View Full Version : Of Wraiths and Kings, and Friends and Rings (Calling All Nazgul)
CrazySquirrel
11-14-2005, 06:41 PM
Orrodel, Monday. Early morning - 10.20 AM
After the morning quarrel with a bunch of revolting pointy-eared Elves, Lilly returned to her room shaking from anger. Why hadn’t Khamul killed the buggers? Hearing the Elves’s insults, she fully anticipated to see their stinking blood spilled on the cobblestones of Augon Vin. She even moved aside, to give Khamul more room for his favourite left side swing. But the Easterling’s blade never left its sheath.
Disappointed, Lilly took off her green gauze peignoir, deciding to take a nap again. She giggled, remembering that outside, several passersby stopped to stare at her hardly concealed bosom, before Khamul’s burning gaze sent them moving. What an idea to make her go outside like that!
Lilly hardly had time to stretch on her stomach (her other side still hurt royally) when Khamul appeared, without knocking, as was his habit. Not that Lilly really minded men coming in unannounced, but Khamul was surely not looking for any favours. Lilly hardly had time to scowl, when he barked " Get up and clean the mess in this room. Do it yourself. Burn the remnants of the table while there is no one looking."
Lilly was outraged. "Why me?!!! Why, when it comes to cleaning, it is always me? The mess is not my doing! You did it and Udu! Clean it yourself!"
"Why? You will do it because I have asked you nicely. And I do not wish to have to ask you again."
Lilly was subdued. Over the years, she learned to appreciate being asked nicely by her superiors.
Muttering darkly, she went to ask Penny for help. Together they collected wax, ink and wine spluttered bed-sheets,and sprawled them on the floor. The pitiful remnants of the little table and of the chair were soon packed in a neat bundle. Penny tuckled Lilly’s ruined pink gown in as well.
Lilly descended the stairs first, to see if the way was clear; Buzukkumarz followed on silent feet. Hopefully the hall and the kitchen were empty. Staying well away from the stove and its low-burning fire, Penny sent the large bundle flying. Flames roared, consuming the evidence of the last night’s fight. The two nazgul moved even further from the fire.
When all had been consumed, they returned upstairs to collect the empty bottles and glasses. Penny carried all that down, while Lilly straightened the bed. Satisfied with the result of her labours, she decided to dress and take a morning walk, before going to the University. She called for Zimra, but the maid was nowhere to be seen. Cursing, Lilly asked Penny to help her again. Soon, washed and dressed, Lilly and Penny strolled to the University, where they received their time-tables. Checking the lists, they found out that neither of them had classes on Monday.
Cheerful, they returned to Augon Vin that was now buzzing with activity. The market stalls occupied the East side of the square, customers milling around. Lilly and Penny started to walk across the square, when a dog suddenly barked at them.
"Quiet, Watson! ..heel, boy!" called a big, portly, middle-aged man in a funny deer-stalker hat. The hound obeyed, a low growl in his throat.
"I don’t like this one", Penny sent a thought to Lilly. "He looks like a copper."
Butterbeer
11-15-2005, 05:52 PM
“Good to see both of you today. Splendid day, is it not?”
Professor Bumbledore had recognised the standing professor from the reception the previous night - ahh! he felt he was going to like this new fellow - already found the Swan had he?
exchanging smiling looks Bumbledore and Jas Fernik both approached the new professor at his table ...
"A splendid day to not be teaching!" replied Bumbledore and Jas almost in unison ...
"you first!" chuckled jas pointing Bumble into the nearest and easiest seat.
Bumbledore collapsed heavily into the chair with one of his "grrrummphs!' - an articulate man (in the main) he was known for these wheezy noises and sighs - they seemed to go very well with the creaks ....
readjusting his tattered dressing gown with diginity and stretching out his bear-skin slippers under the table, he cast his peircing blue eye over at the man opposite him ...
"A pleasure to meet you ... professor Bumbledore at your service!"
pointing to jas as he sat down he continued ...
"Professor jas Fernik! ... My colleague and the eminent teacher here of the finer arts of wine appreciation - a noble position!"
"We noticed with appreciation that you liked the odd goblet yourself ...professor ....???"
bumble was uncertain if he had been told the new professor's name - either way he was at a loss .... probably jas wouldn't remember either .. shame Des hadn't accepted his offer to come to lunch - but he had been busy he'd said, needed to talk to some of the students signed up for commerce ... what for, Bumble couldn't think ...
Udukhaturz
11-15-2005, 09:34 PM
Singing Swan Inn, Monday afternoon, around 2 PM
"We noticed with appreciation that you liked the odd goblet yourself ...professor ....???"
“Maethor,” Udu replied as he nodded to them both and then sat down. “We were sitting at the same table at the reception last night. Professor Bumbledore, Professor Fernik, good to see you both again.”
“Quite eccentric,” Udu thought as he looked to Bumbledore in his tattered dressing gown.
“Indeed, I am fond of wine. In the East it is said that wine is the drink that frees the soul. I vow that it is the secret to health and long life! Professor Fernik,” Udu said, “I see you will be teaching an admirable science, the art of tasting wine. I am sure the students will benefit richly from your instruction in the coming year.” He paused and took a drink from his goblet.
The serving maid walked to the table. “Good afternoon, gentlemen. May I take your order?”
“Eat heartily, Professor Bumbledore and Fernik. The meal and drinks are on me.”
Lotesse
11-16-2005, 01:06 AM
Monday morning, just past dawn - 7ish
After finishing Laslech's pre-race morning grooming, Viv mounted the black mare and together they walked around the side of Orrodel House, heading to the meeting spot in the park that Ray had said to meet them at. The sound of Khamul speaking with elves brought her to a pause, however, and she hung back worriedly yet fiercely on guard, in the cover of the greenery and shade of the house, in order to observe and to ready herself in case Khamul needed backup. She witnessed the interesting confrontation; then, when all was obviously under control and the elves had taken their leave, she slipped away, off her property, finally heading for the race.
Grey_Wolf
11-16-2005, 09:37 AM
Monday Morning, about 9 am.
Scars, Trick and Treat were traipsing through the Reception hall in search of
something of value. They hadn't found anything so far and were beginning to get a little depressed, when Treat spotted a golden ring lying beneath a chair carelessly left behind.
In front of Itazel and Danor's house
Monday morning
As they waited for someone to open the door, the thought flashed through Alagos's mind that Eärniel didn't seem to mind the Pereldar ...
Marriage, save for rare ill chances or strange fates, was the natural course of life for all the Eldar, and he had danced merrily through the night at many a wedding among his family and numerous friends, wondering idly when it would be his turn. As the years went by, the thoughts at the numerous weddings turned slowly but surely from idle to anticipatory; for in his parents, he had an up-close view of a wonderful marriage and it made him look forward to his own. Twice in his lifetime, after the Fall of Gondolin, he had thought he had found love, and thought it was starting to be returned; but as soon as the topic of family came up and the ladies in question found out about his parentage (for it was not obvious in his features or actions), it had cooled on the side of the lady and eventually died off. Thinking back on these things, Alagos rubbed his jawbone thoughtfully - perhaps they had thought he would suddenly sprout a beard or something - whatever vague fear they had, it was enough to stop the relationship cold.
Tyaron looked at his friend rubbing his jaw thoughtfully, and wondered what he was thinking.
Gordis
11-16-2005, 01:51 PM
Orrodel, 10.30 AM Monday
Zimra finished packing a medium-sized bag with Professor Galadannun’s clothes and a few books. He had surprisingly few personal possessions for a nobleman. And his rooms were tidy, not like his siblings. Zimra looked around. Wonderful rooms, what a stupid idea to go live in some apartment in the University! She has overheard Professor’s talk with Lady Lilly, "You will be glad to hear I am leaving," he said. Lord Galadannun seemed bitter, probably his sister was not paying her elder brother due respect. How sad.
Zimra put the bag near the door and started towards the stairs. "I will ask Lady Lilly permission to visit my parents", thought she. Perhaps Melwen is there, or at my uncle’s.
At this moment she heard a polite knock on the front door. Zimra noticed that the voices of Lady Lilly and Professor Galadannun coming from the living room, suddenly stopped.
"Could it be Melwen? Hardly. She will not come to the front door, she knows her place" thought Zimra, rushing down.
She opened the door to a large, portly man. On his sleeve was a single silver star on the red field, a badge of the Tharbad watch. And on his heels there was a big dog.
"Mornin’ Zimra" said the man.
"Oh, good morning, Constable Barliman, Sir!"
Now Zimra recognised him also. The man was looking down at her, without his usual wide grin, hesitation in his eyes.
Zimra’s throat was suddenly dry. "Melwen?" she breathed.
The constable nodded. "She is dead, lass. Fall from the Bridge she did, pour soul. T’was early this morn."
Zimra closed her eyes, raised her hands to her mouth and wailed. The constable was patting her shoulder, muttering something, but Zimra heeded his words not. The house was dead quite, listening.
Suddenly Zimra raised her tear-spluttered face, and pointed an accusatory finger in the direction of the courtyard.
Shaking from anger, she cried,
"It is him, the stable-boy! I have known it from the start! T’was him as was with Zimra last night, t’was him as made her drink, and lied about it! He murdered her as sure as if he pushed her down hisself!".
Telcontar_Dunedain
11-16-2005, 03:11 PM
12:30 Governors Mansion. Monday
“Sir,” called the doorman. “Sir. Your daughters are arriving.”
“Thank you,” replied Azrabel. “Send them in when they arrive.”
“There’s someone with them sir. A man, older than the girls by the looks of it. Shall I send him in as well?” said the doorman.
“A man?” said Azrabel, leaving his study. “I’ve seen him before. From the reception last night. What on Middle-earth are they doing with a Professor?”
“Do you still want to send them in sir?” asked the doorman.
“No, it’s ok thank you. What I have to ask them can wait,” said Azrabel returning to his study.
What were his girls doing with a Professor from the University? Both of them wanted to marry the King as much as he wanted one of them to. Did they really think that walking around Tharbad with another man was going to help them in any way at all? Sometimes he didn’t know what went on in either of his daughter’s mind. Sometimes he really didn’t. But he would find out. The Professor wouldn’t be there for long. He would surely have lessons to prepare for.
One hour later Azrabel sat bored in his study. He knew his girls could talk for a long time, but this Professor was making them sound quiet. Tales of Eastern Wars, and speeches about his many wives.
“Now I must be going.”
These words bought joy to Azrabel. Finally. Then the door closed, and the door for Azrabel’s study opened almost simultaneously.
“Who was that then girls,” said Azrabel, walking out of the study door.
“Professor Maethor. He is nice Daddy. You should have met him,” beamed Malaphel.
“I’m sure he was, but more to the point what were you doing with him,” replied Azrabel.
“Showing him round Tharbad. He’s new here you see, we thought he might like a guided tour,” said Miriel.
“Of course you did. But I thought that you wanted to marry the King, Miriel. And you Malaphel. Do you really think that walking round Tharbad, flirting with a Professor from the University will help that cause? Because I think not. I am not asking you to ignore Professor Maethor, just be a little more sensible next time,” replied Azrabel.
Earniel
11-16-2005, 05:16 PM
Itazel and Danor's house
Monday morning
Danor opened the door to find two Elves on his doorstep. This surprised him for a moment. He had been expecting Eärniel's friends to arrive somewhere in the late morning, but he had not considered the possibility that they might turn out to be Elves. Yet, Danor thought, come to think of it, it did make sense since Eärniel had said "old friends" and most humans didn't live long enough to become an Elf's old friend.
Danor briefly wondered how "old friends" these two exactly were. He realised Eärniel was probably a great deal older than he expected too. But still, one never asks a lady for her age, whether she still looks in her twenties after a few millennia or not.
"Come in", he said, "you two must be Eärniel's friends. Come in. And welcome in my home. My name's Danor."
The two Elves introduced themselves courteously and followed Danor inside. Danor led them to the old common room.
"This used to be an old inn," Danor explained, "So it doesn't quite look like a normal house, I'm afraid. But aside from Eärniel there are no other guests in the house, so you'll find it quite peaceful. For the rest there is just me and my dearest wife Itazel, who - I might warn you - is supreme Reigning Queen in all matters regarding this househo-"
"Danor!" Itazel's voice interrupted, coming from above. "Stop harassing Eärniel's guests with that babbling. They'll be wanting to see their rooms, I'm sure."
"Of course, dear. We're coming up right away!" Danor called back. He turned towards the Elves and winked. "She also still has superb hearing. But follow me, I'll show you your rooms."
Udukhaturz
11-16-2005, 07:14 PM
Singing Swan Inn, Monday afternoon, half past two
The service in the Singing Swan Inn was admirably quick, and soon the serving maids had arrived with their orders. Udu, a very light eater, already had his bottle of wine and he ordered no food for himself. Since he was going light on the wine, Udu had consumed barely half a bottle by the time the meal was served.
He noticed that Professor Bumbledore and Jas Fernik had each ordered copious meals. He watched the sheer delight in their eyes as the serving maid sat the plates in front of them. Bumbledore had ordered a whole cold chicken along with the accompanying vegetables, breads, condiments, herbs and spices and a large goblet of wine.
Professor Fernik had contented himself with a section of cold eel stuffed with vegetables. “A light luncheon,” Professor Fernik had beamed, “nothing heavy until the evening meal.”
The University’s professor of wine tasting informed them, “You must always be careful to select the appropriate wine to go with each meal. I prefer the lighter wines when eating fish.” He closed his eyes and moved the goblet slowly back and forth under his nose before drinking, “Light Nurn, vintage 35 Third Age. Outstanding!”
Bumbledore smiled as he tore into the bird with both hands, “I am eating light this afternoon.”
Maethor was impressed with the rapidity with which both of them devoured their meals. When the serving maid came back and asked if any cared for dessert, Professor Bumbledore said, “Certainly. Bring us an assortment of your most delicious varieties of sweetmeats.”
Professor Fernik was quick to echo, “Yes, that will do fine. Then we can concentrate on some serious after lunch savoring this establishment’s finest selection of wines.”
"Professor Fernik and Professor Bumbledore, I think that is a superb idea. However, I must be away before the shopkeepers close for the day," said Udu. "I have to buy some gifts for my wives... I mean wife."
Impressed with the capacity of eating, Udu wondered if he had some competition at last in a drinking match. This time his cold smile almost reached his eyes.
Butterbeer
11-16-2005, 08:07 PM
"shopping eh?" ... "well if it must be done, it's best done fast and drunk..."
" i normally have a small snooze around 4-ish ... perhaps you could do your shopping then eh? and hurry back for an early evening appetizer?"
Looking over surreptisiously at jas he mentioned casually "Ahem! ... There's a, ... er ..cultural performance that might be worth watching later tonight - would you care to join us?"
Bumble had finished his "light lunch" and was now pondering over the wine parchment - so far they had narrowed down the list to a mere 3 or four bottles ...
jas was making tiny notations on the parchment ... looking up at professor Bumbledore he cut back a laugh, then looking over to professor maethor he courteously passed the parchment over ...
"interested to see what you'd add maethor, to the first batch ..."
"On us of course! since we have you to thank for the lunch!"
"To professor maethor!" said bumble raising his glass in salute ...(it wouldn't be the last time either!)
They drank their goblets appreciatively, and while Jas fernik filled them back up old bumble, digging around haphazardly in his deep dressing gown pockets began humming to himself and pulling out an assortment of oddities .... the oddest being what looked remarkably like a few strands of a donkey's mane ...
at last he found his pipe and after taking a long pull he rather loudly belched...
"fiddleysticks!" he announced, an embarrased smile playing on his lips
"it's the vegtables y'know"
he winked at meathor.
"So, where are you from professor? ... "
Udukhaturz
11-16-2005, 09:23 PM
Singing Swan Inn, Monday afternoon, half past two
"it's the vegtables y'know"
“Vegetables will do it every time!” chuckled Udu as Professor Bumbledore belched again.
Looking down at the parchment, Udu smiled and remarked, “Nurn Red, ‘34. Smooth, pleasant to the tongue, but in retrospect, has the refreshing quality of...” - he almost slipped and said, “Orcish rotgut” - “...refined fire. Surely not a beverage that would appeal to the fairer sex, unless, of course, they were of that tawdry sort that lingers around the docks.” Udu winked at Bumbledore and Jas as he handed the parchment back to Bumbledore.
“Indeed, Professor Bumbledore, it is always best to approach shopping while drunk but still able to walk... merchants become quite agitated when one falls and breaks something. They are quite unreasonable and insist upon receiving full payment, even though the breakage was an accident.”
Udu finished the contents of his wine goblet, the last of the bottle he had ordered when he first arrived, and nodded appreciatively as Jas poured him another.
“I should have my shopping finished by 4. An appetizer would be commendable after that, and then the cultural event... I have heard that there were memorable performances.... It should prove quite.... quite... educational,” Udu said pleasantly.
“Where am I from?” he looked to Bumbledore. “Originally from Linhir where the Rivers Gilrain and Serni meet, but I have not returned there for many years.”
Serenoli
11-17-2005, 10:44 AM
It is extraordinary the effect wine can have on people. Sitting in the warm and cosy Swinging Swan with an old and a new friend, and having eaten well, and now drinking well, Jas, the mild, shy, soft-spoken Jas began a monologue on himself without realizing it...
"So how did you enter the teaching profession, then, Maethor?" And before a reply could be given, he was answering the question himself, "I, myself, was forced to earn a living at an early age, and knowing of nothing much except wines, found myself teaching. I had a dream, you know, of having my own vineyard... but circumstances..."
Bumbledore, who knew well enough his friend's tendency to get slightly tragic after the fifth bottle, and who also knew the only cure was to get him a bit more drunk, now began energetically pouring out another goblet for him... and making sure he was preoccupied changed the topic to stop Jas from starting again.
Butterbeer
11-17-2005, 10:54 AM
"Whats the soil like down there in Linhir? ... good wine growing area is it? any varietals specialised down that way?"
asked Bumble quickly, pouring Jas another drink ... and leaning over he toppped up maethor's goblet ...
It had been Jas's dream to make his own wines on his own Vineyard... and Sir Bumbledore was, as it happened, looking for a good investment opportunity ... preferebly somewhere hot, by the sea, and where the wine would flow ...
with Jas's skill and his money .... mmm ... he and Jas had only vaguely talked about it so far, but as the chill Autumn turned to Winter ever his thoughts went to a wintring in a warmer clime ...
Noticing the fifth bottle was perilously low Bumble blew a shorty chirpy whistle "phee-eww-phwor up" (this suprised meathor somewhat) till he saw the barman come over with a chilled white in a bucket, and the wine parchment again ...
Noon-ish, Monday, near the University
Alagos was sitting in a nice sunny spot in town near the University, happily singing to himself and fletching his arrows, when Eärniel and R*an walked by. R*an stopped for a moment and smiled, pointing him out to Eärniel - he was in a world of his own right now and would never even notice her, even if she walked right by him. He finished wrapping and tied off the thread, then held it critically up against the sky, where apparently it passed muster, because he laid it carefully down with some others that he had finished previously. He stretched his fingers out and looked around, then saw his sister and her friend.
"R*an! Eärniel!" he called out to them, beckoning them over. "How was the first day of classes?" he asked as they came up to him and sat down.
"Oh, very interesting," replied his sister. "I think I'm going to really like Jewelry Making!"
"And I think my classes will be interesting as well," said Eärniel. "I'm rather glad that I decided to come, although I already miss my home."
Alagos reached out for another shaft and applied a bit of glue near the nock end. "I'd love to come for a visit sometime - I like seeing new places," he said as he carefully applied one of the feathers he had trimmed down. "If that is acceptable to the Lady of Nîn in Eilph, of course. I hear the elves there are fond of archery, as am I, and that those that come without her permission soon regret it!"
Eärniel laughed. "Yes, we do like our privacy, and we make unwelcome visitors feel our displeasure, but you and your sister are hardly in that category," she said warmly. "I'm sure it can be arranged."
"What can be arranged?" said Tyaron, coming up and sitting down next to Alagos.
Alagos looked quickly at his sister, but she didn't seem inclined to answer, so he explained about visiting Nîn in Eilph. Eärniel was quick to extend the invitation to him, too.
"I would very much like to visit there - it sounds worth risking a few arrows to see!" Tyaron said, and picked up one of the shafts from the little pile of shafts awaiting their feathers, running it through his fingers.
"I just came from Hwesta, R*an, and she is well," he said, turning to face R*an. "I took her out for a short ride, which she was very glad to have, and then brushed her down and left her with some treats. She is being well taken care of."
"Thank you, I'm glad to hear that, and I'm sure she appreciated the ride. Please take her out whenever you want to."
Tyaron nodded and, reaching for a feather, asked Alagos, "Do you want me to glue while you wrap?"
Alagos slapped his hand away in mock anger as he replied, "Get your big, clumsy swordsman's hands away from my feathers!"
Tyaron rolled his eyes and mumbled a reply, in which the elvish equivalents of "neurotic archers" and other such descriptive words figured largely.
"Oh, you're just jealous, because you know what they say about archers..." said Alagos slyly.
"I know what swordsmen say about archers," replied Tyaron thoughtfully, as he critically examined the arrow shaft.
Alagos laughed and grabbed the wooden shaft out of his hand. "And you know what the archers say about swordsmen, and you must admit it's funnier!"
Tyaron grinned and said, "It is pretty funny, I admit!"
"Oh, stop it, you two!" said R*an in exasperation. She turned to Eärniel. "You have no idea how lucky you are to not have a brother!" She turned back to the two men just in time to see Alagos doing a very good imitation of her to Tyaron, who was trying to stifle a laugh. "I can see we're not needed here; they're amusing themselves just fine!" she said huffily, but trying to stifle a laugh herself because Alagos was so clever at imitations.
Alagos actually laid down the shaft he was working on, knocking the feather askew (horrors!), and going around behind his sister, put his arms around her. "I'm sorry, sister; we just like teasing each other. But now I am your slave; tell me what you wish me to do and I will do it."
R*an looked at him complacently and reached up to caress his hair. "Oh, stop - you know I can't stay mad at you for very long, anyway. But I would like a song - it's such a lovely day. One of your light, quick ones."
Tyaron's voice was full and rich and was at its best in the slower songs, but Alagos's voice was fluid and melodious, and he excelled at the quick little grace notes and other such things that added such beauty to the lighter songs. He kissed his sister and then, sitting up straight, started singing.
Grey_Wolf
11-17-2005, 02:56 PM
"Treat, Treat, where are you?" the others shouted when the mischiveous marten just disappeared in front of their eyes.
Butterbeer
11-17-2005, 06:39 PM
"It is him, the stable-boy! I have known it from the start! T’was him as was with Zimra last night, t’was him as made her drink, and lied about it! He murdered her as sure as if he pushed her down hisself!".
Constable BB took a step back, shaking his head and sending his long curly locks glinting in the first rays of sunshine seen that morning ...
Nimphredil, his young wife, had learnt a few secrets from an elf once .. and the shampoos she concocted were the marvel of Tharbad ...
she had taken to bottling it and now sold this wonderous concoction between three and six on Mondays on a little stall down on The street of the hours ... make a lovely present, all wrapped up nice like, she'd said .... "reassuringly expensive!" she'd added with a mischevious smile ...
"Now then, now then, Lass!" said bariliman took a back momentarily ...
Zimra started crying, great heaving hysterical sobs ....
barli stood there hesitating, pity in his eyes .... then slowly he took her in his arms and gently patting her back steered her into the hall and with his unnerring sense of where food and drink could be found and following watson's keen nose and wagging tail he found the kitchen...
Sitting her down at the rough hewn oak kitchen table he put a brew on ...
"nice cup o' tea's what you needs me dear"
As zimra's sobs slowly subsided the whistle of the kettle brought them both back from their thoughts ...
barli brought two mugs to the kitchen table and the pot ...
"Where's the milk and sugar?' he added absently mindedly, looking around
Zimra looked up at last, "over there " - she pointed - and before Barliman could move she got up, pulling herself together a bit and straightening her hair ... nice hair thought Bingo ... a bit frazzled and dull, mind ... he must remember to have Nimphredil bring a bottle over ...
when at last they had had a few sips of tea, Constable BB, with a cough, continued his questions...
"How's your tea? ..not too strong i hope?"
" ... fine, thank-you Constable ..." zimra replied awkwardly.
"Now, now .. Bingo between friends, an' in private like ..."
Zimra, after the shock news, was now thinking about what she had said by the doorway... oh dear ..she really wasn't sure about all that ..what had she done? She dreaded The questioning of the watch - what would she say to his next question? ... she was dreading it ...
barliman had something pressing on his mind, well only one way to find out ...
"Any brandy and milk around, here?"
Once watson was happily having some of his favourite tipple from a bowl on the floor at barli's feet, and the constable was sure the lass had calmed down a bit ... she'd almost smiled at the thankful look on watson's face when he'd sniffed the bowl ... The constable, twiddling anxiously with the star on red sable pinned at the top of his green watch cloak, the emblem of the watch and a proud and noble insignia, to his mind ....
twiddling with that he finally decided the investti-er-agttin' had better start....
"Now then, Zimra, perhaps you tell me what all that was you were a saying just now? Who's this "him" and what's it all about?"
and though he said it kindly, his eyes were keen and he watched her closely ...
Gordis
11-17-2005, 07:47 PM
"Now then, Zimra, perhaps you tell me what all that was you were a saying just now? Who's this "him" and what's it all about?"
Zimra blushed furiously and looked down at her hands, rough from hard work, now clutching the mug.
"Oh dear ..I don’t know, constable. Perhaps I ought not tell, as I am not sure about all that … Still ‘tis mighty strange, if you know what I mean. Melwen is a good girl, that she was…" Zimra sobbed again.
"Never drank aught, but water, or a mug of house beer now and then…But never wine. Never three bottles of it. Someone made her drink, that’s what I say, and I don’t know who would drink kitchen wine, unless it was them stable boys. One is just a boy, never remember his name, but the other, Arastud by name, he brought her back yesterday night, all drunk and a-crying and fey-like, if you understand my meaning. And he lied to me then, and he was a-looking guilty. And then, this morn, he told me a story, as Melwen came to him in the night and started being over-friendly with him..." Zimra crushed the mug on the table, hard. She was angry now.
"What did he mean with his "being-over-friendly" thing? It can’t be true, constable, she was a straight girl, not like some slattern down at the docks! ‘Tis all a lie, if you ask me!" finished Zimra with new-found determination.
Udukhaturz
11-17-2005, 09:46 PM
Singing Swan Inn, Monday afternoon, three o’clock
"Whats the soil like down there in Linhir? ... good wine growing area is it? any varietals specialised down that way?"
“Exceptionally good!” Udu explained, noting to himself that Bumbledore’s face was looking far more florid than it had when he had first entered the tavern. “The old boy is getting besotted,” Udu gloated to himself.
“Actually, grapes are rather undemanding plants and ask little except that the soil be well-drained. Their growth does not require high fertility of the soil, and they are admirably suited for many soils, but they prefer a slight acidity.”
Udu was pleased with this knowledge of grape culture, having learned much about it during his days in the East. He tried to recall what he knew of Linhir.
“Considering the pleasant agricultural region; the city’s location at the confluence of two rivers, the Gilrain and the Serni; its proximity to the bay; and the fact that the main road runs through its heart, the city is ideally located to be a major commercial center. Yes, indeed, the area is renowned for Linhir Red, an exceptionally tangy and zesty wine which will please the most discriminating tastes.”
The barman had brought the fifth bottle, and Udu watched the faces of Jas Fernik and Bumbledore eagerly to see if either of them was showing signs of succumbing to the great quantity of wine which they had consumed. Jas looked a little paler than he had earlier, but Bumbledore, though his face was red and flushed, seemed ready to take on another challenge. Udu was confident, however, that he would outdrink the both of them, and waited with anticipation to see which one of his opponents would be the first to slide under the table.
Udu noted with a pleased expression that when Jas uncorked the bottle of white that his hand seemed to be trembling slightly. Udu slowly savored his refilled goblet and looked at the wine parchment.
“I think a bottle of Linhir Red ‘34 might provide an interesting change from white, if I might suggest.” Definitely Fernik looked more than a little pale. Udu pretended he did not notice and smiled to himself.
Grey_Wolf
11-18-2005, 05:30 AM
"I'm here, guys." Treat said and reappeared, taking the ring off."It's neat. You ought to try it out." Handing the ring to Trick who put it on and disappeared.
Butterbeer
11-18-2005, 07:25 AM
Jas always went a bit pale after the fifth bottle collywobbles, but normally he would then get his second wind .... they called it the windy city when these two went drinking, patrons of The Swan reckoned they'd counted up to 9 winds last michelmas ...
Bumbledore too was just settling in nicely ...
"Meathor! Come now you are not keeping up!" he insisted noticing the Linhirian rather playfully sipping at his wine ....
"Come now ...surely you can do better?"
Mid day Monday
A sunny, quiet spot in the city
R*an wrapped her arms around her knees, closed her eyes, lifted her face up, and let the music wash over her. Her brother's songs made her feel like a bird flying playfully in the breezes, or like a leaf being carried merrily down a sparkling stream. As he sang, the slight heaviness that had somehow settled on her heart gradually lifted, and she felt like jumping up and running and reaching for the sky from the nearest treetop. Tyaron listened with pleasure, his eyes focused somewhere far away, a slight smile playing on his lips. Alagos sang for a while, watching R*an's expressive face (with a few glances Eärniel's way, but her face wasn't showing much), then came to a stop with a few last graceful notes.
"Does the Lady of Nîn in Eilph have any songs to share with us? I would love to hear some of your songs," he said, turning to Eärniel.
“Hm, I think I may have one to share, although I can see it will be pointless to try and surpass the one we just heard so I will not attempt it. Perhaps something merry, yes, that would be suitable.” Eärniel said with a smile.
Changing her position to be able to sing better, she began.
In Gondolin the Spring blooms burst,
But still the bright fountain sings first.
The watery silver bells chine within the pools
And Elf-children’s feet the fountain cools.
The song was quick and lively. Each one of the four stanzas was sung a little faster than the previous one. When Eärniel finished her eyes were shining with excitement of past memories, as were the eyes of the others.
R*an said with a mischevious grin, "From what I've heard from your friends, it wasn't only Elf-children's feet that were cooled by fountains - you were known for "accidentally" falling into fountains, too!" Eärniel smiled but said nothing.
After a few more minutes of recollections, Tyaron turned to R*an. "R*an, I think I'll take you up again on your offer with Hwesta, but perhaps more than you would want me to - may I have her for a few days, no more than 4 or 5? There's somewhere I'd like to go."
"But you just got here!" said R*an, perplexed. Not that she wanted his courtship, but really, it was a bit odd...
"I know, and if you don't want her gone that long, I'll find some other way..."
"No, no, really, that's fine," she interrupted him. "Please take her for as long as you need her. I was just wondering, because you just got here..." she trailed off.
But Tyaron didn't satisfy her curiosity. "Thank you very much, and I guess I'd better get going now, while the day is still fine." He rose and bowed to the ladies, and then turned to his friend. "Alagos, may I have a quick word with you, please?"
They went a few steps away. "Where are you going, brother?" asked Alagos. Although he didn't show it, Tyaron was very relieved to hear the familiar endearment again, after what had happened on the bridge between them.
"I'm going where R*an wants me to go, brother - away," he replied. "Or where she thinks she wants me to go," he added. "And there are a few other things I want to do, too."
Alagos raised an eyebrow and looked thoughtful. Tyaron said, "While I'm gone, would you please sing a few of the songs of mine that R*an especially likes? He put his hands on Alagos's shoulders, looked into his eyes, leaned in close and whispered, "And ... do a bad job of it, please!" With a rogue-ish twinkle in his eyes, he waved goodbye, and was gone.
Alagos looked at his sister's face, but he saw only perplexity there.
A little while later, as Tyaron rode off, he noticed a man with long, curly hair, with a handsome hound dog by his side. They were both watching him...
Telcontar_Dunedain
11-18-2005, 04:42 PM
“Hello constable. Is there a problem?” said Khamûl, coming into the kitchen.
“Well yes sir, there is. Your maid, Melwen. Well I’m afraid she’s dead sir,” said Barliman.
A brief smile passed over Khamûl’s face, before it turned to mock horror.
“Well do you know what drove her to do it? She always seemed so happy. Someone must have forced her to do it,” replied the Professor.
Suddenly Watson trotted up to Khamûl and started barking incessantly. Khamûl turned his piercing gaze to the dog, which suddenly wilted, before turning it’s tail and running out of the house no longer barking, but making a sound which resembled the sound of a yelp more than a bark or anything else a dog in Tharbad usually made.
“We don't know yet. I was rather hoping that someone here could help us with that. I'm just asking Zimra here a few questions. Hoping she may help,” replied the constable, after a strange look at where his trusty sidekick had been standing.
Grey_Wolf
11-18-2005, 07:05 PM
Wednesday, Late afternoon, in the wilderness far outside Tharbad.
A rider was out on his own in the wild countryside. The two wolves, Black Coat and Red Fury noticed him right away. They followed him, thinking him a easy prey.
CrazySquirrel
11-18-2005, 07:39 PM
Orrodel, Monday, around 11.30 AM.
When Khamul left her, going to the kitchen to talk to the cop, Lilly lost no time. She ran upstairs to fetch Penny, who was peacefully lying on his bed with a book on herb lore.
"Buz, get up quick! Let’s get out of this house, while Khamul is busy. He may have prepared some unpleasant parting gift. We better stay away till the evening."
Quick as a lightning, Lilly grabbed her small dagger and a big purse of gold coins. Taking a thick Khandian shawl to drape her figure against the autumn chill, Lilly dragged Buzukkumarz down.
"And what about breakfast?" asked Buz, "or a lunch? I haven’t eaten since last night’s cucumber sandwiches"
"Don’t be a baby, Penny" said Lilly importantly. "We shall eat in town".
The bustling market was immediately outside. The great open space of Augon Vin was full of varicoloured tents and stalls, most with fresh fruit and greens, some with mushrooms, which seemed to be a common fare of the North, some with toys, baubles, shoes and clothes. Lilly drifted further, dragging Penny behind, until she stood in front of the fish stalls. There were fishes of all kinds and shapes, great sea giants brought up the Gwathlo on barges and smaller river fishes still fresh from the river, their scales glistening merrily. Lilly looked about the bustling scene as if in a remote dream. There was this familiar smell, making her think of her youth in Umbar and the Age long past. Umbar, the best place in Middle Earth, how she loved its squares and palaces, markets and shops, docks and tall ships going West!
"I cannot bear it, Penny," she said. "It all speaks of the days long past…"
Penny snorted derisively "How can a sight of some rotten fish make you think of the past?"
Buzukkumarz was born in the plains of Rhovanion, he cared not about the Sea. Lilly sighed, and followed Penny into a nice tavern "The Sword of Elendil" at the eastern side of the square. They had a nice lunch of some rabbit stew, the speciality of the house, with fresh baked bread and Buz’s favourite rose Dorwinion wine. After the second bottle, Lilly put her glass firmly on the table and said.
"Enough wine, Penny. I want to have a nice walk and do some shopping".
"Shopping?" Penny paled. He hated shopping, specifically shopping in female company. It always tended to become an endless affair, and an exhausting one, both mentally and financially. "Er.., I am sorry, Lil. I have things to do…"
He racked his brain for an excuse, then suddenly remembered. "I, oh, I have this Bridge Building lesson at one! By the Captain himself. I can’t miss it."
Penny looked at the sun, now past its zenith. "I must go, Lil." He gave Lilly a small brotherly peck on the cheek and disappeared in the crowd. There was no Bridge-Building on Mondays, of course, there was Ship-Building, which Penny was not taking. But Lilly will never know the difference. Grinning, Buzukkumarz made his way to the docks and his favourite riverside taverns.
Udukhaturz
11-18-2005, 09:07 PM
Singing Swan Inn, Monday afternoon, half past three
The drinking match was in full progress with none of the three combatants willing to give up an inch of ground. Granted, Fernik’s face had gone pallid, and his hands shook as he lifted the goblet to his lips, and, true, Bumbledore’s face kept getting redder with the drinking of each goblet. Still, neither one showed signs of gracefully giving up the battle.
“If we keep up much longer,” Udu thought, “they will both be under the table while I am able at least to function. It is never wise to display a strength openly for no good purpose other than to prove who can hold the most wine.”
The barman had just brought the sixth bottle, a delightful Linhirian Red ‘34 that was renowned for its tangy verve, not too sweet but lively with a lingering flavor. Fernik had just poured another round, and then stood up and launched into a lively nonsensical tune about a dwarf lord who was jealous because his wife’s beard was considerably longer than his.
Many of the patrons, laughing at the words of the tune, turned around and looked at the three. Udu felt a sense of restless unease at the attention Fernik’s song was generating. “I must never forget who and what I am,” he thought resentfully, “and I am not as they!”
His nostrils barely twitched at the smell of spilled wine and ale, stale cooking odors, unwashed bodies, living blood - the very humanity about them all - and the vast chasm between mortals and Nazgul impressed itself upon him once again. “I cannot pretend that there is no difference and that we are the same.” He felt the sudden urge to leave the crowded tavern and flee somewhere far from the candles and lanterns, the well-lit places, the dwellings of men.
The clock was striking half-past three when Udu, his face showing no sign of expression, rose to his feet, his wine glass still half full. “You must excuse me,” he apologized, “but I must be on my way to see the venders of baubles and trinkets and bolts of cloth, for if I should return back to the East without presents for my beloved, there will be no hearing the end of it.” The patrons in the bar nodded, chuckled sympathetically at his words, and turned back to their own drinking.
Bumbledore and Fernik looked disappointed when Udu excused himself, “Gentlemen, I can never be your match when it comes to a drinking bout; I concede to the superior staying abilities of you both. Perhaps we shall meet again later this evening. Good day to you both.” Udu bent slightly at the waist, a short respectful bow, before pushing his chair back from the table. After paying the tavern keeper, he walked out the door of the tavern.
A draft horse, drawing a small wain, was slowly meandering northwest down the Street of the Hours, as its driver, a tinkerer, half-dozed on the seat of the cart. Approaching Udu, the animal looked up, snorted, and skittered sideways. The driver, startled by the sudden jerking movement of the wagon, woke up, still half-asleep, and tugged frantically at the reins.
Indignant, the animal’s eyes rolled in their sockets, but the driver only pulled harder on the reins. Udu walked northeast along the buildings, and as he drew parallel to the horse, the horse’s back arched as it attempted to buck in the traces. The driver jerked more viciously on the reins, but the horse, the bit now firmly locked in his teeth, snorted in fear, tossed his head, gave a great leap forward and plunged down the street. The driver, frantically pulling on the reins, was thrown backward on the seat as the horse surged ahead. Udu began walking briskly past the scene as he heard the cries behind him, “Runaway horse! Runaway horse!”
Udu crossed the bridge over Cherant Formen and somewhere behind him, he could hear the faint sound of screams of the crowd as the traffic parted before the bucking onslaught of the now driverless cart.
“Aye,” Udu mused to himself as he strode towards Menetar, “indeed, there is a great difference!”
CrazySquirrel
11-19-2005, 07:55 PM
On the Menetar, Monday afternoon 12.30-3.30 PM.
After Buzukkumarz left, Lilly drifted, examining wares at the market. Several men accosted her, trying to make friends, but Lilly gave them her special "cooling" look, honed by ages in the Dark Tower. Feeling an inexplicable urge to turn and run, the offenders left her alone pretty quickly. She stopped in front of the jewellery stall. There were simple baubles made for serving wenches or poor women. Lilly asked where some real jewellery could be found and was directed to the Street of the Hours, in Andudel, across Cherant Formen.
Asking for directions on her way. Lilly crossed the University grounds, entering by the East Gate and exiting by the South Gate. Then she walked up the Menetar, lined with shops on both sides, admiring the way each shop identified itself. There was a jug hanging from a hook for a wine-shop, a hank of rope with a small anchor, very likely to indicate a chandler, a hat with feathers for a hat-maker’s shop and, finally, two laughing women’s figures holding a scroll bearing the inscription "Valinor". The window was bursting with bright colours. Blue elven silks, gondorean velvet, arnorean wool. Close by, furs were hanging down, ermine and sable, fox and squirrel, rabbit and minx. Lilly stood oblivious to all else, excited, fascinated, happy as she had rarely been in her life. Soon she shook herself and entered the shop.
After purchasing three hats, a roll of green velvet and a roll of outrageously expensive Lorien silk, the colour of autumn leaves, Lilly arranged for all the goods to be delivered to Orrodel. She kept only the minx coat, though, on a nice September day, she felt uncomfortably hot on it. After that, she walked mechanically up the Menetar, past the shops windows, stopping in front of each fresh display. She bought an umbrella, six pairs of silk stockings, strewn with roses in Lebennin fashion, gloves in most delicate flower tones, several hair nets with feathers from Far Harad and, finally, a long scarf, worked in Rivendell lace and costing a heart-breaking amount.
All these purchases made Lilly pink with pleasure, her eyes shining like stars. Barad Dur was a fine place, and Lilly liked it there, especially liked her position of the highest-ranking female creature in the land, but Barad Dur was a bad shopping place. In fact it was no shopping place at all, all the goods were simply distributed, and all the excitement and the trill of the hunt were lost. The Master never understood why the three nazgul girls were so eager for missions to Khand and Umbar and why they asked for such exorbitant daily allowances. The concept of shopping was surely quite outside the Maia’s grasp. But finally, after 2-3 hundred years, he noticed, that being kept in the tower for too long, the girls tended to become moody, disobedient, unnecessary aggressive and generally less efficient. So he let them go to Harad, Khand or Umbar on a regular basis, at least once in a decade.
Now Lilly could shop as much as she liked. Sweet taste of freedom… On dancing feet, Lilly descended the Menetar and turned right, heading towards the Street of the Hours and the jewellery. Approaching Cherant Formen, Lilly heard a commotion , something about a run-away horse. At this moment, Lilly’s ring suddenly felt warm. One of the Nine was close… Udu! Here he was coming in her direction, moody and slightly tipsy.
Totally forgetting that she was not supposed to know him, Lilly rushed forward and caught Udu in her arms.
"Udu, I am glad to see you again, old boy. Why so sad? Look what a coat I have just bought! Don’t I look stunning in it?"
Udukhaturz
11-19-2005, 10:57 PM
Udu was in a melancholic mood as he crossed Cherant Formen and headed towards Menetar. The words that he had thought earlier kept repeating themselves in his mind... “The vast chasm between mortals and Nazgul... and it can never be breached,” he thought moodily. His Ring began to alert him that one of his own kind was nearing. He wondered which one it might be, and then he saw Lilly rushing up to him.
“Lilly!” Udu thought apprehensively. A worried look crossed his face when she grabbed him in her arms. Then she burst out, "Udu, I am glad to see you again, old boy. Why so sad? Look what a coat I have just bought! Don’t I look stunning in it?"
“What am I supposed to do?” he thought. “We are standing in the middle of a public way!” Passersby were beginning to look at them. He considered saying in a louder voice than he normally used, “My lady, I do not believe we have ever met,” but he concluded that would be rather embarassing.
“Beautiful,” he said in Common Speech, “but a little warm for this time of year.” Then he whispered to her, “Are you out of your mind? No proper lady goes around hugging a man in public!”
His words did not seem to bother Lilly at all and she merely laughed. Not knowing what else to do, he simply stood there and began talking to her in thought-speech.
“Lilly, your actions have been most rash! We are not supposed to know each other, and you called me by my name in Black Speech! What if someone should hear that, though I doubt anyone here knows the tongue? I am having a difficult time thinking of any excuse to explain all this, should word get back to the university, or just as bad, to Orrodel.”
Lilly replied in thought speech, “Old boy, I don’t see why you are making such a big deal of it! Besides, , I doubt any people would care one way or another. Even if news did get back to Orrodel, it would not matter anyway. Khamul is leaving!”
“You don’t say!” Udu exclaimed, his mood brightening considerably. “How did you manage that?”
“Oh, I didn’t manage anything. It is the Captain’s work, I think. Khamul is going to be having his own apartment at the university, and I for one am glad to have him out of my hair!”
“That should be a great relief for you. He almost killed you! He always was too rash, and more than a little bloodthirsty.”
A finely dressed Tharbad lady flanked by two servants passed by them and turned her head, looking down her nose. “Hmph, some people!” she said haughtily, and pulled the hem of her skirt slightly away so it would not brush against Udu.
“Lilly, we really are making a scene now!” Udu protested. “We have stood here almost as long as Melian and Thingol!”
“Who cares?” Lilly said with a shrug of her shoulders.
“At least let’s not stand out here in the middle of the street,” he told her in the thought speech as he slid his arm through hers, and began strolling nonchalantly back towards the Street of the Hours.
“What are you doing here anyway?” he asked as he smiled benignly to a passing couple.
“Shopping!” she exclaimed happily. “I am looking for the jewelry maker.”
“Amazing,” Udu exclaimed, “so am I.”
“We might as well go together then.”
“I was thinking that very thing,” he said as he continued guiding her along the Street of Hours. “Perhaps we could have a little drink later.”
“There is a tavern right ahead,” Lilly exclaimed.
“No!” Udu said. “Old Bumbledore and Fernik are probably still in there drinking, and I do not think you want to meet them any more than I do!”
R*an watched Tyaron walk off, then suddenly exclaimed, "Oh! I almost forgot - I wanted to go to the jeweler's really quick! Professor Mahtaliel had such an interesting lecture, and I wanted to go see some of the local work. Could we drop by there first, Eärniel, before the other places?"
Eärniel, knowing that R*an's "really quick" would probably be a lot longer than she would like (especially if they had hair accessories), sought desperately for some valid excuse to turn that excursion down. Looking around for inspiration, R*an's brother (who was ruefully examining his glue) caught her eye, and she got an idea.
"No, you go ahead, R*an - I'm not that interested, and I'd just slow you down. Why don't I take your brother on a quick tour of the city, if he would like that? Then I can meet up with you in an hour and we can finish our other errands."
Alagos, who was enjoying the company of R*an's little friend (as he still thought of her, although he didn't quite realize it), and who enjoyed being with people from Gondolin (there were not many around anymore), answered, "That sounds nice, if it wouldn't be a bother to you. I've had enough fletching for now, anyway - I forgot to cover the glue while I was singing, and it's dried out. If we could just swing by Itazel and Danor's house first, I'll drop these things off, then I'm ready to go."
R*an was secretly relieved, as she knew she wouldn't need to hurry now. "Well, that sounds great, then! I'll meet you back here in an hour."
Lady Marion Magdalena
11-20-2005, 04:13 PM
Mahtaliel had dismissed her jewelry making class with a sense of satisfied relief. It was a small class this year, just four people, that would make things easier come project time. It was an odd group mix of students though...
Three of the the four seemed genuinely interested in the subject, though it was obvious that Aiwendis was taking the class for some other reason. Time enough to find that reason out later on. They had seemed to respond well to the lecture she had given, which had mostly just outlined the topics the course would cover, expectations and safety rules, details. The real lessons would start next time.
Noon had come and gone and Mahtaliel still had nearly three hours before her next class. Currently she was walking down the Street of the Hours, on her way to the public school. Fionne had invited her to join them for the afternoon meal and she had accepted.
CrazySquirrel
11-20-2005, 05:25 PM
Street of the Hours, 3.30 PM on Monday
Udu slid his arm through Lilly’s as they strolled nonchalantly along the Street of the Hours. Lilly chatted animatedly on the way.
"Who are those Bumbledore and Fernik? Never heard of them… Ah, some professors... how dull. What a pity I haven’t been at the Reception yesterday. ‘Twas really churlish of the Chancellor not to think of inviting me! I am not some mortal fool of no consequence! One day he will be sorry for treating me like that!"
"Lilly, keep quiet, we can be overheard," Udu warned her in thought-speech, but Lilly paid it no heed.
"What a nice city, I really LIKE it here. The shops are so great! I am dying to see the jewellery shop! I am looking for amethyst earrings and a necklace to match my Ring, you know. I had them once, but they were lost in the last war and all that…"
Udu hissed a warning again, and Lilly was silent for a full minute. They approached the jewellery shop, called "Seven Stars". The street was really crowded now, mostly elegant ladies attended by servants, with occasional male noble looking for a present for his beloved.
Lilly turned to Udu and asked "Tell me, whom are you buying the jewellery for? Eh? Have you already got a sweetheart here in Tharbad?" Lilly pocked Udu in the ribs with her elbow. "That was fast, old boy!" Lilly’s laughter chimed as silver bells, attracting universal attention from the passers-by. "And what did you say was your name again?"
The last sane person
11-20-2005, 06:19 PM
Place holder, no need to wait for me. Just plow ahead.
Lotesse
11-20-2005, 07:07 PM
It didn't take long to reach the rendezvous point, and as she trotted up to greet Raendil and Martalion, Viv tried to tamp down the rising surge of excitement she felt just from laying eyes upon Ray.
'I'm through with telling myself it's not a good idea to feel this way,' she was thinking. 'I want this! I want to yield to this, this emotion, this happiness he gives me. What harm anyway could it possibly do? I'm in control. He's only human, after all.'
Viniglaen was young, young to the world of emotional intricacy. She had no idea how monumental the power of first love really could be, how destructive and beautiful, how irrational and perfect. There was much for her to learn.
As the three of them exchanged sweetly electric pre-race pleasantries, and then readied themselves and finally took off, Viv felt like she was flying, flying inside a whirlwind. And it wasn't Laslech's amazing sprinting that was giving her this unique sensation, it was something nameless and new inside and all around her, crackling like tiny lightning, charged, hot, and feeling of indestructable, powerful exhilaration.
Udukhaturz
11-20-2005, 09:13 PM
Street of the Hours, 3.30 PM on Monday
Lilly would never need a trumpeter to announce her presence; her voice took care of that. “Lilly, not so loud,” Udu reminded her again in thought-speech. People were watching them.
“To answer your question,” he said quietly, “Bumbledore and Fernik are professors at the university, who seem to be good sorts, quite solid chaps.”
Across the street, a regally dressed lady with two small children in tow, had quickened her pace when one of her offspring piped up, “Mother, who is the lady with the loud voice!”
“I do not know!” the mother said, pulling the child behind her. “We do not associate with that sort!”
“Ohh,” the child said, his eyes big.
As they neared the jewelry store with the sign that named it “The Seven Stars,” Lilly’s voice became even shriller. "And what did you say was your name again?" she asked.
“Maethor,” Udu said, his eyes beginning to flash as a warning. Maybe Khamul’s ways of dealing with Lilly were not so bad after all. “Perhaps,” he thought as he looked to Lilly’s Ring and considered the dagger hidden beneath his tunic, “I owe him an apology.”
“I do not have a sweetheart in Tharbad,” he hissed in thought-speech. “The baubles I will be buying are for my wives back in the East. One word from you, Lilly, about them, and you will be very sorry!” He roughly pulled her into the Seven Stars before she could answer.
CrazySquirrel
11-21-2005, 05:32 PM
The Seven Stars, 4 PM on Monday
"Wives!" exclaimed Lilly, in thought speech, this time. "Look at this tark! I thought many wives were an Easterling custom! How many have you got? Are they beautiful? But what an idea to get involved with mortals! Soon they will grow OLD and ugly. Meh…"
Udu smiled at the elderly shop-keeper who hurried to meet the richly dressed couple. Bowing deeply, the jeweller showed them inside and exposed his best collection.
Lilly forgot everything. Purring like a cat, she went through pendants, earrings, coronets and rings, examining each item minutely. It was taking an Age.
Lilly cried so suddenly, that both Udu and the shopkeeper jumped. "Look at this, U-Maethor!" She was holding an amethyst pendant. Isn’t the stone exactly as in my Ring?
"May I have a look at your ring, My Lady?" asked the shop-keeper. The ring was right there, on Lilly’s finger, only invisible to mortals. Lilly considered putting her hand under the table and making it reappear, but Udu’s eyes virtually looked like burning coals… With a sigh, Lilly replied, "I don’t have it with me. It is a heirloom of our house, and my brother keeps it locked. I only wear it on big occasions."
Belegar, the owner of "The Seven Stars" was a clever man, and his trade made him a good judge of people. The mention of a brother, who kept the heirlooms locked, made his brows arch. "So she is unmarried" thought Belegar. "And this man is hardly her brother. A very forward young lady to go around with a man who is not her husband".
Aloud he said, "My lady, let me show you the matching earrings. They are made in Numenor, so the price is rather high, but I think they will make a splendid addition to your collection".
The price was really shocking. Lilly was not used to bargaining, so she simply turned her purse inside out on the counter. After the deal was done, she was left with two gold coins, but that didn’t bother her at all. She inserted the earrings in her ears and hung the pendant on her neck, where it shone enticingly between her generous breasts.
Turning to Udu, she exclaimed "And now, old boy, let’s look for your baubles! What exactly do you want?"
Late Monday Night, far away from Tharbad
Tyaron rode late into the night. He had come to the small town that was his original goal several hours ago, but he didn't feel like stopping, and the mare was still willing to go on (he hadn't been riding her hard), so he passed by its lights and went further into the darkness, driven on by his mounting anger and frustration. Finally, as Hwesta was starting to show signs of fatigue, he came upon another small town. He cooled her down carefully and found a place to put her up (luckily the people were still up - they had a colicky infant), and walked over to the only place in town that was still open and would have something to drink, and maybe some food.
He sat down in a corner, and the barmaid soon came over to get his order. She left, and he idly looked around the room while not really seeing it - he didn't physically need sleep, but his mind was weary and unsettled, and he was resting his mind in the strange paths of elvish dreams, even as he walked open-eyed in the light of this world. His food and drink came and brought him out of the dreams, and he realized that he was staring at a girl with long, dark hair, who was talking with some of the men. He watched her while he ate and drank, thinking with frustration that he had ridden so far to get away, yet he couldn't get away ...
He signalled the barmaid for another drink. By this time, the dark-haired girl had noticed him watching her, and she intercepted the barmaid and took the drink from her, saying, "I'll take it over to him." Tyaron watched her coming over with his drink, and didn't object when she sat down next to him. A short time later, he paid his bill and the two of them left together. He was angry with the real-life R*an, who was much more complicated and out of his control than the image he had cherished in his mind for over three thousand years. He looked at the girl walking next to him. This, at least, was simple, and in his control.
An hour or so later, he walked her back to the bar and inclined his head politely in farewell (he couldn't help it - she WAS a woman, after all). As he turned and walked to the stables, she counted the money he had given her - twice the usual amount! Easy money, too. She decided she would try to be friendlier than she usually was with the next elf that came around.
Tyaron walked slowly into the stables, hardly seeing where he was going. Hwesta saw him and gave a soft whinny of recognition. He went into her stall and wrapped his arms fiercely around her neck, burying his head in her mane and deeply inhaling her clean, fresh smell. He stood there for a few moments, holding on to her tightly, then suddenly fell onto his knees, retching into the sweet-smelling straw, trying to get the bad taste out of his mouth. What had he done? What had he done! Three thousand years of being faithful to what he had built up in his mind, over the long years, as the real R*an, and one day with the real thing had shattered all his pleasant illusions. She didn't love him and she never had - she only kissed him because he sang her into submission. As soon as she came to herself, she was back to what she had always been - someone that did NOT want to marry him.
And now he wasn't so sure he wanted to marry HER anymore, anyway - seeing her in the safe confines of Gondolin, surrounded by elves, he had thought of her as an elf - or as a pereldar whose only human characteristics were cute little endearing ones, like tending to fall out of trees, or tiring sooner than the full-blooded elves (and it was fun helping her - it made him feel strong and needed, and he was fond of her). But now he was not so sure - maybe she was more human than he had realized, and maybe it was affecting him - one day with R*an outside of the safe confines of Gondolin, and look what he was doing now ...
He sat down in the straw and took a deep breath. He had always been a very strong and capable person, completely in control of himself, accomplishing whatever he set his mind to. He had thought that marrying R*an would just be like any other goal he had set his mind on, and that time, skill, and sheer determination would eventually win her heart. He drew out his dagger and looked at it, then, not knowing exactly why, he placed it softly on his bare skin. It drew a bead of blood, and he stared at it, until Hwesta, with the sensitivity and wisdom of horses, came over and placed her soft nose on his hand, nudging it away. With a shudder, he came out of his trance and sheathed the dagger.
He thought of the other elven ladies who had wanted to marry him (they had made that fairly obvious). He thought of how comfortable it would be with them - they clearly liked him, and they were of the same blood - they would understand each other. It would be ... comfortable, and they were certainly attractive ... and he was tired of waiting ...
He looked up at Hwesta, who snorted a fine spray of hay particles and moisture all over his face.
"You're right, Hwesta - I'm just a coward, and an arrogant one at that," he said, and sighed heavily, wiping off his face with his sleeve. But how could he go back now, after what had happened earlier that night?
Udukhaturz
11-21-2005, 06:46 PM
The Seven Stars, 4:15 on Monday
"Wives!" exclaimed Lilly, in thought speech, this time.
“Yes, ten! Having more than one wife is a custom among some tribes in the East, but I never went to the East with the intentions of accumulating any. Their lord was foolish enough to challenge me. After I had slain him, I lay claim to all his property, and that included his wives. Though my origin is Numenor, I have adapted quite well to the customs of the East.
