112: The High King Returns

Ingwë called a halt when they were yet a few miles from the city. From that distance they could see only its higher towers lit by lanterns. They had not followed the road but had taken the same route across country that Ingwë had taken after he had visited Formenos to speak with Finwë, for he did not wish to waste any more time than necessary reaching Vanyamar. He sat there for a moment staring at the white towers that rose before them, while the others remained quiet. He turned to Eccaldamos.

"You said something about going to your parents for news?" he finally enquired. "I do not want to just show up in Vanyamar without knowing what to expect."

"My atar’s farm is not far, lord," Eccaldamos replied, pointing to the left.

"It is where I left Marilla and Tulcafindil," Ingwion added. "I want to see if they were able to enter the city yet."

Ingwë nodded. "Then let us go there. Lead the way, Eccaldamos, and if you know a path that we can use to avoid being seen, all the better."

Eccaldamos smiled. "Follow me, Sire."

****

They came upon a scene of destruction.

"What happened here?" exclaimed Ingwë, staring in shock at the sight of uprooted fruit trees.

"The storm," Valandur muttered and the others nodded grimly.

Ingwë gave him a startled look. "What storm?" he demanded.

It was Ingwion who answered. "As we were making our way to Formenos a storm greater than any we have ever witnessed came from the west. If it were not for Lord Oromë and his Maiar we probably would have fared rather poorly against it." He paused, taking in the sight before them and sighed. "The storm must have swept through here. I hope no one was hurt... or worse."

There were grim looks all around. Ingwë shook his head. "We won’t find answers standing here. Let us go."

Eccaldamos pointed to his left. "My atar’s farm lies just beyond this orchard. Perhaps it would be better if we walked the rest of the way. I do not want the horses to stumble over fallen tree limbs."

The others nodded and they all dismounted. Eccaldamos took the lead, picking a way through the destruction while the others followed carefully, their horses by their sides.

"It does not seem as if all the orchard has been destroyed," Intarion ventured.

"For which we can be grateful," Ingwë answered. "I am now more anxious than ever to reach Vanyamar. The walls are solidly built, but there could still be damage."

"We’ll know soon enough," Arafinwë said and then they lapsed into silence, concentrating on following Eccaldamos through the wreckage. They soon passed beyond the orchard and could see the farm ahead. It appeared undamaged and there was a light in the window that faced them. They all heard Eccaldamos’ sigh of relief. Ingwë patted him on the shoulder and gave him an encouraging smile.

"Go and speak with your atar. We will wait here."

Eccaldamos nodded and set off. No one felt like talking, so they stood silently by their horses, waiting for Eccaldamos’ return. To Ingwion, it seemed like hours before they saw the ellon coming back, though he knew it was only a few minutes. Eccaldamos gestured for them to follow him. "There is news," he said softly, "but it is best to wait until we’re inside to give it. The barn is over this way."

Ingwë nodded and they followed Eccaldamos to the barn where they spent a few minutes caring for their horses before going into the house. It was much as Ingwion remembered it, but it was much more crowded. Tulcafindil and Marilla were there... and two others. 

"Nolondur, Castamir, what are you doing here?" Ingwë exclaimed.

The two lords stood up hastily from where they had been sitting at the table and, ignoring all protocol, they both went to Ingwë, taking turns to embrace him. "We could ask you the same, Sire," Nolondur said with a laugh.

"Where have you been hiding yourself, Ingwë?" Castamir demanded, gruffly. "Do you know what a mess that brother of yours has made of things?"

"It’s good to see you, too, Castamir," Ingwë said with an indulgent smile. "How is Almáriel?"

"Ready to strangle everyone in sight," Castamir replied, giving Ingwë a knowing smile.

Ingwë laughed. "I don’t doubt it. But come, let us make our introductions and then I need information."

Eccaldamos made the introductions and soon they were gathered around the table, taking turns telling the others of their news. Ingwë insisted that he would not speak of his captivity at that time. "The important thing is that I am free and ready to resume my office. What I need to know is what has been happening in Vanyamar."

"Ingalaurë is in charge now," Nolondur stated. Ingwion was not the only one to gasp in surprise.

"Is he now?" Ingwë said with a smile. "How did he manage that?"

Nolondur gave them a wry grin. "Ingoldo announced your abdication, even had a document purporting to have been signed by you in which you declared Ingalaurë as the next High King."

