The beginning of a new life
Chapter two
Once monthly, during the full moon, the princes and princesses of Avalon joined in the council to discuss matters of the Kingdom. This time, the most important issue was the sudden marriage of Banshee. Gríma was not invited, since his dominion was yet to be confirmed in a ceremony... if it even would be confirmed at all.
"This is an outrage! I demand the council put a stop to this irregularity at once!" Willow Goldenrod stood from his seat at the council, ire tinting his pale face, perfect blond eyebrows were forked into a dark scowl, and his grey eyes gleamed in anger.
Many of the attendants that sat around the rounded table winced at his outburst. It was an inappropriate to show such manners before the Queen.
"Willow, my child, please cease your tantrum, I will not accept this behaviour in my council." Mab, the Queen of all Fairies, and the Empress of Avalon, spoke calmly, yet firmly.
Banshee stood silent in her place, yet eyeing daggers at Willow, her brother.
Willow had been the only one that plainly objected Banshee's union. The others had had their reserves about the situation, of course, but Willow was adamant in his position. He didn't recognize the legality of the marriage at all.
"Banshee, my daughter, I have to accept that this event is quite irregular. But I know that your choice in soul mate is not something done lightly. From what I have been told, your love is true. May I add, dear, that your appearance has improved in a great way, I have not seen you so happy in a long time." Mab reassured Banshee with a warm smile.
"I must object, Mother, it is not proper, Banshee gave him a grace that it is only in store for those worthy. This man, Gríma, caused so much grief and his evil behaviour almost made the Rohirrim succumb under Saruman's army. I suppose Epona can confirm this, can't you, my dear cousin?" Willow looked across the marble table, and grinned widely at the blonde beautiful fairy in front of him.
Epona, the captain of the riders of Avalon winced. She had partaken in Helm Deep's battle, and even went with the Rohirrim, disguised as one of them, to the very Black Gates. "It is true. Though I must add, that even when Gríma is not of my liking at all, I do not think we have the right to judge his past. Besides, if Banshee says he is repented of his actions and willing to change, we have to trust in her word." Epona was saying the truth, she didn't like Gríma, he had done so much harm to the Rohirrim; though, she considered it had been partly the horse masters' fault, being simpletons as to not notice earlier that Wormtongue was a clear threat to the Kingdom's safety. Furthermore, she really was feeling an urgent need to antagonize Willow; she always hated his stiff neck and snobbish attitude towards mortals.
"That is not the point, the real issue is that if he did it before, he could do it again. This man is a real danger to our land..." Willow sighed deeply, his handsome face showing a still seriousness.
"This is foolish, Willow, you only despise him because he is not Fairish in his upbringing nor in his breeding. You always despised mortals, my brother, and you would even accept Sauron to be my mate if he claimed regret! Besides, I remind you, he is not a man anymore, but a Fae," Banshee stated angrily, pounding the table with her open hand.
"Order, Banshee, please," Mab called out, never losing her calmness.
"From my point of view, I accept the union openly. He made our dear Banshee get a sunny disposition that could surely gain us a good time of rest from her howling cries of grief and dark prophecies; though her howls of pleasure maybe are not so pleasant either." Robin Goodfellow smirked impishly from his place.
At this remark some of the Fairies at the council winced, while others covered their mouths to stifle their laughter. Banshee bared his teeth at him bluntly and hissed like a furious cat.
Mab rolled her eyes, and pretended she didn't hear the words of her son or Banshee's display of anger. "Indeed, Gríma has not many merits on his side for being given the gift of Fairish kin. Even though it is painful for me to admit it, Willow has a point in his argument. Love is not enough, my child; he needs to prove to this council that he deserves this gift. So I will designate two ambassadors that will watch his actions for a while and based on their observations I will decide."
Willow raised his hand on the air. "May I offer myself..."
"No, you may not, Willow. Clearly your opinion is very plain in this, and nothing could make it change. So, I need objective judges. Robin, Oona, are you willing to take this in your hands?"
A short female with mithril crown and bronze hair rose from her seat and bowed. Her sturdy frame was similar to that of a dwarf, though her round breasts, wide hips and lack of beard told otherwise "Aye, your Highness, whatever it takes to settle this situation."
"Sure, I can use some days in the Shadowy Woods, Mother, the pixies are organizing a feast just this week, and the week after that... and the week after that." Robin's grin increased till he was smiling from ear to ear.
Mab sighed; her child was just like this, always looking for the opportunity to be involved in delight of any kind. Though she knew very well that he will search the moment to accomplish with this mission, he had never failed to his duties.
"I protest, Robin is not a proper moderator in this case!" Willow said in distress.
"So, do you object my decision, my son?" Mab smiled sweetly at him, however with a glint of mischief in her eyes.
"I...don't...it's just..." He blushed furiously; going against the Queen's resolutions was not a clever thing to do. She was the empress of this land for many reasons. Her wisdom and talent for rule were just two of them.
"Very well, then, a month from now, we will meet again to resolve this situation. This council is finished. Merry met and merry part." She said, standing from her seat and bowing slightly with her head.
"And merry met again." Responded the others, standing as well and taking their leave.
Willow was not so merry, as a matter of fact, but he kept his anger at bay, reassuring himself. He was sure the man was going to ruin his opportunities to gain the trust of the judges. 'Once evil, forever evil,' he thought and grinned.
"Ambassadors to judge my behaviour?" Gríma looked at me with anguish painted all over his face. He put his goblet down on the table, and I was sure his appetite had flown through the window along with his joy.
