The people of Akallabeth
In the well to do suburb of Pelegir known as Elrosect there was a charming Inn called the Voyage Refugee. It was a large, well-lit comfortable Inn, serving varied and tasty ale. Pelegir was a harbour on the coastline on the mouth of the mighty river of Anduin and was a pretty place. On one end of the bar there existed a large window from which a variety of ships could be seen moored in the harbour the largest of which were an impressive sight. On a series of coaches and tables several people were talking excitedly.
One of whom was a dark-haired young man casually dressed, nursing a Pint but looking a little disappointed. Next to him a man said to him, 'Sorry, Pal, but you were easily beaten. I passed you around the Brasships and you eat my waves!' The young man smiled replying 'Yes, yes, yes!' a little moodily. The man, who you may like to know was called Dan liked to participate in a sport which involved racing boats out to the Sea and back.
It was the common sport of the town. Dan personally felt that his opponent had bend the rules a little but thought it politic not to say so. His opponent was called Turin and was one of those people who are good at just about everything. At least everything physical. I suppose that is good for them, but for the rest of us this is just irritating. However a girl next to them said, 'Never mind your games, remember Amandil from Numenor is over tomorrow, I hope you're all prepared,'
Naomi was referring to a visit which had made all of Pelegirs inhabitants excited. Amandil, a lord of Numenor, the most powerful country on the Earth was coming to visit. Dan was a Numorean. Well, I have to be honest and say an exiled Numonerean. Many, many, Millineia ago (about 3 to be exact) some lords of men were given rich reward as a result of their struggles against an ancient Enemy. You will find out who this Enemy is later on. Anyway they dwelt in the fair Isle of Numenor in the ocean and became masters of the sea.
Unfortunately after time they became proud and desired mastership of the world and to dominate all other people. A very few however rejected this thinking and maintained that the Numoreans should use their gifts to help other folk.
Many of these were forced into exile and dwelt in towns like Pelegir of whom Dan was born. They regarded Amandil as their leader and his visits, of whom he hadn't made since Dan was a young child, were always an exciting event.
'Quite so. I think I'd better be off them. Make sure that I have everything in order, your good health!' With that Dan departed into the Starry evening night. Most others followed his example a short while later. It was rumoured that this time Amandil would be staying as the lords of Numenor did not like the faithful returning.
And in the following morning which dawned bright and fair a large fortella of ships lead by Amandil entered. His people traded with the folk of Pelegir and a feast/party was set up on the shore. It was a good feast although one thing struck some people as odd.
As well as Amandil's followers there Men from the king's party and relations between them and the faithful were not god. Indeed one of the King's party was lord Whitesnake who was one of the faithful's most bitter opponent. Dan thought this odd as well and asked why they were together. One of Amandil's assistants explained, 'Well you may think so but he was coming to Middle-Earth on purposed of his own so he suggested that we went together being fellow Numoreans. He's been no trouble so far.'
Dan was a little unconvinced though. He was more wordly-aware than most of his folk and had heard nasty rumours about Whitesnake which had travelled all the way from Numenor. But Amandil made an acceptable if rather muddled speech. He did say, 'Hello, Dol Amroth,' thinking he was in a City to the north which caused much hilarity - that's an easier mistake to make than you mgiht think if you've travelled far. But the rest of the speech past merrily enough.
Maybe it was the Beer which he had drunk but Dan was curious about Whitesnake. His people were charming enough - almost too much - but Dan thought he sensed the odd look of contempt from them. So when Whitesnake and his group left the Inn Dan nipped into the evening shadows and quietly followed them.
This was easy enough for Dan to do as he knew the harbour streets well and Whitesnake made no effort to conceal himself. Dan over-heard, 'The latest policies of our Lord, Ar-Pharzon the Golden,' which he found very interesting. The King's men entered a hall in which they were staying. He may have been eaves-dropping but it was fascinating and the King's men did leave the hall doorway wide-open and Dan slipped in under a table.
The hall itself was fairly luxurious beyond Dans modest needs. Whitesnake however did not seem satisfied. He spoke to a servant, 'Do you call this table clean?' To Dan it looked fine but Whitesnake snapped, 'Look at all this grime! clean it properly next time!' and banged the servant's face on it almost breaking the servants nose who scampered away whimpering. Whitesnake talked to his men, 'Now lets have an update on our campaign in the South.'
As Dan hid he heard a lot most of which he didn't understand about Slave-tacking, ship-voyaging, conquest and armaments but then Whitesnake mentioned 'Our friend and counsellor Lord Sauron the great!' Sauron was thought of as an Enemy to Dan's people. He was so startled he gave out a muffled cry which he cut off.
Too late. 'What was that?' cried Whitesnake
I think someone else is here!' added someone else.
Whitesnake snapped authoritatively, 'Come on lets search. I hope it's a native eavesdropping. We can have him for dinner, I could do with a variety of food!'
That was a joke, surely thought Dan. But he was unnerved as Whitesnake searched for him. And found him looking under the table and pulled Dan up.
'Ah, supper time!' said someone. Dan stammered as several daggers were pointed at him,
'Surely you don't mean to eat me!'
Whitesnake sneered, 'No,' to Dan's relief, but it didn't last long, 'We're going to stab you instead. You came here uninvited. Eavesdropping. That deserves execution at least. Kill him!'