71: Town Meeting

The next morning, not long after breakfast, while everyone was sitting around the main fire sipping tea and discussing what they wished to do that day, a group of people from the town showed up, led by three who identified themselves as the heads of the town’s Council. One was Noldo and the other two were Sindar. They were met by Elennen who enquired as to their purpose in coming.

“I am Councillor Dúlinn,” said the Noldo, speaking Quenya and giving the guard a bow, “and I represent the various guilds of Tavrobel, and these are my fellow Councillors, Baradir, Captain of the Nimalphwen, who represents the sea captains and Mistress Sîdhwen, who represents the merchants. We wish to speak to your kings.”

Elennen gave them a studied look and then glanced at the twenty or so others who had come with the three Councillors. “And these?” he asked. “Do they also wish to speak to their Majesties?”

Dúlinn smiled wryly. “More likely they wish to get a look at some of those in your encampment who were legends in their own time in Beleriand.”

Elennen arched an eyebrow at that, then nodded. “If you will wait here I will inform their Majesties of your request for an audience.” The three Councillors bowed and Elennen strode towards the center of the camp to speak with Olwë and Arafinwë.

“An audience?” Olwë enquired, looking surprised when Elennen informed them of the delegation.

“How many?” Arafinwë asked, almost at the same time.

“There are three who say they are the leaders of the town Council,” Elennen explained, giving their names, “but as for the rest, I think they are primarily... er... curiosity seekers.” He stole a glance to where Finrod was sitting near Glorfindel and Beleg with Sador on the other side of the prince.

There were simultaneous sighs from Finrod, Glorfindel and Beleg, which caused several of the others to snicker. Arafinwë and Olwë exchanged knowing smiles. Olwë turned to the captain of his guards. “Let the three Councillors in but for now ask the others to wait on our pleasure.”

Elennen gave a bow and went to do his lord’s bidding, returning about five minutes later with the three Councillors who gave the kings their obeisance while Elennen made the introductions. When the introductions were done, Arafinwë turned a puzzled look at Finrod. “I have noticed that even those who are clearly Noldorin choose not to give their names in Quenya.”

Finrod shrugged. “Sindarin was the common tongue amongst us all,” he said. “Most of us just got used to rendering our names in Sindarin. When I was first re-embodied, I had a hard time responding to ‘Findaráto’; I still thought of myself as ‘Finrod’.”

Arafinwë nodded. “Yes, I remember,” he said, giving his son a fond smile. Finrod blushed slightly.

“In Gondolin, where Quenya was taught and spoken freely, Sindarin was still the language of the streets,” Glorfindel then said. “Even Turgon never used the Quenya form of his name except on official documents, but the documents and his signature were always recorded in both languages.”

Arafinwë turned to Laurendil. “Yet, I understand you went by a different name in Endórë, but now you use your Quenya name.”

Laurendil nodded. “I was called Glorendil in Beleriand. It is merely a Sindarized form of Laurendil. Yet, when I returned here, I made a conscious decision to refer to myself as Laurendil and not Glorendil.”

“Why?” Pelendur asked, casting a surreptitious look at his son.

Laurendil shrugged. “I was a different person in Endórë and when I left it, I knew I could never be that person again. That part of my life was over and so I put ‘Glorendil’ away and became once again ‘Laurendil’. But that is me. Not everyone felt the need to do so; it’s a personal decision on each person’s part.”

“And I was born in Beleriand,” Dúlinn said. “I know my name in Quenya is rendered as Tuilindo, but I prefer Dúlinn. It is the name my parents gave me and it is how I always think of myself.”

“I suppose you can say it is a type of cilmessë,” Finrod said with a shrug and there were nods from the Tol Eressëans and the Reborn. Pelendur’s expression turned thoughtful.

“Different lives, different identities,” Arafinwë muttered as if to himself and then he shook his head and gave his attention to the three Councillors. “We bid you welcome. To what do we owe the honor of your visit?”

“First of all, my lords and ladies,” Dúlinn said, “we wish to formally welcome you to Tol Eressëa and Tavrobel in especial. I, personally, had long wondered at the indifference with which the Amaneldi seemed to treat us.”

