77: Escape Plans

When Ingwion awoke, he found Ingalaurë gone. Hastily going through his ablutions, he made his way cautiously down the stairs to the common room in time to see Arminas coming from the kitchens bearing a tray. He gave the prince a smile.

"Fair day to you, Highness," the innkeeper said. "You’re just in time to lend a hand." He pushed the tray into Ingwion’s hand. "Everyone is in the parlor. I’ll just go and bring the rest of the breakfast."

He turned back to the kitchen, leaving Ingwion standing there with the tray in his hands. The cavalier manner of the innkeeper surprised him, but then he shrugged good-naturedly and with a smile on his lips, made his way to the parlor where he found the others sipping tea (the ellith) or small beer (the ellyn). They looked up expectantly as he entered.

"Arminas is right behind me with the rest," Ingwion said before anyone could speak, laying the tray down on the table and removing the platters of eggs and sausages and two racks of toast. True to his word, the innkeeper entered just then with a large bowl of porridge and a pitcher of milk. Plates and cutlery were already stacked on a sideboard and for several minutes there was only the sound of people putting together their breakfast. When all were settled and Arminas had freshened the tea, he left them to eat, saying he would go out and see what news he could garner.

Ingwion took a piece of toast and chewed on it, glancing over at the rest as they ate. His ammë and Aunt Indis were dressed in clothes he suspected had been raided from Arminas’ wife’s wardrobe and he wondered what that good elleth would say when she returned to find two of her gowns gone. He noticed that Indil and Findis were also dressed in garb worn by servants and wondered where they had gotten it. None of the ellith wore their hair in the intricately coifed and bejewelled braids of the highborn. Instead, they wore their hair plainly, the braids hanging loose down their backs, their heads covered with the colorful kerchiefs of the lower classes.

The ellyn were not as difficult to disguise, for Valandur and Ingalaurë were wearing old tunics, most likely Arminas’. He noticed that Ingalaurë’s House braid had been redone in the style of one of the lesser Houses belonging to the mercantile class and suspected that Valandur’s was equally less noticeable. He would have to do the same. It would not do for anyone to see him wearing the colors of the House of Ingwë. That would give him away as surely as would wearing his usual garb. Luckily, the tunic he was wearing now was an old travel-stained one. He hadn’t even had time to change his clothes since returning to the city.

Missing from the group were Tamurilon, Eccaldamos, Tulcafindil and Marilla. When Ingwion asked, Valandur answered. "Eccaldamos went back to the palace to see what news he could garner there," the loremaster said. When Ingwion gave him a troubled look, he smiled. "Eccaldamos knows how to remain unnoticed by those around him. I doubt anyone is aware of his, er, special talents in that regard. He’ll be safe enough. Tam, Marilla and Tulcafindil returned to their own homes, of course, and will join us later."

"Was that wise, especially Tam?" Ingwion asked. "Ingoldo knows he is with Indil, after all."

"Tam is no fool," Valandur said. "He promised not to take any chances. He will be careful and it was necessary for him to go out. He should be back momentarily."

Ingwion gave the loremaster a jaundiced look but decided not to press the issue. Tamurilon was an elf grown and could take care of himself. "Have you determined which gate we should try?" he asked instead.

"I would think the north gate is the most obvious," Ingalaurë stated. "After all, we want to get to Ilmarin. If we take any of the other gates, we’ll have a bit of a walk to reach the road."

"Except, the north gate has the least amount of traffic," Indil pointed out. "The guards are more likely to take an interest in anyone wanting to go through that particular gate. There is only one place anyone can go from there. The west and south gates will at least offer us the better chance of getting out undetected."

"Won’t Ingoldo assume that if we are trying to escape from the city, that we will attempt to do so through the south gate?" Ingalaurë asked. "He has to think that our primary goal is to reach the Valar. So, either Ilmarin or Valmar would be the logical destinations, but I would think that the south gate especially would be heavily guarded. The west gate leads into the surrounding farmlands. That might be our best chance."

"Ingoldo is many things," Elindis remarked, "but he is not a complete fool. He’ll have the guards at all the gates equally alerted to be on the look out for us."

"I don’t think we should all try to leave at once," Ingwion said, "and we might want to try to leave from different gates."

Valandur shook his head. "It’s too risky for us to remain here long. Ingoldo is going to start ordering a house-to-house search soon. Eventually, he’ll find us. We should leave as soon as possible, but I like your idea of splitting up and going to different gates. There’s a greater chance of at least some of us escaping. If we are all together in a group, there’s the possibility that we might be recognized."

"So how do we decide who goes where?" Ingalaurë asked.

"The twins should split up," Indis said. When they started to protest, she held up her hand for silence. "You are both Ingwë’s heirs. At least one of you needs to escape. If you are both captured...."

She left the last hanging and the twins gave each other troubled looks at the implications. Ingwion hated the idea of being separated from Ingalaurë even for a minute. He had a sudden premonition that if they did separate, he would never see his twin again. He shook off the awful thought, silently castigating himself for being silly. Of course they would reunite once they were both outside the city. Their aunt's suggestion had merit.

