73: Hunting Down Rumors

Over dinner, Nestadôr and Saelmir kept the company amused with tales about Finrod in Lórien, much to the ellon’s embarrassment. It didn’t help any that Eärnur chimed in with tales of his own, telling them how it was that a lowly apprentice became the former King of Nargothrond’s chief counsellor. There was much laughter and not a few shocked looks when the three ellyn regaled them with some of Finrod’s less than sterling moments.

“You actually called her that?” Glorfindel asked Finrod when Eärnur explained the circumstances surrounding his sudden promotion after Finrod’s original counselor had been relieved of her duties.

“She was being annoying,” Finrod said with a blush, “and I was still pretty young emotionally. I did apologize afterwards, though she took it with ill grace.”

Saelmir nodded. “She annoyed everyone, not just you, Finrod,” he said and then proceeded to tell them a story of his own run-in with the Lóriennildë. “She obviously has no respect for the Reborn,” he said at the end of his tale, shaking his head. “I was surprised that Lord Irmo kept her on. I would have thrown her out of Lórien long before.”

“Lord Irmo is more patient than we are and sees further into the hearts of others than we can,” Eärnur said. “I know Míriel, and she has come a long way since those days.”

Finrod nodded. “Yes. I noticed that she has become more compassionate and more patient in her dealings with the Reborn and others who come to Lórien for help.”

“Some of the Lóriennildi weren’t too compassionate when Manwen and I were there initially,” Laurendil said. “I couldn’t understand why Lord Irmo had not done something about it sooner.”

“He did say he would address the situation in his own time,” Finrod replied with a smile. “And with the Valar....”

“I know, I know. All times are soon,” Laurendil said with a dismissive wave of his hand. There was much quiet chuckling at that and then silence ensued for a while as everyone sipped their wine and watched the flames of the fire around which they were sitting. Then Laurendil looked up and addressed Nestadôr and Saelmir. “Do you know anything about rumors saying that Manwen and I are being held prisoners by the Noldor? Gilvagor says he has not heard of such rumors, yet yesterday we heard about them from two different sources.”

Before either ellyn could answer, Gilvagor spoke up. “I swear, Laurendil, I never heard any such rumors in Kortirion. I think they must be a recent thing, though why now after all this time escapes me.” He then turned to Haldir. “Have you heard these rumors?”

Haldir shook his head. “Yesterday was the first I’d heard of them, else I would have alerted you and the Noldóran about them.”

Nestadôr shrugged. “I have only been in Tavrobel for a few days myself and no one mentioned any such rumors in my presence. Saelmir?”

The ellon shook his head. “First I’ve heard of it.”

“So the question remains, who started such rumors and why?” Laurendil asked. “All those who attended the New Year Tournament saw Manwen and me there tending to the fighters who sustained injuries. So, why these rumors and why now?”

“And why are some people hearing them, but not others?” Glorfindel asked.

Alassiel then spoke. “When we asked Boromir and Morwen those same questions, they said that it was only recently that they heard such rumors, maybe only in the last month or so.”

“And they thought the rumors were started by someone from Aman, but they were not sure,” Manwen added.

There was silence for a moment or two as everyone digested the news. Finally, Finrod sighed. “If what you say is true, then we have a graver problem than we first thought.”

“Remember the rumors that flew around the tournament camp about Glorfindel and Sador?” Ingwion asked. “Do you suppose the same rumormongers responsible then might be responsible now?”

“Possibly,” Finrod averred. “If so, we at least have a place to start.”

“Lord Valacar,” Glorfindel said, nodding grimly.

“And Lord Súlimondil,” Ingwion added, looking equally grim. “Atar released them from his custody about a month after the tournament.” He sighed. “I had better send him a missive to let him know what we suspect. He can look into it from that end while we continue investigating it from here.”

Olwë nodded. “There is plenty of traffic between Tavrobel and the mainland. Who will you entrust to deliver the letter to Ingwë?”

Ingwion shrugged. “I really hadn’t thought about it. I suppose I could give it to the captain of whichever ship will take the missive and hope he finds someone to take it on to Vanyamar.”

“We’re going to have to establish a regular courier system between Aman and Tol Eressëa,” Arafinwë said. “However, I was going to send my own letter to Ingwë to let him know what was happening so far. I intended to send him periodic reports so he wouldn’t have to wait until we returned to hear about the Progress. To that end, I have made arrangements to have one of my couriers come to the mainland harbor periodically for my missives. He is due to come on the day we sail for Avallónë.”

