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'I think he will not seek to divide for his own purposes, so he should become known to Thorongil.' |
'Will the captain also be often in the City?' |
Denethor sighed. 'That will depend upon our foes. And the whim of the Steward.' |
'This year,' she quietly replied, 'we must bring him fully to agreement with you.' |
'He said he would stay.' |
'When?' Finduilas asked. 'How did this come about?' |
'After yáviérë. He had told the Steward that he might leave at the end of his service come spring.' |
Finduilas was incredulous. 'He would simply walk away from his sworn duty?' |
'I challenged him on this point later. He said he would not leave.' Denethor pushed his food around on his plate. 'I think he has given up on the North.' |
'No. He may leave it be for a time, but he has not abandoned it. Given what he said about roads I think it likely that he will wish to do his own rebuilding.' |
Denethor did not answer, concentrating on his meal. He spoke of ruins and empty towers. Denethor wondered if the road he saw in the palantír still stood. Who would not wish to rebuild that way? Only when he had finished his food did he answer. 'The captain's word is not lightly to be discounted, but you have a point. H... |
Finduilas shook her head. 'I do not think you will ever extract that oath from him. He is proud of the North, just as you are of Gondor.' |
'There is nothing there for him…' |
'His kin are there. His pride. Do not think to shame him by pointing out the emptiness of his pockets, for what drives him cannot be purchased. Would you trust him, otherwise, no matter what portents you had seen?' |
'No, I would not.' Finduilas nodded and attended to her meal. Denethor sipped his ale, waiting for her to finish. 'Your rebuilding has gone well, Alquallë. The captain is presentable.' |
'New clothes are simple enough, but they are only the start.' |
'What next?' |
'You wish for Morvorin to respect Thorongil, yes?' |
'Yes,' Denethor replied warily, uncertain at Finduilas's questions and her fierce gaze. The light within her grew, dazzling him. |
'He cannot be a beggar if he is to be respected. The captain must be beholden to no one. It is not enough, prince, to free him of his current patron. He must be free of any. Even you.' |
For a moment, Denethor could do nothing but stare stupidly at Finduilas. 'Free of me?' |
'How can he keep his promises if they are always hedged about with gold?' With a smile, Finduilas rang the bell to summon the innkeeper. After she paid the woman, Finduilas asked to be shown about the inn, which the innkeeper did with much pride. Finduilas admired the four neat rooms for travelers, the well-stocked lin... |
'Then he should not lend himself to Beruthiel.' |
'He said to me that he is paid no more than any other of the Lost receive. Is this so?' |
'That is a disgraceful thing. He should have gold to give to his mother and enough for himself as well.' |
'So he must be paid more? That is easily enough done.' |
'Not enough. He must be dowered, so that he may speak and do as he pleases.' |
'He is a bride?' |
'Yes,' she answered simply, 'and one with several ardent suitors. He needs means, a house, and probably a wife before he may be his own man. Else, he will always need to chose a patron over Gondor. That is, prince, if you still intend what we have discussed.' |
'I do.' |
Finduilas nodded. They walked another furlong before she stopped and said she wished to ride. Denethor boosted her onto Gull and mounted Gaerhûl. Finduilas did not urge the mare forward but sat, looking around her. 'Denethor?' |
'Should we speak to Thorongil of what we know and plan? It would be simpler to do what we intend if he knows we do not mean him harm.' |
'No. At least, not yet. If he keeps his silence and secrecy, then it is for a reason. He does not wish himself known and we must abide by it. It is not for us to speak first. Also, when he speaks, we will know that he trusts us. He should trust us. He is… to this my house has sworn its life and honor – to serve until t... |
Linhir, 5 January, 2978 T.A. |
Thorongil stood quietly, head bowed, and did not seem to mind the long minutes that Denethor took for the standing silence. He did not intend to take so long, but this night his turn to the west left him troubled, not peaceful. Finduilas was not with him. A year ago yesterday, Angelimir had died; Alquallë was with her ... |
He had fallen asleep in his chair in the study in the small hours of the morning. Dreams consumed him. Always, Denethor was aboard a swift ship. Ahead lay different things, changing and shifting like light upon the water – a terrible storm of fire and thunder, an emerald isle rising from a golden sea, the City appearin... |
Thorongil had discovered him this morning slumped over the desk, council papers crumpled under his arms and littering the floor at his feet. Though Denethor did not ask it of him, the captain stayed with him through the day. They spoke little. Thorongil smoked his herbs, filling the study with a sweet-smelling blue haz... |
