122: The Winter Solstice Council Opens

The opening session of the Winter Solstice Council was scheduled for the third hour after the noon meal. It was planned to last only an hour or so. Each of the delegations would be formally introduced and their leaders recognized. Then the procedures and agenda for the rest of the council would be explained. The first working session would not begin until Valanya, two days later.

A half an hour before the delegates were due to arrive, Ingwë, Arafinwë and Olwë made their way to Lord Manwë’s mansion where they were met by Eönwë who acted as their guide.

"Lord Manwë has instructed me to show you the council chamber," the Maia said after greetings were made. "He understands that you have decided to act in concert in presiding over the council."

Ingwë nodded. "As High King, I will of course have the final say in all matters of procedure and in keeping the council to the agreed-upon agenda, but Olwë and Arafinwë have a better grasp of how the Tol Eressëans may act and so I prefer to have them as my co-presiders rather than heading their own delegations. Our sons are quite capable of seeing to the interests of our respective clans."

Eönwë smiled in acknowledgment as he led them up a marble staircase and down a hall to where two Maiar warriors stood on guard before a set of copper doors on which scenes from Elven history were etched. They opened the doors and the three elves stepped in, pausing to admire the room. It was circular and they were standing at the top of a series of tiers looking down upon a central dais. The walls were paneled in nessamalda wood. High clerestory windows provided illumination. The dais was taken up by a large table in the shape of a ring. Inside the ring, set within the floor was a water garden where yellow, white and pale red water-lilies floated and golden carp swam. Twenty-five chairs were set around the table and the kings noted with approval that they were plainly carved and would not have looked out of place in the average elf’s dining room. They were covered with comfortable cushions of midnight blue velvet. Both the table and the chairs were made of the same nessamalda wood as the walls. The seats for the other members of the delegations were low-backed benches also of nessamalda wood with thick midnight blue velvet cushions. The light-grained wood and the clerestory windows gave the chamber a light and airy feel. The walls were unadorned. "So as not to provide any distractions," Eönwë pointed out to the kings’ approval.

"Who will sit where?" Olwë asked as they stepped down towards the dais.

"It has not been decided as yet," Eönwë replied. "You will notice that these three chairs here have taller backs than the others. This is where you three will sit. Lord Manwë is of the opinion that the delegates should choose their own chairs."

Ingwë shook his head. "No. I think it best that we decide here and now how the seating will go, otherwise there will be a waste of time as people are jockeying to sit with friends or to avoid sitting with enemies."

"How should it be done then?" Eönwë asked.

"Draw lots," Arafinwë suggested. "Number the chairs randomly from one to twenty-two, then as each delegation enters, have whoever is the head of the delegation draw a number. That is where they will sit. We can have drawings at each session so no one sits beside the same people all the time."

"The only ones who will sit in the same places all the time will be the three of us," Ingwë stated. "Even Lord Manwë would be subject to the random drawing."

Eönwë raised an eyebrow but nodded in acquiescence. "My Master agrees to your suggestion," he said. "However, he suggests that each chair be assigned a different gemstone." He gestured and all three elves gasped in surprise when they saw that on the backs of the chairs were now inset different gems: sapphire, emerald, ruby, citrine, diamond, opal, and others that they could not see from where they were standing. Only the three presiders’ chairs were naked of any decoration. Eönwë gestured a second time towards the doors and they saw a large copper bowl on a crystal pillar where none had been before. It was elf-high, thus it would be impossible for anyone to see inside the bowl. They went back up the steps and Eönwë took the bowl down and showed them the faceted gems that matched those on the backs of the chairs.

"Rather like how they did the archery contest," Arafinwë said in approval and the others nodded.

"I think that will work," Ingwë said as Eönwë replaced the bowl on the pillar.

"And Lord Manwë has told me that out of fairness, he will take the last gem so none can accuse him of... er... cheating." The Maia cast them an amused look.

"Cheating!" Ingwë exclaimed. "Why would they accuse him of that?"

Eönwë shrugged and that seemed to say it all. The kings all shook their heads in dismay, for it would never have occurred to them to suspect the Valar of cheating or that anyone would think they would.

"Well, that is neither here nor there at the moment," Eönwë said. "I have been told that the delegates are arriving. Perhaps you would care to stay here and greet them while I attend to my lord."

"Yes, that’s an excellent idea," Ingwë said. "We will explain the seating arrangements."