"What?" Ingwë exclaimed. "But I would think...."

"So did we all, but Ingoldo apparently had other plans," Castamir said, giving them a grimace. "Your son was to be only a figurehead while Ingoldo ruled from behind the throne."

"Only, Ingalaurë refused to accept the crown at the last moment," Nolondur added. "He declared himself Regent only."

Ingwë sat there, mulling over what he had heard. Ingwion closed his eyes in relief. Somehow it had all worked out and he could stop feeling guilty for abandoning his brother.

"There’s something you’re not telling us," Ingwion heard his atar say and he opened his eyes to see Nolondur and Castamir looking grim.

"Elindis and Indil have gone missing," Nolondur finally said.

The silence that followed that statement was profound.

"What do you mean by that?" Ingwë asked softly.

Nolondur sighed. "Ingoldo managed to spirit your wife and daughter out of the palace before we had a chance to stop him. Ingalaurë’s had the city searched but so far there’s been no sign of them and Ingoldo refuses to cooperate."

"And then this storm came out of nowhere and the search has been postponed while we deal with clean-up," Castamir added.

"They are safe, though," Arafinwë said and all eyes turned to him in bemusement. He shrugged. "So I was told."

"But not where," Ingwë said, giving the ellon a shrewd look.

"Even as they did not tell me where you were, Ingwë," Arafinwë rejoined, "though they said you were alive, if not happy."

Ingwë snorted, shaking his head, then turned to the two lords. "How bad is the damage?"

"Some areas of the city are in shambles, but for the most part it appears that we did not suffer too greatly," Nolondur replied. "Castamir and I have been making the rounds to the farms to ascertain what damage was incurred and to direct any injured to make their way into the city and go to the palace where the healers are set up. Ingalaurë is keeping the west gate open for that purpose."

"Then we should go," Ingwion said, looking at his atar. "If Ingil is in charge then we don’t have to worry about Uncle Ingoldo stopping us from entering the city."

Ingwë nodded slowly. "Yes. You are correct, my son," he said, rising. Everyone else hastily got to their feet. "Your brother needs our help. Ingoldo may not cooperate with him, but he will cooperate with me. Let us go." He thanked Eccaldamos’ parents for their hospitality. Nolondur and Castamir indicated they would return with them to the city as well, having completed their mission. Marilla and Tulcafindil begged to be allowed to accompany them. Neither had a horse, but Cemellindo gave his permission for them to take two of his horses with the promise that they would be returned as soon as possible. Thus, in the end, it was a sizeable party that left the farm and made its way towards the city.

****

Along the way, Ingwë’s group encountered others heading for the city, mostly people who had suffered some injury during the storm: a farmer with a broken arm, an elleth with a cut on her forehead, several elflings of various ages with scrapes and bruises and one child apparently unconscious. Ingwë immediately dismounted and gently took the child from his amillë’s arms, speaking softly to the elleth who stood there in bemusement, not quite comprehending what was happening or to whom she was speaking. Arafinwë joined Ingwë and offered to take the elleth with him while Ingwë took the child. Ingwë urged the other injured to remain where they were.

"I will send people to come and minister to you," he told them.

The farmer with the broken arm nodded and pointed to a stand of elms that stood some distance from the lane. "We will wait over there," he said. Ingwë nodded his understanding and their cavalcade continued on to the city, which was still a half mile away.

The closer they came though, the more people they encountered and they had some difficulty at first making their way. Eccaldamos and Tulcafindil took the vanguard, calling out for people to make way for the High King. At first, most ignored them, but then a few took a moment to see what all the fuss was about and, recognizing Ingwë and his son, if no one else in their group, they began to move off the road. Some few cheered at the sight, but Ingwion noticed one or two staring stonily at them as they went by and wondered at it, but then they were at the gate and he turned his attention to what appeared to be an argument between Eccaldamos, who seemed to have taken upon himself the role of Ingwë’s herald, and one of the gate guards.

"...and I’m telling you I only have orders to let the injured in and you don’t look injured to me," he heard the guard say.

"But we do have injured with us," Eccaldamos replied, "a child who is unconscious and his amillë, who is in shock. Now stop interfering with the High King’s business and tell your men to move aside... or we will move them for you." He gestured to the other riders and Ingwion realized the ellon meant for them to ride straight through if necessary. He fervently hoped the guard would be sensible and step aside.

