143: Departure

The farewell feast for the Council delegates was held in Lord Manwë’s mansion and was both sumptuous and relaxing, primarily because the Valar made themselves scarce, saying that the night was for the elves. Ingwë and Elindis acted as host and hostess but the feast itself was served by Maiar, who disappeared once the feast was done and everyone gathered together for conversation, dancing and singing.

The delegates were obviously happy at the outcome of the Council, relieved that the one sticking point had been resolved, and were anxious to return to their homes. Those who would comprise the core of the Assembly spent part of the evening talking about what else needed to be done before Sador could be installed as Cáno. Galadhwen announced that she would not sit in the Assembly, preferring to remain as part of the city council of Kortirion. When asked whom she thought should sit in her place, people were genuinely surprised when she mentioned that Lady Meril was willing to do so.

"I thought you hated her," Sador said without thinking as he and others stood around after the feast to talk and then blushed furiously at his gaffe. Finrod and Glorfindel both rolled their eyes. Meril and Galadhwen exchanged amused looks while others chuckled.

Galadhwen, apparently not offended, answered Sador. "You’re going to have to learn how to put things more diplomatically, my boy. Meril and I have had our differences in the past but that does not mean I hate her. She’s a good administrator of her estate and well versed in our laws and customs. She will be an asset to the Assembly. And while you may consider her an ally, do not be fooled into thinking she will always agree with you."

"I don’t want anyone to always agree with me," Sador protested. "I want people who will tell me if I’m going in the wrong direction or not."

"Very wise," Galadhwen said. "If you keep that in mind at all times, I have no doubt you will do well."

There were murmurs of consent to that. Then Marthchall spoke up. "I, too, will resign from this Council and will not sit in the Assembly. I wish to devote my time to seeing to the needs of Angobel and people like Gurthalion who may be suffering emotionally from the traumas they endured as slaves of Morgoth. Also, I am interested in pursuing the idea of having some of our younger people remove to Aman and join the mining guild there to learn new techniques."

"A worthy goal," Arafinwë said, "and we can discuss this further when we return to Tirion. In the meanwhile, who will take your place? I think it important that Angobel and the farming communities that have allied with you should be represented."

Marthchall nodded. "Morfinnel has agreed to represent us, at least for now. We may ask someone else to take over eventually, perhaps someone from one of the farming communities that joined with us. It all depends."

Arafinwë nodded. "I suspect that there will be a period of adjustment for everyone and it will take a little time to sort things out."

"In the meantime, when I return to Tol Eressëa I will see about finding suitable accommodations for Sador and whatever staff he may bring with him," Gilvagor said, giving the young ellon a smile.

"I am hoping to convince a few of the younger courtiers from Atar’s court to join me," Sador said. "I’ve worked with a number of them and we get along well enough."

"An important consideration," Meril said. "Will you also be hiring people from Tol Eressëa?"

"Oh, yes," Sador replied. "It makes sense to have people who know their way around the island as part of my household. I’ve only been a visitor there and don’t pretend to know all that I need to know about the islanders, though from this past Royal Progress I think I have a fair idea of the larger issues confronting us."

"Us?" Morcocáno asked, lifting an eyebrow.

Sador nodded. "Well, of course, my lord. After all, I’ll be living there from now on. As Cáno my loyalty will be with Tol Eressëa and not with Tirion."

There were approving looks from everyone, whether Tol Eressëan or Amanian. "And that is as it should be," Ingwë said. "I think Lord Eärendil made a wise choice in naming you, young Sador. I have no doubt that Tol Eressëa will blossom under your wise and prudent leadership."

Sador blushed and stammered a thank you. Then the conversation drifted to other matters and Sador was able to slip away to spend some time with Alassiel, though they were careful to remain in full view of their elders so that there would be no talk of impropriety. In fact, Lirulin, Findis and Valandur joined them and they spent the rest of the evening in lively conversation.

Meanwhile, Eärendil was telling others that he and Elwing would be returning to Aewellond in the morning. "We’ve been away too long and must look to the needs of our own people," he said when Arafinwë and Olwë both invited them to visit for a while longer. "However, we will make a point to come to Tol Eressëa at the New Year to see Sador invested as Cáno and we will make time to visit with you both."

That appeased the two kings.

"Besides, we need to ensure that Glorfindel keeps his promise and returns to Aewellond with us come the New Year," Elwing added with a knowing smile.

"So you will be here until then?" Finrod asked Glorfindel.

"Well, when I thought I would be traveling here by way of Falmaron’s ship, I did promise I would return to Aewellond by the New Year or at least whenever Falmaron set sail again."

"What will you do in the meantime?" Ingwion asked.