"I guess we could draw lots," he suggested, "with some going with Ingil and the others with me. How many are we altogether?"

"Including you, there are seven of us who are considered members of the royal family," Valandur said. "Arminas, Eccaldamos, Marilla, Tulcafindil and Tam are not, though Tam is a member of Ingwë’s Privy Council and unofficially betrothed to Indil, so I suppose he could be considered a member of the family."

"Thank you," Tamurilon said with a mock bow and a sardonic grin, having walked in just at that moment and overheard Valandur’s words. "I’ve been feeling a bit left out lately."

Everyone turned to greet the ellon. Ingalaurë threw a piece of toast at him. Indil jumped up and wrapped her arms around her lover in a proprietary manner. People shuffled their places around the table so the ellon could join them, Indil insisting he sit beside her

"So what did I miss?" he asked as he accepted the mug of small beer from Ingalaurë with a nod of thanks.

Valandur quickly filled him in. "We were just determining who should leave the city and from which gate."

"Certainly all of us here should leave, but will the others want to?" Indil asked.

Valandur nodded. "Arminas has indicated that he wishes to join his family in Eldamas. Eccaldamos and the other two also would prefer not to remain in the city. Ingoldo knows they were members of Ingwion’s embassy in Tirion. They fear, and rightly so, that Ingoldo would take them into custody, knowing that they would be in sympathy with the royal family. Eccaldamos especially is vulnerable, for Ingoldo knows him as one of Ingwë’s staunchest supporters and by now has probably figured out who tipped us off so we would elude capture."

"What about the Privy Council?" Ingalaurë asked. "Will they not be in danger?"

Although the question had been addressed to Valandur, it was Tamurilon who answered."Possibly, but they will have to fend for themselves, at least those who do not simply side with Ingoldo."

"Our main concern is getting ourselves out of the city and away from Ingoldo and finding Ingwë," Valandur added with a nod.

"Well then, that means there are twelve of us, and as there are three gates, why not split up into three groups of four?" Indis suggested. "I’ll be in one and the twins can be in the other two and everyone else can draw lots as to which group they will join."

"Wouldn’t it make more sense for Elindis to head one of the groups?" Findis asked. "That way if some of us don’t make it, at least Ingoldo is not likely to have all three of you in his clutches. Indis, while you are a member of the royal family, you are also the Noldotári and as such your being captured won’t threaten the safety of Ingwë’s throne. You have no standing in terms of inheritance."

"Neither do I, if it comes to that," Elindis stated with a smile. "Ingatári I may be, but Ingoldo is not interested in me other than as a hostage against other people’s good behavior and compliance."

"Which is why we need to get you away," Valandur said. "Findis is correct, though. It would make more sense if you, rather than Indis, led one of the groups."

"But then I would not have my champion by my side," Elindis remarked, giving Ingalaurë a warm smile, which set the ellon blushing. Ingwion stared at his brother in surprise, wondering what that was all about.

"Then you are saying you wish to go with Ingil?" Valandur asked, keeping his own thoughts to himself.

"That is exactly what I am saying," Elindis replied. She raised a hand to forestall any arguments. "The risk is great for all of us no matter which group we join," she continued. "It is my wish to go with Ingil and Indis will head the third group."

Ingwion pursed his lips, not sure what he was feeling at that moment as he saw his ammë and his brother exchange smiles. Jealousy? Envy? Obviously something had occurred while he was away. He looked upon his twin with new eyes, seeing a confidence in him that had not been present before.

"Well, far be it from me to dispute the wishes of my queen," Valandur said with a wry grin and Elindis rewarded him with an arch look that set the others snickering. "Very well, let us draw lots...."

"I do not wish to be separated from you, husband," Findis said. "So, whichever group you find yourself in, I will be there beside you."

"And that goes for me as well," Indil stated firmly. "I will not be separated from Tam, so we will go together." She gave Tamurilon a smile and he rewarded her with a kiss.

Valandur visibly sighed. "Fine. Then that leaves six people who will draw lots to determine which group they will be in. Any suggestions as to how to do it to make it fair?"

"First, draw lots between you and Indil to see in which groups you two will be," Elindis suggested. "That way we know that one group will be complete and there will be one group with three people. Have the others choose as they will among themselves."

There were nods all around and Tamurilon went out and returned presently with Arminas who came in with a bowl. "I have written the names of Lady Indis and the two princes on slips of parchment," he told them and, putting the bowl on the table, they could see three folded up pieces of parchment. "Lord Valandur and Lady Indil will each select one and I will go in whichever group is left. Then we will return these slips to the bowl and each of the leaders will draw out a slip for our comrades who are not here."

"That sounds equitable," Elindis said. "Let us do as you suggest, Arminas."

Arminas pushed the bowl towards Indil. "My lady," he said with a nod.

