106: Waiting Game

Arafinwë left Vanyamar the next day, setting a faster pace than usual, wishing to be in Tirion as soon as possible. He apologized to his escort for it, but the captain assured him that they were his to command. He made a mental note to speak to his secretary about giving them a bonus in their next pay. In spite of his haste, though, when they reached Valmar, Arafinwë stopped at the mansion of Lord Ulmo and spoke briefly with his Chief Maia, Salmar, before continuing on. He and his escort eschewed stopping at one of the inns lining the eastern road and made camp some leagues further on. They came to the outskirts of Tirion early on the third day after leaving Vanyamar. However, Arafinwë did not lead them directly to the city but made a quick detour to Lord Herendil’s estate where he allowed them an hour’s rest while he spoke with Herendil. When they finally departed for the last leg of their journey, their numbers were augmented by one. Thus, it was nearly noon when the city came into sight, shining white upon the green hill of Túna. Once at the palace Arafinwë dismissed the escort with his thanks, then hurried inside with Herendil at his heels where they were met by Eärwen, Sador and Amarië who were only just reaching the entrance, having been alerted to the king’s arrival by a runner from the gate.

"My love," Eärwen said as she was swept into Arafinwë’s arms. "What is amiss?"

"Nothing and everything," Arafinwë replied with a laugh. "I missed you," he whispered for her ears only and it was the tone of his utterance rather than the words that allowed Eärwen to gauge her husband’s mood.

"And I missed you," she said softly, giving him a wicked grin. "Perhaps we should dismiss the children...."

"Nay," Arafinwë said with a laugh. "There is much that must be discussed and I need to send a message to Olwë immediately. Later, though...." and he left the rest unspoken but Eärwen simply nodded, twining her arm into his, turning her attention to Herendil, who had stood by with a knowing smile, waiting to be acknowledged by the Noldotári.

"Welcome, Herendil." she said, extending a hand. "If you are here with my lord, then it must be important."

"As to that, my lady," Herendil said, bowing over her hand, "I cannot say. The king appeared on my doorstep quite unannounced and before I knew it I was following him back here. I have yet to be apprised as to why." He cast a sly glance at Arafinwë who smiled smugly.

"All in good time, my friend," Arafinwë said.

"Then, why don’t we retire to the sitting room," Eärwen suggested. "You managed to arrive in time for luncheon. You can tell us all about it then."

But Arafinwë shook his head. "We’ll eat in the family dining room and have the cooks delay luncheon for one hour." Then he turned to Sador. "Find Gilvagor and Haldir and ask them to join us. Pelendur should come as well and Gwilwileth if she wishes. In the meantime, I need a fast courier. Have someone come to my study in fifteen minutes."

"I’ll see to that, Atto," Amarië said and she and Sador ran off to carry out the king’s commands.

"Herendil," Arafinwë then said, "would you escort Eärwen while I get this message written?"

"Of course, my lord," Herendil said with a short bow, "but, if I may be so bold, sire, why do you need this message sent so quickly? It will take even the fastest courier nearly a week to reach Alqualondë. Surely a delay of an hour will make no difference."

"That would be true," Arafinwë admitted, "if the courier were to travel by horse, but I’ve made arrangements for a fast ship which will reach Alqualondë tomorrow."

Both Herendil and Eärwen raised eyebrows at that. "With whom did you make such arrangements, my love?" his wife asked.

Arafinwë smiled. "With Lord Ulmo, of course. I spoke with his chief Maia before I left Valmar and made the arrangements. Salmar assured me that a ship would be waiting whenever I needed it."

"Then, go and do what you need to do," Eärwen said. "Herendil may walk with me in the rose garden until you are ready to join us."

"I would be honored, my queen," Herendil said with a bow to them both and Arafinwë nodded, handing his wife over to the noble before making his way to his study, calling for someone to ready a bath for him in the meantime.

