120: The Trouble with Princes

The search for Ingwion had been in full swing for nearly a half an hour when Arafinwë entered Ingwë’s study where the High King had retired to coordinate things. He shook his head at Ingwë’s unspoken query when he looked up from his desk. The High King sighed, looking tired and defeated.

"Where could he have gone?" he asked as Arafinwë took a seat opposite Ingwë. "Why would he leave?"

Arafinwë shrugged "My guess, and it’s only that, is that, if he did leave the city, he’s heading for the manor house to rescue Ingalaurë."

Ingwë gave him a sharp look. "Do you really believe that?"

Arafinwë sighed. "It’s only a guess and we’ve no evidence that he ever left the palace, yet where else could he have gone?"

"That is something I wish I had the answer to," Ingwë replied, sighing again with frustration. "I’ve had every known hiding place that my children used as elflings checked and Indil told me about a few others I didn’t know existed!"

Arafinwë raised an eyebrow, giving him a mock-surprised look. "Shame on you, and you call yourself the High King."

Ingwë gave him a sardonic look. "And I suppose you know where all your children’s hiding places are?"

"No, but I know Eärwen knows," Arafinwë retorted smugly and Ingwë actually chuckled.

Then the mood between them sobered. "Where could he have gotten to in such a short time?" Ingwë asked rhetorically. "Manveru wasn’t gone long enough for him to get too far and none of the house guards or servants claim to have seen him wandering through the halls."

"Which suggests that he left his room from a different way than the door," Arafinwë said.

"The only other way out of the room is by way of the balcony, and he would have had to either climb down or jump and then what? Where would he go? His horse, all the horses are still here, so wherever he went he walked." Ingwë ran a hand through his hair and grimaced.

"Too bad Lord Manwë sent Manveru packing," Arafinwë responded with a slight smile. "He would have been able to find Ingwion quickly enough for us, I’m sure."

"I don’t think Lord Manwë was too pleased with his Maia," Ingwë said with a wry grin.

Arafinwë shrugged. "Well, we’ll find him eventually, I suppose, but I dread to think what mischief he will have gotten himself into in the meantime given his state of mind."

Before Ingwë could comment there was a knock on the door and then Valandur was there. He smiled at Arafinwë as he entered. "I’d wondered where you’d gotten to, Brother. Findis sent me to find you."

"And why does my sister want me?" Arafinwë asked.

Valandur shrugged as he settled in a nearby chair. "You know Findis. She wants to know all about what you plan to do when you return to Tirion. She has an idea there should be some sort of ceremony for when you officially take the crown."

Arafinwë grimaced. "At the moment, there are more important considerations. My crown can keep and besides I’m waiting for Lord Aulë to finish crafting it and until he has there will be no ceremony."

"So I told her," Valandur responded with a nod. "But she says planning a coronation ceremony is better than sitting around moping and feeling sorry for ourselves."

Both Ingwë and Arafinwë snorted at that and Valandur smiled thinly. "I have some news for you, Ingwë," he said after a moment. "As of now, we’ve searched the entire palace and grounds and there is no trace of Ingwion. We have to assume he left the city. My guess is he’s headed for Lady Ancalimë’s manor house, probably thinking he can save Ingalaurë somehow."

"Or he could be making his way to Mandos for the same reason," Arafinwë put in, the thought just occurring to him.

"He won’t find it," Ingwë said. "No one finds the Halls of Mandos without its Lord’s express permission." He sighed and closed his eyes. "Well, I had better order a search in both directions just to be safe." He gave Valandur a sharp look. "You are certain that every place here has been searched."

Valandur nodded. "Yes. All of the usual places have been searched."

"Wait. What do you mean, all the usual places?" Arafinwë demanded. "Where wouldn’t the guards and servants bother to search?"

Valandur blinked. "Damn! I think I’ve made a monumental error in judgment," he exclaimed.

"And what is that?" Ingwë asked with a frown. "Speak, man! What are you two yammering about?"

