93: Four Nissi and a Nér

Amarië, it turned out, fled directly to Eärwen and Anairë, who, together with Lords Herencáno, Pelendur and Rialcar, were attempting to hammer out some kind of interim government while Arafinwë was away. She burst into the council room where they were meeting with Lirulin and Intarion right behind her.

"Amarië, what on Arda!" Anairë exclaimed even as Eärwen stood to receive the weeping child, with the three lords looking on with obvious disapproval at the interruption.

When Intarion and Lirulin entered the room, there were more cries of surprise and demands for explanations. Eärwen finally called for order and turned to the three lords still sitting there.

"Forgive us, my lords," she said in a conciliatory tone. "Intarion and Lirulin’s arrival is totally unexpected and I think we need to discover why they are here. Would you excuse us for the nonce while we get this all sorted out? We will pick up where we left off tomorrow after we have broken fast."

Pelendur and Rialcar stood and gave the Noldotári bows. "We are yours to command, lady," Pelendur said properly, if a bit stiffly, and the two lords left, their expressions carefully neutral.

Herencáno rose more slowly, waiting until his fellow lords had departed. He reached out and stroked Amarië’s hair, giving Eärwen a small smile. "Let me know if there’s anything I can do, my queen," he said softly.

"Thank you, Herencáno," Eärwen said with a grateful look. "We appreciate your solicitude."

Herencáno nodded, gave them all a respectful bow and left.

Eärwen sighed and then gave Anairë an amused look. "I think we’ll take this to a more private venue. We’ll go to my sitting room. Would you have the servants bring us something to eat and some tea I think will not be amiss."

Anairë nodded as she stood. "I’ll see to everything," she said and made her way out, while Eärwen addressed their visitors. "Intarion, Lirulin, you are a welcome if unexpected sight," she said, opening her one arm to give the two Vanyar an embrace even as she continued holding Amarië in the other. "Amarië, please, can we not cease with the weeping, child?" she exclaimed in exasperation. "You are of noble lineage. Try to act accordingly."

The reprimand, mildly spoken though it was, had its desired effect and the elleth struggled to cease her tears, uttering an embarrassed apology which Eärwen waved aside. "I have no doubt you have reasons to weep, my dear," she said in a more gentle tone, "but weeping gets you nowhere and solves nothing. Come, then, let us go and Intarion, you can explain what all this is about. The last I’d heard, you two were safely away in the Southern Fiefdoms."

"It’s a long story, Eärwen," Intarion said looking abashed.

"They usually are," the elleth retorted with a shake of her head.

They made their way to the royal family’s private sitting room in silence after that. Anairë was already there, directing servants who were bustling about, setting up platters of cold meats, cheese, and fruits, as well as a large pot of tea. When all was done and the servants dismissed, Eärwen bade everyone to fill a plate and sit. For a few minutes they did just that and only when they were seated did Eärwen ask Intarion for their story.

"We never went to the Southern Fiefdoms," he explained between bites. "That was a ruse."

"And why did you feel you needed a ruse?" Eärwen asked.

Intarion glanced at Amarië sitting between Eärwen and Anairë, her eyes downcast. "For Amarië’s sake," he finally said.

"Oh?" Anairë asked, giving Amarië a considering look.

"We thought we could convince Findaráto to return to Tirion," Lirulin chimed in.

"You thought...." Eärwen began then paused for a moment, giving the two visitors a hard look. "You went with them, didn’t you?"

Intarion and Lirulin nodded. "We thought that if we could speak to Findaráto away from Amarië..."

"And Ingwion," Lirulin added and both Eärwen and Anairë raised eyebrows at that, while Intarion nodded.

"Yes, and Ingwion," he continued, "we might have a better chance of convincing him of his folly."

"But you didn’t, did you?" Eärwen said tightly. "You didn’t convince him."

