23: A Matter of Record

When Ingwë arrived back in Vanyamar he received an unpleasant surprise — Ingoldo was there. He was lolling on a settee in the family’s main sitting room, sipping on wine when Ingwë entered the room.

"Where have you been, Brother?" Ingoldo asked, his expression seemingly innocent, though there was a glint of smugness in his eyes that Ingwë caught. "I was surprised to hear that you had come and gone."

"I went looking for you, if you want to know," Ingwë said shortly. "I found the lodge empty."

Ingoldo shrugged. "And so? I decided to hunt further afield and camped out."

"Where did you go, then, north?" Ingwë asked, going to the sideboard to pour himself some wine.

"North?" Ingoldo repeated, frowning. "No. We went south and further west actually." He gave his brother a wintry smile. "Nothing worth hunting in the north."

Ingwë snorted, clearly unconvinced, but let it go. "I’m for a bath. We will talk later, Brother. Don’t go anywhere."

Ingoldo did not respond, merely sipping his wine and looking, to Ingwë’s eyes, even more smug. With a sigh Ingwë made his way to his suite with goblet in hand, wishing only to remove the grime of travel from him. His brother could wait.

****

Dinner that evening was a tense affair. Ingoldo practiced indifference towards them all, ignoring his son and everyone else. He might have been dining alone, and Ingwë thoroughly wished that he was. He had contemplated having a private chat with his brother but the ellon’s present attitude was too grating and he decided to have it out there before the rest of the family.

"I received some disturbing reports about you while I was away, Brother," he said during a lull in the conversation which had been muted and somewhat listless. Everyone froze except Ingoldo, who nonchalantly took a sip from his goblet.

"Reports written by your spies," Ingoldo said dismissively, casting a dark look towards Valandur, who merely shrugged, giving him a smile that did not reach his eyes. Then Ingoldo’s gaze landed on the twins, who paled, giving their atar nervous looks.

"Reports from some of my other councillors," Ingwë said mildly. "I resent you attempting to undermine my authority and the authority of my duly appointed regents."

"Children," Ingoldo retorted with a sneer.

"They have not been children for a very long while," Ingwë replied. "I was well pleased by how they and their sister handled themselves during my absence, as were the Valar. I have heard no complaints by anyone about their conduct. You, on the other hand...." He shook his head. "Well, all I can say is that I’m disappointed in you, Ingoldo, you and Tinwetariel both. Your conduct has been less than sterling, both of you going off in a huff. I understand that Intarion and Findaráto had to take over the trade negotiations that you and Tinwetariel were supposed to deal with."

Ingoldo shrugged. "It is not our fault that Herucalmo ran off to join Finwë and Fëanáro in exile," he countered, naming the Noldorin negotiator.

"Hmmm... yes," Ingwë said, giving his brother a piercing look. "I find it curious though that these two ‘children’ as you would call them, were able to do in a few short weeks what you, Tinwetariel and Herucalmo were unable to do in all the time you spent on it. In fact, it seems to me that the three of you spent more time imbibing wine and taking your ease than actually negotiating."

To that Ingoldo had no answer, merely glowering at his plate.

"And your intransigence towards Intarion’s betrothal has gone far enough," Ingwë continued, his tone turning cold. Ingoldo gave his brother a wary look. "Your son is to marry soon whether you want him to or not. We do not care what reasons you have for disliking his betrothed or her family. Nolondur is an esteemed lord of the realm and your refusal to treat him with proper respect does not please Us." The shift in pronoun was telling and Ingoldo paled.

"We have sent word to Tinwetariel to return to Vanyamar," Ingwë said after a slight pause to allow Ingoldo time to reflect on his words. "When she does, and the Valar help her if she disobeys Us, you will both publicly address Our Court, giving your blessing for your son’s upcoming wedding."

"Now see here, Ingwë!" Ingoldo exclaimed.

"No!" Ingwë shouted, pounding a fist on the table. Everyone started and Elindis shot her husband a disapproving look which he ignored, his attention solely on Ingoldo. "You see here. I have had enough of this. Your attitude is unbecoming of a member of this family and I will not allow it to continue. The only ‘children’ I’ve seen lately have been you and your wife, both of you sulking like ten-year-olds who have been denied a sweet by their elders. You are an embarrassment to me personally and if you continue in this manner I will remove you from the Privy Council and exile you to some place where you and your wife can sulk to your heart’s content. Do I make myself clear?"

The silence was profound and no one dared to break it. Finally, Ingoldo gave a single nod of his head. Ingwë let out a breath he wasn’t aware he was holding. "You have Our leave to retire, Brother," he said stonily, refusing to look at anyone. A moment later, Ingoldo rose from the table, filling his goblet to the brim with wine and stalking off, slamming the door behind him.

"You’ve made yourself an enemy, Ingwë," Valandur said quietly after several tense moments of silence when everyone pretended to be eating.

Ingwë snorted. "Ingoldo has ever resented the fact that Lord Oromë chose me to be the ambassador for the Vanyar over him."