“Mortals, dear Lilly, can be most appealing at times. At least they can be taught to be quiet in their place,” he smiled hostility at her. “Yes, they do die, but at least they do not live so long as to become tiresome.” He scowled at her.
“Now,” he thought, “she is telling the jeweler about her Ring! Why does she insist upon drawing attention to herself wherever she goes! Possibly it would be best if she were ordered to remain inside Orrodel all the time... perhaps chained... and gagged!” Udu saw the expression on the jeweler’s face and sensed his disapproving attitude. “She will have no reputation in this town at this rate, and what if news of the spectacle she is causing should get back to the Captain! He will not be pleased!”
Lilly was dumping the contents of her purse on the jeweler’s counter like some peasant on her first trip to the market! Udu walked away from her, pretending he was looking at some jewel encrusted dagger hilts in a display case.
"And now, old boy, let’s look for your baubles! What exactly do you want?"
“Something moderately priced, but of good quality and in good settings.” He picked up a strand of gaudy colored beads, and another like it but in different colors. “Yes, this will do... and this.” He looked to the jeweler and pointed to a bracelet, “Do you have three like this except with different stones?”
The jeweler smiled because Udu had by now picked out at least ten different pieces of jewelry. The proprietor looked at him questioningly. Udu smiled and said, “I have a lot of cousins.”
He looked at Lilly, who seemed very proud of her new necklace and earrings. “Perhaps you have some suggestions? You do seem to have outstanding taste.” He thought, “Even if you do have a tongue that is constantly moving!"
R*an walked quickly to that very nice jewelry store that she had noticed earlier. She stood in front of it, peering at the window display, looking at the different styles and trying to decide if that very interesting piece could be worked into her hair ...
Gordis
11-21-2005, 08:11 PM
Miriel and Malaphel sat moodily through the long lunch. Their parents, Lord Azrabel and Lady Nimloth, were rambling on and on about proper behaviour for young ladies who wished to become Queens one day.
"Do you really think that walking round Tharbad, flirting with a Professor from the University will help you to become Queens? Because I think not," Lady Nimloth repeated over and over again.
Finally the girls solemnly promised to stop flirting with anybody but the King himself.
"And the Chancellor" added Lady Nimloth. "There are two of you, after all. The Chancellor is the second best choice".
Finally, the meal was over. After a little nap, the two girls went for an afternoon stroll, properly attended by servants this time. They went along Cherant Formen, then crossed the little bridge adorned by merry blue and red geraniums, and soon found themselves in the Street of the Hours, the favourite afternoon promenade for the gentry and well-to-do Tharbad merchants. The girls walked slowly, nodding or bowing to numerous acquaintances, stopping for a chat now and then, admiring shops windows.
The sight of "The Seven Stars" brought excitement to their faces. A dark-haired elf was standing near the shop window peering at the splendid display of novelties, hair nets and hair clips this time. Miriel and Malaphel were allowed only little money by their father, but old Belegar, the jeweller, was most considerate. He sold them baubles without any profit for himself, deeming that the friendship of the Governor’s daughters was priceless in itself. Perhaps one of them will become the Queen…
Nodding to each other conspiratorially, Miriel and Malaphel ordered the servants to wait for them outside and entered the shop.
Serenoli
11-22-2005, 04:49 AM
Tolvadok followed Mahtaliel down the busy Street of the Hours, trying hard not to lose sight of her. He had thought to get her alone after her class, but he had had difficulty finding the Arts building, and when he got there, she had already set off. He had just got a glimpse of her walking out of the University complex.
She had been considerably ahead of him... it was around noon, and a market day, so the streets were busy with people and he almost lost her twice. He didn't wish to run after her... that would cause a scene... but he did want to get her alone for a few minutes.
"Hey, watch it, willya?"
Intent on his prey, he had bumped into a man who was twice his size, and was looking at him ferociously, rubbing his elbow where Tolvadok had hit him. By the time Tolvadok quieted him, and moved on, the Elf had disappeared. He moved forward in the swirling crowd, and tried to locate her, not wih his eyes now, but with his mind. But it was hopeless... too many minds in one place. He eventually decided to just walk on in the general direction she had gone.
He had just crossed a jeweller's shop, when he felt someone grab him from behind and pull him to his left into a dark alley. Before he could move a muscle to free himself, he felt the chill of a curved knife on his neck. His unknown aggressor bent his head down low, and then he heard a whisper in his left ear:
"Who are you, and why have you been following me?"
Late Monday Night, far away from Tharbad
As the dark-haired girl walked back into the room, the barmaid grabbed her by the elbow and drew her into a corner.
"So, how was the elf?" she asked, curiosity in her voice (it was a small town and they didn't get a lot of variety).
"Well, I don't have much to tell you," she said, "but at least he paid well."
Her friend looked at the money and was suitably impressed. "So what happened? What was he like?" she repeated.
The dark-haired girl shrugged. "Well, we walked for a bit and then stopped under a tree. He just looked at me for a long time - he was real nervous, just running his hand up and down the tree trunk - then he finally reached out and started touching my hair. He spoke in another language, and said something that sounded like 'Aiwen' a lot. I declare, I felt a bit sorry for him, he looked so sad. Maybe this 'Aiwen' died or something, I don't know. But this hair stuff wasn't going to get the rent paid, so I finally said, 'Why don't you just kiss me like you want to kiss her,' - and ... then he did."
"So what was it like?" repeated her friend for the third time. "Do they kiss differently or something? And did he want more?"
"Well, it was pretty good, actually," she said in the voice of an experienced judge evaluating things in which there is a professional interest, not an emotional one - "I've heard that they don't have many kids - maybe they're just into other stuff like trees and kissing or something. Whatever floats your boat - as long as you pay for it. I tried to get some other things going a few times, but he'd have none of it - stopped me cold every time. Finally he stopped and leaned his head on the tree for a few minutes, then he said, 'I'll take you back now," and walked me back, and paid me right handsome. Rum customer, that elf, but he treated me right, and paid better than most, too, that much I know." She shrugged her shoulders again, and then hearing the voice of someone she knew well, left her friend and walked across the room.
Across town, Tyaron left some money where the stable owner would see it and gathered his things together, putting them on Hwesta's back. She snorted her disapproval - it was a small but comfortable stall. Tyaron looked into her eyes and rubbed her soft-as-satin nose. "I'm sorry, cousin, but I just can't stay - I can't ... I don't want the townspeople to look at me. Come on - I'll lead you, I won't ride." He rubbed the inside of her ear and she arched her head in enjoyment. "You like that, don't you, cousin!" he said with the ghost of a smile. She gave one last stretch and then rubbed her forehead hard on his shoulder - he was such a lovely scratching post! - then followed his lead out the door into the night.
He lead her quietly for an hour, then stopped at a small stream and let her drink. He looked up at the bright, beautiful stars, and then down at his hands. He bent down next to Hwesta and let the cool, refreshing water run over his hands. The silver ring on his right forefinger glinted in the starlight. He looked at it for a moment and then took it off. It was supposed to represent the highest and most sacred relationship that can exist between a man and a woman - and he had given it to himself. Sure, it was to represent his faithfulness to R*an, but she hadn't given it to him - and he hadn't been faithful to her tonight ... Standing up quickly, he flung it into the darkness as far as he could, and then picked up Hwesta's lead rope and continued walking.
Lady Marion Magdalena
11-22-2005, 03:40 PM
"Who are you, and why have you been following me?" Mahtaliel asked her captive in an angry whisper. She had become aware of the man following her half-way down the street of hours. It had been simple enough to loose him in the crowd, but when she had felt the brush of a mind searching for her she had decided it was time for more direct action. She did not appreciate being followed.
"If you let go of me, I could answer you properly." The man replied, tensing.
Mahtaliel tightened her hold, she wasn't about to let go,"You can answer me just fine from where you are."
"S-" He caught himself and bit off the rest of the curse, "I only wanted to talk."
She spun him around and pinned him against the wall so she could see his face, "What was so important that you had to tail me? You do realize that there are less dangerous ways of getting my attention?"
Monday Afternoon
Alagos took his supplies to Itazel and Danor's house and put them carefully away, then came back out. "I'm all yours!" he said cheerfully to "R*an's little friend". "Where are we going?"
Tuesday, far from Tharbad
Tyaron faced the man whom he had talked with only a few days ago. It seemed like a lifetime ago.
"I'll do it," he said to the man in a flat tone.
"What changed?" asked the man.
"Everything," answered Tyaron bitterly.
"You found her, then?"
"I lost her."
Tyaron left the man's house with a dagger that was not his own.
Telcontar_Dunedain
11-22-2005, 06:02 PM
"Well it was my sister who had her hired. She has gone into town but I will fetch her," said Khamûl.
"There's no need to do that sir, but thank you," replied Barliman.
"It's no trouble. I'm passing through that way anyway," said Khamûl, who was of course lying, but he knew that Lily was most likely shopping, and after what had happened the evening before he would enjoy the chance to end her afternoon of pleasure. Anyway it may be his last chance.
"Zimra, fetch me Rian's bags. I will personally take her bags to Red Herring," said Khamûl looking at Barliman's slightly disapproving face, as Zimra scurried off, before returning a minute or so later.
"I will send my sisterto speak to you. If she does not turn up then have Zimra tell me upon my return," said Khamûl, leaving the house and setting off past the University.
After arriving at the Red Herring and scanning the room for Rian he didn't see her.
"Barman. Has an elf, with long dark hair been in?," called Khamûl.
"Ah you mean Rian. No Professor. But there has been a rumor that has entered this inn many times this afternoon. It is of a man, of the East seemingly, who drinks his wine by the bottle. Apparently he travels the inns of Tharbad drinking bottle upon bottle in each inn. Are you
"Nay, but I know who he is. Listen if Rian does come in could you give her these bags," said Khamûl handing the barman Rians bag, after deciding against leaving them by the door for anyone to take.
"I will Professor," answered the Baman, as Khamûl turned his back and left the Pub.
CrazySquirrel
11-22-2005, 06:44 PM
"You do seem to have outstanding taste," said Udu.
Lilly beamed from the unexpected compliment. She was willing to help, of course, she was. She approached and examined the strings of beans minutely, asking the jeweller to change two of them for brighter ones. Then she turned her attention to bracelets.
"I heard, Maethor, that your "cousins" enjoy Oriental dances." Lilly laughed at her own joke. "You better buy them jingling bracelets that could be used to accentuate the music. Like those."
Lilly picked up a few bracelets, some with tiny bells and the others made of several loosely joined pieces. She let her coat slid on a chair and slipped the bracelets on her long shapely arms. On expert feet, Lilly made several graceful footsteps and then started twirling about, undulating her stomach and swaying her hips. She lifted her arms, making the bracelets jingle merrily in tune with her movements. Lilly was a great dancer, her mother taught her well, and Lilly honed her skills over long years in Mordor.
Belegar, the jeweller, stood agape. No one of his customers has ever danced in his chop. Neither had he ever seen such manner of dancing. It was most unusual, immodest and enticing. He suddenly felt hot, and his pale cheeks and bald head turned red.
A sound of the doorbell was lost in the commotion. Turning again, Lilly suddenly saw two young noble girls staring at her from the door. Lilly also noted angry glances they reserved for Udu. Lilly stopped. The girls hesitated, then suddenly turned and fled from the shop, as if a dragon were on their heels.
Lilly shrugged, surprised. Turning to Udu, she asked in thought speech "Who were those, Udu? Two more of your wives?"
Telcontar_Dunedain
11-22-2005, 06:56 PM
He did not have to look long for Lily. As usual she was talking loudly, but not to Khamûl's surprise, Peeny. It was Udu.
"Llilaewen, my dear sister," said Khamûl, walking up to her, with a curt nod to Udu.
"Kh... Galadannun, my dear brother," she replied pleasently, but her face twitching slightly.
"Get back to Orrodel now," Khamûl said when he was no less than a metre away from Lily.
"Why?" she protested. "I'm shopping with my new friend."
'Why? You will do it because I have told you to' replied Khamûl, thinking it safer to communicate silently. 'Or have you forgotten your manners again. I do not wish to have to teach you them again. Also I may be leaving Orrodel, but I have not done so yet so, you still do as I say, as the Captain told us last night, Lilaewen the Sixth'
Lily opened her mouth to protest, but thought better of it, and walked back towards Orrodel.
"We need to talk," muttered Udu, much to Khamûl's surprise. "About her."
"Okay. Come to the library, this evening about seven o'clock. Come unarmed," replied Khamûl, as both Nazgûl turned and walked off in different directions.
Butterbeer
11-22-2005, 08:58 PM
"Never drank aught, but water, or a mug of house beer now and then…But never wine. Never three bottles of it. ..."
the words were running around and around in Bingo's mind like mad mice on a circular treadmill....
Best go and see this stable boy, thought barliman while the maid was running her errand.
Stepping outside he cocked his deer stalker hat to a jaunty angle, lit his pipe and again called for watson ...
it didn't take him long to find the stables ....
standing outside the stables, taking slow ruminative pulls on the pipe, Barli was a thinking .... deeply ....
"You alright there sir?" said a young concerned voice suddenly - looking at the odd expression on the constable's face ...
Constable BB's eye flicked quickly to the youngish stable lad carrying some Hay around the corner .... ahh!
"arastud , i assume?"
"eh? how did you know my name, then?"
"ah, tis elementary dedductione, lad!" beamed Constable BB, proudly - he was proud of his learning of the these inquiss-iative phrases ....
"tis' the hay mark you - and the stables!" winked barli.
"now then, lad ..perhaps you'd be a good enough to tell me what you were about last night with the maid, melwen?"
Udukhaturz
11-22-2005, 09:07 PM
“Now what is she doing?” Udu thought angrily as Lilly began undulating wildly in the jeweler’s shop. The jeweler was obviously impressed by her performance, and Udu would have been too under other circumstances.
“All she needs are veils and ankle bells, and considerably less garments to restrain her movements.” He remembered her performances back in Mordor and saw that her skills had only gotten better over the years. “Now I know what Pengolod sees in her,” he thought, “but he should demand that she always dance while gagged.”
Udu turned as the doorbell rang and saw the shocked faces of Miriel and Malaphel as they stood in the doorway. Their angry looks told him that they now thought him utterly reprehensible. “No, they are not my wives!” was Udu’s sharp retort in thought-speech to Lilly’s question. “Lilaewen, I had hoped to use them to gather information, but I think your performance today has made that impossible!”
He felt on the verge of throttling Lilaewen when Khamul stepped into the shop. “At least Khamul can exercise some measure of control over her,” he thought as Khamul intimidated her into leaving. “Someone must, or she will be the ruination of us all here!”
His eyes met Khamul’s. “The library... this evening... around 7 o’clock. I will be there, and as you have requested, unarmed.”
He turned back to face the jeweler who had judiciously pretended not to notice the scene and was arranging goods along the selves. Udu thought of asking the shopkeeper if he stocked any ankle bells, but thought better of it. He settled the bill, and after the merchant had wrapped his packages, he left the store.
As he strolled along the Street of Hours, Udu caught snatches of conversations from passersby.
“...the wagoner was unhurt, but they say his horse broke the trace straps and ran away...”
“...an Easterling...They say he travels the inns of Tharbad drinking bottle upon bottle in each inn...”
“...the governor’s daughters... they looked so angry as they walked up the street. What do you think that is all about?”
“...exotic Eastern dancing in the Seven Stars?! Did you ever hear the like of it?”
“...strange goings on...”
“Apparently,” Udu chuckled to himself, “some drunken Easterling savage is terrorizing Tharbad, frightening horses, angering the governor’s daughters and promoting exotic dancing in a jewelry shop. What is the world coming to? All now that we need is for these matters to come to the King’s ears.”
He crossed Cherant Formen, turned onto Menetar, and walked towards the university. Perhaps he would have a few drinks with old Bumbledore and Fernik before going to the library for a little chat with Lord Khamul. “Perhaps the Eastern dancers will be entertaining later tonight... I wonder if Lilly will be wearing ankle bells. This promises to be an interesting evening,” he thought.
Butterbeer
11-23-2005, 06:36 AM
earlier that day, around the eighth hour of the morn
"All's wel- ..." began the town crier, before a quick shake of the head from Constable BB a walking past stopped him ...
Later in the afternoon around 4pm
"All's we ..." began the Town crier, as barli again passing by in the opposite direction gave him another shake of the head and a wink.
after a slight pause and a confused momment of thought he cried out
"All's fair to middling!"
CrazySquirrel
11-23-2005, 11:24 AM
Street of the Hours, Monday, 4.30 PM.
Hissing like an angry cat, Lilly walked briskly towards the Cherant Formen, She didn’t want to go to Orrodel, while Khamul was still there. She came to the little bridge and stopped, loathe crossing the water. An hour ago, in her excitement and happiness, she crossed the canal without thinking about it; now the sight and smell of the water made goose bumps appear on her arms. Lilly shivered and suddenly uttered a short, but very unladylike word in the Common tongue, making well-dressed ladies and gents stare in disapproval.
"Drauglin’s pelt!" She forgot her mink coat at the jeweller’s!
Lilly looked behind apprehensively. Khamul was probably following her. Lilly turned left, ran for one block along the canal, noticing a curious barge moored at the bank. Then she made her way back along a narrow street parallel to the Street of the Hours. When the street ended, Lilly turned left again and soon found herself right across the street from the "Seven Stars". Lilly looked left and right, but both Udu and Khamul were nowhere in sight.
Lilly dashed across the street and into the shop. The shopkeeper looked at her with round eyes, dreading some more dances, perhaps. A dark-haired Elf turned from contemplating hair accessories on the counter before her, and lo! It was Rian, the ex-housekeeper! The bloody Elf was staring at her, as brazenly as usual. Lilly flashed a killing glance at the Elf; a glance holding promise of revenge she will get one day. Without a word, Lilly snatched her coat from the chair, where it lay unnoticed, and banged the door behind her.
It was unwise to remain in the street, while Khamul was prowling around. The best idea was to seek company of some mortals: then Khamul would not be able to hurt her in front of the witnesses. Lilly crossed the street at a run and entered an inn opposite the shop, with a sign of the Singing Swan. She looked around and saw two dignified-looking men slumped, somewhat, at a table. Ah, the professors! Uhm... Bumbledore and Fernik? Udu liked them… Lilly approached, putting on her most engaging smile.
"Good day to you, honourable professors. I am Lilaenwen, Professor Galadannun’s sister. I am looking for a good friend of mine, Professor Maethor. Have you seen him?"
Butterbeer
11-23-2005, 02:56 PM
Jas digged old Bumble in the ribs ... amidst merry snores he woke up with a rather bewildered "whoooahh?", his eye darting and dancing around rather comically like a slippery fish out of water ... with a great cry of "Melons!" he sat up with a sudden start ....
Jas Fernick stood up, a rather shy and uncertain smile playing on his lips, though his eyes were alight and seeing the exceedingly voluptous lady smiling most engagingly at him, bowed a small, rather cautious but warm welcome...
"Professor Fernik, at your service!"
Sir Bumbledore had not got to where he was, y'know, without being very fast on the uptake (and though his mind now was prone to wander, often in various directions at once, and through times past, present and often recently ... imagined! he was still sharp as mustard when the situation demanded)
Spinning round rather hapharzardly, he noticed the beautiful young lady in the glinting jewellery, and decided rather astutely, the situation demanded it now ...
with a dignity that belied his attire, his recent repose and his rather rich aroma of wine and pipeweed, he slowly stood and bowing most charismatically, extended a hand to the lady in front of him.
"Sir Bumbledore, at your service, my lady!"
he caressed the words out smoothly with a smile that said the day had indeed just brightened ...
R*an was thoroughly enjoying looking at the lovely hair accessories - a different style than in Gondolin, but certainly very nice - when someone bustled into the shop. It was the Lady Lilly, and in no good mood, either, but she never seemed to be in a good mood around R*an, so she wasn't too surprised. She was taken aback, however, by the intense malice in the look that Lilly gave her. "What in the world does she have against me, anyway?" she wondered, as Lilly picked up a jacket she had apparently left behind and stormed out, banging the door behind her. "Whatever - I'm just glad to be out of Orrodel!" she thought with relief, and then she thought of her brother, and all thoughts of the unpleasant residents of Orrodel vanished like a mist as a lovely smile spread across her face.
She turned to the shopkeeper with a smile. "These are just lovely, but I think I'm not quite ready to decide yet. Thank you for showing them to me, and I'm sure I'll be back soon." She inclined her head graciously as the shopkeeper held open the door for her, and he was left to contemplate the different types of beauty that he had seen in the two women that had just been in his store. The first was like wares arranged beautifully and efficiently in a marketplace stall, with a propriator pointing out their attractions (and the wares certainly were attractive, there was no question about that!), but the second was like ... he remembered back long ago when he wasn't so keen on making money for money's sake - when it was for the sake of providing for those he loved and doing things he loved, and not an end in itself - he used to sometimes close the shop early and take walks in the twilight with his wife, and once they had come across a small, hidden hollow between some trees, filled with fragrant flowers, that they had never guessed was even there ... beauty at rest, waiting to be discovered and enjoyed, and happy in itself during the waiting ...
He decided that it was too long since he had taken a walk. He had certainly done well that day, thanks to the other lady, and he would just close up early and surprise his wife with a little gift. He picked out his favorite piece among the hair accessories, wrapped it nicely, put a notice in the window, and closed up shop.
Grey_Wolf
11-24-2005, 11:47 AM
Scars, Trick and Treat after having had their fun in the Reception hall went on a hike through the City's narrow streets.
Passing the ring between them, they were winking in and out.
CrazySquirrel
11-24-2005, 02:29 PM
Lilly smiled brightly at the owlish professors. "It is a great honour to meet you, Honourable Professors! I know, you, sir Bumbledore, are teaching Commerce, and you, sir Fernik, are teaching Wine-tasting! Why, it is exactly the two classes I am taking! Both of them and nothing else! I always thought these two topics fascinating!"
Both Jas and Bumble beamed at her, full awake now.
"If you allow me but sit with you for awhile and wait for my friend Maethor? We have an appointment in this inn, but he is not here yet, and I am afraid to sit alone in a public place. Those men around seem too much interested in me already. But I am sure, I have nothing to dread in a company of two prominent Tharbad citizens and scholars!"
Lilly noticed a chair, proffered by Fernik, and sat down regally. She nodded to Bumbledore and Fernik. "Please, sit down, there is no need to stand in front of your humble pupil." Lilly’s golden eyelashes fluttered mischievously. "Let me order some wine to celebrate our acquaintance. But I need your advice, sir Fernik. We are from Rhun, my brothers and I, we are used to Dorwinion wine, but I am not familiar with wines of the West. Can you help me, please?"
Butterbeer
11-24-2005, 05:09 PM
"Those men around seem too much interested in me already. But I am sure, I have nothing to dread in a company of two prominent Tharbad citizens and scholars!"
Bumble and Jas cast startled looks briefly at each other ... now that wasn't something they heard everyday...
Udukhaturz
11-24-2005, 08:53 PM
Street of the Hours, Monday, around 5:15 PM.
After departing from the Seven Stars, Udu had first thought of going to the university and leaving the gifts he had bought for his wives in his apartments. Instead, he turned left on Menetar and walked to his new house near the livery stable. Taking out the key from a great loop on his belt, he unlocked the door and stepped inside to a hall leading to the kitchen and servants’ quarters.
Passing by that and walking down a long corridor, he went into his great hall. With the addition of some more furniture, a few tapestries, his own banners, the hall would be quite comfortable. He left the room and went down another hall and came to a stairway. Going up the stairs into another hallway, he came to a door to the bedroom that he had designated as “the master bedroom.” He placed his parcels on a small table near the bed and looked about the room.
“Quite comfortable,” he thought as he walked to the center of the room. Intoning a few words, he cast a spell to ward the whole room - the door, the windows, every last nook - against intruders. He thought of the spell he had just laid. “It would take a maia to pass these barriers secretly... those who would pass openly would have to tear the door down, and quite soon, they would wish they hadn’t.”
He thought he might spend the night there. Then tomorrow, he could bring the few belongings that he had stored in his apartments at the university. He took the covering from a piece of furniture, a wine cabinet. All he needed for tonight would be an ample supply of wine.
Udu left the house and strolled southeast until he came to the junction of the Street of Hours. Old Bumbledore would be expecting him for a drink about now at the Singing Swan. Then there was that appointment with Khamûl at 7 o’clock.
“Plenty of time for that,” he thought as he walked towards the inn. He began to sense the presence of another of his own kind. “Lilaenwen!” he exclaimed. “Not again!” But there was no way out of it; he had promised Bumbledore and Fernik that he would be back to share a few rounds with them.
As he walked into the public room of the Swan, he saw Fernik and Bumbledore at the table, and indeed, Lilly was with them.
“Gentlemen,” he smiled pleasantly, “I have come back to join you for a few drinks... but I see that you are in the company of a lovely companion.”
In thought-speech, he warned, “One word out of you, Lilaenwen, and you might be looking for a new tongue. And no dancing!”
Serenoli
11-25-2005, 03:39 AM
"We are from Rhun, my brothers and I, we are used to Dorwinion wine, but I am not familiar with wines of the West. Can you help me, please?"
Jas blinked twice, and forced himself to look up from her ample bosom to her equally enticing eyes. He was concious of a warm feeling of self-contentment, that such a lovely lady could value his opinion, and untangling his vocal cords, did as she desired. It is doubtful whether either either Bumbledore or Lily heard much as he discoursed on he wines of the West. Bumbledore was quite busy staring at Lily, and unobtrusively pushing his chair closer to hers, and Lily was asking herself why she had asked such an idiotic question. She ought to have remembered that men love to show off, and that a lecture would be coming her way.
"... in fact, I have an excellent supply of the best miruvor available, and would be happy to help stock up your wine cellar." Jas concluded, with a bow and a beaming smile.
Lily was quick to accept, and while effusively thanking him, she racked her brains for a way to head him off before he could start again. She was however saved the trouble, when Udukhaturz walked in, and addressed the two professors: "Gentlemen, I have come back to join you for a few drinks... but I see that you are in the company of a lovely companion.”
"We owe you the honour of her company, of course. She has been waiting this last half-an-hour for you, or didn't you know?" Jas piped up, "But here we are at an inn, and all our glasses are empty. My fair lady, what will you have?"
Serenoli
11-25-2005, 03:53 AM
[I]"What was so important that you had to tail me? You do realize that there are less dangerous ways of getting my attention?"
Facing the angry Elf, and her still dangerous dagger, Tolvadok cursed himself inwardly. A nice mess he had made of things! He would be lucky if she stayed that knife long enough for him to get a word in.
"My name is Girithron, and I am a travelling scholar. I have only come to Tharbad yesterday." Seeing his face, Mahtaliel now recognized him as the young man she had seen coming out of the Chancellor's office, and loosened her hold somewhat, so that Tolvadok could talk more freely.
"I only wanted to talk about, well... you are the professor for Arts and History here, aren't you?"
She nodded, and he went on, "I only wanted a word with you about doing your classes, but when I found you at the Arts building, you had already left, and I was only trying to catch up with you. Believe me, I had no intention of tailing you, and if I conveyed that impression somehow, then I am truly sorry."
"You should have talked to the Chancellor about this, I have no authority in this matter." was her cold reply, as she turned to go.
"Look, hear me out! I really need your help..." Perhaps it was his youth, or his good looks, or his pleading voice, but Mahtaliel stayed.
Encouraged, Tolvadok pressed his advantage- "I did talk with the Chancellor, but it didn't go so well. You see, I already have a degree in Arts and History... I studied in Pelargir for a few years. But I never managed to complete my studies there, and I was hoping to finish them here, in Tharbad. But the Chancellor..." A look of distress marred his face, as though at a painful recollection. "He refused my application to join your classes. You see, I did not have the- the means, to complete my studies in Pelargir, and the Chancellor made it clear that he thinks I am unfit for his university..."
"And how do you suggest I help?" Mahtaliel asked, but the icy tone was gone now.
"Well, maybe you could talk to the Chancellor on my behalf, persuade him? I don't know any body else here, and I was not sure who to approach for help. You don't have to worry, I will pay for my classes, somehow. But I really need that degree..." His enthusiasm was painful to see.
Mahtaliel frowned, thinking, “You’re welcome to sit in on the classes unofficially… I’m not sure it would help even if I did talk to the Chancellor, we are not on the best of terms. If you come to the classes and do the work and show that you’re willing, I’ll see what I can do."
"I thank you! I will be endebted to you forever. But before you go, can I trouble you once more? If I am to do your classes I shall need to find work of some kind. If you hear of something that needs to be done... maybe an assisstant post, or well... anything... then would you tell me?"
Earniel
11-25-2005, 06:22 AM
Home of Itazel and Danor
Monday, afternoon
Eärniel briefly poked her head into the kitchen before leaving.
“Itazel, I almost forgot to tell you, Tyaron has left Tharbad for two days.”
“Oh,” Itazel looked somewhat surprised. “He didn’t say anything about that when he got here this morning. I hope it wasn’t the prospect of my cooking...”
“I doubt it was that,” Eärniel reassured her. “He only told us moments before he left. I take it that it was somewhat an impulsive decision.”
“Oh. Well then, that means more food for the rest of us tonight. I doubt Danor will mind much.”
Eärniel and Alagos stepped outside.
“What I had in mind for showing you?” Eärniel repeated. “ Ah, I was thinking of going to the Art Museum on Amon Amrun, we won’t have time to visit the Art Museum itself but it has a lovely park.”
“Ah, yes. It is indeed lovely.”
“So you have seen it already, I see. How about the Rochdol field then?”
“I’ve been there too.”
Eärniel looked disappointed for a moment then laughed out loud.
“That will teach me to try and show a city to someone who has been here as long as I have! Then how does a stroll past the watch tower to the Northern gate and back sound? ”
“That will be fine,” Alagos said with a smile. “It’s this way, is it not?”
“Indeed it is, Eärniel said with some surprise. “I see you’ve made good use of your time in Tharbad already.”
“What do you mean?”
“Well, between giving R*an Hwesta and later letting her know that you and Tyaron are still alive after all this years, you also managed to see more of Tharbad than I. And all that in a single day, I’m impressed. Although I gather you had planned for even more, like say: seeing R*an well and properly engaged as well before the night was over.”
Alagos felt blood flow to his cheeks. “Ah, she told you about that, did she?”
“A few things, not all,” Eärniel admitted.
“You know, It didn’t go entirely the way you just put it.”
“So you didn’t grant Tyaron permission to court R*an right in front of her, only minutes after she found out you and he had been alive all along when she had been considering you both dead and lost?” Eärniel asked innocently.
“What is wrong with that? Tyaron loves her. And he has been waiting very long.”
“Regardless of that, you two didn’t exactly give R*an much time to come to terms with the fact that she still has a brother and a friend after so many years of mourning them. Would waiting just a day longer before trying to marry her off have made such a difference that you could not risk it? For someone who has literally the time of world, you have been in quite a hurry.” She added with a smile.
Alagos was becoming a little irritated at having his judgment questioned so.
“I think R*an and Tyaron make a good pair.” He said defensively.
“So they would,” Eärniel said calmly, “but should that not be R*an’s decision also? Surely, since the Eldar choose but once, yet wisely, these things should not be rushed?”
“Tyaron loves R*an but he will not wait forever for her to make up her mind. He doesn’t care about the fact that she is of the Pereldar, while not everyone is so accommodating. I know from experience most people would pull back when they learn about the mixed parentage.”
Eärniel noticed the bitterness in his voice and was silent for a while.
“I am surprised that you of all people could not understand their reasons for that.” She said quietly.
“What reasons would that be?”
Eärniel stopped walking and said: “Only for the Eldar forever can also mean forever. So it is not a choice to be lightly made. What can one do if after a few yén one’s mate, who has the choice of the Pereldar, also makes that choice and chooses the fate of the Secondborn? To age, to die and to pass beyond the bounds of this world, where no Elf can follow? To go where the other cannot? And so to be separated from one another until at last the world is broken and made anew? That is a very long time… And for some a fate too harsh to bear. Is it so unwise for those to reconsider before giving their heart to one of the Pereldar?”
“But I wonder,” she continued quietly, almost absent-mindedly, as if she was talking to herself and had forgotten Alagos was there, “If one truly loves someone, isn’t even a short period of time together not better than nothing… Celebr*an at least does not seem to fear it…”
Alagos made no reply.
Cries of playing children a few streets away brought Eärniel back out of her reverie. She glanced back at Alagos but then looked away again. “But I see I spoke out of turn and too frankly,” she murmured. “My apologies. Now let us hurry, we are late and R*an will be waiting already.”
CrazySquirrel
11-25-2005, 05:37 PM
Singing Swan, Monday, around 5:15 PM.
Lilly was thoroughly enjoying herself again. She has managed to make two old Professors feel young again. She suppressed her hearty laugher, watching how Professor Fernik, blushing like a schoolboy, stole surreptitious glances at her ample and well-exposed bosom, while more emboldened (probably by the wine), Bumbledore, licked his lips, and moved his chair steadily towards her own.
Suddenly she felt another nazgul approaching. Worried, she looked towards the door, but it was not Khamul, it was Udu! What a relief!
"Gentlemen," he smiled pleasantly, "I have come back to join you for a few drinks... but I see that you are in the company of a lovely companion."
Lilly gifted Udu with her brightest smile, her eyes filling with tears of joy. Lilly was always in complete control of her facial expressions, so she feigned an amorous look quite easily. She laughed inwardly at the slightly perplexed expression on Udu’s face. He cared so much for his reputation… Now he will pay for abandoning her to Khamul an hour ago!
"We owe you the honour of her company, of course," said Fernik. "She has been waiting this last half-an-hour for you, or didn't you know?"
Udu obviously didn’t. In thought-speech, he warned, "One word out of you, Lilaenwen, and you might be looking for a new tongue. And no dancing!"
Well, he will learn soon enough. "Maethor, my darling", cried Lilly, "I have been waiting for you for an eternity. I was so afraid my brother would find me here. You know full well how he disapproves of our tender friendship!"
In thought-speech she added "You look so cute, when angry, Udu. Watch over YOUR tongue and other body-parts! Khamul will never forget how you nearly killed him last night".
With that, Lilly took out her small, embroidered kerchief and wiped her tears, stiffing a sob. Turning to Fernik, she explained "My brother Galadannun thinks that Professor Maethor is an unsuitable match for me… He is too old, he says! He wants me to marry one of the King’s knights! Oh, I am so unhappy"
Overwhelmed by emotion, she pressed her forehead on Fernik’s shoulder and cried softly. Udu heard her merry laughter in his mind.
Gordis
11-25-2005, 06:04 PM
University, around 3 PM on Monday.
After dismissing his Ship Building class, the Chancellor sat alone for a long time, musing. He had only two students this year, the King and his "minder", Raendil. That suited the Morgul Lord well, enabling him to give Valandil his full attention.
Valandil was not at his best this afternoon, that much was certain. His skin was greenish and his lips were unnaturally pale. The Chancellor was surprised; those were very unusual effects for a love-potion. Perhaps Gordie has added some of her own herbs? If so, she will pay for it!
Ilmenzor even saw fit to ask the King about his health, but got only a crooked grin and a dismissive "Must have eaten something that doesn’t agree with my northern stomach". Raendil laughed merrily and slapped Valandil on the back. The Chancellor arched his brows disapprovingly, but noted that the two young men were very close friends. Yes, Raendil was important. Viniglaen must be encouraged to ensnare him.
During the first lesson, it became apparent that Valandil knew little about ships, pitifully little for a descendant of the Sea Kings. His education in Imladris was certainly lacking in some ways. He probably was proficient in Elven lore, but that was hardly the most important subject for a ruler. The Chancellor found, however, that the King’s knowledge of mathematics and geometry was sound. That was a good start.
The Chancellor was going to teach Valandil in earnest. It was high time for Arnor to build its own fleet. All the shipyards in Osgiliath and Pelargir were working day and night, building vessel after vessel. Very soon, Umbar was going to be hard pressed to ward them off. It was time for Gondor to get a rival in the North. King Meneldil was not too fond of his northern cousin: he hated to accept Valandil’s High Kingship. Soon the matters between the two states would become tense. With no fleet, Arnor had no chances to win the war. Valandil was too young and trusting to see it, so he let the haven of Lond Daer Ened fall into ruins and let the Elves take over all the Seas to the North. If Valandil builds a big fleet, Cirdan will be unhappy. The Morgul Lord smiled. He was going to take over Arnor's sceptre quite soon, so the North Kingdom should be ready for the war.
Deep in thought, Ilmenzor walked along the hall, stopping sometimes to look at the numerous ship models assembled there. Some were rather sketchy renditions of the Elven ships: the pointy-eared hypocrites never saw fit to teach their ship-craft to Men.
The rest were Numenorean ships. There was a model of Entulessë, the first ship that sailed to Middle Earth when six hundred years had passed from the beginning of the Second Age. Vëantur, Captain of King's Ships under Tar-Elendil, brought his ship into Mithlond on the spring winds blowing from the west; and he returned in the autumn of the following year.
Next was a model of the great ship Númerrámar, West-wings, which brought Tar-Aldarion to Middle Earth on his first journey, then his other ship, Eämbar, the Dwelling-place, upon which the Guildhouse of the Venturers used to be, and Aldarion’s later vessels, greater than any made before: Palarran, the Far-Wanderer, and Hirilondë, the Haven-Finder.
Later the ships of the Númenóreans became ever larger and of greater draught, until they could make far voyages, carrying many men and great cargoes. The line of models seemed endless, ending in the impressive bulk of Ar-Pharazôn’s mighty ship, Alcarondas, Castle of the Sea. Many-oared it was and many-masted, golden and sable; proudly it turned its prow towards the forbidden shores of the West, bearing war to the very land of the Powers. The Morgul Lord bowed his head before it.
"Ar-Pharazônun azaggara Avalôiyada... Êphal êphalak îdôn hi-Akallabêth".
("Ar-Pharazôn was warring against the Valar...Far far away now is She-that-hath-fallen")
Udukhaturz
11-25-2005, 06:11 PM
Singing Swan, Monday, around 5:15 PM.
“Lilaenwen,” Udu kept the pleasant expression pasted on his face as he gave a withering blow to her mind, “I warn you... do not attempt any of your tricks on me, or you will regret it!”
Then Fernik spoke up. "We owe you the honour of her company, of course," said Fernik. "She has been waiting this last half-an-hour for you, or didn't you know?"
“Lilaenwen, what have you been telling them!” his thoughts spoke to her. At a loss for words, he smiled a somewhat silly grin. “Tender friendship indeed, Lilaenwen! I will remember this! You have not seen me angry yet!”
“What will they think?” he wondered. “She seems determined to cause problems.” Udu, always concerned that somehow his identity might be discovered, decided his best course would be to appear casual.
“Fernik, yes, she aided me when I was doing some shopping for relatives at the jeweler’s.”
“Watch over YOUR tongue and other body-parts! Khamul will never forget how you nearly killed him last night.”
“Now she is threatening me!” he thought, and it was all Udu could do to restrain himself. “Lilaenwen,” he retorted in thought-speech, “you are going to be very sorry for that remark! Perhaps Khamul and I see things more eye-to-eye now, at least regarding you.”
“Unsuitable match? So unhappy? That does it!” Udu thought as he closed his eyes, silently intoning a chant not heard by Lilly. The spell was a dark one and had been cast in malice. “May she feel a blinding, searing pain in her head that makes her skull feel like it is being rent asunder! May her tongue cleave to the top of her mouth and her body be racked with great shuddering chills!” He had placed this spell on mortals in the past, but he was not quite sure of the effect it would have on another Nazgul. He would wait and see.
“Laugh now, Lilaenwen,” he said in thought-speech.
“Dear Lilly,” he said to Fernik and Bumbledore as he sat down at the table. “Charming girl with such a lively imagination.”
CrazySquirrel
11-25-2005, 06:44 PM
"Charming girl with such a lively imagination." heard Lilly. What a rascal! So he decided to deny everything!
Lilly moaned. "Oh, Meathor, my beloved, you have never loved me, it you give me up so easily!"
Jas Fernik put his hand over her shoulders protectively, staring disapprovingly at Udu. Bumbledore approached with a goblet of wine.
At this moment Lilly suddenly felt REAL pain, a blinding, searing pain in her head that made her skull feel like it is being rent asunder! Her tongue cleaved to the top of her mouth and her body was racked with shuddering chills. Lilly wailed and collapsed over Fernik.
Butterbeer
11-25-2005, 07:03 PM
"great melons of Melkor!" thundered Bumbledore bringing the new batch of wine over
"Wine! ... give her some wine!"
Udukhaturz
11-25-2005, 07:39 PM
Singing Swan, Monday, around 5:15 PM.
"Oh, Maethor, my beloved, you have never loved me, it you give me up so easily!"
Looking to Lilly with concern and sympathy, Udu said gravely, “Gentlemen, I beg your understanding. Lilly is quite... emotional... How can I put this?... Poor girl, she is subject to fits. They can strike her at the most unexpected times. Her plight is indeed a sad one.”
He had finished speaking just in time to see Lilly collapse on Fernik.
“Lilaenwen, you were warned,” he told her in thought speech as he gleefully watched the spell begin to take effect.
“Fernik, old chap, there is not much that you can do for her at times like this except hold her tightly. Sometimes a little wine will help,” he said, rising to his feet and walking behind Lilly. Putting his hand under her chin, he forced her head up and poured the contents of the goblet down her throat. “More wine!” he exclaimed. “More wine!”
Butterbeer
11-25-2005, 08:06 PM
"wine!" bellowed Bumble, his voice blasting through the swan ... arms swinging akimbo...
"Wine!" the blast of this urgent medical shout sent shivers down the spine - an urgent note of concern trembling through his voice ...
"maybe something light and zingy, jas?" he asked professor fernik urgently, spinning round and focusing on the wine expert ...
Jas, holding Lilly very tightly indeed, thought quickly ... this was an emergency ... a late shaft of smoky wisping light shone gloriously through the window, lighting his face as if an angel glowed there ... only his wine knowledge could help her now his besotted boozy mind decided ...
"No! ... Get me a a corkscrew, a steel goblet and ... and .... and ... a bottle of young Rhovannion 32'!" barked the normally mild Professor Jas fernik ...
Udukhaturz
11-25-2005, 08:24 PM
Singing Swan, Monday, around 5:30 PM.
All the cries of alarm had brought the innkeeper, serving maids and patrons clustering around their table. “What is wrong!” cried the innkeeper. “What can we do to help?” cried the patrons and serving girls.
“Keep back! Give her air!” Udu ordered. “Look how pale she is!” he said as he stood behind Lilly, forcing her head back with one hand and putting the other on her forehead, none-too-gently. “Poor sweet Lilly!” he said sympathetically as the crowd moved back to give her air.
“Lilaenwen,” he said to her in thought-speech, “still enjoying your little joke?”
A serving girl rushed up with the required bottle of young Rhovannion 32'.
“Let me take that,” he said to the serving girl before either Bumbledore or Fernik could reach the bottle. Soon the bottle was opened and Udu was pouring the contents down Lilly’s throat.
“Sometimes it takes a lot to bring her back,” he smiled solicitously.
Butterbeer
11-25-2005, 09:00 PM
"Stand aside!" barked Jas, the normally mild mannered professor ... gently positioning Lilly on her chair and standing up like a colossus .... once again by a stange chance of fate the light beaming in from the window touched him... bathed in light he took the rohvannion from Meathor
"that is no way to pour a Rhov 32'!"
the hands of a wine professor are the hands of a healer, he thought, summoning from deep inside him all his knowledge ...
slowly he poured a small drop of the elixir of Rhovannion into the steel goblet, gently swilling it around ...
taking a small sip, he let it caress his tongue all over ...
the entranced crowd watched spellbound ...
with a sudden dashing hand motion he spat out the 32' cleverly projecting it into an empty goblet on the table to a round of gentle applause ...
with a grace that belied his normal nervous movements he gently poured the wine into Lilly's lushious lips ....
Valandil
11-26-2005, 08:31 AM
When the first day's lecture had ended, Valandil stood and began to gather his materials, then departed with Ray. How odd to have such a common class with only two students. After all, USAT made much of its tremendous enrollment of six score students. And 'Ship Building I' was considered a "weed-out" course in some places. Usually, classes he had taken elsewhere had as many as 5 or 6 students - once even 8! It would be best this way though, since he knew so little about ship building. It wouldn't do for his peers to discover this, or the opinions of the High King would lessen across the Realm - and his lack of knowledge of his heritage, as a 'Sea King' would be one more stroke counted against him.
"I don't see how I'm ever going to USE this stuff." complained Valandil to Ray, as they left the halls of the building and emerged onto the campus grounds. It was mid-afternoon on a bright autumn day.
"Yeah..." said Ray. "Still though," and his tone dropped as they passed a trio of students from local noble families, "our people will have expectations of you, you know."
"Yes. That's the only reason I'm taking it at all. And... what can they REALLY teach us about ship-building at our other universities? Where you can't even see any ships? At least here in Tharbad we get a first-hand view. That's why I waited to take the course until we got here." replied Valandil.
"Yeah," said Ray - and then, struck by a sudden recollection he added, "Remember that time... when was it, Spring Break of '35? When me, you and Marty had those old salts take us on a cruise up and down the Gulf of Lhun in Elendil's old ship? Now THAT was nice!"
Valandil had been hoping Ray wouldn't bring that up again. He had seen his grandfather's ship a few times and had finally let Marty and Ray talk him into taking it out for their break.
"But Ray, Arnor is land-locked. It's not an island, like Numenor was. We have one significant port - and we're in it. Even Tharbad is tiny compared with Umbar, Pelargir, Osgiliath, and so forth. Why - we, grandpa anyway, even had to abandon Lond Daer Ened after the Deluge... it was just too badly damaged. So we're stuck with our single major port nearly a hundred leagues inland, up this cruddy river! And it has to practically shut down for two or three months every winter - further north, we have to close our ports for four months or six. What's the use of trying to compete with those ports of the south?"
"Not feeling well, are you buddy?" asked Ray.
"Well... not totally. I AM starting to feel a bit hungry again though. Are you game for The Red Herring? I'll spring for it."
"Sure" said Ray with a chuckle, "just so we don't talk about ships!"
Valandil laughed. "Alright. Much more useful for us to talk about building bridges, or roads, or fortifications, or BUILDINGS, for Eru's Sake!" And Valandil checked his laughter briefly at his slight swear... his mother sure wouldn't like to hear him say that.
He wondered what Aiwendis was doing...
CrazySquirrel
11-26-2005, 05:29 PM
Lilly slowly resurfaced from a dark pool of swirling darkness and pain. Her Ring started working all by itself, shielding its mistress from magic. It felt warm and throbbing at her finger. Soon, Udu heard a thought message, faint, but unmistakable "Lat puzg nûl-izish, fakhthal glob!" (Stop hurting me, you stupid butcher!)
At last Lilly regained enough wits to whisper a basic shielding incantation, one of the few spells she has managed to learn over the years in Mordor.
"Gashn-izg laazg dush oztat" (I command magic shield to appear)
Lilly felt immediate relief. Her eyes cleared, and she turned her head on Fernik’s chest, assessing the surroundings.
"What?" asked Fernik, bringing his ear to Lilly’s lips. "Poor soul is raving in an Easterling tongue", he explained to Bumbledore.
Udu frowned, and, trying to stop her using the Black Tongue again, poured a stream of wine down her throat, enough to drown any mortal. Lilly fought desperately and finally buried her face in Fernik’s chest.
Udu heard her desperate thought-plea "Stop it, stop it, please, for Morgoth's sake! Don’t be so MEAN! I was only joking!"
Udukhaturz
11-26-2005, 08:35 PM
Singing Swan, Monday, around 5:30 PM.
“She insults me!” Udu was furious by this time at Lilaenwen. “Kramp nar bugd-izish bugudu!” (Do not call me names!) he reprimanded her in thought-speech.
He was thinking about cutting out her tonguue. This was far too public a place for that, though. He would have to deal with her in private sometime. Perhaps he and Khamûl could ally together and teach Lilly lessons she would never forget.
“She has done it now,” he thought when she whispered, "Gashn-izg laazgdush oztat.” Udu was surprised that she had been able to learn even that curse, for she had never been adept at working spells. “She should never speak that publicly! Fernik might hear her!” Udu thought... “And what if has ever heard the language and knows its source?”
Udu glared when he knew for sure that Fernik had heard her. “Poor soul is raving in an Easterling tongue.” He would shut her up with more wine, he decided, and tipped the bottle up, pouring it in her mouth.
“Gentlemen,” he said, looking at them, “poor Lilaenwen is a sad case. Find it in your hearts to forgive her for her behavior. She does not have any comprehension of what she is doing or saying! Be kind to her,” he snarled sarcastically.
She was seeking a mortal’s protection from him, another Nazgûl! “She needs to be reminded who she is!” A faint voice in his mind added, “And the true source of her power and the power of her Ring!”
Udu heard her desperate thought-plea, "Stop it, stop it, please, for Morgoth's sake! Don’t be so MEAN! I was only joking!"
“She is given far too much freedom,” he thought. “Orrodel appears to have little order.” The small voice in his mind added, “There is only One Who can bring true order.” He pretended he did not hear the faint voice. He was capable of operating without it.
In thought, Udu chastized Lilly, “Ghashn narkû badzarz Laam Taar urzkû! Kramp lat nargzab slaiug iistat mirz kul-izgu? Puzg za, globlob, nanulg ghashnub-izg Pizdur, agh danghubat lat!” (Never speak openly the high tongue again! Do you want the living to know who we are? Stop this, fool, or I will tell the Captain, and he will punish you!)
“Gentlemen,” Udu said, looking to Fernik and Bumbledore, “poor Lilaenwen is exhausted. I should take her home so she can rest.” He thought about the spacious cellars in his new house, but sadly, they were lacking in... “furnishings”... as yet.
Lotesse
11-26-2005, 09:08 PM
Just at that moment, who should walk through the door but Pengolod, Lilly's "brother."
Penny, a.k.a. Buz, wasn't even the least bit buzzed - yet - and in his clear state of mind, he was able to take an immediately accurate assessment of the scene. It didn't please him much to witness his beautiful, ever-mischievous troublemaker of a sweetheart with her face ensconsed in the chest of some minor mortal, but as always Buz had long ago learned to accept and understand oh-too-well the mysterious ways of his dear Lilaenwen. For the most part, Buz gave her the benefit of the doubt, and trusted her decision making ability and skills at wily self-defense should her flirty methods ever go awry, but when she started her games with fellow Nazgul, this is when Buz, for excellent reason, worried the most about his Lilly.
"Why, fancy running into you here, dear sister!" said Pengolod, a tight edge at the corners of his speech. "And Maethor, also a pleasant surprise! Mind if I join you all for an early evening brandy?"
At which point, not waiting for an answer, Buz pulled up a chair from an adjacent table and made himself comfortable at the table. In his mind, he was urgently asking Lil if she was O.K.
'I sensed only a moment ago that you were in distress, baby. Please don't tell me Udu is harming you; I've no idea how I can continue warding off our fellows when they get angry with you. Why do you keep putting yourself into such positions? I want to take you back to Orrodel and peel all those clothes off and - and - ' Penny's thoughts to Lil were always derailed by ideas of naked abandon.
Serenoli
11-27-2005, 06:55 AM
Having poured the medicinal wine down her throat, Jas waited with bated breath to see if it would work... and yes! she was no longer shivering, and he could see her lips moving soundlessly.
"What?" He asked, bending close to her, and in an indistinct whisper, she muttered words of a language so strange, so uncouth, and so horrifying, that the only explanation he could give was that she was having nightmares which had produced a delirium. "Poor soul is raving in an Easterling tongue", he explained to the others.
This made Maethor seem even more alarmed, as he poured bottle after bottle down the lady's throat, and started talking of taking her home. Did they live together then? Jas wondered.
At that moment, another man walked into the Swinging Swan and came towards them. "Why, fancy running into you here, dear sister! And Maethor, also a pleasant surprise! Mind if I join you all for an early evening brandy?"
Jas was abashed and astonished. Her brother! What must he think, seeing him hold his sister like that? And yet, he seemed to be entirely unconcerned that a stranger had his arms around his sister...
Suddenly he felt rather bewildered. It was hard to think, with all the wine which had befuddled his brains... but now the momentary feeling of heroism he had had, was gone... and he wondered what was really going on. The lady accusing Maethor of being a faithless lover, and then the lady having fits, and now a brother. And a whisper that had chilled his heart, though he did not know why... Suddenly he wished he were back at his home... surely she was safe now?
He addressed her brother:"Sir, you may be surprised at seeing your sister in my arms, but the truth is she was suddenly taken ill, as you must know she does and I was only supporting her. We have tried wine as a medicine, and it has been slightly effacious. Now that you are here, I think I can safely leave her in your charge... she needs a rest after all this excitement. I, however must be home"
He pulled the inert Lily to her feet, and she swayed slighlt on the spot. Pengolod got up at once and the transfer was safely effected. Now Lily rested snugly in her brother's arms, and Jas took his leave of them all.
"Maethor, it has been good knowing you, and I hope we shall be seeing much more of each other. Bumbledore, are you coming, or would you rather stay back for a while?"
Grey_Wolf
11-27-2005, 07:03 AM
As Scars, Trick and Treat, the three mischievies martens, scampered around Tharbad playing around with the ring they just happened to come near a forge, and being curious, Scars suggested they throw the ring in the fire to see what would happen.
They let the ring lie there in the fire for a while and then as gingerly as they could scraped the ring out of the glowing coal and lo! and behold...letters began appearing on the golden outside of the ring.
Butterbeer
11-27-2005, 07:50 AM
in some strange language they were, glowing now.... yet it seemed that though they knew the language not, that to the minds of Scars, Trick and Treat the meaning of the language became slowly clear ...
slowly they read the runes on the ring ...
"Do not throw me into the fire!"
Gordis
11-27-2005, 01:10 PM
University, Monday, around 3PM,
Aiwendis walked through the campus heading towards the Engineering Building. The Chancellor was late for dinner after his Ship Building class and she decided to go look for him. She wanted to talk with him in private, and the empty Engineering Building was the best place for it. Aiwendis went through the Reception Hall, turned right on Bar Aran and followed a quiet lane between the Armoury and the Wine Building. She was almost at a corner, when she heard Valandil’s deep melodious voice, which immediately sent shivers down her spine and brought blood to her pale cheeks. The King was talking quietly to someone, unaware of being overheard:
" Arnor is land-locked. It's not an island, like Numenor was. We have one significant port - and we're in it. Even Tharbad is tiny compared with Umbar, Pelargir, Osgiliath, and so forth. Why - we, grandpa anyway, even had to abandon Lond Daer Ened after the Deluge... it was just too badly damaged. So we're stuck with our single major port nearly a hundred leagues inland, up this cruddy river! And it has to practically shut down for two or three months every winter - further north, we have to close our ports for four months or six. What's the use of trying to compete with those ports of the south?"
Aiwendis stopped in her tracks, frightened by her own reaction. Her night dreams came to the forefront of her mind again. "What is happening to me? Am I in love with a mortal, in love with an enemy?"
She was ready to turn and flee, when the King and Raendil, laughing and talking animatedly, turned into the lane and saw her. Lowering her long lashes to hide her eyes, Aiwendis made a deep curtsey.
CrazySquirrel
11-27-2005, 04:22 PM
Lilly was so happy to see good old Buz! She rested snugly in Buzukkumarz's arms, while Jas was taking his leave. Then she replied in thought:
"Oh, Buz! Udu was so MEAN to me! I did nothing, I was nice, I even helped him today! I was only joking, teasing him, but he has no sense of humour! He made this awful spell to hurt me! I nearly died. And then he tried to drown me in wine! Ah Buz, you must defend me!"
Buzukkumarz frowned, but hesitated to start a row with one of his fellows in a public place. Instead, he poured all the company more wine.
Udu heard Lilly's thought "Now dare to harm me, you, horn ulkûrz sulmûrz (evil aggressive beast)!"
Udukhaturz
11-27-2005, 06:13 PM
Now that Buzukkumarz was here, Udu walked over to the opposite side of the table and sat back down. He surely did not want an unpleasant situation to develop with him.
Everything must have been too much for Fernik, for he was leaving. “Good day, Professor,” Udu said politely. “I hope we might meet under more opportune conditions.”
Udu heard Lilly's thought "Now dare to harm me, you, horn ulkûrz sulmûrz (evil aggressive beast)!"
“Haglob buthaghug!” he cursed her in thought-speech. “Kramp nar kul skessa!” (Annoying, unpleasant woman... Do not act like a very ugly female troll.)
The tavernkeeper and the serving maids were relieved to see that the effects of the fit upon the lady had subsided. The tavernkeeper thought them all a strange lot and would be just as happy if none of them ever came back. Still, they were all ardent drinkers, and his tavern would be turning a profit that day.
One of the serving girls was soon back with more wine. Udu was not even certain if Bumbledore was still awake, until Bumbledore held up his goblet, signaling for a refill.
Udu smiled at Lilly and Buzukkumarz and directed a thought message towards her. “You cannot always hide behind him, Lilaenwen.”
“Now,” he said, rising to his feet, “if you will excuse me, I have an appointment, and there are a few matters I must attend before that. I need to move some things to my new dwelling. I expect some of my... servants... within a fortnight or less. Good afternoon to all of you.” He turned and went to the counter where he paid his bill, then left.