"We never spoke with him," Lirulin corrected before Intarion could speak. "We never got the chance. We purposely joined the exodus at the back when we started out to avoid being recognized too soon, and then attempted to work our way forward along the route, but we could never quite catch up with the vanguard and by the time we did, it was too late. The Lord of Mandos came to us and uttered his Doom against Fëanáro and all who would join him and that’s when we knew we could not go on. To do so would have meant falling under the same Doom, though we be innocent of rebellion against the Valar."

"I’m sorry, Eärwen, Amarië," Intarion said, his expression one of deep regret. "I really thought I could reach him and convince him...."

"I doubt you would have been able to even if you had gotten to my son in time," Eärwen said with a sigh. "He has been restless for so long. Oh yes, I saw the signs. He wanted to go though he would have stayed for the sake of the family, but when Arafinwë declared his intention to go for Ñolofinwë’s sake, he used that as the excuse he’d been looking for to leave himself. No, Intarion, if not even the Lord of Mandos could persuade Findaráto from his course, you would have fared even worse, so do not blame yourself overmuch. That you and Lirulin sought to return him to me and to Amarië is enough. That you failed in your appointed task is not your fault. I think other powers have been at work in this and Findaráto’s destiny was never to abide here in idleness."

"Still, I regret that we never even got the chance to speak with him," Intarion said with a sigh. "I think I could accept failure better if I’d at least been given the chance. If he had rejected my plea, well enough, but now we’ll never know if I would have been successful or not and that is what sorrows me the most, wondering what might have been had I been able to reach him in time."

Eärwen leaned over and patted him on the arm. "You did what you could, you both did, and I’m very proud that my son has evoked such devotion from even you who are his elder." She leaned back in her chair with a sigh. "And now I perceive why Ingwion... well, no matter."

"What I would like to know is where have you been all this time since Arafinwë returned?" Anairë asked. "For I assume you returned with the others, but Arafinwë never mentioned either of you."

"We continued keeping out of his way and out of the way of anyone who might recognize us," Intarion explained. "I, frankly, did not want to be the object of his wrath if he ever found out we were there."

Eärwen gave them a grim smile, knowing full well what her husband’s reaction would have been. Arafinwë, she believed, was the humblest and wisest of the sons of Finwë, but he had inherited his amillë’s temper. While he rarely displayed it, all knew of it, for it was legendary in the two families.

"Well, you succeeded admirably there, my dears, for Arafinwë never knew, still doesn’t as far as I know. So, you returned to Tirion. I’m surprised you did not continue on to your estate in the Southern Fiefdoms to make true the lie. You could have then returned to the city from there without anyone, except Amarië, the wiser."

"We had thought to do just that," Lirulin admitted, "but..." She gave a delicate shrug. "Instead, we took a room at the Rose and Crown Inn on Hwarin Mallë. We’ve been there ever since."

"And only now do you come to us," Eärwen said, giving them a considering look.

"We heard Arafinwë was going to seek out the Valar," Intarion explained. "I wanted to speak with him before he left, but now I learn I am too late... again." He cast a bitter look at Amarië, who had the grace to blush but did not counter his self-accusation.

"We could still catch up with him, though, could we not?" Lirulin asked. "He has only recently left and we have horses."

"You could, but you won’t," Eärwen countered. "My husband’s last command was that none would be allowed to leave the city for one week."

"What?" Intarion exclaimed in surprise.

Eärwen nodded. "He does not believe himself to be Noldóran but he gave this one command and I will see it fulfilled."

"That’s absurd!" Intarion protested. "And we are not his subjects. That command does not apply to me or Lirulin."

"It does if I say it does, Intarion," Eärwen replied sharply. "I know you neri think that rules are only for nissi and elflings, but they apply to you as well. No one leaves Tirion for another five days."

"But why?" Intarion demanded in frustration.

"For the very reason you want to leave," Eärwen said. "I know you well enough, Intarion, to know that you hope to catch up to Arafinwë. Whether to convince him to return to Tirion where he belongs, or to speak to him about some other matter, I do not know and I do not care. I only know that my husband does not wish to be importuned by anyone as he travels, hence his command. By the time the travel ban is lifted, he will be too far ahead for you or anyone else to catch up to him."