With a sigh, Denethor indicated they should sit and eat. As at the noontide meal, he picked at it, having no real appetite. He did not much care for the southern dishes the cook here prepared, missing the interesting and unusual flavors their own cook concocted. The wine was passable, so he concentrated on that. |
'If you eat something, it will help you sleep.' Denethor shot a sour look at Thorongil who was making solid inroads on his own plate. The captain smiled and gestured at the roast. 'The meat can stand some salt, but it is good.' |
'I'm not hungry.' |
'You are not sleeping at your desk tonight,' Thorongil went on, ignoring Denethor's glower. 'A few hours of dozing and a crick in your neck are not sufficient for the council.' The fact that the captain was right did not improve Denethor's mood, and he regarded the food with greater distaste than before. Ignoring the m... |
A tap at the door forestalled Denethor's withering reply. 'Come in.' |
Aerin opened the door. 'Lord Denethor, the northern messenger is here, and…' |
'Show him in at once. And bring a plate so he may eat.' She nodded and left. 'At last! What has kept him?' |
'He probably forgot to eat at the last inn and lost his strength,' the captain replied, eyes twinkling. Thorongil's mirth and Denethor's ire both disappeared when the messenger entered. |
It was Brandir. Denethor had never seen his brother-in-law look so haggard, even after a season of war. Brandir's face and clothes were grimed from his journey, his shoulders drooped in weariness, and his eyes were dull. The dirt of the road had settled into lines in his face and he looked much older than his forty-nin... |
'Who cares about that? Sit down!' Thorongil said, relieving Brandir of his burden. Denethor set a chair near the fire and ushered the man to it. Thorongil left the room, but quickly returned, telling them that hot water and a warm blanket were on their way. Brandir nodded, not resisting Denethor's efforts to remove his... |
'Brandir, what are you doing here?' Denethor asked in exasperation as he wrestled off one of Brandir's boots. |
His brother-in-law flinched and ducked his head. 'As the Steward ordered,' he muttered, 'I brought this as soon as I could. I need not stay.' Brandir tried to rise from the chair. Denethor and Thorongil each grabbed a shoulder and pushed him back into his seat. |
'Don't be…' Denethor began. |
'..a fool, Brandir!' Brandir bitterly ended. He glared at Denethor for a moment, then sighed and let his eyes drop to the floor. 'But that's what I am, brother. A fool.' |
'You're weary, that's all.' Denethor pulled off the other boot, then took Brandir's cold hands between his own, chafing them to warm them. Thorongil answered another tap at the door, returning with a basin, a ewer of warm water, and some clean cloths. Brandir sat docilely while Denethor scrubbed his hands clean and was... |
'No. With the messengers.' |
Thorongil brought over food and wine. 'Friend Brandir,' he gently scolded, 'though we are joyful at your company, you should not have ridden so far and fast. Messengers should bring messages!' |
Brandir gave Denethor an odd look, before shrugging. 'There is much I carried that could not be entrusted to a simple messenger. There are letters for the Lady.' |
Thorongil went to the table and returned with Denethor's unfinished supper. Handing the plate to Denethor, he said, 'You keep Brandir company. I'll sort the bag.' Before Denethor could protest, the captain brought a second chair to the fire, then sat on the floor between them, upending the contents of the message pouch... |
After he ate a few bites, Brandir asked, 'Where is the Lady?' Two spots of crimson bloomed on his pale cheeks as he said this, and he did not look up. |
'Finduilas is with her parents tonight. She will return tomorrow.' |
Brandir nodded. 'It did not feel like the Great Council this year without the two of you.' |
'Are the beacons well tended?' Denethor prompted, earning a slight smile in return. |
'Yes, Warden, they are. There was a guest of note, however. Prince Théoden came to our council. He was disappointed that you and Thorongil were not there. I think he wished most to speak to you.' There was more spirit in Brandir's words now, and his pallor faded. Denethor asked after the doings of the City and soon his... |
'Thorongil,' Denethor said, 'take the council notes to the study and read them over. I will be in later.' The captain set the sorted messages on the table, keeping the council notes, and left. Denethor poured more wine for himself and Brandir, then sat, waiting for the other to explain his odd manner. |
When Denethor did not talk, Brandir's face began to redden again, and he picked at the edge of the blanket. 'It was not just the Grand Council. All has been odd this Yule with you gone. The City is colder than I've ever known it. The celebrations were diminished. We all looked south. For warmth.' Brandir sighed and set... |
'Nonsense. Unless you wish to rest now. Let me call Aerin to make your bed up.' |
'No, no need. I'll go to the garrison,' Brandir answered, standing and looking for his boots. |
Denethor bit back telling Brandir to quit being foolish. 'No, you will not. Finduilas will be angry with the both of us if you do.' |
'She will be angry if I stay! She has banished me from her presence for my presumption! But I was only trying to warn her, and I said it all wrong, and, I swear, I am not part of it!' |
