Chapter 57
Trek of Lore
~o~
The whirlwind romance next headed back to Dol Amroth by way of Lossarnach. After Aragorn died, the sisters organized things differently. It was not the palace on a horse farm. Eldarion came often with his family but not with large convocations like the first King. The girls had their own quarters in the royal wing with a larger guest section for their brother's needs. Neither Princess was involved in raising horses. They liked them and were good riders, but they left the farm management to folk who knew that and were always there.
They arrived with a modest enough escort that the gate guards slowed them to be sure they weren't interlopers. Gracious smiles forgave sincere apologies and they rode to the main hall. The four escorts found their bunks as the majordomo gave the wink that everyone inside was on duty double-quick. There were about a dozen other guests invited by palace ministers to discuss their portfolio. Those folks were instantly notified too. The presence of the Princess made this all the more impressive.
Now at the end of the breeding season, Stallions and this year's mares were looking for opportunities. They were kept on different ends of the facility for obvious reasons until meeting in the middle. This was the time for workers to be especially carefully about getting kicked or bitten in the cause of love.
The farm made money. It might have made a lot but a goodly number of the horses were supplied to the army at no charge. The girls thought that was part of their service to the crown and paid no mind. Nag Kath and Inariel walked to one of the center corrals where yearlings were frolicking before halter training. Bigger youngsters comfortable being near each other usually became cavalry mounts.
~o~
They reached the archery range and Nag Kath strung his bow. Sighting down a handful of target arrows he said, "Sometimes they warp with weather." Satisfied, he told his wife, "This is the site of my second most famous archery fraud." He described the convoluted bet and game he was roped into when Prince Elboron met him on this very road.
Inariel watched him limber a minute and slowly nock and pull at the faded target. Each arrow kept getting closer to the center. Then he startled her by putting four more in the red faster than she could see him nock and draw. It was a blur even to her Elf eyes. Aiming much further into the forest, he put a war arrow in the center of a tree.
As they walked out to collect the target arrows, she said as if a question, "You have shot like that before."
"At need. Did you know Talienne is the great, umm, four times great granddaughter of Bard the Bowman? Now, that was a shot. Every young archer imagines a terrible fire-drake swooping in for the kill and having to launch the perfect last arrow. Most of the time, they miss and relive it again. Lately I teach children to shoot with padded arrows so they can imagine their own dragons."
"Are there any dragons left, Nag Kath?"
"There are always dragons, my love."
~o~
Their escort was dismissed and they took the fair, dry road to Pelargir. They visited Phyll and Helien. He showed her where the trolls emerged. By chance, they were strolling along the market and saw Athmandal. Nag Kath would not have recognized him but the former deck-hand had no trouble spotting the tall Elf. It would not do until Nag and Inara had an ale at the Tender Mercy.
The man had done well. He hadn't heard of Capt'n Penandoth for years. The Peristonig brothers owned half of Near Harad. Nag Kath was distracted watching the immortal Princess try to drink ale in a bar full of leering sailors. She used her stare and held her own! That was much less common now. Inariel stared because of weak long-range vision. Elf eyes cured that. They stayed in his favorite inn for two nights waiting for a deep-hull ship to Dol Amroth that could take horses.
~o~
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~o~
The family was waiting. The wedding ceremony here was taking over the Blue Crab for the night and a more lordly reception in the citadel. At the latter, Inariel did not see her former father-in-law Lord Kolland or his wife. She told Nag Kath that they had been very kind to her. Inariel wanted to visit them now that she had leisure.
That raised the question of her life-estate in Alas Forten. Lord Kolland was the second son of Prince Alphros. That made his three sons lords as well but not the next generation. Nag Kath, who knew a thing or two about property, asked who was paying for the upkeep. Inariel did not know. She was a Princess of the realm. Someone else did that.
He asked, "Do you love Alas Forten?"
"Oh yes. It is my home and was my peace when I needed it."
Her new husband offered, "I should think that is a strain on the Kollands. He went from almost having the place back to supporting a Princess daughter. What do you suppose the place is worth?"
"I haven't the foggiest."
I imagine it would bring fifty Florin. Let me buy it for you as a wedding present and help your old father-in-law, who is a sight better than my old da."
Inariel nodded. She had never once considered that Lord Kolland was still paying the bills. She did know what money was and floated, "Nag, darling, isn't that quite a lot?"
"I'm filthy rich."
"Oh."
~o~
Nag Kath wrote a note to his Lordship requesting an audience on a subject of mutual benefit. Everyone knew who the Elf was now and His Lordship remembered meeting him from a few years back. A lunch was arranged a day later at Kolland's residence in the palace.
Nag Kath was shown into the main room where the man was looking out a window onto the pasture. The Elf bowed and waited. Kolland walked over to shake hands and showed him to one of two chairs at a small table. Tea was brought.
His Lordship said, "Congratulations on your marriage, Lord Kath. I am sorry we didn't get to keep her longer."
"Thank you, sir. I will care for her."
"Please do. Now, what can I do for you?"
Nag Kath said kindly, "Without putting too fine a point on it, it seems unfair to us that you have to maintain Lady Inariel's estate. I thought that a private offer to purchase the farm might be in your family's interest."
Kolland and his wife would live their lives comfortably but he had two sons left and a dowry to fund for his youngest child. He let the tall man continue, "I thought a cash payment of fifty Florin would serve the case. Another possibility would be … "
The Elf took a small blue bag of worm-wool from his pocket and placed the contents on one side. "These are Elvish diamonds, flawless in every way. This is about twenty Florin worth if you are careful and sell them through a discrete jeweler I can recommend. Let us price them at half that and another forty Florin in gold. That gives you room to care for your family with a little extra for your patience."
Oh, would it ever! The Princess could stay there just as she would have without scandal. He could secure his legacy and those sparklers would be just the thing for a spinster girl needing a husband. It was all so quiet. He was tempted to look at the stones with his fire-glass, but even if they were bilge gravel, forty dented kings would meet the case. It was a lordly offer and the only one he would get.