"High King?" the ellon said, sneering. "What High King? I heard Ingwë abdicated and now his son rules... if you want to call it that." The last part, spoken softly, was still heard and Ingwion felt himself grow hot with anger at the slur against his twin. He had no doubt Ingil was doing all he could to be a good Regent.

"I don’t have time for this," Ingwion heard his atar mutter and then the High King was urging his mount forward so he was more visible to those manning the gate. "The last time I looked, I was still the High King," he said loudly so all could hear him, glaring at the astonished guard, "and I haven’t abdicated anything. Now, stand aside, all of you, or would you deny your rightful lord admittance to his own city?"

The guard stared at Ingwë for a moment and then hastily stepped aside, motioning for the other guards to do the same. Ingwë gave a nod and with a soft word his horse moved forward and the others followed. As they rode up the main avenue towards the palace, Ingwion stared in dismay at the destruction he could see all around him. The walls of the city had done little to protect Vanyamar it seemed. People were milling about, working under the light of lanterns to clear away rubble. Most stopped and stared as they rode by and Ingwion heard his atar’s name being uttered by more than one voice, but there was no cheering, no glad cries of welcome, merely whispers and stunned looks. Ingwion felt himself grow hot with embarrassment for his atar, who should have been welcomed with joyful paeans at his return, but instead he was being greeted mostly by silence. He stole a glance at his atar but Ingwë’s expression was unreadable.

They reached the courtyard fronting the palace and Valandur was immediately off his horse and at Ingwë’s side to take the still unconscious child in his arms even as Eccaldamos was calling for healers and grooms. Ingwion helped Arafinwë with the child’s amillë and gratefully turned her over to one of the serving ellith who had appeared, taking the woman in hand and leading her gently away while one of the grooms accepted the child from Valandur and followed. Ingwë, meanwhile was issuing orders for some of the healers to go outside the city to minister to the injured, asking after Ingalaurë and generally demanding answers to his questions about the state of the city.

Then Ingwion saw Sorontor, his atar’s chief chamberlain, come running out in unseemly haste, his robes flapping behind him, tears running down his cheeks as he joyfully fell upon the High King, who embraced him warmly.

"Well, I’m glad someone is happy to see me," Ingwë said with a smile and Ingwion realized that his atar had been well aware of the coolness of his reception by the people.

"I knew you would return, Sire. I never doubted," Sorontor exclaimed through his tears. "When Ingoldo claimed you had abdicated, I knew he was speaking falsely."

"And speaking of my dear brother," Ingwë said, "I think it’s time he and I had a little chat."

Sorontor stepped out of Ingwë’s embrace, his expression now troubled. "He’s not here, Ingwë."

"Oh?" Ingwë said.

"He and Ingalaurë left only a short time ago."

Ingwion gasped and was about to demand to know where his brother was, but his atar stayed him. "Let us take this conversation inside," he said, then turned to the others. "Arafinwë, Ingwion, Intarion, Valandur, come with me. Eccaldamos, go with Nolondur and Castamir and check on the city. I need to know what state it is in. Marilla, Tulcafindil, you have my permission to seek out your families to make sure they are well, but then report to Eccaldamos." He did not bother to acknowledge anyone’s bows, but grabbed Sorontor by the arm and led him inside with Arafinwë, Ingwion, Intarion and Valandur right behind them.

"What do you mean, they left only a short time ago?" Ingwë asked as they made their way through the palace, with servants bowing or curtsying in stunned disbelief at the sight of the High King passing them and guards saluting, their expressions unreadable.

"And where did they go?" Ingwion demanded.

"I will explain as much as I know," Sorontor replied, "but not here. Wait until we are in more private settings."

"My study," Ingwë said with a nod, "and have someone bring food and wine."

Sorontor barked out an order to one of the servants who rushed off to fulfill his lord’s wishes. When they reached the study, Ingwë insisted that they wait until the food had been brought before Sorontor gave them an explanation. "I don’t want any interruptions," he explained. Ingwion stewed, wishing the servant would hurry up so they could get on with it. He paced restlessly, unable to be still, worrying about his brother. Arafinwë finally grabbed him and pulled him down beside him where he was sharing a settee with Valandur.