“Then why don’t we pool our letters together?” Ingwion asked and Arafinwë agreed. Manwen, Alassiel, Amarië, Eärnur and Eregil were quizzed by Arafinwë for all the details concerning the rumors as told to them by Bronweg and Handir’s family, while Finrod told them about what his group had learned when they were visiting with the families of Damrod and Egalmoth.

“I hope we can find out where these rumors about Manwen and me are coming from and put a stop to them before they do irreparable damage to our purpose for coming here,” Laurendil said with a sigh once all the details about the rumors had been garnered. Arafinwë and Ingwion would compose the letter in the morning after breakfast.

“I think that is the reason the rumors were started in the first place,” Finrod stated. “I am glad though that both of you are here. It will go a long way towards dispelling these rumors if people see you and see that you are not prisoners.”

The others nodded. Then Saelmir stated that he and Nestadôr should be getting back to town, but Finrod was able to convince them to stay the night. “We can catch up on all our news and share our stories with one another.”

They agreed and soon the camp was quiet as most took to their tents. Laughter occasionally floated through the still night air from Finrod’s tent, setting the guards to smiling. Eventually, though, even that stopped and the only sounds to be heard were the rustling of the wind across the field and the occasional hooting of an owl in search of food.

****

Early the next morning, Gilvagor took Mithlas and Haldir and went to the docks to talk with the captains and sailors and fisherfolk plying their trades, asking after the rumors about Laurendil and Manwen, hoping to get an idea as to where they might have originated. While they were doing that, most of the rest of the company was idling away. Finrod, with Nestadôr and Saelmir, were sitting quietly with the other Reborn, drinking tea and discussing the problems which many Reborn still faced. Arafinwë, Ingwion and Olwë were in Olwë’s tent hammering out the letter that they wished to send to Ingwë. Alassiel and Amarië decided to drag Eärnur, Laurendil and Manwen into Tavrobel, ostensibly to look for a suitable gift for Eärnur’s sister’s begetting day, but actually to show the people of Tavrobel that Lord Laurendil and Lady Manwen were far from being prisoners, but were part of the Royal Progress.

Eventually, others began drifting into town for one reason or another. Finrod, Glorfindel, Sador and Beleg went with Nestadôr and Saelmir to Saelmir’s house, which was situated on the outskirts of the town, east of the main square. One of the streams that watered the area around Tavrobel ran close by. A canal had been dug which joined the stream further down and a waterwheel had been constructed, attached to a mill that looked across from Saelmir’s smithy.

“It belongs to one of the farmers,” Saelmir told them. “He grinds what grains are grown here, primarily for our animals, for the other farmers. He also purchases grain from elsewhere on the island and grinds it and sells the flour. It’s somewhat expensive to transport such grains across the island, and he is always grousing about the high prices for mainland grains. He thinks that it would be cheaper to buy grain from the mainland, but the cost of importing goods has been too prohibitive.”

“Well, we know now that it was certain people here on the island who were raising the prices of goods from Aman,” Finrod said. “Now that has stopped he should find it easier to purchase what he needs.”

“Hopefully,” Saelmir said. “I, too, would like to see more trade between us. When I was released from Lórien, we stopped in Eldamas for a couple of days before resuming our journey. I had a chance to visit the markets and admire the goods that were sold there. In spite of everything, especially having to literally start over, we of Tol Eressëa have done a decent job of building our communities and turning our skills to more peaceful endeavors, but I think we could do better if we had access to the artisans of Tirion or Alqualondë and if there was more interchange of ideas and techniques between us.”

“The kings will see to that,” Sador said. “It won’t happen overnight, but I think you will see more trade between Aman and Tol Eressëa in the coming months and I know my anammë is still interested in the idea of exchanging apprentices between the guilds.”

“I also think that if word gets around that the Valar intend to open up new lands for you sometime in the future, it will go a long way towards diffusing any resentment about being forced to live here,” Glorfindel said. “Of course, that’s not strictly true even now. The Valar not only allowed but encouraged Tol Eressëans to participate in the New Year Tournament and people like Laurendil and Manwen are living in Aman even though they have only been here a short time and Laurendil took part in the Noldor’s flight from Aman.”