“And for that, we apologize,” Olwë said. “For some of us, the events of the Darkening are still a painful memory and we did not wish to be reminded of that time by your presence.”

“Understandable, to a degree,” Captain Baradir said somewhat gruffly, “yet, we Sindar and Nandor had naught to do with any of it. Ignore the Exiles if you wish, but the rest of us....”

“The rest of you should not be punished for the crimes of those who fled Aman in pursuit of Melkor and the Silmarils,” Arafinwë interjected and the three Councillors nodded.

“Nor should you be punishing the Noldor who returned,” Laurendil said to the kings. “The Valar have seen fit to welcome us back. I think it behooves the Amaneldi to do the same.”

“In that, you are correct,” Olwë said, “and I regret that I allowed my personal feelings to cloud my judgment in this case.”

“As do I,” Arafinwë said, “and I have even less excuse seeing as my own son returned to us, albeit through the Halls of Mandos and not by ship.”

“At any rate,” Finrod said, “we are hoping that this Progress will open the way towards better communications between the two groups of Elves. Certainly the lack of true communication gave rise to the events of last year when my brother, Sador, was kidnapped.”

The three Councillors sighed almost as one, all looking glum. “That was unfortunate,” Sîdhwen said, “and we would like to apologize for what happened.”

“As well as for the fact that it was some of our own guild leaders who forced the higher prices on the rest of us, pretending that it was the Amaneldi who were behind it,” Dúlinn said, shaking his head.

“You were not a part of that?” Arafinwë asked.

“No, lord,” Dúlinn said firmly. “I... er... inherited the role of Councillor when it was discovered that Master Corudir was found to have been in league with those from Kortirion. He was summarily removed from office and has lost his standing as a master of the jewel-smiths’ guild. I am a bookbinder by trade.”

“Oh!” Finrod said excitedly. “Do you know an elleth named Hithrían? She was being taught the art of bookbinding in Lórien when I was there. I told her that if I ever needed a volume bound she would be the one I would ask to do it.”

Dúlinn gave the prince a surprised look. “Why yes, I do. She came here about a hundred years ago and was placed in my care while she completed her apprenticeship, for her brother had yet to sail and she had no close kin here.” Then he gave them a shy smile. “She is now my wife,” he added.

Finrod clapped his hands in delight. “How wonderful!” he exclaimed. “I had always meant to keep in contact with those who were in Lórien with me, but I’m afraid I had my own concerns, readapting myself to my new life here. It was not always an easy transition. Perhaps while we are here I may see her.”

“Hithrían has often spoken of you, my lord,” Dúlinn said with a nod. “She was rather upset to learn that there was little or no commerce between us and the Amaneldi and couldn’t understand why. I got the feeling from listening to her and her Reborn friends speaking together that they found the situation incomprehensible.”

“Yet, they do not seem to have taken the initiative in counteracting the suspicions of the rest of you,” Ingwion commented.

“For good reason,” Sîdhwen said with a rueful look. “The rest of us were not interested in hearing anything good that they had to say about you. We simply assumed that they had been... induced into believing that you had no ill feelings towards us.”

There were several raised eyebrows at that revelation. Finrod turned to Haldir. “Did you get that impression?”

Haldir nodded. “Which confused me,” he replied, “especially where Gwilwileth was concerned. It puzzled me that she never wanted to hear of my experiences in Lórien and would always change the subject if I said anything about the Amaneldi. Of course, now I know why, but at the time....” He gave them an elegant shrug. “I have the feeling other Reborn experienced similar reactions by the... er... Once-born among them and so after awhile they just kept quiet.”

“A conspiracy of silence,” Arafinwë said with a nod. “A conspiracy perpetrated on both sides, for we of Aman were similarly disinclined to listen to the Reborn among us. I freely admit that I never gave those of Tol Eressëa much thought. When I was in Beleriand, I found that those Noldor who had fled Aman and were still alive were no longer as I remembered them. They were as alien to me as were the Sindar and Nandor, almost as alien as the Atani, who were a wonder to me, never having seen the Secondborn before. I could no longer see the Exiles even remotely as kin. So, I was happy enough to leave them to their own devices once they came here, though I made a point of ensuring that any of our merchants and farmers who wished to set up trade with you were free to do so as long as they kept their prices fair. I was very strict with that.”