****

An hour later everyone was foregathered in the family dining room where servants busily put out hot and cold dishes on the sideboard and saw that they had all that was needed before retiring. Arafinwë instructed everyone to fill their plates — he and Eärwen waited until last before filling their own plates — and in spite of the naked curiosity of the diners, he refused to discuss anything about his meeting with Ingwë and the Elder King until after they had eaten, limiting the conversation to minor matters concerning the city. Only when the last plate had been cleared and tea had been served did he speak of his trip.

"The Valar have offered to host the council in Valmar," he said baldly and without preamble.

There was a second or two of disbelieving silence and then it seemed everyone was talking at once. Arafinwë allowed them a moment before raising his hand for silence, which came almost immediately.

"Ingwë was willing enough to host the council himself, but we still had the question of logistics," he told them. "We do not know how many will come and there is the problem of where to house them and how to feed them. If the Valar are willing to act as hosts to the council, it will be their responsibility to see to the welfare of all who attend it."

"But if they are the hosts, they will want to participate in the council," Herendil said with a frown.

"Participate or observe?" Gilvagor asked musingly.

"Oh, they would have sent an observer to the council regardless of where it was being held or who was hosting it," Arafinwë assured him. "However, it is unlikely that the observer would have been noticed. I don’t think any of the Valar would have attended but certainly they would have sent at least one of the Maiar guised as an elf to mingle with those attending the council or simply remain unclad."

"So why bother with being the hosts if they would have already planned to... er... infiltrate the council with one of their own?" Haldir asked, his confusion mirrored in the faces of the others.

There were amused chuckles at that but Arafinwë took the question seriously. "It is as Herendil said. If they are the hosts they will demand the right to participate in the council itself."

"Participate or dictate?" Sador asked darkly.

All but Eärwen and Gwilwileth gave him concerned looks, remembering his outburst in Avallónë. Gwilwileth’s expression was troubled by the ellon’s tone while Eärwen merely clucked in matronly disapproval. "Now, yonya, you mustn’t take that attitude. The Valar are not our Masters and we are not their thralls. They have a vested interest in seeing that their Peace holds for all of us. You yourself told us that Tol Eressëa is an explosion waiting to happen and others have said the same. I have no doubt that Lord Manwë is as deeply concerned as we that that explosion never happens. It would only bring great pain and sorrow upon us all."

Sador gave them a sheepish look. "Sorry, Ammë," he muttered, keeping his eyes on the table.

"Still, Sador has a point," Pelendur said then. "The Tol Eressëans might see it in that light, the Valar dictating to us, or rather, to them. That’s not going to go down well with any of them, even the most enlightened."

"True," Arafinwë averred. "Yet, it is an elegant solution and as it was pointed out to me, having the council in Valmar will enable us to show the Tol Eressëans how we of Aman are able to live and work in harmony along with the Valar and the Maiar."

"Teach by example," Gilvagor said with a nod. "Of course, I remember what it was like before, as I am sure Haldir does, when we both lived here, but that cannot be said for the Sindar and Nandor and any of our clan who were born in Endórë. This is something they need to see for themselves as an example of how it can be on Tol Eressëa."

"Rather, how it must be if they are to be a part of Eldamar," Arafinwë corrected him. "We kings have decided that the situation there cannot continue. We were at fault in our isolationist policy and we are partly to blame for the present situation, so it is imperative that we convince the Tol Eressëans that they are Amanyar and not Alamanyar."

There were nods all around. "So, did you agree to Lord Manwë’s offer?" Sador asked.

"Yes," Arafinwë answered. "Both Ingwë and I think it is the best solution. Lord Manwë told me to wait a month and if no one from the island comes asking for the council to be held Olwë and I were to seek out those whom we feel would be willing to come." He paused and gave them a humorous grin. "Lord Manwë intimated that the Valar might even send their own invitations to a select few."

Several eyebrows went up. "So, in the meantime...." Gilvagor began to say.

