93: Return to Aman

It surprised no one to learn that others had come to Cormë Alalvëa seeking to speak to Olwë and Arafinwë while they were holding their audience with Ailinwë and his family.

“Lords Borhael and Thorongorn were both here with a few others,” one of the gate guards told them when they were seeing Ailinwë and the others from Kortirion off, the elflings riding the promised ponies with delight, waving enthusiastically at the Amanians, who waved back.

“How did they react when you told them we would not see them?” Olwë asked.

The guard gave them a rueful look. “They were not very happy, to say the least. Lord Borhael was furious, but Lord Thorongorn appeared... sadder.” He shrugged.

Olwë nodded. “My indyo befriended Lord Thorongorn while we were in Avallónë,” he explained.

“I will send him a note of apology before we leave,” Finrod said, sighing. “I was looking forward to speaking with him again while we were here.”

“I know,” Olwë said, giving the ellon a sympathetic hug. “Hopefully, he will be able to persuade certain people to mend their attitudes. Only time will tell.”

Finrod nodded and Olwë thanked the guard before they all headed back to the house.

****

Olwë called a meeting to discuss their next move and they spent some time contemplating their options. Gilvagor suggested that they use one of the smaller roads that connected outlying villages and farms to the main road to the south, thereby avoiding Kortirion altogether.

“We can pick up the road to Tavrobel about a mile or so on the other side of the city,” he said as he and the others poured over some maps of Kortirion and its environs and the island in general which Meril had given them.

“That seems somewhat cowardly,” Finrod opined, “as if we needed to sneak away.”

“But it does have the benefit of avoiding the city and possibly trouble,” Gilvagor pointed out. “We all sensed the hostility that was in the air and now add to that any resentment people might be feeling because of our... um... snub and you have a very unhealthy and potentially dangerous situation. We are too few, no matter how many of us are warriors, to protect ourselves and those without weapons and we cannot hope for rescue by the Valar if things go ill for us.”

“Gilvagor is correct,” Arafinwë stated. “We cannot rely on the possibility that if things go ill that the Valar will intervene again. Little though I like it myself, Gilvagor’s suggestion has merit. I do not want to risk Alassiel and Amarië or our servants. If we go to Kortirion we could well find ourselves trapped there. The city is large enough that even if all remained calm, it would still take us some time to cross it.”

“Do you think any will be on the lookout for us?” Sador asked. They all gave him an enquiring look, not sure what he meant. “I mean, do you think they will be expecting us to travel through Kortirion and therefore have people watching for us? Would they be able to see us on this other road from the city walls, for instance?”

“Hmm... that is a good point,” Ingwion said, giving Sador a brief smile. He glanced over the map and pointed to a particular spot. “If they have a lookout here, they would see us leaving the estate and know that we are not heading for the city. If they divine our intent, then they could warn those in the city who would then be able to intercept us when we reach the main road. We might well have the very situation we hope to avoid.”

“Perhaps we should go in an unexpected direction then,” Glorfindel suggested, casting them a sly grin.

Finrod raised an eyebrow and gave his gwador a considering look. “What are you thinking?”

“We return to Avallónë and take ship from there,” Glorfindel replied, “or if not, we can take the road that leads to Angobel. Didn’t Marthchall say that they had dealings with Tavrobel? I recall him pointing out another road that crossed the ridge to the west.”

They all took a look at the maps again, finding Angobel and seeing where the road to Tavrobel went. Ingwion shook his head. “That’s a good thought, Glorfindel, but it wouldn’t work. Lord Námo instructed me in the geography of the island and that road is too narrow for our use and passes through highlands that would be difficult for us to travel through with our supply wagons. I recall Morfinnel telling me that they usually find it easier to transport their ores to Tavrobel by bringing them here to Kortirion and taking the main road.”

“But returning to Avallónë does have a twisted sort of appeal,” Lindarion retorted with a wry smile. “The only problem I see with it is that we might not be able to find a ship or ships to take us. We came here on two of our larger ships and the conditions were crowded enough. The Tol Eressëan ships are smaller.”

“Still, the idea does have its charm,” Olwë said, “and it would not be a direction any would think us to go. The problem, of course, is logistics, finding a ship or ships for us all. As it is, whichever direction we take, it will take us a couple of days to reach the other ports.”