“As was I,” Olwë said. “I, too, wished to have nothing to do with any of you, and many of my people felt the same, but neither did I forbid any from initiating commerce with you, as long as they traded fairly. I think those who agreed to sail the ships that took the Host of the West to Beleriand, even though they did not participate in the war, nevertheless came to know those of Beleriand, especially their Sindarin kin under Ciryatan, and their feelings towards them changed.”

Baradir nodded. “I was one who served Lord Círdan, first in Brithombar and then on the Isle of Balar and met the captains of your ships when they helped us to ferry the wounded to Balar. Later, when the lands began to sink, I and my fellow captains were able to convince them, for friendship’s sake, to help ferry as many of the survivors as possible towards higher ground.”

“Well, it is time that this conspiracy of silence, as you call it, Atar, comes to an end,” Finrod said decisively. “That is one reason why we are here.”

“And we are interested in knowing what you hope to accomplish by coming here, my lords,” Dúlinn said respectfully.

“Last year a delegation, headed by Lords Laurendil and Gilvagor, came to Tirion seeking advice as to what to do about the lack of clear leadership among you. They had hoped to convince my son to reclaim the title of king and come here to rule.”

“Something I refuse to do,” Finrod said firmly. “It would cause more problems than it would solve, anyway.”

“So we have been told,” Baradir said with a slight frown. “Still, I agree that the lack of a true central government has proven detrimental to us. There have been tensions between the various communities of late and we are at a loss as to how to handle the situation. If nothing is done I fear there will be an explosion.”

“So I felt when I was here,” Sador chimed in. “There are too many conflicting loyalties and no one seems willing to put them aside to work for the good of all. If everyone would focus their loyalty towards one person, acknowledging him or her as having the final say in all matters, that would help ease the tension to a more manageable level, I think.”

There were nods all around. Then Olwë gestured towards Celepharn. “If you would, go to Elennen and tell him to let the other townspeople in. I think it time we hold a meeting at large.”

Celepharn bowed and went to do as he was bid. Arafinwë suggested that they rearrange themselves so that all could be seen and heard. Orders were given and there was a flurry of activity as chairs were set out in a more open area of the camp. In the meantime, though, Celepharn returned to tell them that the score or so townspeople who had followed the three Councillors to the encampment had grown to over a hundred and Elennen hesitated allowing so many to enter the camp.

“Then, if I may make a suggestion,” Dúlinn said. “Why don’t we return to Tavrobel and continue this discussion at the Town Hall? It is large enough to seat most of our residents and designed so all may see and hear those in the front.” The other two Councillors nodded in agreement and soon orders were given and the townspeople rapidly dispersed to go set up the Hall and to inform the other residents of the meeting which, by agreement, was set for two hours past noon. The kings invited Dúlinn, Baradir and Sîdhwen to join them for luncheon, to which they happily agreed.

****

During lunch there was a discussion about how the meeting would be conducted and who would actually attend. In the end it was decided that they would open the floor to anyone who had a question for them and all who had been to the town the day before would attend. Then they departed the camp for Tavrobel, the streets strangely empty even though it was still early afternoon. When they entered the Hall they found that it was indeed large enough and designed much like an amphitheatre with spectators sitting on cushioned benches in a semi-circle before a large dais where there was a long table and six chairs. The two kings and Ingwion, representing the High King, along with the three Councillors would sit there while the other members of the Progress took seats in the first row. Should any of them desire to address the citizens of Tavrobel, they would come and stand on the dais.

The Hall was made of dark wood with white plaster in between the beams. Crystal chandeliers hung from the ceiling, which was arched, though at this time of day they were unlit, for there were high clerestory windows admitting enough light. Above the dais was a large carving in high relief within a square frame of three trees, the middle one taller than the other two, standing above a bridge with three arches through which flowed three streams. When Amarië asked about its significance, Sîdhwen, who was escorting the Amaneldi to their seats, told them that it was the heraldic emblem of Tavrobel.

