Changing Perceptions
By Nerwen Calaelen
Chapter 3
***
Days passed and no word came back to Olrat. The guards continued to deliver meals, but left him alone, and alone he waited. He paced up and down the cell, five steps and back again. He looked up out of the window, through which the stars were all that was visible.
The man who was translating is clearly someone important as he was the one who dismissed the council. I think that he feels compassionate towards me, or to my men at least, but whether there is much reason for hope, I do not know. It seems as if many of the people on the council were arguing against being merciful, especially among the older men. Presumably they have lived their lives under the shadow of the war, and lost the most, so they would like any revenge that they can have or are they always cruel and bloodthirsty as I was told. I wish I knew more, especially why there seemed to be a woman and several children included in the council. That would never happen at home!
I am glad that the window faces east. I can at least look towards home to say my farewells. I have spent many nights watching the stars and so they are a reminder of better times. However, it is the future that concerns me at the moment and without the tables the stars will tell me nothing. Death was always a possibility in the fighting, but now it seems to be certain. I wonder what happens once you die. Is it the end or is there more to come? I remember studying debates on the subject when I was younger, but none of them had the answer. I suppose I should be happy to discover such knowledge, but how will I know that I have discovered it? The irony brought a slight smile to his face as he turned away from the window.
I will sleep and face whatever tomorrow brings when it comes. I wish that I could pray with conviction as it would comfort me. However the gods I was brought up to believe in seem distant and I do not see that they have any power. We worshiped the Lord Sauron, but he has been defeated, and otherwise our ancestors and I do not know what power they could have to help me. I have never heard of them reaching down to help anyone in recent times and so what is the point in imploring their aid?
***
"What think you of the situation? I was watching your face as you listened to his words. You do not wish to execute him." Glancing at his foster brother Elrohir made the question into a statement of fact.
"He does not seem cruel and I do not see how his death would serve any purpose, neither for our gain nor for good in the world. I would prefer to learn more about his land and people, especially what they sought to gain from an alliance with Sauron." Elladan added to his brother's comment.
"Indeed, even I know very little about Khand, for in all my travels I never crossed its borders and learnt little from those few who had." Aragorn looked around the informal group gathered in his chambers: the members of the Fellowship; his brothers; Eowyn; and Eomer. It was a small group, but he hoped that they could suggest a fate for the prisoners which would be merciful, but which the council of Gondor would accept. He had spent the last few days trying to find a solution, but had so far failed.
"You would let him go free, would you not Aragorn? But the council will never permit that ..."
"Unless you have some plan which you have not yet divulged to us."
"But you could demand an oath of friendship from him. If he swears that he will use whatever influence he has for our good the council might accede. His words and rank imply that he is a person of some importance and it would be to our advantage to have him bound to us by gratitude." Eomer added, ignoring his sister's interruption.
"That might work. Surely the members of the council could be persuaded of the desirability of moving towards a new alliance by mercy instead of continuing old enmities by revenge. I believe they will see the advantages for themselves, if they think without being reminded of their losses."
"It seems to me that Faramir would be the best to attempt the task of convincing them, as they already know and trust him; his father's opinion of him was not widely held!"
"Why is he not here? Do you not trust him, or what reason is there for excluding him?" Eowyn ready as always to sense a slight and spring to Faramir's defence.
"He was invited, but declined, saying he had work to attend to, although he would not tell me what business there is to occupy him."
***
Indeed Faramir was busy, for he had already seen what his role must be in this matter and so was busy visiting the members of the council. He used his knowledge of each man to suggest arguments that would sway his opinion. He talked long of trade routes, the threat of Harad and the possibilities of a military alliance against the Haradrim, and of an opportunity to gain favour with the new king.
***
Thus when the council reconvened the next morning, it was quickly agreed that Olrat and his soldiers should be spared on the condition that he swore an oath of friendship to Gondor.
Olrat was then brought before the council to hear their decree.
"You and your men are free to leave with the sole condition that you swear this oath. I, Olrat of Khand, being at this time a prisoner of Gondor by my own declaration and therefore being subject to the will of the Lord and Council of Gondor do hereby willingly swear on my life and honour and that of my family that from this day forth I will be a true friend and ally of Gondor and her allies. Moreover that I will use whatever influence I may to ensure in so far as it is within my power peace is made and maintained between Khand and Gondor and her allies. This I swear and will be bound by until my death and bequeath to my descendents the solemn charge to do likewise."
Can I swear to that, does it not contradict my loyalty to my family and Emperor? Do they expect me to put the good of Gondor before the good of my own country? But if I do not swear this oath, then they will execute me. What should I choose? Would swearing dishonour me further? Could I justify the oath to the Emperor should he ask me to? What should I choose? I know what my choice will be, for even as I determined to die without fear, I knew that I would prefer to live. However, it seems ironic to me that I must swear on my honour as I feel that I lessen it by swearing.
"I will swear this oath."
***
Having sworn, Olrat became a guest instead of a prisoner. Whilst he might have wished to remain in Minas Tirith for some weeks and learn more about these peoples and their lands, he felt duty bound to return home with all the news.
***
A/N: Any feedback, especially constructive criticism, is very welcome.