Chapter 32
The great trading town of Tyre is just as I remember it. In the northern part of Near Harad, it is a trading and jumping off point for those interested in dealings with the Far Harad, and Umbar.
I had changed from the elvish hunter's garb I wore, into the black divided skirt worn over the top of loose trousers, and a tight black shirt embroidered with hawks on the collar and cuffs I brought with me. Poor Haldir was bemused when I told him he could continue to dress as pleased until we left Tyre, but to let loose his blonde hair to cover his pointed ears, the give away that he is an elf. There are not many elves who have ever been seen this far south, but it is better to take no chances.
Mid day, and we stop to rest the horses, and to eat a brief meal of the last of our bread, stale but edible with some cheese Haldir has been hoarding.
'Can you see the town?' I ask him as is staring off into the distance.
'Yes, I can. We will arrive late afternoon if we keep the pace we have been riding at.' He repacks his water skin and the now nearly empty food bag on his saddle, 'I will be pleased to be in a town, but we must be wary. For if our following friend must make his move before we get to Tyre, we can expect an attack in the next few hours.'
'Best ride with our bows strung and have your knives handy then, love,' I reply to him. Haldir nods, and checks the long knives he carries. Like their distant relatives of Mirkwood, the wood elves of Lorien carry long knives, which they wield with deadly skill and great speed. I have tried to learn this deadly knife dance, but mortal reactions are not good enough, so I content myself with my sword, which was specially crafted by the Noldor smiths of Rivendell to be a lightweight, yet strong and deadly blade suited for a woman's use.
As we are close enough to be seen by local patrols from Tyre, I put on the traditional head dress worn by women in these parts, for to not do so might bring unwelcome attention from the patrols. Tyre is often raided, and we don't want to be mistaken for scouts from a raiding party. No one will take any notice of a 'young man' escorting a veiled woman.
'I can see only your eyes', complained Haldir when he saw how I was dressed.
'Don't complain, you are always telling me I have beautiful eyes', I said teasingly.
'In a gathering of people, how will I know which is you in an emergency?' he pointed out.
'There won't be too many women wearing hawks on their shirts, and I can guarantee I'll be the only blue eyed woman in town. You sometimes green eyes on these people, but I didn't see or hear of anyone with blue eyes on my last trip'.
'It is not much to go on if time is short, dearest,' he replied, worried.
'Don't fret, I'm never going to be more than a couple of paces from you from now on, it will be too dangerous else'. He gave me another worried look, ' It's not uncommon for a lone woman to be attacked in these parts, for many think only a prostitute would be unaccompanied, or unveiled.'
His hazel eyes widen as he understands why I am clothing myself so carefully, and that this I could not travel alone. The same as many who have not travelled these parts before he has not realised the strange customs of the locals, or that to break them can have such serious consequences.
We mount up, and put our horses into the slow, but steady pace they have been moving at all day. 'Oh, and don't talk to any woman unless she has been properly introduced, or speaks first. Under no circumstances touch a woman unless it is necessary to do so to save her life in an emergency.'
Looking stunned, Haldir agrees to obey my instructions, and we continue to ride. The sun was well west, and starting to set when entered the outskirts of Tyre. The huge animal markets were first, camels, goats, sheep, donkeys and the occasional horse being displayed for sale or trade. The dust is incredible, and it is not long before I see that it is even starting to bother Haldir.
We move beyond the animal traders, and into the next section of town, peopled by the smelly trades, butchers, tanners, and dyers. The noise level has dropped, and I can a look of bewilderment on my love's face; probably a similar look to the one I had on my face when I first saw this incredible town.
Next we find streets populated by the weavers, smiths, cobblers, potters and other such trades. Food stalls abound, and we stop to buy some tall mugs of fruit juice from one of them. Ah, how it does wash the dust from the throat!
'We are looking for a good inn,' Haldir asked the stall owner, 'can you recommend one?' I am silent, playing the part of a good meek Harad woman.
'Go to the north end of the second street of the Jewellers, down there', he said pointing 'and left to find it. My cousin owns The Coin Belt, tell him Tabeed sent you.' He winked, 'It is one of the few that has stables, and it's quiet and in a respectable street, just right for a man travelling with a woman with eyes like hers' he leaned close to Haldir and spoke softly, 'is the rest of her as beautiful as her eyes?'
Haldir made some reply I didn't hear, thanked the man, and we continued on our way. As we rode off, the stall keeper yelled at us 'If ever you tire of her, friend, I will buy her!'
From the look on Haldir's face it was as well there a little distance between him and the trader, for I think he would have strangled the man. 'Leave it, Haldir, these sort of things are said all the time. If you kill everyone who offers to buy me before this trip is over, you will do nothing but kill an endless stream of nasty, smelly people!'