“Skessa,” he thought. “Skessa!”
Telcontar_Dunedain
11-27-2005, 06:17 PM
"Your daughters sir," called the doorman, as Miriel and Malaphor drew near to the Govenor's Mansion.
"Okay send them in. I wish to see what they have bought, and how much of a dent it has made in my wealth," replied Azrabel, entering his study.
"My ladies. What may be the matter?" said the now muffled voice of the doorman, as Azrabel heard the sound of sobbing, from near the door.
"My darlings. What is the matter?" asked Azrabel rushing out of his study. "Are you hurt, wounded?"
"No, it's him. We saw him with someone else. Another woman," said Malaphel, amidst her tears.
"Who, the King?" replied the Governor.
"No," sobbed Miriel. "Professor Maethor."
"What did I tell you about him. I say don't publically make him looklike a love interest, so you go and meet him."
"Oh no, we didn't meet him. I wish we hadn't even seen him. We were in town, at the jewellry shop. And he was there, with her. She was beautiful father, much more so than us," said Malaphel.
"Now I don't believe that, there is no body in Tharbad more beautiful than either of you two. Now at least that you have seen this, I expect you shall heed my warnings in the future."
-------------------------------------------------------------
"Zimra," said Khamûl quietly. "Has Lilaewen returned yet."
"No sir," answered Zimra.
"And are my things packed and ready?" replied Khamûl.
"Yes sir. Arastud will help you take them over as soon as he is finished with the Watch," said Zimra.
"No he shall do it now. I shall not wait because of the Watch," said Khamûl.
"Shall I fetch him now sir," Zimra asked.
"No, I shall do it myself," replied Khamûl, walking through the house into the garden and towards the stable boy's abode, and entered with out knocking.
"I need Arastud," said Khamûl bluntly. "My sister shall be along to speak with you shortly."
"Thank you, your help his most appreciated," replied Barliman.
"Find your brother he can help," said Khamûl, turning to Arastud, completley ignoring Barliman.
"Arabud, Arabud," called Arastud as the younger boy came running. "Come, Professor Galadannun needs our services."
"What do you want us to do sir," said Arabud eagerly.
"Take my bags to the University entrance. The Chancellor's servants shall meet you there, give them the bags to take to my new apartment. Then you may return."
"If you are leaving," said Arastud, a smile appearing on his face. "Then that means we don't have to follow you orders."
"I wouldn't be so smug. For one thing I have not yet left, and secondly, I am leaving, not giving up ownership of Orrodel," replied Khamûl making his own way to the University.
Grey_Wolf
11-28-2005, 03:46 AM
Scars grabbed the ring again and putting it on his right "ring"-claw he disappeared again. Then they heard his voice, but it had attained an eerie sound.
"Lo! I'm all powerful! Nobody can defeat me! Ha Ha!"
Valandil
11-28-2005, 09:37 AM
Valandil's face lit up as he began, "Aiwen..." and then he regained his composure.
"Good afternoon Lady Aiwendis," he resumed, bowing ever so slightly. "Master Raendil and I were just headed for a riverfront place we frequent, called The Red Herring. Would you care to accompany us there?"
Wow... how uncanny. He had JUST been thinking about her, and then she appeared before his eyes. Valandil wondered briefly, with amusement, if his growing mental powers had summoned her before himself. Still, he had to watch what he said - he had begun to address her quite informally - and had nearly admitted that he had just been thinking of her. Such candor might put a fine young lady as herself off. And was it too forward to invite her along? After all, she was not just any other coed student.
Aiwendis curtseyed again and replied, "Forgive me, Your Highness, but my father expects me and I am late even as we speak."
After a cordial exchange of farewells, Aiwendis turned and departed, rather hurriedly. Valandil watched her go, admiring her graceful form, until she had passed from view. Then he and Ray continued walking toward their destination, more slowly this time.
"Nice young lady, that Aiwendis," said Valandil.
"Yeah... I guess so," replied Ray, after a pause, his own thoughts turning to Viv.
"Say - isn't there to be a bonfire Friday night? As a rally for this Saturday's rochdol game?" asked Valandil.
"Er... yeah, I guess so."
Valandil kept the rest of that line of thinking to himself. He always liked bonfires. He wondered if Aiwendis... LADY Aiwendis, he reminded himself, liked bonfires...
Monday afternoon, outside of Itazel and Danor's house
"Wait a moment, you misunderstand my silence," Alagos said to Eärniel, laying a hand on her shoulder as she started to move away. She turned and faced him, but not with her eyes - she felt that she had perhaps spoken too frankly to him, and from sad experience knew that many people did not appreciate this quality in her.
He waited a moment in silence until she finally looked up and met his eyes. "I appreciate your frankness," he said, "it's something I admire and appreciate, and all too often find sadly lacking in others." Eärniel's eyebrow raised slightly - she was not used to this type of reaction when she spoke frankly. Most people just got mad, or avoided her.
He continued. "There is a proverb among my father's people - 'speak the truth in love' - some people, who are rude, or worse, do the first but not the second, while others think love means only speaking soft, pretty things, and don't realize that real love requires more than that. You spoke well, and I know you love my sister, and I think I would like to tell you a few things, if you would consent to listen."
Eärniel nodded, although she knew she had not spoken entirely in love; the (what she had considered) arrogance and insensitivity of the men in their dealings with R*an had definitely irritated her. But she was true-hearted and fair, and wanted to hear what he had to say.
Alagos continued. "I was silent not from anger, but from..." he paused, searching for a word, then gave up and started over. "I didn't quite know how much to tell you," he began again. "But as to the first part, giving permission for Tyaron to court her is not the same as telling her to marry him, which I would never do."
He looked away for a moment, then back at her upturned face. "You see," he said softly, "from an early age, I knew that I would soon take the place of her father, for he was not of the Eldar, and would leave us all too soon. Perhaps this made me err in some of my decisions, perhaps not, for I am only her brother and not her father. I don't know. I only know that my motives were right, for I love her dearly."
A half-smile crossed his face. "Looking back, I can see that you were right; we were indeed hasty! But a passionate heart like Tyaron's is not always wise or patient where love is concerned, and he has been patient for many years." He grinned, then leaned in and said in a conspiratorial whisper, "And remember, he's a swordsman - they're not exactly known for their finesse!" (Actually, Tyaron had great finesse in his swordsmanship, and Alagos knew and admired this, but it was of a different type than the finesse of the archers, and he loved to tease.)
Eärniel smiled, and wondered what those mysterious sayings were about swordsmen and archers, but then returned her attention to Alagos, who had started speaking again.
"And Eärniel, I don't think you know something that I do know, for Tyaron has told me everything that happened between them, thinking that I should know, as her brother, for he is going to stop letting her have her way uncontested." He paused again, then said quietly, "I don't think you know everything she said to him, for I don't think she knows everything she said to him. While he was holding her and singing to her, she said some things that came from deep places in her heart, for they came with tears, yet he doesn't think she even knew she was saying them, for she was in great distress. Or if she did know and remember, she doesn't want to remember now, and this is not right - I agree with Tyaron that these things should not be ignored any longer - they must be dealt with, for her own good, for it is not healthy to keep things in the dark. I won't tell you the words she spoke, but I will tell you that he did not act as he did completely without reason."
Eärniel nodded, a thoughtful look on her face.
"And even if we did err, you can fault us for lack of intelligence or tact, but not for lack of love."
Eärniel thought for a moment, then answered frankly, "I see. I understand a little more now, although I still don't think you two chose the best course."
"I don't think there's always a "best" course - many streams feed a river - although I think there is always a "best" motive," Alagos replied.
Eärniel pondered this a moment, but had to stop, for Alagos was speaking again.
"As to your second subject - I will be frank with you, too, and know that I am speaking with love, although it may sound harsh. Frankly, I don't think apprehension over marriage with a Pereldar comes from the motive that you say. I think it comes from a lack of courage - a lack of courage to face the unknown. I love the Eldar, and consider them to be my people, if I have a people - but like the Secondborn, they have weaknesses, too, and one of them is a longing for things to stay the same. And in that respect, marriage with a Pereldar is risky business, for it is not comfortable, known territory. But love is a poor thing, in my opinion, if its greatest goal is comfort. My parents certainly considered their love more important than their comfort. Their marriage was a beautiful, strong, wondrous thing - but it was not always comfortable! Often, it was very complex. But it was worth it, in their opinion and in mine, and in R*an's, although she doesn't often speak of it, except to me, because it pains her tender heart."
"And R*an is a true child of that marriage. Unfortunately for her - or perhaps fortunately, for things are not always as they seem, and there is great strength in weakness - most of the complexities of the marriage seem to have come out in her. I haven't had much trouble integrating my heritage into my life, except when it comes to my own marriage, but after all these years, she is still trying to deal with it. Of course," he added with a twinkle in his eyes, "men are such simple creatures that perhaps it's from sheer stupidity, but I just don't seem to have the issues with it that she does." He looked at Eärniel with a laugh and a challenge in his eyes, having overheard what some women (who have such little imagination that they can only see things from their own perspective) say about men, but her face didn't give anything away, although he thought he detected a slight smile.
"You see, I found out early that I didn't have the physical stamina of the children of the Eldar, but I didn't fight against it. I embraced it as a part of who I was, and found strength in it, for when I had to stop as they ran on, I learned to look and listen in ways that they didn't. And that "weakness" has given me the skill that has enabled me to win many an archery competition, to the chagrin of some of those who mocked me!" he added with an ironic laugh. "But R*an fights what she thinks are her weaknesses from her human side, instead of embracing it as who she is and looking for the strengths in it."
He paused, but Eärniel didn't seem inclined to respond, although she seemed to be thinking about what he had said.
"And speaking of being Pereldar, frankly, your idea that I would even consider to choose to be of a people different from my spouse mystifies me," he added, a frown now furrowing his brow. "To me, and to R*an - and I thought to the Eldar, marriage is the making of one out of two - not the losing of the individuals into the one, but the making of a new creation where they are both one and yet also themselves. And it would be inconceiveable to me to make my choice in any way that would separate me from my wife. My choice as a Pereldar would be made along with my marriage vows, and they are both irrevocable."
"No, Eärniel, I think you are wrong, for they never even asked about my choice of people - they just quietly withdrew in a thousand subtle but definite ways - they never had the frankness that you had with me. And for that reason, I'm glad that I didn't marry them now, although my heart longs to love and be loved in a marriage." He paused for a moment, and then said firmly, "But not all women lack courage - my mother certainly didn't - and I have not yet despaired of all hope in that regard."
He looked at her - she was looking thoughtfully at the children, but he didn't think she was seeing them - then he looked away. "And I think what you say is right - that if one truly loves someone, even a short period of time together is better than nothing..."
He paused, then said with a slight smile, "And you are right in another thing, too - we are VERY late! But I don't think R*an will mind." He sighed heavily. "She's probably picking out some things to braid into my hair."
Eärniel laughed, and they set out together to meet R*an.
Lady Marion Magdalena
11-28-2005, 05:20 PM
Monday - 1:30pm
Mahtaliel watched the man leave, feeling rather exasperated. She had a feeling that the Chancellor had sent this scholar her way entirely out of spite, it was well within his power to have granted the man's request and there was really no reason for him not to have done so. There were plenty of other students who were admitted with scholarships, or who had found jobs in the city and were working in between classes.
As for the man's story about why he had been following her... and it had been following, she was sure she had felt him search for her mentally, the whole thing gave her a sense of unease.
She would help him, yes, but she would also keep an eye on him.
When she was sure he had gone she left the ally and continued on her way. It didn't take her long to reach the school building. She knocked on the door and waited, sometimes it took a bit for anyone to answer, young children could be most distracting...
"Coming!" Fionne's voice floated through the wood. Seconds later, the door opened, revealing a pleasent faced women of about thirty, practically dressed and holding a small boy by the hand, "There you are, Professor! We were beginning to think you'd got waylaid."
"Not too far off, dear." Mahtaliel said, smiling, "I tell you about it later. Has the morning gone all right?"
"Peachy," Fionne answered, "This year's little ones are an energetic lot. Ignatius has them out in the courtyard running around, I think he's hoping to get them tired enough for a nap later. The older kids are being helpful though. Setting a good example, not causing extra trouble an' all that- I expect they're saving it up."
"They usually are, here, I brought lunch for us."
"Thanks. Mind if Arto joins us?" Fionne asked, pulling out chairs for the three of them and sitting down, "He's a little small to be playing with the others, doesn't take well to playing rough."
"Not at all," Mahtaliel nodded to the boy as she began setting out their meal, "Has he eaten yet? There's plenty."
The last sane person
11-28-2005, 05:23 PM
Disentangling his thoughts of Viv, the race, the impending dance, Manwe willing we are not all that loaded down tonight Raendil's mind brought his schedule to attention.
"Oh crap!"
"What? What's the matter?" Valandil was used to swearing by now, but was startled none the less at his friend's outburst.
"Crimmany, sorry Val, but I gotta dash! My swordsmithing is about to start! I'll meet you later today!"
"Well go, lead legs! And try to beat the Remaking!" Valandil laughed as Ray flat out ran, no dignity whatsoever, to his other class, fortunatly not having to change cloths.
Lady Marion Magdalena
11-28-2005, 05:40 PM
Monday Afternoon - Just before 3:00pm
Back at the University Mahtaliel began heating the forge in preparation for her next class. Sword-Smithing was one of her favorite classes to teach. It was a very practical class and with a good, long block of time and just two students this year they would be able to take their time. Depending on how much the students came into the class knowing, they might be able to tackle a larger project than just practice swords.
She was just pulling out the metal samples when someone knocked on the door. "Come in!" She called.
Lotesse
11-28-2005, 06:34 PM
Monday early evening, around 5:30 - 6:00
As Udu took his leave of the Swan, Buz kissed the top of Lilly's head and gave her a gentle little side-hug where they sat, and took a casual swig of his brandy. Lilly was pleased to be cuddled next to her Buz.
"If you'll excuse me for a moment," said Bumble, slightly bowing to the seated Pengolod and Lilaewen, and holding onto the side of the table to prevent himself from stumbling, "but I must repair for a moment to the gentlemen's room."
Leaning his head in close to Lilly's soft face, Buz spoke very low, and did his best gentle-but-firm voice as he spoke with his Lilaenwen.
"Lil, however mean Udu might have been to you, my sweetie, I know you well enough to know that you may have provoked him to nastiness."
"But - I didn't do ANYthing wrong! I was only playing! It's not fair; how come I always get in trouble and everyone else comes out smelling like a rose!" Obligatory tiny tears began to tremble on her blonde eyelashes, and her little lips were pursed in a perfectly bow-shaped pout.
"O.K., O.K., there, there," said Buz, smoothing her hair, and comforting her. "Well, what say we finish up here and head on home for a bit, yes? Wouldn't you like a nice supper and wine, just the two of us, for a little while?"
Lil sniffed, and looked up at him with the cutest childlike expression, and nodded.
Buz motioned to the server, paid up the tab, and graciously thanked the establishment's owner. When Bumble came back to the table, he insisted on helping with the bill, but Pengolod would hear nothing of it.
"You've entertained and cared for my little sister, and shown her a pleasant time. The least I can do is return the favour a bit by taking care of the cost of your afternoon!" Professor Bumbledore didn't argue; after all, it HAD been a fairly hefty tab.
"It's been great to see you!" Buz continued. "And I hope soon we can all have a chance to spend more time together, eating and drinking at greater length, and when my sister isn't feeling so delicate."
"To be sure, to be sure," said the jovial Professor, as the two men shook hands.
"Goodbye, Mr. Bumbledore!" cried Lilly at the retreating figure.
Buz retrieved Lilly's gorgeous new coat and put it on her, and guided his "sister" out of the Swan. Together they walked casually back to Orrodel House, his arm over her shoulders so as to not appear too incestuously friendly in public. All things considerd, it was a successful conclusion to an interesting day. Any day in which Lilly did not cause monumental irreversible problems was a successful day! And finally, they were looking forward to a little private time together, in the safety of Orrodel House, sans Khamul and sans elves.
Gordis
11-29-2005, 08:17 AM
University, after 3 PM, Monday.
Aiwendis entered the Engineering building almost at a run, and slammed the door behind her. Her heart was pounding and her cheeks aflame. To face the Morgul Lord, disturbed in this way, was foolish. She would have returned to the Palace, but Valandil had followed her with his eyes all the way to the door. And now it was too late for escape: she knew that the Captain was already aware of her presence.
She rested for some minutes, her back to the door, trying to put her disturbed mind in order. She whispered a strong calming spell and a mind-shielding spell. She supposed it were futile: there was no way she could hide her trouble from her Lord. But some thoughts she wanted to keep secret at all costs.
It was time to go. Aiwendis drifted unerringly towards the powerful presence she sensed in the building. The Captain stood in the middle of the long gallery near his own old ship Azrîyakhôr "The Lord of the Seas". But he was not looking at the proud black and silver ship; he was looking at her. Aiwendis approached and bowed "My Lord…"
"Here you are at last, Aiwendis," the Morgul Lord said evenly. ""What kept you so long at the entrance?"
"I … tried to think what I was going to tell you". It sounded lame.
The Chancellor arched his brows. "So, what have you finally come up with?"
Aiwendis’s heart was pounding again. "I have met Valandil some minutes ago, my Lord. He was talking with his friend. He asked me to come to Red Herring with him, but I declined. Have I done well?"
"You know the answer yourself. Continue".
Indeed she did. It was not seemly for a young lady to go around with two men whom she had met a day before.
"The King…he was glad to meet me. He almost called me "Aiwendis", but then thought better of it and added "Lady". It seems that the potion works." Aiwendis hung her head at a loss for words, blushing.
"Why was the King feeling so unwell after your potion?"
"I.. I don’t know. I haven’t noticed," she muttered, her eyes firmly on the floor-tiles.
She heard his footsteps on the stone floor. A cold hand lifted her chin, forcing her to look up into the Morgul Lord’s cold silver eyes, piercing her very soul like the eyes of a dragon. She stood there entranced, feeling the impact of a powerful will on her mind-shield. She knew resistance was futile, but still she held on. Suddenly pain shot through her brain, and she let go, her defences melting and breaking into tiny fragments, sharp as icicles. Aiwendis moaned softly, her wide-open eyes filling with tears. Disoriented, she clutched the Morgul lord’s forearms to keep her balance.
Unresisting now, she felt her mind being searched thoroughly. Her brain operated without her own volition, remembering and exposing things now forgotten. She saw again, how she prepared the potion in the Library vaults, recalled her dance in a moonlit garden, moved to the Reception, to the Dance with the King, felt again the warmth of his hands and gaze, recalled her feverish dreams thereafter…
Bright pictures flashed before her unseeing eyes: the fairy night, Orrodel, her bitterness at the fellow nazgul, the morning, her thoughts of poisoning Mahtaliel, the jewelry-making lesson, and, finally, her meeting with the King. To her surprise, the lesson and the meeting she recalled in great detail, hearing again every word uttered by Mahtaliel or Valandil. She saw briefly her recent trouble near the entrance door, then, suddenly, she resurfaced from the sea of memories. She blinked, and found herself standing in the Gallery looking into the Captain’s eyes.
Her head spun, and she would have fallen, if he hadn’t taken her in his arms. He placed his hand on her forehead and chanted a spell in Adunaic. The humming in her ears subsided, and her eyes cleared. She looked up again and found him smiling not unkindly.
"You are such a fool, Gordie. You get worried for so little and forget to report important things, like Valandil’s words about the fleet."
He wiped the tears from her cheeks with his finger and continued softly "It is understandable that you are troubled. Don’t you know that every spell affects the spell-caster in some way, as well as the victim? That is the price we pay for magick. Don’t feel so guilty, Aiwendis, your feelings will help you to ensnare the King and make your marriage bearable."
He smiled at her again "And never try to hide your thoughts from me, little one. I don’t want to hurt you…"
She buried her face in the soft tissue of his tunic and rested in the circle of his arms, cosy and warm now. She wished she could stay there forever…
Earniel
11-29-2005, 08:43 AM
Monday Afternoon
Somewhere in Tharbad
Alagos and Eärniel didn't speak anymore of the Pereldar topic as they walked back to the place where they would meet back up with R*an. Yet the topic was not far out of their thoughts.
Eärniel had not interrupted Alagos earlier to give him the opportunity to explain his thoughts on the matter without interruption, just as he had moments before courtiously given her. She had not interrupted him when he had told her -quite frankly- that she had been wrong, even if she was still of another opinion in the matter!
Eärniel smiled faintly at the thought. She respected Alagos opinion but decided she would not bring the matter up again. Alagos had spoken like a true warrior about courage and weaknesses, but not all Elves had the minds of warriors, Eärniel knew.
She did not assume she knew what the real causes had been for his misadventure with women. But she guessed she knew more about the Pereldar than Alagos assumed, for Alagos and R*an had hardly been the only ones of mixed marriages whom Eärniel had counted among her acquintances in her youth.
Perhaps she could never know or understand fully how the Pereldar thought or felt, but she was sure she knew enough in which ways the full-blooded Elder responded to them, having been in that same position.
But ah, who can tell which one of us hits closest to the thruth? She thought somewhat amused. And does it really matters now? Time will tell, as it always will. And for the moment time is something we have enough of.
She only hoped that Alagos and Tyaron would show more patience in the matters relating to R*an, which had been her main concern into this discussion.
Turning another corner, the two Elve caught sight of R*an who had, astonishingly, arrived first at the rendez-vous point.
"Found what you were looking for, R*an?" Eärniel asked.
R*an smiled shyly. "Yes, I found some things I ... thought might look nice in my brother's hair, if he'll let me ..."
Alagos wrapped his arms around his sister, lifted her up off her feet and swung her around in a circle. Setting her down again, he asked her, "Whatcha got there?" and feigned interest in her purchases.
"Well, this is for Gondolin, and this is for our house, and this is for the Nirnaeth, and this is for Fingon, and this is for archery," she said as she indicated the various pieces she had picked out. "We don't have to do all of them..." she hastened to add.
"I like those - thank you for thinking of me," he told her. "Is after dinner OK with you?"
R*an looked over at Eärniel in amazement. Eärniel shrugged her shoulders with a "I have NO idea!" look on her face. But she was pleased that Alagos had apparently taken at least some of what she had said to heart.
"Yes, that would be fine - I'll be as quick as I can," R*an told her brother.
"Ah well, my blades need sharpening anyway," he lied, and offering his arms to the ladies, he escorted them to the University.
Lotesse
11-29-2005, 07:50 PM
After jewelry-making class, Raendil and Viniglaen decided to enjoy a long, leisurely picnic lunch out on the grassy knoll of the Art Museum park grounds. They ate smoked eels, roasted quail legs and fresh loaves of bread, seeded crackers, three bottles of Linhir Red '34 that they'd picked up at the Tharbad Wine & Spirits shop, a little basket of blueberries, and some pomegranates which they had tons of fun making a mess with and spitting little seeds at each other, plus four small blocklettes of cheese, and an apricot tart - needless to say, they were very sated after this lunch!
They talked about all kinds of things. They talked about where they wished they could visit someday, what they would make if they had the freedom and money to be able to create anything, what their mothers were like - but this topic got Viniglaen a little quiet, and very sad, so they didn't go there for long. Vivvie's own mom had died of unnatural causes when Viv was only eleven years old; her father died of what Viv liked to believe a broken heart a short two years afterward, leaving her having to raise herself early in Andunie, a place she could not yet speak of to Ray about. The subject of her mortal parents and her true origins was one she never let herself think of, never mind talk about. For now, Viv stuck to her cover story of having grown up in Osgiliath, and pretty much left it at that. The mere fact that she could even open up to Ray at all in that vein spoke volumes of her deep, instinctive trust of him. Oh, how she wished she could tell him who she really was!
Raendil suddenly remembered he had to see Valandil about something, and he also had the funny feeling that he was forgetting something else he had to do. They packed up their leftovers, and since the horses were still in stable resting up and drying off from their post-race baths, they walked. When they both reached Orrodel, they stood there in front of the house for a good five minutes, hugging, and nuzzling. It was extremely difficult for the both of them to keep holding off on a kiss; they were going nuts from the tension of waiting.
Finally Ray took off, running to make time, and Viv went inside the house and gave Zimra the picnic stuff.
"Help yourself to any of these things, if you like," said Viv to Zimra. "And also, do you think you could take my riding clothes to the launderers today, so that my outfits are dry and ready by tomorrow?"
"Of course, my lady," said Zimra as she lugged the big bundle of picnic stuff into the kitchen.
"Thanks, Zimra," Viv called after her.
Viv sprinted upstairs to quickly change out of her baby blue riding togs and into a sporty daytime riding dress, aquamarine blue, trimmed at the neckline with miniature topaz stones and embroidered all over with tiny irridescent black figures of flying owls and eagles.
She brushed her dark, bouncy hair, and clipped in a topaz and black-jet mithril barrette, and slung her black leather riding bag across her shoulders, with her little pocket watch and money bag inside. She was already running a little late to meet up with Gordis, so she wore her riding boots and grabbed her aquamarine cashmere riding cloak, and ran downstairs and out to the stables to re-saddle up Laslech and head for the University, whisling for Lomi as she went.
By the time she finally got to Aiwendis' quarters, it was a little after 2 in the afternoon.
Lotesse
11-29-2005, 11:16 PM
Aiwendis was in her exquisitely furnished and decorated boudoir, in her and the Chancellor's wing of the University. Viv could feel her crying inside.
"Oh! I'm glad you could make it," greeted Aiwendis, opening the door wide, and giving Viv a ladylike double-kiss on the cheek.
"Yes, sorry I'm so late. What a busy day it's been today!" Viv said, as she took off her cloak, and draped it across one of the chairs in the sweeping boudoir.
Viniglaen went over to one of the cushy chairs next to the window, and sat down, streching her legs out in front of her and slumping down into the downy recesses of the chair.
"Care for a drink?" offered Aiwendis.
"Whew! Not unless you have sparking Angmar springs water handy," said Viv. "I've been drinking and eating for like two hours with Ray, just now. We had a picnic after class."
"How's it going, then, your project, or assignment, with the Kingsman, this Ray," said Aiwendis. She wasn't entirely convinced it was all business with Viv, but then she couldn't say too much, her own heart itself having suffering from a confusion of interest.
Viv looked at her sister-in-arms for a moment, sideways. How should she answer?
"Fine, just perfect," she answered evenly, then deftly turned the conversation to Aiwendis. "But it's you I'm wondering about, Gor, because I'm picking up an awful lot of sorrow from you lately; sorrow and alienation. Is everything all right over here? How are things with our Lord?"
Aiwendis' face clouded over, and she looked down at her hands, and tried to put in some words what she was feeling inside.
Valandil
11-30-2005, 07:27 AM
"Come in!" called the voice through the door.
Oreturion opened the door cautiously. There she stood, drawn to her full height with her whole attention turned on him as he stepped across the threshold. He saw that they were alone.
"Lady Mahtaliel." he said, with a slight dip of his head toward her.
"Why... Lord Oreturion!" she said, her eyebrows arching high. "To what do I owe the honor of this visit?"
Oreturion cleared his throat, a bit uncomfortable at how this might seem - him and a lady alone indoors. Still - he had come for a purpose. He must know...
"My lady, allow me to explain. You may not remember me, but I met you at Imladris some years back, when we all gathered for the Great Alliance of Elves and Men. I was much younger then... as we Men account age."
"I remember you."
"Yes - I was with Elendil very much of the time. In any regard, I recall that you lived long ago in the ancient land of Eregion."
"Yes... I did indeed." replied Mahtaliel, wondering where this was headed, and thinking how the land of Eregion did not seem so ancient to her. What... it had only been little more than 12 yen.
"I have done what research I may, but now I must ask you directly..."
"Yes..."
"I understand that it was customary in Eregion to place a gem of some kind into the cup of an honored guest. And that each type of gem had its own significance - and there appears to be much more to it than that..."
"Lady Mahtaliel," he continued, and his expression grew serious and his gaze pierced into her eyes, "did you place a gem into my King's cup at yestereve's reception? And if so, what was your purpose?"
Valandil
11-30-2005, 07:54 AM
Monday evening:
Valandil wasn't sure what time it was, but he had been at The Red Herring for several hours. Once the sun had set, he had even come indoors and taken a small table in a quiet secluded corner, for the year was getting along and the air turned quite brisk after sundown. Soon would come the Eruhantale, and then the days would quickly shorten. For now, the sun had probably set at about 7 or 8 - and it was at least 8 or 9 o'clock now.
He sat alone, as he seemed to be so much of the time lately. Just as well, he sighed - and preferable at times to simply being surrounded by servants... or having his mother hover over him. So he sat and nursed a drink, nibbled on dainties now and again, and put off returning home for the night.
He split his time between reviewing his schedule and doodling. His class time would be very light on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, but quite heavy on Tuesdays and Thursdays - with way too much time between classes. That would make it hard enough to operate efficiently, and he could tell he was already inclined toward distraction.
He did his doodling on his writing pad. A bad habit, he had been advised, but he had become quite compulsive about it. He drew ships and bridges, and fortresses and towers, and... rather elegant young ladies and elf-maidens.
"Can I get you anything, Your Highness?" came the voice of the serving girl - as he attempted to subtly conceal the contents of his pad. "You seem to have a load on your mind, as most students do - and I expect especially a King."
She was new... they sure seemed to have a high turn-over rate around this place. "No, no... I'm fine, thank you." It would hardly do to tell her that his sword was no longer speaking to him. Either she would take it the wrong way, or consider him totally mad.
As she moved along to the next table, he wondered if he WAS going mad. Had the drink been so strong that he had IMAGINED hearing his sword, and speaking with it? He tried to piece the events of the last 24 hours together in his mind, but they just danced before him in a disorderly array. Danced... well, he HAD danced... and with Elves even... and Aiwendis.
He wondered where those Elf maids were now - and if a mortal Man might not be beneath their notice, were he a great King. And... he wondered where Aiwendis was and what she was about, as he returned to his sketching.
Lady Marion Magdalena
11-30-2005, 09:56 AM
"Yes, as a gift," Mahtaliel replied, honestly surprised. Oreturion sounded as if he suspected her... "Is this a question of curiosity or has something happened?"
"Ah... both at the moment." He answered vaguely.
Mahtaliel thought about this, his answer confirmed her suspicion that something had indeed happened. Which could only mean that Oreturion was here to find out if she was responsible, which she was quite sure she wasn't. Best to be honest, "Whatever it is," she began carefully, "I can't think of any way that the gem could have caused it. I made sure to choose one whose properties were entirely beneficial."
Valandil
11-30-2005, 09:59 AM
"Beneficial?" replied Oreturion. "How so?"
Lady Marion Magdalena
11-30-2005, 12:51 PM
"The gem in question is Topaz, yes?" She asked, rhetorically, "That particular gem is strongly associated with the sun, and is believed to protect the faithful from harm."
"What sort of harm?"
"Anything ranging from envy, disease, or dark magic to sudden or untimely death, it's quite useful in that respect. It can also increase confidance, strength and charisma."
"How do I know you're telling the truth?" Oreturion asked.
Mahtaliel sighed, "Look it up, any book about the properties of gems will tell you the same. There may be some variations depending on the culture of the writer but the ones I've named appear quite consistently," she paused, "I must admit to wishing that you would tell me what's wrong that makes you suspect me."
Gordis
11-30-2005, 03:26 PM
University Palace, after 2 AM Monday.
Aiwendis looked at Viv sideways. She noticed that Vivvie had avoided telling her about her commitment with a mortal, instead, Viv desired some confidences from herself.
"But it's you I'm wondering about, Gor, because I'm picking up an awful lot of sorrow from you lately; sorrow and alienation. Is everything all right over here? How are things with our Lord?"
Aiwendis' face clouded over, and she looked down at her hands, and tried to put in some words what she was feeling inside. But she was never one to confide in others, especially now, when she felt like she was walking on thin ice over a bottomless pool.
"Oh there is nothing new, Vivvie, she whispered finally. The Captain is never easy to fathom and to deal with..."
Viv smiled. It was somewhat of an understatement.
"I must have been nervous lately", admitted Aiwendis. "I hate Mahtaliel and her boring classes. And I am afraid of the fire in the forge. You would be also, Viv, you just haven't thought of it, it seems."
Aiwendis sighed and continued. "And now this ... assignment. I don't want to marry a mortal! I can't imagine myself married to this baby-King. And I am having those dreams. And then... No, it is insane!"
Aiwendis stood and went to the window. "If only we could go back to Osgiliath, or to Umbar...", she said wistfully, "we could have lived happily for a long time. But there is always ... you know WHAT, Vivvie. I hope IT will never be found!"
Lotesse
11-30-2005, 04:16 PM
"Don't let it get you too down, Gor; after all, it's not going to be forever that we'll be here, and plus almost the whole family's here!"
"I know, but still..." Aiwendis' voice trailed off, and she gazed wistfully and absentmindedly out the window.
The room was quiet for a moment, as both women wandered into a little reverie of rememberence and private wishes.
"But you're right about the forges," said Viv suddenly. "I totally forgot about that. I guess I just assumed we'd be wireworking and bending pre-forged materials to create pieces, but what do I know. When do you think we'll actually have to start learning forging?"
"Hmm. Probably not for at least another two weeks, but then again I am not the professor. Any time is too soon, if you ask me; what difference does it make what time we start forging if eventually we have to do it?"
"You think there'd be any way around it, like... like maybe we can hire interns to do the dirty work FOR us, after we've already drawn up our designs?"
Aiwendis clearly enjoyed this new idea.
"But," conjectured Aiwendis, "do you think we'd still recieve proper grading from Professor Mahtaliel if we did do that?"
Viv rolled her eyes. "Please, Gor, it's not like we have to graduate with honours! This University experience, all told, is merely a means to a different end. Anyway, couldn't our Lord step in since he's the Chancellor and O.K. this with her for us?"
"I'll mention it to him, at some point," said Aiwendis, "but not right away. He's got an awful lot going on lately; a lot more important stuff on his agenda than something like this. But I don't see why he wouldn't."
Viv took her little pocketwatch out of her bag, noticed the time, and got up to go.
"I'm just a short walk away, at Orrodel House, Gor; please come by whenever you feel like it. i miss you, you know," said Viv, giving her sister a gentle little hug, and donning her cloak to go.
"I love this outfit, Viv," said Aiwendis, as she walked her baby "sister" to the door.
"You do? It's nice, huh! I stole a bunch of beautiful frocks ages ago from some half-elven home. That lady had great taste, and the money to back it up!"
At this remark, Aiwendis actually rolled HER eyes.
"Just try and stay out of trouble while you're here, Vivvie, O.K.?" Aiwendis said. Sometimes the wild one's little penchant for casual theft worried her not a little. Yes, she'd always gotten away with every caper scot-free and perfectly, but anything could happen, and the last thing any one of the Nine needed was unnecessary heat coming down on them. Still and all, it had never happened in all of the ages they'd been wraithed, so she supposed she musn't worry now.
Outside, Vivvie whistled again for her Lomi, who was waiting perched atop the University dividing wall. Owl upon shoulder, Viv mounted Laslech, who'd been waiting patiently just outside, and the three of them decided to cut through the University grounds, heading to the southwest exit. It gave Viv an opportunity to become familiar with the lay of the school grounds, and besides, she wanted to come out on Menetar boulevard and take a walk through town.
Monday, shortly before 3 p.m.
The University grounds and surrounding area
Alagos watched his sister and her friend walk off. He stood there awhile, lost in thought. The things he had said to Eärniel seemed so clear, yet she didn't seem to agree with him for some reason, although she didn't come right out and say so. I mean, who could even conceive that a man would choose to be of a different people than his wife, when the time came to make the choice of the Pereldar! Women! He shook his head in irritation, yet his face had a smile on it. Eru certainly showed his sense of humor when he decided to invent two sexes!
He finally turned away and started walking, not caring where he went, just wanting to move. He thought of the remaining arrows that needed to be fletched, but knew he wouldn't have the patience to do that now. He thought of Tyaron - he was a bit worried about him. He saw his point about leaving, hopefully making R*an miss him (and he smiled again when he remembered Tyaron's eeeeevil plan for him to sing some of Tyaron's songs poorly!) but he still wished he hadn't left by himself. Ever since Tyaron had found out that R*an was alive, he had been strung up to a fever pitch - hardly sleeping at all, restless and on edge, although he tried to hide it. When Alagos had needed rest, which he needed more than the full-blooded Eldar (although not much more, for physically he ran more true to the Eldar, while R*an ran more true mentally - she could listen to singing for hours on end, while Alagos loved it for a few hours then had to take a walk), Tyaron would seldom rest. Whenever Alagos would wake up, he would see his friend restlessly pacing, looking into the distance, or sitting with his arms wrapped around his legs and his eyes far away. Tyaron had an abundance of self-control, which was why he was so deadly a swordsman, but a man can only take so much, and Alagos wished he was with his friend. He had seen Tyaron completely lose his temper only once before, and he was fervently glad that he had been with his friend and had averted a potential disaster. He thought briefly of following after him, but thought that that would be hardly fair to R*an.
He wished he had a horse - he felt like a wild gallop across the countryside. He needed to get one soon, since it looked like they'd be here awhile. Perhaps that's what Tyaron was going to get - he remembered Tyaron admiring some horses that they had seen a few days ago. That would be nice! As he walked, he finally realized he was wringing his hands, with their long, strong, sensitive archer's fingers, and made himself stop. He just had to keep moving. His hands were quiet for awhile, but soon he started unconsciously wringing them again.
As R*an and Eärniel walked to Professor Mahtaliel's sword-smithing class, they saw a distinguished-looking man come out of the door and walk away. "He was at the Reception, wasn't he?" asked R*an, and Eärniel nodded. "An advisor to the King, if I recall correctly," she said.
The King! R*an couldn't help blushing just a bit as she remembered their dances together. Luckily her friend wasn't looking at her right then. She wished she could see him in the light of day; things in a ballroom are sometimes quite different than things in the sober light of day. And R*an couldn't help but feel that seeing him again would help her to figure out some of the things that had been puzzling her for quite some time now.
They came up to the door and peered in unobtrusively before quietly walked in, seeing that the Professor was alone except for what appeared to be an assistant. The Professor looked up and greeted them with a courteous but cautious smile. Eärniel's greeting was colder than was her wont, and R*an looked at her friend for a moment before addressing the Professor.
"Professor, you had mentioned the library in your class this morning, and the Lady Eärniel and I wanted to know if you could let us in - we both would love to see it!"
Mahtaliel said brusquely, "Certainly, if you'd just give me a moment to get my things together. I'm always glad to see students take an interest in further learning. When you are done, be sure to contact one of my aides, please, so they can see to locking it up again, as I'll be busy teaching my sword-smithing class."
"Professor, why is the library kept locked?" Eärniel asked in an even voice. "I don't understand that ..."
The Professor looked up at her, scrutinizing her face closely but rapidly. "I don't really know, you'll have to ask the Chancellor, I suppose." She looked down again at her papers as the blood rose into her cheeks. "What am I thinking? She couldn't possibly know! You're just imagining things!" she admonished herself.
R*an had been looking around the room, and had a thought. "Professor, speaking of your next class, I thought you might want to see something that I have," she said as she pulled out her dagger and placed it on the table in front of the Professor.
Mahtaliel picked it up gently and examined it with the eye of an expert, turning it around in the light. "Lovely, just lovely! I imagine it was made in Gondolin, right?" she asked. R*an nodded, and the Professor moved from examining the blade to examining the decorations. "This is really exquisite engraving, also - very imaginative and expertly executed."
"A friend of mine did it for me," R*an said. "He's here in town - or he'll be back in a few days, that is - would you like to meet him? He's also done work on my brother's blades, as well as his own, if you'd like to see some more of his work."
"I would like that, yes," said the Professor. "When he gets back, bring him by sometime, and have him bring the blades. Perhaps I might even have him give a brief talk to the class. A weapon must be practical, but it should also be a work of art, in my opinion. And this dagger is a perfect example of both."
Giving her papers a final arrangement, she called out to her assistant, "Keep an eye on the forge, will you, I'll be right back." She walked R*an and Eärniel to the library, opened the door, and let them in. "Be sure to contact one of my assistants to lock up the library again when you leave, or I will not allow you this privilege again," she admonished them. She needed to be careful - she was already on the borders of trouble with some of her generous activities.
They stepped in and looked around with big eyes. They sighed in unison, then laughed at each other. They both loved books, and this place was ... wonderful. "I think I know where I'll be spending some time!" Eärniel said to R*an, who nodded in agreement.
The last sane person
12-01-2005, 02:29 AM
His body was humming after the race, even though it was a few hours past, Ray was grinning from ear to ear, as he washed up and changed clothes. Yes, I do think things are going fine between Viv and me.... Even Volricom is happy! After the race, Raendil brought the stallion over to Orrodel along side Viv and Laslech. Volricom put it in no uncertain terms that he did NOT want to be separated after the race. Ray shrugged and gave in. He didn't want to part with his respective female either!
Heh.... Not that she is actually mine . He admonished himself. Yet, anyways.... Chimed in his heart. Yes, it was a good race...Great race! With that he grabbed his sketch pad and his satchel and dashed off to his first class. He checked his roster and noted where the building was located. He had plenty of time to get there, so he was content to walk and take in the morning scenery. He reached the class shortly before he was due and walked in to take a seat in the middle row.
In came the professor, Mahtaliel gave a nod in his direction, to which he stood up and bowed. "You are early, the rest of the students ought to be filing in a few moments." Ray grinned and bowed again, sitting next to the heater. It wasn’t really a classroom per say, more of a forge with chairs scattered about and workbenches pulled up to a chalkboard. All these would be pushed back when it was time to actually use the forge and make jewelry.
True to the professor's words, the rest of the small class wandered into the room. Lo and Behold! Whom did Raendil see? None other than Viniglaen walk through that door, face flushed and head down. This day just keeps getting better... Something caught Viv's notice and she looked up from her seat and catching his eyes, giving a sly smile. Mahtaliel turned around and greeted the class, surveying the small group of students before her.
“Welcome to the University of Tharbad, and welcome to my class where you will be learning one of the beautiful skills we have to offer. That is the design and creation of jewelry. This is not one of the easier classes; mind you, but one of the most rewarding should you decide to stick with it.” She paused and again took a good look at the faces of her students, and found those that were truly attentive. She knew who would stay and who would leave. She went on to describe that which was needed in the class, what supplies would be provided and ought to be purchased, and Raendil *was * listening. Or at least, most of him was. The part of him that wasn’t was busy sneaking glances across the room at Viv.
She was listening to the teacher and writing notes on her little tablet, occasionally tucking an unruly lock of dark, bouncy hair behind her ear. His breath caught. The room was not dim, but by no means bright. The brightness of the sun filtering into the room was being dulled by the red glow of the forges, which cast a warm, hazy light about the class. It made Viniglaen look resplendent. This is beyond my words…somehow I think I will have more trouble focusing on just the class work here. Little did he know that Viv was thinking the same of him; he who was sitting close to the shadows nearer the forge.
The light played and bounced off of him, merrily dancing about his already dark features, giving them a range of colors and shades, from gold to blooded red, giving dramatic contrast between the illuminated and shaded parts of him. It was her turn to have her breath caught, as she snuck a glance over his way. He was listening with keen intent to Mahtaliel describing the different pieces they would be required to make as the quarter progressed, and should they take a liking to any one piece, they could keep it.
She saw the way the forge fire played on him and in his eyes, thinking, Wasn’t Feanor described thus? As one whom fire would leap about and play upon? A creature of fire.
Fire. Dimly her mind registered the longstanding Nazgul fear of fire. Sauron. She quickly diverted her eyes back to Mahtaliel, not so much out of fear, for she wasn’t as fearful as her fellows nor her nature so perverted. Stop, you silly woman, he is not in any way, shape or form like either of those two beings! Stop that! The teacher gave the first requirement out to the class, “I’d like you all to start drawing up your designs and concept sketches for the first piece, the bracelet. Have that ready and also the list of possible materials you would like to use for it. Class dismissed.”
Viv’s head was still trying to clear as Raendil bounded from his corner and made his way to her seat. “I wasn’t expecting to see you here, I see horse racing, dancing and mischief aren’t the only thing we have in common.” She looked up in surprise as she found Raendil standing right behind her, smiling at her. His skin still had an orangey-bronze color to it, but at least his eyes don’t look aflame. Less like some demigod of fire. “So it would seem Master Raendil.” They were not yet out of earshot of their classmates, and quickly exited the building. “Have you been working with forges long, Ray?” They dropped the formalities once they were out of the way of other students.
“Yes, actually, in my father’s thanedom, we are nearer to danger, and fighting is often. When I wasn’t at my lessons, or with my father’s warriors, I was in the smithy repairing and creating armor and weapons. But I wished to broaden my horizons, so to speak, and make things of beauty, not just of war. So I took up jewelry making, but it had always been a hobby of mine.” They were still nearer the administration buildings and loitering around, unsure exactly what the other was doing after class. “Uhm, what’s your schedule? Do you have anything after this class?” She reached around and tugged his schedule from his bag and looked at it for a bit, then grinned impishly up at him. “Care to do lunch? We are out pretty early and all. What’s a good place to go and eat?”
Is it just my eyes then? Oh, calm down you ninny! He is a mortal. Just a mortal… a statement to which her heart replied with a sharp pang, for she thought she still saw traces of that fire playfully hiding here and there.
“I’d love to…and the places I know are probably crowded these first days. I have a better Idea. Care for a picnic?” He grinned and she nodded her head. And they went off to gather what they would want.
`````````
Viniglaen laughed and uncorked a bottle of wine she had picked up on their way to the art museum’s grounds, they were seated on a blanket with food and drink about them. “How does it taste milady? Is it worthy of our palates?” Viv grinned and poured herself a small taste into her cup, and smelled then tasted it. She nodded her head in approval and was about to say exactly what the wine was. Before she could say anything, Raendil propped himself up and gave a small smile, forestalling her words.
“Wait, let me find out for myself.” With that he leaned over before either he of Viv could stop him and brushed a small feather light kiss across her lips. That dumbfounded them both.
Sweet Eru! What did I just do?
Dear lords! Did he just kiss me?
Without allowing himself to linger, Ray leaned back to his original position beside a tree trunk. He fully expected a slap, but as that didn’t come, he recovered the situation. He and Viniglaen traded smiles
“Linhir Red '34.”
“Huh? What?” That broke the pause and they both returned to the present.
“The wine, is it not? Smooth flavor, excellent aroma, somewhat more mellow. Linhir Red ’34.” He grinned and added, “Delicious.”
“Oh! Yes, actually it was. It’s over all one of the most delicious wines for lunches.”
“Oh, yeah, the wine was okay, I was talking about you though.” Raendil couldn’t help himself and Viv blushed slightly. “Your pretty good at wine tasting. Is that how they try new wines where you come from?” She retorted.
“I Wish.” They both started laughing.
OOC: Still aint finished, dern it!
Gordis
12-01-2005, 04:53 AM
University, Engineering building, before 4 PM.
Aiwendis rested in the Morgul Lord’s arms, cosy and warm, wishing she could stay there forever…
"Have you attended the Ladies Sewing circle lately, Aiwendis?"
The question drew her from her sweet dreams, as cruelly, as a pail of cold water on her head. She blinked, disoriented.
"I… no, I don’t think I have. Why?"
The Morgul Lord took a step back, releasing her from his arms. He wandered absently to the black and silver ship, his back to her now. She felt cold and forlorn again.
"The old cats at the Sewing Circle may be stupid and unpleasant, but they direct the public opinion in this city. You should go there regularly, my dear; otherwise your reputation will suffer. Moreover, it is a wonderful place to learn all the city gossip and to start some, if needed. Go there at the first opportunity".
Aiwendis concentrated. The romantic part was clearly over. He was giving her an order, and she should not misinterpret it.
"What gossip do you wish me to start, My Lord?"
The Chancellor nodded. Aiwendis was listening attentively.
"Start the talk about Tharbad and its former glory and prosperity. It used to be the chief city of the North, the main fortress of the Dunedain, the centre of trade, while Lond Daer Ened was the haven of the fleet. Now Lond Daer is abandoned, and Tharbad is slowly falling into decline. All of Arnor is, actually, while Gondor prospers. They build ship after ship in Osgiliath. Soon they would usurp all the sea trade along the coast. They have already gained a foothold in Tharbad, aren’t those Gondorean soldiers guarding the Bridge and the other bank of the Gwathlo?
The Chancellor approached and smiled at her. "I know you can be trusted to suggest all that unobtrusively. Better let them say it all themselves. Anyone who has dwelt in Tharbad for long knows that it is not the same as it used to be before the War."
"Elendil was old and broken by the Downfall. He spent his days on Emyn Beraid, gazing at the Sea. He couldn’t get over his losses and look ahead. He never built a single ship, as Numenor was no more, and that was the only place he desired to go."
"But now, it seems that the things are about to change. Isn’t it important that Valandil at last came to Tharbad in person? He sees the plight of the city. He will study ship-building to build his Navy and a great merchant fleet. Soon Lond Daer will be reconstructed, and the port re-opened. Great ships will come to Tharbad bringing treasures from the coasts far to the South and skins and furs from the Far North. Young men will serve in the Kings Navy, they will uphold the former glory of the Sea Kingdom, and bring home tales of new lands and strange peoples. Riches will flow into Arnor, and all of them will be passing through Tharbad."
Aiwendis nodded. "I understand, my Lord, I will suggest it unobtrusively. Actually, I heard the talk of Arnor’s decline already, but indeed, the coming of the King opens new horizons. Do you think that the public opinion will make him change his mind?"
The Morgul Lord laughed. "A King must heed the Voice of his People, Aiwendis, especially if every citizen of Tharbad will think alike. You will not be the only one to start the talk. I have agents everywhere. Udu and Buzukkumarz will get the same order, aren’t they spending all day in taverns? In the docks the news will make quite a stir. Many old salts are unemployed now and eager for action."
Aiwendis bowed. "I see, My Lord. I will do as you say".
"Then, come, let us have this dinner at last. Then I will have to deal with Khamul, Oreturion and the Library."
He offered her his hand, and they left the Engineering building together, heading to the Palace.
Gordis
12-01-2005, 03:13 PM
University, 4 PM, Monday
The Chancellor and Aiwendis were crossing Bar Aran on the way to the Palace, when one of the University assistants met them and bowed before Ilmenzor.
"My Lord Chancellor, lord Oreturion sent me to tell you that he had finished his studies in the Library for today."
"Thank you, Berendur," replied the Chancellor. "Please go to the Forge, Professor Mahtaliel is giving her Sword Smithing lesson now, so find her assistant, Raisa. Ask her to bring the Minas Aran Keys to the Library. I will be waiting there."
"And the dinner, father?" asked Aiwendis in a small voice.
"I will eat later," replied the Chancellor over his shoulder.
He stalked to the gates of the Library grounds and entered the iron doors of Minas Aran. Light filtered through the multicoloured windows of the Entrance Hall, forming patches of colour on the white stone floor. A huge statue of Elendil seated on a throne, the sceptre of Andunië in his hand, was looking down disapprovingly with immobile stone eyes. A wide double stairs near the statue led to the first floor, to the lofty apartments where long ago Elendil himself stayed. Now the rooms were reserved for the Librarian. The Chancellor sent forth his senses, but detected no familiar presence: Khamul was not there yet.
On the right from the entrance, was another heavy door leading to the winding stair that spiralled within the thick wall, giving access to the upper storeys of the Minas Aran Tower, where the richest library of the Edain in Middle Earth was kept. On the Chancellor’s orders, that door was kept locked at all times.
Now the Chancellor found it shut, but not locked. He entered and started climbing the narrow spiral stair. He was almost at the door of the Scriptorium on the second floor, when his sensitive nostrils quivered. There was a smell of living blood, not mortal blood, but Elven. He also felt their presence somewhere above, on the third floor. The Elves must have passed through the Scriptorium and climbed the other stair to the Library proper.
"Goluglob! (she-elves)" hissed the Morgul Lord under his breath disgustedly.
He decided to deal with the intruders later, or leave it to Khamul. Meantime, he entered the Scriptorium, where he had left Oreturion early in the morning. The man was gone, but the reek of mortal blood still lingered in the room. Following the smell and using his other senses, the Chancellor soon found the books that the King’s advisor had been reading. A treaty on the Laws and Customs of the Eldar by Pengolod of Gondolin and the book on the precious stones and their properties by Erestor of Imladris were neatly stacked on the writing table. There was the third book though, and the Chancellor soon found it, underneath a small pile of other books awaiting their return to the Main Storage. It was written by an unknown Elven loremaster and spoke of the customs of Eregion.
The Chancellor sat for a long time musing over the books. Was Oreturion sincere this morning when he asked to see the books on Elven customs? Perhaps he was, but the Morgul Lord could not quite believe it. More likely, last night’s talk of the Rings and Eregion has stirred some suspicions in the Advisor’s head. If so, Oreturion was dangerous and should be watched at all times.
At this moment, the Chancellor detected footsteps coming upstairs from the Hall. He went to the door to meet Mahtaliel’s assistant Raisa, a plain, but cheerful girl, a monocle firmly planted on her freckled nose. She was carrying a set of keys.
"My Lord Chancellor" exclaimed the girl, blinking. "I thought it were the Ladies Earniel and Rian who asked to bring the keys…"
"Give the keys to me, I will close the Library when the Ladies are finished," replied the Chancellor coldly. "Now go"
The girl bowed slightly, much too slightly for Ilmenzor’s liking, and went back to the Forge. The Chancellor followed her downstairs to meet Khamul, whose powerful presence was drawing nigh to the Tower.
Monday, 4ish PM, downtown Tharbad
Viv rode through the streets of Tharbad, enjoying the lovely day, and thinking back with pleasure (and some butterflies in the stomach) of her time with Ray. This made her face glow even more than usual, and she laughed inwardly at how the men stared at her (and the women, too, although with different expressions, and with a few dirty looks at the men!) Not that she cared - she wasn't into that, like Lilly was - but it was sometimes amusing to see them run into walls or stumble over a curb as they admired her!
Then she noticed one man that was NOT staring at her. It was an elf, and he looked preoccupied - he was standing at the side of the road, looking off into the distance, and wringing his hands slightly in a nervous, unconscious manner. She briefly admired his form - her Master hated elves, but one had to admit that they were attractive in their own way, and she was just a teensy bit curious about them, and had some time to burn, and her Master wasn't around, and this might come in handy some day, too ...
She thought for a moment, and then leaned over to speak in Laslech's ear. "I'm going to nudge you in just a minute, and I want you to rear up a bit, OK? Might as well try one of Lilly's tricks!" Suppressing a giggle, she walked the mare over towards the Elf, and then gave her a nudge. Laslech, always ready for some fun, obligingly reared up and added a wild whinny for good measure, as Viv gave her best imitation of Lilly's female-in-distress act.
The man reacted with lightning reflexes; he grabbed the bridle with his left hand, and placed his right hand just below Laslech's withers, steadying her movements. He spoke to the mare in a language that Viv had never heard before, half crooning, half commanding. Then, switching to the Common, he added, still in that soothing but commanding voice, "I don't think you were frightened at all, cousin! I think you were just having a little fun, weren't you!" Laslech suffered herself to be calmed down, and the Elf looked up at Viv with an engaging little crooked smile.
"Are you all right, my Lady?" Then, looking at how Viv sat her horse, he added, "On second thought, I can see you're an expert rider, and probably didn't need my assistance!"
Viv looked down at his hand resting on Laslech's neck. His fingers were on the hem of her cloak. They were long, strong fingers - a nice hand. He noticed her glance, and quickly removed his hands. He stepped back and gave a slight formal bow.
"I wish you good day, my Lady, and I hope my actions were not displeasing to you. It was just instinct - I was afraid you were in danger."
Telcontar_Dunedain
12-01-2005, 05:11 PM
University, Library, 6pm.
"He is in the libary waiting for you Professor," said the Chancellor's servant. "Shall I show you the way?"
"No, I'll be fine," replied Khamûl turning his head and walking towrads the library.
"Professor Galadannun," smiled the Chancellor, as Khamûl walked through the tower door a few minutes later. "Glad you can make it. Shall we start?"
Without waiting for an answer, Lord Ilmenzor started making his way towards a set of stairs, where the apartments were.
"You can bring your horse to the stables if you wish. It is on the far side of the University I'm sure my servants would be more than happy to show you where things are," said the Chancellor as they approached the stairs.
"Thank you, Sir. Your help is most appreciated" replied Khamûl, as they reached the top of the stairs.
"As you see, we have a master bedroom for yourself, a study, a living room and a washroom. There are also three small rooms for servants along the narrow corridor," said the Chancellor, as Khamûl inspected the rooms.
"Thanks you sir," said Khamûl. "Shall we continue to see the rest of the building."
"I will show you the Library later, Professor. It seems we have got some unexpected guests already" replied the Chancellor. "Go now and deal with them, they are at the third floor. Be most polite, but tell them that no one is allowed in the Library without my leave"
He took the set of keys, that used to belong to Mahtaliel, and offered them to Khamul. "Here are your keys, by the way. Guard them well, and keep the Library safe", said the Chancellor, turning and making his way back to his own apartment in the Palace
"Professor Maethor will be here to see me soon. Could you possibly have a servant bring him up here?" asked Khamûl, as the Chancellor walked away, his back turned.