There was silence for a time as they contemplated their options and then Alassiel suddenly snickered and her eyes glowed with merriment. The others gave her enquiring looks. Her smile was almost conspiratorial. “Why don’t we split our forces? Send the supply wagons and most of our people to Tavrobel, taking the southern road while the rest of us ride swiftly to Avallónë. Unencumbered with the wagons we can make better time and if we ride straight through, taking only minimum rest periods, we could be in Avallónë sometime tomorrow night. It would be easier for us to find a ship if there are only the few of us and our horses.”

The others glanced at each other and there were chuckles and grins all around. “Good thinking, Cousin,” Finrod said, “I believe that just might work. Atar, Anatar, what do you think?”

Both kings nodded. “It is an elegant solution,” Olwë averred.

“And I am thinking, why wait until dawn to leave?” Glorfindel said. “Why not leave while it is still dark? I doubt there will be anyone on the lookout before sunrise. They would not think we would leave in the night. That will give them a pretty puzzle to contemplate.”

Everyone nodded at that, but then Olwë spoke, frowning slightly as he stared at the map. “My main concern, though, is that when we reach Avallónë we might have to wait for a ship and I do not like the thought of our departure being delayed any more than necessary. Once people figure out our ruse they will look for us in Avallónë. I prefer not to be there when they arrive.”

“I can have one of my people leave for Avallónë now,” Meril suggested. “If he takes two horses, he can switch off and ride the swifter. He would be there by noon tomorrow and can set about making the arrangements.”

“And if when we get there,” Finrod added, “we send only a couple of people in to ascertain the situation, there will be less notice. Even if we do have to wait a day for a ship, if we enter the city in small groups and take lodgings in different guesthouses in the harbor area, we are not likely to be noticed as much.”

Both kings nodded. “Then, let us set out to do just that,” Olwë ordered. “It is nearly midnight. If we start packing now we can be away in a few hours.”

They all agreed to that and Meril went to find someone to go to Avallónë, instructing the ellon as to what was required and where to wait for the kings’ arrival. Olwë and Arafinwë called their people together and explained the situation. When they understood what the kings meant to do there was much enthusiasm for the plan and they set out with a good will to implement it, many of them singing gaily as they went to work. Eäralato and Urundil were put in charge of guarding the supply wagons, for Elennen and Calandil would go with the kings. They were given instructions to wait in the same field outside Tavrobel where they had camped before.

“Seek out Dúlinn and tell him what has happened,” Olwë ordered the two ellyn. “I will wish to speak with him and the other two councillors before we leave the island.”

Meril, meantime, ordered the cooks to prepare a hot breakfast for everyone. “No sense leaving on an empty stomach,” she insisted when Olwë told her it wasn’t necessary. So they all enjoyed scrambled eggs and porridge and sticky buns, eating standing up as they went about the task of packing. Two hours before dawn they were on their way, the support staff heading out first, for they would be slower than the others. Olwë and Arafinwë thanked Meril for her hospitality and help and the elleth assured them that she had enjoyed their visit however brief.

“Perhaps I will see you at the winter solstice,” she suggested.

“Even if our ruse does not work, please consider joining us for the solstice celebration,” Arafinwë said. “I think I will invite others whom we befriended here to come as well.”

“Then I will see you regardless,” she said with a smile. “Alámenë!”

And then they were away.

****

They reached the outskirts of Avallónë sometime the next afternoon, stopping at the Iaun Araw where they intended to wait for news. Mithlas and Gilvagor offered to enter the city and find Baragallon, Lady Meril’s servant. “He was instructed to take a room at the Sennas Half Luin,” Olwë told them. They nodded and dismounted from their horses, deciding they would attract less notice if they entered on foot. The others set about making themselves as comfortable as possible while they waited.

They did not have to wait long, perhaps only an hour, before Gilvagor and Mithlas returned with Baragallon leading his two horses.

“The Valar are smiling on us,” Gilvagor said without preamble. “We found Baragallon readily enough and he has good news.”

They turned their attention to the Sinda, who nodded. “I have a cousin who works at the harbor. I went to him and explained what I needed and he took me to a tavern frequented by ship’s captains.”