Valandur gave the High King an embarrassed look. "There is one place none of us thought to look because it’s under guard and there was no way Ingwion could reach him."

Ingwë blinked twice and then muttered a curse as he rose to his feet. "Ingoldo," he said with a snarl. "Even when he’s not causing trouble he’s causing trouble. Let’s hope you’re right, Valandur."

"We’ll find out, assuming he’s still there," Arafinwë said grimly as the three made their way out of the study. Ingwë called for his guards as they headed towards Ingoldo’s apartments. The two guards standing before the door came to attention when they saw the king and at Ingwë’s nod one of them immediately drew out a key and unlocked the door, stepping aside to let him and the others in.

Ingwë went directly across the sitting room to Ingoldo’s bedroom, opening the door without bothering to knock, then stopped dead in shock at the sight before him. Ingwion was crouched over Ingoldo, a knife at the older ellon’s throat. At the sound of the door opening, Ingwion looked up and snarled.

"You can’t have him. He’s mine."

Ingwë turned slightly to those behind him, shaking his head, silently commanding them to remain where they were. He whispered instructions to Valandur, who nodded and left. Then he gave his entire attention to his son, taking a step further into the room.

"Put the knife down, yonya," he commanded.

"Don’t come any closer," Ingwion demanded. "He’s mine and you can’t have him."

"And what do you plan to do with him?" Ingwë asked softly, stopping.

Ingwion’s smile was ugly and Ingwë forced himself not to shudder at the sight. "I’m going to kill him... slowly." He looked down at his uncle who lay there unmoving, his expression one of mingled hate and fear, and even from where he was standing, Ingwë could see that the fear was predominant. Ingwion patted Ingoldo’s cheek. "But first we have to talk, don’t we?"

"And what do you want to talk about?" Ingwë asked. He had taken a half-step forward while Ingwion’s attention was on Ingoldo but stopped when his son looked up.

"Not you," Ingwion said with a frown. "I don’t want to talk to you. It’s him. I want him to tell me what he did with Ingalaurë. I know he’s hidden him somewhere." He paused and smiled again, his eyes full of unholy glee. "And after he’s told me, I’m going to kill him. I promised I would and I always keep my promises, don’t I, Atto?"

"Yes, yonya, you always keep your promises," Ingwë said, his voice full of sorrow. "But this is one promise I cannot let you keep. You say Ingoldo is yours, but you are wrong. He’s mine. I claimed him first."

"That’s a lie!" Ingwion screamed in fury, forgetting Ingoldo for a moment as he leaped up, brandishing the knife. "He’s mine. He’s mine." He jumped off the bed and ran towards Ingwë, sobbing, "You can’t have him. He’s mine. He’s mine."

Ingwë reached out and grabbed Ingwion’s wrist, twisting it so the ellon gave a gasp of pain and dropped the knife even as his atar wrapped his other arm around his torso, bringing him closer into his embrace. Ingwion screamed and fought, but Ingwë held on, though it was not easy, for they were nearly the same height and Ingwion was just as strong as his atar. They both fell to the floor and Arafinwë ran to help. Even so, the two kings were hard put to subdue the raging ellon, who continued fighting and cursing them. Ingoldo started to sit up and move off the bed but Ingwë yelled at him not to move, calling for the guards who ran in and took positions around the bed.

The commotion had aroused Tinwetariel and she came from her own room and stood at the doorway gaping in astonishment and confusion at the sight of her brother-in-law and nephew wrestling one another while Arafinwë attempted to help subdue Ingwion.

"Ingwion!" his atar shouted. "Stop it! Stop it! For the love of the Valar, yonya, be still."

But Ingwion continued thrashing about in spite of the fact that Ingwë and Arafinwë had a hold on him. Then, Tinwetariel, still standing at the doorway, felt someone gently push her aside.

"Mahalmarunando."