"It will be done," replied Ilmenzor. "But before he arrives I have a task for you. As I am sure you are aware we have a couple of unwanted guests. If you would kindly remove them."
Butterbeer
12-01-2005, 06:11 PM
it was 12-15 and 12 seconds pm ...
no, wait!, it was now 13 seconds ...14 ...
boy time flies ...
But Beautiful Boomerang still dozed on ... even snoozy the watch dog, adopted as a puppy by the watch, had casually flipped an eye-lid open once or twice that whole intense hectic morning ... his glossy black coat glinting ... his beautiful alive eyes watching the motes of dust play whirlfully on the shafts of light now warming him as the day progressed ...
the rather odd, eccentric, and always wrong, nay excitable, cuckoo from the clock on the far wall behind the front desk sprung out in a hurry and with a zippy spring ridden "CUCKOOPHHH!"
the mad little thing declared it was one pm ...
it always sounded like it had a cold, poor thing ...
the time, actually was now 12-15 and twenty two seconds pm ...
Boom dreamed on ...
Snoozy, with an indolent scratch, relaxed ... all was well ...
Lotesse
12-01-2005, 07:15 PM
Monday, 4ish PM, downtown Tharbad
"I wish you good day, my Lady, and I hope my actions were not displeasing to you. It was just instinct - I was afraid you were in danger."
Vivvie couldn't help it, she laughed lightly, her brilliant violet blue eyes flashing with mirthful mischief.
"Actually, I am O.K.," she answered, "I must admit, I asked my my mare to do that!"
"How - how odd," answered Alagos, genuinely perplexed.
"I wanted to have an excuse to meet you," Viv explained, a smile still at the corners of her mouth. "I noticed you immediately, and, well, the thing is, you bear an uncanny familial resemblance to our former household Major Domo, an elven lady named Rian."
Alagos cocked his head, and squinted up at Viv, still astride her horse. "Lady Rian happens to be my sister," he answered. "My name is Alagos. May I ask who you are?"
"Of course!" Viv said, "I'm one of the ladies of Orrodel House, Lady Viniglaen of Osgiliath. Pleased to meet you!"
She extended a hand down to the he-elf, and as she shook it, she realised that, although the man-elf was quite pleasant to lay eyes upon, curiously he smelled rank to Viv. Having never really spent time close to any elf, Viv was unprepared for the effect of the strange and acrid smell. 'So this is what Lil always goes on and on about,' she thought wryly, yet belying nothing of this reaction in her tone and smile to Alagos.
At the mention of "Orrodel", Alagos hesitated for a fraction of a second, remembering the unpleasant scene of that morning, but then realized that this lady could hardly be faulted for the manners of her relatives.
When Alagos took Viniglaen's fine-boned yet firm-gripped hand in his to shake it, a very confusing feeling came over him, a sense of something he could not identify. She seemed extremely fair, yet felt - oddly, somehow slightly foul. It was as if some force from within her spirit could be picked up coming through her skin at the touch. But he shook off the feeling, and figured his mind was playing tricks on him.
"Your sister and I share a class at the University, a jewelry design class," Viv continued, shifting her weight on Laslech's back and suppressing the urge to wipe her hand on her dress.
"Yes, yes Rian loves hair trinkets so much she wanted to learn how to design and forge them herself," said Alagos, with a cute crooked smile.
"So do I!" Viv said.
"Then you'll get along swimmingly with her, I should think," answered Alagos.
"I don't understand why my uncle let your sister go from Orrodel House," lied Viv, "he can come across as a bit brusque I think for the tastes of most people, but I'm quite sure he never meant her any harm."
"Oh, my lady, don't be silly! There is no need to explain anything to me," said Alagos graciously, masking the truth of how he really felt about that entire episode.
"O.K. then," said Viv lightly, as she turned Laslech to make to depart. "It was lovely to make your acquaintance, Alagos! I must get going right now; perhaps we shall see one another again soon. It IS a small city," and with that, Viv gave him a little wink, and flashed him another smile.
Alagos made an elegant departure-gesture with his long hand, saying "The pleasure was all mine!" 'What an odd little bird,' he thought to himself. 'Beautiful young lady, quite charismatic, but... an odd little bird.'
'Elves are strange,' Viv was thinking, 'I've got a lot to learn about these creatures. Lil and them were right, though; what a smell! I wonder why...'
Monday afternoon, the streets of Tharbad
Laslech sensed her mistress' desire to go, and moved her head over towards the Elf, hoping for a nice parting scratch. Alagos smiled and obligingly scratched her on that delicious place under the forelock, and Laslech arched her neck in ecstasy. Alagos laughed, and gave her soft muzzle a little kiss. "And it's a pleasure meeting you, too, my lovely lady, although I must say that you have more whiskers than the last lady I kissed!"
He watched for a minute as Viv and Laslech rode off and slowly disappeared into the crowd, then he unconsciously started his nervous hand movements again as he set out walking in the opposite direction.
Udukhaturz
12-01-2005, 09:57 PM
University Library, Monday, around 6:45 PM.
After leaving the Singing Swan, Udu was in a nasty mood. “What a miserable afternoon,” he thought. The situation with Lilaenwen in the jewelry store and inn had been intolerable, but at least he had been able to purchase some souvenirs for his wives, all twelve of them.
He considered going back to his house on Rath Galen and more thoroughly investigating the cellar. With a few minor renovations - tearing out a wall here, building a wall there, a cell here, a cell there - the place would do quite well for guest chambers. He decided against going back to his house, though, for there were far too many calculations and estimations that would be needed to be done. He would be too short on time for any of that, for he had an appointment at 7 o’clock with Khamul at the library.
Back in his apartment at the university, Udu found that he was thirsty. He went to the well-filled wine cabinet, took out a bottle of local vintage, uncorked it, and began drinking it straight from the bottle.
“Come unarmed,” Khamul had warned. “Khamul has always been so trusting,” Udu thought sarcastically as he put the now empty bottle on top the wine cabinet. He cursed Khamul silently as he took off his sword belt and draped it over a chair. There were still the daggers, though - one at his belt, one in each boot, one strapped to a harness across his back, one strapped to his thigh, three in his cloak - “There, that is all,” he thought as he put them away in a drawer. He cursed Khamul again and went back over to the wine cabinet.
At 6:45, he made his way to the library, a place where he had never been before. A waiting servant escorted him to Khamul’s study, and then excused himself. Udu wished that he could do some investigating of the library on his own but there was no time for that.
“Professor Galadannun, old fellow! How well you look!” Udu said as he looked for Khamul’s wine cabinet. After finding a satisfactory bottle, he uncorked it and sprawled down on one of Khamul’s chairs, throwing his left leg nonchalantly over the chair arm.
“Maethor, very good to see you. I see you have made yourself right at home.” He glared disapprovingly at Udu.
“Might as well be comfortable, I always thought.”
“You wished to discuss Lilaenwen?” Khamul spoke warily.
“Yes. If she continues to behave as she does, dancing in the manner of the East, acting like a fool in public, she will sooner or later draw attention where we do not want attention - the King and the other authorities. I do not think you want that any more than I do.”
“No,” replied Khamul. “What do you suggest be done?”
“I thought perhaps you would have a suggestion, old fellow,” Udu said, smiling in that unpleasant way he had. “There is another matter that I wish to discuss with you. I have bought a house with an ample cellar. Perhaps together we might consider certain improvements - guest apartments in the cellar, a place for ‘interviews’.... a few sturdy racks for them to stretch out.... irons... pokers... a few grates where they can warm up when they get too cool... a stout post with the appropriate restraining devices... a few minor improvements. Perhaps you would be interested?”
Earniel
12-02-2005, 11:59 AM
Library Tower
Monday, around 18.00h
"Ladies, I must ask you to replace the books on their proper places and leave the library."
Eärniel and R*an looked up with some surprise. They had not heard the professor entering, which was unusual. However, the carefully stacked books on the table had taken up much of their attention in the last hours.
"Pardon?" R*an asked. "Leave? Why?"
"Why, because evening has fallen! The library will be closed for the rest of the evening. You will find that goes the same for the other university buildings. " Galadannun said, trying to keep any hint of smugness out of his voice. He took a certain pleasure in kicking the two Elves out while they were obviously enjoying themselves but there would be too much questions if he also showed it.
Eärniel, still holding a book in her hands, looked through one of the windows where the sky was indeed beginning to darken a little.
"Very well," she said. "Perhaps I can finish this book here tomorrow. At what times is the library open, professor?"
"At none," Galadannun replied curtly. "The library stays locked at all times."
"Why? What use is a locked library, that students can't even access, to an university?" R*an asked incredilously.
"Should you wish to visit the library again," Galadannun said, his tone slightly indicating that he would rather they did not, "you will have to get permission from the Chancellor himself."
"But why?" R*an insisted.
"I do not make the policy, I merely enforce it. You will have to ask the chancellor that. Now if you please, put the books back."
The two Elves obeyed and left the tower, but clearly were not satisfied with the concept of such a restricted library. Galadannun, glad to be rid of the them, locked the door behind them as soon as they crossed the threshold.
"That is three times, I have met this man," Eärniel said with a sigh, "and each time there is something amiss. And I haven't even had a single lesson of his. Ai! This is not going to be a smooth year..."
"Of what use is a library full of books when you can't even read them?" R*an muttered, still somewhat annoyed.
"Of little," Eärniel agreed, equally dissatisfied. "But I suppose we can call ourselves lucky we at least got to spend a few hours there before being thrown out."
She looked with some interest back to the tower. Such a tower would have decent foundations, she mused. But she hadn't seen any door leading to lower levels.
"I wonder what would be in the cellars of the tower," she said aloud, thoughtfully, "if the tower has any."
Valandil
12-04-2005, 09:59 AM
Mahtaliel sighed, "Look it up, any book about the properties of gems will tell you the same. There may be some variations depending on the culture of the writer but the ones I've named appear quite consistently," she paused, "I must admit to wishing that you would tell me what's wrong that makes you suspect me."
Oreturion paused some time before answering. Then he seemed to visibly relax before replying, "Yes... what you tell me now seems to follow the pattern of what my research has uncovered."
He then continued, "Mahtaliel, I will take you into my confidence only to tell you this much, as what you have told me already confirms and agrees with all that I have discovered this day."
"Well you know that I am a servant of my King - and I am a true-hearted one at that. There were some strange events at yestereve's reception... and though I have no solid cause to firmly make a claim, yet my heart forbodes that my King may be in danger here. I do not know the nature of the peril, but in my own mind I am convinced that there was some manifestation of it last night. It is my duty to discern and discover the source of this danger. The gemstone pointed toward you, so I needed to know what it meant."
"However, I have now satisfied myself that you intended no harm to my King. I bid you good day, ma'am," and with that, he bowed low.
Telcontar_Dunedain
12-04-2005, 05:10 PM
"Perhaps," replied Khamûl. "Yet if I did then there is something that I wish for you to do for me."
"There is? Pray tell Professor," said Maethor, curious of what the second could want of him.
"From what I can tell you are planning on bringing friends from the east as maids and servants. I also need servants and maids, and after sacking the elf whom I briefly employed at Orrodel I'm sure I won't be the most popular employee in Tharbad. So I wish for sarvants and maids, of the same calibre of yours, to arrive when yours do. In payment for this, and only upon their arrival I will help you and your men install some extras into your new house. Do we have an agreement?" replied Khamûl.
"On one condition," said Udu. "You tell me why you were in the Gladden Fields when I found you. I can guess, and a good guess I have, but I think there is more to it than I think. Do we have an agreement?"
"We do," said Khamûl.
Udukhaturz
12-05-2005, 03:34 AM
University Library, Monday, around 7:00 PM
“Khamul is still as tricky as he ever was,” Udu hid his thoughts deep in his mind. “He now wishes servants from among my own household, does he? No doubt he is jealous of me because I now hold control of parts of his old kingdom.” Udu smiled, enjoying the thought that at least in something, he equaled Khamul.
He studied Khamul’s proposition, reflecting upon how he might gain from it. Udu considered the servants who would be arriving soon - four men, skilled warriors, and two of his wives.
One of the women could speak common, Nossenis, whom he had been planning to employ as his housekeeper. Nossenis could have a sharp tongue and was not as lovely as the younger Tatyana. “Both women are very loyal to me.” Their loyalty, of course, was encouraged by the fact that if they should ever betray their lord, they would meet their deaths through long, painful ordeals. He concluded that perhaps turning over the sharp-tongued, sometimes evil tempered Nossenis might be one small way to help even his grudge against Khamul.
Udu reflected upon which one of his warriors that he would spare to Khamûl and concluded that Ecco, who was totally dedicated to him, would make an exceptionally good spy.
“Nossenis and Ecco can keep watch on Khamul, report to me his every doing that might be of interest to me.”
He looked to Khamul and repeated his words, “Yes, we have an agreement. When my servants arrive, I will discharge Ecco to you. He is a fierce warrior, dauntless, good with both sword and scimitar and has few equals in throwing the dagger. He is versed in the arts of poison, too.” Udu smiled. “If you should ever have use for that skill, he is your man.”
“Now there is my servant, Nossenis, a lovely, charming woman, fair of both form and speech, able to speak common, excellent cook. She would make a good housekeeper. There might be one small problem with her, though; the fact she has never lived in anything other than a tent in her whole life. I am sure that is only a minimal factor.” He smiled.
“This bargain should prove to be most advantageous for both of us. Now, old chap, just exactly were you doing in the Gladden Fields that day I chanced upon you? What was so interesting there?” Udu’s eyes began to gleam and his body tensed.
Grey_Wolf
12-05-2005, 02:19 PM
Scars, Trick and Treat with their very minor ring rushed about in Tharbad having a really good time. No one really paying any attention to them after they had been shot at by some lunatics.
CrazySquirrel
12-05-2005, 05:25 PM
Orrodel – Red Herring, Monday 8.30 – 9 PM.
"Look, Buz," said Lilly, draining the last dregs of Dorwinion ’26 from a bottle. "I am hungry, love. I haven’t eaten since midday." They were in bed in an empty Orrodel house and the night had fallen.
"Oh, Noooo!" moaned Buz. But the nazgulettes had some specific weaknesses, as compared to nazgul, specifically, they needed food and sleep regularly. Less than mortals, but still quite a lot of both, thought Penny irritably.
Meanwhile, Lilly went to the door and cried " Zimra!!! Zimra, you worthless servant! Come here, you stupid cow!"
"What are you doing, Lil?" hissed Buz, quickly donning his clothes. It was no good to be seen in his "sister’s" bed! But it seemed there was no need to worry, as nobody replied.
Sighting, Buz went down into the empty kitchen. The fire in the stove died, no smell of cooking could be detected. Bloody servants! Bloody Khamul! It was no good to fire the Elf like that.
" Get up and dress" called Buz to Lilly. "Let us eat outside".
Oh, yes!" cried Lilly, "Let us return to the Swan! I loved it there!"
"No", replied Buz firmly. "I have had enough of this place for today and for many days to come." Let us find some other respectable Inn".
"I know one! It is called "the Red Herring" I have been there many times. They have that strawberry cake.. Mmm…"
In twenty minutes, Buz and Lilly entered the Herring. Lilly quickly scanned the room. It was almost empty, only at a small table in a quiet secluded corner sat… The High King of Arnor and Gondor, Valandil son of Isildur.
The King looked sad. He was nursing a drink and doodling on his writing pad. With a practised gesture Lilly adjusted her bodice with a very low neckline and advanced.
"Lilly, don’t do that, you fool!" she heard Penny’s desperate thought-plea. But Lilly would not be deterred so easily. "The Captain wants him for Gordie", thought Lilly vehemently. But let us see whom he will like better! Let the strongest win!"
Lilly came to the King’s table and bowed low, giving the bewildered King a good view of the depths of her décolleté. Valandil coughed and rose politely to greet the lady.
"My Lord King" chimed Lilly. "I am Lilaenwen, daughter of Aldacar. Here is my brother, Pengolod. Please, excuse my boldness, Sire. We have not been introduced to you properly, but we are good friends of Lords Martalion and Raendil. We awaited you in our house a day ago, but unfortunately you were too tired to come." Lilly smiled, showing two rows of pearly teeth and made her green eyes twinkle. But immediately a shadow of worry crossed her brow.
"My Lord King", she continued, "I dare to approach you now to ask about my friend Martalion’s health. I have not seen him since the Rochdol Game yestermorn. Is he so badly injured as to stay in bed for two days? No, it can’t be!" Lilly’s eyes swam with tears. "Oh, Lord, I hope you could assuage my worries!"
Monday, 4ish PM, near Itazel and Danor's house
Alagos leaned on the rails of the bridge by Itazel and Danor's house, which was where his wanderings had finally led him. He sighed and watched the water flow by, and his hands slowly relaxed. A lot had happened in the last 24 hours.
He thought about the mixed marriages that had taken place, and wondered why, when they involved humans, that the humans had been men, not women - the women had been of the Eldar, or in Lúthien's case, Eldar and Maia. Beren and Lúthien; Tuor and Idril ... and then his parents, too. Well, there was Elros, he suddenly realized - but Elros had made his choice to be among the Secondborn before he had married, so that was different.
He looked down at this hands and smiled. Tyaron was right - his feelings showed in his hands. When Alagos was upset (which was not infrequent, but was light, and over quickly), his hands (and body) were always moving; when Tyaron was upset (which was very rare indeed, but very intense when it did happen, and it took a long time to get over it), his hands and body were tense, but dead still.
He straightened up, stretched, and went back into Itazel and Danor's house. He didn't see anyone around, so he went quietly upstairs and into Tyaron's room, where he found Tyaron's harp. Tyaron, like Fingon the valiant (whom they both admired very much for his daring rescue of Maedhros - both Tyaron and Alagos thought Fingon a better man than his brother, although Turgon was king of Gondolin and they were loyal to him) seldom went anywhere without at least a small harp. He expertly tuned it (harps are moody things) and started softly playing and singing. He played some light, melodious tunes for awhile, then moved into Beren's Lament:
Farewell sweet earth and northern sky,
for ever blest, since here did lie
and here with lissom limbs did run
beneath the Moon, beneath the Sun,
Lúthien Tinúviel
more fair than mortal tongue can tell.
Though all to ruin fell the world
and were dissolved and backward hurled
unmade into the old abyss,
yet were its making good, for this -
the dusk, the dawn, the earth, the sea -
that Lúthien for a time should be.
His voice fell quiet, but his fingers continued their soft playing.
Earniel
12-06-2005, 01:56 PM
Itazel and Danor's House
Monday, after 8 PM
After having taken leave from Mahtaliel and having thanked her for the opportunity to browse the library undisturbed (and after also subtly complaining about their rather rude removal from the premises by the new librarian) R*an and Eärniel walked back to their lodgings.
There, R*an was introduced to Itazel and Danor and cordially received. They had arrived right in time for dinner during which Itazel made sure they ate more than enough. (Itazel reckoned, by human sound common sense, that since Elves were so light on their feet and so finely shaped, they probably didn't have enough proper meals.) The share that Itazel had prepared for the absent Tyaron was also dealt with, with some vital help coming from Danor.
After dinner, and when the dishes were removed, Danor opened a bottle of Dorwinion gin and the five of them stayed seated, leisurely talking and laughing.
"Well, R*an," Itazel said, rising from her seat. "I imagine you want to see the room we've prepared for you."
R*an nodded, and rose also. "I'd love to, thank you, Itazel."
"It's funny how you Elves can do with so little," Danor remarked, slurring slightly, having had as liberal a helping with the gin as he had with dinner earlier. "Eärniel only just had a full trunk with her, Alagos and Tyaron barely had more luggage either and you, R*an, seem to have almost none at all."
Eärniel hit her forehead with her palm. "R*an, your luggage!" she cried. "We completely forgot to collect it at the Red Herring! The landlord must wonder what's keeping us."
Monday evening, after 9 p.m., Itazel and Danor's house, and the Red Herring
Alagos stood up. "Well, if our hosts will excuse us, then I will go with you, R*an, and carry your things for you. Then you can braid my hair when we get back, if it's not too late for you - it IS getting a bit late, and you didn't get any sleep last night, you know," he finished hopefully.
R*an stood up, re-energized. "Oh, I had forgotten about your hair - the evening has been SO pleasant that it went clean out of my mind!" she said, smiling her thanks at her hosts.
Alagos turned to Eärniel. "Would you like to come, too? It's a fine night for a walk," he said warmly.
Eärniel stood up and stretched. "Yes, thank you - I think a little walk would just fit the bill right now. Itazel takes such good care of us with her fine dinners that I'm afraid I"m going to grow out of my clothes!"
Itazel clucked her tongue, murmuring defensively, "You Elven ladies are just too slender! You need some good cooking!"
"Well, you certainly gave us some good cooking tonight," said R*an, "and more importantly, your kindness and friendship. Not everyone in Tharbad has been so kind," she added thoughtfully.
The three Elves set off for the Red Herring. "Cheer up, sister," said Alagos, and pressed her arm closer to his. "You're done with Orrodel now - you're among friends."
"I may be done with Orrodel, but not with its inhabitants," she replied. "I saw the Lady Lilaenwen at the jeweler's, and she gave me such a look of anger and ... I don't know, just like she ..." she paused, at a loss for words for the meaning behind Lilly's look, because she couldn't think of any reason for it. "I guess she just doesn't like Elves," she said with a shrug. "I can't think of any way I could have offended her."
"Don't worry anymore, then!" her brother said cheerfully. "I don't think you'll be seeing them much."
R*an, remembering that Professor Galaddanun taught at the University where she was taking some classes, thought differently, but decided to not bring it up. She moved in closer to her brother's body, taking comfort from his presence.
Entering the Red Herring, they were flagged down by Mrs. Miggins, the proprietoress. "R*an, my dear, we were wondering when you would come for your things! They're right over there," she said, pointing towards a small storage closet. As Alagos moved off to get the baggage, she laid her hand on R*an's arm and moved in closer. "And, dear, Constable BB asked us to ask you to just drop on by his place for a wee bit of a chat. It seems - but no, he asked me to not say anything, just that he wanted a bit of a chat with you, when it was convenient."
R*an was surprised, but said, "Certainly, Mrs. Miggins, I'll do so first thing tomorrow."
"That's fine then, dearie," said the busy lady, and bustled off with a cry to the new serving girl of, "No, no, not THAT table, t'other one!"
R*an turned to Eärniel to discuss this strange request, but found that Eärniel hadn't heard, as she was looking across the room. She turned to R*an, saying, "Well, well - it looks like the High King is as at home in pubs as he is in palaces!"
Lady Marion Magdalena
12-06-2005, 10:55 PM
After 8pm
Mahtaliel locked the door to her forge and wandered up the path to her house.
She had returned from letting the ladies into the library to find young Marthalion and his friend waiting to be let in to the forge for the class. It had been a good first class and for those three hours she had been able to take her mind off of the more disquieting events of the last day.
Now, nothing demanded her attention and she was free to think. She reached her house and went in. Locking and barring the door behind her. Between preparing for new classes, dealing with paperwork, and being asked for minor favors she hadn't had a proper chance to rest without interruption in what felt like days.
Up the stairs to her sleeping room, lit the lamps hanging in the corners because she likes light in this room. She had very little in the way of furniture up here, something to sleep on, something to sit on, a row of baskets for storage and shadows to adorn the walls.
She pulled one of the baskets forward and sat down cross legged, back leaning against the wall. Out of the basket she pulls a much worn shirt, giving out at the seams and begins to mend it. A friend long ago taught her how to sew, said it was useful, and good for thinking.
Better to think about the smaller things first, while still establishing the needle's rhythm...
So the Chancellor had confiscated the library keys. No matter, she had made duplicates; she would have to be careful about when she used them, for of course he would suspect that she had made at least one duplicate, he simply couldn't do anything about it without proof.
Oreturion's confession that he suspected the King to be in danger was disquieting. More so was the fact that he had suspected her. Had the suspicion been simply because of the gem and her connection to Eregion or did he know more than that?
She hoped that if he did he would be respectful enough to keep it to himself. It wasn't uncommon knowledge that she had lived in Eregion, that by itself was fairly innocuous, there had been many elves of all the kindreds living there; but she didn't want people knowing more than that, especially with the recent influx of elves and descendents of Elros.
Eventually she finished mending the shirt. Stretching, she rose to her feet and, after snuffing the lamps, lay down and slept.
Valandil
12-07-2005, 12:17 AM
Valandil looked up as the serving girl returned to his table, only stopping directly before him to face him. He looked up to see that it was not the serving girl at all. It was that... rather voluptuous young redhead he had seen at this very inn three days before. She now bowed to him and retained... that position for several moments more than was usual.
"My Lord King" she chimed musically, "I am Lilaenwen, daughter of Aldacar. Here is my brother, Pengolod. Please, excuse my boldness, Sire. We have not been introduced to you properly, but we are good friends of Lords Martalion and Raendil. We awaited you in our house a day ago, but unfortunately you were too tired to come." and she smiled - and her teeth shone and her eyes twinkled, but then a shadow of worry crossed her brow.
"My Lord King", she continued, "I dare to approach you now to ask about my friend Martalion’s health. I have not seen him since the Rochdol Game yestermorn. Is he so badly injured as to stay in bed for two days? No, it can’t be!" and tears began to form in her eyes. "Oh, Lord, I hope you could assuage my worries!"
"There, there now... " replied Valandil. He realized that he had stood, so he now urged her to sit down opposite him, and gestured for her brother to take the place next to her, as he sat back down himself, shuffling his papers into a bundle in a pretext of clearing them off to make room for whatever his guests might order.
"I was with Lord Marthalion - I love the way you pronounce it with that accent of yours - I was with Lord Marthalion at the Chancellor's reception... last night." Was it only last night? he thought. It seemed a month or more ago.
"But really I have been rather preoccupied myself today," continued the King, "and our paths have not crossed. I assumed he would be alright. He certainly seemed none the worse for wear after the game." He couldn't even remember if Marty had spent the night at his place last night, as he was always welcome to - or if he had seen him at all this morning.
"Oh look!" exclaimed Valandil, his face lighting up. "Elves! And I know them!" He waved his arms at Rian and Earniel, whom he had just caught sight of. Then he noticed that there was another Elf with them... a male - and the grin on his face dissolved into a very thin smile.
Serenoli
12-07-2005, 02:20 AM
Two men sat in a smoky corner of the Red Herring, playing cards. Thats not uncommon... but Mrs. Miggin, the landlady did not approve of them at all, because they were both hooded and cloaked. Her inn was supposed to be respectable... folk that were ashamed of how they looked like should of tried the Rotten Cod, where they would have been considered strange if they hadn't been hooded and cloaked! And the King was there, too, what would he think? But Mrs. Miggins had no idea how to be politely strict to customers. So she just served their drinks and went about her way.
Completely oblivious of the occasional glares sent their way by her, Tolvadok and the Dwarf went on playing. They both had their own reasons for hiding their faces... for Tolvadok it was become a habit, and as for the Dwarf, he had seen too many lands not to know of the prejudice of people against dwarves... And somwhow this desire to remain incognito had served as a bond between the two, and although they had hardly spoken a word to each other, they had spent the last two hours together... playing and drinking in silence.
Out of the corner of his eye, Tolvadok watched Valandil sitting moodily at his table. He resisted the urge to probe the king's mind, find out what worried him. The Morgul Lord had warned him that the king's mind was not totally unprepared for such an assault. He turned his thoughts instead on the Elf- Mahtaliel, and shuddered at the thought that her filthy hands had grasped his neck. If he didn't hate water more than Elves, he would have been bathing in copious amounts of soap and water, to get the Elvish stench off.
The Dwarf (whose name was Ragin Darkave, but Tolvadok didn't know that) played his card- The King. Tolvadok smiled grimly, and played his- The Usurper. He knew he had the Dwarf stymied. There were only two other cards that could have deafeated his, and they were both in his hands... The Three Good Witches, and The Rebel.
He left Ragin to scratch his head over it, and wondered how successful he had been with Mahtaliel. He knew he had rather bungled the job... she was a sharp old lady, all right, and though he hadn't tried mind-reading any more, any mortal could have told she was slightly suspicious of him all the same.
The inn-door opened to let in Lily and Buz. They didn't notice him, but went straight on to Valandil. He could see Lily bowing to the King, and the King going red, and he remembered all at once the first time he had seen her when she arrived at Mordor. He had been very young, then... in years as well as in looks, and Lily had had a lot of fun making him blush at every possible oppurtunity. He wondered if Valandil would be getting the full treatment... that would be worth watching!
In a fit of inspiration, Ragin played The Fool. When Tolvadok arched his eyebrows at him, Ragin hastily said... "Well, haven't you heard of any stories where its the faithful Fool who saves the kingdom from the evil Usurper? I could tell you dozens!"
It was that which clinched it for the Dwarf. Tolvadok was by nature a warrior, and listening to a dwarf telling him fairy tales of a Fool and a Usurper with the occasional witches thrown in, was not his cup of tea. Besides, he was now too busy watching the three Elves at whom Valandil was waving, and enjoying the shocked expression on Lily's face. She had certainly not bargained for Elves when she set out to allure the King!
"All right, you win this round. Lets play another, shall we?" he told Ragin.The dwarf nodded, and began dealing. Tolvadok took a long sip of the white wine before him... he didn't like drinking much, but it seemed strange to be in an inn and not drink anything... and watched the curious mixture of men, elves and nazgul. He liked watching people... he didn't mind even Elves much from the distance... he just hated joining in, himself.
Earniel
12-07-2005, 06:03 AM
The Red Herring
Monday, 9 PM
When Eärniel saw Valandil wave, rather eagerly so, she politely waved back.
"It won't be polite to just leave now," she said to her friend, "shall we go over there and say goodbye?"
"I'm not sure, Eärniel, look whom the King has for company." R*an said quietly, having spotted Lilaenwen.
"I did notice, but don't let that deter you. After all, it won't be the last time you'll run into her and her family in Tharbad or at the university. You are in nobody's service now and avoiding them will be precisely what they'd want."
"And I dare say the King wouldn't mind at all to be spared from her sole company," Eärniel added in amused, whispered tones as she linked her arm to R*an's to go to the table where Valandil and his company was seated, " judging from that rather desperate wave he just gave us. Not that I can blame him for that."
Grey_Wolf
12-07-2005, 07:44 AM
Following in the foot-steps of the martens, the weasels Fleet, Speedy and Swift snuck in through a crack in the wall, curious as to what they were up to, near the abandoned house where the wolves had briefly stayed.
Valandil
12-07-2005, 09:14 AM
Valandil was gratified to see the trio of Elves coming his way. He scooted over on the bench. There was room for one more beside Lilaenwen and her brother Pengolod.
As they approached, he noticed Earniel's simple green dress, and thought how well the color suited her. Rian was lovely as well, but who was the guy?
He smiled and invited the Elves to be seated and join them, "Please join us, won't you?" then standing and extending his hand to the unknown Elf he continued, "I am Valandil. I know these two ladies whom you are escorting, but I have not had the pleasure..."
CrazySquirrel
12-07-2005, 11:40 AM
Lilly was preparing the next sweet sentence, hiding the predatory gleam in her green eyes by thick golden lashes, when the King suddenly beamed and waved enthusiastically to somebody near the door. His grin suddenly faded, however, when he had a better view of the approaching group.
Lilly turned to follow his gaze and could hardly refrain from swearing loudly. She did so mentally, though, elaborately and profusely.
Golug! Bloody stinking Golug! And none other than her former housekeeper Rian with another cutthroat male Elf at her elbow. The third, more distinguished-looking female, Lilly didn't know, but all three were the same who argued with Khamûl on the doorstep of Orrodel this morning.
Glaring at the approaching Elves, Lilly felt a familiar presence somewhere in the other corner of the room. She received a wave of cold amusement coming from that direction. One of the Nine was in the Inn, laughing at her silently!
But she had no time to use her senses to identify him further. The Elves were already at the table. The King moved into the corner along his bench, and Lilly and Buz had no option as to do likewise, letting the newcomers sit at their table. After introducing himself to the King, the male, Alagos, sat alongside Buz at the end of their bench, while the green dressed goluglob and Rian sat opposite her, alongside the King.
Buz sat quietly between Lilly and Alagos, his face blank and non-committal. Lilly smiled sweetly at the Elves opposite her, but her eyes communicated about as much warmth as those of a stalking leopard. They were huge and green and angry.
The Red Herring
Monday, 9 PM
"I am Valandil. I know these two ladies whom you are escorting, but I have not had the pleasure..."
Alagos flashed a quick look at his sister, and seeing the expression on her face, it made him wonder if THIS was the man "with the blood of the elves in his veins" that she had mentioned last night ...
He bowed with just a touch more formality than he would have normally done. "I am Alagos, of Gondolin-that-was. I am R*an's brother," and he looked at Valandil with a piercing gaze.
Valandil winced inwardly just a bit as he remembered his dance with this man's sister - just how much would a young lady tell her brother, anyway, he wondered - but his face showed nothing but politeness as he returned the bow.
Alagos' face relaxed into a smile as he added, "And I won't say it's a pleasure to meet you, for we have already met, although I doubt that you would remember, for you were quite young." He paused for a brief moment, examining Valandil's features, as Valandil tried to recall Elves from Gondolin that he had met as a child. "As a child, you favored your mother, but now that I see you grown to your manhood, you remind me of your brother, Elendur ... he was a noble man, and his death was mourned by the Eldar as well as your own people."
"We met in Imladris, then, I assume?" said Valandil.
"Yes, we did - you shot an arrow at me there!" said Alagos merrily.
"Too bad he missed!" thought Lilly with disgust.
Valandil smiled and said, "I think I am starting to remember you now, but I am being remiss - let me introduce my other companions."
Gordis
12-07-2005, 07:13 PM
University, Monday, after 6.30 PM.
After leaving Minas Aran, the Chancellor walked briskly towards the Palace. Presumably, Aiwendis still awaited him for the dinner. He reminded himself again that he should eat regularly, as mortals do. There were too many eyes around and too many tongues to start the gossip, should he miss more than one meal at a time.
However, upon entering the Palace, his feet took him not to the Dining Room on the ground floor, not to his magnificent apartments on the first floor, but to the third floor, to the empty servants rooms above his own quarters. There was only one man lodged there, Sapthân, the Library assistant, the only mortal in Tharbad whom the Morgul Lord trusted.
Sapthân came with the Chancellor from the University of Osgiliath; for three years he had been Assistant Librarian and the head of several spies that the Chancellor had in Tharbad. Now the Morgul Lord was eager to hear the latest reports. He knocked on the door and entered, without waiting for reply.
Butterbeer
12-07-2005, 07:29 PM
word had come via the University mice to the squirrels and hence to the butterflies ... the old admiral fluttered into the watch tower through the upper windows and finding Boom, woke him ...
whispering he reported the news ...
ahh! thought Beautiful boomerang .... so it was indeed Sapthân as they had thought ...
Udukhaturz
12-07-2005, 07:30 PM
....
Valandil
12-08-2005, 03:55 AM
Valandil smiled and said, "I think I am starting to remember you now, but I am being remiss - let me introduce my other companions."
"This is Pengolod, and his sister Lilaenwen. Pengolod and Lilaenwen, may I present to you Alagos... his sister Rian, and... Earniel." continued the King.
"Yes," said Rian, somewhat sharply, "We have met." and she paused now that she saw the faces and heard the names of Valandil's companions, rather than just seeing them from behind. She seemed hesitant about whether or not to sit down.
'The High King sure has lousy taste in friends' thought Rian - but just then, Alagos sat down next to Pengolod, and that decided it for her. Rian slipped around the table and began to sit next to the King. She caught herself though, her mind awhirl... and she looked at Earniel. Did Earniel wish to take the place nearest the King? The end seat would also leave her across from her brother, and furthest from the siblings from Orrodel. And besides... she suddenly remembered last night and wasn't sure if she could properly sit right up against him again now.
All this whirled through her head in just an instant, and she caught a particularly hateful glance from Lilaenwen.
"Now Alagos," said the King with a grin, as he returned to his own seat, "Let's make sure everyone here gets the full story on that archery lesson. It wasn't as bad as you make it sound after all."
Valandil
12-08-2005, 10:03 AM
While Alagos, sitting diagonally from the King, began to recount the complete story, Valandil signalled the serving girl for drinks all around - and called for a bit of bread and cheese when she brought those.
What was that on his leg? He looked up and saw Lilaenwen looking at him coyly... was that her foot gently rubbing up and down his leg?
The Red Herring
Monday, 9 PM and later
Alagos rubbed his foot on the table leg - apparently he had picked up a bit of a stick or something in his shoe, and it was itching! Finally it shifted and stopped bothering him.
"So, you see," continued Alagos, "after I finished my business in Imladris for Master Elrond, I had a week or so before I was able to head back (for I had to wait for one other person), and I decided to meet this young prince of the house of Eärendil the blessed, and perhaps teach him the right way to shoot a bow, though you were but a lad of 6 at the time." He looked at Valandil to see how he was taking this, and was relieved to see that Valandil, like the true warrior he was, knew when a fellow warrior was offering a good-natured teasing. The best fighters, in Alagos's experience, were very good at this art. He wondered for an instant what the Númenorean archers and swordsmen had to say about each other, and then continued in response to Valandil's smile and ascenting nod of his head.
"You men of Númenor are fierce fighters, and your bowmen are rightly feared in battle, but yet a bow should sing to its handler, and your hollow-steel bows do not have any song, at least to my ears. And besides," he said in a mock-serious tone, "if one is in the wilderness and suffers a lost or damaged bow, it's hard to find steel-trees!" Valandil and the elves laughed, and Alagos continued. "So I found a piece of wood that had some heart and voice to it from the stores in Imladris, and started making you a bow. I sat out in an open place where I knew you liked to walk, and soon, as I had thought, your curious mind drew you to me, and we met." Alagos smiled at the memory - the young boy, with the confidence and bearing of a much older man, coming up to the seasoned fighter, and his courteous but curious enquiries about the bow, for Alagos was making a bow in the style of Gondolin, which the young prince hadn't seen yet.
"I remember the look on your face when I said I was making it for you - you clearly didn't want it, but were too polite to say so. You told me about the bows of your people and why they were superior - but I spoke to you about the song and feel of a bow, and you grew quiet, and then finally sat down to watch."
"I remember now," said Valandil quietly, a thoughtful smile on his handsome face.
"I guided your hands as we finished shaping and tillering the bow together, teaching you how to feel how the wood wanted to move. I remember your hands on the wood - I could tell as you gradually came to feel it. Then when we finished, we went to the storerooms, strung the bow and got some arrows for a boy your size, and were just heading out to the range when Erestor found us and called me over for a moment." Alagos grinned his crooked smile and raised an eyebrow. "You were decidedly not happy about waiting - your courtesy kept your lips from saying so, but your face spoke plainly! You nocked an arrow, and although you were experienced enough to turn away from us, yet you didn't know that I had strung it to a greater draw-weight than usual, and as you gave it just a little test-pull ..."
"It slipped off," groaned Valandil.
"And now I must confess to an artistic exaggeration about you shooting an arrow at me, for in reality, the arrow came nowhere near me! Even at that young age, you had a proper respect for weapons, and had turned away from us and towards a safe target. Yet I still have you a hard time about it," said Alagos, "for I had told you to wait for me. But no harm done! and I would much rather have a young man be eager to try and learn new things, like you were, than to be a dullard."
"You certainly did put quite a bit of draw-weight on that bow, didn't you!" recalled Valandil.
"Well, you were a slender lad, but strong and hardy, and I thought you could learn to handle it," replied the archer. "And you did, and quite well, too, by the time I left!"
"I still have that bow at home somewhere," mused Valandil, "although the string, of course, has perished by now. How wonderful to meet you again after all these years!"
"And I am happy to see that you have kept the promise of your boyhood - my instinct tells me that you are an excellent warrior, and I have heard good things about how you have ruled your people."
Lilly had had enough of this ridiculous elf-talk - and the stench of these elves! - she cleared her throat in obvious annoyance, then threw back some of her lovely hair which had had the audacity to hide her ample bosom from general admiration.
The message was unmistakeable, and it brought Alagos back to the present. He looked at his sister, who had turned her face away from Lilly, and then said to the King, "I'm afraid I was over-long in my pleasant reminiscences, and my sister, I can tell, is not feeling well, although she would not say so. And I know the Lady Eärniel did not want to tarry here long, out of consideration of our courteous hosts who await us. We only came to pick up my sister's things - we meant to go straight back until the ladies saw your friendly gesture to join you. Would you please excuse us? It has been a true pleasure to meet you again, and I hope we can talk more in the near future."
Valandil stood up. "Of course, of course! Don't let me detain the you anymore - it IS rather late. I should be going myself, in fact, if you would excuse me," he added formally (and hopefully) to Buz and Lilly. Lilly's eyes flashed in anger, but she could hardly ask the King to stay on her account - things were not that forward with him yet.
The party gathered up their things and left the Red Herring. Many eyes followed their departure with interest.
The three elves walked quietly through the streets, Eärniel softly humming a tune from Gondolin. They entered the house and looked around for their hosts, but Itazel and Danor, like most of the regular residents of Tharbad, retired early (the decision probably aided by the amount of gin that Danor had consumed, and by their knowledge of the Elvish need for less sleep than humans, and their penchant for walking under the stars). They found a note (Itazel prided herself on knowing her letters), urging them to help themselves to anything they wanted.
R*an yawned and stretched. "Well, I guess I'll just have to braid your hair tomorrow, brother," she said sleepily. "Not that you'll be too upset about that!"
"I'll have my hair unbraided and washed by dawn, all ready for you," he said kindly to his sister, and they all headed upstairs, Alagos bringing up the rear with R*an's bags.
He put them in her room, and they gave each other a good-night embrace and kiss. R*an breathed in her brother's scent deeply - clean, fresh and masculine - she hadn't realized how much she had missed it. "One of the things about working with humans, " she had once told Eärniel, wrinkling up her nose, "is that all too often you can smell them before you see them!" Her father, of course, had been different, but he was different in many ways.
Alagos closed R*an's door softly, and turned to face Eärniel, who was still in the hall. "Goodnight ... and thank you for what you said this afternoon. I appreciate it very much, and I appreciate your frankness with me."
Eärniel inclined her head slightly. "Thank you for listening," she said, "and I look forward to seeing your hair in the morning!" She smiled at him, and they went into their rooms.
Valandil
12-10-2005, 01:48 AM
On his way out of the Red Herring, Valandil stopped to get things squared away on his tab, dismissing efforts by the Elves to cover 'their share' ("Little do they know I get a twenty percent discount here anyway" thought the High King). Being in a bit of a hurry, the Elves went on ahead. Just as he had settled up and turned toward the door, Valandil saw someone standing directly before him, blocking his path. But it was a familiar face.
"Greetings, Oreturion!" Valandil said with a big smile. "Have you come out to get yourself a bite to eat, or something to drink, here at the Red Herring?" knowing full well that this was not what had brought him there.
"I thought that I should find you here, Sire." replied Oreturion - his deadpan voice indicating that he had either missed Valandil's jocular manner, or was ignoring it. "I came to remind you that you have an early start tomorrow, and a long day of classes. It wouldn't do at all to go with too little sleep your very first week of schooling here - before things have even begun to get difficult."
"And..." he added, his eyes searching about the room, even as his head remained, as if locked, directly facing the King, and perhaps a bit of worry - or even compassion - entered into his tone, "I wondered if Master Marthalion might be with you?"
"Marty?" said Valandil - and his own face became grave. "Someone else just asked me about him. No - I haven't seen him all day. Could he just be studying someplace?"
"Your Highness, this IS Marthalion we're talking about." answered Oreturion.
"Yes..." and Valandil paused. "We should be getting back to our little home here, but let us split up and take separate routes, that we may increase our chances of finding him. Here... you go this way," said Valandil, pointing up one street, for they had walked on toward the door and begun to come outside, "and I'll go that way." indicating another.
It didn't seem wise to Oreturion for them to split up, for he was concerned about what might befall his King as well - but Valandil would not be dissuaded. So off they each went on their appointed pathways.
sun-star
12-10-2005, 04:17 PM
Oreturion followed the street which the King had indicated, not without the occasional glance behind him. He suspected that Valandil’s reason for separating them was not solely concern for Marthalion’s welfare, and he hoped that the King was not wearied by his advisor’s repeated cautions about his safety. It was certainly unwise, in Oreturion’s opinion, for the King to walk alone at night – but he had learnt a long time ago to concede small points of disagreement on the principle that the more often counsel is given, the less it will be heeded. Oreturion did not want the King to feel that his activities were too much curtailed by those who aimed to protect him. While his sense of unease remained so vague, he could have little reason to argue too insistently for Valandil to take precautions. “Perhaps the King has some other business in this area which made him lose his taste for my company,” Oreturion thought briefly, but he soon turned his mind to other matters.
Udukhaturz
12-10-2005, 06:28 PM
The clock on the mantel struck half-past six. Sapthân looked at its face and then down at the burning logs in the grate. His apartment in the palace was a comfortable one. Though he was content with his position as assistant librarian, he was ambitious and had great hopes that he would be appointed to fill the vacancy of head librarian.
Books and libraries were Sapthân’s life, the reason for his existence. How he marveled when he watched scribes patiently copying old manuscripts, delighting in their work. Often the margins of parchments were decorated by fantastic art of real and imagined creatures.
Ancient copies of lore were preserved, as well as new works on history, lore, geography, mathematics, science and philosophy. The library was a link to the past and the hope for the future. What marvelous wonders of learning were often hidden behind the commonplace binding! What secrets of esoteric knowledge could be delved in the ancient works?
He stroked his neatly trimmed black beard, tinged here and there with a few flecks of gray. For the past few moments, he had been pondering the four elements as he studied the fire. He remembered a magician that he had known years ago, who by the mere intoning of a few words, could make the dancing flames of the fire turn to the shapes of serpents, dragons and many other wondrous things. The Black Numenoreans knew many of the arcane arts. He would have to read that section of one of his books on magic once again. “It is actually more a trick of the mind of both the magician and the ones who behold the phenomena than it is actually a change of the fire,” he mused. Whatever the case, he was eager to attempt to duplicate the spell.
Sapthân set his tea cup on a low table beside the chair and went to answer a knocking at the door. He was surprised to see that his caller was none other than the Chancellor. “Your Excellency,” he said, welcoming him. “Come in. Would you care for a cup of tea?”
When the Chancellor declined his offer, Sapthân had a disappointed look upon his face. “Well, sit down on a chair and be comfortable,” he said as he returned to his own chair and waited. “What could he want with me tonight?” he wondered.
Possibly the Chancellor was bringing him good news, news he had hoped to hear for a long time. “An appointment to be head librarian of the venerable library of the University,” he thought, seeing himself already in the position.
“I have appointed a new librarian,” the Chancellor said.
“Ahh, the news I have been waiting for!” Sapthân thought. “He is going to announce my appointment to the position.” Sapthân did not say that to the Chancellor, of course, but waited respectfully to hear the good news. “At last, at last,” he thought, his eyes gleaming with anticipation.
“Yes, Your Excellency,” Sapthân said, leaning forward, eager hopes written on his face.
“I have named Professor Galadannun as head librarian. You will need to assist him.”
“He has named another to the position of head librarian!” Sapthân thought with resentment and a feeling of betrayal. His pride was hurt and he was more than a little angry that he had not been appointed.
“But, Your Excellency, does the man know anything about the library? Does he appreciate all of its many virtues... the secret places below?”
“I gave him the position to avoid a situation,” the Chancellor explained. You do not really want to create confusion by protesting, do you?” the Captain asked in a cold voice.
“I have always been loyal to you... for many years. I would not betray this trust now. My only concern is for the library. You know it is the love of my life. I would not want those... who did not share a love for books to be awarded such a high position... and there are places in the library...” he looked toward the floor, “that intruders and the uninitiated should not see!”
“Then be reassured, Sapthân, that Professor Galadannun will do all that I ask of him in regard to the library.”
Sapthân was somewhat satisfied with that response. The Black Numenorean truly did appreciate books, especially those that held certain secrets that he wished to explore more fully.
“I want you to help Professor Galadannun with the running of the library... and watch him for me. If the Professor should do anything... shall we say.... out of the ordinary... let me know it as soon as possible.”
“Certainly,” replied Sapthân, still feeling disappointed, but the idea of keeping watch over his rival and reporting things of interest to the Chancellor did have a certain appeal. Perhaps if Sapthân were cunning enough, he could undermine Professor Galadannun’s position of head librarian.
The Chancellor smiled at Sapthân. “I know you have many sources, friends, who drop by to talk with you. What is the news about Tharbad?”
When the Chancellor used that tone of voice on Sapthân, it had a certain calming quality to it that made him eager to tell him all he knew in spite of any old resentments or doubts. Sapthân was jealous of Professor Galadannun, and now was his opportunity, he thought, to cast any doubts of aspersion on his rival’s character that he could.
“Chancellor,” he said, his eyes calculating, “there are certain rumors that have come to my notice about the sister of Professor Galadannun, the Lady Lilaenwen. She has been conducting herself most indecorously lately.”
“That should do for a beginning to cast doubts upon the reputation of Professor Galadannun’s family,” Sapthân thought.
“A man in my employ, who frequents the taverns from time to time, was at the Singing Swan Inn this afternoon around 5 or so. He left shortly before you arrived. He is an uneducated man, but for a price, he is very loyal. He reported to me that the scene he saw there was almost unbelievable. It appears that the sister of Professor Galadannun, the Lady Lilaenwen, in the brief time that the family has been here, only about three weeks, has been spending money as though she is a potentate from the East. The gossips are buzzing, the man tells me, all the way from the Rotten Cod to the Singing Swan! The talk is not good, Chancellor,” Sapthân said, hoping to impress the other man with his knowledge of the doings of the town.
“Go on, go on,” the Chancellor said quietly.
Warming up to his topic, Sapthân said eagerly, “An associate of this man told him that shortly before the lady arrived in the Swan, when she was still in the jewelry store on the Street of Hours, that he saw through the window of the store the lady performing a most brazen exotic dance! Decent women do not such things, Chancellor!”
The Chancellor nodded and smiled encouragingly.
“That is not all,” he said excitedly. “She was showing affection publicly to that new professor, Maethor, I believe is his name. You know no modest lady behaves that way in the view of everyone. Scandalous, shameful, the man told me, and when he uses such descriptions, I can conclude that the scene must have been quite bizarre!”
The Chancellor nodded again. “Is there more, Sapthân?”
“Yes,” he said happily. “Lady Lilaenwen was most affectionate to Professor Maethor in the Singing Swan Inn. She is quite a little number, I hear, fond of wearing quite revealing gowns,” he said, grinning knowingly at the Chancellor. “We know that no reputable woman does that sort of thing... and keeps her reputation intact.”
Sapthân looked at the Chancellor, who seemed to be nodding in approval. Sapthân was almost beside himself with the contemplation of how the Chancellor would be impressed with his knowledge.
“For that matter, my informant tells me that the wags say that Professor Maethor himself is quite the sot. It simply seems strange for the Lady Lilaenwen and Professor Maethor to be on such... close terms, when I understand he arrived in the city only yesterday. Perhaps they have known each other from the past?” he asked.
He looked at the Chancellor for a reaction, but he could see little except that the other man seemed interested in this information. “That is not all, Chancellor,” he said with great eagerness. “The man was sitting right across from Lady Lilaenwen’s party. Suddenly, the lady had some sort of fit... strange, he said. Then, I could hardly believe my ears when I heard this, Professor Maethor poured several bottles of wine right down her throat! My informant said that he saw at least two bottles going down her throat, but a friend of his said he saw three! We know, Professor,” the man said dramatically, for effect, “no normal woman can consume such a vast quantity of wine in such a short time!”
“There,” Sapthân thought, “that should be enough to cast doubts on the sister of Professor Galadannun.” How much of a blow would this be against his rival, Sapthân could not ascertain. After that information, Sapthân felt that his next information might be considered almost trivial.
“Is there any more, Sapthân?” the Chancellor asked.
“Is that not enough, Chancellor?” he asked. “Think what such gossip will do to the reputation of the library! My concern is more with the library than it is with the local gossip. I fear that there are those who are too interested in the library... and in what it contains. I will watch all, as you have said. I think we agree on the relevance of keeping the library and its secrets safe.” The two men exchanged looks of understanding.
There was no time for Sapthân to find the book on fire magic that he was so eager to read, nor was there time to drink another cup of tea. “Now is as good an opportunity as any,” the Chancellor said, “to meet the new head librarian.”
“Your Excellency, if that is what you wish... but I trust that all those things I have said to you in confidence will remain between the two of us?” Sapthân replied warily.
“Of course,” the Chancellor replied, “in the strictest of confidences.”
For some reason, that remark vaguely bothered Sapthân, but the Chancellor was already going through the door and there was nothing to do except follow him.
CrazySquirrel
12-10-2005, 08:45 PM
Red Herring, after 9 PM, Monday.
Lilly gently glided her foot along the King’s leg, down, down, then up again, higher and higher. Concealing the gleam in her eyes by long golden lashes, she watched her prey shift uneasily.
"I wonder if he is going to scream and run", thought Lilly. "Those Faithful… A shame, really."
The King’s eyes bulged, he shot a suspicious look at Lilaenwen across the table, then turned his head to Earniel and Rian on his side, and, finally, to Alagos. The elf was noticeably rubbing his boot on something under the table. When done, an expression of relief appeared on his face. Alagos’s relief was mirrored on Valandil face, when he looked at Lilly again and smiled apologetically.
Lilly was inwardly dying from laughter. She pressed her advantage and used her time to look coyly at the King, while the stinking Elf on Buz’s left was telling an incredibly dull long story, of no interest to anyone, as is the way with Elven stories.
Finally he was done. Lilly cleared her throat to bring up a topic of some interest to the King, about his friends, but she was rudely interrupted by the Elves who decided to leave. That reminded Valandil of the time, so he started to say farewells as well. So they left, leaving Penny and Lilly behind. Lilly was angry and frustrated. Buz ordered chicken with vegetables and a bottle of wine, and they had supper and a few drinks. At this time, Buz noticed a news-sheet, left by the King. He scanned it and asked:
"Lilly, have you put in this notice about a housekeeper needed in Orrodel?"
"No, not I. Perhaps it was Kh-Galadannun". Lilly was still smarting from the King’s departure.
"Perhaps", replied Buz.
They left the room, trying not to look at the hooded Tolvadok in the corner. By now, they clearly recognised his cold poisonous mind touching theirs.
When they left, Tolvadok stopped his card game for a moment, crossed the room and took the newsletter, left on the empty table.
"A housekeeper urgently needed in Orrodel. Generous salary."
Serenoli
12-11-2005, 02:55 PM
"A housekeeper urgently needed in Orrodel. Generous salary."
He smiled. Perfect.
He went back over to the dwarf. "Well, master dwarf, how much do I owe you?"
Ragin seemed quite disappointed to learn that the game was over... but he set to calculating his winnings with relish. Paying him in big gold pieces which made the dwarf's eyes glint in the darkness, Tolvadok left his companion, and walked over to the counter. Mrs. Miggins wasn't there, but he spotted a young girl messing about around there, and called her over.
He shook off his cloak, revealing the pale-golden hair, and young face, which somehow always made women take a maternal stance towards him. He could see Annawen, who had looked startled at first, was smiling at him approvingly.
"I have come to pay for my drinks. How much is it?"
"I'm sure I couldn't say. You'd have to ask Mrs. Miggins over there." replied Annawen, with the tiniest hint of annoyance at not being able to prolong the conversation. She had turned back, when he said, in a lower voice, "Listen, could I ask you something?"
"Sure."
"I suppose I should introduce myself. My name is Girithron, and I was looking for some kind of a job here, in Tharbad, and I noticed this advertisement in the newsletter."
He handed her the paper, which she took puzzled. He could see her slowly spell out the word Orrodel. Then she looked up:
"You mean, you want to take this job?"
Her surprise was evident... he seemed such a gentleman, why would he want to be a housekeeper?
"I am actually a student at the University, and I need a job to pay for my classes. I didn't want to bother you about it... just wanted to ask if you know anything about this house at Orrodel."
Annawen was all ears now. "Why, yes. In fact, just two days ago, my friend Rian herself applied for this same post! She is also studying at the Uni, you know and so am I! Maybe I'll see you there! Anyway, I found the advertisement and told her about it."
"You mean, the post is already filled?"
"Oh no... what I mean is, she did get the job. But I've heard from Juni, who works in the house next door, that there was some kind of row, and there were lots of Elves around... Rian is a half-elf, you know. And the upshot of it all is she is already fired. I haven't seen her yet. I mean, she did come in just now, I don't know if you noticed? But she was with all these other elves, so I didn't go over to her. Anyway, Mrs. Miggins says that she's living at Itzael's place now. Maybe you should go ask her about it."
Tolvadok smiled gratefully. "You have been most helpful, my dear lady. May I ask what your name is?... Annawen... its a lovely name. I hope I shall be seeing more of you soon. But now I must go, do excuse me."
He left Annawen in a bit of a glow at being called a 'dear lady', and getting hold of the bustling Mrs. Miggins, he paid for his drinks. He also managed to get some directions to the house where this Rian was staying. Tomorrow, he would go visit her, as Annawen had suggested. It was very unpleasant, of course, but after all, she was half-human, it seemed. And this was a perfect oppurtunity to meet her. The King had seemed very intimate with these Elves, and he wanted to know more about them.