"We wait," Arafinwë supplied.

"Will you send a message to Findaráto about this?" Amarië asked. "He should be told what has been decided."

Arafinwë gave his future daughter-in-law a knowing smile. "You may have the pleasure of so informing him, my dear. I’m sure my son would enjoy a missive from you."

Amarië snorted in a rather unladylike manner. "Perhaps, but he’s a terrible letter writer. I hardly ever get anything back from him."

"I will send my own missive to him, dear," Eärwen said with a smile. "After he reads my letter, he will become a model letter writer, never fear."

Several people sniggered and Sador laughed outright, addressing Eärwen. "He may be the former king of Nargothrond and a prince among the Eldar but he will always be your ‘Little Finda’, won’t he? I wish I could be there to see his face when he reads your letter, Ammë."

Eärwen just smiled smugly and the others sniggered again.

****

Olwë read the letter Arafinwë had sent him three times before summoning Lirillë, Lindarion and Beleg. When they came he silently handed the missive to his wife who read it before handing it to Lindarion who then handed it to Beleg who could be seen mouthing the words as he struggled to read the still unfamiliar Quenya script. The others waited patiently for him to finish. Once he turned to Lindarion, who was his primary tutor in Quenya, showing him the letter and pointing to a particular word.

"Ocombë," Lindarion supplied. When Beleg gave him a puzzled look he added. "It means something similar to yomenië."

Beleg’s eyes brightened with understanding. "Oh, hûd", he said and continued reading. When he was finished he handed the missive back to Olwë. "The Valar want a say in what happens," he summarized and the others nodded. "I don’t think the Tol Eressëans will like that."

"Probably not," Olwë allowed, "but it seems that Ingwë and Arafinwë have already agreed to Lord Manwë’s suggestion."

"Do you think we will see anyone from the island actually come asking for the council to be held?" Lindarion asked. "You made it very clear in Kortirion that the council would not be held."

"Yes, I did," Olwë answered, "but Findaráto wrote a letter to Lord Thorongorn which he left with Lady Meril explaining why we did as we did and encouraging him and Borhael to seek out Ailinwë and Meluiwen of Angobel as well as Laeglîr of Garth Hallâd and the leaders of Tavrobel. If these people present a united front to the council members of Kortirion and Avallónë, it may well tip the balance in our favor."

"So it’s a waiting game," Lindarion said.

"It’s always a waiting game with you Amaneldi," Beleg groused.

Olwë gave him a sympathetic look. "Our hands our tied, hinya," he said. "Until the people of Tol Eressëa approach us there is little we can do except hope for a good outcome. But don’t worry. Arafinwë said we would wait a month to see what happens and then, if necessary, we will take action ourselves. I hope though that we do not have to."

"Why?" Beleg asked.

"Then it will mean forcing a council on those who do not want it and that will leave a bad taste in a lot of people’s mouths," Olwë answered.

"Do you think the Tol Eressëans will object strenuously to the location when they find out where the council will be held, even to the point of refusing to attend?" Lirillë asked.

"Hopefully not," Olwë replied with a sigh. "We will have to point out to them that the Valar are as interested in having this situation resolved as we are, if not more so."

"Maybe they should hold the council in Mandos," Beleg said with a wicked grin. "Then all their relatives can participate. After all, most of them will end up living on Tol Eressëa once they’re released, so they should have a say as to what goes on there."

The others laughed. "I’m afraid you and the other Reborn will just have to speak for them, hinya," Olwë said.

"Don’t worry, Uncle," Beleg said solemnly, all levity aside, "I intend to." His expression hardened and the others could see beneath the Reborn façade the Marchwarden of Doriath that he once was and Olwë silently applauded. He knew his nephew had a long way to go before reaching full emotional maturity, but he also knew that Beleg was working hard at reclaiming a measure of his previous self and his memories. He thought the Progress had done a world of good in helping him towards that goal and looked forward to seeing the ellon mature into the Elf-lord he had once been even if he had eschewed such a title while acting as one of Elwë’s Marchwardens.