Intarion stood up, his face suffused with anger. "Damn you Noldor for obstinate fools!" he snarled and without another word he strode out of the room, completely ignoring both Lirulin and Eärwen calling him back. Plaguey ellith! He needed air, suddenly feeling as if things were beginning to close in on him. Nothing had gone right since he and Lirulin had spirited Amarië out from under Amáriel’s nose. They should have stayed out of it. It wasn’t their affair anyway. And what had it gotten them in the end? Nothing!

He found one of the doors leading out into the gardens and made his way towards one of the smaller, more secluded gardens. Almost immediately he felt himself calming as the perfume of the flowers filled his nostrils. He took a deep cleansing breath and then another, feeling his heart slowing, his hands unclenching, his pace slowing to a stroll as he wandered along the garden path until he came to an arbor where there was a bench and sat, staring out at nothing in particular.

In truth, he did not know why he felt so angry. After all, he and Lirulin had not planned to leave for three more days, so what was another two? Yet, he would have taken horse within an hour of coming here and learning that Arafinwë had already left. Why he felt it important that he speak with his cousin, he did not know. He had no news to give him, other than the fact that he and Lirulin had traveled with the Noldor and had witnessed the Kinslaying and had listened to the Lord of Mandos speak the Doom against Fëanáro. And what did that matter now?

He leaned against the back of the bench with a sigh, closing his eyes. Well, he supposed he should return and apologize for his rudeness and he was feeling guilty about that. None of the ellith, Eärwen especially, deserved his ire. But, then the thought of returning and facing them did not sit well with him. He suddenly felt outnumbered and realized that he had no allies of his own now that Arafinwë was gone. He had no doubt that his own wife would side with the others. He grinned to himself in wry amusement. Four against one. The odds were not very favorable.

Well, sitting here was not going to get him anywhere. Best to return and mend some fences. He stood and began to retrace his steps, only to stop when he noticed he was not alone in the garden. An ellon was coming towards him, holding the hands of two elflings, a toddling ellon and a slightly older elleth, speaking softly to them. Since they were coming towards him, he remained where he was and waited.

The ellon looked up and saw him and he slowed his own steps. The little elleth, clutching a doll in one arm, nestled closer to the older ellon, unsure of the stranger before them, while the other elfling gurgled a smile. Intarion smiled back and gave them a bow. "Forgive me. I did not mean to startle you," he said.

"There is nothing to forgive, lord," the ellon said with his own smile. "The children and I were just enjoying the gardens while my atar is in conference with the queen and Lady Anairë."

"Your atar would be....?"

"Lord Herencáno," the ellon replied with a bow. "I am Herenaráto."

"And these children?" Intarion asked.

"Herendil is the child of my loins, but Aldundilmë is my fosterling," Herenaráto replied, giving both children a fond smile. "She does not have any kin that we know of here in Tirion. Her parents, apparently, went into exile. The king asked my atar if we would take her in. She has become a companion to my son, have you not, sweetling?"

Aldundilmë nodded, burying her head into Herenaráto’s leg. The two adults shared indulgent smiles. Little Herendil gurgled happily, his arms stretched out to be picked up, which Herenaráto did, giving his son a hug and a kiss, which the child accepted with delight even as he continued staring at the stranger speaking to his atto. Intarion reached out and stroked the elfling’s dark hair, silky and smooth, and smiled, speaking to Herenaráto as he did so.

"You will not find your atar with the queen, for I just left her."

Herenaráto gave him a surprised look. "And you are....?"

"Oh, forgive me," Intarion said, looking suitably abashed. "I am Intarion Ingoldion of Vanyamar. Eärwen is my cousin-by-marriage."

Herenaráto’s eyes widened. "Then it is I who should ask your pardon, Highness, for importuning you."

"There is nothing to forgive, Herenaráto," Intarion assured him. "And you need not call me ‘Highness’. That title is properly reserved for my Uncle Ingwë’s children. ‘Lord’ will do well enough, or Intarion would be better. I could use a friend right now. I’m afraid I’m feeling a bit outnumbered."