Eönwë bowed and faded from view just as another Maia wearing the surcoat of Lord Aulë appeared down the hall leading the first set of delegates. It turned out to be the Reborn delegation, headed by Brethorn. The kings looked upon the ellyn and ellith in amazement. Each one wore a sleeveless knee-length surcoat with open sides worn over their own clothes. Each surcoat was a deep and restful shade of green, symbolizing life and healing. Embroidered on the front were two stalks of quiquillar in saltire between which flew an orange and black spotted butterfly. The symbolism was not lost on the kings.

"Are we too early?" Brethorn asked, sounding so much like an elfling at that moment in spite of his attempt to act in a dignified manner that Ingwë’s heart warmed to the ellon immediately. The other Reborn had similar expressions of excitement and enthusiasm on their faces.

"Not at all," Ingwë said with a smile. "You are the first to arrive and that is a good sign. You are the head of your delegation?" he asked Brethorn, who nodded. "Then if you would reach inside the bowl and take out a gemstone you will find its match on the back of one of the chairs below. That is where you will be seated, at least for this session. We will draw lots at each session so no one will be sitting in the same place all the time."

"Ooh, it’s almost like a game," one of the Reborn ellith said, clapping her hands in delight and the others in the delegation laughed in agreement.

Ingwë raised an eyebrow, unsure how to respond, then realized that these Reborn had the correct attitude. He doubted anyone else, except possibly Findaráto, would see the seating arrangement as a ‘game’. He noticed both Arafinwë and Olwë were smiling and realized almost with chagrin that these two had had extensive experience dealing with the mindset of Reborn and understood how they saw the world better than he. Perhaps he had kept himself aloof from things more than he should have. He gave himself a mental shake and forced himself to smile.

"Yes, I suppose it could be called that," he said, then nodded to Brethorn to step forward to choose a gemstone. The other thirteen members of the delegation craned their necks as Brethorn reached in to make his selection, all of them with expectant looks on their faces, like elflings waiting for a special treat.

Brethorn pulled his arm out and opened his hand so all could see what he held. It was a pearl. Immediately the Reborn all rushed down the steps to the dais, eagerly looking for the chair that had a pearl set in its back.

"Oh! Here it is!" one of the ellyn shouted with glee. "And we can all sit over here," he added, pointing to the curved benches behind the chair.

"They’re like elflings," Ingwë muttered in disbelief as the Reborn examined Brethorn’s chair, declaring that it was the best of the lot, never mind that, except for the different gemstones embedded in them, the chairs were all the same.

"Would that others had the same joyful enthusiasm for life," Arafinwë replied softly, "taking delight in even the simple task of looking for a chair that has a pearl in it."

Ingwë stole a glance at Arafinwë and nodded. Before he could say anything, though, the next delegation arrived, escorted by one of the People of Oromë. This turned out to be the delegation from Kortirion, led by Lady Galadhwen. Olwë quickly whispered into Ingwë’s ear, giving the elleth’s name. Ingwë looked upon her with interest, for he recalled Olwë and Arafinwë describing how confrontational she had been at the meeting with the kings. She appeared to be quite formidable in the way she approached them, barely giving them a proper curtsey.

"Lady Galadhwen," Ingwë said, "welcome to Valmar. If you are acting as the head of your delegation, would you please select a gemstone from the bowl? You will see that each delegate’s chair has a different gemstone embedded in its back. Whichever gemstone you pick, that will be where you will sit during this particular session. At subsequent sessions everyone will choose a different gemstone so you are not always sitting at the same place."

Galadhwen glared down at the dais with a disdainful sniff before addressing Ingwë. "And what if I do not care to be seated between certain people? Will I be able to change my seat?"

"Unfortunately no," Arafinwë answered. "I’m afraid you will have to endure sitting beside someone you do not like and hope that at the next session you will be able to sit elsewhere. We felt this was the fairest way to seat everyone. Even Lord Manwë has agreed to this procedure and will abide by it."

"Hmph," Galadhwen muttered, looking not at all pleased.

Then one of the other ellith in the delegation stepped forward. "Well, Galadhwen, if you won’t choose, I will. You’re holding everything up with your intransigence."

Both Arafinwë and Olwë smiled and bowed to the elleth. "Lady Meril, a pleasure to see you again," Olwë said and Meril gave them a curtsey.

"And I am pleased to be here, your Majesties," she said, giving them an impish smile. "So, Galadhwen, will you choose or shall I?"

"I am the head of this delegation," Galadhwen protested. "I will choose, though I assure you I do not approve of the manner in which we will be seated. And why a round table?"

"Well, that should be obvious, my dear," Meril said with sweet disdain. "To prevent anyone from lording it over the others. Now do stop being difficult."