“And you’ll never guess who he found there,” Gilvagor said with a sly grin.

There were several raised eyebrows. “Let me guess,” Arafinwë said. “Captain Baradir.”

The three ellyn nodded as one. “When the captain learned of my purpose he insisted that he would transport you. I was told to let you know that you are to go immediately to his ship upon your arrival. He will be leaving on the evening tide about five hours from now.”

Olwë nodded, a pleased smile on his lips. “You did well, Baragallon. Will you return to your lady now?”

“Yes, lord,” the ellon replied. “I and my horses are well rested and I would return posthaste.”

“Then go with our good will and the blessing of the Valar,” the Telerin king said and Baragallon was soon away. Olwë turned to the others. “We will do as Findaráto suggested and enter the city in groups of no more than three spaced out over the next hour. Go directly to the harbor. Which berth, Gilvagor?”

“Berth twelve,” Gilvagor answered. “When you enter the harbor from this side, it will be the fourth one as you head north.”

They all nodded in understanding and set about to implement their plan. Thus, over the next hour they made their way into the city with Gilvagor, Mithlas and Iorlas bringing up the rear. By the time the three ellyn reached the harbor, everyone else was aboard the Nimalphwen and getting settled. The two kings were closeted with Baradir in the captain’s cabin and remained there until the captain had to oversee the ship’s departure. The kings joined the others on the deck, staying well away from the flurry of activity as the moorings were slipped and the sails raised.

“Hey!” Sador exclaimed, pointing towards the wharf. “Looks as if we left just in time.”

They all looked to see a group of people headed by Thorongorn and Borhael making their way to the quay where the Nimalphwen had been berthed only moments before. Even in the falling twilight they could see the looks of frustration and disgust on Borhael’s face while Thorongorn simply looked sad. Glorfindel gave them a cheery wave. The others just shook their heads and rolled their eyes at the ellon’s antics and drifted away from the rails, no longer interested in seeing anything of Avallónë.

“I feel sorriest for Thorongorn,” Finrod said quietly as he and the others sat under an awning on the poop deck which had been erected for their use. “I do not like abusing our friendship in this manner.”

“I know, yonya,” Arafinwë said sympathetically. “Hopefully, he will understand in time.”

Finrod nodded but he did not look all that convinced.

****

They sailed around the southern coast as before and reached Tavrobel the following evening where they found Urundil waiting for them. “We arrived early this morning,” the guard told him, “and we encountered no trouble along the way. Eäralato and I have been taking turns waiting for you. Councillor Dúlinn has been informed of what has happened and left instructions that you are to come to the town hall as soon as you arrive.”

Olwë, however, shook his head. “I prefer to stay here. Go to Dúlinn and tell him to come to us. Tell him Captain Baradir is with us and he should bring Lady Sîdhwen if he can. Then go to the camp and bring everyone here. I see our ships are waiting for us. Get everyone aboard. I want to be away before midnight. There’s a good breeze and we will make the journey swiftly enough.”

Urundil bowed and set off while everyone else made their way off the ship and headed towards the swan ships where they began loading the horses. It did not take too long and in the meantime Dúlinn and Sîdhwen appeared. They and the kings went with Baradir to his cabin and it was some time before they emerged, the expressions on the councillors’ faces somewhat grim. In the meantime, the rest of their people arrived and the loading went apace. An hour before midnight everything was stowed away and the ships were ready to sail.

Word had gotten out that the Amanians were in port and were making ready to return to the mainland and several people came to wish them farewell, thus their leavetaking was warm and friendly. The kings promised the people of Tavrobel that whatever happened they would always have their friendship and so they departed with high spirits. The journey across the Bay of Eldamar took only a couple of hours and then they were coming off the ships, pavilions being quickly set up, for they would remain there until late morning before going on.

“It’s good to be home,” Glorfindel said with a satisfied sigh when he stepped upon the shore. Everyone else nodded, feeling the same.

****

Indyo: (Telerin and Vanyarin Quenya) Grandchild (by context, grandson). The Noldorin form would be inyo.

Alámenë!: (Quenya) Farewell!, literally ‘go with a blessing, with a good omen!’, an attested phrase [see Parma Eldalamberon 17:162].

Sennas Half Luin: (Sindarin) Blue Seashell Guesthouse.