He walked out into the night, and headed back to Tharbad University.
The last sane person
12-11-2005, 09:41 PM
Marty walked to the palace after the race and quickly changed, rubbing his sore chest where he managed to get clothes lined by an over hanging branch.
"Owww.....Damnit, that was stupid of me, how'd I fail to see that!?" He growled and climbed out of his sullied garments and drew himself a bath. Looking at his schedule he laughed aloud at his luck. "Ha! One class today! And no classes on Friday either, what splendid luck!" He finished his bath and got dressed for swordsmithing. He had hoped that he would be able to test one of the blades he made against one of Ray's... In a friendly sort of duel. After all, that is how the class judges the worth of a weapon.. Who better to try it out than those who made it, it's what the elves do too, so professor Mahtaliel probably wont refuse....
He grinned and got out his work book, immeditaly going over the types of swords and underlining all the types they would probably make in the comming few classes. More than likely a few short swords and perhaps a longsword for the first 6 or so classes. Nothing too fancy... Marty immeresed himself in all the books for the classes this quarter, reading ahead.
Getting C's and passes werent good enough for him this time around. I gotta brush myself up after all, got to give the folks a good impression of me. For all Marty's debonaire flirting with other girls, there was one whom he was very smitten with back home, whose parents were hoping for no less than an elf to marry her. Or so it seemed to Marty. Needless to say, its Marty after all, he weaseled around the parents and met and made friends with the young woman first.
At least she favors me. But still, got to clear my act up. For the next few hours he was reading and taking notes, soon it was time to head for class. He went to the stables and mounted the now rested Ithilion, and headed off. He met Ray by the door and grinned.
"Good race. You won more than that bag of gold. How does Viv like you now?"
Ray grinned at him, "Well enough my friend, well enough!" They both bowed to the professor once she let them in, and true to Marty's studying, they started on making simple sparring short swords. Most of what they made would go straight to the armory, if it passed the grade. With out further ado, the material was gotten and molten steel was being pounded and shaped.
It was a good 3 hours for Marty and Ray, and they had gotten further than Mahtaliel expected which pleased her. She looked over what they had gotten done thus far. "Well done gentlemen, the armory will be pleased to recieve what you make. Next class we will resume what we have started and go over the finer points of balancing a smaller blade. Should you finish sooner, we will go on to longswords, and perhaps even horseman's blades." Her eyes had not missed the pairs still stained riding boots. Both Marty and Ray had forgotten to clean them.
"Thank you professor!" Ray waved over to Marty and zoomed off to his next class. Marty hung back and approached Mahtaliel. "Um, professor, how are we to be graded on the quaility of our blades? Are they to be tested?"
"Why, of course, they have to be, before being taken to the armory." She had a feeling she knew where this was going and smiled.
"Ah, well, may I please ask that Master Raendil and I be allowed to test our own blades?" Marty was pretty sure he had been polite about it. And he knew that elves and other smith's did test their blades before sending it off to the armories.
"Well, it requires experienced warrirors to push a blade and find its limits though."
That tweaked his tail! But he kept it under control, "And I assure you, both Raendil and I are experience in that quite a bit! Both of us have fought for many years on border patrols and know good weapons when we swing them! Indeed, I have also experienced weaker weapons as well, i've had swords break on me mid-pari before."
Mahtaliel realized she had tweaked the young man's pride, and said no more, and also took into account their alleged skills in battle, pleased to note, no tone of bragging or exageration in Marty's voice, but merely down to business facts. "I will consider it, and should I approve, the tests would have to be on an extra day, and not on a class day, would that be suitable?"
Marty smiled and bowed, "Yes Professor, it would, I will go tell Raendil and we will find a few days that we both have the time adn then present them to you, if that is well?"
"That is perfectly well, and keep in mind I am still merely thinking on it, no promises!" She added with a smile and Marty took his leave, much happier.
This isn't a bad day at all! Hmm, perhaps i'll go visit Captian Shah, if he is to be found He made his way down the main street and passed the Red Herring, mere minutes before Valandil showed up. He took a left, a right, went a few blocks and found himself staring at the front door of the Guardsman's Ale House. He felt a hand on his shoulder and turned around to see good old Cap'n Shah.
"Well met Master Marthalion, beat me to it today!" The old Vet laughed and clapped the younger man on the back, leading into the pub, to a warm greeting by all the occupants. He steered Marty to a table with Barli and Karin, and two other watchmen. Marty ordered a round for those at the table and asked for cheese and bread to be bought.
They fell into some companiable laughter and story telling, and Marty had to stifle a laugh at Shah's recount of the ghostly figure he had seen for a second on the watch. While Barli, Karin and the other watch memebers argued back and forth over the odd apperation, Shah threw him a knowing look and they bothe chuckled.
Clearing his throat, Marty spoke up, "Ah, aye Shah, I too saw that ghost rider in the mist. I was waaay over, 'bout a league away, waiting for Raendil and another rider to show up for our little race, then I heard this queer jingle of tack. So help me I thought it was Ray, but as I peered into the mist, I saw this rider, ghostly as you pleased, looked like a part of the mist." He solomly touched his forehead with his beerstien and the others did the like.
"I looked hard and soon it came not even a horselength from me! Twas some noble or somethin, on a horse no less than 18 hands if it was an inch! He was wreathed in mist and totally see through though there was nothing but mist around so it was hard to say. He was wearing a coronet of sorts, and looked at me, then dissapeared into the mist once more, uncanny I tell ye!"
This brought fresh uproar, the room clearly divided on who this appiration was. Some say it was one of the Nobles at Gladden, the others say that it was a local Tharbard Noble, and the argument was helped on both sides by both Shah and Marty. Shah was nigh laughing over this, and gave Marty a happy look, which clearly said "You young scallywag! Shah cleared his throat and went to the aid of the Gladden proposers, "Well, if it was a noble of Tharbad, explain the horse! That is obviously a beast of supierior quality than those found in Tharbad!"
Those who favored some doomed Gladden Noble roared in approval. Marty shot Shah a look and grinned I'm not the only scallywag, you'da done this yourself!" Marty spoke up, "Then why was he hanging around the walls? Gladden was a good deal away and the skirmish didnt come straight up to the walls and wood surrounding it!" Those supporting that it was a noble of Tharbad roared in approval.
It was amid this cheery debate that Oreturion found Marty, and invited him for a bit of a drink.
Monday night, Itazel and Danor's house
R*an sat by the window in her nightclothes, looking out at the stars playing hide-and-seek with the tree branches that moved gently in the breeze. In her hands, she held a small book - very old, and often read - even more often just held and looked at, because the words inside were memorized long ago.
Alagos was also looking out of his window, but he had not undressed yet, nor was he sitting. He was standing still - a rare attitude for him. Not even his hands were moving. Finally he turned and noiselessly left his room. He paused for a moment by his sister's door, then touched the wood softly with his fingertips in a little in absentia caress, before quietly going downstairs and out the door.
Telcontar_Dunedain
12-13-2005, 02:24 PM
"I was sent there," replied Khamûl, now speaking slightly quieter than usual. No one was around, but it came from habit.
"By who? The Morgul Lord, the Dark Lord?" asked Udu, his face showing a mixture of awe and worry.
"You believe the Dark Lord lives?" said Khamûl quickly and aggresivley.
"I do not know. he was powerful, but you saw what happened," replied Udu. Secretly he had thought the Dark Lord may have survived, but Khamûl's words dismissed that thought.
"The Morgul Lord sent me. I was sent to check for the ash nazg," continued Khamûl. "It was a long and wearisome adventure. I had been there nigh on a year when you found me."
"A year. It would not take that long to scour the Gadden."
"Scour it? Nay Udu, that was but a small part of my mission, which I finished ere the end of the first month."
"Then what? The Gladden is uninhabitable, the nearest occupants are the elves of Greenwood, and they would have realised that Isildur fled with the One," replied Udu, not giving Khamûl a chance too finish his sentence.
"Little do you know Udu. You rarely ventured North, your business was in the South, in Umbar and Harad. Orcs lived in and around the Gladden thousands of them, and they are prone to steal things which they shouldn't. I often ventured North, and was known by the Orc chiefs of that land so the Morgul Lord thought I would be ideal for the mission. But during the War I had changed an so had the Orc Chiefs. It took three months of hard work to regain their trust and respect. I had word sent through the Misty Mountains, and within a month the Chiefs of most of the parties of Orcs and their armies were gathered near the Gladden. Fortunatley most understood the Black Speech so I swiftly recieved the news which I didn't want to hear. No Orcs had recovered the One, but one Chief did have some interesting news. Apparently his father and his archers had shot at Isildur. They say his body just appeared in the water, as it hadn't been there before. He says his father wasn't sure how many hit Isildur, but at least one did. Before a group of Orcs could be sent over to plunder the valuables Isildur was carrying an army of elves from Greenwood attacked them, and all were either killed or fled."
"Well that's is only five months. I presume you searched the shore where Isildur was shot which would not have taken long. Yet you say it took you a year," said Udu, slightly confused.
"Surely you don't think I kept them alive. You know what Orcs are like. Tell them something remotley important and it will spread like a wild fire. Within another year the news would have reached Harad, and possibly from there to Gondor. If that had happened all of Middle-earth would have been hunting for the most powerful object to ever see these shores. Six months of slauhgter and of hunting," replied Khamûl.
"Six months? But I thought that the armies were gathered near the Gladden," answered Udu.
"They did not stay where they were," spat Khamûl. "Orcs are cowards. They only fight if they know that death will come to them if they don't. They fled, noth, east, south and west. And there were hundreds of them, perhaps a thousand even. I had killed all Orcs in the Gladden with a week, but hunting? Nay, Tolvadok and yourself were always more skilled in that department. I relished battles and face to face brawls, not hunting. Few had fled east into the grasp of Thranduil, yet I pursued them first. I did not need Thranduil's kingdom knowing that thre was an Ulari within two days march of their borders. I went quickly, hoping to overtake them before they reached Greenwood the Great and the kingdom of Thranduil. After a fortnight of hunting I returned to the Gladden and headed soth along the Misty Mountains and then North, killing all Orcs camps I came across. I had seen no elves so presumed that I had done well near Greenwood. I then made a loong journey West, until I reached the Greyflood where a strong force had assembled. Fortunatley I had the power of my Ring and after a hard fight returned to the Gladden. It is then that I saw ....." Khamûl broke off short and hissed quietly to Udu.
"What?" said Udu, know using mind speech.
"The Chancellor, but he is not alone. There is a mortal with him aswell."
sun-star
12-13-2005, 04:36 PM
Oreturion chose a table as far away as possible from the noisy debate Marthalion had left, and ordered some wine for them both. They sat down.
"It makes a change for you to be buying me a drink," Marthalion said with a grin. "You must have something really important to say."
Oreturion did not smile, but he inclined his head in acknowledgement of the joke. "Perhaps I should not be encouraging you – you seem to have been drinking already."
"Just catching up with some friends," Marty said, cheerfully unrepentant, since he inferred from his friend’s tone that the remark was not meant unkindly. "I wouldn’t have expected to find you in this place, though."
"I thought I might meet with you here. I tried several similar establishments nearby in the hope of finding you, but without success. After we had not seen you for a while, I became concerned for your safety – but clearly my fears were groundless." The wine arrived at this moment, and Oreturion poured out glasses for both of them. Marty stared at the older man curiously.
"Well, it’s nice to know you worry about me!” he said at last. "But this is a busy town, it’s easy for people to miss each other. What on earth did you think could have happened to me?"
Oreturion returned his gaze steadily. "I hardly know. Several incidents in the past few days have made me uneasy, and perhaps I have let them preoccupy me unduly. Obviously you are safe and well, for which I am glad. But since we have finally met again, I may as well take the opportunity to ask – have you noticed anything unusual recently? You have explored the town more thoroughly than I have, I think."
The last sane person
12-13-2005, 05:11 PM
Marthalion thought for a bit and sipped the wine, "Good stuff, thanks Oreturion." The older relavtive gave a small smile and sipped some of his own wine. "I cannot say that I have really seen anything out of the ordinary...Right before the rochdol game there was a strange empty carriage Valandil, Raendil and I had to put a halt too...that was a bit strange mind you." Oreturion nodded, that incident was known to him.
"Well, we met a nice family in tharbad, they too are going to school here...Nothing terribly strange about them...save that there are two very pretty maidens there. One which has caught Ray's eyes..." Marty grinned.
"And you are not so interested? That comes as a surprise Marthalion." Indeed, Oreturion was surprised, he had fully expected to find young marty neck deep in trouble and drink at the dirtiest of taverns. Well, perhaps I am judging the boy too harshly
"No, not interested, I am trying to clean up my act," marty nodded to the wine he was drinking, "Dont worry, I've only barely gotten through a mug of beer. The debates are quite fun, and tis all in good cheer with this bunch. More of it gets spilled while arguing over whatever than drunk."
Oreturion raised an eyebrow. He believed him, after all, he could still see Marty's barely finished tankard on the table near Shah, and noticed how the pub's patrons were still talking and laughing, making the beer stretch for quite a while. The boy is cleaning up his act. I wonder why...
"Cleaning up your act Marty? I must say, this comes as a pleasent surprise." He poured himself another glass and Marty was quiet for a while. "Yes, I guess I am. I can't be a scallywag all the time. Besides...I am to be a prince, one day, I suppose, I have to make a good impression on people."
And the first batch i intend to impress are Miri's parents! Marty finished his wine, "I will gladly keep my eye out if anything strikes me as undually odd. I already know you worry your grey beard white over King Valandil's head." marty grinned and leaned back, and watched the debates. "Hmm, looks as though the ones supporting the Noble of Tharbad seem to be winning."
"What, what noble is this?"
"Oh nothing cousin, just some new 'ghost'. Some thought it was a fallen noble of Gladden, the others think its a noble of Tharbad." Marty grinned at Oreturions rueful smile. "Well, ever the fallen will be claimed." Oreturion nodded and stood up to go. "I'm comming with, I have notes to write up." Marty went over and gave his goodbyes to Shah, Barli, Karin and the others and walked out of the Guardsman's Ale house with Oretution, both putting on their cloaks.
"My, my, Marty, I must admit I am pleased to see this sudden turn around. Taking studies seriously, not going to these less than reputable pubs...toning down the drink! I hope you do keep it up!" The both walked towards Valandil's place, and Marty laughed.
"Its not so sudden, but dont get your hopes up, I'm in no way going to be as square as Val!"
"Well, my father always told me to be thankful for what you get, so I suppose these changes are good enough."
Udukhaturz
12-13-2005, 08:35 PM
“A mortal?” Udu growled to Khamûl in thought-speech. “Why would he bring a mortal?”
“That, my friend, is something I do not know. We shall wait and see, shall we not?”
“Probably another one of the long line of fawning sycophants who follow the Morgul Lord around, hoping to receive some favor or reward!” Udu replied in thought-speech.
Their discussion on the “why” of the Chancellor’s bringing Sapthan was interrupted by the appearance of the Morgul Lord at the door. A tall, gray-eyed man with a neat black beard, obviously of Numenorean descent, closed the door behind the two.
“Professor Galadunnun, Professor Maethor, I would like you both to meet an old esteemed acquaintance of mine, the assistant librarian, Sapthân. Since you, Professor Galadannun and Sapthan will be working closely together in the library, I thought tonight might be a good time for you two to meet. Sapthan knows the library as well as he knows the location of books on his shelves.”
Udu looked at Khamûl and Khamûl looked to Udu.
“Hail, Sapthan,” Khamûl greeted.
“An honor to meet you, sir,” Udu replied.
“I am sure we will get along very well, Professor Galadannun.. pleased to meet you, Professor Maethor.” Sapthân bowed, trying to hide his thoughts behind a pleasant smile.
“So this is the man,” Sapthân thought, “who has robbed me of the position which is rightfully mine! Now I am supposed to be quite respectful and polite to him, helping him even, showing him the library - my domain! - quite a lot to ask.” Sapthân set his face in a mask of pleasant felicity which would have been believable were he not facing three of the Ulairi. Though he had been long skilled at the art of deception, he had underestimated Khamûl, considering him the lesser of the two of them.
“Would you gentlemen like to join me in a tour of the library tonight?” Sapthân smiled, almost simpering.
Gordis
12-13-2005, 09:27 PM
Minas Aran, Monday after 9 PM.
"I think, Sapthân, it is far too late for the tour of the Library," intervened the Chancellor coldly. "It is dark outside, and I would not allow candles or lanterns in there. The books are too valuable to put them at risk."
Sapthan looked disappointed. The Chancellor approached, and put his hand on Sapthan’s shoulder, smiling down at him. The Black Numenorean was tall, but still noticeably shorter than the Chancellor.
"I trust you will show the Library to Professor Galadannun first thing tomorrow. No one can do that better than you. Go now and rest. Don’t stay awake with your books, old friend".
Sapthan’s face lightened. He bowed to the three Professors and left the room, closing the door behind him.
The three nazgul waited till they heard Sapthan’s footfalls die in the hall below. The front door was opened and closed, and all was silent. The Library was empty, but for them.
"Come. I am going to show you the dungeons of Minas Aran", invited the Chancellor. "We need no mortals there".
The Morgul Lord turned and left the Librarian’s apartment. Just beyond the heavy oak door was a magnificent gilded staircase. To Khamûl’s and Udu’s surprise, the Chancellor passed the wide straight stair leading to the Hall; instead, he unlocked another heavy door, opposite the one to Galadannun’s rooms, and entered a long gallery with vaulted ceiling, supported by elegant stone columns with a flower motive. In daytime, the gallery must have been bathed in light, as there were many high windows along the front wall of the Tower, but now there was almost complete darkness. The trio, however, had no difficulty to observe the surroundings and to pick their way with ease.
"What are those statues at the far walls?" asked Khamûl, indicating two looming shapes at the ends of the gallery.
The Morgul Lord laughed. " It is evident that you have never been in Gondor, Lord Khamûl. These are Isildur and Anarion. The matching statue of Elendil is down in the Hall. Gondoreans put them on every corner, and it seems that Arnoreans do likewise. Nothing of interest, actually. Too large for good taste, almost three rangar high, and crudely executed. Late Numenorean decadence art." The Chancellor made a dismissive gesture with his hand.
Turning right, the Morgul Lord walked towards the statue of Isildur, giving explanations over his shoulder.
"When I came here three years ago, these two statues were in the corners of the Entrance Hall, by the far wall. The Entrance Hall occupied all the ground level of the Tower. But I grew tired of the multitude of students coming to the Library to fetch most trivial books, so I organised the Public Library downstairs. I invited a team of Moria dwarves to make some renovations. A wall was built across the Main Hall, and a back entrance to the Tower was opened. Now the Public library downstairs has no connection with the Main one upstairs, and the flow of people in the Library diminished greatly."
"But the most important thing was done with these statues. It was very hard to haul them here, even for the dwarves. My knowledge of engineering was of some help. Now each of the statues conceals a door to a stair. Anarion back there" - the Chancellor waved to the far end of the gallery - "blocks a door to the Library Stair, so the only access left is from the Main Hall. But Isildur here" – the Morgul Lord smiled and indicated the huge statue in front of them – "Isildur guards the only entrance to the dungeons that I left, though no one can guess it is there. This door is dwarven-made; it is operated by a spell in their secret language. It is enough to whisper the spell almost inaudibly. Listen well, to remember the words.
"Bunkus sharik ai-khazad kabed zirgal!"
As the nazgul watched in wonder, a vertical fissure appeared in the wall on the left of the statue. The whole section of the wall, as well as the statue, rotated silently, until a dark opening appeared. The chancellor stepped onto the stair, Khamûl and Udu following. The steps led down, while the section of the stair leading up was blocked by heavy masonry.
"What about those dwarves?" asked Udu. What if they start talking?"
The Morgul Lord’s cold voice answered "You must know by now, Lord Udukhatûrz, that I never take chances, if I can avoid it. I paid them handsomely for their work in the Library and they went home happy. Unfortunately, the gold they were carrying proved to be their undoing. I heard they were attacked by robbers on their way home. All the dwarves were slain, and the gold taken. These are cruel times indeed," concluded the Chancellor humorously.
Udu and Khamûl, impressed by the Captain’s story, nodded approvingly.
Soon they entered the first level of the dungeons. It was a maze of small and large cells, long unused, the heavy iron grids open, old chains and locks rusted. Udu’s eyes lighted when he saw a rack and some ancient torture tools lying on a stone bench in a nearby cell.
"Don’t beam so widely, Udu," laughed the Chancellor. "There is nothing of interest here. All the equipment that could be salvaged is kept lower in the dungeons. Here everything is too rusted to be of any use. This level only serves to dissuade the intruders from coming lower….And, yes, meet Adunuzîr, the local guardian"
They all felt, rather than saw, a ghostly shape approaching. To see better, the nazgul used their Rings to meet the newcomer in the Word of Shadows.
The ghost was tall, but terribly thin, almost a skeleton, the bulging hungry eyes wild, the swollen tongue hanging from the mouth. Rusted chains were attached to his wrists and ankles. The ghost approached and bowed low before the Morgul Lord.
"Adunuzîr, the Black Numenorean, was once a rightful ruler of these lands, a King’s man," explained the Chancellor. "He knew his duty to Numenor and to his King, so rebelled against the "Faithful" traitors, who wished to take this land as their own. Elendil the Accursed put him in this dungeon to die of thirst and starvation. Adunuzîr vowed not to quit the Circles of the World before the hour of his vengeance. Now he is in my service. He has no body, but still he can cause fear in any mortal."
With a nod, the Morgul Lord dismissed the ghost, saying, "If you guard the dungeons well, Adunuzîr, perhaps I will help you to find a body to dwell in".
Then they went lower, to the second level of the dungeons. There were several locked rooms. The Chancellor indicated the Weapons storage, the Poisons storage, the Treasury. A door locked by a strong spell led to the Morgul Lord’s laboratory. He didn’t let them inside.
Then the Chancellor entered a room with a single table, strewn with scrolls and bottles of curious shapes. In the corner was a fireplace; warmth still radiated from the ashes. In the centre was a large stub of black rock, its surface smooth and glittering. The sensitive nostrils of the three nazgûl flared: the smell of recently spilled blood was hanging in the stale air, thick and cloying. But it was neither human, nor Elven blood.
"What is this place for?" asked Khamûl. "And who kills animals here?"
"It is your assistant Librarian, Sapthân", answered the Morgul Lord. "It is his study. He is too interested in Black magick for his own good. He tries to master what pitiful spells are accessible to mortals. All of us have tried the same in our time…
I let him be, and pretend to be unaware of his most disreputable activities. He has no idea that I can smell blood keener than a hound, of trace a whiff of a spell in the air. He believes I am another mortal… Let him think so. He is devoted to me, and I need him for the Library."
With that the Chancellor led the others upstairs and locked the secret door with the dwarven spell.
"Now, my lords, it is getting late. I trust you to lock the Tower properly, Lord Khamûl. I wish you both goodnight."
Udukhaturz
12-14-2005, 12:47 AM
The hour was still early when Sapthân said his farewell to the Chancellor and the two professors, Galadannun and Maethor.
“Dismissed so easily,” he thought as he returned to his room. He considered calling a servant and asking for a pot of tea to be brewed in the kitchen, but he was in no mood for tea at the moment.
“Professor Galadannun,” he thought with resentment. “He has usurped my position, and there is nothing I can do about it!” Closing his eyes, Sapthân stood in the middle of his room and clenched his fists tightly. Then he fell to his knees, and, raising his hands into the air, he began to chant, “Oh Great Power of the Eternal Darkness, heed my humble plea! I have been denied my rightful position as head librarian! Smite my enemy and drive him forth into the darkness!”
He slumped forward, resting his hands on the floor. “There is no answer! How can it be! The Master of Darkness has turned His face from me and will not speak!”
He knew what he must do. However, there were visitors in the library and he did not want to risk meeting them again on his way to the “Secret Place.” Instead, he rose to his feet and went to a small chest. Opening it, he pulled out a dagger, its hilt marked with runes in a dark language and dedicated to the Power of Darkness, and a golden ewer.
Sapthân kissed the dagger and then threw off his robes. He slashed himself across his chest and winced as he felt the blade cut into his skin. He cut over old scars long healed and new ones fresh from the last time he had done his dark rituals. He entreated the Dark Power again as he watched the blood oozing into the ewer. The blood sizzled as he poured it into the fireplace.
Surely the Power of Darkness would understand, he thought. Sapthân poured out a pitcher of water and dampened a cloth, wiping out the ewer. He cleaned his dagger on another cloth and put dagger and ewer away.
He needed more time to meditate. After dressing, he walked out of his apartment in the palace and went to the fountain at the southwest corner of the library. Sitting down upon a bench, he looked up to the heavens and wondered if the Dark God he followed look down upon him from the Void.
late Monday night, Tharbad and the University
Alagos walked noiselessly through the streets of Tharbad, his senses on alert, keeping to the shadows. The last 24 hours had been filled with so many events, so many emotions ... and some hints of mysteries ... that his warrior's sense of watchfulness would not let him sleep. His sword was loosened in its sheath, and his dagger was hidden in his hand.
"You're overreacting, you know," he told himself, but the pricking in his skin told him otherwise. "Well, one cannot have too much information," he reflected, "and I can't sleep, anyway," and he continued his search (for what, he knew not, but if one doesn't search, one usually doesn't find - or one is found, and usually at a disadvantage. He preferred to be the finder, not the found.)
He came up to the University and slipped quietly in among the shadows. As he walked noiselessly around, he was amazed to see the noctural activity there out of the corners of his eyes - things harmless, and things not so harmless - things careless of humans, and things hungry for humans. The human blood in him rose up in fear ("I imagine there aren't too many servants wandering around these grounds at night!" he thought) but the elven blood ran strong in him and overruled the fears. R*an, whose mind was more like the Eldar than his, would be able to see these things better, but R*an would also be less able to control her fear.
He stopped under a tree, invisible to human eyes with his dark cloak and even darker hair, half-closed his eyes, and listened.
Valandil
12-15-2005, 07:55 AM
As Valandil strode swiftly down the all-too-quiet streets of Tharbad, a growing sense of unease gripped him. What if Oreturion WAS right… that he was in some sort of danger? Was it really wise to let himself be caught alone like this? Most university students didn’t wear their great swords around with them, but as King, perhaps he should start to do so. For tonight anyway, he had only his gentleman’s dagger, and his wits. The streets were mostly deserted as well as dark, however, and he did have his cloak and hood about himself now. He might almost go unrecognized to the casual observer – but for his great height. This part of the city seemed to be mostly sleeping by now.
No sign of Marty either…
But there, up ahead, came a figure, walking toward him. He paused at first, but then a lump rose to his throat as he recognized the other, and he softly called them by name.
“Eärniel!”
She did not pause, for she had caught sight of him already, but stepped right up to him and gave a slight bow, with a smile, both of which he returned.
“Out late at night again, are you, oh High King?” she said with amusement.
“It does seem an ideal way to meet you, dear Lady of Nîn in Eilph,” responded Valandil, and failing to fully suppress his growing smile. “Although each occasion of our meeting seems to end with an untimely interruption. I was just on my way back home after seeing you at the Red Herring earlier this evening. Tell me though please, what are you about? For surely you have gone someplace and are now going to another.”
“Well,” she laughed lightly, “I have taken Rian and her brother Alagos to share my lodgings with me, but all seemed restless tonight. I thought that a walk along the River might ease my own mind, and remind me of the waters flowing through my own Land.”
“That sounds good!” he replied, “and the River is only two blocks away. Might I join you?” the search for Marty appeared fruitless anyway – and a walk with Earniel much more appealing and hopefully more promising.
“Yes… you may join me. How is your ankle?” she asked, her eyes twinkling.
“My ankle is just fine thank you. I think a bit more walking will do it some good.”
So they walked to the river, and along the waterfront at the higher end of town – not by the docks and quays, but in the walkway above the bridge, close enough that the sound of the water could be heard cascading over the spillway just beyond that great bridge. They talked and laughed in low voices together as they walked. At last they came to a small outcropping with an overlook both up and down the river. There they stopped and stood side-by-side, leaning on the stone railing before them. They spoke a little more and then were silent for a long time. At last their silence was broken.
“Music!” said Valandil.
“Pardon?” replied Earniel.
“I hear music – perhaps someone else is restless in one of these homes nearby.”
“Oh yes – I had heard it but was paying little heed to it.”
Valandil then bowed very deeply and his face became sincere with mock-formality, “Lady Earniel, the High King requests the honor of this dance.”
“Oh - I would be most delighted!” she replied, with a bow and curtsey of her own.
“After all,” he said with a smile as they came together and joined hands, “we never finished our dance last night.”
And they danced. The music was softened by its distance and the nearby trees. The newly risen moon gave plenty of light, although the stone walkway hardly seemed ideal for dancing, being a bit uneven and narrow.
First they laughed and spoke quite gaily. Later they were silent and each seemed deep in thought, though they smiled whenever their eyes met. The music had stopped playing, but on they danced.
“Earniel…” They stopped and drew apart, still holding hands with one another.
“Yes?”
“You are so different from the other gir… ladies that I have known.”
“Of course. I am an Elf!” she said slyly.
His smile returned at that, and then, serious once more, he continued, “So many that I do meet just seem to wish to be the next Queen. I cannot say which might truly someday love me, as they all just seem so interested in pushing one another aside to reach me. But you… I have already begun to feel more for you than all the fine young ladies of Annuminas.”
“It is said that all Men in their younger years yearn for an Elf-maiden.” Said Earniel evenly.
“Perhaps so… but this is not an idle dream,” he said, drawing nearer once more. “My heart reaches out to you…”
“But we Elves are slow to love.” She said, knowing full well that this was not always the case.
A branch rustled overhead and a small sprig of something fell and landed right in between them. Valandil released one hand of Earniel’s from his own and reached to the ground. “Mistletoe…” he said.
He stood and held the sprig up before his eyes, then looked up into the branches above them, where a squirrel had dislodged this sprig. “More in the tree above. Hmmm… it is hardly the Yule, but in the north of my kingdom there is a custom…”
“Yes,” she responded. “I know the one.”
“Yet Men say that to kiss an Elf places a Man under her spell – and that he cannot escape it for life.”
“We are perilous indeed.” She replied, this time unable to suppress a smile of her own.
Was THAT one still going around? Might as well play along, so as not to diminish the mystique or the ‘magical aura’ Men had toward her people.
“So,” she continued, “tell me how Men play this out.”
“Well,” said Valandil. “First a Man will place his arms around the lady and draw her close, like so…” and at that, he drew her to himself and looked into her eyes, their faces scant inches apart. For once, Earniel was caught by surprise, but then a change came over Valandil’s demeanor.
“But… I… love… Aiwendis…” he said. His arms slowly released her and dropped to his sides, and he bowed his head slightly as Earniel drew back a step.
And then Valandil looked perplexed and conflicted. “Why in Arda should I love Aiwendis? I have had no feelings for her. We danced last evening, but I had not met her before. A fine enough dancer… and a fine enough lady in all respects… but that I love her?”
Earniel did not know if he was speaking to her or to himself.
“Perhaps your heart has found the one it truly seeks.” She offered.
He looked up, and seemed startled to see her there. “Earniel… I am sorry. I do not know what to say. I had not felt that way before. You know, I actually CAME to Tharbad in hopes of meeting you… and you ARE all that the tales tell of you.” His voice trailed off and he looked confused, or sad.
“Well, my King…” she replied after an awkward silence, hoping to put him at ease, “Maybe I can be of some comfort to you at least. We DO seem to have the oddest interruptions, do we not? But perhaps we can take some more walks – maybe in the daylight? And lunch now and then? We do have classes at the same University, after all. And… we could… let’s be ‘Elf-friends’!”
His face had lifted as she spoke, and as she finished she drew close once more, reached up and kissed him lightly on the cheek. He was surprised, and waited to see what might happen. Finally he spoke.
“There – I suppose that just on the cheek doesn’t have an unwarranted effect.”
“No my King… and I tried especially hard to keep the ‘Elven-magic’ out of that one!” Then she smiled once more and said, “We really ought to be returning, each to our own homes.”
“Yes… I will walk you to yours, oh Lady of Nîn in Eilph.”
At that they turned up away from the River and walked on up to the streets that made up the greater part of the city.
Valandil
12-15-2005, 08:00 AM
Valandil lay staring at the ceiling of his bed chamber. Sleep eluded him, or his mind raced too far ahead of it. Why had he said he loved Aiwendis? Because he did! Why did he love her? He could not say…
He had gone to bed late and still could get no sleep. At last, he pushed his covers aside and leapt forth from his bed. He began to dress hurriedly. He pulled a trunk from a corner and opened the lid. Isildur’s sword was not all that had been recovered from the banks of Anduin that spring, while Valandil was still a lad. He drew forth his father’s armour and began to place it upon himself. It seemed fitting somehow. Here was a helm, meant to replace the one damaged at Orodruin, and kept for Isildur at Rivendell, yet Isildur never saw it. Valandil then buckled the great sword belt about his waist, with the scabbard and the Sword Ithilmegil. ‘Come, my now silent friend.’ He said to the sword in his thought. Over all, he wrapped his great cloak and slipped out into the darkness.
Leaving the grounds of his Tharbad estate, he crept through the dark deserted streets of the city. At last, he came to the entrance of the University. From there, in the shadows, on to the estate of Arandel… home of the Chancellor, his cousin Ilmenzor.
No guards were about, but Valandil was breathing heavily, and his eyes searching this way and that to ensure that he was not seen. He stood off to one side of the entrance of the mansion for what seemed an eternity, against the very walls of the house. At last, he drew forth the sword, beheld it as he held it before himself, then cast his cloak aside and made for the door.
The house was unlocked – strange that. And still, no guards on duty. At last the sword seemed to speak to him once more, not with words, but with impressions – guiding him to the nearest stair – up to the floor above, down a corridor, to a great door. Then it spoke to his mind in words, “This one… behind this door shall you find her.”
He tried the door – locked. He pounded on it with the sword, and then began to throw his weight against it. After four or five tries with all his might, he could tell that the heavy hinges were beginning to give way.
- - - - - -
Aiwendis screamed as she sat bolt upright in bed at the pounding on her bedroom door. Then all at once the door crashed open, and there stood Isildur – come for her again as he had been at Orodruin, all in his armour, face hidden by his helm, his great sword raised high. He recovered his balance from breaking down the door and looked upon her. She felt fear, and tried to call upon her ring, but it did not respond. Did she not really wish it to?
- - - - - -
Valandil burst through the door and saw Aiwendis sitting upright in her bed, her face showing her fear of her intruder. He stepped toward her and removed his helm. She did not smile, but the fear left her face and was replaced by something else… and she stretched out her arms toward him. He sat on the bed beside her and took her into his arms. As they embraced, he felt her lips begin to caress his neck, his ear, his cheek.
- - - - - -
Aiwendis watched in horror as Isildur raised his sword. He struck her and she had no pain, for she lost all feeling. Yet she could open her eyes – and she saw the figure of Isildur standing over her. He laughed, and stopped to remove his helm. There was the face of Valandil – yet the expression of hatred was like that of his father Isildur at Orodruin. He took the sword back up to finish her.
And then she awoke.
- - - - - -
Valandil sat bolt upright in his bed. He looked about himself – and all was still. He was in his own room – no Aiwendis, dressed still in his sleeping clothes. He had been dreaming then… so he had slept. There, across the room, the sword Ithilmegil gleamed as it caught the light of the waning Moon coming through an open window.
Gordis
12-15-2005, 11:54 AM
Monday night, early hours.
Aiwendis watched in horror as the gleaming sward went up to finish her.
She screamed and rolled on the blood-drenches sheets, trying to avoid the blow. It never came. Instead, she heard running footsteps and felt warm arms wrapping around her.
"My Lady?! What is wrong, my Lady? What has happened?"
Trembling, Aiwendis opened her tightly shut eyes. There was her maid, Nimrael, worried and afraid, bending over her.
"Valandil….", whispered Aiwendis, "where is he?"
"The King, my Lady?" asked Nimrael, obviously bewildered. "Was he here? How could he come here at night unannounced?"
Aiwendis struggled to sit upright, and looked around the room. The King had vanished, as if he were never there. There was no trace of blood on the bed. She ran her hands along her own shaking body and found it unharmed, but for the madly pounding heart.
"Ah…, no, I think he wasn’t" Aiwendis managed to say at last. "It was but a horrible dream".
Nimrael watched her, suspicious now, then nodded and said sternly "I will go fetch you some hot tea, My Lady."
"Er, Nimrael, could you better bring me some wine?" asked Aiwendis pleadingly.
"Wine?" exclaimed the maid disapprovingly. "It is unseemly to drink wine like that, in the middle of the night. But I will add some honey to your tea," she added smiling. "It will do you lots of good".
When Nimrael returned from the kitchen, bringing tea and scones, the bedroom was empty. Aiwendis was gone. Gone outside in the middle of the night, dressed only in a nightgown and slippers! Gone into the garden full of ghosts and… who knows what else might be lurking in the shadows?
Nimrael sat on the empty bed to wait, muttering under her breath. Aiwendis was clearly in trouble, and it was Nimrael’s sworn duty to look after her Lady. Perhaps she will have to tell the Chancellor, after all…
Early Tuesday morning, Itazel and Danor's house,
and a bit later and the University
Alagos sat downstairs by the fire. His dark hair, which was loose and strewn about his shoulders, was almost dry. His various blades and sharpening tools were on a table at his side. Eärniel came downstairs and grinned at him.
"You look like a victim ready for the sacrifice," she said teasingly as she picked up one of his daggers. "Shall I start the ceremony?"
Alagos pulled a long face and replied in an imploring tone, "Please do, and put me out of my misery!"
Just then R*an came downstairs. Her face brightened as she saw her brother and her friend, and that her brother had remembered his promise to her. She greeted them warmly as she put down the hair-braiding implements next to the daggers.
"Now R*an, please just do something very simple - the people here aren't aware of our customs, and this is not a high feast day, anyway," said Alagos.
Don't worry, I'll keep it simple - I'm only going to work in a few elements," she said, as she picked up a comb and started running it through his hair.
"May I watch?" asked Eärniel. "And I might be useful in handing you things as you need them."
"We would be glad of your company and of your help," said Alagos, "but you're must entertain us, too - we demand either one thing very clever, be it prose or verse, original or repeated; or two things moderately clever; or three things very dull indeed, and we engage to laugh heartily at them all."
"I'll see what I can manage," answered Eärniel with a twinkle in her eyes, and the braiding started.
An hour or so later, R*an tied off the last braid and stepped back to survey her work. "That wasn't so painful, now, was it, and you look so nice!" she said with satisfaction, handing Alagos a mirror and holding up another one so he could see all around his head.
"It is a nice job, Alagos, I must say," said Eärniel. "Your sister is very talented."
He surveyed his sister's handiwork and then took both of her hands in his. "Thank you, R*an - despite my complaining, I really do appreciate it, and you did an amazing job." She had worked in 5 elements - the herringbone braiding pattern of the archers (it resembles an arrow point); the 3 twisted strands merging into one that signified a person in the King's household (a stylized version of the Trees, Glingal and Belthil, that King Turgon had fashioned in Gondolin in memory of the Two Trees of Valinor); the small blue teardrops signifying a person who had fought in the Nirnaeth Arnoediad, the Battle of Unnumbered Tears; a very thin yellow-gold thread in honor of the house of Hador and the men that made a wall with their bodies and died to keep the hope of Men and Elves alive through the line of Turgon and Huor; and the unique pattern of their parents' house - the intermingling of two braiding patterns into one. It was well-executed and very artistic, yet subtle. He stood up and gave her a hug, and then said, "Am I free to go now?"
"Oh, take your daggers and get out of here!" she said indulgently. Men!
"It's almost 8:00! I better get going to my class!" said Eärniel, as she caught a glimpse of the timepiece.
"I'll see you in Commerce!" R*an called out after her, as her friend ran out the door.
As R*an put away her hair things, her eyes fell on the little book that she had been looking at the night before. She picked it up and looked out of the window. It was a nice morning, and she felt like a walk, after all the work braiding her brother's hair. She walked out of the house towards the University. A few minutes later, she was sitting in a quiet nook near the library, looking at her book and remembering.
Udukhaturz
12-15-2005, 05:21 PM
The hour grew towards midnight Monday night, and still Sapthân sat on the bench by the fountain in front of the library. He had spent much time in contemplation and in attempting to communicate with the Dark Master in the Void. The time slid past 12 midnight and still Sapthân felt perplexed. A failure again! The Dark God remained silent, and all Sapthân had gained for his time of meditation was a robe damp from the night air.
Sapthân sighed in frustration. His muscles ached from sitting so long on the bench. He rose to his feet and walked towards the palace. There was still time to get some sleep before dawn. At the first pale lightening of the morning sky, he woke up, bathed and dressed and trimmed his beard as he did once a week.
He walked the bookcase in his study and took out a book entitled “The Effects of the Four Body Humors Upon Health.” Sitting down at his table, he wet his long, thin, bony forefinger and turned the pages until he found the chapter for which he was seeking - “Choleric, Melancholic, Plegmatic, Sanguine Humors - Etheric and Practical Applications.”
The assistant librarian scarcely noticed the arrival of his servant who brought Sapthân his customary sparse breakfast of unsweetened tea and brown bread. The sorcerer considered himself of a melancholic and was convinced that the overuse of honey, preserves, or fruits would disrupt the functioning of his brain and lungs.
After eating, he cleaned his fingers in a bowl of water. Then he held out his hands to a servant, who dried them with a small towel.
He reflected on the head librarian, his rival, Professor Galadannun. He must show his enemy the library today. Consulting the university schedule, he noted that the Professor taught the class on Swan Speech from 8:00 to 9:30 on Tuesdays. There was still time for more meditation before he would have to show the unwelcomed head librarian around the library.
He left his room in the palace, walked across the lawn to the small grove of trees that sheltered the fountain in front of the library. He noticed that someone was already there, a young woman whom he did not recognize. She was looking down at a book that she held, somewhat wistfully, he thought. She did not notice his approach, for his footsteps were quiet.
She looked up at the tall, thin, dark haired man with the neat beard streaked with gray. “I have startled her,” he thought.
“Good morning, lady,” he said in a deep, dignified voice. “My apologies for surprising you... let me introduce myself. I am Sapthân, the assistant librarian. I often come here to... reflect.”
Early Tuesday morning
in front of the University Library
R*an, coming out of her reverie, composed herself sufficiently to respond politely to the trim, quiet man standing before her. "Good morning to you, sir," she responded politely; and then with more boldness as the term "assistant librarian" sank in, "I'm sorry if I have inadvertently taken a favorite spot of yours - I'll be glad to leave it to you. I can certainly see why you chose it!" She started to stand up, but he objected politely and firmly until she sat back down.
"That is a most unusual-looking book that you have there," he said with interest. "May I - or do I ask too much - examine it for myself? I am an expert in the care and handling of books, and I assure you I will be most careful."
R*an did not often let other people handle her precious book, let alone strangers, but this man was very polite, and he truly looked interested - and he was the assistant librarian! - so she made up her mind. Besides, she was tired of all the unfriendly treatment that she had received lately, and decided to reach out in kindness to this man - he looked a bit careworn.
"You may, under one condition - since you will not allow me to relinquish your reflection spot to you, I must insist that you share it with me," she said, and moved over to the end of the bench so he could sit down next to her. "Besides, I'll be better able to discuss the book with you if we sit next to each other."
Sapthân looked surprised, and not entirely comfortable with the idea, but the book was fascinating, indeed, and his heart warmed to her kindness after the heavy blows of the previous night, so he sat down on the bench and took the proffered book.
She said quietly as he examined the cover, "It is very old - it was made in Gondolin. My father wrote out some of my favorite verses and added some of his own, and my mother decorated it. A friend of ours bound it - it was a coming-of-age present, and it is very precious to me."
Udukhaturz
12-15-2005, 06:28 PM
“Gondolin?” he asked as he took the book from her hand. “This is a rare and valuable parchment and must be treated with great care! These ancient manuscripts need to be handled very carefully. A drop of moisture, a spot of grease from the fingers can do great damage to the pages! Care must be taken in dealing with old books.”
He looked at her and said sadly, “Years ago before precautions were taken, mice had done great damage to some old volumes. I was told by the former librarian that the creatures would race through the walls of the library, chittering and chattering. Then when they came to a hole that they had cut, they would sneak in and nibble and gnaw until they had wrought great destruction. After I was employed here, I instituted certain changes. Instead of using cats, I used the most intricate traps baited with certain poisons. The rodent problem was solved.” He smiled, pleased with himself.
Sapthân drew a handkerchief from his left sleeve and wiped each finger thoroughly before reverently opening the volume. “Your mother did beautiful illustrations!” he exclaimed. “She must be a very talented woman!” He looked back down to the tome. “Tell me about your favorite verses,” he said encouragingly. "But, dear lady," he encouraged, "I do not know your name."
Early Tuesday morning
in front of the University Library
"My name is R*an, and it is a pleasure to meet a fellow book-lover,” she said graciously. “I’m so glad that the library has such a dedicated and careful caretaker now. When I read a book, I feel a kinship with the author, and even with the book itself – they seem to have their own personalities, don’t they? Reading a book is almost like being with a friend, and one can never have enough friends!”
“Indeed, I have heard that saying, and imagine it’s true,” said Sapthân absently, as he carefully opened the book and examined the inside of the front cover. R*an bit her lip and vowed to speak more carefully; he did not seem like a man with an over-abundance of friends. She spoke up quickly to answer his question and to hopefully cover over her possible faux pas.
“It’s hard to say which are my favorite verses; I love them all, and depending upon what is happening in my life, sometimes I favor one, and sometimes another. But this, I think,” turning to a page near the middle, “is my favorite illustration. Is it not lovely?”
Sapthân murmured his agreement – he was enraptured with the rare and ancient book. There were not many like it left in the world today. He exclaimed sadly over a slightly damaged area, and R*an said, “I’m afraid that I’m not as careful a caretaker of my book as you would be, but I know that my parents would rather it was worn out in love than preserved in coldness. But indeed, I am very careful with it, for it is one of the few links I have with my parents, whom I loved dearly. And it has held up amazingly well over all these long years, for we had highly skilled craftsmen in Gondolin who knew how to make books that lasted for our long lives.”
“Ah, I’m afraid that many secrets were lost with the Fall of Gondolin,” said Sapthân with a curious expression on his face.
R*an nodded, and then turned to another section. “I think this is my favorite verse, at least now,” she said, “but more than the verses themselves, I love my father’s writing – it is strong and passionate, open-hearted and lively, as he was. Look how he forms this letter – and this one!”
“Very unique – an excellent example of a personal and individualized family gift. I have not seen many books from Gondolin, and it is indeed a pleasure to see one again.”
“Oh, you should have seen the libraries we had there ... but they are gone now,” said R*an sadly. “King Turgon even had some manuscripts from the Blessed Realm, and so did several other nobles. There is a song I know that I think you would understand - one man had some manuscripts that he prized greatly and that were lost in the crossing of the Helcaraxë, and he wrote a beautiful lament for them.” She paused a moment, and then sang softly,
“Go Cuan Bhéil Inse casadh mé
Cois Góilin aoibhinn Dairbhre
Mar a seoltar fl*t na farraige
Thar sáile I gcéin.
I Portmagee do stadas seal,
Faoi thuairim intinn maitheasa
D’fhonn bheith seal ad eatarthu
Mar mháistir léinn.
is gearr gur chuala an eachtara
Ag cách mo léan!
Gur i mBord Eoghain Fhinn do chailleathas
An t-árthach tréan.
Do phreab mo chro* le hatuirse
I dtaobh loinge an taoisign chalma
Go mb'fhearrde an t*r * 'sheasamh seal
Do ráib an tséin.
“That is only the first verse – there are many, as is the way of the Eldar! I know you can’t understand the words, for few today know my mother-tongue, but can you hear his sorrow?” she asked, and saw in his eyes that he did.
“The Darkness has caused so much sorrow,” she said sadly and looked away. “He whom we name Morgoth, for he has forfeited the right to his first name, was the cause of the destruction of so much beauty …”
Sapthân tensed up, but R*an wasn’t looking at him and didn’t notice.
“The Dark One – I will not name him the Dark Lord, as some do, for he is no rightful Lord …”
She felt Sapthan stir, and turned to look at him.
Udukhaturz
12-16-2005, 05:33 PM
Though Sapthân thought to himself, “Melkor! She dare blasphemes the Great Lord Who rules the Darkness!” he hid his true thoughts behind a pleasant mask.
“Of course,” he said in feigned agreement. “He is no rightful Lord.” He looked over to her, kindness dripping from his eyes. “However, let us not talk of unpleasant matters that bring such distress to your face and heart. Such a charming face it is, too, one that should never be wreathed in frowns, but should radiate happiness. I perceive that you have a kind heart.” He gave her a sympathetic smile. “Tell me instead of your parents and the happier thoughts of Gondolin. Paint me a picture of what it was like so that I can see it.”
“She holds a treasure in her hands,” he thought, “a book of costly and rare worth. Perhaps there are spells written on its pages, hidden in moon letters... but I can read them. She is of the House of the Elves. Those, too, hold their own magic that I would desire to have for my own. This Rian might prove... interesting... and very useful.”
Grey_Wolf
12-17-2005, 01:10 PM
................
Tuesday morning
in front of the University Library
R*an looked down at the book in her hands, unsure of what to do. His voice was very pleasant and his manners were polite, but she felt slightly uneasy when she looked into his eyes, and it was not a light thing to talk of the city that she loved and that was gone now for so many years, and gone in such a cruel way... She ran her fingers lightly over the cover of her book and around the curve at the corner, where it was slightly frayed ("The fool!" thought Sapthân, "can't she see that she's only making it worse!"), and a slight sigh escaped her.
"Please tell me about the libraries there," said Sapthân in his kindest and most encouraging voice, trying to get her to start talking so she would leave the cover alone. "I'm sure you spent many a pleasant hour immersed in their delights!"
"I did indeed," said R*an, admonishing herself for not answering the man's polite inquiries sooner, and she started talking about the King's library.
They talked for some time about libraries, books, bindings, and all of the delights of the written word. "Oh, and have you ever seen moon letters? But I'm sure you have - a man of your learning would undoubtably know about this! They are a special delight of the elves, and the elves taught them to my father - he was a Follower; my brother and I are Pereldar - and he attained great skill with them, far beyond what the elves thought he would be able to do - he put some in my book for me, and they are so lovely! Perhaps I can show you some night, if you're interested."
Sapthân controlled his excitement with difficulty; this Elf seemed easily startled and he didn't want to move too fast and scare her away when there was so much that could be gained...
"Oh, how delightful! I would certainly enjoy seeing those, whenever you are free to show me," he said with interest, but gently and politely, as that seemed to be the tone that she reacted best to.
"And I have another book you might be interested in - it too has moon letters, of a very rare and unusual type," she said, warming up to the man who obviously loved books.
R*an carefully put away the book from her parents and took out another one. She started to open it to a section where the moon letters were (although currently invisible), when a shadow fell across the book.
Serenoli
12-18-2005, 07:26 AM
One of the many curses of being immortal and powerful was that you could not sleep- not for long anyhow... Your body might rest, but your mind would only wander in the spirit world for a while, before returning. While mortals were priviliged to spend as long as they wanted in this dream world, Nazgul were not so lucky. And so, they had to devise ways not only to spend the
long years, but also to fill up their longer days and nights.
Each of them chose thier own distractions... Udu had his wine... Buz and Lily had each other, and the pleasures of the flesh... Tolvadok believed that Viv went for night-time raids of people's houses, but then he had never seen her at it... Gordis had her potions, her garden. He did not know what it was that Khamul and the Morgul Lord did... but he himself spent his time, oddly for a Nazgul, with a sheet of paper, a candle, a bottle of ink, and a pen. For hours
altogether, he sketched and designed weapons... he it was who had designed all the seige machines in the old days, all the swords and cross-bows for Sauron's armies. He had a few books with him, and he pored over them. Old manuscripts he had stolen over the years from the houses of Men and Elves when he got the chance. He wanted to know as much about the
enemy as possible, so that one day, if needed, he could use this knowledge. Currently, he was obsessed with Rivendell.
No Nazgul knew of its location, none had ever found it, and Tolvadok was determined to be the first. The Morgul Lord may suspect Valandil, but Tolvadok was convinced those power-hungry and cruel Elves must have it. And so, they would have to go to Rivendell, eventually... but how to find it?
The lengthy hours of the night passed, and his candle had become a mere stub, when the sun decided to make an appearance. Tolvadok got up to the window, leaving his books on the table. Suddenly, he realised that he had not slept all night. It was too early to go hunting for Rian yet. In the meantime, he might just as well get a few hours of well-deserved rest. He collected his books, and materials, and bundled them up, and then flung himself on the bed and went to sleep.
CrazySquirrel
12-18-2005, 12:41 PM
Orrodel, after 9 AM Tuesday.
Lilly opened her eyes to the morning light streaming into the room through an open window. The sun was high, and Buz was nowhere to be seen. Lilly yawned and stretched like a big lazy cat. Doing so, she found a note, written in Buz’s bold hand, pinned to the pillow:
"Lil, I am off to the blasted bridge-building lesson. What a wicked idea to put it at eight! Must be you-know-who's idea… Have sweet dreams. Penny."
Lilly yawned again, and thought of having another nap. She was able to sleep almost as long as any mortal, and much longer than any nazgul, and was quite proud of that ability. She knew the other poor buggers were envious. But the sunlight, which Buz let into the room before leaving, distracted her. She opened the door and yelled for Zimra.
The maid came, her eyes red from crying for her cousin… Lilly was in a cheerful mood, and had pity of her. She patted Zimra’s shoulder and said reassuringly
"Don’t cry Zimra. The life is so short anyway. A hundred years sooner, or a hundred yours later, she would have died all the same."
Strangely enough, Zimra looked more bewildered, than reassured by Lilly’s kind words. Stupid mortals… Lilly ordered a bath with little water and plenty of scented soap. She hated water, not so much as Khamul did, but still.
After the bath, Lilly donned her new green and orange peignoir, and wandered upstairs to check on Viv. She has not seen the little one for a whole day.
Viv was in her room, still in bed, but not sleeping. "Probably dreaming of her mortal sweetheart", thought Lilly, a tad enviously. She sailed into the room and made herself comfortable in a far corner of Viv’s bed.
"Good morning, little Vivvie! I am greatly surprised to see you here, and not in your sweethearts bed! Has anything gone wrong?"
Viv blushed angrily and rolled her eyes. "You are impossible , Lilly! I only met Ray a few days ago. You would not expect me to…"
Lilly interrupted, shrugging her bare shoulders:
"And why not, Vivvie? Life is so dreadfully short! Their life, I mean. I was just telling that to Zimra…. But well, tell me all about it…You did well, the Captain will be proud of you. As for me… look, I met the King yesterday! He peered at me like a cat on a bowl of cream, but was to shy to admit it even to himself, silly. Shame, really. But perhaps he loves another? And the other one, Marty, he hasn’t come looking for me yesterday. There must be something wrong with him. Or.."
Then a new idea struck Lilly and she screamed "Vivvie! I know! Isn’t your Ray the best friend of both Marty and the King? Could you be a darling, and ask him, somewhere in the midst of kissing or something, you understand my meaning, when he is really distraught…"
Lilly grinned lasciviously and continued,
"Ask him about Marty and Val, about their sweethearts! The more Ray tells, the better. If there is a bride, we can always send someone to kill her, can’t we? Please, Vivvie, you must help me. Aren’t you my best friend?"
Lady Marion Magdalena
12-18-2005, 03:32 PM
When Mahtaliel woke from her dreaming the sun was already risen and streaming through her window. Stretching, she rose, feeling more cheerful than she had in days. The rest had been good, sleep wasn't necessary for her, but it certainly helped.
Udukhaturz
12-18-2005, 04:05 PM
Rian was just starting to show Sapthân a page in the book. “Moon letters!” he thought, wondering what secrets were written there, unseen to the eye save on certain moonlit nights. What great lore could be hidden in the pages of this book? He must see more of this elf woman.
He judged by the position of the sun that it must be nearly 8 o’clock in the morning. There was really no need to hurry as long as he went to the library sometime after 9:30. Then he would need to show the hated Professor Galadannun around that venerated edifice. He did not look forward to the meeting. He considered his enemy both supercilious and arrogant, and possibly dangerous.
“This book bears great study,” he thought, “but I doubt that she would ever loan it to me.” Perhaps she might drop by his room at the palace and show him the book sometime, and he could analyze it in detail. “No, no,” he thought. “She is obviously a lady of high quality and it would not do at all for her to visit me unchaperoned. I will suggest that I visit her home sometime.”
“What a priceless book, Rian,” he flattered. “How much the world lost when these great elven cities, such as Gondolin, Nargothrond and Menegrond and the others fell!” he said sympathetically. “How we today could learn so much from them!” He smiled a sad, wistful smile, and hoped it would not be lost upon her.
The lady was just opening another place in the book when a shadow fell across the pages. Sapthân looked up to see Professor Galadannun bearing down on them.