Lord Kolland agreed, "That is more than fair, Lord Kath. I can have the papers prepared in two days. Who should I have made as the buyer?" The Elf wrote out the name of Kathen Properties on a small sheet of paper and handed it to the relieved Lord of Galador and the higher designation of Lord Defender of the Prince. He was a son of a Prince and wanted that to still count for something with all his heart.
Lord Kolland put on his half-spectacles to read the elegant hand and said, "Why don't you bring my daughter-in-law here for lunch two days hence so we can see her again after so long away."
~o~
Lady Kolland was a dear, scatty lady who paid little attention to the financial affairs of the Principality. The woman maintained their home in keeping with their station, settled family disputes and did as she had been trained. Her Ladyship did not know that her husband's share of the Privy Purse had not risen in eight years, or that the farm could not turn a profit maintaining idle nobility. Their second son had expensive tastes. The woman did know she liked the Princess Inariel very much and was ever so glad that her sadness was past.
At lunch they talked about the farm and Dol Amroth and who was who in the closed community. It was good for the Kollands to see her. Inariel gave Lord Kolland a small, heavy wooden box with a few of their son's things.
~o~
After seeing family and friends, they rode to Alas Forten in the first week of December. Everyone was glad she was back. The Princess told them the financial arrangements were different but that all positions were secure. About a third of the farmland was leased and the rest was managed by employees. Nothing changed there. They would not need Belfalas soldiers. Three of the six, all newer men, took a cash bonus to look elsewhere and the older hands stayed on privately. Dr. Tan-Kolvas said he was ready to retire and got a lovely little home in town.
Nag Kath had never been a farmer until the Lake Nennûrad retreat. Now he knew enough to be dangerous so he asked questions of his new employees but never gave advice, except to build a sluice gate on one of the irrigation ditches. That wasn't something lords generally did. Another thing that got him a few glances was bringing a small bag of dirt with him. The orchardist was to plant seeds of the Coloma division fruit from Ithilien in a handful of that soil. It looked the same as the good loam of Alas Forten but the blonde man was the Lord and lords make the rules.
Miss Told was in heaven. Her Ina was back with her handsome husband and they would live forever. There had not been time in his first stay but he told her many stores of old lore from Elves and Easterlings and men of the north. Those were for his wife's benefit too since they were almost always new. Sometimes he would draw pictures for them, seeming to remember as if he was just there.
Lady's Maid Miss Told and chambermaid Amalie were in an odd position. Generally, a Princess would travel with at least one of each. This Princess rode a horse with no troopers or carriage or servants. Inariel made it clear that they were to serve in their usual capacity when she was there and make themselves useful when she wasn't. Slightly out of school, Miss Told intimated that Amalie and the farm manager's elder son were forming an attachment. Chambermaids were to be maidens. It was training for the house and training to be a good wife, but when they married, they left. With the unconventional situation, Her Ladyship said they could make an exception in the young woman's case.
Winters are mild in the Belfalas valleys. The newlyweds stayed close to home, riding often, and taking long walks. In March they said goodbye and rode back to Dol Amroth before the trip to Minas Tirith and beyond.
~o~
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~o~
It would be spring soon. Nag Kath and Inariel sailed around the cape and up the river in plenty of time to prepare for the trip north. Aragorn had purposely made Eldarion of Arnor. There was no way of keeping Arnor part of the Reunited Kingdom unless they wanted to be that way. Choosing Queen Aranthal was not planned, but since the heir spent so much time in Annúminas, it increased the chances he would meet and marry a woman of that land. Prince Elhidron would remain as Steward for the first time and probably represent the empire himself next year. Barahir had been on this trip with Aragorn three times and knew what it took. The Prince's second secretary, a man who could ride in the wilds, was coming for any correspondence needed.
Kings make royal stops along the way. Nag Kath had usually been on the periphery of past trips with more freedom to eat with friends and skirt dull meetings. That would be harder now. They traveled with an escort of sixty White City troopers and ten of Barahir's plus servants, administrators and people to erect tents and put food in them, in all about a hundred souls. Eldarion did not drive as hard as his father when Aranthal and her ladies were along. This was also time spent between the King and his Lady Sister. With forty years between them, they met more than they grew-up together. There was healing in that.
~o~
The realm was also long past remnant gangs of defeated enemies. Guards payed attention, but their main job was to not trample gawking townsfolk. A van was always one day ahead securing the next night's lodgings and fresh food in lieu of what they carried.
The first stop was Edoras. King Halath was glad to see them. He was glad of Nag Kath too. It had been thirty-seven years since the Elf presented him with Altheras' sword and he remembered it like yesterday. Inariel hadn't heard about that either but she did remember him telling her how proud he was receiving it. The Elf did not keep track of possessions any better than royals did.
After dining and ale for several days, the company made for the Glittering Caves. They were now under Lord Dendror of Erebor so this was diplomacy with the northern kingdom. Engineer Thurgin was still in residence and they slipped away with the Princess to relive the days of the Gimli Cascade. The caves had been excellent mines for metals and jewels but only held traces of mithril. Khazad Dûm had never been reopened. The Dwarvish engineer confidentially admitted that the drive in Durin's folk for new territory had seen its height when the rings existed. Orcs were still believed in those pits, possibly Balrogs, and no one near the crown wanted to risk an expedition-in-force.
From there they made for the Gap after meeting with the Marshal of Orthanc at the town of the Gap Road. It was a genuine town now on this side of the bridge. Still in Rohan, both sides used it for meetings like this. Nag Kath asked if any more of Gandalf's powders had been found in the store house. Not than anybody noticed.
Dunland had a few more people too, but not a lot. Trum Dreng was still lovely. The company stayed there for the evening meal and Nag Kath showed his bride where history was made. There was no sense of foreboding in the Mournshaws. He did not try to summon the Wild Huntsman. Tharbad had not had a truly destructive flood in thirty years. While there, Eldarion asked Nag Kath to consider a new kind of bridge that might last. The ferries were much larger and more stable than the rickety barges back in the day, but it still left cavalry vulnerable.