"It is just a formality, they will stay for a while, then will go and inform the council about your honest intentions." I tried to sound calm, but it was difficult. I knew Gríma's heart, all his hidden bitterness, the shadows that still lingered inside his soul. He was not a danger for Avalon, of course, nor a menace for me. But he was far away from the ideal candidate for deserving the gift of metamorphosis I had granted. Mother was telling the truth, I had not chosen lightly, he loved me dearly, and his soul was the perfect match for mine. But she was right too about my lack of mind in conceding such an important present to one that had been a threat to the Rohirrim, and even to all Middle Earth. He had killed twice, Lotho the Hobbit, and Saruman. His victims' blood, and the blood of those who died in the battle of Helm's Deep stained his hands.
"This is so unexpected, I thought that this gift you gave me would make me be as trustworthy as the others before your kin's eyes." He looked disappointedly at his plate.
"I lost my perspective somehow in the process. I considered you deserved my present, because you have a noble heart, even when your acts tell different. I know your suffering, all the things that lead you to the darkness. But The Fairish gift has to be given to virtuous people. So, the delegates will observe your behaviour, because they will not judge over the past but over the present."
He measured my words, taking his goblet in hand again and sipping just so slowly from the rich wine. "What happens if they find me not worthy enough? Will they take away this gift from me?"
This question was expected, but I was afraid to give the answer. "Once given, the Gift can't be removed, not after so much time had passed. But they could exile you from Avalon. You will be forbidden of any contact with this realm...or with any of the ones that live here."
As I had imagined, he looked at me with horror, putting down his silver goblet on the table with too much force.
"Not even with you?"
"Yes, not even with me."
"No, they could not do this to me! Exile I can take it, living from the earth, without shelter and hungry, I can suffer it gladly...but living without you, never!" He stood in a rush, his chair lost balance and fell to the floor with a hard thump.
"Calm down, Gríma, my love, you have a chance to..."
"A chance?! I have no opportunity to stand barely close to their ideal of righteous one, Banshee. It is happening again, everything will be taken from me. I don't care if I have to live like a beggar, but I could not survive without your love." He was trembling, in fear, I could see through him, all his anxiety, and his worry.
I stood from my seat and walked to him. I put my arms around his shoulders and embraced him tightly. "My love, whatever happens, I will be with you. You only have to prove that there is a noble heart beating inside your chest."
He chuckled. "A noble heart? Banshee, there is nothing remotely decent in me. Albeit my appearance is not so dishevelled as before, I still have deep wounds in my soul. There are abysses of hatred buried deep inside my being, and darkness remains untouched."
"I know it, my dear, that's why I chose you, that's why I love you. Even with all those burning scars from your past, you can love me. Nobody totally spoiled could possible show such intense feelings." I tilted his face with my finger, making him look at my eyes. "You only have to learn to control this darkness. The shadows shall not have power over you, you must overthrow them." I said this to him confidently. Although my words were cryptic to him, he would understand them with time...but time was running short.
"It doesn't make sense, Banshee, darkness is an unending void that pulls everything to its depths. If my love for you stays afloat in this ocean of blackness, it's because you are my anchor. How could I learn to bury my past?" His clear eyes looked at me with doubt. Yes, I knew this expression of his, I've seen it before: hunger for knowledge.
"Only you could find the answer to that, as I did a long time ago. It is a lonely search, but there is a goal. If you achieve this wisdom, you could stand a chance."
He nodded, humbly. For long years he was my student, and now he was showing me his respect once again. For he longed to learn. Though this time he was not trying to conquer the heart of a White Lady, he was trying to cling on to the heart of a dark one.
"Such a wonderful view, don't you think, Oona? All the windows open, fresh air coming inside to clear the reek of decay and the sun bathing the now bright galleries. Look, even the horrid tapestries are gone! Though there were a couple of them that surely had my attention. In a morbid, weird way, of course." The Fae called Robin was just getting on my nerves. How such an obnoxious, insolent and totally cheeky brat could be Queen Mab's child? Worst, How could he be her favourite son?
I tried to look impassively at him, as my dear Banshee was doing. Oh, it was so difficult!
He was strolling through our home, remarking on how much it had changed, how terrifying it used to be, his irreverent eyes tracing the walls and the ceiling.
"Aye, indeed, this palace had changed, Banshee. My congratulations to you and your husband, by the way. I had not time to say them because of the suddenness of your marriage." The short fairy was so much more to my liking. She was respectfully measuring the changes, her face showing her wonder in a more reasonable fashion.
"Thank you, Oona, we are grateful for your coming. In your honour we decided to make the palace look cosier," Banshee said, even too warm for her normal countenance. I realized in that moment that she considered this guest an appreciated one.
"You two are more welcomed to our castle, even under the current circumstances. So, feel yourselves at home." I added. Banshee had instructed me in this. She told me that I should act, as this was my place and my dominion, no less.
"So kind of you to mention it, Gríma, especially now that my stomach is growling in impatience, I think I could have something to eat right now." Robin grinned at me.
I looked at him in the eye, and suddenly regretted. I could not stand his stare for more than a couple of seconds. For all that this impish Fae was totally impudent, his inner self was an uncanny contrast with his exterior and manners. I never felt such a great power from a Fairy before, not even from Banshee. He reminded me of Gandalf, incredibly mighty, yet enveloped in a disguise that could deceive the common eyes.
"But, of course, how impolite of us, Robin, we should not starve you anymore. I confide that the banquet we prepared for your arrival would suffice to satisfy your hunger. If only the hunger for nourishment and drink. Your other appetites could suffer, though, as your last visit clearly demonstrated." Banshee smirked in a very distinct way.
For a second, I looked in wonder at how Robin's face paled, while his cheeky disposition faltered visibly.