Galadhwen sighed and reached into the bowl, pulling out a ruby. Ingwë gestured to the dais. "If you will take your seat, my lady, then we can greet the next delegation," Ingwë said, gesturing towards the dais.

Meril took Galadhwen’s arm. "Come along, dear, and let’s see where the ruby chair is located." She gave the three kings a brilliant smile and steered the other elleth along with the rest of the delegation following, most of them looking a bit embarrassed by Galadhwen’s manner.

Ingwë did not have time to comment because the next delegation was already there. This turned out to be the delegation from Angobel, escorted by a Maia wearing Lady Nessa’s emblem. Marthchall led the delegation with Meluiwen at his side. Arafinwë greeted them with a smile.

"And how is Gurthalion faring?" he asked.

Marthchall smiled. "He is doing much better, thank you, your Majesty. Lord Irmo thinks that he will be ready to leave with us when we return to Tol Eressëa after the Council."

"I am glad to hear that. You must make a point of coming to Tirion for a visit before you return home. There are some matters I would like to discuss with you."

Marthchall raised an eyebrow and nodded. "We will do that. And now, where do we sit?"

Ingwë explained the procedure and Marthchall nodded, wordlessly reaching into the bowl and bringing out an emerald. He gave the gem to Meluiwen with a smile and, nodding to the kings, led his delegation to the dais. Other delegations arrived and reached into the bowl to discover where they would be sitting. Some took it in good humor when they discovered where they would be seated and between whom while others scowled and tried to convince one of the other delegates to switch places. Whenever that happened, a Maia would suddenly appear and politely remind them of the rules.

The biggest surprise among the Tol Eressëan delegations was the arrival of thirteen ellon in warrior braids led by Gilvagor, who gave the kings a sheepish smile at their nonplused expressions.

"I am the head of the Warriors’ Guild," he explained.

"I did not even know such a guild existed," Arafinwë exclaimed. "Why were we never told?"

Gilvagor shrugged. "It never really came up in conversation, and in truth, ours is less a guild and more a... um... benevolence society, one designed to give meaning to those who seem unsuited for other kinds of employment. We provide the guards and such for the cities and continue training in the martial arts in preparation for the Dagor Dagorath, whenever that might come."

"And your guild or society is that powerful to command a seat on this council?" Olwë asked with a frown.

Gilvagor nodded. "We are one of the larger guilds, in fact. Even those warriors who have taken up other trades belong and continue to train."

"Will not your friendship with us prove a liability, though?" Arafinwë asked.

Gilvagor shook his head, as did most of the rest of his delegation. One of the ellyn, unknown to the kings, spoke up. "We are all aware of Lord Gilvagor’s sympathies and we approve."

"In point of fact, I am the, I guess you can say, guildmaster by default," Gilvagor said. "By rights Laurendil should be standing in my place."

"Laurendil!" Arafinwë exclaimed. "He is the head of your guild?"

"He was," Gilvagor replied, sighing. "I was his second, you might say, but since his... er... defection," he gave them a sly grin so that they knew he was only jesting, "that position has fallen to me, at least for the time being."

"And I cannot think of anyone who can fulfill that position more ably than yourself, Gilvagor," Arafinwë said warmly. "You have proven yourself a wise and prudent ellon in all things." Gilvagor blushed and gave Arafinwë a bow of thanks while his fellow warriors looked on in approval.

"Why don’t you select a gemstone and see where you will be seated?" Ingwë then said and Gilvagor reached in and selected the diamond. Looking down upon the dais he saw where the diamond chair was situated and sighed ruefully. "I was hoping not to have to sit next to Lady Galadhwen. She doesn’t like me very much."

"It will only be for this session and only for an hour or so," Olwë said with an unsympathetic grin. "I’m sure a warrior of your caliber has endured much worse."

"And if you give me a day or three to think about it, I might even be able to tell you," Gilvagor quipped and they all laughed. Gilvagor and the warriors bowed to the kings and made their way down to the dais. The kings watched as Gilvagor bowed to Galadhwen before sliding into his seat. The elleth gave him a disdainful sniff and turned to speak to Barancheneb who was the head of the Guild of Bards. They saw Gilvagor sigh and turn to speak to the elleth on his left who was the head of the Healers’ guild. They appeared to be well acquainted with one another and spoke in friendly terms.

The three Amanian delegations arrived together. As Ingwë had predicted, Findaráto saw the lottery as a game and laughingly let Sador choose for him. It turned out to be an amethyst. He ended up sitting between the delegates for the Guild of Bards and the Embroiderers’ Guild, much to their shock and discomfort. Findaráto, however, took it all in stride and greeted the two people on either side of him warmly and unselfconsciously, soon putting them at their ease.