~o~
From there it was straight to the Shire. They crossed the bridge Nag Kath designed on his first trip here. As protocol demanded, The King applied for, and was immediately granted, permission to enter the independent lands of the little people. Nag Kath loved Hobbits. He did not know any of them here but knew Ambassador Weathercraft had written saying there was scholarly interest in the Red Book of Westmarch. With a wink and a nod, the King asked to stay a few days longer than usual to let his 'scholars' research family lore.
Peregrin Took brought King Aragorn a copy when the Hobbit came to live in Minas Tirith but it was incomplete as Nag Kath remembered it, particularly the illustrations. They were hoping that heirs of the Gamgees would have the original or bits and pieces to complete it. Peregrin himself had never written in the document. Now sixty years or more since Sam was said to have given the book to his daughter, they would be looking for grand or great grandchildren. If there were ever folk to keep things for no particular reason, it was Hobbits. They were also the least likely to remember where they were.
The first order of business was a great meal just like the one Nag Kath attended in year 30. It even looked like the same tent. As honorees, and as the last two traveling Elves, it was easy to ask innocent questions about the original Fellowship families. Elanor the Fair was Samwise's oldest child and said to have received the book when her father reportedly sailed to Elvish lands. She was also a maid of Honor to Arwen, whose daughter just happened to be here.
All that was toast-worthy, but no one here knew who had inherited the book from her. The Gamgees had a long run of daughters who married high and low among these people so it was hard to be sure who went where. Their break came a day later when an elderly woman came forward. She was granddaughter to Sam's daughter Daisy.
She said she had seen the book, by then turned rust brown. It was in the custody of the Fairbairns. A member of that family was already among the invitees and more than happy to meet with the Princess Elf, her husband and the heir of Faramir! The next day he took them to another relative who had the middle of three original books, the one least represented in Thain Took's compilation. Faramir had his secretary and tall, blonde friend furiously copy it over the next day while he attended lordly functions with the elegant lady Elf. Poor Mrs. Fairbairns was not sure where the other books were but would ask among the family. With aching hands, the scribes made the farewell dinner to wish their hosts long and splendid lives.
~o~
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~o~
Riding into Annúminas brought back memories. From here it was a hard ride to the Angmar crescent or the low pass where the advance party cut the corner through the orcs. The southern orcs were still there. No one was sure about the northern band. When cajoled, Nag Kath told the roasted pig story, the third and last, he hoped.
Eldarion had continued his father's restoration of the ancient city. It, Thân zîrân and Nennûrad all had that quality of a deep blue lake with mountains on one side bringing a sense of calm. The King's business was to let his northern subjects know they were important and had a voice in council. His sister was here for the first time since she was twenty, adding weight to the bond.
On the trip, Barahir spent quite a bit of time with the Kaths. Hearing them talk about Rivendell, he asked if he could travel with them. He might not be able to penetrate any wards departing Elves created, but he would rather be denied than wish he hadn't tried. They agreed. The King agreed. The 'scholars' stayed in the summer capital until a month before the King intended to return to the White City. Barahir kept six troopers and left the others and his staff behind. If their timing was good, the parties would rejoin near Tharbad.
Nag Kath walked the streets of Fornost remembering not remembering. Bree was still a bit seedy but the food was good and the soldiers could bunk in real beds. Rivendell was a hundred leagues due east. The Great Road was busy with merchants finishing their season but they made way for the armed company. Nag Kath showed them Bilbo's trolls, about the same size as the ones in Pelargir.
~o~
When they reached the path to Rivendell, the troopers did not like letting their Prince travel on alone but made a camp along the main road while the two Elves and Barahir approached the hidden entrance. Nothing had changed. Rocks meant to fool had to be ignored every time. They rounded the corner and beheld the Imladris Valley in all its autumn splendor.
Inariel would have to hope her horse watched his feet because she could only marvel at her grandfather's home. Streams were everywhere. Nag Kath led sure-footed Orlon on foot to make sure the thin rock bridges had not suffered from neglect. Barahir was amazed as well. Over the second bridge he felt resistance, almost like wind, but between the Elves it passed quickly. Wards were dissipating.
They made their way slowly to the main entrance and tied the horses to the rock post. Nag Kath showed them the way up. A small breeze blew falling leaves in swirls around the outer deck and into the library. It all seemed older, somehow wilder, than when Nag Kath was here last. He showed the Prince a few volumes of interest but mostly watched for keepers. Inariel saw one first. Unlike Orc Six, she felt him coming and watched him approach.'
"Hmmm, haven't seen you before."
She said, "No, good sir. This is my first visit here."
Nag Kath heard them speaking and walked around the book shelf to say, "Good day, Mr. Fencïl. I hope you are well."
"Hughmmm. Well enough."
"May I present my wife the Lady Inariel. She is the granddaughter of Lord Elrond."
"Hughmmm, there is another."
Nag Kath said, "Yes, let me just get him." He walked around the bookcase and whispered, "Bara, company."
The Prince closed the book and accompanied the Elf around to the other side of the library. Nag Kath said, "Mr. Fencïl, this is Prince Barahir, grandson of Faramir."
"Hughmmm, haven't seen you before either."
The Prince said in Sindarin, "It is a pleasure to meet you sir. I am keen on the study of lore."
The keeper seemed to have no trouble with a man being here. Perhaps it was because he was accompanied by Elves. The keeper mulled that over for a minute and said, "Well, we have plenty of that here."
Inariel was fascinated. Despite her extraordinary lineage, she had only met men, Dwarves and Hobbits, none of them magical. Here was a creature not of those lines, one created by the Valar, she supposed, for a unique purpose. She asked him almost reverentially, "Mr. Fencïl, did you know my mother Arwen?"
