Stories of Arda Home Page
About Us News Resources Login Become a member Help Search
swiss replica watches replica watches uk Replica Rolex DateJust Watches

Elf, Interrupted: Book Two: Glorfindel's Quest  by Fiondil

107: Delegation

The weeks went by with no sign of anyone from Tol Eressëa. The month called Úrimë was nearly at an end and then there would be Yavannië, which meant Yávië was nearly half over and soon Quellë would be upon them. Arafinwë quietly began planning how he would contact those on the island whom he knew were interested in holding the council. He was thinking of sending Gilvagor back to act as his messenger. It would be the most natural thing for the ellon to return there without rousing any real suspicions. He was discreet and would be able to contact others quietly and without fuss.

He called a meeting with Gilvagor, Haldir and Sador a few days before Yavannië to hammer out Gilvagor’s itinerary.

"You have until Loëndë to contact everyone and report back," Arafinwë told him.

"Hmm... About forty days," Gilvagor said musingly, pursing his lips. "That should be time enough. If I am only contacting these people, how many do you anticipate coming?"

"It is hoped that these few whom you will contact will convince others to come," Arafinwë said. "We would like to see at least one representative from all the communities attend, not just the council members from the three major cities. Everyone should have a voice."

Gilvagor nodded. "The only trouble I see is deciding what constitutes a separate community. Most of the outlying settlements are farming villages that look to one or the other city for leadership and don’t have a separate governing body."

"I am aware of that," Arafinwë said, "but there are separate communities such as Angobel and I doubt that everyone looks to the cities. Certainly the Nandorin communities do not."

"The winter solstice is still months away, though," Sador said. "Why are we doing this so early?"

"It will take time to figure out the logistics, youngling," Gilvagor said with a smile. "The Valar need to be informed as to how many to expect so they can prepare the meeting place and accommodations and such."

"Also, the weather is always chancy that time of year and people will most likely set out early to ensure that they arrive for the council," Arafinwë pointed out.

Sador frowned. "I don’t recall this past Mid-winter being too bad weather-wise," he said.

"It was an unusually mild winter," Arafinwë told him. "While the Valar are more than willing to alter the weather patterns to suit themselves or us, Lord Manwë once told me that they do not like to do so too often. They prefer to allow nature to follow its own path. Apparently, when they manipulate the weather for our benefit it means that other parts of the world may suffer for it."

"I always thought they were the Masters of Arda," Sador said. "I just assumed that all that happens was under their control."

"It is a reasonable assumption," Arafinwë replied with a smile. "It is probably truer to say that they are the Lords of Arda who set all in motion but do not necessarily dictate it unless absolutely necessary. When the Trees were alive the Valar set the times of ripening and growth, for we lived in an eternal spring, but with the creation of Anar and Isil they decided to let the seasons follow one after another. I can tell you the first time it snowed in Tirion it was quite a surprise for everyone." He chuckled at the memory and Gilvagor and Haldir joined him.

"I know," Haldir said with a nod. "When that first winter came in Beleriand none of us had a clue."

"At any rate," Arafinwë continued, speaking to Sador, "we cannot depend on a mild winter again. It is always better to prepare for the worst and hope for the best. We want to give everyone plenty of time to make their preparations."

"When do I leave?" Gilvagor asked.

"Tomorrow," Arafinwë answered.

Gilvagor nodded. "Then I had best go and pack."

"Are you sure you should go alone?" Haldir asked. "Would it not make more sense for both of us to go? We can split up and cover more ground that way."

"And normally, I would agree," Gilvagor said, "but I think this time it would be best if I went alone and, besides, I don’t think Gwilwileth would appreciate being left behind again." He gave him a meaningful look and Haldir blushed slightly, refusing to look at anyone.

Arafinwë was about to comment when there was the sound of voices raised and shouting coming from outside. Sador rose and went to the embrasure to see what was happening and the others joined him. "Well, well, well," Arafinwë said in surprise. "It looks as if you won’t be going to Tol Eressëa after all."

The king’s study overlooked the main courtyard fronting the palace and the street that ran before it. Below them they could see a number of people dismounting from their horses, two of whom they recognized: Lord Thorongorn and Councillor Dúlinn.

"Why don’t we go greet our guests?" Arafinwë said, turning away and making for the door. The others followed as the Noldóran began issuing orders, sending servants and guards scurrying in various directions.

A page came swiftly towards them, obviously sent by one of the gate guards to find the king, and stopped to bow to Arafinwë. "Sire...."

"I know, child," Arafinwë said with a kind smile for the ellon. "Back to your duties." The ellon gave him another bow and ran off in a different direction, nearly crashing into Eärwen and Amarië as the two ladies came around a corner. The page uttered a mortified apology and Eärwen gave him a short lecture about running through the halls and let him go, smiling at her husband as he and the others joined them.