“It’s more representative than the devices used by the Noldor, which are rather abstract,” Sîdhwen said, “and there was a lively debate about how it should look, but in the end everyone agreed to this design. I understand that the people of Kortirion and Avallónë have created similar devices.”

They took their seats, ignoring the naked curiosity of the people sitting behind them, whispering in excitement when they recognized Finrod, Glorfindel and Beleg. Glorfindel’s expression was one of wry amusement while Finrod simply sighed, looking more resigned. Beleg was looking more and more uncomfortable and by mutual consent Finrod and Glorfindel kept him between them, with Sador sitting on Glorfindel’s right and Amarië on Finrod’s left. The others were seated as they pleased. Edrahil, however, was sitting between the two Lóriennildi, much to his disgust, but Finrod would not allow him to attend the meeting otherwise.

The Hall went silent as Councillor Dúlinn stepped up to the dais followed by Olwë and Arafinwë, with Ingwion between them, the other two Councillors coming after. Finrod stood as soon as he saw his anatar approach and the others with him rose as well. The Tol Eressëans were a little slower, not understanding the reason, but at the sight of the kings and Ingwion, there was an audible gasp from the townspeople and a sudden rush to stand. Finrod stole a quick glance behind him before turning his attention to the front, smiling knowingly at the awed expressions on the faces of the Tol Eressëans.

The kings and Ingwion had elected to wear more formal garb to the meeting, though no one else in their company had bothered. Olwë was dressed in a tunic of deep blue figured silk, the front of which was embroidered with his personal device of a swan ship. The hem, placket and cuffs were studded with sea pearls and he wore on his head a silver circlet with a single large pearl in its center. Arafinwë wore a tunic of peacock blue figured silk embroidered on the front, not with his device, but with a stylized representation of the Two Trees in gold and silver thread. Along the hem, neck and cuffs was an intricately embroidered knotwork design in gold and silver thread with sapphires and emeralds sewn in the middle of the knots. His circlet was gold with a single large sapphire. Ingwion, though not a king, was nonetheless equally impressive with his tunic of pure white samite, shot with gold thread. The front was embroidered with a star of four radiating points in silver thread, which was Ingwë’s personal emblem. In the center of the star was a crown wrought in gold thread, thus indicating that Ingwion was not only a prince of Eldamar, but the High King’s throne-heir. He wore a circlet of white gold with a single large blue diamond.

Once everyone was on the dais, Finrod bowed and the others followed suit, the Tol Eressëans again being somewhat slow in copying them. Then Olwë gave a nod and Finrod sat. The Tol Eressëans were now quick to follow and in a few minutes everyone was settled and silence again reigned within the Hall. Dúlinn then spoke.

“Thank you all for coming,” he said. “For the sake of our esteemed guests, we will conduct this meeting in Quenya. As usual Mistress Sídhwen will act as interpreter and translate for anyone who is not conversant in Quenya.” He nodded to Sídhwen, who spoke in rapid Sindarin, then he continued. “Allow me to introduce our guests. This is Olwë, who is Teleraran....”

“Actually, the correct title is Lindaran,” Olwë interrupted mildly, giving Dúlinn a teasing smile. “We call ourselves the Lindar. It is only the Noldor and the Vanyar who refer to us as the Teleri.” He gave a disdainful sniff. “Not my fault that we ended up being the last clan to arrive. I kept telling Elwë we needed to move a little faster, but he never listened.”

Ingwion gave a snort. “The way Atar tells the story, you would still be on the Thither Shores sitting on your thumbs if Lord Aulë hadn’t insisted you come to Aman.”

“And my atar was always complaining about how he had to wait nearly an entire yén before, as he put it, ‘you deigned to come ashore’ once you got here,” Arafinwë added, smiling wickedly at his atar-in-law.