Oona chuckled, very amused by something I was oblivious to.
Banshee took my hand. "Shall we?" she said and leaded us to the dining hall. Then, just lowered her voice to a soft whisper and said, only for my ears to listen, "I will explain later, love."
I will never be bored to see her changing for bed. The regal robes discarded slowly and replaced by her silky black nightshirt, her hair freed from the pins and falling loose like a red cascade down to her slim waist, all the makeup removed to let her Fairish ivory skin glow like a pale star, only illuminated by the candle light.
As she slipped into bed, her fragile body cuddling beside me under the sheets, I embraced her close to me and kissed her softly on the lips.
"So, what do you think about our visitors?" she whispered.
"I don't know what to say, I expected a couple of severe looking Fairies, eager to see my head fall." I commented, playing enthralled with a lock of her hair.
"Do not be deceived, Robin and Oona could not look frightening, but they are serious to their task. Queen Mab's orders are law, and they will accomplish their mission. Though I am happy Mother designated them. They are far more objective than Willow."
"Willow, that was the one who..." I could not complete the sentence. I did not know this Fae, but surely wanted badly to say a couple of things to him...and store a blade inside his ribcage, too.
"Yes, the one who claimed against our union. There is one like him in every family, and mine could not be the exception. He's obsessed with keeping the Fairy bloodline as pure as possible. So, having a former human as his brother-in-law does not appeal to him in the least."
"It figures. I was despised in Rohan for being half Haradrim. Now my previous status as Man gains me an enemy. How could people take my hair's colour and my breeding as an affront, it escapes my understanding." I sighed, looking at the ceiling.
"Not all the Fairies are as prejudiced as him, especially since our bloodline happens to be very mixed. There is even Dwarven blood running through the veins of many Fairies."
"Ah, that explains your cousin Oona's looks."
"Yes, she is proud of her Dwarven heritage. She feels sympathy for you, since she can't tolerate Willow's attitude. This could be of great benefit for us. Though I must warn you, if you upset her once, it's quite difficult to regain her confidence. Robin is easier to convince. Do not misunderstand me, he is an impartial judge, of course, though things with him sometimes tend to be quite flexible."
"Your Mother is a wise one, the pair of judges are an excellent complement to each other, as one is tolerant with some things that the other surely is not." I stated this nonchalantly, but noticed that I was acting like the old Gríma. I mean, measuring the people around in terms of their skills, or lack of them, discerning their true nature after a couple of words with them. This was my talent, discovered when I was but a small child, and improved through my life, enhanced with the help of Banshee as my teacher.
This gift gained me Theoden's confidence and the rest of courtiers' hate. I was cunning, an attribute seldom found among the Rohirrim. They often valued a man for the skills with the sword and spear, and his ability to ride. But a good soldier and rider is not too helpful if he can't read and count, even less appreciate when a man is cheating in a trade. My services to Edoras increased Theoden's wealth and the splendour of the Halls. Because of me, Lady Éowyn could use finery reserved for a Gondorrim princess, instead the old fashioned dresses her mother had to use. It was my skills what permitted Éomer and Théodred ride on their steeds using refined saddles and new armours. Many of the Rohirrim that hated my astuteness owed their prosperity to me. At least, I could flatter myself about these things, a poor excuse for the terrible harm I caused after I fell into Saruman's charm.
It seemed like I had to put my old talent to work. Though, I planned to keep my forked tongue behind my teeth, as Gandalf ordered me once. I recognized that deceit and honeyed words could not be very useful with my judges. I needed to clear my mind, and decided to ask something that had been nagging my mind lately. "My love, what was that strange exchange you had with Robin?"
"Ah, yes, the thing about his other appetites being deprived. Well, Gríma, he can have all the food and all the drink he wants. But it seems that his charm with our females is a total disaster. Last time he was here, one of my courtiers had him chasing her for the entire time, and at the end he could not obtain even a single kiss from her. This hurt his pride, of course, being the arrogant brat he is. Though, Oona and I delight in reminding him of the incident."
"You are a wicked one, dear Banshee, rejoicing in the disgrace of a hopeless lover." I said this with falsehood dripping from my lips. I truly loved the way his nerve fell in pieces when my beloved mocked him.
"Oh, yes, a wicked wicked one, indeed." She said, embracing me tightly and moving her body enticingly against mine. "But I am sure you like it, don't you?" I could not mistake her sultry voice, the call of passion that made me burn like a torch.
"Yes, I like it very much." Before I could finish she was on me. Once again, my mind was clouded, only focused in our love. The matter at hand with my judges melted as a snowflake in the heat of the moment.
Splitting headache, that was what I was feeling. I always thought that Fairies were as immune as Elves to sickness. But, maybe migraines were not something considered sickness. Mainly when the cause of such an affliction was an estate problem.
My first chance in dealing with a problem of the dominion, and I was ready to run away like a coward. No way, I was going to act bravely, no matter what.
"Tell me again, why we are lacking horses for our cavalry?" I said as calmly as I could, rubbing the bridge of my nose feeling like my head was going to explode at any minute.
The servant before me in the Throne Hall looked back at me, then lowered his eyes in sign of respect. This Fae's explanations had filled our schedule for a long hour. He tried to condense politics of the Kingdom, trade policies, and the details of the trouble at hand in one long speech that had served to make this monstrous headache to appear. After this, I finally understood why people at Edoras hated me so much; I was like him, always going through long complicate explanations to show my point in the simplest matter. Though, he was oblivious to my affliction, and proceeded with his claim.
"We are not lacking them right now, but we will in the future, two or three years from now."