"It appears we have unannounced guests," she said as she linked arms with the king.

"Unannounced and uninvited but not unexpected and fully welcome," Arafinwë said with a smile of his own. "Shall we?"

They made their way to the front portico where they found Thorongorn, Dúlinn, and about a score of others loudly trying to convince the guards that they needed to see the Noldóran as soon as possible.

"Would now be soon enough?" Arafinwë couldn’t help asking as he passed the threshold. The Tol Eressëans all stepped back, their expressions more uncertain, and then Thorongorn and Dúlinn both gave the king their obeisance and the other Tol Eressëans followed suit, though some were a little reluctant to do so. "Welcome," Arafinwë said. "I am glad to see you here. You’ve saved me the bother of sending Lord Gilvagor back to fetch you." Before anyone could respond to that, he turned to Sador. "Would you like to escort our visitors to the north wing, yonya? I believe that will be the best place to lodge them."

"Of course, Atya," Sador replied, ignoring the looks of surprise on several of the Tol Eressëans’ faces at the familiar address. "I would be happy to."

"We will gather later this evening," Arafinwë said to them. "I will have my people escort you to the dining hall at the proper time. Until then, please feel free to visit the royal gardens or the city."

With that, Arafinwë and Eärwen returned to the palace, making their way to the royal apartments with Amarië, Gilvagor and Haldir in tow while Sador gestured for the Tol Eressëans to follow him in a different direction. "If you would come with me, my lords and ladies, I will show you your quarters."

"So the Noldóran has you acting as a servant," one of the party said with a sneer, a Sinda whom Sador did not recognize.

Sador gave him a surprised look. "It is customary for someone who is a member of the royal family to escort guests to their apartments," he replied. "It is considered only polite that the task not be given over to a servant. Were Prince Findaráto here I have no doubt the king would have asked him to escort you but he is not in residence, and as I am a royal ward, the task has been given to me."

There were considering looks on more than one face as Sador brought them to the north wing and up a flight of stairs to the second floor. "These rooms are set aside for visiting dignitaries," he told them. "I understand that when the High King visits, he is always placed in this wing." The implication of his words was not lost on the visitors as servants, who had been alerted by the king, appeared and introduced themselves to the Tol Eressëans, showing them their rooms and informing them as to the routine of the palace. Sador excused himself once he saw that the visitors were well in hand and made his way back to the royal apartments to report to Arafinwë.

****

"Did you recognize anyone else besides Thorongorn and Dúlinn?" Arafinwë asked Gilvagor and Haldir as they returned to the king’s study.

Both ellyn shook their heads. "Though I think at least one might be Nandorin by her dress," Haldir opined. "The others are unknown to me."

"Strange," Arafinwë said with a frown. "I had hoped that there would be those we knew personally." The other two shrugged, not sure how to answer. "Well, introductions will be made soon enough," the Noldóran continued with a sigh. "I can only hope that their being here is a good sign."

To that Gilvagor and Haldir could only agree.

Sador joined them shortly after and the four spent some time hashing out possible replies to whatever requests the Tol Eressëans might make. "For I have no doubt that they will be asking for the council to be held," Arafinwë said, "but it remains to be seen what conditions they will demand before they agree to it."

"Are they in a position to demand anything?" Haldir asked in disgust.

"Perhaps, perhaps not," Arafinwë replied. "I am more interested in knowing who these others are with Thorongorn and Dúlinn. I am sorry that Lord Borhael is not with them."

"Thorongorn was part of the council in Kortirion," Gilvagor pointed out. "He obviously has ties with both cities. Borhael may have felt it prudent that he remain behind while Thorongorn acts as his representative."

The others all nodded. "We’ll find out soon enough," Arafinwë said and then they finished up their meeting to ready themselves for the evening meal.

****

The Tol Eressëans were assured by the king’s chamberlain who introduced himself to them that tonight’s dinner was strictly informal and that they need not dress too elaborately. "There will be time enough for that later," he said with a wry grin. "Tonight, you may dispense with protocol."

Thorongorn, remembering the luncheon in Avallónë, nodded and reinforced the chamberlain’s words with his own. "Do not think to impress the Noldóran or his court," he told the other delegates. "It is an exercise in futility and they will not appreciate our efforts."

Thus, the Tol Eressëans arrived at the dining hall to find that only the immediate royal family, Gilvagor, Haldir and Gwilwileth, along with just a handful of courtiers, including Pelendur and Herendil and their wives, were present. Arafinwë welcomed them and introductions were made all around. It turned out that Haldir was correct and that one of the ellith was indeed a Nando from Garth Hâllad named Celebriel.

"I was sent by Speaker Laeglîr to represent the interests of the Nandor," she explained.

The others turned out to be a mix group from the three cities comprised of guildmasters and merchants. None, however, came from Angobel. Two ellyn were Reborn though not known to Sador.