'This is common? They really do sell women?' he gasped.
'Certainly. From a conversation I heard on the other side of the street back there, I gather from my eye colour I am worth two racing camels. They were speculating on what I would look like under the veil, and if I proved to be as beautiful as they thought I might, I could be worth up to 6 racing camels!'
'You said their customs are different, but to sell women!' he shuddered, shocked
'Now I can give you the second reason for not straying far from your side here. It is quite possible someone may try to steal me for my blue eyes.' This statement got me a look that said only over his corpse, 'I'm just warning you, love, this place is far different from anything you have experienced before.'
'I am coming to understand that!' Haldir replied, as his eyes swept the surrounds, watching the people walking by as we rode to the north end of the second street of Jewellers, fortunately because this is a trading town the streets are well sign posted in Westron, and it is not hard to find the Inn of the Coin Belt.
We dismount, and a servant of the Inn approached Haldir, asking how he could be of service, and Haldir requested stabling for two horses, and, at my suggestion in elvish to help keep up the appearance of us being husband and wife, one room, not two.
The servant ignored me, which surprised Haldir, but which I knew to be normal here. We picked up our various packs and bags and followed the servant into the Inn, where the landlord speaks briefly to Haldir, asking how we heard of his inn, as it is quiet and not fashionable. Haldir repeated how his cousin Tabeed recommended this inn to us, and the landlord smiled, and told the servants to show us to a room on the second level, the west side of the building.
The room we were given was spacious and pleasant, the walls covered in silken drapes, and a colourful carpet on the board floor. A large window stood open, and Haldir checked it, pleased to see that metal shutter was available to secure it if wanted. I was pleased to see a bath tub in the small room adjoining the main room, a hot bath for the first time in 2 weeks would be a pleasant experience, and one we would not be repeating often once we left Tyre.
The servant left us, and with relief I unpinned my veil, and removed my head dress. Using some water in the pitcher, I splashed my face, washing the dust off. A full bath could wait until we had eaten.
'Shall we eat downstairs, or have food brought up to us?' asked Haldir.
'I'd prefer to have food brought up, only because eating in public while wearing a veil is inconvenient,' I said.
'Then I shall ask for our meal to be brought up,' he said, stepping out into the hallway, where a servant appeared as if by magic, and Haldir passed on our request.
He came back into the room, and took the large cup of water I held out to him. 'Cannot we drink the wine?' he asked pointing at the wine jug.
'With the meal. I know you don't like to drink so much water, but',
'If I do not, I might become seriously dehydrated very quickly', he finished for me, squeezing my hands as he gave me the empty cup. 'You have taken off the veil, good,' he said approvingly, 'you look like my Elandra again', as he kissed me.
We stood in the window, Haldir's arms around my waist, watching the colourful scenes below. A trading caravan wended its way through the crowded streets below, heading to the great open market square west of this Inn. Camels and donkeys pulled wagons and carried packs of almost type of goods you could think of, cloth, dried foods, household goods, and weapons, even slaves. As the caravan passed, local women and children ran out, trying to barter now, before local traders purchased the goods, and they became more expensive.
Haldir's arms tightened about me slightly as the slaves had come into view, some riding in wagons, others walking behind in long lines, all chained, barefoot, and near naked.
'These are SLAVES', he growled, not so much asking a question as making a statement of fact.
'Yes', I nodded, 'as are the dancing girls leading the caravan. Before you ask, this is common here, and there is a local saying that there are worse fates than slavery'.
'Surely you do not approve!' he snapped.
'Of course not. But we may do nothing yet. If our negotiations succeed, then my brother will be able to do something concrete about many issues, slavery included.'
Before we could continue our conversation, there came a knock at the door. Haldir opened it and 2 servants bearing trays of food entered the room. There were dishes of young goat and camel stewed in exotic spices, vegetables in many forms, and pieces of the local flat bread. We were very hungry, and soon cleared the plates without difficulty. Haldir had been wary of the strange food, but once he tried it, he found himself enjoying the food greatly, and his discovery that I had been right about the wine, it did go well with the hot, spicy food.
'What now, dear one,' Haldir asked as the servants, who had returned, removed the trays of dirty dishes.
I yawned, 'a hot bath and bed, I think'.
He nodded in agreement and let me bathe first. By the time he had taken his bath, I was curled up in bed, nearly asleep. Haldir cuddled up to next to me, and kissed me. 'Sleep, Ellie, you are exhausted.'
'Dreams', I whispered. For when I am tired, that is when my nightmares come on me worst of all.
'Worry not, I shall guard your dreams, dearest,' he said, offering his shoulder as my pillow.
So, snuggled in his strong arms, I did sleep, and I did dream. But not the horrible nightmares I am subject to, these dreams were different.
