Changing Perceptions
By Nerwen Calaelen
Chapter 10
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!
A/N: Here is chapter 10, finally! I have rewritten all the earlier chapters and reposted them. This chapter will not make much sense if you don't read the new versions of the earlier chapters (especially chapter 9). Hopefully, I will be updating more frequently from now on. This chapter has not been beta read, as I wanted to post all the new versions and this chapter and so didn't what to wait any longer. Hopefully there aren't too many mistakes. Sorry for not updating for so long!
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.
Reply to reviewer: Blue Iris: Thank you very much! I hope you are still reading this even thought it took me so long to get more posted. I didn't really do research for the last chapter – it was mostly ideas that I remembered from books and school and adapted to fit the circumstances.
***
Olrat and Zagburz had entered the Emperor's rooms with the express purpose of removing the body, as they wanted to ensure that none else saw it, and so they could produce it in a suitable form to have been destroyed by "the wrath of the gods". The task was unpleasant, but they were shocked by the mess of blood. It seemed to have got onto every surface in the room and made the task of cleaning up even harder. It was clear that their initial plan of simply removing the body would not work, but they did not have much time to think of a better way.
"Could it be that the easiest thing would be to find a clean sheet or other large piece of fabric and wrap the body in that and remove it, then to lock the room for the moment and at a later point to destroy all the furnishings."
"Why not pile everything in the fireplace and burn it, we will need the body later to prove that he is dead, but we can arrange it so that it is not clear how he died and all the rest will be gone."
"Better. We should have the funeral later tomorrow, and allow everyone who wishes to see his face. Then there can be no credible rumours that he is still alive."
"But if we leave the blood, but show the body without any visible wound it would reinforce the idea of supernatural involvement."
"That is so, and would make our task much easier."
***
Grimtrak had never spoken to Arraga before that day, but now he had a part of a plan and as her father was busy, he was determined to discuss it with her.
"Why are you so anxious for all the political prisoners to be freed?"
"Skrabada, a friend of mine and Razzuga's was arrested a few days ago. I would not wish any more suffering on her so "I have sent a messenger to the palace to remind Razzuga of her fate."
"You are lucky then for she could easily have incriminated you both. However, for now there are more important things for us to consider." Arraga nodded, and waited for him to start, but was not anticipating his next words.
"In this situation, it would be very probably and greatly to our advantage if we could seal our alliance with Olrat, by arranging a marriage between you and him…"
"But he was betrothed to Razzuga. I assume that wedding will now be going ahead…"
"Not if he does not want to become Emperor. It would be more appropriate for Razzuga to disappear quietly, as she is undoubtedly guilty of treason and could be an embarrassment to us in the future."
"We are all guilty of treason. I do not think that we can judge her. However, I see what you are implying. If Olrat were to marry her it would greatly damage his credibility, as it would be considered that this coup was about their love." \\ I feel like I am betraying her, as I know how much she loves him, but I think my father will agree with Grimtrak's reasoning. My protests would not change my father's ideas and I know that I would obey him if he asks me to. I will let them sort it out and accept with a smile whatever the outcome is. \\
***
Rumours had already escaped into the city and so by dawn a huge crowd had assembled in front of the palace. Zagburz had been preparing his speech in consultation with the others. He did not mention at this time his invention that it was the wrath of the gods that had killed Azklash. However, as he had planned rumours of these remarks had already made there way through the city and were not being quoted as his words, but were coming to be believed very quickly. He stifled a yawn, it had been a long night.
"The Emperor is dead. No relatives of his survive, apart from his wife. As commander of the Imperial Guard, I am issuing this proclamation in the name of the Empress and in the names of the three of us standing before you today. From today there will be no Emperor, as it has become clear to us that the country would be better governed in a different way. All business should be sent to the Emperor's council, which will be overseen by myself, Olrat of Rirazka and Grimtrak. As there is no longer an Emperor, there will be no more banquets held at the palace. Instead, today the kitchens are already busy cooking for everyone; man, women and child; slave and free. To receive this food, line up by the formal entrance to the palace this afternoon. Once this is done, the surplus food that is stored in the palace will be distributed to each family, starting in the poorest districts of this city."
The crowd reacted with cheers and many tears of joy. For many families the promise of a good meal was worth more than any words or ideals. Olrat gauged the reaction of the crowd and turned to the others.
"We have succeeded. There are none here who will fight, we have much more to fear from the governors of the smaller cities, but they do not have the chance to beat us, only to add to the suffering of all the people."