"Sit," Arafinwë said softly. "You’re giving me a headache."

Ingwion snorted but complied, closing his eyes for a moment so he did not see his atar’s amused expression. The servant finally came bearing a loaded tray and for several moments they occupied themselves with pouring wine and filling plates. Ingwion was not interested in eating or drinking and just sat there glowering at them all.

"All right, Sorontor," Ingwë finally said. "Start from the beginning. We know Elindis and Indil are not in the city but beyond that...."

Sorontor nodded. "We were doing a systematic search of the city for the queen and your daughter, Sire," he said, "when the storm hit. I do not know all the details, but in an area of the city that had already been searched, a tree was uprooted and some kind of tunnel was exposed, a tunnel leading outside the city walls."

"Tunnel?" Ingwion asked, looking bemused. The others looked equally nonplused, though he noticed that his atar was taking the news more calmly.

"Would that be the tunnel on Lord Súlimondil’s estate?" Ingwë asked.

Before Sorontor could respond, Ingwion exclaimed, "You know about the tunnel?"

Ingwë smiled, giving them a nod. "Yes, yonya," he answered. "I know about the tunnel. It was, after all, my idea. Of course, at the time, I never imagined it would be used for the purpose to which it has been put and I think I must speak with Súlimondil about that soon."

There was a moment of stunned silence as they all stared at the High King sitting so calmly, sipping his wine. Then Ingwion jumped up to face his atar, his hands clenched. "What do you mean?" he cried. "Why does Súlimondil have a tunnel under his estate? What game have you been playing, Atar, of which the rest of us are ignorant?"

Ingwë’s expression went cold. "You forget yourself, Ingwion," he said sharply. "Now sit and...."

"No!" Ingwion nearly shouted, his whole body trembling with barely suppressed anger. "Ingil is out there somewhere with that... that... spawn of Melkor who is your brother and the Valar only know what mischief he is plotting and you just sit there smirking. How can you be so calm? Don’t you care what’s happening? Is this all a game to you? To all of you?" He glowered at them all and then, giving a wordless cry, he started towards the door, feeling a need to be away, to be doing something, anything, rather than be sitting around talking.

Before he had taken three steps, though, Arafinwë was on him, grabbing him by the shoulders and shaking him. "Don’t you dare!" the Noldóran exclaimed angrily. "Don’t you dare walk out on us. Your atar is playing no game and neither are we. You’re supposed to be the High King’s heir. It’s high time you started acting like it. Now sit down and be quiet."

He pushed Ingwion roughly into his seat and stood over him, his expression angry. "And the Valar thought I was arrogant," Arafinwë muttered as he took his own seat, sending an apologetic look Ingwë’s way. The High King raised an eyebrow and then his expression became more sober as he looked upon his first-born, shaking his head.

"Arafinwë is correct, yonya," he said. "I am not playing any games. I had Súlimondil build that tunnel when we first came here. I cannot tell you why, only that I felt the need. Call it a foretelling, though it was more vague than that. I only know that there was a rightness to my having him build it."

"Yet, for what purpose?" Valandur asked. "It almost sounds like something the Noldor would have done." He cast an apologetic look at Arafinwë who smiled back, not taking offense.

"As for its purpose," Ingwë said, giving them a shrug, "there were times when I felt the need to leave the city without anyone being aware of it. Súlimondil’s estate lies against the north wall. Did you think I went there to spend the time sipping his wine?"

"I had always wondered," Valandur said with chagrin. "Súlimondil is a minor lord, not even on the Privy Council, with little influence in court. All know that he and Ingoldo are friends. I could never figure out why you would...um...."

"Waste my time with him?" Ingwë finished for him, smiling.

"Something like that," Valandur said ruefully.

"I had my reasons," was all Ingwë said and then he raised a hand to forestall the next obvious question on everyone’s lips. "As to where I went when I left the city through the tunnel, that will remain my business for now." The others sighed almost as one and Ingwë hid a smile behind his goblet. After taking a sip, he glanced at Ingwion sitting there, glaring at the floor, refusing to be a part of the discussion. "Ingwion, look at me," he said and such was his power that Ingwion looked up, albeit reluctantly.

