21: The High King Returns

Ingwë returned to Vanyamar two weeks after Elindis with much pomp and celebration, for Ingwë had sent riders ahead to warn Elindis of his coming. Thus, when he arrived, all of Vanyamar was there to greet him. There was a brief but solemn ceremony, before the front portico of the palace, in which Ingwion and Ingalaurë returned the governing of the realm to its rightful lord with Ingwë thanking them for their faithful stewardship. Then a day of festival was declared and all of Vanyamar rejoiced. A welcoming feast was held later around the time of Second Mingling. Notably missing from the feast were Ingoldo and Tinwetariel. As they were supping, Ingwë informed Intarion and the rest of the family that he had met with Tinwetariel in Eldamas, but only briefly.

"She ranted about your betrothal," he said with a wry grin, "demanding that I rescind it as soon as I returned to Vanyamar. I told her I would take it under advisement."

There were snorts of disbelief all around. Ingwë put a comforting arm around Intarion and gave him a warm smile. "And all my closest advisors seem to think the betrothal is a good idea, so my advice to you and Lirulin is to get married as soon as possible." He gave him a wink and there were smiles all around.

"The wedding date is already set," Findaráto said, keeping his expression bland. "We would have been happy to see them wed almost immediately, but decided it would be best to wait for you to return."

"Oh?" Ingwë said, giving his great-nephew a measuring look. "So, just when will the wedding take place?"

"About three hundred and forty or so weeks from now," Findaráto supplied.

"That soon?" Ingwë exclaimed, evincing surprise.

"Not soon enough for some people," Indil said with a sly smile and Intarion blushed.

There was laughter all around. Ingwë gave Intarion a knowing grin. "I am surprised that the lovely Lirulin is not here. She and her family would have been most welcome to this feast."

Intarion nodded. "Nolondur decided to make a trip to the Southern Fiefdoms to check on the latest crops from his vineyards and Lirulin went with him," he explained. "Yáviën is overseeing their household here and Telemnar... well, he may be your chief lamastámo, but he doesn’t feel comfortable in these social gatherings."

"Hmm.... well, with his sister marrying into the royal family, he will have to get used to it," Ingwë said. "In the meantime, why don’t you tell me what you have all been up to while I was away. I was relieved to see that Vanyamar hadn’t been misplaced during my absence." He gave Elindis a sly wink.

There were groans from his children and Findaráto, while Elindis merely smirked.

****

The High King spent the next few days going over all that had been done in his name while he was away, spending most of the time with Ingwion and Ingalaurë, listening to their reports and having them explain the reasoning behind their decisions. In the end, he nodded, a pleased smile on his face.

"You both have done well," he told them. "Indeed, better than I expected. I will ratify all your decisions at the next Court and will publicly express my pleasure and gratitude for a job well done."

The twins beamed with delight and they found it impossible to keep the smiles off their faces for the rest of the day, much to their parents’ amusement.

At the next Valanya after Ingwë’s return, he and Elindis, along with their children, Findaráto and Intarion, made their way to Ilmarin where Lord Manwë and the other Valar welcomed the High King back.

"We missed your weekly visit," Manwë said, "but these youngsters and their friends have done a marvelous job of entertaining us during your absence. You should be very proud of them."

Ingwë and Elindis beamed, thanking the Elder King for his kind words. Then Varda enquired about Tirion and Alqualondë and Ingwë told them what was transpiring in those two realms.

"Ñolofinwë is doing well, and has the love of the populace," Ingwë said. "I have every confidence that he will be able to bring healing to his people. When the time of exile is over, Finwë will hear no complaints, I am sure."

"Good," Manwë said. "We are all grieved at the dissension Fëanáro’s actions have brought about and look forward to the day when we can put all this behind us."

Ingwë nodded. "That is my hope as well. When I spoke with Olwë he said that he would do all in his power to support Ñolofinwë. I left Arafinwë and Eärwen in Alqualondë where they are advising Olwë regarding the Noldor. He and Lirillë have promised to visit Tirion soon, so as to publicly acknowledge their support of Ñolofinwë. I think that will go a long way towards diffusing any resentment that might arise otherwise."