The last to arrive were the Valar, though they didn’t so much arrive as simply appear. Manwë took a look at where everyone was seated and nodded, as if to himself. He gave the three kings a winsome smile. "Oh good. I get to sit next to Brethorn and Ingwion," he said with a wink. "I was so dreading the thought of having to sit next to Lady Galadhwen. Is she always so disagreeable? She doesn’t approve of anything, does she?"

Ingwë, Arafinwë and Olwë found themselves grinning. "I’m sure she has her good qualities, my lord," Ingwë said.

"No doubt, no doubt," the Elder King averred. "Perhaps we may even discover one or two of them during the course of the Council. Well, let us be seated and get this over with. I’ve got two star systems ready to collide and we need to get to that sooner rather than later."

"Ah... star systems?" Ingwë asked, looking perplexed, and stealing a glance at Varda standing serenely beside her spouse. "How soon will they be colliding?"

"Hmm? Oh, not for another billion years or so," Manwë said off-handedly as he stepped down towards the dais, "but it still needs to be addressed. Don’t worry about it, my children. You just concern yourselves with the Council, let us handle the rest of Eä. That is, after all, our job."

Even as Manwë was speaking, everyone else in the room rose to their feet. The Elder King stopped and sighed. "We’ll have none of that," he admonished the elves, "else we’ll be at it all day. You are dispensed from giving us your obeisance during Council sessions."

"So does that mean if you start throwing spitballs at the rest of us we can retaliate with impunity, my lord?" Finrod spoke up with a gleam of mischief in his eyes.

"You’d better," Manwë retorted as he took his seat between Ingwion and Brethorn, "or I’ll begin to think you’re all too boring to live."

There were nervous titters among some of the elves, though most just stared in shocked disbelief, but whether at the image of the Elder King throwing spitballs or because Prince Findaráto even dared to ask such a question was beyond anyone’s ability to guess. The three kings took their own seats and the other Valar found seating in the tiers behind Manwë. The Reborn sitting near them gave the Valar shy smiles, while the Vanyar, seated on the other side of them, acknowledged them with simple nods of their heads. When all were seated, Ingwë, sitting with Olwë on his left and Arafinwë on his right, began to speak.

"I wish to welcome all of you to this Council. Today’s session is merely a preliminary one to introduce all the delegates and to explain the agenda. We will then meet again on Valanya, at the third hour after dawn. Between now and then, please feel free to wander through Valmar and Eldamas. So, to begin, let me introduce myself and my associates. I am Ingwë Ingaran and on my left is Olwë Lindaran and on my right is Arafinwë Noldóran. We will monitor the Council sessions and assure that all is being done in accordance with proper procedures. Our word is law for everyone while we are in session."

"And let me assure you," Manwë interjected, "that we Valar will abide by whatever rules are set forth among you. Within these walls, all are equal. However, it must be understood that as we are the Guardians of Arda, indeed of all of Eä, there may be times when one or the other of us must excuse him- or herself from these sessions to oversee any matter that arises which is our concern. If it means that I myself must leave for a time, I will have one of the other Valar take my place at this table."

"What about voting, though?" Ingwion asked. "If a vote is required and you are not here...."

"I realize this concept may be difficult for you to grasp," Manwë answered, "but when any of the Valar speak, he or she speaks for us all. Though I might not be present physically, I will be aware of all that is being said and done and will accept the decisions so made in my absence."

There were murmurs among the spectators as well as among some of the delegates. Then Ingwë spoke. "We will go around and introduce ourselves. Perhaps, we may begin with you, my lady." He looked to his right and addressed the elleth sitting on Arafinwë’s right.

The elleth stood and gave them a bow. "I am Captain Celebaear and I head the Maritime Guild." She sat down and with a nod from Ingwë, the ellon sitting next to the sea captain stood.

"I am Minyon Vardamirion of Avallónë. I head the delegation of Traders. My own profession is bookseller."

One by one the other delegates rose and introduced themselves: Lindarion, Gil-galen of the Guild of Engineers and Masons, Dúlinn of Tavrobel, Elríen of the Guild of Healers, Gilvagor, Galadhwen of Kortirion, Barancheneb of the Guild of Bards, Findaráto, Berethiel of the Guild of Embroiderers, Boromir of the Guild of Woodworkers, Morcocáno of Avallónë (and when he rose to introduce himself there was quite a stir among the Amanians, especially the Teleri), Belegorn of the Guild of Hostelers, Gelloneth of the Guild of Smiths (herself a jewelsmith), Gwîrendur of the Guild of Weavers, Marthchall of Angobel (many of the elves of Tol Eressëa began muttering when the miner introduced himself, though there were no outright signs of hostility), Mereneth of the Guild of Potters, Brethorn of the Reborn, Manwë, Ingwion, and finally Laeglîr of the Nandor.

