Changing Perceptions
By Nerwen Calaelen
Chapter 12
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: Sorry about the last note being misleading. I had had that chapter written for some time, and forgot to reread the note before posting it. However, this is another update, very soon after the last! I warn you not to expect all the updates to be so prompt, but hopefully I'll do better that I have been recently.
Not beta read yet I'm afraid, but I wanted to post it
Reply to reviewer: Soledad: Thank you.
I hadn't used the term Variag before as I was trying to decide how to define it. It seemed too good to use indiscriminately. It is about the only piece of canon information I have found about Khand!
***
Mauburz listened as the slave gave his message to Olrat. His nephew's silent departure disturbed him.
\\ I should not have said that, it is true that he did not fight and so is a coward, and is a traitor by his involvement in this plot against the Emperor. However, I know as well as any of them that it is better for all of us that this Emperor died. Now he will be Emperor and I have just insulted him for our family's honour. But did I go too far? It would be accepted behaviour for him now to write me a letter, asking for my forgiveness, but I may have insulted him too grossly for that. What will his next move be? Should I expect a detachment of guards on my doorstep later today or tomorrow? I must prepare for that, whilst hoping for a better outcome. \\
He had started on this task, when events took a different turn, heralded by Razzuga's return.
"He forced me to leave. Told me to return here. He says that he will not marry me. That he will have me banished." Razzuga struggled to remain calm, knowing that her father would only punish her for tears or tantrums.
\\ What will he do? Surely he will arrange everything and punish Olrat for daring to insult me so. \\
"Indeed. You may go now, I am sure that you wish to supervise the arranging of your new room."
\\ So this is his next move. I will not take the insult to me or my daughter. Instead of asking for forgiveness, he insults the family. Now I declare him to be my enemy to death. I must move quickly to form new alliances, in his death I will be loyal to the Emperor I despised in life. \\
Mauburz reached for a wax tablet and started to write, deliberately flattering the recipient by writing as to a close friend of equal rank.
Commander Grubzar,
As you are probably aware, events have moved on much further since our last conversation. The Emperor is now dead and the plotters have overtaken the palace. My daughter was fortunately spared, as she had returned to visit her mother and so was not in the palace when the assassination took place. I have strong reason to believe that those who now claim to rule do not have our country's best interests at heart. In this case, it would not be treason to disobey them.
You can not leave the frontier undefended, but I hope that you will join me in trying to restore order to our poor country. I have no desire to rule, but my daughter's position leaves me with no alternative, if I can not find a suitable husband for her as soon as possible. We had spoken about a marriage before her marriage to the Emperor.
Mauburz
\\ It is very open, but I trust him and believe he will spring at the opportunity offered in the last sentence. I only hope that he receives this letter before any other account of events, for I would prefer him to believe my version to the rumours I am hearing here. \\
He summoned a slave to ride at once, with strict instructions to deliver the letter only into the hands of Grubzar.
\\ I had better also contact Globthak. He will be one of the leaders of those loyal to the Emperor. Much as I despise the man, he could be a very useful ally in the time ahead, although he probably desires to be Emperor. However, he must know that no one would accept him and so might be bought with offers of increased power to come under the new Emperor. \\
***
Arraga had not been idle since leaving Razzuga that morning. A quick search through the records in the palace (with the help of one of the high ranking Imperial slaves, who had decided that his future lay with pleasing the rulers) had found her the details of the posting of Skrabada's brother. Soon afterward she hurried to her father's presence with a quickly dictated letter, giving all the circumstances and a hint of benefits to the recipient in supporting the signatories, for him and Olrat to sign. She also insured that the letter was entrusted to one of the best riders of the company to try to ensure that the facts of events reached him before rumours.
***
The alliance, of those who were now being called 'Variagistas', had been strengthened by Arraga and Olrat's marriage and the arrival of Bazbog. Even the departures of Olrat and Zagburz, together with most of his newly recruited army, did not seem to weaken it.
The 'Imperialistas' on the council, led by Globthak, spoke denounced the coup as treason. However, they did not take action; in fact all they managed to achieve was to alienate their most powerful possible supporter – Mauburz, who thus found himself at the head of a third faction, dubbed be a wit on the council 'Malcontentes'.