The keepers were always gruff with men but with a lady Elf, Fencïl was more deferential, "No, I did not. She was only here when there were many Elves. We come after they leave, or are almost gone. I met your great grandfather Celeborn when he stayed with your uncles, among the last to leave, they were."
The Princess clapped her hands together and said, "I do hope you will tell me all about him. I am too young to have met him."
Mr. Fencïl looked at Nag Kath with his usual grouchiness, "Will you be staying for a while, Orc Six?"
"Two days. There are others waiting for us and we did not want to impose."
"Hughmmm, very well. I will tell Mrs. Fencïl that you will be staying for dinner. Best look to your horses before dark."
The keeper turned and strode away on his grasshopper legs. After a minute, Nag Kath said, "I know the stables. Let me manage the horses and let you look through the volumes. Just remember, everything has to stay here. Be back before too long." He skipped down the steps and took all three mounts around the back.
~o~
Barahir went back to his books while the Princess walked over to the window and looked at the same view her mother saw for thousands of years, the same view her father saw as a child, then leading the Fellowship and after the war. Nag Kath had summarized these volumes thoroughly over the years so the Prince joined Inariel by the window. If he wanted to tell the story of her parents, he had but to follow her eyes.
Nag Kath was back half a bell later with straw on his pants and asked, "My dear, how do you feel? You are new to Elvendom."
"Fine, husband. I hear voices in my head, perhaps voices of those who left."
Barahir said, "There have been a few."
Nag Kath said, "The real lesson is dinner. Come, let us join our hosts for storytelling."
~o~
It was just the three of them with Mr. and Mrs. Fencïl. The keeper had a sip of his tea and said, "Orc Six, the last time you were here you had just been dead. That seems to have improved."
"One can hope. I went to healing places in the east to regain my strength. Then I returned and was reacquainted with Lady Inariel."
Mrs. Fencïl was very curious about the beautiful child She-Elf and asked, "How is it that you did not go with your kin, young lady?"
The Princess said demurely, "I was afflicted with a blood disorder only a year ago and was made Elf by it."
The keeper said, "Hughmmf, that ran in your family. Do the Undying Lands call to you?"
"Not yet, sir."
Mrs. Fencïl looked at the Prince saying, "We haven't seen many men."
Mr. Fencïl corrected, "We haven't seen any."
She said sweetly, "Well, none is few enough. You are interested in lore?"
"Indeed. My father and his before studied history of our lands."
The keeper said, "Hughmmmph. Well, we are done with dinner. Orc Six, would you like to lead us in a story?"
"Why not? I have a new one." He told the story of the last of the army of the dead and building the bridge to join the sundered town. With embellishments and a flair for drama learned here, it was a crafted little yarn. Women were not expected to join so Barahir told a story of his grandfather finding the Hobbits and Gollum. He told it well and was surprised at how much he enjoyed reciting in classical voice. His Sindarin was better than he thought.
~o~
The keeper said, "Well, I suppose it is my turn. What would you like to hear?"
As planned, Inariel replied sweetly, "I am a descendant of Lúthien. I should like to hear that tale, Master keeper."
Mrs. Fencïl added, "We have not heard that in some time."
"Hughmphh, very well …" He told his version of the great tale. It was on the long side. Keepers use the poetic style of repeating familiar verses to keep the audience awake and remember the progression. When he was done, everyone congratulated him on a splendid telling. It was time for bed. Nag Kath watched his wife sleep all night.
The next day Barahir continued scrolling through the books. Inariel spent most of the day with Mrs. Fencïl. Nag Kath reread some of the Quenya looking for similarities to the troll pages. After dinner that night, Nag Kath told the story of the little fire-drake. All wondered if it might still be looking for its home.
Barahir had a short tale about the Elf community in Emyn Arnen. Fencïl had a yarn from the Years of Trees, which seemed impossibly long ago. The Keeper was not quite six thousand years old so that was well before his time. To Mrs. Fencïl's pretended shock and secret delight, Inariel gave a story her mother told her about the Second Kinslaying. She later admitted she did not remember it well but it was good to give it life.
Fencïl cocked his head sideways. Keepers kept the spirit of place. Lore was incidental. There was no true ancient Elvish lore here. The Elves never told men of their bloody years and men did not write it down. Then the Elves left with three ages of Middle-earth archives. The keeper gave as close as his face could to a smile and said to Barahir, "Soon it will be your turn to remember."
~o~
They planned to leave early. The soldiers would be getting nervous and should not try to cross that second bridge. The three had porridge and accepted some genuine Lembas for their trip. When the Prince and Princess went down to get the horses, Nag Kath said to the keeper, "There is another thing I would like you to see. I got this in Lamedon recently. Have you seen its like?"
Fencïl sat down and looked very closely, finally saying, "This is from the earliest days of the Elves. I cannot read it, I only know of it. It was a voice to speak to the First Born. This is old, Orc Six, very old."
Nag Kath did not want the others waiting so he said, "Are there those of you who can read this?"
The keeper said humbly, "I do not think so. Even Logass came well after this tongue was tried and discarded."
They heard feet coming up the stairs. The Elf said, "Bless you and Mrs. Fencïl. I will try to find more stories for next time." He slid the pages into his satchel.
~o~
The troopers were glad to see their lord safe and pleased. From there they forded the Bruinen and followed the same trail Nag Kath used on his first trip to Dale. It put them in Tharbad a week ahead of the King.
~o~
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In the best of worlds, the royal newlyweds would not have camped in fields and forests but Nag Kath thought, and Inariel agreed, that she needed to see Elvish places. Arwen had visited them early as Queen but by the time Inara was old enough to travel, her father traveled less.
The trip brought their family closer. Each child was twenty years apart. Inariel spent much more time with the King and elder Princess than Nag Kath who kept to his usual haunts. They visited Emyn Arnen over the mild winter for a week. Barahir tried to spend a bell a day writing lore but with the Kath's in residence, that was lore too.