I sighed. I wanted to scream that a trouble so far in the future was not a worthy reason to ask for an audience. But I didn't. First, because being a Fairy, two or three years were almost as close as tomorrow. Second, because the judges were present in the audience.
"Well, then, why are we going to lack of them in the future?"
"It seems the breeders of the Golden Grasslands are not capable of producing them in less than five years. Not the kind of horses we require, anyway, Your Highness." The servant had explained the requirements before. Noble horses, big stature, obedience, cleverness and totally black colour. No white spots, no stars on their foreheads.
Of course, the Golden Grasslands was Princess Epona's realm. I had been informed that all our mounts were breed and raised there. Then, the riders of that realm came to our woods to exchange the horses for merchandise and gold.
I stole a quick glimpse at the ambassador of Golden Grasslands and smiled inwardly. This man was the vivid image of a Rohirrim, without the beard and the filth covering his body, of course. I almost was afraid he would come out with a name like Théodred or Éomer, or something like that. Though his name was Enion. I could smell the naivety from him, could read it in his eyes, and could see it in his movements.
In a short examination of the records, I found that the trade had been fair for both parts most of the time. Though, it seemed, that the horse masters (oh, yeah, they called themselves as my old kinfolk), often could not cope with the demand on time.
I reckoned that producing such animals was not easy task at all. Rohan lost most of the black steeds to Sauron's greedy hands; the most beautiful and healthy specimens were stolen by him to provide mounts for his nine Nazgûl. I knew well of this, because the alluded horses were mine. Only I had the nerve and the knowledge to obtain black steeds that could rival in beauty, obedience and cleverness, with the finest horses of Rohan. Though, after having a good amount of mares and stallions with these characteristics was relatively easy to obtain brood as good as the parents. This gave me an idea.
"Well, why do we not intend to breed them here? I mean, we have plenty of fine stallions and remarkable mares to try it." Just a second before these words left my lips I realized I had stepped in dangerous land. The sign was the sudden silence that filled the room, and the audible gasp that left the lips of the blonde horse master. When I searched Banshee's advice I noticed she was pale, paler than normal that is, and her eyes talked volumes about her thoughts. She was afraid. Oh yes, I made a mistake...a big one.
I felt the floor opening under my feet. Of course, I would like this to happen, just to slip into the bowels of the earth and escape this embarrassing situation. 'Think of something, say something, Gríma, come on, you had been in worst troubles. Clearly, I can't remember none of them at the moment...'
"This is an affront! I heard that the new prince of this land had a bad reputation, but never imagined he could be so audacious as to come out with such offensive claim!" The ambassador from Golden Grasslands replayed with energy, clearly insulted by my "brilliant idea". But I noticed that my previous assumption was right. His lips were quivering and his face was red in anger, yet his words were filled with a tint of innocence that I could not mistake.
Another thing that was inherent to my nature was the rapid thinking. When I was deep to my neck in trouble my capacity to scheme saved me many times. This time the wheels of my mind were reeling wildly. Enion's naivety, my idea, the way in which Banshee looked at me, all mixed in a mayhem inside my brains...and suddenly I saw the door open, as bright as the sun.
"But of course you misinterpreted my claim, dear Enion." I said calmly, yet adding some honey to my words. "I think my use of the word "we" confounded you a little. Surely I was not trying to state that we have the skills to do better than your people, I was just suggesting that your breeders could use our own horses to obtain new steeds and mares. Your people are free to take the best specimens from our stables and produce the horses we need. I have some knowledge about breeding, not so much as you, that's obvious, but from the little I could learn in Edoras, you mostly can have good brood from good parents. And in Shadowy Woods we have plenty of wonderful horses. Since you have provided them, I'm sure you agree with me."
Enion looked at me with hesitation. Yes, that was what I saw in his pure blue eyes. "But the exchange..."
"I will be sure to arrange a good trade for your realm and mine, Enion. You should not suffer because the demand of new animals will be accomplished in time. Maybe my word was not worthy before, but it is now, and I will write a contract and put the seal of the realm on it. Is this fair enough for you?"
"Absolutely. Though Princess Epona has to read the contract first, of course."
"Of course. I will have the contract ready for tomorrow, and you can take it for her approval. Later, I will ride personally to the Golden Grasslands to discuss it with Princess Epona."
Enion smiled widely, and I thought he was going to start dancing for the way the happiness radiated from his Fairish person. He bowed deeply, and was about to leave the Hall when he turned on his heels. "Forgive my former display of anger, your Highness. Obviously the news about your reputation was a mistake." He bowed again and left.
I had been so immersed in weaving my way out of the mess I caused, that I had forgotten that four pair of eyes were looking at me. I looked around to measure the effect that my demonstration of cunningness had produced.
My servant still has his eyes low. Though I notice he was smiling smugly. I imagine he was proud of his master's cleverness, or something of the kind. I still could skim such things, even from Fairies.
Banshee smiled back at me, proudly as well, but I could not say if she was proud of herself or of me. It could be both, after all, she was the one who taught me how to use my abilities to its full capacity.
I looked at Oona. She was raising an eyebrow, and a little smirk curved her full lips. That was her sign of approval, and it reassured me greatly.
Finally I laid eyes on Robin, and noticed with awe that he was totally amused. Oh yes, that big grin on his lips could not be mistaken.
"I see, dear Robin, that you find my way of solving estate business entertaining," I said, still surprised by his expression.
"Oh, no, you misinterpret my delight. I was just asking myself how, in the name of Avalon, I never knew you before? It's a shame you summoned Banshee instead of me, you know. I could have made you King of Middle-Earth for sure, you had walked half the way already when you were born." He stood from his chair and walked away.