The great trading town of Tyre is just as I remember it. In the northern part of Near Harad, it is a trading and jumping off point for those interested in dealings with the Far Harad, and Umbar.
I had changed from the elvish hunter's garb I wore, into the black divided skirt worn over the top of loose trousers, and a tight black shirt embroidered with hawks on the collar and cuffs I brought with me. Poor Haldir was bemused when I told him he could continue to dress as pleased until we left Tyre, but to let loose his blonde hair to cover his pointed ears, the give away that he is an elf. There are not many elves who have ever been seen this far south, but it is better to take no chances.
Mid day, and we stop to rest the horses, and to eat a brief meal of the last of our bread, stale but edible with some cheese Haldir has been hoarding.
'Can you see the town?' I ask him as is staring off into the distance.
'Yes, I can. We will arrive late afternoon if we keep the pace we have been riding at.' He repacks his water skin and the now nearly empty food bag on his saddle, 'I will be pleased to be in a town, but we must be wary. For if our following friend must make his move before we get to Tyre, we can expect an attack in the next few hours.'
'Best ride with our bows strung and have your knives handy then, love,' I reply to him. Haldir nods, and checks the long knives he carries. Like their distant relatives of Mirkwood, the wood elves of Lorien carry long knives, which they wield with deadly skill and great speed. I have tried to learn this deadly knife dance, but mortal reactions are not good enough, so I content myself with my sword, which was specially crafted by the Noldor smiths of Rivendell to be a lightweight, yet strong and deadly blade suited for a woman's use.
As we are close enough to be seen by local patrols from Tyre, I put on the traditional head dress worn by women in these parts, for to not do so might bring unwelcome attention from the patrols. Tyre is often raided, and we don't want to be mistaken for scouts from a raiding party. No one will take any notice of a 'young man' escorting a veiled woman.
'I can see only your eyes', complained Haldir when he saw how I was dressed.
'Don't complain, you are always telling me I have beautiful eyes', I said teasingly.
'In a gathering of people, how will I know which is you in an emergency?' he pointed out.
'There won't be too many women wearing hawks on their shirts, and I can guarantee I'll be the only blue eyed woman in town. You sometimes green eyes on these people, but I didn't see or hear of anyone with blue eyes on my last trip'.
'It is not much to go on if time is short, dearest,' he replied, worried.
'Don't fret, I'm never going to be more than a couple of paces from you from now on, it will be too dangerous else'. He gave me another worried look, ' It's not uncommon for a lone woman to be attacked in these parts, for many think only a prostitute would be unaccompanied, or unveiled.'
His hazel eyes widen as he understands why I am clothing myself so carefully, and that this I could not travel alone. The same as many who have not travelled these parts before he has not realised the strange customs of the locals, or that to break them can have such serious consequences.
We mount up, and put our horses into the slow, but steady pace they have been moving at all day. 'Oh, and don't talk to any woman unless she has been properly introduced, or speaks first. Under no circumstances touch a woman unless it is necessary to do so to save her life in an emergency.'
Looking stunned, Haldir agrees to obey my instructions, and we continue to ride. The sun was well west, and starting to set when entered the outskirts of Tyre. The huge animal markets were first, camels, goats, sheep, donkeys and the occasional horse being displayed for sale or trade. The dust is incredible, and it is not long before I see that it is even starting to bother Haldir.
We move beyond the animal traders, and into the next section of town, peopled by the smelly trades, butchers, tanners, and dyers. The noise level has dropped, and I can a look of bewilderment on my love's face; probably a similar look to the one I had on my face when I first saw this incredible town.
Next we find streets populated by the weavers, smiths, cobblers, potters and other such trades. Food stalls abound, and we stop to buy some tall mugs of fruit juice from one of them. Ah, how it does wash the dust from the throat!
'We are looking for a good inn,' Haldir asked the stall owner, 'can you recommend one?' I am silent, playing the part of a good meek Harad woman.
'Go to the north end of the second street of the Jewellers, down there', he said pointing 'and left to find it. My cousin owns The Coin Belt, tell him Tabeed sent you.' He winked, 'It is one of the few that has stables, and it's quiet and in a respectable street, just right for a man travelling with a woman with eyes like hers' he leaned close to Haldir and spoke softly, 'is the rest of her as beautiful as her eyes?'
Haldir made some reply I didn't hear, thanked the man, and we continued on our way. As we rode off, the stall keeper yelled at us 'If ever you tire of her, friend, I will buy her!'
From the look on Haldir's face it was as well there a little distance between him and the trader, for I think he would have strangled the man. 'Leave it, Haldir, these sort of things are said all the time. If you kill everyone who offers to buy me before this trip is over, you will do nothing but kill an endless stream of nasty, smelly people!'