"Resentment?" Aulë asked, looking perplexed. "Resentment by whom?"

"The Noldor," Ingwë replied. "Those who remained behind in Tirion are feeling somewhat lost and confused. They fear that with Finwë gone the other elven realms, and perhaps even the Valar themselves, will not see Ñolofinwë as a legitimate ruler and they will be, how can I put it, snubbed by the rest of us."

"Ah..." Aulë said, the light of understanding brightening his eyes. "That makes sense. I must make a point of letting them know that they are still welcome at my forge." He gave Findaráto a brief smile before he continued. "Those who are in Formenos, unfortunately, I cannot welcome under the terms of the exile, but those of Tirion have no need to fear that they will be turned away by me or my People."

"If they are aware of this," Ingwë said, "I think it would help."

"We must all work towards healing the breach of trust that has opened between us," Varda said. "We would see the Sérë Valaron restored."

"That is my hope as well," Ingwë said with a bow and the other elves all nodded.

Findaráto spoke up then, addressing Lord Aulë. "I am glad that we Noldor have not been banished from your demesne, my lord," he said. "It would have grieved me if I were unable to consult with you or your People. My studies in crystallography are proving quite fruitful and I would welcome your input."

Aulë smiled benevolently upon the ellon. "Then, come to Valmar whenever you wish and we will talk about it."

Findaráto gave him a grateful bow and soon the conversation drifted to other less weighty matters and the audience with the Valar ended on a lighter note.

****

Upon hearing from his sons and others about Ingoldo’s attempts at undermining his authority and then absenting himself from Vanyamar for such a long period of time, Ingwë kept his thoughts to himself, and only those closest to him knew how angry he truly was. He was half tempted to order Ingoldo back forthwith, but, in the end, he decided on a different strategy — he would go to Ingoldo instead. When he told the family of his plan, his sons offered to accompany him, but he turned them down.

"I wish to speak with your uncle alone," he said, "nor do I intend to stay long."

"Will you order him back?" Elindis asked.

"I do not know," Ingwë replied. "I did not order Tinwetariel to return even though she should be here overseeing the revision of the trade agreements between us and the Noldor."

"Findaráto and Intarion have actually been working on those," Ingwion stated. "Valandur has been helping them with the legal aspects."

Ingwë gave his loremaster an enquiring look. Valandur, sitting with his arm around Findis, nodded and smiled at Findaráto and Intarion. "They have both been very good pupils. I have not influenced them in any way, merely teaching them the ramifications of the agreements as they stand now and what was hoped for with the revision. They’ve done all the rest. I think you will find that the agreements are quite equitable and both sides come out ahead."

Ingwë gave the two younger ellyn a considering look. "I will look over the documents when I return from the hunting lodge, then."

"We’ll have them all in order for you before you return, Uncle," Findaráto said and Intarion nodded.

"I am surprised that you plan to see Ingoldo, though," Valandur ventured. "He was very disruptive while you were away. Frankly, we’re better off without him or Tinwetariel."

Ingwë frowned. "I know," he said, "but he is my brother and a member of my court. I need to speak to him and I know he will not come to me except under armed guard."

"You going to him will not work either," Valandur pointed out. "He will see it as a capitulation on your part."

"Perhaps," Ingwë averred with a sigh, "but what other choice do I have? Certain truths must be spoken between us and I will not wait upon his pleasure, so I will go. Once I’ve said my piece to Ingoldo, I will return as quickly as I can."

Elindis gave him a loving kiss. "Hurry back then, my love," she said softly, "your family has been without you for too long already."

Ingwë smiled and gave her a kiss that was just as loving while the others decided they suddenly needed to be elsewhere and quietly made their way out, grinning all the while. If Ingwë and Elindis noticed, they gave no indication.

****

The High King took only one guard with him when he left for the hunting lodge. No one was happy about that, but Ingwë pointed out that if he took more than that Ingoldo might see it as a threat. Sérener’s presence would satisfy the proprieties without raising Ingoldo’s suspicions.