I could do nothing more than watch his slender figure exiting the Throne Hall. Was that a compliment or an acidic comment? I could not be sure, I preferred to think it was the first.
TBC
Once monthly, during the full moon, the princes and princesses of Avalon joined in the council to discuss matters of the Kingdom. This time, the most important issue was the sudden marriage of Banshee. Gríma was not invited, since his dominion was yet to be confirmed in a ceremony... if it even would be confirmed at all.
"This is an outrage! I demand the council put a stop to this irregularity at once!" Willow Goldenrod stood from his seat at the council, ire tinting his pale face, perfect blond eyebrows were forked into a dark scowl, and his grey eyes gleamed in anger.
Many of the attendants that sat around the rounded table winced at his outburst. It was an inappropriate to show such manners before the Queen.
"Willow, my child, please cease your tantrum, I will not accept this behaviour in my council." Mab, the Queen of all Fairies, and the Empress of Avalon, spoke calmly, yet firmly.
Banshee stood silent in her place, yet eyeing daggers at Willow, her brother.
Willow had been the only one that plainly objected Banshee's union. The others had had their reserves about the situation, of course, but Willow was adamant in his position. He didn't recognize the legality of the marriage at all.
"Banshee, my daughter, I have to accept that this event is quite irregular. But I know that your choice in soul mate is not something done lightly. From what I have been told, your love is true. May I add, dear, that your appearance has improved in a great way, I have not seen you so happy in a long time." Mab reassured Banshee with a warm smile.
"I must object, Mother, it is not proper, Banshee gave him a grace that it is only in store for those worthy. This man, Gríma, caused so much grief and his evil behaviour almost made the Rohirrim succumb under Saruman's army. I suppose Epona can confirm this, can't you, my dear cousin?" Willow looked across the marble table, and grinned widely at the blonde beautiful fairy in front of him.
Epona, the captain of the riders of Avalon winced. She had partaken in Helm Deep's battle, and even went with the Rohirrim, disguised as one of them, to the very Black Gates. "It is true. Though I must add, that even when Gríma is not of my liking at all, I do not think we have the right to judge his past. Besides, if Banshee says he is repented of his actions and willing to change, we have to trust in her word." Epona was saying the truth, she didn't like Gríma, he had done so much harm to the Rohirrim; though, she considered it had been partly the horse masters' fault, being simpletons as to not notice earlier that Wormtongue was a clear threat to the Kingdom's safety. Furthermore, she really was feeling an urgent need to antagonize Willow; she always hated his stiff neck and snobbish attitude towards mortals.
"That is not the point, the real issue is that if he did it before, he could do it again. This man is a real danger to our land..." Willow sighed deeply, his handsome face showing a still seriousness.
"This is foolish, Willow, you only despise him because he is not Fairish in his upbringing nor in his breeding. You always despised mortals, my brother, and you would even accept Sauron to be my mate if he claimed regret! Besides, I remind you, he is not a man anymore, but a Fae," Banshee stated angrily, pounding the table with her open hand.
"Order, Banshee, please," Mab called out, never losing her calmness.
"From my point of view, I accept the union openly. He made our dear Banshee get a sunny disposition that could surely gain us a good time of rest from her howling cries of grief and dark prophecies; though her howls of pleasure maybe are not so pleasant either." Robin Goodfellow smirked impishly from his place.
At this remark some of the Fairies at the council winced, while others covered their mouths to stifle their laughter. Banshee bared his teeth at him bluntly and hissed like a furious cat.
Mab rolled her eyes, and pretended she didn't hear the words of her son or Banshee's display of anger. "Indeed, Gríma has not many merits on his side for being given the gift of Fairish kin. Even though it is painful for me to admit it, Willow has a point in his argument. Love is not enough, my child; he needs to prove to this council that he deserves this gift. So I will designate two ambassadors that will watch his actions for a while and based on their observations I will decide."
Willow raised his hand on the air. "May I offer myself..."
"No, you may not, Willow. Clearly your opinion is very plain in this, and nothing could make it change. So, I need objective judges. Robin, Oona, are you willing to take this in your hands?"
A short female with mithril crown and bronze hair rose from her seat and bowed. Her sturdy frame was similar to that of a dwarf, though her round breasts, wide hips and lack of beard told otherwise "Aye, your Highness, whatever it takes to settle this situation."
"Sure, I can use some days in the Shadowy Woods, Mother, the pixies are organizing a feast just this week, and the week after that... and the week after that." Robin's grin increased till he was smiling from ear to ear.
Mab sighed; her child was just like this, always looking for the opportunity to be involved in delight of any kind. Though she knew very well that he will search the moment to accomplish with this mission, he had never failed to his duties.
"I protest, Robin is not a proper moderator in this case!" Willow said in distress.
"So, do you object my decision, my son?" Mab smiled sweetly at him, however with a glint of mischief in her eyes.
"I...don't...it's just..." He blushed furiously; going against the Queen's resolutions was not a clever thing to do. She was the empress of this land for many reasons. Her wisdom and talent for rule were just two of them.
"Very well, then, a month from now, we will meet again to resolve this situation. This council is finished. Merry met and merry part." She said, standing from her seat and bowing slightly with her head.
"And merry met again." Responded the others, standing as well and taking their leave.
Willow was not so merry, as a matter of fact, but he kept his anger at bay, reassuring himself. He was sure the man was going to ruin his opportunities to gain the trust of the judges. 'Once evil, forever evil,' he thought and grinned.
"Ambassadors to judge my behaviour?" Gríma looked at me with anguish painted all over his face. He put his goblet down on the table, and I was sure his appetite had flown through the window along with his joy.
