil finally showed coyness: "I hope you find something that makes you happy—er—whatever."

Pengolod understood her meaning: "Perhaps. I will hope. But if I want to find it, I will have to run. May the stars shine on you forever!"

Pengolod pulled up the hood of the jester's cloak, then turned and strode across the backyard and down the street towards the port.He knew the way by heart, and he rushed in the moonlight, not even turning his eyes as he passed two guards.He paused in the shadow of Unni's statue, gasping for breath as he charged into the port's main square.The white masts of the elven ships were still visible by the docks.He was about to sprint for the last time when he heard someone say, "Hey, that long-legged guy! It's you, the one in the fancy dress!"

Pengolod turned sharply to see a group of revelers leaving another, more respectable gathering.They must have just left some large house on the more upscale side of the square.Some people are more drunk than others.The sober ones were amused by their red-faced friend, who tipped his ornate hat on one side and yelled, "You're one of the Pocket Court lot, clown? Tell us a joke, then, say ah!"

Pengolod said without hesitation: "Good sir, I don't have time. The elf ship is about to set sail for Avalonni. If I want to board the ship, I have to run away."

A muffled laugh escaped the listener's throat, a mix of surprise and admiration. "Oh ho, that's a fresh joke," he giggled.

"It's true! I must run!" Pengolod declared.

When everyone heard this, they all burst into laughter, and one or two even applauded.The central character grinned and said, "You clowns are really improving! Here, you've earned this money!" He clumsily grabbed his wallet and threw a handful of coins at Pengolod.

Pengolod had quick eyes and quick hands, and he caught them neatly, without missing a single one.Then, he pulled back his hood and said, "Sir, it's an honor." He bowed exaggeratedly in a personable manner, and ran away, leaving a group of people gasping for air.

He sped across the square, across the graceful pier, onto the gangplank, onto the deck of the elf ship, and stood there breathless and dazed. "Catch up!" he gasped.

The elf passengers looked at him in surprise but calmly.The captain cleared his throat.He examined the canvas cloak for a moment, then decided to ignore it: "Pengolod, Linton, since you are here, we shall set sail. Your luggage is set up next to your cabin. You can go down below if you wish. .”

Pengolod murmured, "When we set sail..."

He came slowly to the rail as the ship weighed anchor.His heartbeat slowed and resumed its normal rhythm, and at the same time he felt the familiarity of his elf companions and elf language settle around him.He pocketed the coins at the beginning of the voyage, and stood where he could see the city and its lights, until Romenna receded into the night and hid behind Torvuni, the Guardian Isle.The radiance of Calmington, the lighthouse on the island, was the last trace of Romenna in his eyes.

After the light faded, the elf captain walked to Pengolod.He commented, more or less dignifiedly offended: "You don't really need to run. We're waiting for you."

Pengolod himself could not explain why he laughed instead of weeping at this.

end

In Tor Eressia, in the study, Pengolod let the coin slip through his fingers and clank into the bowl.He tapped lightly on the polished wooden surface of the workbench.As soon as he set foot on the docks of Tor Eressia, he no longer yearned for Middle-earth.There’s something here that immediately resonates with his presence, like a beautiful note, or those beautiful trails in childhood memories, refreshed without gloom or regret.Then, he experienced a joy that was both warm and fresh, and an unexpected reunion.But, after so long, he was aroused again to be deeply curious when he heard of a mortal who had come to the shores of the home of the elves.Where did they take that mortal?By this time Pengolod could hardly wait to hear his story, and to learn how Middle-earth had changed since the last Elf came to the Isle.

Tired of waiting, he opened a lower drawer and flicked through some papers, but he didn't read them.He remembered their contents clearly.There is a letter from Alfwine about his son Eyadwine and