“Hmph,” Olwë said with a feigned glare at his fellow royals. Finrod was heard to snigger and even Lindarion gave a light chuckle. Dúlinn was standing there looking nonplused, unsure what to do next, but Olwë gave him a friendly smile. “Don’t worry about it, hinya,” he said gently. “Go on with the introductions.”

Dúlinn nodded and cleared his throat. “Ah, as I was saying, this is Olwë, Lindaran of Alqualondë.” He stressed the title and there was a round of light laughter all around. “Next to him is Prince Ingwion of the Vanyar, representing Ingwë Ingaran, and beside him is Arafinwë, Noldóran of Tirion. Accompanying them are Prince Findaráto and Prince Lindarion, as well as Lord Glorfindel, Lord Pelendur, Lord Beleg Cúthalion, Lord Sador, Lady Amarië and Lady Alassiel.” At the mention of their names, each elf stood and turned to give a brief bow to the audience before resuming their seats. It had been decided earlier that only these would be named as the principle members of the Progress.

Olwë thanked Dúlinn for the introductions and then sat, the others on the dais following him. “We are pleased to finally be here,” Olwë said, “and I regret that we did not come sooner. We welcome any questions you might have for us.”

At first, there was only silence, and then, one ellon stood. “With respect, lord,” he said, “we wonder at the timing of your visit. Many of us have been here since the beginning of the Age, and yet only now you deign to grace us with your presence.”

Olwë nodded. “There are many reasons why that is so,” he answered. “Suffice it to say that circumstances have forced us of Aman to confront our own past and recognize that we were at fault for not welcoming you from the beginning.”

“Yet, there was a welcome of a sort,” an elleth ventured, standing as she spoke. “We were met by several people from the mainland who told us in no uncertain terms that we were here only on sufferance by the Valar and that we would never be allowed to leave this island and enter Aman proper.”

“And they told us our kin who had died were brought before the Valar in chains for judgment, just as they had done to the Nameless,” added the first ellon. There were quiet murmurs and nods all around.

Before anyone could offer an answer, Finrod stood. “With your permission, Anatar, I would speak.”

Olwë nodded and Finrod walked up to the dais. “Let me address the elleth’s complaint first,” he said as he faced the people. “It has only recently come to our attention that some of the people of Aman came to Tol Eressëa and spoke such words to you. We still do not know who they were, whether they were Teleri,” — here he couldn’t help turning to Olwë, giving his anatar a wicked grin, at which Olwë laughed — “or Noldor or even Vanyar, though the last is most unlikely. At any rate, these people, whoever they were, lied, speaking out of spite and hate. We recently learned from two of your own people that when they were elflings newly come to the island they were greeted by three Maiar who welcomed them and let them know that this was their home, not a prison. I think, that perhaps others had similar experiences.”

At that, another elleth stood. “I can attest to that,” the elleth said. “My name is Hithwen. Some of you may recall when I came here with my brother, Brandir, who was... damaged in fëa by the horrors he saw in the war. I did not think he would ever recover but one day two Maiar visited us and when they left, Brandir was actually smiling. Not long after, another Maia came to us and invited me to bring Brandir to Lórien where he could receive proper treatment. In time, he did indeed recover and then he decided to remain in Lórien and help others who were similarly damaged by what they had experienced in Endórë. I will always be grateful for those two Maiar who happened by that day. They were very welcoming and I felt such love and concern from them that I never afterwards believed the words of spite and hate that were spoken by others.”

“Yet, the question remains,” the ellon insisted, “why in all this time we have never felt as if we were actually welcomed here, especially those of us who once dwelt in Tirion.”

“And for that, I apologize,” Arafinwë said. “I am afraid that when we returned from Beleriand after the war many of us just wanted to forget, myself included. It was only when a delegation came to us last year that we were forced to confront the situation. Other events intervened in the meantime, and so it is only now that we are able to come to Tol Eressëa to meet and speak with you.”

