The mighty gift
I see,' said the King, 'that you have not squandered what Fortune gave.'
'I hope I have not,' said the Steward.
'I see,' said the King, 'that you have brought me a mighty gift.'
'I think I have,' said the Steward.
'Your mission to Harad has been remarkably successful,' said the King.
'I hope it has,' said the Steward, instinctively feeling his neck to assure himself that his head was still on his shoulders.'
'For a thousand years Harad and Gondor have exchanged nothing but spears and arrows, and now you return from Harad bringing gifts. That is good,' said the King.
'I think, on the whole, it is good,' said the Steward cautiously.
'And what,' asked the King grimly, 'do you expect me to do with it?'
'It is not for me,' said the Steward, 'to tell the King what to do with a gift from a fellow monarch.'
'I commend your humility,' said the King.
'I am the King's servant,' said the Steward.
'And the King will reward his servant,' said the King. 'I hereby bestow this gift on you. Do with it what you will.'
The Steward blenched.
The enormous mûmak stamped its front offside foot, making the earth shake perceptibly, and its tongue snaked out towards the two men. The King took a step backward. The Steward, who had had a good deal of recent experience with the beast, hastily gave it at a banana.