"Brethorn asked us to come and represent the interests of the Reborn," said one of them, a Noldo who introduced himself as Glóremmir. The other, Faramir, was of mixed Noldorin and Sindarin blood. When Sador asked, both admitted having died in the Nirnaeth.

"I held my allegiance to King Fingon," Glóremmir told them. "I died trying to protect him, but I failed, we all failed." He looked immeasurably sad and Arafinwë gave him a comforting hug, which surprised everyone.

"Did you do your best?" he asked the Reborn ellon.

"Yes," came the answer.

"Then that is all that matters," the king replied and that seemed to help, for the ellon looked less despondent.

Faramir told them that he had served under Lord Maglor and had died at the hands of the treacherous Easterlings who had turned on them without warning. "I lived long enough to see my Lord Maglor kill the traitorous Uldor and took a blow that was meant for him, though I do not think he realized it, for he himself was sorely wounded and those around him were fighting to bring him away from the battle."

Some of the other Tol Eressëans who had once been warriors admitted to having survived that particular battle and of course, except for Glóremmir and Faramir, all had survived the War of Wrath. Arafinwë questioned them about their experiences and much of the dinner conversation was taken up with describing one battle or another. It was, perhaps, not the best topic to speak on, but Eärwen, who normally would have steered the conversation to something more pleasant, kept quiet, knowing that her husband was learning much about the Tol Eressëans from their responses to his questions concerning their involvement in the war and its aftermath. Sador and Haldir were sitting with the two other Reborn, quietly comparing notes on their own experiences in Mandos and Lórien and the difficulties they were still having in adjusting to their new lives, while Haldir’s wife and parents listened to their tales with great interest.

It was only as the last remove was being served that Arafinwë steered the conversation to the matter at hand, turning to Thorongorn, who claimed to be the leader of the delegation, along with Councillor Dúlinn. "Between the two of us, we represent the three major cities and much of the rest of the island," he told them.

"I am disappointed that no one from Angobel was asked to join you," Arafinwë said.

Dúlinn shook his head, giving Thorongorn a disgusted look. "I would have welcomed Meluiwen or Morfinnel, for I know them both, but Lord Thorongorn felt it prudent not to invite them, given the anomosity that many Tol Eressëans feel towards them."

"Nor do I apologize for my decision," Thorongorn replied, though he did look somewhat embarrassed. "I do not agree with the sentiments that were voiced in Kortirion concerning them, but we are treading a thin line here and it was difficult enough just convincing these others to join me in coming here."

"Not too difficult," Glóremmir said with a wry twist of his lips. "In fact, it was Brethorn and Laeglîr who went to Lord Thorongorn and insisted we form this delegation. Councillor Dúlinn also was quite enthusiastic about it."

"At any rate, this animosity towards the miners needs to be addressed before we can go forward," Arafinwë said sternly. "The people of Angobel are Tol Eressëans no less than any of you. They should not be left out of any decision concerning their welfare and the welfare of the island. However, for the present, I will represent their interests. Pray tell me what brings you here."

"Can you not guess, sire?" Dúlinn asked with a snort. "We want the council you proposed to be held."

"Oh, I knew that much," Arafinwë said with a slight smile. "The question is, do you truly represent the interests of the rest of Tol Eressëa or just your own?"

"The people of Tavrobel are firmly behind the idea," Dúlinn said firmly, "as are the people of Angobel, for I spoke with Meluiwen before we left and she assured me that they were in favor of the council so long as the miners were given a voice."

"All the communities on the island are to send representatives," Arafinwë announced, "not just the three cities. I know that many of the farming communities look to one city or the other for leadership, but I know that not all such communities do so. Even if they do, it would be prudent for them to elect someone to speak for them, for I imagine that their interests do not always coincide with those of the cities."

"True," Thorongorn said. "To answer your question, though, we do not represent all of Tol Eressëa, but we do beg you to reconsider and hold the council as planned. We need this council. We need to agree on a form of government."

"Yet, if you do not represent the majority of your people, how can you expect any sort of resolution?" Eärwen asked. "Any decision made at the council would not be a majority decision if only you few are there."

"We think that if you announce that the council will be held after all, then that will give us the leverage we need to convince others of its necessity," Dúlinn said. "Certainly, if I announce that Tavrobel will attend regardless then that will force Avallónë and Kortirion to send delegates, if only to make sure that Tavrobel does not lord it over them." He gave them a sardonic grin and there were nods all around.

"What of Morcocáno and Galadhwen?" Arafinwë asked. "How do they feel about it?"

Thorongorn shook his head. "Morcocáno has his own concerns," he replied. "That nonsense he pulled did not endear him to the rest of Avallónë. Many now fear that the wrath of the Valar will fall upon them and they are incensed by what was done. That slag of metal in the plaza has now become a rallying point for many who are rethinking certain truths."