Soon the faction lines were being drawn and everyone was waiting for another to make the first move. More rumours than ever flew around the capital, but in the rest of the country the news had travelled slowly. Beyond the borders, nothing had been heard. The Haradrim after years of alliances were not expecting danger from the north, but were waiting for an attack or embassy from Gondor. The Easterling tribes were locked in their perennial strife, exacerbated by the deaths of so many of their leaders in the wars of Sauron. Gondor was still far more involved in looking to its future and that of its allies, than keeping more than a strong watch on its eastern frontiers.
***
\\ Will it now to be war to the death between the factions or what will the future hold? Here everything seems to be going well, we are welcomed with open arms by the citizens of the villages we take and the small garrisons we leave appear to be safe. Zagburz's system of message posts with fresh horses and riders at each one is invaluable. Now news reaches us here, on the frontier of Gondor within a fortnight of the messenger leaving the capital. If only the news brought was good, I could believe that all was well, but every letter brings more tidings that could bring us problems. I must remain here, or in fact press on into Gondor, but I wish that I could return to ensure that all is well. However, what had occurred there would not be of great significance if I fail to make alliance with Gondor. I am certain that they will see the advantages of it, but I must also hope that I managed to negotiate a treaty that is also to our advantage. \\
Olrat's eyes swept over the land, looking out for soldiers. He had been expecting to be challenged before, but had ridden on, further into the territory of Gondor with a sight or sound of any watchers. He had to admit to himself that it made him feel uneasy. Since leaving the company of the main force of Zagburz's troop and ridding on with a small guard he had seen no one. The land had been deserted last time he passed through it, but he had been expecting that Gondor would have laid a firm claim to it before now.
\\ It will not be long before I reach the Anduin and doubtless there will be a garrisons along it. Then onwards to what will bring my country's fate. The tidings from the capital suggest that if any word of weakness or failure reaches them, we will be overthrown. May Fate help me now! \\
***
Extract from a report from Olrat to Arraga, Zagburz, Grimtrak and Bazbog.
I will not describe the treaty negotiations in detail. Over several days, many hours were spent arguing over phasing and the like. The Gordorian king, Elessar, seemed far more concerned with establishing details of the frontiers and of military alliances against Harad than with the arrangements for trading. Grimtrak's wording passed without changes.
\\ I think that will count as a major triumph. Little as I understood all his briefings, I believe that this will cause great regret when Gondor realises how much they stand to lose by it. \\
The rest of the negotiations were not so one sided, but I think that we came out with a far better treaty than I would ever have believed possible.
Our frontier with Gondor is fixed, and they have sworn to come to our aid in the case of any attacks from Harad. (I believe the king plans a war with Harad in the near future.)
In other military matters they are to be our allies and so request or send aid as needed. (This could be useful in wars against the Easterlings, and as Gondor has so many allies I doubt they would need significant aid from us, except possibly in the fields of training and strategy.)
I have enclosed copies of the treaty for you to see all the details, but I think these are the most important points at this stage.
With this behind us, we can start work on all the other changes we wish to bring about. I intend to leave here as soon as is polite, but am delayed by the fact that the king has yet to appoint an ambassador.
\\ His choice is important. I hope that he knows how much so, the wrong man could do as much damage as the right one could do good. It must be someone who can be respected, but he can not have the entrenched hatred of us that so many here seem to cling to. \\
***
Events in Khand had moved on, in many different respects, some more openly than others. Olrat however was right that the news of the signing of the treaty would provide the catalyst needed to bring things into the open and move events on.
***
~\ Now ten years into the war,
Events seem to happen faster,
Nine uneventful years passed,
The siege grows ever closer,
More people I know have died,
More tragedies for our family,
… \~
Razzuga's singing was interrupted by her father's entrance into the room.
"Setting yourself up as a tragic heroine, child? Stop concerning yourself with such things. You must prepare yourself for a new marriage. I have had word from Grubzar that he is returning here at once, and I have offered him your hand in marriage."
\\ And the throne of the Emperor with it no doubt. He will not, like Olrat turn it down. Olrat! I could not believe the tidings of his marriage, but know they must be true. I had thought that he loved me, maybe he does. Does he put the importance of the alliance with Zagburz about his feelings for me? He was always so kind towards me, I know he must have cared for me. I will not believe that he no longer cares for me. His harsh words before were spoken in anger against my father. I do not blame him for his anger, but why did I have to be its victim? \\
***
A/N: Please review! Also, I've just posted a (very) short (and very weird) story about Azklash.