“At any rate,” Finrod said, “let me address the other statement about those who stood before the Valar in judgment. There are several of us here who died and suffered judgment, and while each judgment is unique, they all have one thing in common. None of us were brought before the Valar in chains. Some were not brought before the Valar at all, or at least not before any but Lord Námo. Those Noldor who were elflings at the time we Noldor fled Aman or were born afterwards in Beleriand, stood before only the Lord of Mandos. The same is true for the Sindar and Nandor. Only those of us who, as adults, participated in the Rebellion stood within the Máhanaxar in fëa to answer to all the Valar for our deeds. Yet, even then, we were not chained.”

“Yet, we have been told that Morgoth was chained when the Valar first brought him to Valinor as a prisoner,” someone called out. “If they would chain even one of their own....”

“Morgoth was a Vala,” Finrod interjected, “and while his powers were diminished, he was still dangerous. Think you that we Firstborn ever presented a danger to the Valar by our powers?” He gave them a wry grin. “I assure you, that the very least of the Maiar stand far above us in power. How much more so do the Valar? No, my friend, they had no fear of us and had no reason to chain us.”

There were murmurs among the people at that and then Haldir stood and turned to speak to them. “I was certainly surprised and appalled when I learned that even my own wife thought that I had been brought before the Valar in chains when I died. While judgment is terrifying, I was ever treated with the gravest of respect by the Valar, respect and even compassion.”

There were considering looks on the faces of many, as well as expressions of relief on others. Some were seen to be weeping quietly, held in the arms of their loved ones.

“Our main purpose in coming here,” Arafinwë then said, “is to dispel these false words and to assure the people of Tol Eressëa of our best wishes for them. To that end, we hope that while visiting the various communities and speaking to the residents we will be able to better understand your unique situation and the problems you face and offer possible solutions.”

“I know I speak for my fellow guildmasters when I say that the revelation that it was our own people who were forcing the higher prices for imported goods upon us and not the Amaneldi was a shock,” Dúlinn interjected, “and I was dismayed and embarrassed to learn that my hatred was directed towards the wrong people.” There were expressions of chagrin on the faces of several of the townspeople and nods of affirmation all around.

“So, in the coming days while we are here in Tavrobel,” Arafinwë continued, “if any of you desire to speak to us about your thoughts, we will be willing to listen.”

“You plan to stay long?” Baradir asked.

Olwë nodded. “We will be sailing to Avallónë in three days’ time and then we will go to Kortirion while our ships return to await us here in Tavrobel.”

“Then, I think we will adjourn this meeting for now,” Dúlinn suggested. “We wish to thank you for agreeing to meet with us, my lords, and I hope that the future will prove brighter for us all.”

“As do we,” Olwë said.

“My fellow Councillors and I wish to host a feast in your honor while you are here,” Dúlinn said. “Perhaps tomorrow night?”

“We would be honored, thank you,” Olwë said, speaking for them all. “In the meantime, we would like to wander about your town if we may.” He turned to Captain Baradir with a smile. “I, for one, am most interested in seeing how Ciryatan has improved his shipbuilding techniques since last I saw him.”

Baradir gave him a startled look and then threw back his head in laughter. “I assure you he’s gotten much better since those days of raft-building at Cuiviénen,” he said, looking highly amused, and there was general laughter throughout the Hall as people began to disperse now that the town meeting was come to an end, though quite a few lingered, hoping for a chance to speak with three who were legends among them.

****

Nimalphwen: (Sindarin) White Swan Maiden.

Cilmessë: (Quenya) Literally, ‘choice-name’; an attested variant of essecilmë, literally ‘name-choosing’.

Notes:

1. Ingaran (Ingwë’s title) and Noldóran (Arafinwë’s title) are attested. Lindaran as Olwë’s title is constructed. Lindar ‘The Singers’ is the name by which the third tribe of the Eldar to reach Aman called themselves. Teleri ‘The Hindmost’ is a word coined by the Noldor.

2. The description of the heraldic device representing Tavrobel is based on Tolkien’s rendition found in Parma Eldalamberon XIII. The description of Ingwion’s personal device is based somewhat on Eldarin Heraldry as devised by Tolkien. You can see some examples of such heraldic devices at: www(dot)forodrim(dot)org/gobennas/heraldry/heraldry(dot)htm.