Before Sapthan could have time to react, the head librarian had snatched the book out of Rian’s hands. “I believe that students are NOT allowed to take books out of the library without MY permission!”
Sapthân was on his feet in an instant, his dark gray eyes flashing warnings. His hand darted out and in his haste, he grabbed the frayed corner of the book, clenching it in his fingers. “Sir, this book does not belong to the library!” he exclaimed. “It is the lady’s property and I would advise you to return it before you make a total fool of yourself!”
“Barbaric Easterlings!” he thought. “They have no manners, no tact! My ancestors should have put them in their place hundreds of years ago! Another one of our failings!”
Udukhaturz
12-18-2005, 05:00 PM
Early morning, Tuesday
Visiting Professors' Apartments
Tharbad University
Somewhere far away in a remote section of Tharbad, a rooster heralded the dawn. In the visiting professors’ apartments, Maethor lay on his bed, propped up on pillows against the headboard, one long leg crossing over the other. He tipped the wine bottle up and took a healthy drink, and then put the bottle back on the table beside his bed. He sensed the presence of mortal blood and heard the sound of someone hammering on his door. He recognized the scent and was surprised.
“Ulfang!” he thought. “What is he doing here a fortnight early?”
“Come in,” he said. “The door is not locked.”
A short swarthy man, his left cheek marred by a gruesome scar that began at the corner of his left eye and curled to the side of his mouth, bowed deeply. “My lord,” he said almost in homage, “your humble servant is overjoyed to give you the information that the journey went well and speedily. There were no problems crossing the River. We forded far upstream and all ventured across in great health. Our time was outstanding after that, and we hastened towards Tharbad. There were only mild, trivial injuries to the horses, and they are all in fine flesh. Your warriors and your women should be on the outskirts of Tharbad by nightfall.”
Rolling over on his side, Maethor sat on the edge of the bed. “You have done well, Captain Ulfang. You have always been a steadfast leader.”
“My lord is too kind,” the man smiled and touched his right hand to his heart.
“You will find wine and goblets in the dark cabinet against the wall yonder. Fetch yourself a drink and be seated.”
He waited until the travel-weary man was settled. “How fare the Ladies Nossenis and Tatyana?”
“They bore the journey well, my lord, and are eager to see you.
“No doubt,” Udu replied and smiled, “but I will not be keeping Nossenis long. I plan to present her as a servant to a professor here as part of a bargain. She can speak common, while Tatyana cannot.”
“Yes, my lord, and if I may humbly say so, you much prefer the fair young Tatyana.”
“You know the Lady Nossenis well,” he chuckled. “I consider it far kinder to do this than have her sewn up in a sack and drowned in the River Gwathlo.”
“My lord has always been most fair and equitable,” Ulfang agreed. “What, my lord, should we do if the lady protests?”
“She will not,” he said. “Long ago she learned the consequences of disobedience. She will go quietly. I am also dispatching Ecco as servant to Professor Galadannun, who lives at the library. Take them both tonight as soon as it is expedient. He should be expecting them.”
“Yes, my lord.”
Indeed Ulfang had been one of Maethor’s best warriors in the East. The man was extremely loyal and dedicated, and had taken an oath unto death to protect Maethor, his family, and all his possessions.
“Captain, I have just lately purchased a house. You probably did not notice it when you rode in. It is the triangular shaped house on the corner, fronting Rath Galen with the rear door towards Menetar. You cannot mistake it. It is the house beside the livery stable. Here are the keys,” Maethor said, taking two from the ring at his belt as Ulfang walked over to him. “Stable the horses in the livery stable and pay their board with this.” He reached into a pouch at his belt and pulled out a number of coppers and handed them to the warrior.
“Yes, my lord.”
“Clean the whole top floor as much as you can tonight. My bedchambers are in the largest room on the second floor. There is a connecting door to a room beside. Install the Lady Tatyana there after the room has been prepared. Late tonight, midnight or beyond, if all is in readiness, I shall spend the night there. Send a messenger to report to me of your progress.”
“Very good, my lord,” he said.
“It is good to see you again after so many months.” Maethor looked up at the man, clenching the Easterling’s arm in a warrior’s handshake.
“Your servant’s heart rejoices in gladness to see you, my lord,” the man smiled down to him.
Lotesse
12-18-2005, 09:00 PM
Lilly's early morning vivacity and excitement was enough to raise the dead.
Viniglaen swung her legs out of the covers, and she padded over to her boudoir table and thoughtfully picked up her hairbrush. Perhaps stimulating her scalp with a vigorous brushing would help her think realistically, and snap her out of her incessant musing upon Raendil.
"Well? Come on, Vivvie; what do you say?" persisted Lilaenwen.
"You are my dear, crazy, beloved big sister, Lilly, you know that," Viv finally said, "but can I just think about it for a minute?"
"A minute? Fine, one minute. Anyway, what's there to think about?" Lil got up from the corner of the bed, and went over to Viv, taking the brush out of her hands. She put her hands on Viv's shoulders and turned her to face her, searching her eyes for a moment.
Viv continued to stall. "I just have to think - "
"You fell in love with that mortal!" Lil said suddenly, "THAT'S what I see in your eyes!" She began to laugh a little, a dangerously mischievous and very amused laugh. "I don't believe it; our Vivvie has fallen in love!"
"No I haven't, no I'm not, and anyway, what would you know about it," replied a very flustered Viv. Wresting herself from her sister's grip, she went to her wardrobe closet and began searching in earnest for a morning outfit to wear. After a minute of this, Viv emerged from the clothes, and looked at Lil.
"When I see Ray again, which hopefully will be in a couple of hours, I shall try to get some intel on the current conjugal status of the young King. Are you satisfied now?"
Of course Lil was satisfied! She hadn't thought it would be so easy for Vivvie, what with the young wraith's new infection of love for the Kingsman Ray. However, Lil also knew that once Viv agreed to do a thing, whatever it was, the thing got done. Viv always kept her word.
"Of course I'm satisfied, " cried the delighted Lil, clapping her hands in devilish glee, and beaming ear to ear, completely missing the careful omission on Viv's part of any promise of intel on Ray's best friend Marty. That was one line Viv knew in her dark yet solid heart she did not want to cross, not yet at least and not just for Lilly's sexual whims. But upon the poor, unfortunate King, open season had definitely been declared.
"Good." Viv held up two riding outfits. "Which one should I go with this morning, the crimson or the ultramarine blue?"
"The blue, darling; it looks far better with your eyes and besides, I'm thinking of wearing red today. Can't have us both in crimson!"
"Oh, no, that would be fashion suicide," said Viv sarcastically, but Lil was already halfway out the door, and far too happy to pick up on Vivvie's grumpy little edge.
Gordis
12-18-2005, 09:20 PM
University, Engineering building, before 7 AM on Tuesday.
The Chancellor sat in his office in the empty Engineering building deep in thought. It was yet early for the students to arrive for their 8 o’clock lesson. The Morgul Lord had no sleep that night, but that bothered him not at all. Much worse was that dream…
It took more than an hour to coax the full story out of Aiwendis, when she came sobbing, undressed and invisible to his rooms in the middle of the night. He had been wrathful to see the Quiet Eight in such a state, because of some silly dream. But his reprimand made her cry all the more, and still she was not able to tell a coherent story.
Then, mellowed, he poured her some wine and allowed her to sit on his lap. After more tears and two full bottles of Nurn, Aiwendis was finally able to show him the scene mentally. Most people’s dreams were hazy by nature, persons and places vague, but Gordie was a talented witch, used to drawing mental pictures and manipulating them. Her dreams were colourful and detailed; all the objects in her room visible in the background.
The Morgul lord didn’t like Aiwendis’s dream one bit. It was a true dream and had the stink of prophecy about it.
He saw again the great winged helm of Isildur that had once been cloven in two by his sword. Gordis couldn’t have remembered it in such detail, as at Orodruin she was standing in the second line, and Isildur came at her later, his head unprotected. But in the dream the helm was whole again and undamaged, all the tiny details exactly as the Morgul Lord remembered them.
But the worse about the dream was the light. Aiwendis was too emotional to notice it, but the figure of the King stood outlined by a strong light coming from behind. He was facing the bed and the window, and the blinding, unnatural light was coming from the direction of the door – from the West.
The Morgul Lord clenched his fists, cursing the meddling Powers. But he would not cower before the accursed Valar. He was not going to change his plans, even if Gordis the Eight were in danger. The die was cast and the prize was enormous: Ash Nazg thrakatulûk agh burzum-ishi krimpatul...
The Morgul Lord sighed and went to the window. There were some pressing matters to attend to. Sapthân’s tale showed him that his minions had been far from circumspect. He had already decided what to do with Lilly. But Udukhatûrz should be warned. It was no good if he became a topic of talk in Tharbad. Even worse, if in the gossip he was associated with the wanton Lilly. Lilly would be no good with her reputation in tatters.
Reaching out with his senses, the Captain sent a Call to Udu, ordering him to come immediately.
Udukhaturz
12-18-2005, 09:58 PM
University, Visiting Professors’ Apartments, 7 AM on Tuesday
Maethor smiled in satisfaction as he bade Ulfang good speed in his journey back to the caravan. Even though he had dispatched Ecco, a strong and brave warrior, to Khamul, Maethor would still retain five others in his service. He thought of the irony that he was ridding himself of an unwanted wife upon his rival.
Maethor was congratulating himself upon how well things were going when his senses tensed. “I am being summoned,” he thought, and felt uneasy.
Leaving his apartments, he walked to the Engineering Building. A helpful servant took him to the Chancellor’s office. Turning from the window, the Chancellor greeted him in thought speech as the Seventh walked through the door.
“Your Excellency, is something amiss? Do you have need of me?” Udu was puzzled as to the reason why he was being called.
“Certain rumors have come to my hearing that are somewhat disturbing,” the Morgul Lord said, surveying Udu as he studied his reactions.
“Here it comes now,” Udu thought with an increasing feeling of alarm.
“Rumors, my lord?”
“Do not feign incredulity, Seven. I think you know that of which I speak. Do you need a reminder?”
“No, my lord, that is not necessary,” Udu replied. “I think I know of what you speak, but I can explain everyt-”
His sentence was cut off by a dismissive gesture of the Dark Captain’s hand. “The spectacle yesterday afternoon has not gone unnoticed by some of the citizens of Tharbad. Your conduct in the jeweler’s shop could possibly be explained as being innocuous, though rash. The situation, however, in the Singing Swan Inn cannot be explained away so easily.”
Rebuked, Udu bowed his head, but the Captain was not finished.
“Though it is untrue, some citizens could very easily connect your name with that of the Lady Lilaenwen and think the two of you lovers. That will not be tolerated! Do not jeopardize her reputation in such a manner again!”
Udu thought to himself and realized his mistake the moment he thought it. “What reputation?” The Morgul Lord was far more powerful than he and quickly read his thoughts.
“Your remarks are not appreciated, Seven,” he said coldly. “You are warned. Keep away from Lilaenwen, or prepare to face the consequences.”
“That would be my preference anyway. I have no desire ever to see her again. I will keep to my house and my own, and my responsibilities here until you should have need of me,” Udu replied in thought speech, even more angry with Lilaenwen than he had been to begin with.
Tuesday, about 9:30 a.m.
Tharbad University, near the library
R*an sat paralyzed with shock and indignation for a second, then leaped to her feet in an absolute fury. A man such as Professor Galadannun touching anything of hers was totally unbearable. And in such an insolent, rude manner! All shyness lost, she strode towards the two men (for Galadannun had been standing a little behind Sapthân when he had reached out and taken the book) torn between anger at her foe and anxiety for her book.
She never even looked at Sapthân or said a word of thanks to him for his efforts on her behalf; all she could see and think about was Galadannun defiling her book and insulting her by his arrogant behavior. "How DARE you take my book out of my hands like that! Give it to me, now!" she hissed angrily, her hazel eyes snapping sparks. She pointed her finger straight at her enemy and spat out, "And never, EVER treat me like that again!" Although Galadannun was much taller and stronger than she was, that didn't matter one bit to her. She didn't care what happened. She just wanted him dead, and if her brother had been there, she wouldn't have stopped what he would have done.
Tuesday,
a long day's ride from Tharbad
Tyaron sat with his legs crossed, the dagger he had been given lying on his upturned hands. Then slowly, reluctantly, he let the long-repressed memories come flooding back. And with the memories came what Tyaron had always dreaded and avoided, and fought so hard to keep under control for so long - the tears, and the passion. The Fifth Battle was known as the Nirnaeth Arnoediad, the Battle of Unnumbered Tears, and even after all the ages, the Elvish memories of the survivors, so much more powerful and present than the memories of the Followers, were potent enough to add yet more tears to those already wept and beyond count, if those memories were allowed to escape from the dark places where they were kept hidden away.
But now, Tyaron desired death, and for the first time he actually sought the memories, and the feelings that they awoke in him.
His face, as he bent over the dagger, was grey and drawn, and the look of a hurting child who is bewildered by his pain was in his eyes, for he did not understand why his plea had been denied. For last night, he had implored the Valar to take his life, and their answer had been to return no answer.
Tradition says that if a man among the Eldar were actually to commit the great evil of forcing himself on another man's wife, which goes against the natural desires and even the very nature of the elves, that the woman so wronged would be able to flee her sorrow by leaving this world, if she so chose. "Oh Manwë the just, if this is indeed so - that a woman who has been damaged beyond recovery by a man's uncontrolled passion is able to depart to the halls of Mandos for healing, why may not I choose this: I who have been damaged beyond healing by my own uncontrolled passion, against which I have fought so long?" he had called in the still of the night to the Lord of the Air, and then to the Lady of the Stars. But the air was still, and the stars continued their slow, graceful dance across the fields of the sky, to all appearances unheedful of the dancer unable to rise from the ground.
Grey_Wolf
12-20-2005, 01:58 PM
The renegade Eastern Wolf Pack had been following the lone rider at distance for several days. Red Maw and Sharp Fangs were making the pack ready for a sneaky attack.
Tuesday,
a long day's ride from Tharbad
As Tyaron continued to look at the dagger, he began to softly sing, and he finally saw the pictures he wanted: first, the glad reunion, in the midst of the battle, of Fingon and his brother Turgon, who had come unlooked for out of the refuge of Gondolin. Húrin and his brother Huor, of the house of Hador, were at the side of Fingon. The meeting of those brothers was something that Tyaron would never forget.
And the second picture: Tyaron's last glimpse of Húrin and Huor, as the host of Gondolin at the entreaty of Húrin and Huor went back to their refuge, in order to preserve a stronghold against Morgoth and to preserve a hope for Men and Elves. That was the most difficult retreat that Tyaron had ever made, and the memory pained him still, but one does not refuse the entreaties of men like Huor and Húrin, when they are asked with the certain knowledge of their own death. Turgon had demurred at Húrin's request, saying that Gondolin must fall, too, but Huor's was different, and the king was unable to refuse it. Tyaron remembered Huor's words and face as he spoke to the king: "Yet if it stands but a little while, then out of your house shall come the hope of Elves and Men. This I say to you, lord, with the eyes of death: though we part here for ever, and I shall not look on your white walls again, from you and from me a new star shall arise. Farewell!"
And Tyaron felt a movement at his side, and turned to see the look on the face of Maeglin, the traitor, and his blood ran cold.
If Tyaron had had a choice, he would have preferred to stay in the battle with the remnants of Fingon's men, for he esteemed Fingon above his brother Turgon, but his sworn alligiance lay with Turgon, and he fought with the men of Gondolin and won their retreat behind the wall of the bodies of the men of Dor-lomin. He turned to look back only once, and his last glimpse of the brothers was burned into his memory: Húrin with his axe mid-swing and his fierce, defiant yell of, "Aurë entuluva! Day shall come again!"; Huor with, of all things, a peaceful smile on his blood-smeared face as he guarded his brother's back and watched the retreat of Gondolin, knowing that now, the final victory would not be Morgoth's.
These were the pictures that Tyaron would etch on the man's dagger, for the man was of the house of Hador.
Grey_Wolf
12-20-2005, 03:47 PM
The rider hadn't noticed them yet. They kept following him and closing in. He appeared preoccupied with his dagger.
CrazySquirrel
12-20-2005, 04:03 PM
Orrodel, Tuesday, around 10 AM
"You know, Vivvie" said Lilaenwen, choosing a croissant from the basket in the middle of the table, "I just can't understand why our friend U...- Maethor has been so hateful yesterday!". Lilly pursed her lips prettily. "I just can't see what is wrong with him. Pass me the butter, please! - Thank you.... As if he missed his wives or something. But I have a good idea for the evening. Only I need Buz to be near. I will tweak Udu's tail all right again!"
And Lilly threw her head back and laughed. Viniglaen frowned. She didn't like the idea at all. "Look, Lilly..." she started, to be immediately interrupted again.
"Do you like my crimson dress? I know, I know, I look better in green, but it is much brighter and more fashionable, and has got really LOW neckline, so the King will not miss me among the other girls. You will have to do my hair, Vivvie, before running away to your Ray. And paint my eyes. I can't rely on silly Zimra on a day like that!"
Viv sighed. She believed Lil's eyes were much better without paint, but there was no way to explain that much to Lilly. "Well, if you want to look like an undersized pink dragon..."
Lilly waved her knife in the air dismissively. "Today is a decisive day, dearie. Battle day, so to say. I will snatch the Kinglet from right under Gordie's nose. It will teach her manners all right. And it is also a means to tweak the Captain's tail, if you understand my meaning. They will learn how to cross me."
And Lilly jumped up from her chair, and pirouetted around the table, singing
One, two, three, now we are free!
Happy day, Big Brother is away!
to the tune of "the Happy Troll", that used to be much en vogue in Barad-Dur right before the Last War.
Grey_Wolf
12-20-2005, 04:27 PM
Just as the Pack was about to attack the rider he turned and lifted the dagger.
It shone brightly in a magical white light which then stabbed out at the wolves, which had no chance, the spirits in them leaving the possessed in a mad rush.
Lotesse
12-21-2005, 01:01 AM
Viv stood looking out her bedroom window for a moment, staring at the eastern sun's long rays that were inching over the tops of the trees outside. She was spacing out, again, with thousands of thoughts struggling inside her head and heart looking for resolution. But it was hard to think without dreaming on an empty stomach, and so early in the morning. Trying to think while in love with impossibility was tough enough, never mind the extra distractions.
The ultramarine dress had been a mistake. It was too somber, too dramatic for a fresh Tuesday morning. Viniglaen felt it might make her appear too - oh, what was the term? Refined. She tossed the dark velvet dress over the back of a chair, and chose instead her baby-grey and whisper pink morning gown, with matching baby-grey kidskin mid-calf booties and a long silk chiffon whisper-pink scarf which she threw across her shoulders.
Viniglaen and Lilaenwen shared the vast breakfast table in the nook off the dining room. The fresh and eager morning sun had already invited itself to the room, and glinted off the shiny surfaces of the polished silver, and sliced their ways through the lead crystal tumblers of pomegranate juice. This bloodlike light spilled splotch-like on the otherwise pristine tablecloth, perfectly mimicking the wicked hue of Lilly's morning adventure in dress.
Vivvie thoughtfully sipped a tiny cup of tea, while Lilly spoke.
It was when Lil jumped up from the breakfast table and began to dance around singing old Barad Dur tunes that Viv finally snapped. Or maybe it was the spilt tea that Lil's boisterous antics had caused.
"LILLY!" said Viv, jumping up herself and quickly pulling the skirts of her dress away from the arc of tea splashing toward her. "Calm DOWN! Do you honestly think you can keep getting away with all the pranks you pull on those guys?"
Lil stopped her pirouette for a second, and peered innocently with startled green eyes at Viv's sudden break in serenity.
"U- I mean, Maethor will not be as patient with you as uncle K - I mean, Galadannun has been!" Having to constantly measure every word and utterance for fear of spying ears was starting to drive Viv crazy, and it was making it quite difficult for her to be able to really say what she wanted to say to her crazy sister. She lowered her flashing eyes and fixed Lil with a captive intensity stare, and reverted to thoughtspeech.
'Think about it, Lilaenwen, think about how terrifying, how painful your punishment from Khamul was the other day, and THAT was just for shreiking at the game! Our Lord will not be merciful, either; Khamul is his right hand man. In fact, all the men stick together, and at the end of the day, do you really think Buz will even come CLOSE to being capable of holdiong off the men once you anger them to immesurable cruelty? The answer is NO, no he won't be able to, not Buz, not me and Buz, not against Uncle K and Udu AND our Lord.'
The whole time Viv projected these urgently worried words into Lil's mind, Lil had been held in thrall by Viv's immobilising eyes. Lilly loved her little sister, as much as a Nazgul woman like herself could love any other of her kind. She knew that what Viv ever had to say about a thing so close to her well-being would come straight from a place of truth and of familial love, but nothing could change Lil's mind about an idea, once she figured out how she wanted to get what she wanted.
"Then DON'T help me,' answered Lil, petulantly. "I shall figure it out on my own. I don't need yours or anyone elses help!" She flounced out the yards of crimson fabric flowing from her tiny waist, and made to stomp away dramatically, but Viv rushed up to her from around the table and gently grasped her sister's arm.
"Look, just calm down," Viv said aloud, soothingly. "I'll help you, O.K.? I'll do the best I can to keep you from harm, and to get you the vital information you crave, but listen - " and at this point she went back to the thoughtspeech - 'I'll give you that Marty guy, if you can be satisfied with that, but don't start expecting me to get between our Lord and Gordis' plans with that stupid King, if there are any. I won't go there, Lil, you know that full well. I'll give you my boyfriend's best friend before I even consider betraying a single one of Us. Who cares about that silly King, anyway? Isn't Marty much cuter?'
Grey_Wolf
12-21-2005, 02:45 PM
The wolves retreated into the wilderness. All inclination of aggression vanished in them
But over the air faint whispers could be heard.
'Inssssolent welp of a human. Did he really think it that eassssy to vanquisssssh ussss. He issss in for a surprissse.'
The last sane person
12-21-2005, 10:50 PM
Tuesday, 4am
Raendil woke up early that morning, as was his custom, even though his first class was at 11. He was used to his routine, and wasn’t about to change it. It gave him lots of free time, which was quite the first for him. He was used to getting up at dawn, eating, going to his tutors for his private lessons and then heading to the training fields to fetch Volricom then head out on the patrols. Depending on the reports of the scouts, he could spend a day to weeks out camped on his father’s borders. In truth, it was in Imladris and growing up with Valandil for those few years that he really had any free time.
Now that he had it, he planned to make the most of it. Getting dressed, he girt on his sword and bow, and fetched Volricom from his stable. “Come on boy, eat up so we can go to our private grounds!” The stallion snorted and arched his neck, having finished his breakfast. It was five by the time Ray finished his sketch for both his smithing classes and his reading for others, he saddled up Volricom and they dashed off to the abandoned training ground/park that Ray and Marty had adopted as their own.
On his way there, he saw not only Marty headed over on Ithilion, but also…I’ll be damned! Another elf! Indeed, for whom he saw was none other than Alagos. Though he didn’t know that, as he was too far away, and didnt know Rian had a brother. To Ray it was just a lone elf wandering the early morning streets. Wandering the streets fully armed with bow, quiver and sword. “Mae govannen! It is not often a mortal city is graced with the presence of the first born! I am Raendil, and glad to welcome you to Tharbad!” The elf turned around swiftly, hand straying to his sword. The stranger smiled and gave his greeting in turn. “Aaye!” They both stopped for a moment, seeing as both recognized each other.
Tis the young lad who was glued to the hip of Valandil, I wonder, are the two still as fast friends as they were?”
I dimly know him…must be from Imladris that I have seen him. But he looks familiar in another way…
Alagos smiled and decided to test something, “Mae govannen, Nae saian luume' Raendil! Lle quena i'lambe tel' Eldalie?”
Ray flashed him a grin, putting his hand over his heart and lowering his head, “Ha! Uma, Nae saian luume' Mellon!”*
Indeed, I did see him at Imladris! Alagos is his name if I remember rightly. He made Valandil a bow! Ray hopped down from Volricom and gave a warrior’s handclasp to Alagos. He hadn’t changed a bit since Raendil saw him in Imladris all those years ago.
Well, of course, he’s an elf…Did I expect otherwise? Though, he does look a little …depressed?
“Well Raendil, I see you have turned into a mighty warrior. I remember when you were barely as tall as my bow!”
“I am greatly surprised to see you Alagos! More surprised still that you remembered me!” Ray nodded at Alagos’ weaponry. “Intending to ‘Shoot the breeze’ my friend?” The elf grinned and nodded.
“Actually, I was hoping to find some sort of a range or something. Though I do not wish to go to the soldiers barracks or training fields.”
“I think I can help you there! Come let’s walk. Both I as well as a friend of mine -Marthalion- have adopted and started to rehabilitate this old training ground. It’s quite beautifully laid out, so it might also have functioned as a park. We can walk if you don’t wish to share a horse.” Ray grinned, as he knew he would be catching Alagos admiring the lines and musculature of Volricom. Alagos whistled. “A fine intelligent horse if ever I’ve laid eyes on one!” Volricom obviously felt the same about the elf and nuzzled Alagos.
“Care to ride him? He knows his way to the park. Just tell him where you want to go and the will take you there!” Ray grinned, and so did Alagos.
“But you’d be without a horse my friend!”
“Its not a long walk, though the way I have been fixing the field, there is a little track. Some jumps as well. I can use a jog!” Alagos leaped into the saddle and Volricom reared and took off at his riders bidding. Raendil grinned and followed the pair over to the training field and introduced Alagos to Marthalion.
Telcontar_Dunedain
12-22-2005, 06:48 AM
Minas Aran. 9:35 a.m. Tuesday
"In here," replied Khamûl, looking around. "now."
"What?" replied Rian, shocked, that after what he had done he still had the nerve to tell her what to do.
"Now," replied Khamûl icily, waving the book in his hand forcing Rian to follow. "Come Sapthan."
"Why have you bought me in here?" asker Rian nervously, moving her hand towards a hidden dagger.
"To avoid a spectacle. We wouldn't everybody hearing you shout at a Professor would we?" said Khamûl.
"No, now my book if you would. i have a lesson later today, and would like to study for a bit beforehand," replied Rian, looking for an excuse to leave quickly.
"Very well. Now Sapthan, do you know whether this book belongs in the library, i have not been here long, and have not had time to familiarise myself with all the books," said Khamûl.
"No sir. This book does not belong to the library, it is the property of Lady Rian," said Sapthan, watching Khamûl face turn to anger as he said these words.
"Thank you, but I shall have to verify this with the Chancellor. Rian, if you return tomorrow I shall tell you what decision I have come to."
Valandil
12-22-2005, 07:19 AM
Tuesday, beginning ~ 7 am:
Valandil awoke and was instantly afraid that he had overslept. A quick survey of his surroundings, mostly noting how high the sun had climbed in the east showed him that he could make it - but time was tight.
He yawned. He would HAVE to get a good night's sleep in sometime soon... all these late night activities... and crazy dreams! He went to his basin, splashed some water on his face and ran his wet hands through his hair, then quickly dried, pulled on a fresh tunic and put on his belt and boots. He saw the sword and thought about strapping it on, but decided against it. He grabbed a cloak, then on down to the kitchen for a fast breakfast.
Fast, he thought, but he didn't want to just have a bowl of oats today... chicken eggs, meat, bread, cheese and something the chef made from potatoes - then he grabbed his materials for the day and darted out the door. No sign of Oreturion or Estelmo - but the former was an early riser and had probably already eaten, while the latter might still be sleeping in.
A brisk walk to campus (during which he was constantly reminded of that part of the dream), then through the University entrance. He had to check himself there - pausing to look at the Chancellor's home for just a moment, then on to his Bridge-building class. He wondered idly, as he walked, how he might fill all the time between Bridge-building and Commerce... over five hours!
He was surprised, when he walked into the classroom, to see Pengolod there - whom he had just met the night before. Just didn't seem the engineering type to him. The other six or so fellows in the class certainly did. It seemed like it would be a serious group. He nodded to Pengolod and took an open seat behind most of the others - there was still another vacant row behind him. Valandil had just taken a seat and begun to arrange his things when the Chancellor came in, briefly looked over the class - his eyes pausing on the King - and began to lay out his teaching materials for the day.
Just after the Chancellor's arrival came an unexpected interruption. The two ladies who had kept following Valandil around at the reception dance the night before last - came in with two other noble young maidens (these latter a bit better looking) and approached the Chancellor. This got the immediate attention of Valandil's classmates.
"Good morning, Mister Chancellor,... Lord Ilmenzor," began one. "My sister Malaphel and I, together with our friends, have developed an interest in bridges," - why did they pause and look toward Valandil just then? - "and would like to sit in on your class today if we might, to decide if we should request admittance to it."
The Chancellor appeared to be quite charmed, bowed with a slight smile and gestured toward the seats. The young ladies, all giggling slightly, walked past the appreciative stares of most of Valandil's classmates and sat in the row behind him, each brushing lightly against him as they went by. Before the Chancellor was quite ready to begin his presentation, Valandil felt a slight nudge from behind. Ilmenzor's attention was diverted, so he turned slightly to see four smiling feminine faces, one of which, the one who had spoken to the Chancellor, held a piece of paper toward him. Valandil took it hesitantly, then turned and discretely opened it, and held it so that he could read it without notice. It read:
Valandil was a Human King,
To him the ladies gladly sing.
High King who lived unmarried, free,
They longed to keep him company.
His lance was long, his sword was keen,
They all aspired to be his Queen.
Desires and wishes fully healed,
Alas - his mother was his shield!
She chases all the maids away,
And keeps the King apart from play.
They'll watch in darkness from afar,
In Arnor, when his door's ajar.
Valandil fought hard to keep the color from rising in this face and to keep his features even.
"Thank you, but I shall have to verify this with the Chancellor. R*an, if you return tomorrow I shall tell you what decision I have come to."
With this latest outrage, R*an's anger went from hot to cold, which was even more dangerous, and her voice was deceptively soft as she spoke rapidly and angrily in response to the Professor's insulting words.
"There is no need for me to return tomorrow, Professor," (that last word said as disrespectfully as possible, as if it was impossible to believe that such a man could ever be a teacher), "for I shall not leave until I have what is rightfully mine back again. You have several choices before you. You may give it to me now, on my own word and the word of your assistant librarian here that it belongs to me, for as you said, you don't even know your own library, and both Sapthân and I know it does NOT belong in the library. If you prefer to insult us both by calling us liars and wanting more proof, then you can turn to the title page and read the dedication where it clearly says my name, and listen to me as I recite from memory everything that is in my book. And if you still won't return it to me - " here, R*an stepped in even closer and laid her finger on his shoulder, speaking even more softly and angrily, "you didn't want a spectacle? Well, I shall make such a spectacle for you that it will be talked about for years all throughout the city, for that book is mine, and you have wrongfully taken it from me."
She stepped back and folded her arms across her chest, never once taking her eyes off him. "Now, what is your choice? I advise the first one, for the good of everyone."
Gordis
12-22-2005, 07:05 PM
Engineering Building, around 8.30 AM, Tuesday
"Look, look at his ears!" Malaphel pushed Miriel and pointed at the King sitting in front of them. Valandil’s ears were slowly turning crimson. Miriel and the two other girls, two sisters, Loteniel and Lossoniel, giggled excitedly.
"He has swallowed the bite all right" whispered Miriel. They were very proud of the verses, a real masterpiece written by their mother, Lady Nimloth, who knew a lot of Elven lore.
The Chancellor, meanwhile, seemingly oblivious to giggles coming from the last row, was explaining something utterly boring and far beyond their understanding. A handsome dark young man with a thin oriental moustache, in the second row, turned his head and smiled at the girls appreciatively.
"Do you think King Val will come for lunch with us?" Malaphel asked worriedly. "There are nearly four hours before Commerce. We could invite him for lunch to our Palace…"
Miriel frowned "He will hardly come home with us, but why not go together someplace… perhaps to the Herring?"
"That will be cute!" cried Loteniel, the eldest of Elmir Phudd’s nieces. She had been worried that MM’s were going to lead the King away into their private grounds. The King was public property, and the chase was up!
----
The stench of human blood and sweat, mixed with strong floral perfumes, was overwhelming. The Chancellor would have stopped breathing entirely, had he not needed air to continue speaking. Moreover, his sensitive ears caught every whisper coming from the last row.
When the Morgul Lord finished his explanations, he was ready to turn the four giggling females into something VERY unnatural, now and then.
He wiped his hands, stained with chalk, smiled charmingly, and addressed the noisiest of the girls.
"Now, Lady Miriel, please, come forward to the blackboard and calculate the span of the bridge arch under these parameters."
Miriel paled, and opened her mouth like a fish taken out of the water. The others girls grew utterly silent.
"I am afraid I am not too good in maths…" admitted Miriel, blushing.
"That is one of the requirements of the course, Miriel," frowned the Chancellor. "Is anyone of you, young Ladies, able to answer my question?"
The girls were now quiet as mice. No one dared to raise her head to meet Ilmenzor’s gaze.
"I am grieved to tell you, Ladies, that I can’t accept you for the course. I don’t think that you should waste your time sitting here, instead of enjoying the nice weather outside. I bid you farewell, and hope to meet you on lighter occasions."
The girls filed out of the room, dejected. The dark-haired young man in the second row touched Lossoniel's hand as she passed, and winked at her reassuringly. Valandil noticed a hint of evil smile on the Chancellor’s lips, but it was gone almost as soon as it appeared. Now Ilmenzor turned to him and offered him the chalk.
"Now, your Highness, please, answer the question which proved so difficult for our charming maids."
...
Outside the Engineering building, the girls settled on a bench near the front door to intercept the King at the end of the lesson.
Valandil
12-22-2005, 07:25 PM
"That's an easy one, Chancellor... er, Professor Ilmenzor," replied Valandil. "Forty-four rangar clear span... 50 rangar center of pier to center of pier. I don't understand why none of those four could get it... the answer is so obvious."
'Oh... and Professor,' Valandil was mentally broadcasting now, 'THANK you!'
Lady Marion Magdalena
12-22-2005, 09:02 PM
Tuesday being her day off, Mahtaliel had decided to take a walk around the university before breakfast. Her wandering took her up on the walls, around the various buildings and finally over by the library. She lingered there, sitting beneath a tree and enjoying the sound of the fountain just around the corner.
Mahtaliel wasn't as inclined to revere books as some of her colleagues were, she was really quite glad to be relieved of the care of the library. She still found that part of the campus peaceful though.
Usually peaceful anyway.
Was it becoming impossible to go anywhere around the university without that blasted Galadanunn making a scene? She was seriously beginning to doubt the Chancellor's judgement in hiring the man.
Standing, she turned the corner to see Galadanunn, Sapthan, and Rian disappearing into an alcove; all three looking furious. She hesitated, not wanting to get pulled into whatever it was, it wasn't her place to interfere... but if Galadanunn insisted on antagonizing the students then someone would have to bring it to the Chancellor's attention, and if the student in question was elvish then the someone would probably end up being her regardless, might as well interfere now.
Silently she entered the alcove, stopping just behind Sapthan and touching him lightly on the shoulder, "Is Galadanunn making trouble here?" She whispered.
He nodded and beckoned for her to listen.
"You didn't want a spectacle? Well, I shall make such a spectacle for you that it will be talked about for years all throughout the city, for that book is mine, and you have wrongfully taken it from me." Rian seemed to be doing an admirable job of defending herself, "Now, what is your choice? I advise the first one, for the good of everyone."
Lotesse
12-22-2005, 10:47 PM
Buz had not really slept Monday night; he'd spent most of the night either frolicking with Lil, or in his study poring over his private collection of ancient spell books, or pacing around downstairs inside the locked wine cellar, drinking and thinking. As much as he was addicted to spending time privately with Lilaenwen, after a point in the night, usually Lil would grow langorously sleepy, whilst Buz would become quite wide awake and sharp of mind.
The morning crept in while he wasn't noticing, but by the sounds and vibrations going on in the kitchen and dining room above him, he realised that it must indeed be breakfast time, and no longer night. He emerged from the cellar, blinking in the irritating morning sunlight that was streaming through the kitchen windows, assailing his face. The young maid Zimra was busying herself with dishes, and gave him an equally painful sunny smile.
"Good Morn to you, sir! Would Sir care for a bite of breakfast or a -"
"No, no thanks," Buz answered gruffly yet not unkindly.
Morning was not his favourite time of day, and little human maids with their cheery dispositions were overwhelming at this hour, to say the least. Buz left the kitchen with haste, and headed out to catch his early morning class taught by his Lord.
After class, he came straight back to Orrodel. He had an idea he wanted to develop, an idea which requireed his ols spell books and the mysteries contained therein. Not only that, but he wanted to get a jump on all his new homework. He intended to get good marks. He wanted to prove to his Nazgullian peers that he wasn't the ho-hum dummy he thought they might think he was; he was SMART and he was going to prove it.
He got home, and first went straight back through the kitchen and down into the wine cellar to grab a couple bottles to take up to his study. Wine helped Buzukhumarz think. As he was passing past the dining room headed toward the stairwell, en route back to his quarters, he overheard snatches of the girls in conversation, and wondered what in middle-earth his feisty dingbat of a lover was trying to get Viv into now.
Lotesse
12-22-2005, 11:43 PM
"Maybe he's cuter, but he's not the King," answered Lil aloud, tugging her arm out of Viv's grasp.
"O.K., well just do us both a favour, will you, and try and control yourself a little, Lil," said Viv, beginning to lose patience with Lil and her obstinate ideas. She pushed her hand through her hair, in an attempt to clear the aggravating emotion from her head; and, deciding to give up trying any furthur to caution her sister, Viv gave an irritated little sigh.
"Whatever," said Lilly, causing Viv to roll her eyes in exasperation. At this point, Viv had had enough, and she made to leave her sister in the dining room, but just then, the doorbell rang.
The last sane person
12-23-2005, 12:26 AM
I can’t wait to see Viniglaen again. Hey! I got an idea… Hope she wont think I am too forward. He turned over to Orrodel, which, by now, had become a common destination for Volricom and he knew the way without urging. Volricom, being the extremely smart beast that he was, knew that something was up at that house. And that horse sense of his made it quite clear. He didn’t like it one bit. However, he was obedient to his master’s wishes and didn’t make a fuss. That and now that Laslech was there, he certainly wouldn’t be fussy if Raendil wanted to go visit his female. Or at least, that’s how Volricom thought of it.
“Well boy, might as well go there while I am presentable.” It was about half past nine as Raendil rang the doorbell and was greeted by Penegolod. “Hey, is Lady Viniglaen here?”
“Yes, she is Master Raendil, if you will wait here I shall fetch her. Though I am a bit surprised to see you here.” Penny looked decidedly groggy. Obviously not an early riser...
"Yeah, well, I am used to getting up at dawn, so this isnt too early at all." Penny looked astounded that anybody sane could rise at any hour earlier than ten.
"Well, that's saying something, a noble actually rising with the sun." Penny grinned and then excused himself to go get Viv.
Ray nodded his thanks but didn’t have to wait long as Viniglaen came out of an adjoining room , looking somewhat surprised to see him. “Well funny to see you here. Isn’t it a bit early?” She grinned and for a moment it was a bit awkward, they both wanted to go over and give each other a morning hug, perhaps even a kiss on Ray’s part. Finally Ray grinned and, making sure no one was there to looking, grabbed her and gave her a hug, and a kiss on the cheek.
He didn’t let go immediately, but they were still both a bit stunned. “So, um…I’ll be letting go of you now.” Ray and Viniglaen stepped back, both with slightly pinked cheeks.
“Um, well, Yes. I was hoping, that, er perhaps you would like to come see my actual house.”
“I’d love too, if its anything like the stable it ought to be pretty nice.” Was Viniglaen’s sly reply.
“Well, its much nicer. Though for all my manners, I might as well have been raised in a barn. Either way, the offer stands, if you don’t think its too forward.”
Lotesse
12-23-2005, 12:59 AM
"Nothing you say to me is too forward," said Viv. "What time, when should I come by?"
"I was thinking, perhaps we could meet there around four, or four-thirty, since I get out of my Commerce class a little before four."
"I have a military history class from four to five."
"Then after that," said Ray, "or if you prefer, let's set a time - say, six o'clock? That'll give you time to do what you have to do, and then we can relax and fix a little dinner, just the two of us."
"Perfect!" said Viv, hiding her worried consternation that her own cooking skills would leave much to be desired. What could she cook? What should she bring? As if reading her, Ray put her at ease.
"I already have a menu in mind, so don't even worry about cooking, I've got it covered," he said, wanting to touch her again but feeling invisible eyes spying on them all of a sudden. Viv felt the eyes, too, and it annoyed her to no end. Between Five, and the irascible Lil, and that little maid, there were bound to be all sorts of eyes checking out the two young lovebirds chatting in the foyer.
"Then, I'll see you at six," Ray said, turning to the door, and Viv instinctively pulled toward him as he opened the door, as if something within her needed to touch him again, needed him to touch her again. He kissed her very quickly, very carefully, on her forhead, and left. She shut the door behind him quietly, and stood there for a second, then turned and made her way back upstairs to her boudoir, to change into a riding outfit. She needed the fresh morning air. She needed a ride on Laslech. And she needed to find Lomi, and send her owl on some reconnaissance missions.
Tuesday,
a long day's ride from Tharbad
Tyaron took out a piece of paper and outlined the dagger on it, then started sketching the pictures he saw in his head. The lines were flowing and graceful, which made the ugliness of the battle even more stark, but the nobleness and courage of the pair of brothers even more beautiful.
Last week, the man had come up to Tyaron while he was waiting for Alagos to pick up some fletching supplies (again!) and struck up a conversation, because he had noticed Tyaron's dagger (which he had taken out and was sharpening) and had been wanting to present an etched one to his son, whose coming-of-age birthday was that year. When he had found out that Tyaron had done the etching himself, and when he had seen Tyaron's sword with its etching, he knew this was the man he wanted to do his son's dagger. He had offered him a great deal of money, but Tyaron had more important things on his mind, and had politely declined, explaining briefly about Rian and that they thought she was very close now.
The man was disappointed but understanding, and asked that Tyaron keep him in mind whenever he should have some free time and if he was in the area, for he would consider his work to be an heirloom for his house. There were not many survivors of the Nirnaeth still alive, and fewer who could do the type of etching that Tyaron could do.
Tyaron agreed; he had liked the man in the few moments they had spent in conversation, and he understood his desire to pass on a special gift to his son at his coming of age. So this man had come to mind when Tyaron had thought to make Rian miss him by absenting himself from Tharbad for a few days - he had decided to take up the commission, since Rian would be busy with classes, anyway.
Even after last night, and when his plea to have his life taken later that night was not answered, he still held to his idea of doing the dagger; even more so, now that death was so much on his mind. He would etch the dagger for the young man as a kind of funeral offering for his own hopes, and then leave Rian and Alagos for the havens, or wherever chance took him - he didn't care. She was in good hands with her brother there now. He would store up some memories of her while he worked, and then buy her a parting gift to remember him by with the money he earned, putting it on her pillow when she was at class and leaving a note behind to explain that he had wearied of this world and could not resist the call over the sea anymore. He wouldn't explain the real reason why he was leaving, because he couldn't bear the thought of her knowing what he had done and thinking ill of him. She may not love him, but at least she seemed to think well of him, and he couldn't bear the thought of that changing.
He sighed and looked at the sketches, then put them in his pack and called Hwesta over. It was time to head back to Tharbad - his tools were there, and he wanted to get started on the work while the picture was so vivid in his mind.
Valandil
12-23-2005, 09:18 AM
At the completion of the lecture, as the other students filed out, Valandil approached the Chancellor.
"Professor Ilmenzor, thank you - today's presentation was very enlightening. I was particularly intrigued by the information on the bridge my father and uncle had built over Anduin - at Osgiliath. We only have poor images in our royal library at Annuminas. Does the University Library have any good information on it?"
Serenoli
12-23-2005, 11:03 AM
All night long, Jas Fernik dreamt. Unpleasant, strange dreams he did not understand... he woke up several times with a pounding forehead, and a feeling of general unease, and felt very relieved when he saw the first rays of the sun come seeping through his windows, because now he had a chance to get out of bed. Of course, it was typical that just when he decided he wouldn't try sleeping any more that Sleep came to him...
It was around nine that he finally got up. He tried to think what to do all day... his class wasn't until 4 pm... and somehow, he didn't feel much like another drinking bout. And that reminded him of the lovely lady he had met last night, and of his rash promise to send over some wine to her.
So he went down to his wine cellar, which was built under the Wine-tasting building. It was his favourite place in the world... deliciously cool air, casket after casket of the best wines available (for the Chancellor, whatever else he was, was not ungenerous when it came to this), and best of all, a quiet place all of his own. Some nights when it was warm, he even slept there.. but that was a secret, known to none.
And it was after he had selected some choice wines for the Lady Lilaenwen, when he realized with a shock he had never asked her where she lived! Maybe Bumbledore knew?
Now, Jas had a notoriuosly poor sense of direction... people new to Tharbad were warned about asking him for directions, unless of course, they actually enjoyed ending up five miles in the opposite direction to where they were actually headed. It was for him the work of a moment to go left instead of right, and instead of the Commerce building which he was aiming for, by some wierd logic, actually end up in the Engineering building.
Ten minutes later, he had realized he was in the wrong building. But, he had forgotten his way to the front door. He had also forgotten who he was looking for, and he had forgotten why he had a bottle of Linhir '31 under his arm (he had meant to ask Bumble's opinion of it, actually). And he was feeling sleepy. He found an empty classroom, and sitting in a corner, and after a few sips of wine, he promptly fell asleep.
And so, when the Chancellor's Defensive building class entered, they found a slightly dishevelled person already there, snoring loudly, with a wine bottle under his arm, his pink bunny slippers still showing under his dressing robe.
Gordis
12-23-2005, 07:58 PM
University, Tuesday, 9.30 AM.
When Valandil addressed him in mental speech, the Morgul Lord refrained from replying likewise. He was not sure, if, during a direct mind communication, he could shield his mind as efficiently, as was necessary. So he simply nodded, and continued the lesson.
At the completion of the lecture, Valandil approached the Chancellor and asked him, if the Library had some information on the Osgiliath Bridge.
"Of course", replied the Chancellor with a benign smile. "There are copies of the actual architectural plans, and reports on its construction, as well as many skillful drawings of the Bridge. I have twenty minutes now, so I can lead you to the Library myself".
"That would be most generous of you, Lord Chancellor" replied the King, with a slight bow.
They went out of the door of the Engineering building into the broad sunlight. At the sight of Valandil leaving the building, a bright flock of girls, which had gathered on the benches near the entrance, rushed forward. There were many more than four now!
Val stumbled like a cornered animal, and was ready to turn and hide in the building again, if not for the Chancellor. At the sight of his stern face, the girls paused. There was something in his eyes that made them uneasy, and even slightly frightened. The girls curtsied and let them pass unhindered.
Valandil smiled gratefully at Ilmenzor. He thought he could come to actually like the man. The Chancellor smiled back and said "You are not yet safe, your Highness. They are following."
Valandil stole a look back and behold a group of brightly clad girls, no more than twenty paces behind, stalking him. His spirits sunk again.
"I am afraid they will follow you to the Scriptorium", remarked the Chancellor as they reached the Bar Aran Square. "For my part, I don’t want them in the Library any more than you do. Let us come first to the Palace for a cup of Khandian coffee. Then you could exit by another door, and I will send someone to lead you to the Library unobserved."
"I will be forever in your debt" replied the King. Valandil sighed in relief. Indeed, his cousin Ilmenzor was most helpful and understanding.
They turned left, passed through a little gate east of the Main Hall, and strode through the garden in companionable silence. The Morgul Lord used the pause to summon Aiwendis mentally. When they passed through another gate on the left of the Palace, they saw her waiting for them near a fountain.
Aiwendis was clad in a simple, but elegant, light grey dress with a long blue gauze scarf draped over her shoulders. Her shiny black hair, unbound now, and held only by a thin silver circlet, fell down to her waist. With light steps she approached and curtsied before the King.
Aiwendis! Valandil felt his cheeks burning. Details of the night’s dream were replaying again in his mind. Her lips on his neck, her fingers in his hair…
The Chancellor’s eyes were on his face, the grey eyes piercing. "Are you unwell, my King?"
"Uhm, no, I.." he was not sure he understood the question.
Valandil
12-24-2005, 03:51 AM
What, after all, does one say to the father of the girl that one has been dreaming of?
"... I consider it a pleasure to be guided to information... on Osgiliath's Bridge... by one who must know it so well from personal acquaintance." Valandil said, his eyes turning to the Chancellor, and then back to Aiwendis as he spoke of her.
His cousin Ilmenzor seemed quite satisfied with his answer, smiled slightly and instructed Aiwendis to guide him on to the Library, and to require Sapthan to gather for his perusal all materials on the Bridge at Osgiliath. "First," he added, "The King may desire the refreshment of some Khandian coffee." and then he excused himself from them, turned on his heel and re-traced his path in order to teach his next class.
The paused for a moment, and Aiwendis seemed somehow anxious in Valandil's presence - as anxious as he felt himself, he thought with a smile. "I will take a pass on that coffee for now, Lady Aiwendis." he said, "But may recall it once I have seen what I may of Osgiliath's Bridge."
She smiled - was it a bit forced? - and led him on a circuitous path toward the Library. Valandil knew libraries to be solitary places. Perhaps that accounted for her awkwardness, he thought. On the other hand, in her father's position, she was probably accustomed to guiding young men all about the University.
A gate was just before them, and as she reached out to take the handle, Aiwendis began to speak, "To see drawings, and pictures in books, is one way to experience a thing. But to fully know something, requires experience of a more... personal nature, would you not say, My King?" With that her eyes, which had been downcast to then, were turned full upon him. Those eyes...
Together they pushed the gate open, their arms lightly touching. To Valandil, time seemed to slow, and he felt that they were dancing once more. They were still outside, but the place seemed deserted. As they stood at the open gate she took a half step toward him, looking full into his face, arms down at her sides. He was about to reach out with his own arms, and take the one last step to close the gap between them, when they heard the voices.
Voices ... raised in anger. Both turned their attention to the voices. They seemed to be coming from the base of a nearby tower.
"Was that Rian? The... Elf who was at the reception?" asked Valandil.
"Yes, her... and ... Professor... Galadannun, " continued Aiwendis, "and Sapthan!" Valandil wondered why Aiwendis was sniffling.
Gordis
12-24-2005, 12:22 PM
University, Tuesday 9.50 AM.
After delivering the unsuspecting King right into Aiwendis’ claws, Chancellor returned to the Engineering building, feeling smug. He found his students milling in the corridor, peeking into the class room and giggling excitedly.
"What is the matter?" asked the Chancellor coldly.
One of the students, one-eyed Marthalion, bowed and replied smiling.
"It seems, my Lord, that there is a problem there. The room is occupied!"
The Chancellor entered the room, and was surprised to find Professor Fernik, snoring in an armchair in the far corner. While the Chancellor watched, Jas moaned and whispered some words. The Chancellor froze for a moment, than closed the door firmly behind him.
***
Jas was having a dream. It was delicious at first. He was holding a most voluptuous redhead lady in his arms… Her eyes were closed, and her ample bosom heaving. Jas bent his head to kiss the rosy lips, when the woman opened her awesome bright green eyes…
The pink lips so near to his own opened and uttered some words, words in an unknown horrible tongue, that sent shivers down Jus’s spine…
Jas moaned, shifted uneasily in his sleep, and whispered:
"Gashn-izg…Gashn-izg…Gashn-izg…"
***
The Chancellor approached. He knew, he could have but a few minutes alone with Jas. He had no time to ponder, where on Arda could the quiet Fernick pick some words in the High Tongue. One thing was certain, the man had to forget them, or die.
The Morgul Lord placed his hand on Jas’s forehead and with all the force of his mind willed him to forget what he just said.
Jas felt deadly cold envelop his mind, then a red hot pain went through his brain. He cried out weakly and awoke, looking into the Chancellor’s face. He could not tell where he was or why he was there.
"Good morning, Professor Fernick" said the Chancellor levelly. "It seems you have had bad dreams. What a strange language you spoke! One of the dialects of South Rhun, I guess. Have you been there?"
Serenoli
12-24-2005, 11:22 PM
A curious thing had happened... the Morgul Lord, desperate in his haste, put all of his immense powers into a simple memory erasing spell. It was so strong that even the students crowded outside the door, some of them shamelessly eavesdropping, got a blast of it, so that for a moment they all forgot what they were doing there. And as for Jas, with his weak defenceless mind, a mind prone to forget things without any outside interfernce, not only forgot the words he had just uttered, but a sizeable portion of his past life as well.
Dimly, he registered the fact that his head was throbbing painfully, and that he himself felt drained... as though a vampire had been sucking him dry. He also realized he was in some kind of a classroom, and a stern-looking man was talking to him in polite but icily cold tones of languages of the South Rhun.
He croaked. No, that wasn't right. He tried again, and this time produced something which sounded more like words.
"Excuse me, what?"
The Chancellor nodded somewhere in his deep mind. Jas was behaving just as he had expected he would. He would probably be a little confused for some time, so all he had to do was play along.
"Ah, I see you were sleeping, and do not remember. Never mind. Meanwhile, I have a class to take here."
"Really? Well, go ahead!"
"I shall require to use this classroom." There was a hint, well actually a definite note, of impatience, in the Chancellor's voice.
"Thats good for you. As for me, I shall just go to sleep. I don't have time to be dreaming you, and you are a nasty sort of a dream, anyways. The last one was better." With that, he dropped his head on his arms, and only a few seconds later, you could hear the gentle snores.
If Ilmenzor weren't the Morgul Lord, his jaw would have dropped. But, it was really quite simple. Jas's mind told him quite clearly that he was a fifteen year old, and lived in a farmhouse by a vine-yard. At this moment in time, he was firmly convinced that he was secretly napping in the wine cellar at his home, instead of doing his chores. So, when he found himself in this strange setting, he naturally assumed it was some dream. He wished the nice red-haired lady would come back, she had been so much nicer than this creepy man. It was no easy task finding a secret place to nap, with his eagle-eyed father around, so if one did get the oppurtunity, it was a waste of time to have pointless, unexciting and rather painful dreams like this one while napping.
Grey_Wolf
12-25-2005, 01:42 PM
The spirits bannished from the wolves by Tyaron floated about in the wilderness just waiting for their victim.
Meanwhile, in Tharbad; Scars, Trick and Treat was having a ball running around the city making mischief. People were beginning to wonder were their spare change were disappearing to.
In the abandoned house in other end of town; Fleet, Speedy and Swift, the energetic weasels were getting ready for a night on the town.
Tuesday morning, around 10:00 am
walking from the practice fields to the University
Alagos breathed in deeply and looked around the city, a smile on his face and in his bright eyes. He reached down and tousled the hair of the young lad trotting by his side, and the boy looked up with a shy smile.
"Almost there?" he inquired of the lad.
"Just around this corner, sir," the boy responded. As they turned the corner, the young boy was glad to see his arch-nemesis playing in the street. Now, maybe, he wouldn't get picked on any more! After all, he was obviously friends with a fully-armed elven warrior!
Alagos noticed the lad standing a little taller and the boy with the sullen expression staring at them, and, his quick mind making a guess, rested his hand lightly on the lad's shoulder in a "fellow warrior" type of gesture as they came up to the door.
"Mother! Mother! Come meet my new friend!" called the boy excitedly as he ran into the house. As he waited at the door, Alagos turned toward the sullen boy and gave him a stern look with his bright eyes, and the boy quickly ran off.
A few minutes later, after admonishing the young lad that an arrow was NOT a toy, but a weapon to be respected, he left the lad (clutching his elven arrow tightly) and his mother and headed towards the University.
Finding a quiet seat near the University, he reflected on the events of the last 24 hours. After having his wishes about the reunion of Tyaron and his sister leading to their immediate marriage rudely knocked down and readjusted by reality, he realized that they would probably be staying in Tharbad for quite some time, and he had started wondering what would be interesting for him to do while R*an was pursuing classes and Tyaron was pursuing R*an. After spending some hours on the University grounds last night, getting a feel for the place, he still did not feel like sleep, and had wandered around looking for places to practice his archery until the dawn had risen on the face of a friend - Raendil, Valandil's friend from his Imladris days, now grown into a man: open-hearted, generous, quick-witted, and obviously a strong and valiant warrior. His friend, Marthalion, seemed like another such man, and Alagos was looking forward to spending more time with them.
He was very happy to see the archery range they had set up; he had been itching to test and fine-tune his latest batch of arrows. They had shot only a few rounds (Marty was very interested to find out that the archers from Gondolin didn't shoot for the bulls-eye; instead, they shot patterns, such as flowers or letters, because clustering arrows in the bulls-eye as closely as an archer such as Alagos could do was damaging to the fletching) before Alagos suddenly remembered his promise to his sister to let her do his hair.
"I'm so sorry; the pleasure of your company made me momentarily forget that I am supposed to be back with my sister at dawn!" he said regretfully; shooting with friends being much higher up on his list of pleasures than having his hair braided by his sister.
"Your sister?" replied Ray, surprised. "You have a sister in town? I didn't know you had a sister!"