"And thereby becoming our king," Valandur said, nodding.

"Yes," Ingwë replied. "Though, mind you, I did not think I was the right ellon to act as an ambassador. In fact, I was rather appalled that Lord Oromë chose me over everyone else. I always thought that there were others who would have been better choices."

"Including Ingoldo?" Findaráto asked, his expression shrewd.

Ingwë actually chuckled. "No, not including my brother."

"The Valar see further into our fëar than we," Elindis said serenely. "I was so proud of you when you were chosen." The absolute sincerity and love that radiated from her was unmistakable.

Ingwë found himself blushing for no particular reason. "I hated leaving you behind," he said, his eyes dark with memories of a time so far in the distant past that the younger Elves could scarcely conceive of it.

"Getting back to Ingoldo," Valandur started to say but Findis interrupted.

"Must we?" she complained. "Dinner is ruined enough without making it worse."

"Forgive me, all of you," Ingwë said with some chagrin. "I did not originally plan to have this discussion with my brother in your presence."

"It’s as well that you did, Atto," Indil said. "Uncle Ingoldo and Aunt Tinwetariel made our lives miserable while you and Ammë were gone. And the way they treated poor Intarion...."

"I’m sorry to be the center of contention," Intarion said, looking embarrassed.

Ingwë raised an eyebrow in surprise. "My dear child," he said with all sincerity, "none of this is your fault. Do not even think to blame yourself for your parents’ intransigence. Elindis and I are very proud of you and we both look forward to the wedding. Lirulin is a lovely elleth and we are very pleased to have her as a part of our family."

"Your uncle is correct, dear," Elindis said with a kind smile. "Indeed, we have often thought of you as another son, rather than our nephew, and we welcome Lirulin as our other daughter."

"Thank you, both of you," Intarion said, looking suddenly shy. "I must confess that there have been times when I wished that you were my parents in truth."

There was an uncomfortable silence after that, for no one was quite sure how to respond to the ellon’s words. Finally, though, Findaráto spoke up, his expression sly. "So, does that mean if I stick around long enough, you’ll start thinking of me as another son as well?"

"Only if we continue feeding you," Ingwion retorted, sticking out his tongue at his cousin. Findaráto threw back his head in laughter and the others joined in, glad to find a release from all the negative emotions of the last hour.

****

Tinwetariel returned three days later with her entourage. Ingwë summoned her to his study before she had time to greet anyone or even unpack. Fifteen minutes later, she left the study, her expression stony, her fury barely contained. Servants and guards seeing her storm down the hall suddenly found reasons to be elsewhere, and those who were unfortunate not to escape in time became very busy, studiously not looking her way, afraid of catching the lady’s eye. In her fury, though, it’s doubtful Tinwetariel was even aware of them.

Two days later, Ingoldo and Tinwetariel made an appearance at Ingwë’s Court, both formally dressed, as was only proper. They stood to one side of the throne dais, ignoring the proceedings. Their son, Intarion, was also there, along with Lirulin. Ingwë had issued an invitation to Lirulin’s family to attend the Court, but only Lirulin came, giving the High King an excuse for her parents’ absence.

"Atar is still in the Southern Fiefdoms, lord," she told him before Court convened, "and Ammë decided to join him once I returned, else I know they would have come, and my brother is tending to an ill horse at the moment."

"I am aware of Telemnar’s duties, child," Ingwë said kindly. "Well, it is enough that you are here today."

Other matters were addressed before the Court ere Ingwë got around to Ingoldo and Tinwetariel. He gave them a steady stare, his expression unreadable to the courtiers and spectators, as he spoke. "Our brother has something he wishes to say before We dismiss this Court."

Ingoldo grimaced slightly and took a step forward. When he spoke, he kept his voice carefully neutral. "It has come to my attention that some people might think that my wife and I are not in favor of our son Intarion’s recent betrothal to Lady Lirulin Nolonduriel. Nothing is further from the truth. In fact, we welcome Lirulin into our family and offer our blessing for their union."

He then gestured for Intarion and Lirulin to approach. Intarion’s expression was unreadable; Lirulin’s was wary. Tinwetariel also stepped forward to stand beside her husband. Ingoldo took Intarion’s hand and placed it in Lirulin’s. "Intarion, Lirulin, may your union be blessed by the Valar as it is blessed by your amillë and me," he said, giving them both a kiss of benediction on the brow. Tinwetariel then kissed them as well.

"Welcome to the family, my daughter," she said, though there was no warmth in her voice.

Findaráto, standing on the other side of the throne dais in the midst of his cousins, watched the reactions of the courtiers and spectators to what was happening and suspected that they no more believed Ingoldo’s words than Ingoldo did. But that was not the point, he reflected wryly. Ingwë forcing Ingoldo and Tinwetariel to give their blessing to Intarion and Lirulin in such a public venue made their blessing, however insincerely given, a matter of record.