In the White City they split time between his home and her apartments on the seventh. Nag Kath kept a small assortment of lordly garments there since what was where he generally needed them. As a rule, they did not use bodyguards when they were alone.
~o~
The Princess discovered why. Lasthlo Conath invited the Kath's to join him at a respectable fourth-level restaurant meeting his sweetheart. Her name was Annalien Kobalth and her da was in the canvas business. Annalien was allowed out on the understanding that Lasthlo's Aunt and Uncle would be with them as chaperones. They met at the Silver Ladle for lunch with Inariel as Inara.
Business owners on the middle levels like everyone to think that boisterous patrons are confined to the first and second levels. But we all know that even well-dressed merchants can drink a skin-full and start trouble. Five men at a table in the center of the room started arguing, something about the quality of a delivery. Two men stood and one pushed the other. The pushed man threw a punch, missed his target and hit a third on the ear. From there it was a melee.
Patrons fled out or to the edges of the room. When one of the belligerents stumbled towards the Kath's corner table, Lasthlo, who came from the big Northman side of the family, grabbed a chair to defend his lady. The man coming at him growled, "I'll settle with you later, greenbottom!"
Nag Kath rose as well and the lout smirked, "I'll thrash you now, pretty-thing!"
Most of the people left in the room were watching the main fight but a few saw the aggressor fly up and knock his head on a beam and then fall to the floor face-first. The other four heard him hit the planks and decided that their differences weren't so great that they could let a pair of greenbottoms trounce one of their own. As they approached, a beam of yellow hit their faces, stopping them in their tracks. Nag Kath walked to them and said softly, "Take your friend and go home. You will decide you do not like coming here."
The four looked around the room as if waking in a strange place. Then they hauled the downed man to his feet and staggered out the door. Nag Kath put two silvers on the table and said, "Miss Kobalth, I think we should take you home."
Lasthlo walked out first to make sure the five weren't waiting and then the group made their way to her house, only a block from Nag Kath's. Lasthlo walked her to the door. She wasn't any the worse for the experience and her parents were glad she was home with her chaperones standing in the switchback. The young Northman rejoined them and chuckled, "Nag, you are the man to have in a scrap."
Uncle Nag counseled, "No need to mention this to your mum, eh?"
Lasthlo laid his finger alongside his nose and walked home.
~o~
In the five minute walk back to Nag Kath's house, Inariel did not say a word. She was upset. In the whole trip north, the only magic her husband showed was testing water. She knew he had great healing powers but this was the sudden violence Barahir said he wielded. Somehow it had seemed so remote, as if of another age.
Nag Kath hung her cloak and joined her on the couch. She sat with knees together and hands clinched in her lap. Her face was ghostly white. After a minute she said, "Nag, I am frightened."
He mistook her concern, "It was just a bar fight, my dear."
"Will those men be well?"
"The four will be groggy with a headache. The one, I am not sure. He was breathing when they took him out. I would not have hurt him but he carried a boot-knife, very handy for throwing; boot-knives."
Still trembling Inariel asked, "What did you do?"
"A bringing spell on the one. I used a confusion spell on the others. That is a quick copy of one witches use to make people do their bidding, like with Lord Echieron the ward on my bag in Nargond. There is a counter-spell for clarity."
The Princess was breathing again but Prince Barahir's admonition still rang in her ears. More composed she said, "Your friend Athmandal in Pelargir said you sent flames across the sea to burn a boat."
Against the gravity of the situation, Nag Kath chuckled, "Not one of my better efforts. It only works on water." He recalled the ice cave, "Gandalf was the master of fire. Saruman was said to draw his power through air. Radagast was of earth and told me I got my power through water, the female element."
Inariel said very slowly, "Fe … male?"
"Aye. Healers and witches pull from water, often in themselves. That is why their craft is so hard on them. I get my power from water too. I was attacked by a Hourn-tree. They don't fear water. When I got away, I practiced the fire spell on dry land. All I did was burn a stripe in the grass that smelled like men drinking ale and eating pickled cabbage."
Against her lifelong training, Inariel giggled. That did not relieve her anxiety so she composed herself and asked gravely, "What about the arrows?"
"That is 'the fast'. At need I can move so quickly that it seems a blur. It only lasts a moment but I can do quite a bit. That is not a spell. The wizards said it came from Saruman. Thranduil and your great granna were said to do something similar."
The Princess wrung her hands. She had to say this now and did not want to. They were so happy together. "You could have hurt them all?"
"Everyone in the room."
She stammered, "Everyone anywhere?"
He finally saw where this was leading, "Quite a few. I would …"
She interrupted, "My love, would you use these powers to take lordship?"
He shook his head and said, "No. Good rulers give of themselves. Bad ones draw to themselves. Accumulating powers of any kind is the path of the dark ones. You must not worry, my dear. These are all questions I have asked and answered many times."
That did not help. Inariel turned to look him in the eye and said, "But you have killed rulers and their armies. Is my family safe?! I must know or go mad."
Nag Kath put his arm around her shoulder. "Yes, yes I have. They were always trying to use the last dark craft of the enemy. I hope they are gone. I am looking forward to long peaceful years with my Lady Wife." Now he had trouble with an association that made him smile.
"Oh no you don't! You must tell me!"
"If you insist."
She said firmly, "I do."
"You haven't heard this one. Dulgov of Rhûn would only meet me separated by iron bars, like a gaol, and get no closer than four paces for fear of my reach. I got along rather well with the old rascal."
She gave him the famous stare, "How can you treat this so lightly?!"
Her changeling became quite serious and touched her face gently, "How can I do otherwise? This is my life. I am a warrior in disguise. I held the Witch-stone in my hand, the Dwarf ring too. I had but to keep them. Like your father, I did not. That was my test."
Inariel relented and put her head on his shoulder. They sat for a while when a little voice murmured, "I had to know, even if you would not love me."