"When I had the pleasure of meeting you in Imladris, I didn't mention her, for I thought that she had perished in the fall of Gondolin many years ago, and it was not something I talked about lightly or often, for we were very close. But only recently - as elves reckon it! - my friend and I found out that she was indeed alive, and we finally traced her to Tharbad after a search of many years. Perhaps you have met her, or have seen her about town? Her name is R*an, and those who know us both say that we have a family resemblance - although not too strong, fortunately for her!"
Ray laughed and said merrily, "I know her indeed; I met her on Sunday night, and I must say that she is definitely much better-looking than you! But there is a family resemblance, and when I saw you on the road, you reminded me of someone, although I was unable to realize who until just now. I am truly glad to hear that the two of you have been reunited! And who is this friend you speak of? Do we have another practice partner to join us here?"
"You will indeed, when he returns, and he can show you a thing or two with a sword, for he was one of the top swordsmen in Gondolin. But I regret to say that I must hasten back now - give me a letter, and then I must run! I'll be back later this morning, though, and hope to meet with you again very soon!"
Ray said, "I'll have a 'V', please," trying fairly sucessfully to keep the blush out of his face as he thought of Viv. He watched Alagos with interest and admiration as Alagos shot a V-tengwa on the target, and Marty watched Ray with interest and a smile, guessing why Ray chose the letter he did.
"Ah, quesse flew slightly left again, the rogue!" said Alagos, eyeing his last shot critically. "That must have been the one I was trimming when Tyaron made me laugh! Oh well, quite good overall for a virgin batch, and quesse will have a little conversation with my knife when I get home!" Elven archers put letters or numbers on their arrows, so they can adjust them if they aren't flying true, and quesse was the troublemaker in this latest batch, although the rest were well-behaved; Alagos never had many arrows misbehave.
He ran to the target to remove his arrows, giving quesse a "I'll deal with you later!" look, and then leapt onto Volricom, whom Ray had graciously offered to speed his trip home. "Just turn him loose when you get home; he'll make it back to me!" Ray said, and Volricom nuzzled him and then galloped off with a snort and a swish of his tail. As he passed through the part of town where he had met the horsewoman yesterday, he smiled as he remembered that her name started with "V".
From knowing no one when they came into town on Sunday, to knowing three men after his own heart (plus Earniel, who might also be after his own heart, but in a different way...), was a great gain indeed, and suddenly the town went from dark and forboding to bright and promising. And riding a stallion such as Volricom - few things in life were more pleasureable than riding a good horse! The feelings of unease from the night before were gone - well, almost gone; he would feel much better as soon as Tyaron returned.
Tuesday morning, around 10 a.m.
an alcove near the University Library
As R*an finished speaking to Professor Galadannun, she turned around, for she had sensed someone else coming up. She was relieved and very happy to see it was Professor Mahtaliel, for the Professor, although not as immediately friendly as some, had always been courteous, kind and helpful to her. Professor Mahtaliel was standing next to Sapthân, and R*an now felt that she had TWO university employees on her side against Professor Galaddanun. She decided to back down a little and offer Galadannun a graceful way out, instead of the threatened confrontation.
"Oh, Professor Mahtaliel, I'm SO glad you're here," she said happily. "I was just showing Sapthân my book, which my parents made and gave to me as a coming-of-age present in Gondolin, and I would love for you to look at it, too! Professor Galadannun has it now; he mistakenly thought it belonged to the library, being new to his position as librarian, but Sapthân, who has been here for years and knows every book, has set him straight."
Turning back to Professor Galadannun, she said graciously but firmly, "Would you please let Professor Mahtaliel look at my book now, Professor Galadannun? I'm sure she will find it interesting!"
The last sane person
12-28-2005, 03:49 AM
Mahtaliel took the reluctantly offered book, looking through it quickly. It did indeed have Rian's name inside the cover. She handed it back to Rian.
"Thank you for trusting me to see that, it is very old, you've taken good care of it." She turned back to Galadanunn, frowning, "Don't you have a class to be teaching right now? And by teaching I don't mean harassing the students."
"Shouldn't you be teaching Professor?" He replied icily, "As opposed to interfering in other people's business?"
"No, Galadanunn, I don't. On Tuesdays I have very little better to do than to 'interfere'. It is sad, yes, but as you are an ass I believe the interference was welcome."
Galadanunn was speechless.
"If you'll excuse me Master Buttocks, I have business elsewhere this morning." She turned to leave, "Ah... Rian, if you would care to come with me?"
A glance at Galadanunn's rapidly purpling face was all the convincing that was needed. Rian promptly strode off, following Mahtaliel.
```````````````````````````````
Noon time, by the smithy
Marty and Ray were sitting and eating lunch under the covered walk way that lead from Professor Mahtaliel's living quarters to the forge, idly eating their lunch and chatting. Ray was twiddling his dagger through his fingers and Marty had laced his behind his head taking in the day.
"So, what’s up with you and Val being Inundated with elvish...ness?"
Ray lazily opened his eye and stopped twiddling the dagger for a moment. He shrugged. "Growin’ up noble I guess. Not that you would know wolfy."
THUD!
"You don’t need to be an elvish nancy pants to be noble my dear friend!" Marty had pinned the squirming Ray and proceeded to prod him into admitting elvish nancyness when they were both suddenly aware of two very female voices struggling to with hold laughter. Marty turned around and none other than Mahtaliel and Rian were standing behind them.
"Good day professor! And to you, Lady..." Marty turned as he leapt off of Ray.
"Urk." Was Raendil's eloquent greeting, struggling to rise. Marty wasn’t a featherweight.
Mahtaliel nodded to the two young men. "Good day and Urk to you too. Now, did my ears deceive me? Rian, what say you? Was it the wind or did I hear something about elvish nancypants? Now, if you've only met the male elves of Imladris I can quite understand, however, you must allow me to prove that not all elves are... 'nancy' was it?"
Rian bit back her laughter, eager to see what will befall the two young men. Marty only nodded mutely, hoping his doom would befall him fast. "y..y..yes, I do believe that was the word. And perhaps they aren't. Ray sure doesn’t do them justice. Prove? How...or do I dare ask how?"
"Were you boys still eager to test your work?"
Marty and Ray blinked. Comprehension dawned. They both grinned. "You better believe it! Er, professor...so I take it we will be testing against you?"
"I'm sure such fine boys as yourselves will find it no contest." She answered, smiling.
"Ray, why do I get the feeling I just stuck a whole pair of feet in my mouth? Professor, it would be an honor to trounce or get trounced by you. Shall we set a date?" Ray merely grinned, he had Glorfindel of Gondolin and the Wandering Companies to thank for his training. He kept quiet.
Mahtaliel smiled wider and handed them the swords they had made the night before.
Marty turned a bit pink. "Came prepared, eh? Well, let it be said that elves, though Nancy or not, are never caught without their pants." Marty barely muttered this, but Mahtaliel DID catch it.
Rian by now was a cherry, and said out loud, "but what if they are wearing skirts?"
Ray too, turned into a cherry. "Well, they would ...er..' He broke up laughing. "not be with pants, but still have SOMETHING."
Mahtaliel just laughed, "Had you spotted us going into the forge to fetch said swords, we could have avoided these analogies about pants. Up now and arm yourselves, who's first?"
And so, the two did rise solemnly and check their blades. Marty turned to Ray, "Well brother, please let it be writ upon my grave as a warning for other men not to use the word 'Nancy' with 'elves' in the same sentence. Professor, as the one who has gathered most feet in his mouth, I shall go first!" He sprang forward, blade shining and in ready position.
Mahtaliel too sprang, it was apparent that the boundaries had been drawn, in other words, the entire courtyard was fair game. Sizing each other up, Marty was the shorter by a good hand. This disconcerted him, seeing as he wasn’t used to having people tower above him, he being a solid 7' himself. this gives me the advantage with a short sword, she will have to bend down, her neck will be exposed. Opening blow, more of a tap of the blades, Mahtaliel slid the short sword against Marty’s hilt, trying to disarm him with a quick flick of the wrist. Marty would have none of it, he withdrew and aimed for a swipe at her midsection, but she had seen that coming a mile away and dodged to his left, giving the hilt of Marty’s short sword a stout smack.
Coming from her, that smack sent Marty’s arm automatically down and to the left, leaving his neck wide open. DAMN! I’ve never fought a lefthander before… he backpedaled and Mahtaliel’s swipe went wide. Marty threw himself forward and lunged, scraping his sword against Mathaliel’s, trying to get the point of her sword under his hilt to scoop it away from her.
It nearly worked and her hand loosened a bit and he threw all his weight down onto her arm and threw his shoulder into hers. It didn’t break the grip, but it did send the professor to catch her self from falling over. Marty leaped back then jumped back and brought the small blade down in an ark, metal firmly whacking metal as Mahtaliel rose to defend. A shower of sparks and they both disengaged. Mahtaliel’s superior height working to her advantage in this case, sending Marty twirling off to a side like a spinning top.
She came again and Marty had no time to block, instead he dodged to a side and had Mahtaliel’s short sword ark into the corner stone of the building. It wasn’t the blade that was notched when she removed it.
“Good grief! What is that thing made of? Mithril?!” Marty panted, a good two lengths away from the professor. She merely smiled and lunged. Marty’s sword met the plants in a flowerbed near by. Decapitating some geraniums to mark its fall. “Well…whew, that put me through the wringer. I take back all my nancy comments! Sorry Professor. Did my blade pass?”
“Well, it didn’t break, but lets see.” She stooped to retrieve the fallen sword and inspected its length, a few faint scratches were all the marks it had from this fight. She smiled and nodded. “Passed with all good marks!”
She turned to Ray. “Well young master, I do believe you are up next.” She turned to find a certain other student, Viniglaen standing next to Ray. He merely smiled and assumed position, after bowing.
The last sane person
12-28-2005, 04:00 AM
Ray moved out into the open, out from under the covered walk way. It was a sunny day, lovely in all aspects. I’ll be damned if I loose now! It was a lovely day for sparing, made lovely-er by the appearance of the object of Raendil’s thoughts.
Ah, a ladylove. Well, cute as that may be, I wont let him win. Mahtaliel bowed in return, and upon rising immediately found herself staring into the sun. Bugger. Positioned me right in front of the sun…tricky little fellow. looking down, she quickly caught the glint of Ray’s sword, slicing in a silver arc. The tips of both swords met and neither bent, causing a shower of sparks. Ray slide the length of the blade down the side of Mahtaliel’s sword as she swept it up to bring it down presumably on his head.
Hilts locked, and the slightly curved part of Ray’s sword helped him, firmly trapping the flat of his opponent’s sword, bending her wrist inwards toward herself.
“Ah…Nice design, the hilt within a hilt…Don’t…” She tried to shove him off, but the steel of both blades screeched and Ray refused to be thrown. “Don’t see that design much…Very difficult.” She wrested her blade to the left, lowering the point and gliding backwards, freeing her sword with a spectacular screech. She stepped back, trying to clear her ears.
Raendil was usually a gentleman, but not in this case. He pressed forward, lunging, catching the hilt of her sword with the point of his sword and flicking it to the side, he sliced the leather apron she wore.
“I recognize that move…” She twirled off to a side to avoid the blow aimed for her shoulder. “Glorfindel of Imladris. Where did you…so, he taught you?”
“Well, perhaps.” He changed his sequence of moves to that of the Wandering Companies, thoroughly confusing Mahtaliel who hadn’t seen their style of fighting. Now she was the one on the defensive. You might have picked up a few moves here and there…but so have I. My cousins were good teachers, Maedhros especially.
She flashed out three strikes, having one blocked firmly then the other two dodged. Hmm…decent footwork on his part. I feel like I am dancing a jig! Ray was making her dance, indeed, just keeping out of the range of her long arms, forcing her to strike out then dodging in nimbly to attack, but out of her immediate slicing threat.
However, she caught him. He miscalculated a fraction of a second too soon and caught her elbow to the head. Ray went reeling off to a side, fending off her follow up with an upper hand slice, sending her blade point into the dirt. Oh my…things are very shiny now…Elvish elbow to head=OW! Not only were things shiny for Ray, they were rather tipsy too.
Viv saved the day and up ended a gardener’s bucket on his head from her vantage point in a tree, above the fighting. Feeling a world better, Ray stopped reeling and whirled around, dealing three strikes to Mahtaliel, driving her back and forcing her guard lower.
They broke apart, and circled each other; each looking for an opening in the opponents now battered defense. Ray found his first. He slid, dodging to the left, and dealing an arcing blow. Mahtaliel expected to find her opponent facing her to the right with either a lunge or a swipe to her face. No such luck. What she did find was an elbow to her stomach and a sword to her neck. Raendil had rolled, knocked her leg out from under her then threw his weight, stocky heavy built man that he was right into her unbalanced center.
Down they went, the professor’s sword spinning a hands breadth away from her grasp on the stone pavement. Ray was panting, and still slightly dazed. “Yield.” He kicked the sword away into the now abused flowerbed, still leery of what the fallen giant would do.
Fortunately, for him, she took it gracefully. More or less. “Good job, lad.” She said, getting up after he removed his blade, “I would say your blade passed, I saw it quite closely. There is a pump inside the kitchen if you would like to clean up before going to boast to your lady.”
Ray barked out laughter, and Marty whooped. “He don’t fight Dirty, but he don’t mind getting dirty either!”
“Thanks Professor, though I needn’t brag, she saw for herself.” Mahtaliel rolled her eyes and gave him a cuff. He trotted off to clean off his face, and hopefully go home to change, perhaps getting in a word to Viv, since he still had an hour or so. Rian had fetched the professor’s blade from the now bedraggled flowerbed. It looked like two large canines had had a good tussle in it. “Poor petunias never knew what hit them.” Rian condolences were for the flowers and Mahtaliel collected the blades and stored them back in the forge.
Lotesse
12-29-2005, 07:22 PM
Viv swung herself out of her nook in the tree, landing with a catlike pounce upon the ground, and with a graceful continuity of movement, cantered up to Ray as he was walking.
"Going home so soon?" she said playfully. He hadn't heard her come up so quickly behind him so he gave an almost imperceptible little jump, and then laughed.
"I've got to get ready for my next class, look -" he motioned at his visage and clothing - "I'm a bit of a mess!"
"I can't wait 'til tonight, " Viv said as they walked together. They both felt so comfortable and synchronised with each other that even the smallest of talk seemed superfluous.
They were at the gate, when they both stopped walking for a second. Ray looked in Viv's face, and she steadily gazed back into his eyes. As if on perfect cue, they suddenly kissed one another, a soulful, real kiss that felt timeless. She had her hand at the back of his wonderful smelling neck, with her fingers idly in the locks of hair at the soft nape of his neck, and he had his roughed-up hand upon her jawline, in the gentlest, steadiest whisper of a hold. Everybody standing around saw that kiss. It was like a moment out of a romantic ballad, re-enacted.
Then Lomi flew down to them, swooping overhead of the two lovers and squawking a signal to Viv. That snapped the kiss, and Viv realised there must be news of something pretty damn important for Lomi to be interrupting such a perfect moment.
It snapped Ray out of it, too.
"I've got to go," he said to Viv.
"I know," she responded, "so do I."
"Tonight?"
"Tonight."
He turned from her, and trotted out toward his house. Viniglaen, feeling almost as if she's had some sort of magic potion drugging her and making her head feel deliciously swimmy, looked up and scanned the sky for where Lomi had flown. Spotting the owl up in a tree watching her, she whistled a short signal to Lomi to fly ahead, so she could follow, and glean the news that Lomi doubtless had for her.
Gordis
12-29-2005, 07:32 PM
Near the Library, Tuesday, around 10 AM.
"Yes, her... and ... Professor... Galadannun, and Sapthan! and Mahtaliel!" whispered Aiwendis worriedly.
Then she turned, and, without another word, started to run across the lawn towards an abandoned guard-tower near the main entrance to the Library court. Valandil watched her hurrying away, still slightly dazed by the intense moment they just shared together. Aiwendis was half-way to the tower, when her long blue scarf fell from her shoulders and remained on the path unheeded. Valandil came to his senses and sprinted after Aiwendis. He scooped the scarf and, still running, brought it close to his face, inhaling its faint fragrance.
He caught up with Aiwendis just before they broke through the half-open tower door. There were several people inside, but nobody turned to look at the newcomers.
Professor Galadannun stood facing Mahtaliel the Elf who spoke with venomous disdain,
"It is sad, yes, but as you are an ass I believe the interference was welcome. If you'll excuse me Master Buttocks, I have business elsewhere this morning." She turned to leave, "Ah... Rian, if you would care to come with me?"
Aiwendis stopped dead at the door. The King, caught in his momentum, almost knocked her down in his haste and stopped, clutching her shoulders, but she paid him no heed. Hearing Mahtaliel's words, Aiwendis felt her face burning from anger at the base insults thrown at one of her own. Then a wave of rage, coming from Khamul, hit her full force. Her ring was burning her finger. Time slowed. Like in a dream she watched Khamul's hand tighten on the hilt of his sword.
"No, no, my Lord! Stop! Don't kill her, Khamul!" she cried to him mentally, but there was no reply, only a wave of intense hatred.
Just before Khamul's blade started to leave his scabbard, Aiwendis cried out piercingly, wavered and went limp in Valandil's arms. The general attention turned to her. Khamul bit his lip and stayed his blow. Mahtaliel turned to look at the swooning Chancellor's daughter, shrugged her shoulders and left, beckoning to Rian to follow. Galadannun, still purple from rage, stalked away, followed by bewildered Sapthan.
Valandil was at a loss: the situation was new to him. He found Mahtaliel's words exceptionally rude, but still he could not fathom that they could cause a gentle noble lady to swoon. Yes, his mother was right, he knew nothing of women...
"Aiwendis, Lady Aiwendis, Are you unwell?" he asked in a shaky voice.
There was no reply. He lifted the slim body of his ladylove and carried her to a bench under a window.
Tuesday,
riding into Tharbad
Tyaron bent over Hwesta's neck, reluctantly enjoying the pleasure of riding a beautiful horse despite his dark mood. He twined his fingers in her flowing mane, holding his face close to her glistening neck. Here was a beautiful and uncomplicated female! Why were women so difficult? He was tired of trying to figure them out - they didn't seem to live by the same rules that he did. He would just concentrate on engraving the dagger, and other things that he understood and could control.
He was hoping to get to Tharbad that night, if the mare was willing. If not, he would just have to find as safe and defensible a place as possible to let her rest; he felt slightly uneasy about the encounter with the wolves the previous night, as they had not acted like any wolves that he had ever come across before.
The wolves followed along, under cover, as closely as they could, and then when the swift horse outdistanced them, the spirits left their used-up vessels and flew on swiftly ahead...
Grey_Wolf
12-30-2005, 03:36 AM
"Tyyyyaaaaaarooooooooonnnnnnnnnn! Tyyyyyyyyyyyyaaaaaaaaaaaaaaarrrooooooooooooonnnnnn nn! Weeee willl fiiiiiiiiinnnnnnnnd youuuuuuuu againnnnnnn!"
the spirits whispered to the fleeing rider."We'll ussssse ootheerrr ssssubjectssss annnd youuuuuuu willlllllll nnnnnnneverrrr know wheeeeennnn youuuuu willl beee assssaullllted agaaaaiiiiiiiinnnn!"
Tuesday, late morning
around town
R*an left the University grounds swiftly, holding her books close. That obnoxious Professor Galadannun! Did he have to be everywhere she was? What next - was he going to move in with Itazel and Danor? Well, at least ALL of the university staff wasn't like him - Professor Mahtaliel was very interesting, and so was the assistant librarian, Sapthân, with whom she had been having such a pleasant conversation when Professor Galadannun had so rudely interrupted them. She wondered how her next class was going to be, later that afternoon. For now, she would put her books somewhere safe - at least the one from her parents - and then perhaps find her brother and have some lunch with him.
She heard her name called by a voice that she loved and looked up to see her brother hailing her. "R*an! I hoped to catch you after your class ... what's wrong?" he said with concern, as she got closer.
She filled him in on the events of the morning, and he frowned when he heard what had happened. He knew how precious the book from their parents was to her. At least Galadannun hadn't touched that one. "Well, I'm not too surprised to hear of Galadannun's behavior - it's certainly consistent with how he acted Monday morning! Good thing not all humans are like that!"
"I'm not surprised, either, especially since at our first meeting, he pointed a dagger at my throat when all I was doing was working in the kitchen!" said R*an in disgust.
"He did WHAT?! said her protective brother, stopping dead in his tracks.
R*an had to take several minutes to calm him down and convince him that Galadannun wasn't worth spending any more time thinking about.
"Well, I don't want you to EVER be alone with him again!" ordered Alagos angrily.
"You don't have to worry about that!" replied R*an, rolling her eyes. "I have NO desire to be with him at ALL - alone or with people around!"
"Seriously, sister, there's something wrong with that man - I want you to keep aware around him - don't let him get you into a classroom alone on some innocent pretext or other. And keep your dagger with you."
R*an didn't like being told what to do, but she knew her brother was motivated by his care of her, so she let it pass. "I will, don't worry," she told him. "I don't like the feeling I get around him - it's more than just the revulsion of being around an unpleasant person - it's ... just something ... I don't know, he just makes my skin crawl, sometimes. Those few days at Orrodel were VERY strange!" and she told him about seeing Lilly passionately kissing a man in the garden that looked exactly like who she said was her brother.
Alagos's face reflected his feelings on that very expressively. "Well, let's hope that she's lying about him being her brother, then, or that you were mistaken about who the man was. The other option is too disgusting to even think about!"
R*an took his arm. "Let's just stop talking about them now," she implored. "I've had enough for one day, and it's still morning!"
"Let's go over to the Red Herring and get some tea or something, then, and forget about them. And I have something pleasant to share with you!"
"Good! Tell me, then, brother; I'm in the mood to hear something pleasant. But first, where do you think is a safe place to keep my books? I'm probably being over-cautious, but I don't want to leave them just lying around now - the way I feel now, I wouldn't put it past Galadannun to steal them! He certainly seemed to want to keep that one for some reason, even though it was probably just to hurt me."
They discussed the matter, and then deciding upon a place, hid the books. With a lighter heart, R*an followed her brother to the Red Herring, listening to his story about meeting with Ray and Marty as they went.
Telcontar_Dunedain
12-30-2005, 04:56 PM
"It is sad, yes, but as you are an ass I believe the interference was welcome. If you'll excuse me Master Buttocks, I have business elsewhere this morning." She turned to leave, "Ah... Rian, if you would care to come with me?"
Khamûl's face turned red and his hand automatically slipped down to his sword hilt.
'Insolent daughter of Finwë,' thought Khamûl. 'She shall pay.'
"No, no, my Lord! Stop! Don't kill her, Khamul!"
Khamûl didn't reply, his hatred of Mahtalliel overwhelming all thoughts and reason. As his blade started to leave his scabbard he heard a scream from behind him. He turned and saw Aiwendis, limp in the Kings arms. He stayed his hand.
'Gordis. Are you ok? There was no reply.
"Aiwendis, Lady Aiwendis, Are you unwell?" said the King.
"Sapthan, come," snapped Khamûl. "You are to go to the library, allow nobody in who does not have a letter of appoval from the Chancellor."
"Where are you going sir?" replied Sapthan.
"That is none of your concern," said Khamûl, turning and stalking away towards the professor's apartment.
"My Captain," said Khamû;, opening the door to the Chancellors apartment. "Lady Aiwendis has collapsed near the library, the King is there, but I do not know whether it is a acunning plan to ensnare him or whether she is genuinly ill. I did not want to blow my cover by running back to cure her."
"A cunning plan? I think so. If not then it will be the King reporting it to me, trying to earn himself some brownie points. For now I shall leave them alone. You have done well. Is all fine with the library?" replied the Chancellor.
"Yes, save one minor misunderstanding with Professor Mahtalliel, but that will be sorted easily," said Khamûl.
"Beware of Mahtalliel, Lord Khamûl. She is as dangerous as her kinsman Fëanor," said the Chancellor.
"I understand My Lord," said Khamûl, leaving and making for the Forge.
"Yield," shouting one of students, kicking Mahtalliels sword into the flowerbed.
The students began to filter out until it was only Mahtalliel and Rian outside the forge.
"Beaten by a student. Apparently I overestimated you Mahtalliel," said Khamûl sarcastically.
"Apparently so," replied Mahtalliel icily.
"At the request of Professor Mahtalliel I have let the book matter lie," said Khamûl.
"I see you have at last seen sense and listened to Sapthan and Professor Mahtalliel have told you it belongs to me, what more proof to do you need?" replied Rian.
"A thanks you would have been more appreciated," said Khamûl. "You can go now, I would like to have a word with Professor Mahtalliel."
"Now Professor," said Mahtalliel. "What is it that you want."
"To discuss your conduct outside the library this morning," said Khamûl.
"Conduct? I don't know what you mean," said Mahtalliel.
"Insulting me outside the library, giving the book back to Rian," said Khamûl.
"If it's a question of authority," began Mahtalliel, before being interupted by Khamûl.
"There's no question. You don't have any over this. The library is in my command and I shall do as I will. I do not need your permission."
Lady Marion Magdalena
12-30-2005, 05:30 PM
"So it is a question of authority." Mahtaliel said flatly, "Galadanunn, don't be a power hungry fool, you knew perfectly well that book belongs to her."
"What part of 'You have no authority' do you not understand Professor?"
"There is nothing about it to understand, Galadanunn. You are persistantly harrasing one of my students and attempted to withhold her personal property. It is fully within my authority to intervene."
"Insulting me publicly is rightful intervention?"
"No, it isn't. That was purely personal. I don't like you Galadanunn, nor do I trust you. You seem more interested in bullying than teaching, you are the head of an unruly household and you are the most discourteous man I have ever had the displeasure of meeting."
"And you the most uncouth elf. Do you desire to have me as an enemy, Professor?"
"Is that your intent?" Mahtaliel laughed derisively, "Fine. Wonderful! I can always do with one more enemy."
"Were I in your place I would not laugh."
"Oh you would. Go on Galadanunn. Meet with the Chancellor. Tell him I am unbearably rude, that I interfere where I am unwelcome, tell him anything you like. Tell him I am mad for I can see you think so. He will do nothing. It is all the truth and I am sure he knows as much by now."
Khamul turned to go, seething that he was not being taken more seriously. Mad or no he would make this elf pay for her insolence.
"But Galadanunn-"
He stopped, "What?"
"You may be my enemy to your meager heart's content, but you will leave my students alone."
Khamul smiled poisonously at her, "You have no authority as to how I treat the University's students. I will report your behavior to the Chancellor."
"Bastard."
"You will soon regret becoming my enemy. I have left many enemies in my wake in my lifetime and you will be no exception."
He left.
Mahtaliel closed the door behind him and leaned against it, feeling suddenly drained. The man had a stronger will than most. She would have to work harder, goad him more in hopes that he would concentrate on her instead of bothering the students. But he had acknowledged her as an enemy. That was a start.
Smirking sadly, Mahtaliel fired up the forge and pulled an unfinished blade down from the wall.
Serenoli
12-31-2005, 06:03 AM
So far Tolvadok's search for Rian had been fruitless. After some searching, he found the house where she had been lodging, but was told that she was out, probably up at the University. He decided it would be hard to find her in there as he didn't know any of her classes, and after some aimless wandering, decided to have some breakfast at the Red Herring.
After a quiet cup of tea, and some toast, he had got up to leave, and was even calling the landlady for his bill, when the door to the inn opened. Two elves walked in, and Tolvadok recognised them as the ones he had seen last night. They were making for a table in the center of the room, but he intercepted them, and addressed her: "Are you the Lady Rian?"
She nodded her assent, and he went on, bowing slightly as he introduced himself "I am Girithron, son of Dinorth at you service. Could I have a word with you, please?"
Lotesse
01-01-2006, 12:37 AM
Ray and Viv had parted ways at the South-West entry of the University of Tharbad campus, as Ray's house was just across Augon Aran and around the way. Viv didn't feel like following her owl all around Tharbad, so she gave Lomi the whistle that meant 'come here,' and waited, still smiling stupidly from the fantastic kiss.
"Yes?" said the owl, as she came to a clumsy, feathery halt upon Viniglaen's outstreched arm. Lomi was always off-kilter, and seemed perennially annoyed about something or another.
"We need to go the other way," said Viv, "I left Laslech in the Uni stables and need to pick her up."
"Shall I fly, then, my lady, to our ultimate destination, whatever that might be?" asked Lomi, with the dry sarcasm of a snobby butler who asks rhetorical questions for self-amusement.
Viv was still to wrapped up in her moment with Raendil to care about or notice dry owl wit.
"Mmm, no need. Just come along with me, we'll head back to Orrodel. We'll take conference in the backyard garden, you and I."
"Lovely idea."
Lomi slightly trolled her great yellow eyes, and let her feathery lids sink lower, resulting in a wonderfully deadpan squint.
Viniglaen casually made her way up through the campus grounds toward the forge and the stables, en route to get Laslech. Lomi dutifully bounced along, perched like a feathered, glaring puffball upon Viv's strong, outstreched arm.
Arriving back at Orrodel, it must have been around 12:30 in the afternoon, but for Viniglaen, time had stodd still and was still waiting for her, at the precise moment of that kiss from Ray. She let Laslech roam free and wander about the sprawling backyard garden of Orrodel House, after taking off all the mare's tack and giving her a thoughtful brushdown.
"MY LADY!" Lomi said, quite out of the blue, giving Viv the biggest startle-jump of the day.
"Good GRIEF, Lomi, WHAT?"
"The news I have, are you not interested?"
Tuesday, near noon
The Red Herring
"I am Girithron, son of Dinorth at you service. Could I have a word with you, please?" said Tolvadok, as he intercepted R*an and Alagos in the Red Herring.
"Certainly," answered R*an, as her brother looked at the pale, golden-haired man with barely-concealed suspicion. Tolvadok glanced his way, as if considering asking if he would mind stepping back and letting them speak privately (he could usually get women to be very sympathetic to him, and open up more than they intended to), but Alagos wasn't about to let that happen in the mood he was in, and he took the lead by asking, a bit brusquely, "What is your business with my sister?"
R*an gave him a sibling warning look, and she could see that he relented a bit. "Shall we sit over here?" he said, a bit more politely, motioning to an open table. Tolvadok assented, in his curious, slightly absent way, and they all sat down. Alagos did not move to order drinks, but the stranger started speaking, anyway.
"I will only take up a minute of your time - I am new to this area and was wishing to attend the University here, as I have heard well of it. However, I am not blessed with an overabundance of funds, and I need to find a job to support my academic endeavors. I had seen an ad about a major domo position at a place called", and here he paused for a moment, feigning trying to recall the name, although it was burned into his mind by the Morgul Lord, "Orrodel, if I recall correctly. The pay was excellent, and it would allow me to take several more classes than I had hoped was possible, which for a serious student such as myself is a wonderful blessing. Someone had pointed you out to me as the person who held the position last, and I wondered if you would be so kind as to tell me what you can about the place, so I can increase my chances of getting the job and going to school."
R*an paused slightly, not quite sure what to do. She didn't feel like she could tell the complete truth to a stranger, but it WAS good pay and the man seemed to really want to attend the University. And Professor Galadannun didn't live there anymore, although she imagined he would certainly visit. But perhaps Galadannun was only rude to women.
Tolvadok watched her carefully, although to the casual observer he seemed to be listening politely, although a bit absently. This conversation was a bit pointless in one aspect, because the Morgul Lord had told ordered him to get the job anyway, but it was good to go through the usual things for appearance's sake. Also, the Morgul Lord had wanted to find out what unusual things, if any, R*an had seen, and what she was likely to pass on to others.
R*an sighed slightly, and then replied, "I'm not quite sure what to say. Frankly, I only worked there for a few days, then left by mutual agreement, for the former head of the household, a Professor Galadannun, apparently took a violent dislike to me from the very start, although I did nothing wrong - on the contrary, I put a very disordered, dirty household well on the way to running smoothly and well." She was still piqued about Galadannun's lies about her work. "So normally, I wouldn't recommend it, but with your situation - well, it certainly does pay well, and if you can put up with the household ways and with Professor Galadannun, who will probably be visiting with his relatives there, then I think it would be worth it for you. One of the ladies there didn't seem to like elves, but that won't be a problem for you."
Alagos had been watching Girithron while his sister spoke, fascinated by his rather unwordly appearance and attitude. Alagos was one of those intensely alive and present people, and this man was odd to him - he seemed interested in what Rian had to say, but he had the air of a person whose mind was already made up. And he noticed that while Girithron was smilingly courteous, he also tended to lean back involuntarily, and once wrinkled up his nose slightly, as if in disgust... Alagos gave a mental shrug and gave it up - at least he was polite to his sister, and didn't seem to be a threat at all, but still ... one could never be too cautious.
Tolvadok had seen R*an's expression when she mentioned Lilly's attitude about elves, and he leaned in sympathetically, then cleared his throat and moved back just a bit, feeling the waves of disapproval and suspicion from the brother. Also, it was difficult to keep his "sympathetic face" expression while close to elf-stench. "Such a shame the unfounded prejudices some people have! It must have been very unpleasant for you there! Are there any other things that I should be aware of? Any, say, unusual aspects of the household that a major domo should know about? Just so I can be prepared to not lose my temper or anything like that - I really need this job!"
A waitress came by the table with a basket of fresh-baked bread. "Be right with you, ducks!" she said cheerfully. Tolvadok decided to step up the sympathy factor a bit and pretended to eye the basket hungrily. "Would you mind terribly if I had a bit of bread while you tell me about the household? I have been a bit hungry of late..."
"Oh, certainly - please go right ahead!" said R*an and Alagos together. Alagos stood up, murmuring to his sister, "I'll be right back," and walked off. Tolvadok grew tense - this was his opportunity - he had to make the most of it now that the obnoxious watchdog brother was gone for the moment. He put on his most downtrodden look as he bit into the fresh bread with assumed relish, and looked at her with his blue eyes imploring her aid.
R*an wasn't quite sure what to say - she wasn't one to talk intimately with strangers about other people, even sympathetic and needy strangers. If it had been a woman - but this was a man. She sighed again out of perplexity, taking her time to think through what she wanted to say, as Tolvadok figited with impatience, counting the seconds until the brother returned. "Well, they did seem to keep some odd hours ..." she began, as Alagos rejoined them. "Yes, not like us plainer folk!" he interrupted with a smile as he squeezed R*an's knee under the table. "It's obvious they have a lot of money if they're in that house! And rich people just do things differently, don't they? I'm sure you'll do just fine there - you not being an elf or a woman."
Tolvadok paused a bit before responding, not quite sure what to say, but sensing that he wouldn't get any more information from the sister now that the brother was back. "I see - thank you very much for sharing your experience with me," he said politely to R*an, and then to Alagos, "and your opinion." Addressing R*an again, he added, "As you have said, it pays well, and for a lover of knowledge such as myself, I would be willing to put up with a lot in order to attend the University. Perhaps they will be more courteous to me, as I am not elvish - absurd prejudices some people have ... but I will leave you now and not take up any more of your time away from your attentive brother."
Tolvadok stood up - Alagos courteously but a bit stiffly following suit - made his graceful farewells, and walked slowly out of the Red Herring, followed by the interested looks of some of the more maternal ladies and available maidens.
R*an turned to her brother. "What was that all about? Why did you stop me?" she said with irritation.
Alagos sat back down next to his sister. "I need a drink," he said, and signalled a waitress over.
Another waitress followed Tolvadok outside, carrying a basket. "Sir, don't forget your food!" she said with a laugh. "It's very good - hot out of the oven, and some of our best ale!"
"My food?" said Tolvadok, surprised.
"Yes, sir, the food that you ordered. Have you forgotten already? The elvish gentlemen said that you wanted some food for a picnic later today, and brought me over your money and asked that I pack a nice basket for you and give it to you when you left. And here it is!" She smiled again, and Tolvadok saw possibilities with her ... and filed away in his memory the destested he-elf's actions - thwarting his goal with the she-elf, and topping it off with a condescending act of so-called charity. Well, at least he hadn't touched the food, so it wouldn't have a stench to it.
He smiled at the pretty young lass. "What time do you get off today?" he asked politely. "Would you perhaps - or do I ask too much - like to join me? I had planned a solitary picnic with my book, but I would much prefer the company of a lovely young lady such as yourself!"
She smiled at him with bright eyes. He had read her correctly.
Lady Marion Magdalena
01-02-2006, 11:12 PM
It is late afternoon when Mahtaliel puts away the blade. It is an old project, combining several old and experimental techniques and using a tricky blend of metals. It is still giving her some trouble, but she has made some progress today.
Feeling entirely grimy she leaves the forge for her house and takes the time to bathe and dress in something clean. The tunic and loose trousers she chooses are wearing thin at the elbows and knees, fraying at the hems but there's no help for it; everything she has for clothing is in similar condition. Perhaps it's time to replace a few pieces.
She goes down to work on the plans for the next days lessons, but the downstairs of the house is cold today. Gathering the papers she goes back to the forge. She lights the lamps in the adjoining kitchen and begins to work in there.
Valandil
01-03-2006, 08:21 AM
"Aiwendis, Lady Aiwendis, Are you unwell?" Valandil asked, looking down on her.
There was no reply. He lifted her slim body and carried her to a bench under a window.
He felt rather awkward. The two of them had stumbled upon a row involving University professors, staff and one Elven student. Aiwendis had gotten so upset that she had fainted - and now he was left all alone with her. It was one thing for the two of them to be alone at the Library, still another now, with Aiwendis in her condition. Why HAD she fainted anyway?
Seeing the Elf, Rian, had reminded Valandil of his long walk with another Elven maid the night before - Rian's friend Earniel! This made him feel even more uncomfortable. How could he explain that to Aiwendis?
He looked down upon her, and it recalled to him his dream - only he had not seen her sleeping there. He gazed long, and longingly, at her face and her form. He realized that he still held her scarf and gently placed it upon her, to preserve her modesty. He sighed... there was only one thing to do.
He lifted her up in his arms again and stood, striding on toward the Chancellor's mansion. He was almost there when he spotted them... or had they spotted him first? A gaggle of the young ladies who had been following him before.
"There he is!"
"Hey! He's carrying someone..."
"It'... AIWENDIS!!"
By now they were gathered about him in a knot, with looks ranging from disapproval to... envy? A few of them gave him a piece of their minds.
"What have you done to our FRIEND, Your HIGHNESS?"
"You... MASHER!"
He didn't like how this was going at all. He tried to excuse himself and force his way through them, but his progress to the front door of the mansion was painfully slow.
Finally he reached the door. Someone had seen him coming, and a group of servants came out, led by a young lady who appeared to be of noble birth - of the Gondorian variety, he should say. She nodded and smiled curtly at him as she directed two of the servants in taking charge of her Lady. She then invited the other young ladies to wait in the parlor as she attended to Lady Aiwendis. As they marched past Valandil their looks ran a wide spectrum. Most turned up their noses and gave an indignant "Humph!" - but even some of these, smiled and winked at him as they passed, or brushed against him as he stood with his back to a wall.
Well - that was that! He was freed of both charges. Nobody was around. No good going to the Library now - so he went back for his materials, then scurried off to a quiet corner of campus. But why on earth would he hear swans there? he thought as he settled in.
The last sane person
01-04-2006, 02:31 AM
6pm Tuesday
Captain Shah had just taken his leave of the walls, having the night off; he was wandering about town, not willing to go home just yet. As he passed the arts building, he had an idea. Veering off to the side path, he circled around to the far side of the building. He located the building he wanted and walked up, knocking on the door as he came to it.
None other than Mahtaliel answered the door. Shah grinned at his old friend, observing that they were both dressed rather scruffily. “Hello old girl!”
Mahtaliel was surprised to see Shah off watch, seeing as this was usually the start of his shift. “Well, this is a surprise. Come in. Doesn’t your shift start about now?” Shah took off his cloak and walked into her little living quarters. “Actually I got lucky today, there were a bunch of rookies today, they got the butt end of the roster. I remember those days; glad they are over. Anyways, thanks for inviting me in, now I am inviting you out for a drink.”
“Oh? Well, I have to prepare for some classes tomorrow…” She thought for a bit. “Come to think of it, after today’s excitement, I could use a stiff drink. Come my scruffy friend, lead the way.”
“Ah good, I can drown myself in good company then.” They both grabbed their cloaks and headed to their favorite pub, the Ruptured Dingy. Fortunately Captain Shah was as tall as Mahtaliel, so she didn’t have to bend down to look at him, and they made quite a pair trudging down the darkening streets.
As they were walking to the bar from her quarters, Shah noticed a few scratches and a few missed smudges of grime. “I take it you had more than just some forge work today. You mentioned excitement? Do tell, it’s been mostly uneventful for me.” He pulled her a chair once they were in the Dingy and went to get them some good ale.
“For starters” He said with a grin.
Gordis
01-04-2006, 07:17 AM
University, after 10 AM, Tuesday
Two University Assistants, Gawen and Belegar, summoned in a hurry by a servant, pulled a stretcher into the Engineering classroom and stopped in wonder at the sight before their eyes. The Chancellor, his face impassive, stood looking down at Professor Fernik, who was snoring happily in a big armchair. Several students peered shamelessly through the open door.
Belegar giggled, but stopped dead when the Chancellor fixed him with his cold silver eyes. Ilmenzor's gaze was reputed to stop all mirth in others in no time.. At a gesture from the Chancellor, the assistants lifted the small Jas's body and deposited it on a stretcher. His rose house slippers, which had fallen to the floor, were placed alongside him, as well as a bottle of Linhir.
"Carry him home, and put him to bed", ordered Ilmenzor.
With a bow to the Chancellor, Gawen and Belegar lifted the stretcher, and pushing their way through a small croud of smirking students, made their way to the Professor's apartments in the Palace.
They were scarcely through the garden gate, when they were assailed by a flock of brightly clad girls.
"Look! There is another one!"
"Another victim! First Aiwendis, then this one!"
"Was there an accident?"
"Who is that?"
"I know him, 'tis the Wine-drinking Professor!"
Jas opened his eyes to the sight of white clouds slowly moving across the blue sky. He floated through a beautiful exotic garden, full of bird voices. Or were it human voices? He turned his head a little and glanced left and right. Brightly clad young ladies milled around, smiling at him. Jas beamed at them happily. That dream was certainly worth having.
Lady Marion Magdalena
01-04-2006, 12:41 PM
Mahtaliel took a long sip of ale, and shook her head ruefully, "It was a... little more excitement than I'd been expecting. First thing after breakfast I... exchanged words with the new Languages Chair. And managed to seriously offend him."
"He messed with a student, I take it?" Shah asked knowingly.
"Yes. He had it coming."
"I'm sure. What next?"
"My sword-smithing students wanted to test their work. We sparred. I trounced one."
"And the other other?"
"If I ever see Glorfindel or that lousy little wandaring upstart Gildor again... Suffice to say, Master Raendil had had a bit better training than I expected."
"Hence the mildly beaten up look. Didn't know you had him in your class, I would've warned you. Your pride's gonna need more than just ale tonight."
"So's the rest of me, Galadanunn came by after and we had a somewhat more heated conversation. I do believe we're officially enemies now." She spoke lightly, but there was a strained undertone to her voice.
"He didn't threaten you did he?"
"Not specifically, no."
"I'll take that as a 'yes, he did'."
"As you wish," She said tiredly.
Shah took a closer look at his friend, "You look ready for something stronger. Making enemies takes it out of you, eh? And I'll bet you didn't sleep last night either."
"On the contrary, I retired early and woke late."
"And in between?"
"I woke early and retired late." She admitted, "There were a few hours in the early morning when I couldn't sleep." She stood up, "Second round Captain?"
The last sane person
01-04-2006, 02:05 PM
Nodding, Shah stood up to go get some spirits from the bar. He didnt like what he heard about that other professor, he decided to keep a watch on the dodgey fellow. But he did have a chuckle at the antics of Raendil.
"So, tell me more about Ray, how'd he do?"
"Oh, well enough. It took me a second to realize that the first sequences of attacks were those of Glorfindel. I wonder how he got old Glor to teach him...Anyways, I blew it though, because I let on that I knew the style, which I do well enough, and he switched."
"Yes, I do remember hearing that he is good friends with Gildor and his warriors. Not surprised he fights like they do."
"Hmm, though I do believe he improvised on the last bit. And it was with short swords that we were sparing." Mahtaliel looked a little frazzled, even though she was a decent looser, it still stung.
Captian Shah laughed outright, "Mahta, I am sure you still have it, but short swords and swords in general arent your style. I wouldnt want ot be up against you when you have a mace or some such weapon in your grasp."
Mahtaliel nodded, and her mood brightend a bit, I thought that would cheer her up. They walked up to the bar and ordered their drinks.
"A rum and whiskey for me, and do give us the bottles." The bartender grinned and handed them two full bottles he pulled out from under the counter.
"it be a while since we saw either of ye here. Whats kept ye? Allus more fun with you two around, trouble be bound to follow!" The old bartender laughed and got them also a good pitcher of ale.
"No, no trouble tonight, we've expended all of that during the day. And its been busy, school started and the rush is on." Mahtaliel grinned and picked up the ale, Shah grabbing the whiskey and rum, they headed backto their little table in the corner.
"You might wanna dab that cut of yours in the rum. It'll kill just about anything even thinkin of givin you an infection."
Mahtaliel looked down at her arm and winced. "Yeah, Raendil disarmed me, though I moved too slow to block completely. Must've clipped me. No big deal."
Gordis
01-04-2006, 03:42 PM
University, 10 -11 AM, Tuesday.
Aiwendis was lying on a bench in an empty guard-tower with the High King fussing about her. Soon he stopped rubbing her hands and calling her name, and just stood there looking at her longingly. She felt his warm gaze on her face, neck and bosom, on her hands, legs and tiny feet clad in blue leather shoes. Aiwendis lay still. Much weakened by her mind confrontation with Khamul, now she felt cozy, warm and at peace. She knew she had to open her eyes and advance the romantic scene somewhat, but she felt strangely reluctant to do so. She would have to explain her fit and tell some lies about Mahtaliel, carefully mixed with the truth. Reluctantly, she started to select the appropriate facts and choose the necessary words, preparing for her revival.
At this moment, without another word, the King took her firmly in his arms and carried her outside. Taken by surprise, Aiwendis lost her opportunity for a romantic tete-a-tete with the King. Now she was swiftly carried through the public gardens, people milling around. She shivered inwardly, hearing MM's and LL's voices. Would her reputation be ruined by this morning's happenings?
Nimrael, the Gondorean maid, took the situation in her competent hands. Soon Aiwendis was undressed, put in bed and tucked into several layers of blankets. Some warm liquid - oh yes, the hated tea with honey! - was poured down her throat. Aiwendis coughed and sat upright in bed, to be pushed back gently, but firmly by Nimrael's hand. She lay there feeling miserable. From the parlor she heard faint voices of the waiting girls.
"I tell you" Malaphel's voiced hissed, "she did it on purpose. Has any of you seen Ai fainting before? No! and neither did I!"
A hum or approval followed the words.
"You are right" replied Miriel. "I bet she let him kiss her, if not worse, and then fainted as if in modesty. That's what it is all about!!"
Several envious voices rose, making other venomous conjectures.
Aiwendis motioned to Nimrael. "Get them out of here" she hissed.
"But my Lady, your friends are anxious about your health". Nimrael's mortal ears failed to hear the conversation in the parlor.
"They are worse than orcs!" cried Aiwendis, her eyes blazing dangerously. "Get them out NOW, before I do it myself!"
Nimrael pursed her lips disapprovingly, but obeyed. Having seen the offended girls to the door, she didn't return to her Lady immediately, but went outside, skirting the Palace. Near the entrance to the Chancellor's rooms she spotted Belegar and asked him to tell Lord Ilmenzor that his daughter was unwell.
"Perhaps it is time to tell him everything, as is my duty", thought Nimrael, returning to Aiwendis's rooms.
The Chancellor came to see his daughter around eleven, right after his second lecture. He appeared silently at the door, making Nimrael jump, when she heard his voice behind her back. The maid could never fathom, how such a tall, powerfully built man could move so noiselessly.
"What is the matter with you, my daughter? Are you ill?"
Nimrael couldn't discern even a trace of warmth in the Chancellor's voice. She was not permitted to overhear more, though, as Lord Ilmenzor motioned for her to leave, and closed the door firmly behind her. Nimrael stalked along the corridor to her room, then took off her heavy leather shoes, returned on tip-toe to the closed door and pressed her ear to it.
She was surprised to hear nothing - nothing at all. The bedroom door was not too thick, so Nimrael was sure that not a word had been uttered for a long time. Neither did she hear any noise, floorboards or bed creaking. So, when the door was pushed violently outward, the maid was taken entirely by surprise. She sprawled on the carpet, whimpering.
"A word with you, if you please, Nimrael" said the Chancellor coldly.
Earniel
01-04-2006, 04:44 PM
Tharbad University
Morning
Having to find a way to use up the several hours between Swan Speech and her Irrigation classes, Eärniel decided she'd explore a little more of the university, before the need of studying would require those few free hours.
And studying there would be, serious amounts of it even, oh yes. Eärniel looked back at her Swan Speech notes with some apprehension. Professor Galadannun's behaviour hadn't improved much since the last time she had seen him, the night before, but luckily it hadn't deteriorated further either.
But how much she disliked the man for his manners (or lacking thereof), Eärniel had to admit he at least knew what he was talking about in the Swan Speech lessons. And he was very adamant about having his students possess the same level of skill by the end of the year, which had ominously sounded more like a threat than a promise to Eärniel's ears.
So she and her class mates had been handed several pages of exercises to be finished before next lesson to do just that. Eärniel decided that no way in Mandos she would ever be caught practising. Either she'd lock her door of her lodgings, or she'd go deep into Nîn-In-Eilph to practise, somewhere were the swans wouldn't hear her of course. The feathered bastards would sink and drown with laughter otherwise, so much was sure.
She finally put her notes away and paid more attention to her surroundings. Her wanderings had brought her to one of the halls of the university buildings. The many ship models displayed in the hall indicated that the Ship Building classes were held somewhere around here. But the building was silent and apparently empty, the lessons must have ceased for the day.
Curiously she passed by the wooden models and cocked her head to one side to take a closer look. It was an Elven ship but the model was incredibly shoddy. Most part of the rigging was just wrong and the aft was built too high. Her fingers were itching to correct one or two of the glaring mistakes. Whoever had made it was either a bad observer or had no interest in depicting the ship thruthfully.
She walked towards another vessel. Here the creator obviously had been more interested in its subject. Eärniel was therefore not surprised to notice it was an early Numenorean ship. To pass the time she made a game of it to guess which model was which ship. Yes, the Hirilondë was exactly as she remembered it. Although she thought the Entulessë had had a broader stern.
There was one ship she did not recognize and had never seen before. The little card beneath it stated it was the Alcarondas, the ship of Ar-Pharazôn, the heretic-king. She looked at the model with some distaste. The model almost showed the same faults as its architect had had. It desired to be more than it was or could be. The Alcarondas didn't want to be a mere ship, it didn't want to be even the best ship. It wanted to be an image of power, of strength, and most of all: of dominion. On such a ship one wouldn't even be able to feel the the waves of the sea anymore. Why anyone would want to build something like that was beyond Eärniel's comprehension.
Reckoning it was about time for her Irrigation classes, Eärniel left the hall and calmly walked to the appropriate building, blissfully unaware of all the commotion happening at the other side of the University.
Lady Marion Magdalena
01-04-2006, 05:57 PM
Mahtaliel poured some of the rum onto her shirt sleeve and started cleaning the cut; speaking angrily all the while.
"I would've taken care of it earlier, I didn't actually notice it until I started working on that old blade of mine and then I got interrupted. Did I mention Galadanunn is one of the Chancellor's foreign friends? That's why he was hired as a full professor right off. Anyway he must've gone straight to the Chancellor after he left because barely an hour later Ilmenzor has the audacity to come into my forge to tell me off!"
"Please tell me you didn't do anything stupid," Shah sighed.
"Don't be silly, I know to be on my guard with him. He'd love to seriously discredit me somehow. But he wasn't telling me off in the usual style, he was being gentlemanly about it."
"And that upset you?"
"It gave me the chills. I mean, you know how personal a forge can be... it was like... I don't know what the right analogy would be but it reminded me a little of Eregion. And then I got angry and... well... he left. And I forgot about the cut completely and took it out on the blade I was working on."
"I can tell." Shah poured her a shot of whiskey, "Drink up and let me help you with that cut, you've probably managed to make it worse than it would've been by ignoring it while swinging a hammer an' all that."
"Thanks."
The last sane person
01-04-2006, 09:32 PM
Shah smiled and rolled up the sleeve, examining the cut. It was long and shallow, nothing terribly serious, but he was careful in examining it anyways.
"Mahta, you old goose, the chancellor must really have distracted you. You usually treat this stuff right away." He dabbed his fingers in spirits and dried them off before wiping the excess blood away, also noting that Mahtaliel's own administrations had been agitated and reopened the cuts. Using the old affectionate nickname he had for her, one of many.
"Well, like I said, it unnerved me how gentlemanly he was about it." Mahta took another drink of her ale, watching Shah clean the cut and bandage it.
Shah took out a sliver of cloth that had come from her shirt, which was stuck to the edge of the wound, Mahtaliel didn't blink an eye. Taking out a clean handkerchief, he cut it and placed part of it along length wise of the cut, sprinkling a tad bit of whiskey on it, then bound it snuggly with the length of the rest of handkerchief.
"Next thing we know, you will be giving Master Elrond a run for his money." She grinned at him and poured them both more ale.
"Nah, just battle taught, you learn from experience how to deal with these things. Though I bet your experience in years vastly swamps mine." He put a hand on her damaged arm with a cheeky grin; she narrowed her eyes and had a rueful half grin.
"No one is perfect, Mahta. No one and no people are without their faults. So long as you don’t blindly ignore them and keep repeating it, but learn and move on." He laughed, grinning unrepentantly. "It'll be right as rain in a day or so, you’re a fast healer. Though you might want to invest in a new shirt or two…” He looked down at his own clothes, “Come to think of it, so do I.”
She grinned and took a swig of her rum, “Grubby old relics of days gone past that we are. Yes, I suppose I ought to do something, though if it was a contest between relative fraying in between our clothes, I am not sure who would come the victor.”
Downing a shot of whiskey he laughed, “I do believe in the grubby shirt category, you’d take the gold medal, though when it comes to capes and pants, mine best yours by a long shot!”
Lady Marion Magdalena
01-04-2006, 09:50 PM
"Grubby?" She protests, "No, my friend, you're thinking of your own shorts," Shah gave her a strange look, "I mean shirts. Mine are overwashed if anything! Still, a visit to the tailor may be in order. Mending is one thing, making new clothing entirely is beyond my skill."
"Mm... How's the rum? Strong by the sound of it."
"Oh hush. Have you eaten yet?"
"I was about to ask the same, well, we both know better than to drink on empty stomachs. Barkeep!" Shah shouted across the room, "What's on the menu tonight?"
The last sane person
01-06-2006, 01:32 AM
Shah grinned at his friend’s momentary slip of the tongue. “Barkeep! What’s on the menu?” Kiran, who was the chef, scuttled out from behind the counter and shouted the day’s menu over to them.
“Grilled Pork chops in a pepper sauce, juicy an plump. The butcher gave us some premium cuts this time around, we have some good stout mashed potatoes with butter and gravy and some good greens to go with it. We also have a grilled trout with lemon and garlic…”
“Say no more, bring us one of each! You make me hungry with that talk Kiran, no secret you are a damn good chef.” Shah laughed and waved him over, giving him coins and the order. Mahtaliel threw him a look, but he outflanked her. “I invited you out, I pay. That is that. Next time you invite me out, and pay or just cook. If you can…”
“Is that a challenge? My cooking is just fine, thank you.”
“Well, whatever you say. So, you hungry?”
“Certainly, I’ve built up a healthy appetite. Must be from being around humans so much.” She grinned and drank some of her amber ale.
“I take that as a complement. Humans are good for the appetite; we keep you elfy lot on your toes! Not about to let you rest on your laurels.” Grinned and attacked the loaf of bread Kiran brought, along with the butter.
“I hope he took it easy on the garlic, or else my students will never forgive me.”
“Ha! Your secret weapon revealed: Dragon breath! You best not breath while near the forge.”
“Oh, to Angband with it, I’m the teacher, I’ll eat what I want. I’ll just eat the side of greens and brush my teeth a few more times than usual.” They both laughed hard, and the food was brought. Dishing it out, Shah gave her a healthy portion of the trout and pork chops.
“Hey, made enemies, got trounced and told off…you need it. I’ve just been loafing atop walls and doing military checks…though perhaps tomorrow my scouts and I will go out and see what there is too see. Raendil and Marty have signed up with the guards, both have experiance. They'll be coming along probably, I’ll be taking charge of them, of course. Lord knows what mischief they might get into.”
They both dug in, and Mahta grinned over her food at him. “Oh really?”
Lady Marion Magdalena
01-06-2006, 01:54 AM
"Adopting again Shah?" She asked.
"Yes... As if you don't do the same with your students!"
"It feels unnatural to not have some sort of family. I do what I can."
"You never did say what happened to yours."
"War got them, same as yours, though in an earlier Age." She pauses and takes another sip of her ale, "It drove most of them mad first. It would be selfish of me to miss them."
"But you do anyway."