***
Razzuga watched the announcement and then turned away from the window. She was tired, but not yet ready to sleep. She summoned one of the guards and ordered him to lead her to the cell where Skrabada was being held. He led the way, stopping at frequent intervals to enquire of his colleagues if they knew exactly where in the cells she would be. The prison under the palace was a maze and believed to contain over three thousand prisoners, so finding one could be very hard. However, one of the guards on the doors down had been one of those leading Skrabada down there and so he knew exactly where she would be.
It was the last cell on one of the upper corridors, after some time they managed to find the correct key and opened the door to reveal the scene inside.
Razzuga gasped and then looked away. Skrabada's body hung in front of her, by her platted hair. But it was the smell that hit them first, no one had entered the cell in days and so the body had started to decay. One of the soldiers entered the room and cut down the body, wrapping it in his cloak. As he moved it a wax tablet fell to the floor. It was sealed. After a moment the other guard gently led Razzuga away, back to her room, leaving the second to take the news and tablet to Zagburz.
However, he found Arraga first and so left it with her, explaining where it had come from. She waited until he had left and then opened it, deciding that she could see what it contained and then decide the appropriate way of disposing it.
It contained two verses of an old play, followed by a cryptic message.
But here is a sight beyond all bearing,
At which my eye cannot but weep;
Goragaza forth fearing
To her bridal-bower of endless sleep.
You see me, countrymen, on my last journey,
Taking my last leave of the light of day;
Going to my rest, where death shall take me
Alive across the silent river.
No wedding-day; no marriage-music;
Death will be all my bridal dower.
I pray you show loyalty to me as she showed it.
\\ I wonder who the recipient of the message was intended to be. I do not understand it, yet I wish I knew who to pass it on to. Skrabada always favoured the dramatic and has chosen it in her end, but her last plea will remain unanswered, I fear it is too cryptic to be answered. Or maybe it is a request for a proper funeral as Goragaza buried her brother, the traitor. That might be, but to me it seems that there should be more meaning than that but I can not tell. I will show Razzuga the note later and see if she can understand it better. \\
***
All three men were very busy that day, Grimtrak was preparing for his departure and he was determined that he was going to speak to Zagburz before he left. He had spent most of the morning bullying information out of the slaves in the treasury, threatening them with being dismissed or killed if they did not cooperate, and thought that he had done a relatively successfully job of obtaining the information that he wanted.
He was however very surprised when he met with Zagburz as the other man offered him a complete set of more accurate accounts for the last year, together with information of exactly how much money and food were in the palace at this time. Their meal progressed in silence, neither sure if they could trust the other, they had been considered enemies for most of their lives and were not sure if they were ready to lay it down.
"Have you considered what the consequences would be if Olrat does in fact marry Razzuga?" Grimtrak paused for an answer, but receiving a nod continued,
"I believe it would be in our interests to prevent such a marriage. Your daughter is not yet married?"
"She was betrothed to Olrat's eldest brother."
"And so it would seem appropriate for them to marry."
"Very. I will speak to Olrat about it. You are leaving today?"
"The sooner the better. I hope to return with good trade agreements set up in the East before Olrat returns from Gondor."
"Certainly. The sooner the trade routes are reopened in our favour, the better. We have so much to gain by the arrangement. I will be leaving shortly to start to colonisation of western Harad. With luck we will have a solid alliance with Gondor before Harad finds out that we have invaded."
***
Shortly after this conversation Olrat and Zagbuz met. They started by discussing the funeral arrangements, as Olrat had spent the morning on them. He had sorted everything and the funeral was due to begin in a couple of hours. After that subject had been concluded the conversation continued to other matters.
"Have you considered that we should try to consolidate our alliance? It seems strong at the moment, but I would be much happier if we were joined by bonds of more than expediency."
"That would certainly be useful. Do you have any suggestions?" Olrat was playing for time, not sure of what was coming, but ready to agree if it was not too unreasonable.
"My daughter was betrothed to your older brother…"
"That alliance would be greatly valued, but he died with the rest of the army…"
"But you returned alive, and the alliance is more important than ever now."
"It is indeed. I am honoured by your suggestion."
"Then it shall be. The wedding should take place before we leave."
"Indeed. It will also leave Arraga here to ensure that our instructions are followed."
"I had thought that Bazbog would also make a good representative."
"I agree."
***
A/N: The quotation in the note is basically from 'Antigone' by Sophocles, translated by E. F. Watling.
Please review and tell me if you think that my rewriting is an improvement on the earlier version. Or review anyway and any suggestions are very welcome, as I only have vague ideas about what is going to happen from here onwards.
Sorry for there being such a long delay in my getting this chapter posted.