He pulled her close and did not speak.
~o~
~o~o~o~
~o~
Inariel became more Elvish and less Princess quickly. In a royal family, proximity to the crown informs all. She was no longer part of the succession. She was immortal. There were already two grandsons of Aragorn. She was not the dowager Lady in her haven either. Knowing the man she loved was not a monster gave her freedom she had never felt before.
Her man cared for her and held her and did little things women like; passionate things. He took her to a fifth-level dancing club. She wore a veil like other ladies who did not want to be recognized. They watched an experienced couple moving closely together in rhythm to soft music. Inariel had danced in classical pageants as a child but this; this was, well, she wasn't sure what this was. Back at his house, they swayed to him humming. It would have been impossible before.
After saying goodbyes, they took the Grandeur to Pelargir for a few days and then Ülmo's Grace around the cape. April weather worked against them. The Grace was new and large but Nag Kath had never seen swells like this coming off the Belegaer. In a two day storm, they lost a crewman overboard and limped into the Commercial Harbor with only one good mast.
~o~
Cal was sitting on his porch watching the ships come in and out. He could no longer see which ones but could tell the type by the outline. Nag Kath and Inariel were expected about now and they walked up to greet him. He did not rise. Nag Kath asked, "Is Callistra inside?"
Caladrion Ivandred sipped his tea for a long moment and said, "Sorry, Nag, Inara. You missed her. She faded away two weeks ago. You probably passed the letter in the Ethir. Made it to 86, my girl."
The Kath's dropped their bags on the planks and sat silently. Cal was 112 last month and had now outlived both children. The man rocked back and forth, gently cradling his tea mug. Nag Kath said, "I'm sorry, Cal. How are you bearing-up?"
"I am fine. We knew it was coming. The place is lonely. I am glad you are back."
Inariel knew Callistra better than any of the family besides Cal. She was an energetic woman with a warm sense of humor, very much in the Talereth mold of matchmaker and homemaker. Calli raised lovely children.
Caladrion continued, "You must have caught that storm at the shoals."
The Elf said grimly, "Straight-on. Lost a man and two masts."
Cal sipped and spoke, "The Belegaer Maiden is three days late. Did you see her?"
"No, just us and a harrier going the other way."
Sailors say a silent prayer for every ship that doesn't come home. It is always a danger and keeps anyone from taking the sea lightly.
Inariel needed to say something, "Cal, what can we do?"
"First, have Mrs. Ubould get you some tea and have her bring me another. I can't supervise all these ships otherwise." The old man smiled as the Princess went inside. Mrs. Ubould was always a bit flustered when royalty came into her kitchen. Cook brought two mugs out for the men and the Princess got her own.
With a fresh mug, Caladrion continued, "Everyone else is fine. No new grandkids since you left. Inara, I ran into Lord Kolland last month, no, two months ago and gave him your best. That was a very nice thing you did for him."
She knew it was her husband but thanked Cal on both of their behalves. Looking out over the harbor the retired Minister asked, "Are you here for a while?"
Inariel took that one; "Through the summer, then over to Alas Forten for harvest and winter."
"Good. Nag, it must be hard to keep track of so many families."
"I am down to two now, not including in-laws. Rey and Heuris Conath are not well. The rest are fine. I think their grandson is going to pop the question shortly. Nice girl. We will let your youngsters know we are back."
Cal smiled, "Do that. I suppose we will need to get you tickets for the season. They are not as hard to come by as they were when you built your ship. Young people like plays and sporting competitions now."
~o~
~o~o~o~
~o~
The Libron family was getting back to normal. As Cal said, they had time to prepare and mother was sharp until the end. Again, the Dunedain touch was fickle. Caladrion looked as old as his children had. As Inariel knew better than anyone, a very long life meant a long old age. King Elessar had been in a wheeled-chair for six years. She imagined Nag Kath with Phylless in her eighties. He would have seemed younger, but only on the outside.
They had dinner at Raniece's two nights later. The Ivandreds were getting used to the idea that the strange Uncle Nag was peripheral royalty. The Kath's also paid their respects to the Prince who did not insist they stay at the citadel. Armandor was getting used to the idea that she was more Elf than Princess now and Inariel had never spoken for the crown. Like Lasthlo, the family knew her Elf could handle himself in a scrap.
Nag Kath took Inara fishing on a two-person boat. She was a fair sailor but hated handling fish and would wash her hands with harsh soap until the smell was completely gone. Bait was little better. After two attempts, she helmed the tiller and he caught the dinner.
Thankfully, they left their horses in Minas Tirith. They would have been thrashed in their stalls unless tied and roped all different ways. The couple would get new mounts when they needed them for the trip to Alas Forten. Finding more horses for the Lady of Lossarnach was not hard, even here. Inariel took time to sit with some of the younger Ivandred lasses in their reading classes. With such a large gap between Eldarion, Millicend and Inariel, the royal children did not study together. The Princess had tutors and sometimes sat with other ranking children, but reading in a group was different. She liked it and wished she had done more of it in her formative years.
Much of the time they spent with Cal. He still walked on clear days where it was flat. Hills were trouble. He could make it to the music pavilion but not back. This year's season would open with an old favorite, 'She Told You So'. It sounded like a scold but was a sweet story about young love without the usual incompetent villains. Extra choristers in the wings were made to sound like instruments. Caladrion enjoyed himself, had a goblet of pale wine at the Lion and took a man-cart back home with Nag Kath and Inariel walking alongside. By discreet prior arrangement, two of the Prince's personal guardi were posted several rows further back to keep an eye on the brunette in the Ivandred box.
There were only six shows this season with gaps for newer plays that had no singing. Cal said younger people liked these, but to him, that was anyone under fifty. These were often more complex than the predictable Catanards. The writing had to be approved by the Prince's Arbiter and one of his men was usually in the crowd to be sure that the actors did not vary their lines to incite discord. The year before, one man railed against an injustice. He spent a night in gaol, was fined five groats and found his employment terminated.