'What are you talking about?' Denethor asked, completely confused. This sounded dire, yet Finduilas had not spoken to him of anything involving Brandir. 'I know of no banishment.' |
'Yes! Since I… I insulted her near mid-summer, and ever since she has looked upon me coldly and I have not dared to approach. But I shall bear it. Maiaberiel and Ecthelion both say that I have caused great discord and we are all spurned because of my insult.' |
Denethor tried to puzzle this out. 'You said an insult to Finduilas?' |
'Yes,' Brandir replied miserably. |
'But you did this to prevent greater harm, to warn her?' Brandir nodded. 'What harm is this?' |
Brandir paced the room, the blanket pulled haphazardly around him. 'You said once to clean out my own midden. I left you to danger before, and shan't do so again. But I know not how to protect you, Denethor, for you always go headlong into folly!' |
'What has this to do with offering insult to my wife?' |
'My own and the Steward would make a widow of the Lady to achieve what they first sought.' |
'I am well aware that I have been sent into danger, but no more so than before.' |
'But if she loves, they cannot succeed, even…' Brandir broke off, staring at Denethor in dismay, then pulled the blanket over his head and sank to the ground. 'Oh, by all the powers, I am such a fool!' he wailed, huddling under the blanket. |
Denethor sat near Brandir and tried to remove the blanket. Brandir clutched at it, refusing to let go. 'Brandir, please cease your foolishness for a few minutes.' Brandir shook his head. 'At least unstop your ears then! When did they say you were at fault?' |
'After loëndë,' was the muffled reply. Denethor sighed and grabbed the blanket, pulling it away. Brandir looked at him reproachfully. 'The Steward was wroth and Maiaberiel was barred from your house. She did not know why, and asked what I knew, so I spoke of my warning to Finduilas.' |
'Which was?' |
'To not repent her choice. To not be turned to wickedness. To love you.' He stared at the floor, dejected. 'I could see Finduilas's anger at my words, and never has she asked me to return. Why would she? I warned her not to cuckold you, as though she would ever stoop to such dishonor.' |
Things started to make sense. Brandir had warned Finduilas, then confessed to Maiaberiel he had done so. When Finduilas barred all from the house, the Steward seized on Brandir's insult to hide the true reason. The only question was whether Ecthelion had told Maiaberiel about Wren. Denethor doubted it. In any event, it... |
'Can you speak an untruth to Finduilas?' Brandir challenged. Denethor shook his head. 'So upbraid me not!' As soon as this was said, Brandir slumped, dejected. 'Yes, I spoke unwisely, not having your cleverness, and Maiaberiel saw that her plans had been disclosed to you, and the Lady hedged away from danger. So now I ... |
Denethor wondered if it was possible to undo the bonds of love once made so deeply, as Brandir was afflicted, and wished for his brother-in-law's sake that they could. To be bound forever to Maiaberiel was a torment this gentle soul did not deserve. 'Brandir, hear me. You have done no wrong to me or to Finduilas. She w... |
'He lies?' |
'My discord with him has naught to do with your words. Maiaberiel is barred for trying to bring about wickedness between my wife and another man. Ecthelion is barred for another reason, and it is his own doing.' |
'I will not say, for it is obscene to speak, but almost did I take my wife and leave Gondor for the shame he has brought down upon our house.' Brandir's eyes grew large. 'I know his crime and for that he wishes me dead.' |
'I swear, brother, I am no part of this!' Brandir whispered. |
'A fool you may be, but an honest one.' Denethor took Brandir's hands in his own. 'You are welcome in my house, but you may not speak to others of what you see or hear. Let that be your cloak against intrigue. You will stay here tonight and on the morrow you shall ask Finduilas's forgiveness for your trespass. She will... |
For a moment, Brandir stared at him stupidly. Then he understood what Denethor had said and he whooped and lunged forward to embrace him, knocking them both flat. 'Yes! Yes! Oh, wonderful day! Oh, yes!' Brandir cried out as he kissed and hugged Denethor. |
'Stop being a fool!' Denethor growled, but he could not help grinning. He pulled out of Brandir's embrace and stood, helping Brandir to his feet. 'You will stay without argument?' The other nodded, grinning from ear to ear. 'Wait here.' In a few minutes, Aerin had a maid prepare one of the sleeping chambers and Denetho... |
'Nothing new, Denethor. There are no surprises. What we prepared for tomorrow is unchanged.' The captain offered the page he was writing. 'Here are the important…' |
'I'll look them over tomorrow. Get some rest.' |
'How is Brandir?' |
'Tired and cold, but better for supper. He's asleep now.' |
'You should be, too.' |
'Are you going to sing me a lullaby?' Denethor dryly asked, making the captain snort. |
'If you wish,' was the impish reply. |
'Good night, Thorongil.' |
Linhir, 7 January, 2978 T.A. |
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