It was as if cold water had been dumped on Ingwion, for the sound of Elindis speaking his amilessë froze him and he slumped, becoming still, his eyes closed, his breathing harsh. Everyone else looked at Elindis in surprise as she stood there, her gaze imperious.

"Is this how the Ingaran’s champion acts?" she asked coldly.

Ingwion opened his eyes and blinked up at his ammë. "Ch-champion?" he retorted, frowning slightly. "Ingil is your champion. I remember that." He gave Elindis an accusing look.

Elindis nodded. "Yes. Your brother is my champion, just as you are your atar’s."

Ingwion gave Ingwë a puzzled look. "Am I your champion?" he asked meekly.

Ingwë nodded, stroking his son’s hair and giving him a kiss. "Yes, yonya, you are my champion, and as my champion you must obey me, mustn’t you?"

"I guess," the ellon replied with some uncertainty.

"You’ve been very naughty, sneaking away and getting poor Manveru in trouble," Elindis said in a tone of voice that Ingwion recognized from when he’d been an elfling and he blushed with embarrassment, not looking at anyone.

Ingwë gave Arafinwë a knowing smile and together they rose to their feet, bringing Ingwion with them so they were facing Elindis who smiled at her son, placing a hand under his chin to make him look up. "Go to your room and think on what I have said. I will ask Lord Manwë to send Manveru so you can apologize to him."

Ingwion nodded, looking glum but then his expression turned sly. "Can I still kill Uncle Ingoldo?"

"Not unless I say so," Ingwë replied, using his ‘High King’ voice as his children were wont to call it. "Now do as your ammë says and if you behave I will let you sit in on your uncle’s trial."

Ingwion gave him a considering look, his eyes flicking towards where Ingoldo still sat on his bed glaring at him, then he looked back at his atar and nodded. "I’ll be good. I promise."

"And you always keep your promises, don’t you?" Ingwë said approvingly. He motioned to Valandur who had followed behind Elindis. "Valandur, will you see Ingwion to his room, please?"

"Of course," the loremaster said, taking a biddable Ingwion by an arm, steering him out, "and perhaps you can tell me just how you managed to get in here without anyone seeing you."

Ingwion giggled like an elfling. "That’s my secret," he said and they could all hear the smugness in his voice and several people, Ingwë included, rolled their eyes. The High King then dismissed the guards with his thanks, and the room was soon empty of everyone save for Ingwë and the other royals.

Ingwë took Elindis into his arms and kissed her soundly. "Thank you, meldanya," he said with heartfelt gratitude. "I thought perhaps your presence would calm him. He certainly wouldn’t listen to me." He gave her a rueful look.

Elindis smiled. "But of course. I’m his ammë. He knows better."

Ingwë and Arafinwë chuckled. Tinwetariel huffed. "Just what was he doing here anyway and how did he get in?"

"Those are very good questions, my dear, and I hope to find an answer soon," Ingwë said, then turned to Ingoldo, going to the bed. "Did he hurt you?"

"As if you care," Ingoldo snarled, rubbing his throat. There was a thin line of blood where Ingwion had nicked him. Tinwetariel saw it and clucked in dismay, rummaging in a dresser for a piece of linen that she gave her husband who pressed it against the wound.

"I do, actually," Ingwë said equably. "Do you know how he got in?"

Ingoldo shook his head. "I’m not sure. He was suddenly just there, coming from the balcony but the balcony is blocked."

Ingwë walked over to the balcony and examined the brickwork. Arafinwë joined him. "What do you think?" Ingwë asked, pointing up at the space between the top of the brick wall and the arch of the embrasure that led out onto the balcony.

"Possible," Arafinwë conceded, "especially for someone who is as determined as Ingwion appears to have been."

"Even so, how did he get from his room to this balcony?" Ingwë wondered with a frown.

"Perhaps Valandur can convince him to reveal his... um... secret," Arafinwë suggested.