When all were introduced, Ingwë continued. "The one and only purpose for this Council is to come to a consensus as to the type of government that should be implemented on Tol Eressëa. I am aware that the various delegations come with differing opinions and expectations as to what form that government should take. Some ideas will be more realistic than others, but we wish to provide a forum for all ideas to be put forth, however impractical they may be. It is our hope that when you return to your homes it will be with a firm resolution that you may take to your people."

"Will we then hold a referendum for the entire populace to vote on?" Mereneth the Potter asked.

"That is something you need to decide eventually," Ingwë replied, "but for the nonce, let us concern ourselves with the main task at hand. Over the next few sessions we will allow each delegate to offer his or her views on the subject. We encourage you to talk among yourselves in between sessions. Some of you may appear closer in your thoughts than you may believe. Once everyone has had a chance to voice their opinions, then the real task of the Council begins: deciding among the variously put forth suggestions which will prove the most viable and then from there decide which will be acceptable to the majority of the people if not to all of them."

He looked around the table. "Is this acceptable to you, my lords and ladies?" There were murmurs of assent. "Then let us adjourn," he continued, "and meet again in two days’ time." He rose, giving them all a brief bow, and everyone else followed suit.

"Well, now that that is over with," Manwë said with an exaggerated sigh as the delegates and the spectators began to stir, "we need to be elsewhere." He turned to the other Valar. "Námo, any sign of chaotic disruptions of the higher dimensions?"

Námo shook his head. "No. All is calm in that sector," he answered, "but I’m having my people keep a close eye nevertheless. I don’t want a repeat of that supernova that went off recently."

"It’s not your fault, Námo," Irmo assured him. "No one knew that the dimensional walls had become suddenly unstable in that part of Eä. You and I checked that area just two millennia ago and it was perfectly fine."

"I should have been more diligent," Námo said with a shake of his head.

"I am as much to blame as you, Námo," Varda said with a sigh. "It was my star, after all, and I should have noticed the fluctuations in the output of radiation earlier."

"Well, we will take care it does not happen again," Manwë said, giving his spouse a gentle smile. Then his tone turned brisk as he addressed the other Valar. "Aulë, Ulmo, you know what to do at your end. Oromë will coordinate with Námo at the other end. Everyone else, with me."

With that, all the Valar disappeared in a flash of multi-colored lights that forced the elves to look away. When they could see again, it was to find Eönwë and Ilmarë standing by the door. The Herald of Manwë gave them a sympathetic smile.

"Our Master and Mistress have left us to see to your comfort, my lords and ladies. If you will follow us we will escort you to where you may take refreshments."

Ingwë nodded and together with Olwë, Arafinwë and their respective heirs, they followed the two Maiar with the other elves trailing behind.

"Why do you think the Valar spoke as they did at the end?" Ingwion asked his atar. "I don’t recall them ever speaking so... so blatantly about their own tasks as Guardians of Eä."

Ingwë smiled at his son. "I admit that I was rather startled at first, but now I can see Lord Manwë’s subtle wisdom in this."

"Care to enlighten the rest of us?" Arafinwë asked with a teasing grin.

"Only this: in speaking of a matter that has nothing to do with Arda or this Council, which for us is of utmost importance, Lord Manwë is reminding us all, especially, I think, the Tol Eressëans, that the Valar are indeed the Guardians of all of Eä and not just of Arda alone. It may be true that the central drama of Eä as sung in the Ainulindalë is being played out upon our world, but that does not preclude the possibility of other dramas unfolding elsewhere that are as of vital interest to the Valar, and perhaps even to Eru Ilúvatar, as what is happening right here and now. It was, I deem, a subtle reminder of just who the Valar are in truth, something that even those of us well acquainted with the Powers tend to forget in the arrogance of our familiarity with them."

There were many thoughtful expressions on the faces of the elves as they made their way down the hallway to the reception room where refreshments awaited them.

****

Quiquillar: (Quenya) Plural of quiquilla: Lily-of-the-valley (Convallaria majalis); symbolizes rebirth. This word is originally Qenya and was spelled qiqilla [‘Qenya Lexicon (1915)’, Parma Eldalamberon 12]. I have updated its spelling to reflect later orthographic conventions in Quenya.

The butterfly represents the soul, either of the living, dead or dying, as well as being a symbol of resurrection.