So they went, traveling south towards Valmar before they came to the road leading to the hunting lodge; the same road that Finwë and Fëanáro had taken to Formenos. By order of the Elder King, Maiar were sent to widen the road somewhat — originally it had just been a well-trodden path — to make it easier for the exiles on their way to Formenos.

"I wasn’t too happy to hear of Lord Manwë’s decree," Ingwë told Sérener as they made the turn onto the road, "though there was little I could do about it."

Sérener nodded. "I’ve heard people refer to it as the Mall’ Etelerroron," he said and his expression was one of disgust.

Ingwë raised an eyebrow. "You don’t approve."

Sérener shook his head. "It gives Fëanáro too much legitimacy to my mind. I think it should remain nameless and forgotten."

"Well, I can hardly issue an edict forbidding people from referring to this road by that name," Ingwë said with a smile.

"Pity," Sérener replied with a wicked grin. "I would’ve liked to have seen the expressions on the faces of some people if you did."

Ingwë threw back his head and laughed as they continued northwestward toward the lodge. They made good time and soon they came to where a much narrower path veered to the west through the forest toward the lodge. Ingwë took some moments to stare grimly northward where the road continued toward Formenos, finally shaking his head before urging his horse upon the forest path. Sérener remained silent, his expression closed as he followed his lord.

The lodge stood within a forest clearing about a quarter of a mile from the road. It was not overly large, made of fieldstone with a turreted front and consisting of a single large gathering room and a kitchen on the ground floor. Upstairs was a sleeping loft. There was also a small stable behind the lodge as well as a privy.

As he approached the lodge, Ingwë reflected on the fact that it had been some time since he had bothered to come here with his sons. Lately, he realized, only Ingoldo seemed to use it on a regular basis, coming here every so often, but alone, save for a few retainers. As far as Ingwë knew, his brother had never bothered to bring his own son here. Ingwë resolved to rectify that at some future date. It would be a fine thing to have his sons, as well as Intarion and perhaps even Tamurilon, along for a few days of relaxation away from the court.

"It doesn’t look as if anyone is at home," Sérener commented as they came to the front door.

Ingwë glanced upward to see that no smoke came from the chimney. In fact, the lodge looked as if it hadn’t been opened at all, for he could see that the inner shutters on the windows were closed.

"Check the stables," he ordered, even as he alighted from his horse and went to the front door. It was locked. He hunted around and found the place where the key was always kept and unlocked the door. Inside it was dark and there was the musty smell of a place that had not been aired out for some time.

Sérener entered the lodge a couple of minutes later. "There is evidence that they were here," he said, "but perhaps not for a week or so."

"Could they have gone hunting further afield, do you suppose?" Ingwë asked with a frown.

"With the horses, my lord?" Sérener asked skeptically.

Ingwë nodded. "So the question remains, where did my brother go?"

"Eldamas?" Sérener ventured. "The Lady Tinwetariel...."

"Yet, there was no sign of him when I passed through a few days ago," Ingwë pointed out. "Nor did my sister-in-law make any mention of the fact that Ingoldo was there. Believe me, if he had been, he would have made his presence known to me."

"Then where....?"

Ingwë shook his head. "There is perhaps one other place he could have gone, but I sincerely hope my guess is wrong. Come. Let us rest the horses and ourselves for an hour and then be on our way."

"Back to Vanyamar?" Sérener asked, sounding puzzled.

Ingwë gave him a grim look. "No. Formenos."

Sérener raised an eyebrow at that, but made no comment, merely going back outside to tend to the horses while Ingwë opened some of the shutters to let in the light and then made his way to the kitchen to see if there was anything to be had for a quick meal.

An hour later, they were shutting up the lodge again and on their way, turning north instead of south once they reached the road.

****

Mall’ Etelerroron: The Road of the Exiled Ones, reconstructed from Sindarin edledhron > Old Sindarin etledro(ndo) [ET, LED]. Mallë is elided.