"Arafinwë is correct. I am playing no game here. I am as concerned for your brother and for your ammë and sister as you are, perhaps more so. At the moment, though, I need information before I go off to rescue them." He turned to the chamberlain. "So the tunnel was discovered and my son realized just how Elindis and Indil were taken out of the city without anyone being the wiser."

Sorontor nodded. "Yes, as far as I can tell, that is what happened. Then Ingalaurë left with Ingoldo, presumably to go wherever the queen is...."

"Alone?" Intarion asked.

Sorontor shook his head. "Lord Tamurilon and Sérener went with them, but no others."

"How long have they been gone?" Ingwë asked.

The chamberlain shrugged. "Not long, actually. Had you arrived a half an hour earlier you might have met them on the way. Indeed, they would have left much sooner but it took longer than expected for them to clear the tunnel and Ingalaurë needed to take some time to delegate certain duties to others while he was away."

"Then there’s still time to catch up to them," Ingwion exclaimed, jumping to his feet.

"Patience, my son," Ingwë said, holding up a hand. "They will have already left the city. Now sit and be silent." Ingwion sat down reluctantly, looking miserable.

"So the question remains: where exactly did they go?" Valandur asked.

"I only know that they headed for Lord Súlimondil’s estate," Sorontor answered. "Apparently the tunnel was blocked and Ingalaurë ordered it to be cleared. No doubt he planned to use the tunnel to leave the city."

"Where is Súlimondil?" Ingwë asked.

"In custody," his chamberlain answered. "He was discovered hiding at the home of his cousin, Lord Valacar. His family was with him, but I did not keep them, for they knew nothing about what was happening."

Ingwë nodded. "Then I will speak with Súlimondil and find out where my wife and daughter were taken. Have him brought here at once."

Sorontor bowed and left. For a long moment silence reigned among the others. Ingwion still sat there glowering at nothing in particular and did not notice the looks of concern that passed between his atar, Arafinwë and Valandur. Intarion, taking everything in, decided to speak, directing a question to Ingwë.

"Obviously, my atar must have known about the tunnel," he said. "I wonder if he ever used it himself and if so, where did he go? Where did you go, Uncle? Why the need for secrecy?"

"I cannot tell you where your atar went," Ingwë replied. "If he ever used the tunnel, I never knew. As for me, where else would I have gone but to Ilmarin?"

"In secret?" Valandur asked, clearly puzzled. "Yet, you go there on every Valanya."

"Yes, I do," Ingwë said amiably. "But... there have been times when I needed to speak with Lord Manwë and I did not wish to wait until Valanya."

"That makes no sense, Atto," Ingwion exclaimed suddenly, pulling himself out of his misery. "You could go to Ilmarin at any time without... without sneaking out like... like an elfling on a dare."

Ingwë threw back his head and laughed. "So you are calling me a liar?" he asked, though his tone was still light.

Ingwion shook his head. "No. I’m just saying you’re not telling us the whole truth."

"And you would be correct, yonya," the High King replied. "You know that sometimes I would disguise myself and wander through the city with Valandur to listen to the people and gauge their moods." At Ingwion’s nod, he continued. "Well, on occasion I did the same thing but outside the city, wandering through the farmlands."

"Without me," Valandur said, though there was no sense of recrimination in his tone, merely a statement of fact.

Ingwë gave him a rueful look. "I’m sorry, Valandur, but in such instances I preferred to be alone."

"You mean you wandered about without even a guard to accompany you?" Ingwion asked in disbelief.

Ingwë raised an eyebrow. "I’m an ellon grown, Ingwion. I can take care of myself."

"You’re the High King," Ingwion shot back. "You know better."

Before Ingwë or anyone else could respond, there was a knock on the door and then it opened to reveal Sorontor and a disheveled looking Súlimondil flanked by two guards.

"Ah, come in, gentlemen," Ingwë said, gesturing to his chamberlain and Súlimondil, asking the guards to wait outside until called for. Sorontor pulled Súlimondil into the room, closed the door and stood against it. Súlimondil stood in the middle of the room, looking belligerent and uncertain at the same time.

"Where are they, Súlimondil?" Ingwë asked without preamble. "And think carefully before you speak, because, depending on your answer, you will either walk out of here a free ellon... or you won’t."

The absolute coldness of the High King’s tone left no doubt in anyone’s mind what he was implying. Súlimondil went white and everyone else watched him dispassionately, waiting to hear what he had to say.