Indil hesitated for a moment and then turned to Tamurilon. "You choose," she said.

Tam gave her an indulgent smile and reached into the bowl and took one of the slips but did not open it, only nodding to Valandur, who reached in and chose one of the other slips. Arminas merely shrugged when everyone gave him an expectant look. "No point really," was all he said, and several people smiled at the truth of his words. Valandur opened up his slip and read the name at the same time as Tam did. Valandur snorted and gave Ingwion an amused look.

"It looks as if Findis and I will be traveling with you," he said. Ingwion merely nodded.

"And Indil and I will be going with Ingil," Tam chimed in.

"Which means I will be going with Lady Indis," Arminas said. "So put the slips back in and we will draw for the others."

"How do we decide who draws for whom?" Ingwion asked.

"Why don’t we put their names in the bowl and then have Ingwion choose one?" Findis suggested. "Then the other two will automatically go with Lady Indis."

"That will work," Arminas said, already taking the bowl and emptying it of the slips of paper before leaving the room, returning about five minutes later. The bowl now had three new slips of paper. He handed the bowl to Ingwion who selected one of the slips and opened it.

"Eccaldamos," he read.

"Then we have our groups," Valandur said. "So now we just have to decide which group will assay which gate."

"I anticipated that," Arminas said with a smile. He dumped the two slips remaining in the bowl and from a pocket of his tunic withdrew three other folded slips. "The names of the gates are written on these slips. May I suggest that Lady Indis and the princes draw at the same time?"

Indis and the twins nodded and Arminas placed the bowl where all three could reach in but none could see its contents. There was a moment of groping between them and both twins giggled but they all claimed a slip and opened them.

"I’m for the west gate," Ingwion stated, holding up the slip for all to see.

"South gate," Ingalaurë said with a frown. That was the most dangerous of the three gates in their estimation.

"And that leaves me with the north gate," Indis said, keeping her expression neutral so none knew what her thoughts were.

"Trade you," Ingwion said to his twin. It would probably be easier to sneak out of the west gate and he did not like the idea of his ammë and his siblings together in one group. He was going to suggest to Valandur that he and Findis trade places with Indil and Tam. That would split the family a bit more evenly.

Elindis spoke then. "We will take the roads that fortune has given us." She looked pointedly at the twins. "And that includes the companions on our roads," she added and Ingwion knew she would not countenance a shifting of people from one group to another. He wasn’t sure why she would object to that, but he had long learned never to argue with his ammë. With Atto, yes, but never with Ammë. He sighed and shared a look with his twin who shrugged resignedly.

"Well, then. As soon as Eccaldamos and the others come, we will make plans to leave the city," Valandur said and everyone nodded in agreement. While they were waiting, Ingwion and Ingalaurë discussed where they would meet up once they were outside the city and where Indis should wait for them.

****

Eccaldamos, Tulcafindil and Marilla arrived at the same time shortly thereafter and were quickly apprised of what had been decided. Eccaldamos frowned slightly then shrugged. "The plan has its risks but there is little else we can do," he said. "Already there has begun a house-to-house search for you all. Ingoldo is concentrating his search for the moment among the nobles, especially those whom he knows are in sympathy with Ingwë, but it won’t be long before he starts looking elsewhere when you are not found hiding in one of Nolondur’s wine barrels."

The others chuckled nervously at that.

"When would be our best chance of getting out of the city undetected?" Valandur asked.

"Tomorrow is Valanya," Eccaldamos stated.

"Is it?" Ingwion exclaimed. "I confess, I’ve not kept track of the days since the Light was destroyed. I wonder how you even know."

Eccaldamos gave him a brief smile. "It’s my business to know these things, Highness, as it is for others. Tomorrow will be a market day. Our best chance will be during the exodus afterwards when those who live outside the city will be returning to their homes. Dressed as you now are, you could blend in with everyone else leaving."

It was agreed and Arminas promised to have some supplies sent to each of the gates in the meantime. "It wouldn’t do for you to be seen with haversacks," Arminas said. "I will arrange for supplies to be sent out of the city through the west gate. There’s a well about a quarter of a mile down the road, just at the crossroads. I’ll have someone leave supplies there."

"Won’t they be noticed by others, though?" Ingalaurë asked.

Arminas shook his head. "Close to the well are trees. The supplies will be placed in one of them in such a way that they will not be readily seen by the casual eye, so you’ll need to look for them. If you stop at the well and pretend to drink, you can wait for the crowds to disperse before climbing into the trees for the supplies."

They nodded and that seemed to be it. Plans were finalized and the rest of the day was spent idly. Eccaldamos, Tulcafindil and Marilla all went out at one point to gather more information. When they came back, they had no new news, though Tulcafindil mentioned the fact that the city seemed abnormally quiet and fewer people were about.

"I wonder if there will even be a market tomorrow," he said. "The farmers may not bother to come into the city."

There was no answer to that; they would just have to wait and see what the next day would bring.