~o~
During the summer, there was something playing at the pavilion several times a week. Inariel wanted to finish a book so Nag Kath met Derissa Haldaro's son, 16 year-old Phaerath, for something to do. A troupe from Lower Khand was allowed to use the stage that night. The players earned what the audience put in their bowl. Performed in Variag, the crowd was thin enough for the two to sit where the musicians usually played for western entertainments.
It was a bit different than Sayings or Lorists of Upper Khand. The players, all men, represented lesser gods, Maiar to westerners, deciding the fate of a village. The citizens had been largely faithful, but these godlings knew a flood was coming that would destroy them. Higher Valar could avert the storm but took no interest. These fellows were deciding if they should warn the people or let nature take its course. Two gods thought to warn, two thought to be silent so it was down to the fifth and youngest of them for judgment.
They were still far enough from the stage that Uncle Nag could give a quiet running interpretation to Phaerath. After great wailing and upset, a warning would be given based on scripture so that the pious would understand. And like a lot of Khandian stories, the audience never learned how the village fared. Western men would be howling for refunds without a decisive outcome.
~o~
When it was over, Nag Kath dropped two silvers on top of half a dozen groats. They sounded different than copper and one of the players came over to thank the sir in better than expected Westron.
The Elf replied in Variag, "Thank you for bringing this to us. It is much like the Hantougsh Vrembal."
That got him a stare that could never touch Inariel's but signified nonetheless. One of the others storing their meagre props heard it too and walked over. Both bowed. The first man said in that tongue, "Sir must have traveled in far lands."
"For long years, best of sirs, though, mostly in the north."
By then the other three wandered over. Ever the Righter, Nag Kath said, "If it is not too near Gelansor, perhaps you will join my nephew and I for wine."
The mention of the July crescent moon had no effect but the offer of a drink went over unanimously. The crowd at the Lion was thin as well. All five were from Laórki and spoke a smattering or better of the common-tongue so Phaerath could follow along. The Elf told them he had been mostly around Lhûg and Nennûrad but also visited the capital long ago. He did not look old enough to have been anywhere long ago, but he spoke the language like a native and knew the roads.
In Dol Amroth, one only speaks like everyone else does. Discussing other places with other peoples with Uncle Nag was new for Phaerath. Their southern Khagan was fine as of three years ago. The Rhûns were behaving themselves. When they got to the Haradrim, the conversation became graver. Every able-bodied man in Khand who couldn't afford to bribe his way out of service had a good chance of spending time in Chelkar watching, fighting or insulting the Southrons. The northwest was the worse posting since it bordered the militant state of Gizar below the Ephel Duath range. According to Rhamhous, who had served his full four years on the line, the Hûk or Chieftain of Gizar had fallen in a coup just before their troupe came to the west and was replaced by his nephew Hûk Tulbar. Young Tulbar was a nasty piece of work and wanted to return to the old ways.
That raised a hair on the jovial blonde who had no discernible reason for knowing anything about Gizar, much less quite a bit. That was the land where the Visitors were able to topple a former Hûk and the breeding ground for the fanatical troops who died on the Pelennor. The Elf was not sure why. He slipped into Mordor with Shelturn along those passes. They seemed fertile. Perhaps it was something in the blood. No matter, Uncle Nag kept buying weak wine and kept getting answers about troop concentrations, recruitment and if Tulbar had men on the Gondor side of his realm.
They adjourned agreeing the blonde man and his young friend were the best of sirs and hoped they would return for another show after the troop played in the mud-flats of the Ethir. When he got home, the patron wrote a letter in a northern language to an address in the White City. He lit his candle that night.
~o~
~o~o~o~
~o~
Conveniently avoiding 'Tears of the Mountains', the Kaths rode to Alas Forten in late July. This was the first time Nag Kath and Inariel truly took their leisure. He had his projects but they were not taxing. They found they did not need to talk much to communicate. Somehow that seemed Elvish, though neither truly knew.
The Odar were in deep water during high summer but other sea fish made their way to the affluent central valley. The Coloma trees had grown a couple feet, despite everyone knowing they would not flourish here. It was just dirt. He also planted seeds of other strange plants. Some were healing herbs. Some were Lembas ingredients. One of these days, he would finally make true way-bread on his own.
It was idyllic, never too hot, usually with a breeze. Rain was welcome when it came. The man who saw to the vineyards said this would be an exceptional year for their local red grapes. Men of the mountains said the yellow grapes were strong as well. Something always did well and something else always did poorly so the farm had many crops.
Militia training in Dudhrandir was a one-week infantry drill. Listless farmers, tired after bringing in fruit and wheat, trudged back and forth through the stubble threatening thin air with staffs and pikes. Nag Kath's first instinct was to become Burry reborn with backsides kicked high. Then he reasoned the only place that would invade central Belfalas was northern Belfalas. Although the farm had its own designation because of who owned it, the county was nominally governed by the Piro-Tendrit family in Dol Amroth. They were a large, contentious group with little interest in the hinterlands. If the Elf was going to say anything, it would not be to them.
~o~
Summer became fall, Inariel's favorite season. Chambermaid Amalie did indeed marry the farm manager's son Billitorn and was allowed to stay on staff. Nag Kath thought the baby would be about seven months after the marriage. He kept that to himself. Winter was colder than usual. The Elves did not mind. Before they realized, it was spring again. Amalie had a baby girl who was called Florice, an old family name. This year, Miss Told would ride with them to Dol Amroth. She had not been on a horse since she got here but thought it undignified for Her Ladyship to have temporary help. She actually rode rather well.
~o~
~o~o~o~
~o~
The spring of the year 130 was a lot like the previous year for the Kath's. Cal managed to get around. Children got older, so did their parents. In noble news, Prince Barahir's son and heir Tyaldran and his wife Deriandrie were coming for the summer with their older daughter Misanaldra who had just turned eleven. Fourteen year-old son Arathorn and daughter Taliense who was just nine would stay with their grandparents.