The others nodded and Beleg gave them a wicked smile. “Perhaps we should start some rumors of our own to that effect.” Everyone laughed and thought it a good idea.

Saelmir showed them around his smithy and they spent some time admiring his work. “I do everything but make horseshoes and such,” he said. “I leave that to others. I much prefer making other things that people need even if they are somewhat utilitarian and not very fancy. Sometimes I make something just for fun. Here, you might like this.” He went to one of his worktables and picked up a small object about four inches high. It was a miniature tree set in a low planter. The whole of it was fashioned out of copper, intricately crafted so that one could see the veins on the tiny leaves, which were actually made of gold. There was a small nest and a couple of birds roosting in the branches and sitting under the tree were an ellon and an elleth feeding some squirrels. The two figures were painted so that one could see that they were Sindar by their clothing and hair.

Everyone exclaimed in delight at the object and Finrod insisted that he purchase it. Saelmir was reluctant to accept any money from him, but in the end, they came to an understanding. Saelmir promised that he would have the piece carefully boxed for transportation and ready for him when the Progress returned to Tavrobel on their way back to Aman. There were other pieces that they admired. Glorfindel purchased a small knife that had a silver hilt shaped like a dragon’s head with ruby chips for its eyes. Beleg and Sador each purchased bronze cloak pins in styles popular among the Sindar of Doriath.

Eventually, they parted, for Finrod had promised his atar that they would meet him at the Blue Dolphin for lunch where they hoped to meet up with Gilvagor, Mithlas and Haldir to hear their report. Afterwards, there was a planned meeting with the Town Councillors and several other leaders of the town to discuss certain matters before the feast that evening.

“You and Nestadôr and the others must come to Tirion soon and visit,” Finrod said, giving the latter a wicked grin. “I’ll ask Eärnur to concoct a sleeping potion for you, Nestadôr, so you can sleep your way across the bay.”

“I can concoct my own potion, thank you very much,” Nestadôr said with a sniff and the others laughed. Both ellyn promised that they would plan a visit for later in the autumn before winter set in.

When Finrod and his gwedyr arrived at the Blue Dolphin, they were greeted warmly by Margil and Belegorn who led them to the same private room they had used before to find that Olwë, Arafinwë and Ingwion were already there, along with Calandil, Elennen and Urundil as their guards. Even as they were finding seats for themselves, Gilvagor came in with Mithlas and Haldir. Orders for food and drink were quickly given. While waiting for their meal to arrive, Finrod described their visit to Saelmir’s workshop. The knife and cloak pins were passed around and admired. When their lunch was served and they were again alone, Gilvagor began giving his report.

“We met with Captain Baradir who introduced us to the other captains of those ships that were in harbor, specifically those who are in the habit of taking on passengers,” he told them. “None had had any passengers from Aman since the end of the tournament, except for one. She recalled two ellyn, finely dressed, who asked for passage to Tavrobel about five weeks ago.”

“Did she give a description of them?” Arafinwë asked.

“Nothing specific. She did say that both had Noldorin features, though,” answered Gilvagor.

“Well that lets Valacar and Súlimondil off the hook,” Ingwion said in disgust.

“Not necessarily,” Glorfindel said. “Remember, two of those who attacked me while I was being Martandur’s thrall were Noldor.”

“That’s true. I’d forgotten that,” Ingwion averred. “So there seems to be a connection between Vanyamar and Tirion.” He paused to take a sip of his wine, his expression thoughtful. “You know, when Fëanáro was sent into exile, my atar believed that Uncle Ingoldo was in sympathy with him. He could never prove it, but he suspected that my uncle was in communication with someone in Formenos.”

“Yes,” Arafinwë said with a nod. “I recall Ingwë sending word to my brother that he did not think all those in sympathy with Fëanáro went with him into exile and that some were still in Tirion, possibly fomenting further unrest, not only among the Noldor but among some of the Vanyar. When my atar married my amillë, there was more interaction between our two cities than had occurred previously. In fact, there were several intermarriages between the two clans, as a result of it. When Fëanáro was exiled by the Valar, loyalties were tested and some, I think, were strained.”

Ingwion nodded. “I remember how saddened Atar was when he learned that some of our own people joined with the Noldor when you fled. They were mostly people who had married Noldor and had gone to live in Tirion, leaving out of love for their husbands or wives and children, but there were still some who simply left.”