Ingwë then stepped down from his throne and Elindis joined him as he addressed the Court. "And We, too, offer Our most sincere blessing for Intarion and Lirulin. May you know only joy, my children," he said with a smile for them both as he gave them his own kiss of benediction. Elindis followed suit, smiling warmly on the couple, a complete contrast to Ingoldo and Tinwetariel’s actions. Intarion and Lirulin murmured shy thanks and then with a nod from Ingwë the Chamberlain stepped forward, announcing that the Court was over. Ingwë and Elindis then moved so that Intarion and Lirulin were between them when they processed out of the audience chamber with their children and Findaráto coming behind them. Ingoldo and Tinwetariel, however, did not join the royal family. Instead, Ingoldo grabbed his wife and stalked off to the side, exiting through another door that led directly towards their apartments.

No one seemed to notice or to care.

****

Ingwë led the family to the main sitting room overlooking one of the many gardens surrounding the royal residence. He and Elindis immediately began divesting themselves of their regalia with the help of servants while the rest of them found seats.

"You know they didn’t mean it," Intarion offered with a sigh.

"Of course they didn’t," Findaráto said as he lounged in a chair, accepting a goblet of wine from one of the other servants. "And I rather doubt that anyone was fooled by it."

Ingwë nodded his thanks to the servants and quietly dismissed them before addressing Intarion. "Whether they meant it or not, their blessing of your betrothal is now a matter of record. There will be no way for them to deny it."

"Forcing their hand that way, though," Intarion said, "will only make matters worse for Lirulin and me, I fear."

"What are your plans after the wedding?" Elindis asked gently.

"That is something I... we need to discuss," Intarion replied. "Nolondur has asked me to join him in his mercantile ventures, seeing as how Telemnar has chosen a different calling."

"And do you want to?" Ingwë asked, giving the ellon a shrewd look.

Intarion nodded. "But only with your approval, Uncle," he said. "I know you had other plans...."

Ingwë raised a hand. "Plans that are only that... plans. It is your happiness that is important here. You have my blessing whichever path you choose. As it is, I’ve been trying for years to get Nolondur to return to Court. I have always valued his insights. When Tamurilon’s atar left to become a student of Lady Yavanna, I found I missed Nolondur’s wisdom even more. Perhaps we can make an even trade, you for Nolondur." He gave Intarion and Lirulin a wicked grin and everyone chuckled.

"Atar has been hoping Intarion would join him in his business," Lirulin said shyly.

"Then I think it’s a fine idea," Ingwë said. "It will be nice to have someone in the family engaged in the wine business."

"Oh? Why is that?" Findaráto couldn’t help asking.

Ingwë gave him a sniff. "Why, because it means I will finally get a family discount. Nolondur always makes me pay full price for his wares, High King or not."

That set everyone laughing.

"I think Atar would make even the Elder King pay full price," Lirulin commented between giggles. "He thinks very highly of his wines."

"As well he should," Ingwë said with a fond smile. "At any rate, we will worry about all that later. Right now we should just be concentrating on the wedding."

"And Ingoldo?" Valandur asked. He and Findis, of course, had attended Court with everyone else, but until now he had kept his thoughts to himself. "He’s dangerous, Ingwë."

Ingwë raised an eyebrow at Valandur’s words. "Dangerous? I don’t see how. At the moment, he’s angry."

"And that anger can turn towards hatred," Valandur said. "I would keep a wary eye on your brother if I were you, Uncle. Ingoldo may have been thwarted for now, but he strikes me as one who always has contingency plans already in place." He shook his head in disgust. "Melkor spent most of his time with the Noldor, currying their favor, but that is not to say that he did not try to do the same with the Vanyar."

"We rejected his offers," Ingwë said, "even as Olwë did."

Valandur nodded. "True, but it was you and Olwë who rejected him. That is not to say that individuals did not. When Indis married Finwë there was a greater degree of interaction between our two clans. I’m afraid that some of Melkor’s insinuations found fertile ground among some of your subjects, especially those who are most in contact with the Noldor. Ingoldo is one of them, I deem."

"Hmmm... well, as to that, there is no proof either way," Ingwë said, frowning slightly. "But I take your meaning and I agree. However, unless and until Ingoldo does something in outright defiance of Us, there is little We can do."

"And therein lies the problem," Valandur said, nodding in agreement.

"Would you want it to be otherwise, my friend?" Ingwë asked, giving his loremaster a shrewd look.

Valandur shook his head. "Unfortunately for us all, no."

"Then, let us put Ingoldo aside for the nonce," Elindis suggested quietly. "He and Tinwetariel are a problem for another time. Let us simply enjoy this day. In fact, you ellyn may run along and amuse yourselves as you will, while Indil, Findis and Lirulin fill me in on the details of their plans for the wedding."

There were good-natured groans from the younger ellyn and grins from Ingwë and Valandur, but no one disputed Elindis’ suggestion. In fact, Ingwë made a suggestion of his own. "Why don’t we superfluous ellyn go hawking and leave the ladies to their own devices?"

That met with general approval from the ellyn and in a short while the High King was seen riding out of the southern gate of the city accompanied by his sons, Intarion, Findaráto, Valandur and an equal number of guards, hawks in hand.