"It is just a formality, they will stay for a while, then will go and inform the council about your honest intentions." I tried to sound calm, but it was difficult. I knew Gríma's heart, all his hidden bitterness, the shadows that still lingered inside his soul. He was not a danger for Avalon, of course, nor a menace for me. But he was far away from the ideal candidate for deserving the gift of metamorphosis I had granted. Mother was telling the truth, I had not chosen lightly, he loved me dearly, and his soul was the perfect match for mine. But she was right too about my lack of mind in conceding such an important present to one that had been a threat to the Rohirrim, and even to all Middle Earth. He had killed twice, Lotho the Hobbit, and Saruman. His victims' blood, and the blood of those who died in the battle of Helm's Deep stained his hands.
"This is so unexpected, I thought that this gift you gave me would make me be as trustworthy as the others before your kin's eyes." He looked disappointedly at his plate.
"I lost my perspective somehow in the process. I considered you deserved my present, because you have a noble heart, even when your acts tell different. I know your suffering, all the things that lead you to the darkness. But The Fairish gift has to be given to virtuous people. So, the delegates will observe your behaviour, because they will not judge over the past but over the present."
He measured my words, taking his goblet in hand again and sipping just so slowly from the rich wine. "What happens if they find me not worthy enough? Will they take away this gift from me?"
This question was expected, but I was afraid to give the answer. "Once given, the Gift can't be removed, not after so much time had passed. But they could exile you from Avalon. You will be forbidden of any contact with this realm...or with any of the ones that live here."
As I had imagined, he looked at me with horror, putting down his silver goblet on the table with too much force.
"Not even with you?"
"Yes, not even with me."
"No, they could not do this to me! Exile I can take it, living from the earth, without shelter and hungry, I can suffer it gladly...but living without you, never!" He stood in a rush, his chair lost balance and fell to the floor with a hard thump.
"Calm down, Gríma, my love, you have a chance to..."
"A chance?! I have no opportunity to stand barely close to their ideal of righteous one, Banshee. It is happening again, everything will be taken from me. I don't care if I have to live like a beggar, but I could not survive without your love." He was trembling, in fear, I could see through him, all his anxiety, and his worry.
I stood from my seat and walked to him. I put my arms around his shoulders and embraced him tightly. "My love, whatever happens, I will be with you. You only have to prove that there is a noble heart beating inside your chest."
He chuckled. "A noble heart? Banshee, there is nothing remotely decent in me. Albeit my appearance is not so dishevelled as before, I still have deep wounds in my soul. There are abysses of hatred buried deep inside my being, and darkness remains untouched."
"I know it, my dear, that's why I chose you, that's why I love you. Even with all those burning scars from your past, you can love me. Nobody totally spoiled could possible show such intense feelings." I tilted his face with my finger, making him look at my eyes. "You only have to learn to control this darkness. The shadows shall not have power over you, you must overthrow them." I said this to him confidently. Although my words were cryptic to him, he would understand them with time...but time was running short.
"It doesn't make sense, Banshee, darkness is an unending void that pulls everything to its depths. If my love for you stays afloat in this ocean of blackness, it's because you are my anchor. How could I learn to bury my past?" His clear eyes looked at me with doubt. Yes, I knew this expression of his, I've seen it before: hunger for knowledge.
"Only you could find the answer to that, as I did a long time ago. It is a lonely search, but there is a goal. If you achieve this wisdom, you could stand a chance."
He nodded, humbly. For long years he was my student, and now he was showing me his respect once again. For he longed to learn. Though this time he was not trying to conquer the heart of a White Lady, he was trying to cling on to the heart of a dark one.
"Such a wonderful view, don't you think, Oona? All the windows open, fresh air coming inside to clear the reek of decay and the sun bathing the now bright galleries. Look, even the horrid tapestries are gone! Though there were a couple of them that surely had my attention. In a morbid, weird way, of course." The Fae called Robin was just getting on my nerves. How such an obnoxious, insolent and totally cheeky brat could be Queen Mab's child? Worst, How could he be her favourite son?
I tried to look impassively at him, as my dear Banshee was doing. Oh, it was so difficult!
He was strolling through our home, remarking on how much it had changed, how terrifying it used to be, his irreverent eyes tracing the walls and the ceiling.
"Aye, indeed, this palace had changed, Banshee. My congratulations to you and your husband, by the way. I had not time to say them because of the suddenness of your marriage." The short fairy was so much more to my liking. She was respectfully measuring the changes, her face showing her wonder in a more reasonable fashion.
"Thank you, Oona, we are grateful for your coming. In your honour we decided to make the palace look cosier," Banshee said, even too warm for her normal countenance. I realized in that moment that she considered this guest an appreciated one.
"You two are more welcomed to our castle, even under the current circumstances. So, feel yourselves at home." I added. Banshee had instructed me in this. She told me that I should act, as this was my place and my dominion, no less.
"So kind of you to mention it, Gríma, especially now that my stomach is growling in impatience, I think I could have something to eat right now." Robin grinned at me.
I looked at him in the eye, and suddenly regretted. I could not stand his stare for more than a couple of seconds. For all that this impish Fae was totally impudent, his inner self was an uncanny contrast with his exterior and manners. I never felt such a great power from a Fairy before, not even from Banshee. He reminded me of Gandalf, incredibly mighty, yet enveloped in a disguise that could deceive the common eyes.
"But, of course, how impolite of us, Robin, we should not starve you anymore. I confide that the banquet we prepared for your arrival would suffice to satisfy your hunger. If only the hunger for nourishment and drink. Your other appetites could suffer, though, as your last visit clearly demonstrated." Banshee smirked in a very distinct way.