“Martandur’s apprentice was one such,” Glorfindel said. “Until I came to live with him and Míriel, he had refused to take on any more apprentices. Now, I understand, he has actually petitioned Lord Irmo to let him take in any Reborn who might wish to learn from him. I think he is hoping that one day his former apprentice will be released from Mandos and he can take him back.”

“At any rate, was there anything else this captain could tell you about these two Noldor?” Olwë asked.

“Only that they were overheard speaking about the tournament and being surprised to see Lord Laurendil and Lady Manwen there. Apparently, one of the ellyn recognized them from when they came with the embassy and had wondered what had happened to them since neither had left with the other Tol Eressëans.”

“Did either specifically say that they thought he and Manwen were being held prisoners?” Finrod asked.

“No,” Gilvagor replied. “At least, not in the captain’s hearing. She told me that she thought it odd that they happened to mention all this so many weeks after the tournament because she specifically remembered how some of the Tol Eressëans she transported back from Aman spoke among themselves about seeing Laurendil and Manwen and how pleased they were to learn they had become apprenticed to Lord Irmo.”

“Hmm,” Finrod said, his eyes narrowing in thought. “I am assuming these ellyn were speaking Quenya.” He gave Gilvagor an enquiring look.

“Ah...,” Gilvagor said with a smile. “Captain Gilraen is conversant in Quenya as are many of her crew, for they must deal with Amaneldi who do not speak Sindarin.”

Finrod nodded. “It’s almost as if these two Noldor staged their conversation so it would be heard by the captain and possibly by the sailors. I take it the ship and its crew are from Tol Eressëa.”

“Yes,” Gilvagor said, “and that was the other odd thing about them. According to Captain Gilraen, hers was the only Tol Eressëan ship in harbor that day, all the others were Telerin, yet they specifically sought her out for passage even though there were plenty of other ships plying the waters between the two harbors.”

“Obviously, they chose her ship because none of the Teleri would know or care about Laurendil and Manwen,” Sador said. “Did the captain indicate that she recognized Laurendil’s name?”

“Oh, yes,” Gilvagor said as he took a sip of his wine. “As it turns out, she was the one who transported our embassy to and from Tol Eressëa.”

“Ah....” Finrod said. “I have to wonder how long our mysterious Noldor waited before her ship entered the harbor.”

There were considering expressions on all their faces as they contemplated Finrod’s words.

“So now the question is, where did they go once they came here?” Arafinwë said. “Did they continue to Kortirion or Avallónë? They came here five weeks ago. Are they still here or did they return on a different ship?”

“I can give you no answer to any of your questions, lord,” Gilvagor said. “Captain Gilraen only knows that before they disembarked they asked her recommendation for lodgings.” He gave them a wry grin. “Want to guess which inn she recommended?”

There was a brief pause and then Beleg was at the door. “Margil!” he shouted and the young ellon came running, his expression one of concern.

“Is something wrong?” he asked as Beleg ushered him inside the room.

“No, Margil,” Finrod said with an easy smile. “We are in need of some information and we are hoping you can supply it.” The ellon nodded, still looking a bit flustered, but when Finrod asked about two Noldorin ellyn staying at the inn, his expression brightened.

“Let me get the register,” he said and was quickly gone, returning a few minutes later with a large ledger. He placed it on the table and began flipping its pages. “Hmm... about five weeks ago, you say? I do recall two such as you describe staying here. They were here for three nights. Atto was disappointed that during their stay they never ate here, though on the last night of their stay they did sit in the common room and ordered a couple of bottles of wine. Ah... here it is.... Nambarauto and Amandur. That’s odd.”

“What is?” Finrod asked.

“Well, usually people give their patronymics or their place of residence or even their occupation when they sign the register,” Margil explained. “See here... Ninglorwen Halthorniel or here... Ragnor Thavron of Kortirion.” He pointed out other signatures and everyone nodded.

“These two only signed their names with no other designation,” Arafinwë said, “and unfortunately their names are rather common among us. I know at least two people named Nambarauto, one of them a member of my court.”

“And I know a few ellyn named Amandur,” Ingwion said. “One of them happens to be Alassiel’s cousin, her Uncle Telemnar’s oldest son.”

“So they give you common names,” Glorfindel said, “with no other designation. Do we even know if these are their real names?”

“Without a clear description we cannot readily identify them,” Olwë commented. “Can you describe them?” he then asked Margil.