"Oh?" Herenaráto said, giving Intarion a wry look.

Intarion laughed, looking a bit embarrassed. "Yes, well, between Eärwen, Anairë, Amarië and my own wife...." He let the implication of his words go unspoken, but Herenaráto gave him a knowing grin.

"In that case, I would be honored to be your friend...Intarion." He turned to his son, giving him a little jiggle. "What say you, yonya? Will we be Intarion’s friend?"

For an answer, the child reached out with his pudgy hands and Intarion welcomed him into is own arms, giving the elfling a squeeze, while Herenaráto lifted Aldundilmë into his arms, much to her delight. Herenaráto gave Intarion a puzzled look. "You say that Atar is no longer with the queen, but where could he be? He knows we’re here in the gardens. I’m surprised he has not sought us out."

Intarion shrugged. "He was with two other lords. Perhaps he is consulting with them, for I fear that my arrival interrupted their discussion with Eärwen. But come. Let us go inside. I need to do some fence mending."

"Oh?" Herenaráto gave him an enquiring look even as the two headed back towards the palace.

"Yes, well, I’m afraid I was rather rude," Intarion answered with a sigh. "It seems that there is a travel ban in the city for the next week and my wife and I had meant to leave for Vanyamar in three-days’ time. I’m afraid I did not take the news very well."

"Yes. That’s why we are here and not on our estate outside the city," Herenaráto said. "Atar and I were called to the city by the king just before he left. It was then that he asked us to take in Aldundilmë, which we did gladly. But now, of course, we are stuck here until the week has passed. Atar doesn’t mind because he is busy with helping the queen, but I did not anticipate acting as minder to two elflings."

"Your wife did not accompany you?" Intarion enquired.

Herenaráto shook his head. "She elected to remain on the estate with my amillë. She suggested that I bring our son with me." He gave Intarion a lopsided grin. "I guess she needed a rest from him for a few days. He’s reached that stage where he’s something of a handful. That’s why I welcomed Aldundilmë into my home. She has already taken upon herself the role of elder sister, haven’t you, my pet?" He smiled at the elleth, who nodded vigorously, clutching her doll tightly against her.

"What will your wife say when you return home with one child more than when you left?" Intarion couldn’t help asking with a sly smile.

"I can’t wait to find out," Herenaráto said with a rueful laugh and Intarion joined him.

By now they had reached the palace and Intarion took them back to the royal sitting room. Herenaráto looked a bit concerned. "I do not wish to intrude," he said, "and I should be looking for Atar."

"It would be easier to have one of the pages track him down for you," Intarion suggested. "And as long as you’re here, I would like you to meet my wife."

Herenaráto nodded and they continued to the sitting room. Standing before the door, Intarion hesitated for a second before taking a deep breath and knocking. When the summons came, he gave Herenaráto a rueful look. The ellon nodded encouragingly and Intarion opened the door to find the room pretty much as he had left it with the four ellith sitting together. They all looked up in surprise when they saw him with a child in his arms and Herenaráto coming in behind him. Before anyone could speak, Intarion raised a hand.

"First, let me apologize for my rudeness," he said. "It was uncalled for. I fear I let my own frustrations get the better of me, and I ask for your forgiveness."

"Which we gladly give," Eärwen said graciously. "I know how frustrated you are, Intarion, and I sympathize, truly I do, but Arafinwë gave me this one command before he left and I mean to carry it out, however inconvenient it may be for us all. Lirulin tells me that you were not planning to leave for another three days anyway, so staying a couple of days longer won’t make much difference, will it?"

"No, it won’t, and you’re right," Intarion admitted. "At any rate, I came upon Herenaráto in the gardens with his children waiting for his atar, but it appears Lord Herencáno is not to be found."

"Ah, I will have a page sent for and we will see where your atar is hiding, Herenaráto," Eärwen said with a smile, motioning for the two ellyn to sit. Amarië offered to take Aldundilmë out of Herenaráto’s hands, giving the child a warm smile as she did so, while Lirulin accepted Herendil gladly, as Intarion softly introduced his wife to Herenaráto, wiping off drool from his tunic with a napkin that Eärwen gave him. Anairë, meanwhile, was summoning a page, giving him his orders.