For a second, I looked in wonder at how Robin's face paled, while his cheeky disposition faltered visibly.
Oona chuckled, very amused by something I was oblivious to.
Banshee took my hand. "Shall we?" she said and leaded us to the dining hall. Then, just lowered her voice to a soft whisper and said, only for my ears to listen, "I will explain later, love."
I will never be bored to see her changing for bed. The regal robes discarded slowly and replaced by her silky black nightshirt, her hair freed from the pins and falling loose like a red cascade down to her slim waist, all the makeup removed to let her Fairish ivory skin glow like a pale star, only illuminated by the candle light.
As she slipped into bed, her fragile body cuddling beside me under the sheets, I embraced her close to me and kissed her softly on the lips.
"So, what do you think about our visitors?" she whispered.
"I don't know what to say, I expected a couple of severe looking Fairies, eager to see my head fall." I commented, playing enthralled with a lock of her hair.
"Do not be deceived, Robin and Oona could not look frightening, but they are serious to their task. Queen Mab's orders are law, and they will accomplish their mission. Though I am happy Mother designated them. They are far more objective than Willow."
"Willow, that was the one who..." I could not complete the sentence. I did not know this Fae, but surely wanted badly to say a couple of things to him...and store a blade inside his ribcage, too.
"Yes, the one who claimed against our union. There is one like him in every family, and mine could not be the exception. He's obsessed with keeping the Fairy bloodline as pure as possible. So, having a former human as his brother-in-law does not appeal to him in the least."
"It figures. I was despised in Rohan for being half Haradrim. Now my previous status as Man gains me an enemy. How could people take my hair's colour and my breeding as an affront, it escapes my understanding." I sighed, looking at the ceiling.
"Not all the Fairies are as prejudiced as him, especially since our bloodline happens to be very mixed. There is even Dwarven blood running through the veins of many Fairies."
"Ah, that explains your cousin Oona's looks."
"Yes, she is proud of her Dwarven heritage. She feels sympathy for you, since she can't tolerate Willow's attitude. This could be of great benefit for us. Though I must warn you, if you upset her once, it's quite difficult to regain her confidence. Robin is easier to convince. Do not misunderstand me, he is an impartial judge, of course, though things with him sometimes tend to be quite flexible."
"Your Mother is a wise one, the pair of judges are an excellent complement to each other, as one is tolerant with some things that the other surely is not." I stated this nonchalantly, but noticed that I was acting like the old Gríma. I mean, measuring the people around in terms of their skills, or lack of them, discerning their true nature after a couple of words with them. This was my talent, discovered when I was but a small child, and improved through my life, enhanced with the help of Banshee as my teacher.
This gift gained me Theoden's confidence and the rest of courtiers' hate. I was cunning, an attribute seldom found among the Rohirrim. They often valued a man for the skills with the sword and spear, and his ability to ride. But a good soldier and rider is not too helpful if he can't read and count, even less appreciate when a man is cheating in a trade. My services to Edoras increased Theoden's wealth and the splendour of the Halls. Because of me, Lady Éowyn could use finery reserved for a Gondorrim princess, instead the old fashioned dresses her mother had to use. It was my skills what permitted Éomer and Théodred ride on their steeds using refined saddles and new armours. Many of the Rohirrim that hated my astuteness owed their prosperity to me. At least, I could flatter myself about these things, a poor excuse for the terrible harm I caused after I fell into Saruman's charm.
It seemed like I had to put my old talent to work. Though, I planned to keep my forked tongue behind my teeth, as Gandalf ordered me once. I recognized that deceit and honeyed words could not be very useful with my judges. I needed to clear my mind, and decided to ask something that had been nagging my mind lately. "My love, what was that strange exchange you had with Robin?"
"Ah, yes, the thing about his other appetites being deprived. Well, Gríma, he can have all the food and all the drink he wants. But it seems that his charm with our females is a total disaster. Last time he was here, one of my courtiers had him chasing her for the entire time, and at the end he could not obtain even a single kiss from her. This hurt his pride, of course, being the arrogant brat he is. Though, Oona and I delight in reminding him of the incident."
"You are a wicked one, dear Banshee, rejoicing in the disgrace of a hopeless lover." I said this with falsehood dripping from my lips. I truly loved the way his nerve fell in pieces when my beloved mocked him.
"Oh, yes, a wicked wicked one, indeed." She said, embracing me tightly and moving her body enticingly against mine. "But I am sure you like it, don't you?" I could not mistake her sultry voice, the call of passion that made me burn like a torch.
"Yes, I like it very much." Before I could finish she was on me. Once again, my mind was clouded, only focused in our love. The matter at hand with my judges melted as a snowflake in the heat of the moment.
Splitting headache, that was what I was feeling. I always thought that Fairies were as immune as Elves to sickness. But, maybe migraines were not something considered sickness. Mainly when the cause of such an affliction was an estate problem.
My first chance in dealing with a problem of the dominion, and I was ready to run away like a coward. No way, I was going to act bravely, no matter what.
"Tell me again, why we are lacking horses for our cavalry?" I said as calmly as I could, rubbing the bridge of my nose feeling like my head was going to explode at any minute.
The servant before me in the Throne Hall looked back at me, then lowered his eyes in sign of respect. This Fae's explanations had filled our schedule for a long hour. He tried to condense politics of the Kingdom, trade policies, and the details of the trouble at hand in one long speech that had served to make this monstrous headache to appear. After this, I finally understood why people at Edoras hated me so much; I was like him, always going through long complicate explanations to show my point in the simplest matter. Though, he was oblivious to my affliction, and proceeded with his claim.