"As for Galadhwen," Dúlinn said with a grin, "I understand that Borhael took her to task and publicly declared that he would no longer support her isolationism."

Thorongorn nodded. "I have tried unsuccessfully to convince him to disengage himself from Galadhwen’s policies for some time now, but it took your dismissing us out of hand to wake him up to what was going on. For that, I thank you, your Majesty. Borhael is now firmly behind the idea of the council and remained behind to convince the others to his cause."

"I am glad to hear it," Arafinwë said. "He struck me as being more open-minded than some of the others on the council." He paused and gave the delegates a searching look. He noticed with grim satisfaction that only Dúlinn, Celebriel and the two Reborn could face him with any equanimity; the others, even Thorongorn, could not meet his gaze for any length of time. "I have spoken with the High King," he continued after a moment, "and with Lord Manwë. The Valar have offered to host the council in Valmar."

"What!?" exclaimed more than one voice in shock.

"And the kings of Eldamar have agreed," Arafinwë concluded with satisfaction.

"Then what is the point of a council?" one of the guildmasters complained. "The Valar will just tell us what we are to do and...."

"Not so!" Arafinwë exclaimed with some heat. "You forget that Aman was the Valar’s home long before it ever became ours. We are here by invitation, and that is especially true of you of Tol Eressëa. They are as concerned about this situation as we elves are. More so, I deem. They will not dictate but they will have a voice in the council, no less than any of you. Those were their terms, their only terms, that they be allowed to participate."

There was a great deal of murmuring among the guildmasters and merchants. Faramir turned to Glóremmir, Sador and Haldir with a smile. "It will be good to see Lord Námo again. I wonder if he’ll remember me?"

The very casual way in which the ellon spoke of the Lord of Mandos caused the others to cease their muttering and stare in surprise and consternation at the Reborn who were ignoring everyone else while Sador assured Faramir and Glóremmir that Lord Námo would not have forgotten them and would be happy to see them again. "He will be glad to know that you are both faring well in your new lives," he said and Haldir voiced his agreement.

Arafinwë noticed Thorongorn and Dúlinn giving the Reborn considering looks and then they turned their attention to him. "It will not go down well with most," Thorongorn said softly, "but we will endeavor to convince them that it’s the best solution."

"If Tavrobel is firmly behind the idea," Arafinwë said to Dúlinn, "I am sure the others will follow."

Dúlinn nodded. "Baradir and Sîdhwen will follow my lead in this," he assured the king. "Between us we will bring Tavrobel to the council. I will also go to Angobel and speak with Meluiwen and Morfinnel. Will Marthchall be there?"

"It depends on how Gurthalion is doing," Arafinwë said, "but I have a feeling that he will be."

"Then I suppose we should plan to return to Tol Eressëa posthaste and begin the task of convincing everyone else," Thorongorn said with a sigh.

"You need not leave immediately," Arafinwë said. "In fact, I think a trip to Valmar is in order. You should speak with Lord Manwë himself and see what arrangements will be made so you can go back to your people with detailed information." He hid his amusement at the sight of several of the Tol Eressëans with panicky expressions on their faces and was about to assure them that they had nothing to fear when Sador clapped his hands with delight, speaking to Glóremmir and Faramir.

"Oh, if we go, I can show you Lord Námo’s mansion. He has a lovely rose garden." The two Reborn smiled in delight.

Arafinwë raised an eyebrow at his ward but Sador merely gave him an ingenuous smile. Thorongorn and Dúlinn exchanged glances with one another and the other delegates and then turned back to the king. "I guess we will go to Valmar," Thorongorn said with a weak smile.

"I’ll make the arrangements," Arafinwë said. "We will leave the day after tomorrow."

No one but the two Reborn seemed particularly happy about it. Eärwen decided the time was ripe to intervene and artlessly steered the conversation away from the topic of the council and asked the delegates about their families. Everyone seemed genuinely relieved at the change of topic and the rest of the evening was spent in a more relaxed atmosphere, so when they bid the royal family good-night, the Tol Eressëan were in a better frame of mind.

****

Words are Quenya.

Úrimë: 4 August - 3 September of the Gregorian calendar.

Yavannië: 3 September - 3 October of the Gregorian calendar.

Quellë: Fading, which begins on our 7 October. Also called Lassë-lanta ‘Leaf-fall’.

Loëndë: Year-middle Day, the second of the three enderi or middle-days inserted between Yavannië and Narquelië (7 October - 5 November), the 183rd day of the calendar, corresponding to our 5 October, since the Elvish calendar begins on 6 April.

Atya: Reduced form of Atarinya: My father, which, according to Tolkien, is the form a child would use when addressing his or her father.





<< Back

Next >>

Leave Review
Home     Search     Chapter List