"While you were... sulking," Eärwen said with a smirk, and Intarion had the grace to blush, knowing that was what he had been doing, "I convinced Lirulin to stay for a while in Tirion even after the travel ban has been lifted."

"Why?" Intarion asked, giving his wife an enquiring look.

"I have been meaning to send a delegation to the Southern Fiefdoms to ascertain the state of the farms," Eärwen explained. "Actually, it was something Anairë and I had discussed doing even before Arafinwë returned with our people. You and Lirulin live there and know the people somewhat. I would like one of you to go with the delegation."

"Who?" Intarion asked. "And why just the one? What will the other person be doing in the meantime?"

"If Lirulin goes with the delegation," Eärwen replied, "then you can remain here and sit on the Privy Council as a representative of the High King."

Intarion raised an eyebrow at that. "I don’t represent the High King," he rebutted.

"Not officially," Eärwen agreed with a nod, "but you are a member of the Ingaran’s household and as such you are in a position to offer us some idea how Ingwë will respond to what has happened here. I, for one, would welcome any insight you might offer. Eventually, whatever happens, Ingwë will demand an accounting and I want to be thoroughly prepared. So would you do this for me, or us?"

"We were going to Vanyamar," Intarion said, not answering the question. "Lirulin wants to see her parents."

"I can wait," Lirulin said, "and besides, I think one of us should go to the estate and speak with the steward there. I got the impression from the messenger I sent there that things may not be well on the estate."

Intarion gave her a frown. "And you neglected to tell me this when we were making plans to return to Vanyamar?"

"I’m sorry," Lirulin said. "I guess I just wanted to go home."

"But Vanyamar isn’t our home. At least, it no longer is mine."

"You two can discuss this between you later," Eärwen said before Lirulin could respond to Intarion’s words. "Right now, I need to know if you will help us, Intarion."

"For how long?" he demanded. "How long will Lirulin be gone?"

"It should not take more than two, maybe three, weeks," Eärwen replied. "Perhaps by then, Arafinwë will have returned and we will all have a better idea of where we are."

"The delegation won’t be able to leave until the ban has been lifted," Intarion said. "That gives me a few days to think about it. I don’t wish to give an answer immediately."

"Nor would I expect you to," Eärwen said. "Think it over. Talk it over between you, then let me know. In the meantime, I will have your rooms aired out and your things brought from the inn...."

Intarion raised a hand in protest. "If it’s all the same to you, Eärwen, I would prefer to remain in the inn."

"Whatever for?" Anairë exclaimed in surprise before Eärwen could respond.

"We’re the only patrons at the inn," Intarion explained. "The poor innkeeper and his family have been so grateful for our patronage and I hate to just leave them. They’ve really been very solicitous to our needs."

"Do you feel the same, Lirulin?" Eärwen asked.

"Oh, yes," the elleth replied. "And we’re really quite comfortable there."

"You are both a credit to the family," Eärwen said with a smile. "Very well, you may continue staying at the inn, but I hope you will at least grace us with your presence at dinner once in a while."

"Oh, no fear of that," Intarion said with a smile and the adults all laughed.

"Well, then, that’s settled," Eärwen said with a satisfied smile.

Intarion sighed, giving his wife a rueful glance. "I don’t feel too happy letting you go off to the Southern Fiefdoms without me."

Before Lirulin could reply, Herenaráto spoke up for the first time. "But, my friend, look at it this way: at least with your wife away, it’ll only be three against one. Your odds are already improving."

He winked at Intarion and the Vanya raised an eyebrow and then they were both laughing like idiots while the nissi sat there shaking their heads in bemusement.

****

Nissi: Plural of nís: Female of any sentient species.

Nér: Male of any sentient species.

Note: Little Herendil, of course, will grow up to become the father of Vorondil (Vondo) and Aldundil, and the grandfather of Vorondil. See The Findaráto Diaries and Elf, Interrupted: Book Two.