'This is common? They really do sell women?' he gasped.
'Certainly. From a conversation I heard on the other side of the street back there, I gather from my eye colour I am worth two racing camels. They were speculating on what I would look like under the veil, and if I proved to be as beautiful as they thought I might, I could be worth up to 6 racing camels!'
'You said their customs are different, but to sell women!' he shuddered, shocked
'Now I can give you the second reason for not straying far from your side here. It is quite possible someone may try to steal me for my blue eyes.' This statement got me a look that said only over his corpse, 'I'm just warning you, love, this place is far different from anything you have experienced before.'
'I am coming to understand that!' Haldir replied, as his eyes swept the surrounds, watching the people walking by as we rode to the north end of the second street of Jewellers, fortunately because this is a trading town the streets are well sign posted in Westron, and it is not hard to find the Inn of the Coin Belt.
We dismount, and a servant of the Inn approached Haldir, asking how he could be of service, and Haldir requested stabling for two horses, and, at my suggestion in elvish to help keep up the appearance of us being husband and wife, one room, not two.
The servant ignored me, which surprised Haldir, but which I knew to be normal here. We picked up our various packs and bags and followed the servant into the Inn, where the landlord speaks briefly to Haldir, asking how we heard of his inn, as it is quiet and not fashionable. Haldir repeated how his cousin Tabeed recommended this inn to us, and the landlord smiled, and told the servants to show us to a room on the second level, the west side of the building.
The room we were given was spacious and pleasant, the walls covered in silken drapes, and a colourful carpet on the board floor. A large window stood open, and Haldir checked it, pleased to see that metal shutter was available to secure it if wanted. I was pleased to see a bath tub in the small room adjoining the main room, a hot bath for the first time in 2 weeks would be a pleasant experience, and one we would not be repeating often once we left Tyre.
The servant left us, and with relief I unpinned my veil, and removed my head dress. Using some water in the pitcher, I splashed my face, washing the dust off. A full bath could wait until we had eaten.
'Shall we eat downstairs, or have food brought up to us?' asked Haldir.
'I'd prefer to have food brought up, only because eating in public while wearing a veil is inconvenient,' I said.
'Then I shall ask for our meal to be brought up,' he said, stepping out into the hallway, where a servant appeared as if by magic, and Haldir passed on our request.
He came back into the room, and took the large cup of water I held out to him. 'Cannot we drink the wine?' he asked pointing at the wine jug.
'With the meal. I know you don't like to drink so much water, but',
'If I do not, I might become seriously dehydrated very quickly', he finished for me, squeezing my hands as he gave me the empty cup. 'You have taken off the veil, good,' he said approvingly, 'you look like my Elandra again', as he kissed me.
We stood in the window, Haldir's arms around my waist, watching the colourful scenes below. A trading caravan wended its way through the crowded streets below, heading to the great open market square west of this Inn. Camels and donkeys pulled wagons and carried packs of almost type of goods you could think of, cloth, dried foods, household goods, and weapons, even slaves. As the caravan passed, local women and children ran out, trying to barter now, before local traders purchased the goods, and they became more expensive.
Haldir's arms tightened about me slightly as the slaves had come into view, some riding in wagons, others walking behind in long lines, all chained, barefoot, and near naked.
'These are SLAVES', he growled, not so much asking a question as making a statement of fact.
'Yes', I nodded, 'as are the dancing girls leading the caravan. Before you ask, this is common here, and there is a local saying that there are worse fates than slavery'.
'Surely you do not approve!' he snapped.
'Of course not. But we may do nothing yet. If our negotiations succeed, then my brother will be able to do something concrete about many issues, slavery included.'
Before we could continue our conversation, there came a knock at the door. Haldir opened it and 2 servants bearing trays of food entered the room. There were dishes of young goat and camel stewed in exotic spices, vegetables in many forms, and pieces of the local flat bread. We were very hungry, and soon cleared the plates without difficulty. Haldir had been wary of the strange food, but once he tried it, he found himself enjoying the food greatly, and his discovery that I had been right about the wine, it did go well with the hot, spicy food.
'What now, dear one,' Haldir asked as the servants, who had returned, removed the trays of dirty dishes.
I yawned, 'a hot bath and bed, I think'.
He nodded in agreement and let me bathe first. By the time he had taken his bath, I was curled up in bed, nearly asleep. Haldir cuddled up to next to me, and kissed me. 'Sleep, Ellie, you are exhausted.'
'Dreams', I whispered. For when I am tired, that is when my nightmares come on me worst of all.
'Worry not, I shall guard your dreams, dearest,' he said, offering his shoulder as my pillow.
So, snuggled in his strong arms, I did sleep, and I did dream. But not the horrible nightmares I am subject to, these dreams were different.