The ellon shrugged. “Dark hair and eyes, your typical Noldor,” he answered. “Their clothing was very rich and fine. Oh! That’s another thing. The morning they left they were not wearing their usual brightly colored tunics but ones that they must have purchased here, for the style was definitely Tol Eressëan.”

“And being Noldor would not necessarily mark them out as different, since so many Noldor live here,” Gilvagor said.

“But their accents would give them away,” Margil said. “Their Quenya is not quite what is spoken here and they knew no Sindarin.”

“You said the last night they were here they sat in the common room,” Olwë said then. “Did anyone join them?”

Margil nodded. “Two or three ellyn, I think, but to tell you the truth I paid them little heed. While Atto was upset that they took none of their meals here, they were quiet and polite and made no trouble. We tend not to remember that type.” He gave them a cheeky grin and they couldn’t help grinning back.

“So they left Tavrobel,” Arafinwë said. “Where did they go?”

“They hired horses,” Margil offered. “We don’t have horses for hire ourselves. Our stables are for the horses of patrons, but there are other inns where one can hire horses.”

“If they hired horses, they would have gone to Kortirion,” Haldir pointed out. “There is only the one road linking Tavrobel with Kortirion and Avallónë.”

“What puzzles me is why we weren’t confronted with the rumors as soon as we came here,” Beleg said. “You would think there would have been more of an outrage at the news that someone like Laurendil was being held prisoner.”

“I thought about that,” Arafinwë replied, “and I think that our rumormongers misread the situation. After the trial for Sador’s kidnappers, I made a point of having three copies of the trial transcript translated into Sindarin. Haldir and Gwilwileth helped there.” Haldir nodded in confirmation. “Then I gave them to Gilvagor to take to the leaders of each of the major towns here with instructions to have the transcripts made available to the public at large. I encouraged Ingwë to do something similar with the transcript for the trial against Glorfindel’s attackers.”

“I’m not sure I follow,” Beleg said. “I was still in Lórien at the time and have no real knowledge of what happened.”

“During the trials it was revealed that people from the mainland came to the Tol Eressëans and spread lies about how those who had died were treated by the Valar. Lord Námo and those Reborn present at the trials made it clear that they were indeed lies, pure fabrications.”

“So making the transcripts public allowed people to read or hear what Lord Námo had to say about how the dead are treated,” Beleg said with a nod.

“And the fact that the lies originated among Amaneldi would make any other rumors from that source suspect,” Finrod added. “I did think it odd though that at the meeting yesterday people were still questioning that.”

“I think they were merely seeking confirmation of what has since been revealed to them,” Arafinwë said, “confirmation from the Reborn themselves.”

“You think that’s what has happened here?” Gilvagor asked. “These two ellyn wander around the island spreading rumors about Laurendil and Manwen being prisoners, but in spite of the fact that they are dressed like Tol Eressëans, everyone can tell that they are Amaneldi, and so, remembering how other Amaneldi spread vicious lies about the fate of their loved ones who had died, people simply ignore these rumors.”

“Certainly Damrod and Egalmoth’s parents did,” Glorfindel pointed out. “They knew of the rumors but dismissed them out of hand because of their source. If someone from Tol Eressëa had been spreading such rumors, that might have been a different story altogether, but as it is....” He gave a shrug and there were nods all around.

Then, Arafinwë spoke. “We will have to amend our letter to Ingwë with this new information. Margil, thank you for your help. We greatly appreciate the cooperation you and your family have given us.”

“Atto is so glad that we are finally seeing customers from Aman,” Margil said. “When we opened the inn we had such high hopes that people from the mainland would want to come visit with their kin and would need a place to stay. That’s why he insisted that we all learn to speak Quenya, in anticipation of having to serve people who did not speak Sindarin. When the expected visitors did not materialize, Atto was very despondent.”

“I think we will see a greater flow of commerce and visitors between Tol Eressëa and the rest of Eldamar,” Olwë said, giving the ellon a smile.

“Well, we must go,” Arafinwë said, rising and the others began to rise as well. “We still have the meeting with the Town Councillors to get through before the feast tonight.”

With that, everyone made their farewells to Margil and his family. Olwë, Arafinwë, and Ingwion went on their way to meet with the Councillors, their guards following them, while the rest returned to the encampment.

****

Thavron: (Sindarin) Carpenter. The Quenya form would be Samno, originally Þamno.