"Well, we’re not going to get any answers standing around here," Ingwë said. He turned to Ingoldo and Tinwetariel. "We will leave you to your privacy, Brother. I will convene a trial soon. We have to see to Ingalaurë first. In the meantime, I will ask Lord Manwë for more of his Maiar to keep a closer eye on Ingwion. He will not get near you again, you have my word."

Ingoldo, to his credit, merely nodded and thanked his brother. Ingwë then took Elindis’ arm and they made their way out of the apartment with Arafinwë bringing up the rear.

****

True to her word, Elindis sent a message to Lord Manwë asking for Manveru and Ingwë added his own request for additional Maiar to help keep Ingwion in line, explaining what had occurred. Manveru arrived in good time accompanied by his twin brother in the Thought of Ilúvatar, Erunáro. Both Ingwë and Elindis were on hand when a subdued Ingwion gave the Maia his apology, promising to behave.

"Atto says I can sit in on Uncle Ingoldo’s trial if I’m good," he ended, giving them all an ingenuous smile, then his mood darkened and his eyes turned cold. "He still has to tell me what he did with Ingil."

Manveru merely nodded. "I’m sure it will all come out at the trial," was all he said and that, oddly enough, seemed to mollify the ellon, for he smiled again and nodded. "So why don’t you show Erunáro the gardens while I speak with your parents," Manveru suggested. "I have some messages from Lord Manwë for them."

Ingwion nodded and without another word he gestured for Erunáro to follow him and together they left. Ingwë gave Manveru a sardonic look. "I hope for all our sakes he does behave. We still have to get through the... the farewell ceremony for Ingalaurë."

"My brother and I will see that he causes no further trouble," Manveru assured him. "He fooled me once. I won’t make that mistake again and this time he will truly not be left alone. One of us will always be with him."

"Thank you," Ingwë said. "And now I believe you said you had messages for us from Lord Manwë?"

"Two messages actually," the Maia said. "The first is to let you know that Lord Manwë has seen to it that Olwë knows what has happened here and that even now he is making his way to Tirion where his daughter awaits him. They will be here before the week is out."

"Thank you," Ingwë said. "I fear my own messages would have taken too long to arrive, though I know Arafinwë sent a letter to Eärwen before we even left the manor house. And the second message?"

"Only to remind you that there is another family who are grieving," the Maia said.

"I am aware of that," Ingwë said somewhat testily.

"And yet you have failed in your duty to Lemenyon’s family who are innocent of any wrongdoing," Manveru said in mild rebuke and Ingwë had the grace to blush.

"I will see to them," he said softly, not quite meeting the Maia’s eyes.

"My Lord Manwë has every confidence that you will do what is right," Manveru said. "And now I had better see what mischief my brother is getting your son into."

Both Ingwë and Elindis raised eyebrows at that, but Manveru merely smiled, giving them a bow and left. Elindis nestled into Ingwë’s arms and he kissed her. "When you go to see Lemenyon’s family, I will go with you," she said and he looked at her in surprise.

"And what makes you think I plan to do that?"

"Because I know you, my husband," she replied with a smile. "Lemenyon’s family must feel they are all alone and perhaps even fearful of what may happen to them now. I think if we both go, it would be more reassuring for them."

Ingwë nodded. "You are correct as always, beloved. Come. We will go now." He called for Sorontor to find out where Lemenyon’s family resided and then, with a suitable escort, he and Elindis made their way to the humble residence. Bystanders gawked at the royal couple as they walked along the streets. When they reached the house in question, friends and neighbors of the family standing outside and talking looked upon them darkly, but when Lemenyon’s wife came to the door she greeted them courteously enough, if with understandable confusion. Elindis immediately took her by the hand and kissed her, asking after her children and then she and Ingwë went inside, the guards taking up positions to give their Majesties some privacy.

What was said between Ingwë and Lemenyon’s family was never learned, but two hours later, when the couple left, Lemenyon’s wife and children were smiling, much to the amazement of their neighbors.