amebane, thank you for your kind comment and I hope you wil enjoy this chapter.

Kondoru, I agree with your comment.

Chapter 3

Mírimë sighed in frustration:

"Once again only a vague mention of the incident. No clear facts about the verbal and physical abuse that Vanyarin commander was subjected to, no punishment for those supposedly guilty is mentioned, and for that matter, I don't even see names of the people involved."

Mírimë closed the history book which had not given her the answers she sought and reached for another, last of the six she borrowed to look trough that day. Somehow all the translated works of Middle-Earth historians were removed to a storage where only librarians were allowed admittance, so she had to be content with books written by Vanyarin historians. This, together with the last night's assault on Lady Celebrían gave the young Vanya an unpleasant feeling, which nonetheless failed to discourage her from searching for information. In fact, it made her even more curious than she was before.

"I suppose I'm lucky Avacauro is willing to talk about that fight," she thought and tiredly opened the last book before her. As expected, it also did not contain the information she sought. Outside a bell chimed, signaling the end of lunch break and Mírimë set out for another history class with Master Calimórë. On her way she was accosted by a group of five of her classmates, led by the one who participated in the assault the day before. The leader stood directly before her and his comrades blocked the way back.

"Hello, ink seller," he smirked. "I have a piece of advice for you. Should you in any way imply that I have had something to do with the disturbance yesterday evening, I will just whisper to some gossips that a tradesman named Aranon sells inferior goods for price much higher than what is their real value. And that wouldn't help your dear father's business, would it?"

Mírimë bristled at such a speech and opened her mouth to give the young nér in front of her a piece of her mind. Before she could do it, Master Calimórë's voice rang out:

"Gentlemen! You have a history class to attend, not a classmate-pestering session."

Not wanting to antagonize the teacher, the quintet walked off. Master Calimórë frowned at their backs, then turned to Mírimë, who was still seething.

"That group is dangerously close to crossing a line," he muttered. "Come, we are both almost late."

They set off for the classroom. After arriving there, Mírimë chose a seat among a group of her friends and tried to put the incident in the corridor out of her mind. Master Calimórë began talking.

"The next lesson will be canceled, as I plan to be out of Valmar on personal business."

All heads shot up, a few happy grins appeared and some of the students started to whisper excitedly. The teacher raised his hand to silence them.

"However, that doesn't mean you won't have any work to do. We are about to start talking about events of second age in the Middle-Earth. There are twenty students in this class, so I will divide you into four groups of five. Each group will be given a topic on which they will find information and present what they have found after I'm back. The schedule should appear at the noticeboard outside this classroom by the time you return from your next class today."

All heads bowed and a few groans could be heard. Master Calimórë ignored them and started the day's lesson.


After her return home Mírimë found a royal messenger sitting with her parents. He nodded a greeting and turned to her father.

"Your daughter I assume?"

When Aranon confirmed the assumption, the messenger spoke:

"Lady, as I have already told your parents, your family's presence is required by king Ingwë regarding the attack on his distant relation. Are you ready to go?"

"Let me just put away my things," Mírimë managed to croak and ran to her room. She quickly tossed her satchel on the bed and hurried back. The group set off for the king's palace and her first thought was that this was a beginning of an affair she'd rather not have to participate in. Her second thought, which almost caused her to stumble, was that king Ingwë or some high ranking elf in his service will want to hear every detail of yesterday's incident. She knew the identity of one of the attackers. If she disclosed it today, would her classmate fulfill his threat?

Her thoughts were interrupted when they arrived. They were led to an audience room where a group of nobles was already assembled. There was king Ingwë, Lady Indis, Lady Amarië and her husband, prince Findaráto, son of king Arafinwë.

"My king, here is Aranon, his wife Failindië and his daughter Mírimë, as you requested."

The king nodded in acknowledgement and dismissed the messenger. As the elf departed, another messenger arrived, followed by Avacauro. Greeting were exchanged, the visitors were invited to sit down and questioning started. The main inquirer was prince Findaráto.

„I will start with Master Avacauro. How did you come to be nearby when the attack on my niece occurred?"

"I was having dinner with my friend Aranon's family. We were sitting at the table when we heard a shriek from the street outside. The assault happened practically in front of Aranon's door," Avacauro answered.

Findaráto turned to the other three people summoned.

"Is that an accurate account?"

All three answered in affirmative. The prince looked back to Avacauro.

"Did you recognize some of the attackers?"

"No, I did not. I have only noticed that one of them was dressed in lord Horëamo's colors."

"What exactly was their behavior towards my niece?"

"Two were griping her by her arms and the third one, who was wearing the livery, was pulling up her skirt."

Findaráto's eyes flashed in anger. He continued with his inquiries.

"What did you do when you found out what was happening?"

"I shouted at them to stop and strode towards them. Other people were appearing in the street, so the trio let her go and ran off. I have then followed Failindië's instructions."

The prince turned towards Mírimë's mother.

"What were the instructions? And do you want to add something to Master Avacauro's answers?"

"I asked Aranon to help the lady to the house, sent Avacauro to bring her a glass of strong wine as the poor thing was shaking and I have told my daughter to find a clean dress as the lady's was dusty and torn at left shoulder," Failindië said quickly and nervously. "Oh, and Miri said she knew one of the néri from school."

When prince Findaráto looked at Mírimë, she hesitated.

"Is your mother's memory correct?"

Still no answer.

"Why do you feel you should conceal the attacker's identity, Mírimë?" Findaráto asked and looked deep into her eyes. For a moment she returned his stare and then blurted out:

"He said if I told anyone, he would harm my father's business."

"How did he think to do that?"

"He said he would let a rumor circulate that my father is dishonest and sells overpriced goods of inferior quality."

"I see. Tell me, young one, do you think anyone in this room will run to that nér to inform him you have disclosed his name as soon as the door is closed behind you?"

When Mírimë thought about the prince's words, the scenario indeed seemed ridiculous.

"No sir, I don't think so."

"Well then, who was the attacker you recognized?"

"It was Finiorë, son of Failaquen."

Here king Ingwë adressed prince Findaráto:

„Correct me if I'm wrong, but I'm quite sure that Horëamo's grandson had brought with him a friend named Finiorë to the hunt some months ago. I remember the youngster behaving with appalling arrogance and nearly harming one of my men."

"You are right. I remember the same."

"Then, I will have Horëamo come here for a very long talk about managing both his family and his servants."

Some more questions were asked and Aranon's family and friend were allowed to return home. When Mírimë prepared for bed that day, she had a disturbing and hopefully mistaken thought. What if the commander from Lord Horëamo's story was somehow connected to him also?