3013

Earendur was surprised when the King entered his cell. Two armed guards escorted the King. He rarely was allowed to receive visitors, only his sister Lindorie visited him regularly.

"What an honor;" Earendur said.

"I have come to offer you a truce;" the king said; "Tell me where Pelargir is located and I will set you free."

Earendur replied; "My answer is the same as the last time you asked me this question sire."

"I had hoped for a different reaction;" the King said. Earendur noticed a small grin on the King's face.

"Then I will have to ask another man of Andunie;" Ar-Zimrathon continued and looked at the door of the cell.

Two more guards entered with Numendil between them. Numendil had his hands tied up. Earendur looked at his grandson and felt defeated, but Numendil was not broken.

"Your son came back to Andunie! My men seized his ship;" The King said.

He turned to Numendil and asked; "Will you tell?"

Numendil answered; "my answer is the same as my father's."

"Take him away;" the King ordered and the two guards left with Numendil.

He again turned to Earendur; "You might not care about your life as you have lived a long time. However, I am not sure your grandson feel the same. Time will tell. I offered you a truce, but you declined. Now the people of Andunie and Pelargir will pay the price for your treason. Next year I will use my right to point out a new representative for Andustar."

The King smiled; "in the meanwhile, I will make sure the people of Pelargir will pledge allegiance to Numenor."

Sakalthor the son of the King entered the room.

"Look what we found on your grandsons ship;" Sakalthor held up a book; "his log of the travels."

"Both my father and I have sailed to Middle Earth many time, we did not find it difficult to read this;" he said. Apparently the people of Andunie have found a way though the Anduin delta. Will you explain this to us?"

However, Earendur look down into the floor.

The King then said; "it matters not, we will send a battalion south from the White Tower and another north from the north bank of Harnen, which you son so bravely secured for his King. Then we will find Pelargir."

The King looked Earendur in deep into his eye, "Remember, Azrubel, I gave you a chance to prove your loyalty, but you choose not to take it."

Earendur looked at the King and his son with an extreme hate in his eyes. However, the king just turned around and left Earendur alone in his cell.

A few weeks passed, and Earendur got another visitor. It was Inzilabeth, his niece.

"It is over;" Earendur said; "the King will find Pelargir and even though it is not his intention his battalions will lead the dark lord to it also. Pelargir is doomed and so is the line of Valandil as Numendil is a prisoner here as many others of our people."

Inzilabeth kissed him; she said; "I am of the line of Valandil."

Earendur said; "you, what can you do?"

Inzilabeth did not answer. She smiled and left him in his cell.

Half a year passed and the winter came to Numenor. The coldest winter anyone remembered. The prison was cold and Earendur was ready to let go of his life, when the guards came for him. They took him outside and in a wagon and drove him towards the Armenelos.

To Earendurs surprise, the guards took him into the Throne Room. There he met King Zimrathon and his son Sakalthor again.

The king said; "my son has a question for you."

Sakalthor continued; "yes, my own son, has given me a problem. He insist on being engaged to a certain maiden, much older than he is. I have asked him to wait, but apparently, she will leave Numenor, if their betrothal is not declared now."

Earendur was confused. "What business is this of mine?" he asked.

Sakalthor continued; "Her father is dead, but still it is required that I as the father asked her closest male relative about the engagement."

Sakalthor paused, and then continued; "and this is you Earendur."

Earendur stood for a while. Then he said; "Inzilabeth!"

Ar-Zimrathon said; "yes Azrubel! You are lucky. We are family now, and I cannot touch you. You and your people are free to go. But understand that is not to me or my sons will."

Earendur smiled, it was a he could smell a coming spring.