Tyaldran had been here three times before and this was his second trip representing the Principality. In addition to the blood ties with the Ivandreds, the family tree grew from Prince Imrahil. Those vines were thinning with the generations and needed tending. They arrived without incident on June 4th and immediately went to the citadel. Protocol required the two fiefs to greet each other first thing. They would be staying there anyway. As always, Borond and Raniece had the Ivandred family gathering a few days later. Lady Deriandrie did not travel well on the sea and was much improved after four days of solid ground.
~o~
When Nag Kath and Inariel arrived, the family was a bit surprised at how deeply the Lord and Lady of Ithilien bowed to them. Aunt Inara had become less formal after prolonged exposure to Nag Kath but she was the ranking Lady of Gondor in Belfalas. The ranking family member was Caladrion who came by man-cart but could walk inside the house. He bowed to his great grandson and then they shook hands. Nag Kath and Inariel came over next. The Lord and Lady gave another short bow and then they held hands as she said, "It is good to see you both again. While you are here we will have long conversations."
Nag Kath said, "Hello Ty, Deria. Welcome back."
Misanaldra, shortened to Missy, was almost the same age as two of her Dol Amroth cousins and had a wonderful time after the boring old palace. She walked up to Uncle Nag and said with conviction, "I am too old to have groats in my ears!"
"I should think they will have grown to nippers by now, young lady."
Everyone could see her thinking whether she was too old for any coin or just groats. She smiled and kept them guessing. With children, less a few who could not come, they had twenty-five guests. Raniece had learned long ago to have a restaurant deliver everything and have someone else clean up in the morning. That was how Uncle Nag did it, among many. They had a lovely evening.
Catanard season started in ten days. Caladrion was excited. He could still walk to the pavilion and went to the first comedy, 'The Courtly Minstrel'. Now into great, great grandchildren, Menalgir got another box of six on the other side of the stage a few years before. They still had to rotate the family and children under twelve were discouraged by long tradition.
A few weeks later, Cal slipped on a cobblestone and landed hard on his side. The street was crowded and two men immediately helped him into a man-cart and saw him home. Nag Kath was next door and summoned right away. Nothing was broken but the old man would have a long bruise on his thigh and have to stay quiet for quite some time.
~o~
The comedy 'Better Sense' was three days away. Nag Kath and Salvie, just turned twenty-three, had dinner with Cal that night while Inariel joined heirs from both sides of the family in the Princely box. After the performance, the male soloist and two of the chorus along with a half-dozen family members and Miss Told were slipped inside by Salvie. They came into the main room to sing some of Caladrion's favorite songs from different operas. Dry eyes were hard to find.
By the time the last show was played, Cal could take a man-cart to the pavilion and use a wheeled-chair to his familiar seat. He could walk around the house again.
A good summer by all accounts.
~o~
The autumn went well too. Dudhrandir militia training did not impress but the gentleman Elf farmer just thanked everyone and made sure their workers kept weapons in good repair. Some of them might have been used in the War of the Ring. Amalie's baby was growing like a weed. The Coloma trees leafed well.
In February a rider arrived with a message that Caladrion had another fall. Nag Kath went back to Dol Amroth with him. As usual, Cal was on his porch with tea but this time in his wheeled chair. The family hired a strong young man to get him in and out and help around the house.
Nag Kath inspected the damage. Again, nothing was broken, but the bruise went to the bone. Neither of them thought he would walk again and neither of them said so. Except for a few nights a week out with younger family, the Elf stayed close to home. He and Cal talked about all the things that made a wonderful life. Some were not so wonderful, but taken together, as one must do in this world, the scale tipped in his favor.
A cold swept through Dol Amroth in March. Most people got it with sniffles and runny noses. Caladrion caught it too. It settled in his lungs. Nag Kath could pull some away, but colds never came clean. Cal's breathing was ragged for a day, seemed to improve and then got worse. Derissa was not sick so she sat with him holding his hand. Nag Kath had the chair across the room. That night in the wee hours she felt his grip slip away. As if not to disturb dear Cal, she whispered, "Nag." The Elf walked over and felt for a pulse. Then he put his hand on her shoulder and kissed the top of her head.
~o~
At light, Derissa went to her brother's and sister's houses to tell them. Nag Kath stayed with his oldest friend. Cal's water blossom was not alone beyond the circle anymore. The couple was of the last time Nag Kath still needed people. He wept for them. He wept because he could.
Cal was buried next to his parents, Eniecia and their children in the large family plot on the mainland. It was the first time the younger folk had seen the Elf's emotions. Pain leaked from his ageless face. Grand-da sat in the grass with his long arms around his long legs in a drizzle well after the family went home. It was Raniece's sixtieth birthday, the oldest of Cal's grandchildren. It was their turn now. Nag Kath kissed them when he walked back and rode to Alas Forten.
~o~
Inariel was very still. Now that the two Elves, however created, were living together, they necessarily adopted Elvish traits. One of those is the understanding of inevitability. She knew when her husband returned he would bring these tidings. She wanted him to hold her. They talked about Dol Amroth and Nag Kath's extended family, now three generations from him.
She waited until then to give him the letter she got by King's courier. It was from her brother, in Sindarin, requesting her and her husband's counsel regarding old matters in the east. It referenced Nag Kath's recent report of unrest along the southern Mordor border. He read it twice. "We go overland through Anghabar to the port of Sarlond. It is the same distance as back to Dol Amroth and we avoid a week on the sea. From there we catch or commandeer a boat up the Great River"
She nodded. It was a three-day ride at a steady pace, not difficult with good roads the whole way and probably a few inns. This was official business. They would leave at the crack of dawn with an escort of four including the Brittanal cousins and Petrandal along with Dellasannir, the youngest and last of the household guards. If needed, they would impress horses along the way. Miss Told was up to wave goodbye.
~o~
~o~o~o~
~o~