Changing Perceptions
By Nerwen Calaelen
Chapter 7
Disclaimer: I don't own LotR. I (possibly) own the characters that I invented and the plot of the story, nothing else, so don't sue me!
Rating: I've said PG-13, but I don't think it merits it at all at the moment, but there will be more violence if I continue and I was not really sure about the rating anyway.
***
Olrat stopped his horse and looked forward. \\ Surely the border is now within sight. \\ He stared at the horizon and thought that he could see buildings.
\\ One more day of travel before we are back in Khand. \\ The thought brought a smile to his face. \\ It has been too long. Gondor is a fine country and Minas Tirith amazing, but I am glad that I now have the chance to return home. \\
"We camp here tonight." The men busied themselves preparing the camp and Olrat returned to his thoughts,
\\ They too will be glad to be home. There were long stretches of time when it seemed that I would never return. I wonder what has happened in all the time since I left. It seemed that the Haradrim are no longer our allies or is it just that they consider our small group an easy target? Well, if that was their idea, we have shown them that it is not the case. I wonder whether there is already war waged between our countries. I remember that even before I left, the borders were ill defended and I can not see the Haradrim leaving such an easy target. The only reason I can think of would be if they fear an attack by Gondor, in which case they might still wish to be our allies. It would seem to me that we would do better to ally ourselves with Gondor. They want to trade with us and I believe that they will not betray us. \\
\\ I suppose that I must ride to the capital to report to the Emperor, especially as I do not intend to let the garrisons we meet along the way know what has occurred. I suppose most of the rest of them yearn to return to their homes and families. I wonder if I should let them or if I should keep them together as a fighting force. However, it would not be appropriate to approach the capital at the head of am "army," even one consisting of only fifty men. That would be seen as treason and I fear that I will be in enough trouble without adding to it. Also, if they were in the city it would be easier for them to be punished if the Emperor decided that it was appropriate, whereas if they are spread out in their own homes they will be protected by their families and communities to some degree. \\
\\ I wish there was some way that I could disappear as well, but I would still have to face my family and tell them the news I bring of the deaths as well as of my dishonour. At least by going to the capital I can delay that for a little while longer. But thus I do not get to see them , and if the outcome of events is what I believe it will be, it is very likely that I will be sent off to the Haradrim border without a chance to see them first, assuming that I am not executed. \\ He shook his head to try and dismiss these thoughts and started to inspect the camp before sitting down by the fire.
\\ It is very good that King Elessar ensured that we had enough supplies to last us all the way back to our homes. If the settlements here are anything to go by there is absolutely no food to spare. Not that there was ever much, but I do not remember people coming out to beg for food from travellers before. Maybe it is a result of the war. These lands are so near Mordor that everyone has been recruited and many armies have marched through here, each no doubt stealing as much food as it could. I wonder if times are this bad at home. However, surely the Emperor would not let the people starve, for there is always money in the treasury and the Easterlings are always willing to trade food for gold and gems. \\
***
It was early evening the next day when the sentries on the walls of Nazanalazar saw the approaching troop. Quickly they alerted their commander.
\\ I wonder who they are. The approaching force does not seem large enough to be an invading army, but is there any way that a friendly force could approach through Harad? Well, they are arriving now so I will get some answers from them.\\
"Who are you and what is your business in Khand?"
"We are survivors of the army sent west. I am Olrat of Rirazka."
"One of the sons of Mauburz?"
"No. One of his nephews."
\\ And so the cousin of the new Empress. I must tread carefully here. He will no doubt have much influence when he returns to the court, but I wonder how this group have survived and returned, when no others have.\\
"Well then, welcome home. I trust that you will dine with me tonight. There is plenty of space in the fort for all of your men, although if they have their own provisions it would be appreciated."
***
A little later the two men met again. As soon as the food was served, Bazbog dismissed the slaves and guards from the room. He looked at the young man sitting opposite him and considered how to start this conversation,
\\ What can I say? I am inclined to trust him, but it is very dangerous. I expect that he has not heard any news from here since the last army marched west, if then. \\ These thoughts passed through his head as he looked for the right words to begin with,
"I would be interested to hear what has happened to the army, but no doubt you have not had news from home in a long time. Would you like me to tell you what I know of news from here first?"
"It would certainly be good to hear this news, especially if it is better than that with which I return." Olrat answered, while thinking,
\\ This is an opportunity to discover what has happened here over the last few years although I do not expect any tidings of friends or family. I wonder how much I can trust him. Depending on what he says I will decide how much to tell him. \\
"The most important news, as opposed to the many rumours that have been flying about, is that of the Emperor's marriage to your cousin, Razzuga, I believe was her name." He paused as Olrat choked on the wine he was drinking, "That news is confirmed. I presume you can guess the scale of the festivities of yourself…"
"They had a large wedding, whilst the people are so short of food?" Olrat tried to keep his mind on practical matters and to deal with the import of the news later.
"It is not only the people who are short, even for soldiers the rations
are minimal. In the capital, even the
rich are suffering, though mostly through the amount of money they must spend
to feed themselves and their slaves."
"And the Emperor does nothing?"
"Less than nothing, for there are still great banquets held at the palace." Bazbog decided to take a risk, considering how the conversation was going.
"It seems unbelievable, and yet it fits in with his other behaviour. How many soldiers do you have here to defend this key point?"
"One hundred. If Harad had realised that we were so weak they would have attacked before now, but so far they have not. I do not know why, but hope that it will last."
"It is probably the threat of Gondor that keeps them within their own borders, although they did attack us several times whilst we were returning. The war in the west is lost. We are the last survivors to return and from your words I fear the first who have returned. The only reason for our safety is that I surrendered when it was clear that we were all going to be killed otherwise. We were released after I swore to be a friend to Gondor." \\ He does not need to know how bad the oath is, hopefully no one need discover that. \\
"So the news is as bad as the rumours suggested. I suppose you must report to the Emperor that you swore that oath and I fear that he will see it as treason."
"I do too. However, I am beginning to wonder how much longer we can allow this Emperor to rule." Olrat regretted the words as soon as he had spoken them.
"I do too, but do not usually speak so openly of it. Do you intend to take your soldiers to the capital with you or could they reinforce the garrison here?"
"I am only intending to take the few whose families are from the capital. It would seem sensible for the others to remain here."
And so the conversation turned to less dangerous matters.
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A/N: Please review! Why does no one write any reviews on the even numbered chapters? I noticed that I didn't get any reviews on chapters 4 or 6! Please review if you're reading.