Glorfindel shrugged. "I haven’t decided. I suppose I will return to Tirion and give Sador a hand with moving to Tol Eressëa."

"I’m sure he will appreciate it," Finrod said. "The New Year is going to be quite a busy time for us all. I have to take the elflings back to Vanyamar and return them to their parents. I will plan to do that early enough so I can join Uncle Ingwë and his entourage when they leave for Tol Eressëa."

"You know how the children love Sador," Arafinwë said, "I think they would enjoy traveling to Tol Eressëa to see him become Cáno. You can return them to their parents afterwards."

"That would be a good way for them to finish their service with me, acting as pages for both Sador and me," Finrod replied with a nod.

"How will they adjust to their lives once they leave your service?" Elindis asked. "I imagine they have experienced things that their playmates have not and that may set them apart."

"I know," Finrod said. "Lindorillë is still insisting she wants to be my squire one day." There were many knowing smiles among the listeners. "Sorondil, I think, would like to someday work with the Reborn and Veryandur, I suspect, will make a good herbalist. Eruanna’s embroidery skills are advancing nicely and I think she wants to study weaving from her parents, since they are both weavers. Oromendil has told me he is planning to work with his atar who is Lord Nolondur’s factotum."

"I think it would be a good idea to have them continue their studies then," Ingwë said. "I will arrange for Sorondil, and Veryandur to be tutored by my own healers and Lindorillë... hmm... she has been acting as your secretary, I understand."

Finrod nodded. "Her handwriting is improving and she is very good at organizing."

"Then I will see that she is enrolled in the Academy to study the scribal arts," Ingwë suggested. "Once she has reached her majority, perhaps you will then take her on as your personal secretary. Eruanna can certainly learn the weaver’s craft from her parents and perhaps we will see about having her continue her studies in embroidery and any of the other fiber arts that might interest her. I think when she is old enough she could apply to the Academy as well."

"Thank you," Finrod said with some relief. "I am sure the children will be happy to know that their skills and abilities which have been fostered during this past year will not go to waste."

"I will also have them act as pages when they are not otherwise engaged in their studies," Ingwë said with a smile. "That is something that they should continue practicing, don’t you think?"

"Oh yes," Finrod said, returning Ingwë’s smile with one of his own. "I know they are very proud of their abilities to serve at a feast without spilling or dropping anything."

There were chuckles all around.

"What about Oromendil?" Elindis asked. "You said he wants to work with his atar?"

"Yes. Vanyafindë works for Lord Nolondur, helping him sell his wines."

Ingwë nodded. "Well, I think then it would be wise to leave it to Nolondur and Vanyafindë to see to the ellon’s education, but I will continue to keep an eye on him myself and see that he does not neglect his duties as a page."

"I think he would not want to be left out of things when the others are all continuing their training as pages," Finrod averred.

"Then that is settled," Arafinwë said. "I am glad that the children have done so well under your tutelage, yonya. You should be very proud of yourself."

"Well, having to deal with Glorfindel’s elflingish ways helped," Finrod couldn’t help saying, giving everyone a wink.

"Hey!" Glorfindel protested. "Just for that, I’m not going to teach you some of the fighting techniques I learned from Manveru and the other warrior Maiar." He gave Finrod a disdainful sniff.

"That’s all right," Finrod said with a straight face. "I wasn’t planning on teaching you any of the tricks I’ve learned from them either."

"When have you had time to learn fighting techniques from the Maiar?" Glorfindel asked with a suspicious glare.

"Who said anything about fighting techniques?" Finrod replied with an innocent look. "I was talking about tricks, not fighting."

"Well, in that case.... I’ll show you what I’ve learned if you show me what you’ve learned," Glorfindel responded in a more conciliatory tone.

"When we get back to Tirion, I’ll be glad to," Finrod said with a smile.

"Won’t you be returning to Lórien instead?" Arafinwë asked.

"Yes, but only for a few weeks," Finrod replied. "I will come to Tirion around the beginning of Coirë and help with Sador’s move."

Thus it was decided and when the evening ended, everyone left Lord Manwë’s mansion in a good mood.

****

Over the next two days, the delegates made their farewells and began leaving in small groups. Arrangements were made for Sador to meet with some of the Assembly members in a couple of weeks to finalize the plans for his investiture. Gilvagor promised to look for a suitable residence for Sador while Borhael and Meril would look into finding a place for the Assembly to meet. It was decided that the Assembly should have its own building with meeting rooms and offices. The other delegates were going to have to find accommodations for themselves and their staff as well for when the Assembly met, though it was still debatable as to whether any of them would bother to set up permanent residence in Kortirion.