"Then we will wait," Olwë said. "It will be interesting to see what transpires in the meantime."

The others nodded and then they spent some time discussing other matters concerning Alqualondë and opening up more trade with the people of Tavrobel and Angobel.

****

Finrod was surprised to receive two letters from Tirion and one of them from his amillë. He hesitated for a moment before deciding which letter to open first. Curiosity as to why his amillë was writing to him won out and he opened it first. Scanning the words he found himself blushing and was heartily glad that he was presently alone in his pavilion. If Lindorillë, who was still acting as his secretary, had seen him reddening he would have had had to lie to her as to why. In no way would he ever tell anyone the real reason for his embarrassment. Putting the letter aside with a sigh he hesitated to open the one from Amarië, then shook his head in disgust at his own cowardice and opened it. As he read her words he felt his jaw dropping in surprise and before he realized what he was doing he was rushing out of his pavilion, shouting.

"I need a Maia now!"

Instantly three Maiar appeared, and Finrod saw that they were Ingil, Melian and Olóremmárië, all of them looking at him askance.

"Whatever is the matter, Nephew?" Melian demanded. "You sound as if the place is about to be attacked by a horde of orcs."

"Sorry," Finrod said with a smile. "I didn’t mean to shout, but I really do need you. I’ve just received word that the Valar have agreed to host the mid-winter council and I need to speak with Laurendil, Manwen and Mithlas and anyone else that will be interested in the news."

"Could it not have waited until the dinner hour?" Ingil asked in amusement. "Both Laurendil and Manwen are attending to their duties as Lóriennildi and as for Mithlas...." He paused and Finrod saw the Maia’s expression take that far away look that indicated that he was bespeaking to someone through ósanwë. Then his expression became more present and he spoke again. "Mithlas is with Lasgalad and Iorlas as well as Mithlas’ amillë and sister. They left earlier this morning to go riding and are picnicking in the woods where you went camping with Vorondil."

"Drat!" Finrod muttered, then sighed. "I guess I’ll have to wait until they’re back and Laurendil and Manwen are free."

The three Maiar smiled sympathetically. "A few hours will make no difference," Olóremmárië said. "In the meantime, why don’t you come with me."

"Why?" Finrod asked in surprise.

"I have been temporarily assigned to help Gurthalion deal with his nightmares," the Maia explained. "He had a particularly difficult night last night and Marthchall is beside himself with worry for his friend. They could both use some comforting."

Finrod nodded, stowing Amarië’s letter inside his tunic. "I’ll go get my harp," he said and turned to re-enter his pavilion, returning with the harp a moment later. Together, he and Olóremmárië left the grove, leaving Melian and Ingil behind. Melian gave Ingil a knowing smile.

"Liar," was all she said before fading from view.

"All in a good cause," Ingil said to thin air, smiling smugly, before he, too, faded away.

****

And far to the north in a secluded cove, Glorfindel paused briefly from the workout he was getting from Manveru and Mánatamir to catch his breath and wondered what his gwedyr were up to and if the people of Tol Eressëa had come to their senses yet and asked for the council to be held as originally planned. Then there was no time for thinking as the two Maiar attacked him at the same time and he went on the defensive, hoping that he managed to survive this particular practice session without having one or the other of the Maiar having to heal him of broken ribs again.

****

Words are Quenya.

Amanyar: Those of Aman.

Alamanyar: Those not of Aman, i.e. those who started on the march from Cuiviénen but did not reach Aman.

Ocombë: Assembly, gathering; also combë. Derived from the verb comya- ‘gather, assemble (transitive)’. The Sindarin equivalent is hûd ‘assembly’.

Yomenië: Meeting, gathering (of three or more coming from different directions).