"Yes..." She takes a bite, "The trout's good tonight."
"Better than your cooking would've been." He earns himself a light thwap to the shoulder.
"Among elves it's traditionally the male's task to cook. It's me who should be worried about your cooking."
"What d'you say we test which of us does the better cooking sometime?"
"Sometime? Sound's entertaining. Not tonight though."
"Course not. Tonight... We drink!"
Tuesday, a little before 2 pm
Commerce classroom
R*an sat in the empty classroom, waiting for the other students to arrive. She had parted from her brother and gone back to the University to enquire about attending the Commerce class, and had gathered from the teacher that it would be fine (he was rather vague, but the general impression seemed to be that one more pretty girl in the class was a thing that was fine with him, and then as she was walking out, his aides confirmed that it would be fine for her to take the class). She rose and looked out of the window as a vague buzzing sound slowly defined itself as a group of excitedly-talking young ladies. Looking out, she saw a group of them under a tree, trying to not obviously stare at the young King, who was talking with a fellow class-mate. R*an looked at him and liked what she saw. She wondered if he could sing well ... he certainly danced well ...
She was very much looking forward to this Commerce class, especially since she saw in the teacher's office that Valandil was going to be in it.
Gordis
01-06-2006, 07:57 PM
University Palace, around noon, Tuesday.
Her cheeks burning in shame, Nimrael followed the Chancellor. She was not one for eavesdropping regularly. She would have never done it now, had she not been so badly worried for her Lady.
The Chancellor motioned Nimrael to enter his study, and closed the door firmly behind them. The maid's wet eyes were firmly fixed on the carpet, and her hands began to shake. Nimrael was a honest and gentle girl; she felt not only sorry for being caught almost at her first offence, but also thoroughly ashamed.
Nimrael was expecting the Chancellor to reprimand her angrily, but he was only fixing her with those unsettling silver eyes of his, saying nothing. The maid's fear increased, and soon she was shaking all over, as if in bitter cold. She was silently praying for him to say something, even to slap her, only to stop gazing at her like upon an inanimate object.
At length, when Nimrael felt almost faint from fear, the Chancellor called her name. She felt compelled to raise her eyes and look into his. The Chancellor spoke in a cold level voice, every word resonating through all her being:
"Nimrael. You will never spy on your Masters again. You will never tell a word of what you see or overhear to any that lives. You will report any unusual happenings to me directly. Do you understand?"
Nimrael's teeth were clattering uncontrollably, so her reply was almost unintelligible "Y-yes,... Lord. N-nevvver ...spy, ...n-nevver tell, ...rep- report to you."
"So be it." The Chancellor nodded and dismissed her. Shuffling her feet like an old woman, the maid crawled back to her room, too exhausted to cry.
Serenoli
01-07-2006, 04:07 PM
A picnic basket in one hand, and the waitress' hand in the other, Tolvadok trudged through the streets of Tharbad, cursing himself for that moment of madness that caused him to ask out this girl. Her name was Yerri, and besides being pretty in a light-haired, bright pink cheeks kind of way, she also happened to be very cheerful. A more total antithesis to Tolvadok could not have been found in all the continents of Arda, if a man were to search for three centuries.
He had had to wait for her for an hour-and-a-half before she could get out of work. Ample time to regret. So, maybe she could be a good mortal slave, someone to keep an eye out for things, useful... but he was not very good at making servants by inducing fear, and was even worse at doing it through charm. He would not admit it to himself, but he was actually nervous at going through with the picnic.
When she finally got off, she asked him where he intended to picnic, and of course, he had to confess that didn't know any place around Tharbad, but needed to get away from the city for a while. So now she was leading.
They went south-east, crossed the bridge and were on the other bank. The guards did not hinder them, and they passed on, and then Yerri turned to the right, and there was a small path. They followed it for a while, until suddenly they were out of shade of the woods, in a clearing right by the river. The sun shone down merrily on the water before them, and the waters sparkled, as if glad of the sun and its warmth. Tharbad spread out before them, its high walls reflecting the bright noon sunlight, and its noise and bustle was not heard here, only its beauty remained.
Yerri turned to him, her face expectant, a half-smile on her lips, waiting for the approval she was sure she had earned. After all, here they were, so close to the town, and yet, away from it, and beauty was all around them. Who would not praise?
But Tolvadok felt dizzy, and sick. It had been bad enough crossing the river, but now there were no stones between him and the rushing waters that could engulf him at any moment, and the cruel sun beat down on his face, like a hammer of gold, and he wished desperately for night, and darkness, and asked himself again why he had been foolish enough to come here with Yerri.
But he showed none of it on his face. He smiled, and only said, "It is perfect" in a tone so sincere, that the smile that had been threatening for so long on Yerri's face burst out in all its glory. She did not reply, but set about arranging everything swiftly and with skill.
CrazySquirrel
01-07-2006, 06:39 PM
University, Tuesday, before 2 PM.
After giving a slip to fangirls, Valandil sat in a quiet corner listening to faint sounds of swans. He had little sleep the previous night, and the night before, for that matter. So now the sun made him drowsy, he stretched in a tall grass, and drifted into a peaceful slumber.
About three hours later, he was awakened from a sweet dream featuring himself and Aiwendis. Someone was sitting next to him, calling his name in a soft voice. He tried to open his eyes, but found them covered by small hands.
"Now, my King, divine, who I am?" asked a melodious feminine voice. Valandil felt a sweet aroma of a perfume in his nostrils and a softness of a woman's bosom touching his head.
Still disoriented from the after-effect of his dream, Valandil whispered "Aiwendis?" with his suddenly dry lips. He reached up and gently removed the hands from his eyes.
There Valandil had one of the biggest surprises of his life. Kneeling behind him was the green-eyed redhead, the one he met yesterday in The Herring, Marthalion's sweetheart. Well, for another man's sweetheart, she surely acted strangely. Valandil quickly lifted his head from her almost bare bosom and sat bolt upright.
"Lady Lilaenwen!"
While Valandil stared at her at a loss for words, Lilly managed to overcome her annoyance at hearing Aiwendis's name. She smiled sweetly and shook her head.
"No, I am not the Chancellor's daughter. She is too tragic for practical jokes. Also, she will hardly bother to bring some lunch to you." Lilly indicated a basket with a bottle of wine, and some wonderfully-looking sandwiches.
"As for me, I never forget my friends, be they old or new. Here, have a sandwich, Your Highness. The Commerce starts in less than an hour, you will have no way to eat otherwise."
Valandil, still blushing for having foolishly uttered Aiwendis's name, thanked her and took a sandwich distractedly. The situation was absurd. But something Lilly had said was far too interesting for him...
"Are you a friend of the Lady Aiwendis?" he asked.
Lilly cocked her head and went pensive. Valandil couldn't fathom why so simple a question needed so much reflection. Finally she replied "No, I hardly know her, I am new to Tharbad, but I heard a lot, who didn't?"
"Then why do you call her 'tragic'?"
Lilly sighed, and poured them some wine. Her voice took on a sing-song quality.
"Broken heart, My King, what else?! She had been very much in love with one man, they say, and then, when you came to Tharbad, her father forbade them to see each other... Sad story, but so very common."
Valandil bent his head, the bright day suddenly dimmed. "Who is he?" he whispered.
The King's head was bowed, so he was unable to see the wicked smile on Lilly's lips and the evil gleam in her green eyes. While searching for the King throughout the University grounds, she met Udu. Just like the day before, Udu was hateful. He didn't reply to her smiles and warm greetings, but scowled at her instead and went by, calling her "Skessa" mentally. Lilly was determined to have her vengeance. She touched Valandil's hand compassionately and said "He is another professor, perhaps you have seen him, Maethor by name. He is a pure-blood Numenorean and a very handsome man. No wonder poor Aiwendis is attracted to him".
Serenoli
01-08-2006, 04:44 AM
The two of them, Yerri and Tolvadok sat under the shade of a willow tree in silence, munching sandwiches. Tolvadok was still battling with his fears, and a sudden shyness, and for Yerri, she felt the moment was too solemn and lovely to be interrupted with ordinary chit-chat.
But she couldn’t stay long in silence, and longed to know more about this mysterious man sitting beside her. She smiled at him, and began, “I don’t know anything about you, except your name and that you like reading books. So, tell me something.”
“What is there to tell? I am a scholar, and I’ve come here to study at Tharbad Universty, like so many others. And, now I’m thinking of taking up a housekeeper’s job to pay for my classes. A common enough story.”
She laughed. “More common than you think! Why that’s my story, word for word. Only I never found the house-keeping job, and got stuck as a waitress, and I have almost quite given up hopes of ever actually getting into the Uni.” She paused then, and her cheery face was momentarily clouded.
He noticed this, and changed the topic -“You’re not a native of Tharbad, then?”
“Precious few are. People come here from all over Middle-earth… and many of them settle here, even after getting their degrees. I come from Ruhin, a town on the southern coast of Enedwaith, and my sister still lives there. She’s a carpenter’s wife, and I have two nephews there, who I haven’t seen for three years. But I don’t want to go back. Tharbad has become my home now… where are you from, then? Do you have any family?”
The natural answer to this question would have been “I’m from Mordor, and my master is my only family”… only Mordor was defeated, and Sauron was gone. And so he thought of his other home and family- the place he had been born in, and his father, his brother… he had destroyed that home, and murdered that family.
He looked up, and saw her looking at him with big, sorrowful eyes. She had seen the expression on his face and said quickly, “I’m sorry I asked, don’t answer if you don’t want to.”
“There is nothing to hide. My family is all dead… killed in a war years ago. My home was in the North, a small kingship in the Rhovanion, but it exists no more, and I doubt you ever heard of it.”
They were silent again, then, both thoughtful. Tolvadok had felt his dizziness abate while he had been talking. It took his mind off the water, but now he could hear them again- the evil whispers of Ulmo in the murmuring of the water, and he wished they could go on talking again, if only to drown out the voice of the river.
Meanwhile, it was getting late. They had come there in the hot afternoon, but now the sun had lost its heat, and was leaning to the West… and it was getting cold. Yerri shivered slightly, and Tolvadok drew closer to her, almost unconciously, and she gratefully snuggled upto him under his cloak.
“Girithron?”, came her muffled voice from inside his cloak.
“Yes?”
“I’m sorry I was such bad company. I’m usually so very cheerful, never this serious, and I hope I didn’t spoil it for you.”
“I think that was me- I tend to be gloomy, you must have been infected by me.” This time, his smile was real. Warmed more by the smile than by his arms, Yerri went back to looking at the red sky, and the sun setting over the river. They might have stayed like that a long time, had not Tolvadok suddenly remembered Orrodel- and he also remembered that the Morgul Lord had told him to watch Viv carefully, because she was getting too close to a mortal. How could he reproach her, if he himself watched sunsets with a lovely mortal lass in his arms?
Cold and business-like at the thought, he got up, and telling her hurriedly that he was late for an interview for the house-keeping job, he began packing everything up. Yerri helped him, but she was rather bewildered at this sudden change. But, when they were walking back, she put her hand in his, and he did not resist, so she was reassured again.
She lived at the inn, in an upstairs room, usually called the attic in other houses, so he said good-bye to her there at the inn-door, with a promise that he would see her again. Tolvadok then left for Orrodel, his mind not at all at ease with himself, but Yerri that night was in a trance of content happiness, and did not torment herself with useless questions as he did.
Gordis
01-09-2006, 03:57 PM
University, around 1.30 PM, Tuesday.
The Chancellor paused on the path leading to the forge, listening to the steady powerful banging coming from inside. Mahtaliel was clearly doing some heavy metalwork in the main forge. Wincing inwardly, as the nearness of big flames always made him uneasy at best, the Chancellor entered the building. He passed an empty classroom and stopped in the open doorway to the forge.
Mahtaliel was working on a sword. Holding the hilt with her left hand, protected by a thick glove, she flattened the glowing blade more and more with a hammer. The Elf was dressed only in a light blouse, the bulging muscles in her arms outlined by the glow of the forge. The heavy hammer seemed a child's toy in her strong hand. Her face, only dimly visible in the dancing shadows, was stern and immobile in concentration.
For some time the Chancellor remained in the doorway, silently watching the Elf work. Two thousand yours ago in Ost-in-Edhil, Annatar, the Giver of Gifts, must have stood like that, watching Celebrimbor work on the Rings...
At that thought, the invisible diamond Ring on the Morgul Lord's hand, the mightiest of the Nine, started to warm and to throb as with its own heartbeats. The very air became oppressive, charged with images of a long-forgotten past. Deep shadows moved in the corners. The Elf must have felt something, as she suddenly dropped her tools and stared at the doorway, stark horror on her face.
Shaking, Mahtaliel faced the doorway. She thought she saw again the towering figure of Annatar the Golden Maia, returned from the shadows to get her...Elven-fair tanned face, slanting yellow eyes, a mane of golden hair and that voice...
"I am sorry for having startled you, Lady".
It was not the voice she remembered so well, not the deep, melodious, compelling voice of the Golden Deceiver, but a voice cold, hollow, and emotionless. Mahtaliel let out a shuddering sigh and squinted at the figure in the doorway. She noted long dark hair and grey piercing eyes.
No, it was not Sauron. It was the Chancellor. Only the Chancellor... And the shadows in the corners were only shadows... She was in Tharbad, in her forge, and the Enemy was brought down forever...
Struggling to keep her emotions in check, Mahtaliel said weakly "You should have made your presence known. What do you want here?"
"My apologies, Professor. There was no point in knocking on the door in that din. As to your question, I would appreciate some explanations regarding the deplorable public incident you provoked this morning"
Mahtaliel felt the surge of anger. Her forces were returning to her. "I provoked no incident, Chancellor. It was Galadannun's doing entirely. I will not allow ANYONE to maltreat my students".
"As far as I know, it were you who called him names publicly, while he remained polite to you. Professor Galadannun was doing his duty. He is new to the Library, and cannot know all our books by sight. He had the right to check if the book in question had been stolen".
"You want to say that my students are thieves?" hissed Mahtaliel.
"Can you vouch for everyone, Professor? You scarcely know this one. You are defending her, because she is an Elf. You are most partial to your kin, Professor. The USAT is a human University, and all the students are bound to have equal rights, regardless of their race."
"You want to say that I despise humans?" Mahtaliel was becoming really angry now.
"I only want to warn you against that mistake", replied the Chancellor smoothly. He waved his hand, showing that he had not yet finished. " And another matter. Your language is quite rude sometimes, Professor. I will be most obliged if henceforth you would watch your tongue while speaking in front of a young maiden."
"You mean your 'all airs and graces' of a daughter?" sneered Mahtaliel. "During my exchange with that swine Galadannun there were two young maidens among the audience, not just one. Rian has not complained about my choice of words, neither has she fainted!"
"Rian? Rian from Gondolin?" The Chancellor's voice sounded distinctly mocking now. "A maiden who has found no husband in four thousand years could hardly be called "young". An old maid, that describes her far better."
"Get out of here, you... " Mahtaliel yelled.
The Chancellor bowed his head slightly and left without another word. Mahtaliel picked the hammer and returned to her work, trying to forget the unpleasant visitor as soon as possible.
Tuesday afternoon, various places
Hooves flying; dark-haired man bending low, one with the horse, moving with her movements. Tyaron looked over his shoulder for the hundredth time, but saw nothing for the hundredth time. Hwesta felt his unease; her ears were flicking back and forth, and she kept tossing her head.
Tyaron saw a small stream and decided to give the tired mare a short break. He spoke to her and brought her down to a trot, then a walk, letting her breathing slow down before he dismounted. His legs were damp with her sweat, and felt suddenly cool as the breeze touched them.
"Sorry to work you so hard today, cousin, but ... I don't know, I just want to get back. There's something wrong here - you feel it too, I can tell," he said, lifting up her forelock and blowing on the dampness, then rubbing her favorite spot. But she didn't relax and push into his hand, like she usually did. Her nostrils were flaring; he could see the deep, dark red inside as her breath blew out and she tossed her head uneasily, shaking his hand off. "Get a drink, Hwesta; I'll keep watch," he said, and the mare lowered her head for a drink as he fingered the arrows in his quiver.
Tyaron scanned the countryside while she was drinking, and then got a drink himself and topped off his water skin with the cool, clear stream water. He let her rest far shorter than he would have normally, but it was clear that she wanted to keep moving, too, so he remounted. He tried to keep her to a slower canter to conserve her energy, but soon they were back to the four-beat gallop again.
- - - -
Alagos sat in a tree at the practice range, swinging his feet. His disobedient arrow had just finished performed admirably, after the little correction session he had given it with his knife, and now he had nothing he had to do for several hours, and he was just enjoying the day. He thought back on his meeting with Ray and Marty, and a little smile crossed his handsome face. He thought of a saying that he had heard in his travels - that a man only needs three things: a good friend, a good enemy, and a good woman. He had the first, in Tyaron, and now hopefully in Ray and Marty and perhaps Valandil while he was here in Tharbad. He was still hopeful for the last, for he was an optimist. He had had his share of the second, though, and was hoping for a long period of peace. "Then why do you keep making more arrows?" a voice said inside him, as his eyes strayed to the latest batch he had just started, lying in the shadows under the tree. He had no answer.
- - - -
R*an looked up as someone came thought the door, and her eyes met those of the King, who paused for a brief moment, and then smiled.
The last sane person
01-10-2006, 04:44 PM
It was a solid four hours and thirteen bottles of spirits and uncounted pitchers of ale later, both Shah and Mahta had what looked to be a small army of shot and beer glasses arranged infront of them. Both were considerably pinked in the cheeks and laughing.
"Hah! Look, I have drun more than you, and my shot glasses prove it!" Shah roared as he slammed down his umpteenth shot glass and collected the empty bottle well behind his defensive lines of beersteins and shotglasses.
"And look, you drunk old goose, my lines are just as much as yours!" With that she emptied the last of her ale.
"Pff. Aye, beer doesn't do much, I see your defensive lines severly lack the shot glasses."
"Meh, I've drunk an equal amount of beer to match you whiskey, not to mention that I have been..." she hiccuped, "whiskey and rum to match."
"But you're more drunker than I am. Hah, I bet you cant shtand straight! And besides, my mannish liver can take more spirits than yours." Shah laughed and nearly fell over, prompting Mahtaliel to reach over in an attempt to drag him back straight.
It sort of worked. They both ended up sitting slantwise in their seats. "Y'know, I have no reason to drown my liver mate. I think we'll both...erk...be out cold ere a true winner is reached..." Shah listed to a side yet again. Mahtaliel began to nod her head, but thought the better of it, since it made her dizzy.
"Shah, I think your spirit drowned brain might still have some good ideas yet. Mayhaps some fresh air would do us good..." Shah nodded, winced and they both made concentrated efforts to stand up. After a few attempts, they were both up and with their cloaks drapped haphazardly, leaning slightly on one another headed out the door.
"Come on old girl...to the river side. I..dun..dunt want any of me lads..er..warriors to see me such. Same for yous." He held out his arm in a lopsided gesture of courtesy, she took it and attempted to straighten up.
"Good idea, lead the way!" She laughed and they both wobbled their way down to the piers. The fresh air did do them some good, but not enough. Mahta was admiring the veiw far more than where she was going.
"Oof!" As such, she tripped over a cobble stone, going sideways into Shah.
"Hey!" Shah wasn't exactly well balanced either.
SPLASH!
They both went down into the river, fortunatly not too deep. Mahta had knocked him over, but he still had her arm. They were wet, cold, sputtering for air and utterly alert and awake.
Udukhaturz
01-10-2006, 07:04 PM
Tuesday, University Grounds
When Maethor arrived at his new house that afternoon, he was pleased to find that his servants were busily preparing the unoccupied rooms for his use. He had decided that instead of having the warrior Ecco take Nossenis and present her to Khamul that he would do it himself.
Nossenis scowled at him when he told her, “There is no time for you to become comfortable in this place... I am giving you to a friend who needs a servant of your talents.”
“You cannot do this to me!” she cried wrathfully, clenching her small hands into fists.
“Silence, woman! I do as I please!”
“Not to me, you do not!” she screamed as she picked up a just-unpacked cooking knife and ran towards Maethor.
A few quiet words intoned softly, and the woman fell to her knees. “Mercy! Do not hurt me! Please, Master, please!”
“Woman, your words are endless! Get up and follow me. You, too, Ecco. Both of you will now serve the Lord Galadannun... for as long as he needs you.”
The two followed Maethor out of the house, across the street and through the northeast gate of the university. Udu espied the young king and Lilly passing by. “What is Skessa doing with him?” he wondered. “No doubt he is new game for her. She always thinks all she has to do to get her way is flaunt her pretty face, her ample bosom and all her many charms, and all men will fall at her feet. That never worked with me, though she has tried it before.”
By thought speech, he sent her two words: “Shameless skessa!”
“Isn’t he a fine catch, though?” she taunted back by thought-speech.
“Forget it, Lilly!” he replied in thought-speech. “He is out of your league!”
The string of names she directed his way in thought-speech would have burnt the ears of a mortal man.
Laughing, Udu sauntered on towards Khamûl’s apartments, a scowling Nossenis and an amused Ecco behind him. Once inside Khamûl’s quarters, the two men greeted each other and then Udu got down to business.
“My Lord Galadannun, let me present to you the lovely Lady Nossenis.” Udu reached his hand out and with his thumb and forefinger, he tweaked Nossenis’ already scowling face into a grimace.
“See how lovely she is? She will make you a fine wife. I give her to you as a gift. She is yours. My servant, Ecco, too, but should you ever no longer have need of him, send him back. The woman is yours to keep forever.”
Tyaron slowed Hwesta to a walk yet again to let her catch her wind, then dismounted and walked alongside her. Night had fallen - early, it seemed somehow - and the air was full of strange noises. He fit an arrow to the string and strained his ears for any signs of pursuit, but heard nothing definite.
Normally, if he had been walking, he would have found a tree to spend a night like this in, but he had R*an's mare to protect. Perhaps he should have stayed put at their last resting spot - a fairly defensible place, with a good view of anything that might be coming - but the mare seemed to prefer to keep moving, and the countryside was fairly open, so he decided to keep going.
Just one night ago, he had pleaded with the Valar to take his life. But now that his life seemed to be in danger, he found himself a bit more attached to it than he had thought he would be. He pondered this as he walked, wondering if it was just because of R*an's mare that he was being so vigilant, or if there was something inside of a person that knew that life itself was valuable and worth fighting for, even if your most cherished dreams were lost. Was there something beyond dreams? Were dreams pointers to realities that were solid and unshakeable, unable to be lost as dreams could be, and yet unseen at this time? There was more than one type of seeing: physical sight was one, dream sight was another, heart sight was a third; how many others were there? And why was he willing, even desiring, to fight for his life when everything in him cried out for death? Was he seeing something else?
A spark of hope glimmered briefly, then died down. Stupid, worthless thoughts - thinking was a game for fools - thoughts like this were castles in the air that crumbled at the first touch of real life ("but what is real?" a voice inside him asked). The facts were that his hated passions, that he had fought against for so long, had led him to compromise himself with a prostitute, and that shut him off from the woman he really wanted. "It's R*an's fault - she shouldn't put me off like this when I've been so faithful to her!" he thought angrily, then was ashamed of the thought. He went back to his black mood; reveling in it, embracing it. If only he didn't have Hwesta with him, he would love going down in a good fight. But he couldn't stand the thought of R*an losing her beautiful mare. Why couldn't life just work the way it should? Why did it keep getting out of his control?
Grey_Wolf
01-11-2006, 08:34 AM
The Spirits followed Tyaron, planning yet again to ambush him.
They began shaping themselves from the very air into solid forms so evil and hideous even the ring-wraiths would flee from them.
Telcontar_Dunedain
01-11-2006, 03:36 PM
"A wife? I think not. I do not know this woman, and even those I have known I have not ever married as you well know, yet I thank you for this generosity. I'm sure they will serve me well and faithfully," said Khamûl.
"I'm sure they will," replied Udu, before reverting to thought speech. 'Outside. Lily and the Young King.'
'It may mean nothing,' replied Khamûl.
'You know Lily better than that, but do as you will. I have already been involved with Lily in public one time to many,' answered Udu, as he turned to leave.
"What is your bidding master," said Ecco.
"I will send up my assistant, Sapthan to show you to your quarters and the rest of the library, for I now have some business to attend to," said Khamûl, turning and walking down the stairs to where Sapthan was in the Main Hall.
"Sapthan, would you show my two servants to their quaters and then show them around the library," said Galadannun, leaving without waiting for an answer.
"So she fainted," Khamûl heard Lily say, even though he was 100 yards from where she was standing, and the fact that his Ring slightly enhanced his hearing had nothing to do with it. Where ever Lily was she made sure she was heard, she had always been the same. She had been punished by Sauron many times for giving away her position whilst hunting elves in Great War.
"My dear sister Lilaenwen. A word if you please," called Khamûl across the courtyard. Lily scowled, but slowly walked towards him.
'What do you think you're doing,' said Khamûl, resorting to thought speech.
Udukhaturz
01-11-2006, 04:40 PM
Nossenis had cursed Maethor under her breath when her former master turned her over to Lord Galadannun, but Udu wore a smug grin upon his face. He felt at last that he had gotten the better of the other wraith. He had other affairs to consider - the matter of the modifications he planned to make to the cellar of his new house at the corner of Rath Galen.
Udu had just completed the architectural sketches showing the cellar converted into one large chamber, a number of cells, and interconnecting hallways. Two cells would need certain modifications that only he could make, for these would be special cells. Embedded in the stones of the walls would be arcane symbols, runes and secret words with spells so powerful that the only two Nazgul who could break them would be either the Morgul Lord or Khamul. At least Maethor thought the spells should work.
“A perfect place for entertaining ‘notable guests,’” he thought. He hoped the very first one to grace the special cells would be the lovely Lilaenwen. “Eventually,” he thought, “she will go too far in her never-ending schemes. If no other is able to discipline her the way she should be, it will have to be me.”
He could already see the helpless expression on her face as she realized she had just been imprisoned in a cell that she could never escape. “Lilly might be here a long, long time,” he thought. At least the spells would make the cell not only inescapable, but soundproof, even for the loudest wraith.
***
Ecco and Nossenis had little time to survey their surroundings. Their new master, Lord Galadannun, had told a tall, solemn looking man to show them to their quarters and then around the library. Even though he was handsome, Nossenis felt a bit frightened of the man, for he seemed dark and foreboding. He reminded her of some of the cult members in the East, those who practiced the dark arts in the dead of night. All of the people in the land from which Ecco and Nossenis had come from told tales that any who had the foul luck to fall into these strange ones’ hands would be placed upon sacrificial altars in dark groves.
Just thinking of it brought shudders to Nossenis. She found the Lord Galadannun far more pleasing, and he was much more handsome than her Lord Maethor ever was. She began to think that perhaps it was a good idea that she was now Galadannun’s servant. She thought she might grow to be very fond of him.
CrazySquirrel
01-11-2006, 05:28 PM
In front of the Commerce building 2.30 PM Tuesday
Lilly was standing with the King and the group of young ladies in front of the Commerce building. After her venomous arrow pierced his unprotected heart, Valandil seemed distracted and withdrawn. Lilly had no trouble to get a firm, vice-like grip on his arm, and lead her prey towards the Commerce building, flaunting her catch proudly in front of other girls, who turned positively green from envy.
They were discussing the incident with swooning Aiwendis, and the King could give no clear explanation what had caused her to faint in the first place.
"So she fainted!" exclaimed Lilly, ready to give a very explicit, if totally opinionated, explanation of this phenomenon. But her sarcastic remarks were interrupted right at the start by Khamul's voice.
"My dear sister Lilaenwen. A word, if you please". The Easterling's voice was positively dripping with honey, a sign that nothing good was in store.
Lilly hid her disappointment at having to let the King's arm go, and exclaimed, for everyone to hear "Oh, my dearest brother Gal! What a pleasure to meet you here!"
'What do you think you're doing,' said Khamûl, resorting to thought speech.
Disregarding his question, she approached the scowling Khamul, threw her arms around his neck and planted a wet kiss on his cheek. Lilly felt great satisfaction observing a tic of disgust on the Second's face; she knew full well how he hated kisses.
'What do you think you're doing?' snarled Khamûl again in thought speech.
'Why, kissing you of course! Can't I kiss my very own darling brother?'
'I mean, with the King?' Khamul was visibly shaking from anger, his eyes ablaze.
Lilly pouted, feigning to be offended. 'Our relations are totally innocent!'
She turned and run towards the Commerce building. All the students were already inside. Lilly paused in the doorway, and Khamul heard her chiming laughter and caught the parting thought:
'Totally innocent... YET!'
Udukhaturz
01-12-2006, 09:02 PM
The meeting with Khamul had gone surprisingly well, and Maethor was pleased with the way things had turned out. He had had doubts about ever sending East for the sour-tempered Nossenis, but she was the only one among his wives who could speak Common. In addition to that, she was an outstanding cook, and that was always an asset when entertaining visiting nobles.
“Khamul has her now,” he thought gleefully, “and may she be just as pleasant to him as ever she was to me.” Back in the East, he had considered getting rid of her by having her sewn into a sack and dumped into the nearest river, but he had not. Mercy had nothing to do with it; good cooking did.
The sun was far too bright that day for his taste, but it was just one of those unpleasantries that had to be borne. He grinned at a richly dressed dowager and two lovely young maidens who passed him by and was pleased when he saw that he had coaxed cheerful smiles from the group. Life in Tharbad was not too bad.
He returned briefly to the visiting professors’ apartments and collected the remainder of his clothing and gear. Then he ambled across the university grounds and walked across the street towards his house. He noted at the back entrance facing Menetar that there was a quite a few delivery wagons filled with lumber, large metal girders, building stones and all the paraphernalia of a remodeling project. As he walked inside, the guard stationed just inside the door bowed low. He nodded briefly, walking past the guard and going down the cellar steps.
Dust filled the air and several of the workmen were coughing. A number of wall partitions had been torn out and the outlines of a large central room were taking shape.
“Master,” Ulfang greeted humbly as he bowed. Maethor noted that the gruesome scar that went from his left eye to the corner of his mouth seemed an even brighter red than usual, always a sign the man was perturbed about something.
“Is there some problem with construction, Ulfang?” Maethor inquired.
“Aye, Master, there is concern among us that with the central partition being torn out to make room for the large room, there would be too much weight there upon the auxiliary supporting posts, weakening the structure. Perhaps we do not understand some part of your plans?”
Maethor pulled his architectural sketches from inside his cloak and walked over to a large pile of lumber at the side of the cellar. Spreading out the plans upon the boards, Maethor tapped his finger on a line as Ulfang looked. “Simply put in a large support beam across the ceiling here and set it upon two posts there,” he said, his finger tapping on the paper. “With this much strength at the base, it would take Dagor Dagorlath to bring it down!”
“Yes, Master,” he said, looking down at the plans, “I understand now.”
Ulfang took him down a corridor and showed him the progress that had been made in tearing out some old storage rooms. Then when they came to an open area where the debris had been mostly cleared, Ulfang seemed apprehensive. He had an idea from what the lord had told him that there was to be something unusual about the two cells which were to be built there, something he did not understand but feared nonetheless.
The Easterling’s father had been a young man when the lord from the West had first arrived in the land. With only a few men, Lord Maethor, in one fierce battle after another, had claimed title over his enemys’ territories, herds, flocks and all hpossessions. Ulfang knew Lord Maethor to be a powerful wizard and warrior who never seemed to age, but he knew little else than that about him.
Udu sensed the man’s unease. “There is nothing for you to fear here now, nor will there be until later when all is completed.” Ulfang looked at him uncertainly. “Do not fear the cells nor what will be housed in them. All will be in my power...after certain things are done.”
Ulfang shuddered. He had seen his lord forced to reveal some of his magic powers back in the east when Maethor had been severely pressed during battles. Ulfang could still remember the terror-stricken faces and screams when the men’s heads began to freeze atop their shoulders, finally crackling and breaking into ice crystals.
“Ulfang, it is most important for the men to construct the three encircling walls about the two cells with the utmost care. When they are completed, it should be impossible to slide even a pin between the cracks.”
“All will be done as you have specified, Master.”
“Good,” Udu murmured, looking deeply into the man’s eyes. “You are indeed a worthy servant and will be rewarded.”
Udu left the cellar to the sound of another section of wall being torn out and walked up the stairs to the main house. He passed up to the second floor upon a set of circular stairs and walked down the hall and opened his bed chamber door. A tawny-skinned, dark-eyed beauty stood by the bed, folding a garment.
“My lord!” she exclaimed in an Eastern tongue. Throwing down the garment, she turned and rushed towards him.
He gathered her up in his arms, his lips catching hers in a passionate kiss.
“I have missed you,” she said, burying her face into his chest.
“Tatyana, we have a lot of time to make up for,” he said, walking back over to the door and locking it, “and we have all afternoon.”
Grey_Wolf
01-13-2006, 06:33 AM
The Kree Spirits having solidified into vicious claw and sharp-toothed entities flowed forward stealthily slowly closing in on unsuspecting lone rider.
The attack was imminent.
Valandil
01-13-2006, 09:20 AM
As Lilaenwen stepped aside to speak with... oh, a bit more than just speak with... her brother, Valandil breathed an inward sigh of relief. She was certainly attractive enough, but didn't seem like the kind of girl he could take home to his mother. For better or for worse though, her presence HAD induced the little knot of young noblewomen (what WERE they doing still on campus?) to step aside and let them pass. Now some of THEM seemed like the kind he might be expected to bring home, but all of them together were just a little bit overwhelming.
He overheard behind him, "Yes... the teacher is Professor Bummellore... Bumbledore, Rumpeldoor, something like that." His eyes widened a bit, then narrowed once more, as he wondered what that was all about. Then he walked up the few steps to the building entrance, re-checked his schedule for the correct room number - yes, this one on the right - and stepped inside. As he walked through the doorway, he saw from the corner of his eye that all the young ladies were now coming inside the building as well.
There was only one other student in the classroom and SHE was looking at him. He breathed one more inward sigh of relief when he recognized that it was the Elf maiden, Rian. Their eyes met, and he smiled at her, for fair she was. A sudden thought struck him and he approached her.
"Good afternoon, Lady Rian," he said.
"Why, good afternoon Your Highness," she replied with a smile of her own. "Are you in Commerce also?"
"Why yes, and just call me 'Valandil' - or 'Val' if you like. Say... is this seat taken?"
She looked over his shoulder and answered, "No, not yet - but you'd better be quick, it looks like the class is filling up." He followed her gaze and saw that the young ladies were beginning to file into the room, each in turn glancing his way as they made small talk with one another. Rian continued, "This other one I was reserving for my friend Earniel - but that is certainly unclaimed," indicating the place he had asked about.
Outside the window, they saw Earniel walk by, heading in the direction of the front entrance.
As he settled into the spot he leaned over toward her once more, "Lady Rian - could we make a threesome; you Earniel and me?" She didn't quite seem to know how to respond, so he continued, "That is... I see in our class syllabus that our very first assignment is something called 'group projects' - in which we work together on a commerce project in groups of three. Could we work together? We might even have regular meetings at The Red Herring or some such place."
Grey_Wolf
01-13-2006, 06:03 PM
Tyaron suddenly found himself surrounded by half a dozen hideously clawed and fanged creatures.
They attacked, rending and ripping his calves, but thanks to his excellent swordplay did not get close enough to hurt the horse..
Tyaron set his spurs to and the horse galopped away leaving the Kree disolving into the nothingness from which they came, they not being able to hold the solid forms for long.
Earniel
01-13-2006, 07:31 PM
Eärniel had purposefully lingered longer during her break before heading towards the Commerce class. It was perhaps silly, but Eärniel wondered just what she had gotten herself into this time by following this course.
She had little use for the class since she certainly wasn't envisioning to set up a large trade route towards Nîn-In-Eilph soon. In fact, she had only signed up for it because Basket Weaving was discontinued and she had spare time to fill.
But the curious reactions people seemed to have when the class was mentioned made her somewhat unsure, something she rather disliked.
Ach, she admonished herself with some annoyance while she hesitated another moment on the threshold. It's only one course. How hard can it be? I'm sure it will be a trifle compared to navigating the Frozen Sea near the Land of the Lossoth. Now that was something to wake up screaming in the middle of the night for the rest of your life.
She opened the door and entered the classroom. She noticed at once the many young women already seated; some glancing, some outright staring at the young King who was apparently too occupied with talking to R*an to notice. Eärniel was somehow eerily reminded of a group of hungry gulls eyeing a fish caught by the receding tide in a small puddle on the beach.
Of course, Eärniel corrected herself with a vague feeling of dread, I might have been very mistaken in my last assesment of this course...
Serenoli
01-16-2006, 11:22 AM
Sir Bumbledore, Professor of Commerce, walked in. The usual taffeta dressing-gown, once a vivid blue, now faded to an unrecognizable grey, draped his portly figure. His left glass eye glinted ominously, but the normally piercing right eye was sleepily half-closed.
He looked around dazed... what was it he had wanted here? He furiously concentrated on the faces before him until they came into focus, and from the depths of his hungover head popped out two words... Commerce class!
He beamed and announced his thought loudly: "Commerce Class! I am Sir Bumbledore!Welcome, All!"
He noticed something strange... Girls, so many pretty girls... but so few girls ever took Commerce... and those who did were studious, uptight girls... these were the stylishly dressed, full-lipped and full-bossomed, voluptuous sort... yes, it was definitely his lucky year!
There were even two lovely Elven maidens! And... surely, that was the King! Was he supposed to bow? But that wouldn't do! You can't bow to your own students! He shuffled uneasily to his desk, until suddenly he recollected that there was a bevy of lovely girls watching his every movement, so he hastily sucked his stomach in, puffed out his chest, and regally marched.
Titters were barely suppresed and smiles hastily wiped off faces as he turned to them. He opened his mouth to start, and then shut it with a bang. Where were his notes? Oh, well, he could do without them! And, strangely,astoundingly, when he began speaking of Commerce, his vagueness vanished, and he was succinct, concise and very sure of himself!
Open mouths shut as the pretty girls realized what a disaster it would be if the King saw their mouths unattractively wide open. But even Valandil, with all his poise, couldn't suppress a startled stare at the deceptive old man. Who would have thought he could actually teach? He definitely did not look like it!
CrazySquirrel
01-17-2006, 01:47 PM
While the old shabby Professor rambled on and on abut the importance of Commerce in the Modern World, Lilly sat alone on the first bench fuming inwardly. Curse the meddling Khamul and his untimely intervention! He was the only cause why the King escaped from her clutches! When Lilly entered, Valandil was safely seated between the two goluglob, one of them her own former housekeeper. The other two men, King's minders Ray and Marty, were also completely surrounded by attractive young ladies.
Lilly noticed two brightly clad girls she had met in the jeweler's shop yesterday. Seeing Lilly, both shot her disapproving glances and started whispering between themselves. Lilly's acute hearing enabled her to hear every word, and she didn't like what she heard a single bit.
"They will pay for it" thought Lilly, and brightened slightly, envisioning various tortures which she will inflict on them.
For lack of a better place, Lilly sat directly in front of the King on a lower bench. At least, Valandil was bound to have an unobstructed view of her décolleté. But, during the lesson, he never glanced there. At the end, Lilly was in a very foul mood.
When the class finally ended, the King went outside, flanked by the she-elves. Lilly remained behind and sat in a quiet corner by the Commerce building, thinking.
'The stinking goluglob! They are the main obstacle! Something must be done, and quickly, otherwise neither I nor Gordie will get a chance to ensnare King Val.'
'Gordie...' Lilly grinned happily. 'Perhaps? Yes!'
In a moment, she was running towards the Palace. She declared she was a friend of the Lady Aiwendis and was mortally worried about her health. Lilly was sure that the maid she spoke with didn't believe her, but she announced Lilaenwen's presence nevertheless. Soon Lilly was reluctantly admitted into Aiwendis's parlor.
Aiwendis was surprised to see Lilly, but concealed her surprise expertly. Lilly was happy to observe that the other looked awful: pale and drained and visibly unhappy.
'What a fool!' thought Lilly. 'If only I were in her place! I would have been Queen of the Nine and Queen of Arnor in no time! The Captain has an awful taste to prefer this pale goose to me!'
After some small talk, Lilly downed the goblet of wine Gordie has offered her and rose to leave. At the door, she turned and said in mind speech
'Look Gordie, darling. I have been to the Commerce and I was watching the King for you. He is completely taken with these two she-elves, Earniel and Rian. Tell the Captain, he has to do something about them, otherwise you will never become the Queen!'
Bowing to hide her wicked smile, Lilly left and headed home to Orrodel.
Udukhaturz
01-17-2006, 06:34 PM
Late Tuesday Afternoon, Udu’s new house
Maethor grinned over to Tatyana, who lay lounging on the large bed. “How beautiful she looks,” he thought, “with her hair draped across the pillow like a dark cloak.”
“Go down to the kitchen,” he said, “and prepare a meal for my five warriors and yourself.”
“But, my lord,” she said in an Eastern tongue, “the months have been long since I have seen you. Please tarry with me a little longer! I have missed you so much!”
“I cannot, love, for I must go and supervise the work. The preparations must go on night and day to complete the structural components of two of the chambers. There is no need to hurry in building the rest of the cells just yet. Expect a ‘guest,’ soon,” he laughed.
“My lord, I am afraid!” she exclaimed. “I know what you truly are, for you confided that in me months ago. Now you tell me that the prisoner is to be one of your own kind!”
“There have never been secrets between us, Tatyana. Aye, the prisoner will be one like me, but she has proven unmanageable, and so she deserves some punishment.”
Rising from the bed, Tatyana put on an ornate silk brocade robe, and tied it with a belt. She walked over to him and looked up at his tall form. He caught her in his arms and held her.
“Everything will be quite safe, Tatyana, I assure you, so do not worry.” He kissed her lips gently. “Now I must go to see the progress of my men.”
She watched him as he walked out of the room and then sat back in the bed, putting her head in her hands. “How I worry about him,” she thought. “If anyone should guess his identity...”
Gordis
01-17-2006, 06:42 PM
The Chancellor entered the Library and ascended the stairs to the Scriptorium. In this late hour there were only two scribes working there, copying priceless volumes and embellishing the margins with paintings of people and beasts. Sapthan was sitting at the Librarian's table, reading a big volume bound in dark green velvet. The Morgul Lord recognized a rare manuscript on the art of divination dating from the times of Ar-Pharazon. The nazgul chuckled inwardly.
Seeing the Chancellor, Sapthan rose and bowed. The Chancellor nodded in reply, but strolled towards the winding stair leading to the top of the Tower without a word. Up and up he went, passing several doors that led into the higher levels of the Tower, where thousands of priceless books were kept. At last the stair ended. The roof of Minas Aran was flat with four turrets at the corners. In the middle of the open space, the Observatory stood, its eight gracious arches supporting a domed ceiling. The high parapet screened the building completely from everyone but the birds in the sky.
The sun, bathing Tharbad in light since the morning, disappeared in heavy clouds. Early dusk descended on the city. The Morgul Lord stood by the parapet, waiting: it was the hour when winged messengers arrived with tidings. Many minutes passed. Then a dark speck appeared amidst heavy clouds, almost invisible in the darkness. Gliding soundlessly on pinioned wings a vulture descended on the roof and alighted on a wooden bench near the domed chamber of the Observatory.
It was Gyps the Griffon, dweller of the foothills of Hithaeglir, a honored member of the Guild of Predators, and the chief messenger of the Morgul Lord, now that the old Buteo the Buzzard was gone.
"They are there, at Lond Daer" croaked the griffon. "A dozen small ships. Great feast for the vultures". Gyps's beak and long featherless neck were covered in dried blood.
The Morgul Lord nodded. "Fly back and watch them. I will await more tidings tomorrow". The vulture silently left.
Two months ago, the Morgul Lord had dispatched the Buzzard with a letter to Lord Fuinur, ruler of Umbar, asking him to send several ships to plunder the villages along the Gwathlo and, eventually, try to attack Tharbad. The letter was sealed with the Morgul Lord's own sigil, the sickle moon with a ghastly grinning skull. It seemed that Fuinur remained true to old alliances, as here the Umbarians were at last!
The Chancellor smiled. The ships came in the nick of time. It was just the right moment to show the King the inadequacy of his maritime defenses and to persuade him to build a great fleet. The Morgul Lord was going to take over the scepter of Annuminas in foreseeable future, and wanted the kingdom to be strong and ready for war. It will take many a great ship to defend his new kingdom against the attacks from Gondor and from Mithlond...
The important thing now was to make the approaching ships outrun the news of their coming. Standing in the midst of the roof, invisible from the ground, the Morgul Lord lifted his hands and chanted a spell in an ancient tongue. The pall of heavy clouds hanging over the tower suddenly moved. A strong South-West wind picked up and sent the clouds flying inland.
Udukhaturz
01-17-2006, 07:33 PM
Tuesday, just north of Lond Daer
“Captain,” the bloodied warrior panted, “all the booty and captives are on board the ships!”
“Then torch the village!” Captain Ollotarnon shouted, a blood-stained broad sword in his hand. “Cast the boats off! We make for fairer game!”
Heaving their shoulders against the stem of the single-mast shallow draft ship, the warriors and mariners slid it down the bank and into the waters of the Gwathlo near the ruins of Lond Daer. The captain jumped aboard the flag ship, The Sagkúr, and stood at the stem, wiping his bloodied sword on the hem of his tunic. “Lift oars!” the captain shouted and the men raised them into the air. “Dip oars! Stroke!” The pilot at the steering board located on the right side of the ship swung the vessel to the right. “Hope for a favorable wind or we will have to bend our backs to the oars all the way up river!” one of the rowers said to his mate beside him.
When the ships were in the main channel of the river, a strong southwestern wind began to pick up. The cry, “Hoist sail!” was heard. Above the fleet of twelve ships, the wind whipped the black flag of Umbar.
Captain Ollotarnon walked to a dark-bearded, tawny-skinned man who stood at the stern of Captain Ollotarnon’s flagship, the Sagkúr. The flag ship of the Haradric captain, the Sìgsìg, sailed nearby. “Shakh Ulfast, as you can see, we are successful.”
“Aye,” smiled the swarthy Haradric captain, “abundantly successful. All is in our favor, even the wind!”
Three other ships filled with booty and captives left the main fleet and turned, driving down river, rowing into the strong wind from the southwest.
“I shall journey with you aboard your ship upriver several leagues, Captain Ollotarnon, before I return to my own flag ship. This country is ripe for looting,” the shakh chortling, surveying the countryside. “When the plunder reaches the south, both your name and mine will be toasted at the docks of Umbar.” The two men clasped each other’s hands at the elbows in a warrior’s salute.
“The journey has been a long one, shakh, thirty days, but the end is in sight. Tharbad lies but three days to our north! Let us drink to the continuing success of our men and our ships!”
The two captains sat on the deck on reed mats as they toasted their countries, their ships, their crews, themselves, and as an after thought, “Here is to the Dark Lord, wherever He may be!”
“Aye, and may He soon return, for then the plunder would be even better!”
As the wind filled the sails, the rowers lifted their oars below the shield rack and set them in position. They cheered the captain as he ordered that the storage barrels be opened and ale distributed to the crew. The ships moved steadily up the river past the peaceful, beautiful land.
“They sleep in Arnor... let us hope they do not wake anytime soon,” Shakh Ulfast laughed.
Many mariners believe that a ship is a living entity with a spirit of its own, and the sailors of Umbar were no different. As with all creatures, the ship must have eyes by which it can “see.” The bright yellow eyes painted on the figurehead of the fierce wooden serpent at the stem of the ship leered menacingly as it moved towards the peaceful city of Tharbad.
Lady Marion Magdalena
01-17-2006, 08:51 PM
“Ah..!” Shah hoisted himself out of the water and onto one of the piers, Mahta close behind, “Nothing like swimming to sober a person up!”
“No joke,” Mahta agreed, attempting to wring the water out of her braid, “We’re going to regret this in the morning.”
“And let the young ones see us hung-over? Not a chance. I’ve got a remedy for that at my house if you’re up for one more drink.”
“It isn’t that concoction you learned in Imladris is it?” Mahta asked him, suspicious.
“You know it works.”
“It also tastes like fermented marsh gloop.”
“Gloop?”
“Definitely.”
Shah just laughed and got shakily to his feet, taking a moment to check his balance before offering a hand to Mahta, “Come on old girl, I’m not about to risk you getting into an argument with any of your colleagues while hung-over. You’d go for your mace and then where’d we be?”
“Rejoicing. It’s not like the Chancellor doesn’t deserve a good smack from my mace.” She rose, ignoring his hand, “But if you insist, onward to face the fermented marsh gloop!”
“It isn’t that bad if you drink it quickly enough.” Shah said, falling into step beside her, “But that’s beside the point. What in Arda did the Chancellor say to you?”
“Nothing, I told you.”
“Right, because you always drink for four hours straight and desire to crush people with your mace over nothing,” he replied dryly, “Out with it, Mahta. What’d he say?”
“He implied that I’ve been showing favoritism to the elven students. Never mind that we’ve only got two of them and that’s the most we’ve had in years. Just because I won’t let his pet Galadanunn bully one of them it gives him license to accuse me of neglecting all my other students regardless of the fact that I would defend any student in the same manner… and he called me an old maid.”
“Mahta…” Shah paused in front of his door, digging his key out of a squelchy pocket, “You are an old maid. You like being unmarried, remember?”
“Well yes, but he intended it as an insult, and it wasn’t aimed just at me, but at every other female elf effected by the war. With Morgoth, and later Sauron, in power, finding a husband simply wasn’t a priority for anyone.”
Shah opened the door and gestured her inside, “True, but even that’s hardly enough to get you as angry as you are.”
“He didn’t say anything else.” She said, sitting down.
“Mmhm.” He nodded for her to keep talking while he mixed the hangover cure.
“That’s part of the problem really." Her voice had a hysteric edge to it, "I keep thinking that he knows, and I keep waiting for him to say or do something to let on that he knows because it would be exactly the sort of power game he’d enjoy. He would love being able to hold that over my head. But he doesn’t say anything and so I don’t know if he knows or not and I don’t think I can take it, Shah.”
“If it’s any consolation to you darling’, I’m likely the only person in town who’d’ve understood that last.”
“Thanks.”
“Here.” He handed her a mug full of… stuff, “Drink up.”
“It’s disgusting, Shah.”
“I’m drinking it.”
“Fine. Aule save me…” She held her nose and gulped it down as quickly as possible, grimacing madly in an effort not to gag. There were downsides to having heightened senses and this was one of them. “Any chance of tea to wash that down?” She asked plaintively.
“I’m out. We’ll have to go to your place,” Shah replied, holding back laughter.
“Get moving then, the sooner I get that taste out of my mouth the better!”
Once more they ventured out into the night, somewhat steadier on their feet this time.
“The stars are bright tonight.” Shah commented softly.
“Mm.”
“What? No hymns to Elbereth?”
“No, my friend... I leave the hymns to those whose families weren’t abandoned to madness and war.” Mahta’s voice was bitter.
“Fair enough.” Shah wisely dropped the subject, “Wind’s picking up,” he said, shivering. They picked up their pace and were soon standing outside Mahta’s door, “Wish I had thought to change before coming here.” Shah smiled ruefully.
“Get inside before you freeze!” Mahta scolded, finally getting the lock to cooperate and letting them in, “I’ve got some spare clothing you can wear… don’t look so scared, they’re men’s cloths.”
“Dare I ask where you got them?”
“Lot’s of cousins.”
“Mahta…”
“So they’re a little old…”
“Which age did you say these hand-me-downs were from?”
“I didn’t say. First.”
“First?”
“Age. They’ve been mended a bit.”
“I should hope so. You’ve been wearing things that were hand-me-downs in the First age?”
“Only in the forge…”
Shah rolled his eyes and followed her upstairs, “First chance I get, I’m dragging you to the tailor, Mahta.”
“Don’t be silly, get a fire going while I get them, will you?"
Mahta disappeared into her bedroom. By the time she emerged, dressed in dry cloths, Shah had a fire going in the hearth and had lighted the lamps around the sitting room.
“Here.” She shoved a bundle of clothing into his arms and pointed him towards the bathing room, “There are towels in there. Get dried off and change. I’ll make us some tea.”
He rejoined her as she was removing the strainers and adding honey to sweeten it. “Now,” he said, taking his mug, “Why don’t you tell me why the Chancellor worries you so much.”
“Are you going watchman on me Shah?”
“Yes. And I’m trying to figure out what’s got my friend ready to jump out of her skin. Seriously, Mahta! I haven’t seen you this nerve-wracked since we first met. Tell me what’s wrong.”
She sipped at her tea, stalling, “How much have I told you about Eregion?”
“More than you’ve told any other, save Elrond maybe.”
“I’m not sure how to explain it.” She warned.
“Do your best.”
“It’s… his presence, he has that way of coming up behind and lurking in the shadows and just… watching. I don’t like being watched. An - He used to do that to me in Eregion. I hated it; and Celebrimbor would never take me seriously when I asked him to intervene. Anyway, the Chancellor did that to me today and it felt just the same as it did when… for a moment I thought I was back there and that it was Him in the doorway and not just the Chancellor. Am I being paranoid? Please say yes.”
“When you’re on the verge of falling apart in a place where you used to feel safe? What sort of a friend do you think I am?” Shah demanded.
“A better one than that, I’m sorry. Dear Iluvatar… I’m at a loss. I can’t pretend anymore that he doesn’t realize that it unnerves me; I can’t tell him why and demand that he stop; and I don’t want to dare think about the implications if he’s doing it on purpose!”
“He was held captive for an awfully long time during the war.” Shah peered into his mug, thinking, “And he’s been bringing in his friends from the east… who knows what he got up to over there.”
“Not that there’s much we can do. He’s the King’s cousin.”
“Hmm… I confess I can’t think much more tonight. What say we sleep on it? Perhaps things will look better in the morning.”
“I hope so,” Mahta collected the mugs and took them into the kitchen, “Any idea how late it is?”
“It’s at least two past midnight by now, would you prefer I stay?” He asked.
Mahta paused, “Yes… I think I would. That couch makes a decent bed. There are extra blankets in that basket there.”
“I’ll stay then.” Shah reached down for the basket indicated, “My shift doesn’t start till sunrise.”
“I should be awake by then.”
“Only if you go to sleep now.”
“’Night, Shah.”
“Rest well, darlin’.”
CrazySquirrel
01-18-2006, 05:38 AM
Tuesday evening.
Lilly strolled home to Orrodel whistling a merry tune. Her latest scheme worked well, she managed to fool Gordie, the silly trusting Gordie! Or should she say "Aiwendis", now? Lilly laughed derisively.
Gor will tell the Morgul Lord, of course. Lilly thought how clever she had been not to go to the Captain herself. He had an uncanny ability to see through Lilly's schemes, right to the bottom of her mind. Gordie had no such power. Now the Captain would get rid of the meddling she-elves, leaving the King helpless before Lilly's many charms.
On her way, she met two girls from her Commerce class, one with too long a nose for her own good, another a bit too bony. The noble ladies pulled their skirts out of the way, and looked at the whistling Lilly with affected disdain. Lilly was in an excellent mood, so she hadn't resisted pulling a face at them and showing them the tip of her rosy tongue. The ladies pulled back, shocked.
Lilly's face brightened even more, when she thought of the wonderful life she would have in Orrodel now. The Captain was displeased with Khamul, and the Easterling was gone. She decided to throw a big party, just for herself, Buz and Viv. Drinking and dancing all night!
But when she came to Orrodel, she found Buz and Viv gone. Lilly was undoubtedly with her sweetheart, Ray. Buz was likely getting sloshed in his favorite riverside taverns, like this Rotting Cod.
Too bad. Lilly had dinner alone and then sat at the table sipping wine and thinking to go for a lonely stroll and some shopping. But just before she was ready to leave, there came a knock on the door .
"My Lady", said Zimra, "there is someone who wishes to see you. It is about the housekeeper's job."
"A new housekeeper?" cried Lilly excitedly. Then she frowned. "I hope she is not one of them stinking Elves?"
Zimra wondered privately why anyone would call Elves "stinking", but kept her question for herself. Instead, she smiled and replied, blushing slightly
"Nay, it's a man. A nice young man, quite poor by the looks of him, but very gentle and polite."
She could have added that she found the newcomer very handsome and attractive in a way that makes a woman want to prepare him a good meal and sit watching how he eats, to mend his shabby clothes and stroke his long blonde hair...
Lilly noticed her blush, as she was a sharp observer, when it had anything to do with men. Hmm... the newcomer must be attractive. She smoother her hair, adjusted her bodice, and sent Zimra to bring the applicant to the dining room.
"Now, young man", started Lilly in her lilting voice. Then she stopped abruptly and peered at the newcomer. Her jaw dropped.
Grey_Wolf
01-18-2006, 08:17 AM
Tuesday evening
The dozen Shree-Kryhnn having found the secret entrance to the abandoned house snuck into the corridor and decrepit house at the eastern wall.
Later that evening they went out to prey on the city's unsuspecting citizens.
Blood flowed in the narrow streets near the house as the vicious creatures ambushed lonely walkers in the dark.
Meanwhile, outside Tharbad hundreds of Buzzards, Falcons, Hawks and Ospreys were preparing for the co-ordinated attack with the shipborne raiding party.
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