"We will have to decide how often the Assembly needs to meet," Brethorn said at one point, "and whether it makes more sense for Assembly members to live permanently in Kortirion or to simply come to the city when necessary."

"Luckily, the island isn’t so large that a person cannot reach Kortirion from anywhere within two days," Gilvagor pointed out.

"Well, the main problem is going to be deciding what will be the purview of the Assembly with respect to the city and town councils that are already in place," Marthchall said. "Some people may not like the idea of having to give up some of their power to the Assembly."

"One thing at a time, please!" Morcocáno pleaded. "Let’s get Sador invested and the Assembly members recognized and then worry about the rest later. As it is, since most of the present leaders of the various city councils are here and approve of the Assembly, I do not fear that we will have too much of a battle on our hands in that regard."

And they left it at that.

The four Amanian delegations were the last to leave. Marthchall was accompanying Finrod to Lórien to retrieve Gurthalion, for Lord Irmo came to him and told him that the ellon was ready to leave. With them would go Vondo, Laurendil, and the elflings. Vorondil and Aldundil had been invited by Selmacas to return to Tirion with him and Finrod had given his permission. Neither Aldundil nor Vorondil looked entirely happy with the idea, but when Arafinwë and Finrod quietly explained to Aldundil what was behind Selmacas’ invitation, he acquiesced and put a better face on it, encouraging Vorondil to spend more time with his grandfather.

Vorondil groused that he needed to get back to his studies. "No one is taking my apprenticeship seriously," he stated. "How can I be a Lóriennildo if no one lets me study?"

Lord Irmo saved the day by announcing that while the Council was meeting Eärnur had gone to Alqualondë to visit with his family. "I will have him stop at Tirion on his way back and have him tutor you until the New Year. I’m sure he would like to see Sador’s investiture, so he can return to Lórien with you and Findaráto."

That appeased Vorondil but did not please Vondo, who was reluctant to be parted from his family again and was ready to argue. Much to the surprise of all, it was Glorfindel who managed to put a halt to Vondo’s tantrum before it even started. The golden-haired warrior gave Vondo a stern look. "You snuck out of Lórien against all rules. Even I never contemplated doing that while I was there, so you are going to march back there and apologize to your friends for disappearing on them and causing them to worry about you and you will apologize to the healers who were forced to come after you, and then you will attend all your classes and not give anyone further grief. You’ll be lucky if Lord Irmo lets you out before the Remaking."

No one even dared to smirk and Vondo, now in tears, had to be comforted by his amillë, who gave Glorfindel a grateful smile even as she held her firstborn.

"Looks like someone is growing up," Arafinwë whispered to Finrod. His son just smiled and gave him a brief nod.

With that crisis over, they all prepared to depart. Eärendil and Elwing and the Aewellond delegation made their way to Lord Ulmo’s mansion where Vingilot was moored, accompanied by most of the Amanians and the few Tol Eressëans still in Valmar to wish them a safe journey. Everyone was aboard and ready to go when Eönwë appeared.

"Lord Manwë sends his greetings," he said to the assembly and then addressed Eärendil. "He wishes you to stop at Ilmarin on your way back to Aewellond. There is a matter he needs to discuss with you and Elwing."

Eärendil gave the Maia a considering look. "Lord Manwë’s timing is rather suspect."

"No, Eärendil," Eönwë said with a shake of his head. "Lord Manwë has some news concerning Aewellond and wishes to discuss it with you in private."

Elwing gasped and everyone else looked disconcerted. "Is something wrong? What has happened?" Eärendil demanded.

"All is well in Aewellond, I assure you," Eönwë said, "but it would be best if Lord Manwë explained."

Eärendil nodded. "Then we will stop there on our way back. Please let Lord Manwë know that I should be there in about an hour or so."

Eönwë bowed and departed, leaving the elves to wonder what was going on. "I’m sure there is no reason to fret," Ingwë assured them all. "Eönwë would not lie. If he says all is well in Aewellond, then it is. Now, I think you had better cast off and be on your way, hinya," he said to Eärendil, giving him a fond smile. "When you come back for the New Year, come to Vanyamar and we will journey together."

"Thank you, my lord," Eärendil said with a grateful smile and then he gave the orders to cast off. Vingilot rose and with a deft turn at the wheel, Eärendil sent the ship northward.

"Well, time for us to be on our way as well," Ingwë said and within the hour they were on the road, leaving Valmar to the Valar and the Maiar and those elves of Eldamas who served them.

****

Coirë: (Quenya) The season known as ‘Stirring’ by the Elves, falls between 10 February and 6 April of the Gregorian calendar. In Sindarin it is known as Echuir.

Note: A factotum (from Medieval Latin ‘to do everything’), is an employee or assistant who serves in a large range of capacities.