"We are not lacking them right now, but we will in the future, two or three years from now."
I sighed. I wanted to scream that a trouble so far in the future was not a worthy reason to ask for an audience. But I didn't. First, because being a Fairy, two or three years were almost as close as tomorrow. Second, because the judges were present in the audience.
"Well, then, why are we going to lack of them in the future?"
"It seems the breeders of the Golden Grasslands are not capable of producing them in less than five years. Not the kind of horses we require, anyway, Your Highness." The servant had explained the requirements before. Noble horses, big stature, obedience, cleverness and totally black colour. No white spots, no stars on their foreheads.
Of course, the Golden Grasslands was Princess Epona's realm. I had been informed that all our mounts were breed and raised there. Then, the riders of that realm came to our woods to exchange the horses for merchandise and gold.
I stole a quick glimpse at the ambassador of Golden Grasslands and smiled inwardly. This man was the vivid image of a Rohirrim, without the beard and the filth covering his body, of course. I almost was afraid he would come out with a name like Théodred or Éomer, or something like that. Though his name was Enion. I could smell the naivety from him, could read it in his eyes, and could see it in his movements.
In a short examination of the records, I found that the trade had been fair for both parts most of the time. Though, it seemed, that the horse masters (oh, yeah, they called themselves as my old kinfolk), often could not cope with the demand on time.
I reckoned that producing such animals was not easy task at all. Rohan lost most of the black steeds to Sauron's greedy hands; the most beautiful and healthy specimens were stolen by him to provide mounts for his nine Nazgûl. I knew well of this, because the alluded horses were mine. Only I had the nerve and the knowledge to obtain black steeds that could rival in beauty, obedience and cleverness, with the finest horses of Rohan. Though, after having a good amount of mares and stallions with these characteristics was relatively easy to obtain brood as good as the parents. This gave me an idea.
"Well, why do we not intend to breed them here? I mean, we have plenty of fine stallions and remarkable mares to try it." Just a second before these words left my lips I realized I had stepped in dangerous land. The sign was the sudden silence that filled the room, and the audible gasp that left the lips of the blonde horse master. When I searched Banshee's advice I noticed she was pale, paler than normal that is, and her eyes talked volumes about her thoughts. She was afraid. Oh yes, I made a mistake...a big one.
I felt the floor opening under my feet. Of course, I would like this to happen, just to slip into the bowels of the earth and escape this embarrassing situation. 'Think of something, say something, Gríma, come on, you had been in worst troubles. Clearly, I can't remember none of them at the moment...'
"This is an affront! I heard that the new prince of this land had a bad reputation, but never imagined he could be so audacious as to come out with such offensive claim!" The ambassador from Golden Grasslands replayed with energy, clearly insulted by my "brilliant idea". But I noticed that my previous assumption was right. His lips were quivering and his face was red in anger, yet his words were filled with a tint of innocence that I could not mistake.
Another thing that was inherent to my nature was the rapid thinking. When I was deep to my neck in trouble my capacity to scheme saved me many times. This time the wheels of my mind were reeling wildly. Enion's naivety, my idea, the way in which Banshee looked at me, all mixed in a mayhem inside my brains...and suddenly I saw the door open, as bright as the sun.
"But of course you misinterpreted my claim, dear Enion." I said calmly, yet adding some honey to my words. "I think my use of the word "we" confounded you a little. Surely I was not trying to state that we have the skills to do better than your people, I was just suggesting that your breeders could use our own horses to obtain new steeds and mares. Your people are free to take the best specimens from our stables and produce the horses we need. I have some knowledge about breeding, not so much as you, that's obvious, but from the little I could learn in Edoras, you mostly can have good brood from good parents. And in Shadowy Woods we have plenty of wonderful horses. Since you have provided them, I'm sure you agree with me."
Enion looked at me with hesitation. Yes, that was what I saw in his pure blue eyes. "But the exchange..."
"I will be sure to arrange a good trade for your realm and mine, Enion. You should not suffer because the demand of new animals will be accomplished in time. Maybe my word was not worthy before, but it is now, and I will write a contract and put the seal of the realm on it. Is this fair enough for you?"
"Absolutely. Though Princess Epona has to read the contract first, of course."
"Of course. I will have the contract ready for tomorrow, and you can take it for her approval. Later, I will ride personally to the Golden Grasslands to discuss it with Princess Epona."
Enion smiled widely, and I thought he was going to start dancing for the way the happiness radiated from his Fairish person. He bowed deeply, and was about to leave the Hall when he turned on his heels. "Forgive my former display of anger, your Highness. Obviously the news about your reputation was a mistake." He bowed again and left.
I had been so immersed in weaving my way out of the mess I caused, that I had forgotten that four pair of eyes were looking at me. I looked around to measure the effect that my demonstration of cunningness had produced.
My servant still has his eyes low. Though I notice he was smiling smugly. I imagine he was proud of his master's cleverness, or something of the kind. I still could skim such things, even from Fairies.
Banshee smiled back at me, proudly as well, but I could not say if she was proud of herself or of me. It could be both, after all, she was the one who taught me how to use my abilities to its full capacity.
I looked at Oona. She was raising an eyebrow, and a little smirk curved her full lips. That was her sign of approval, and it reassured me greatly.
Finally I laid eyes on Robin, and noticed with awe that he was totally amused. Oh yes, that big grin on his lips could not be mistaken.
"I see, dear Robin, that you find my way of solving estate business entertaining," I said, still surprised by his expression.
"Oh, no, you misinterpret my delight. I was just asking myself how, in the name of Avalon, I never knew you before? It's a shame you summoned Banshee instead of me, you know. I could have made you King of Middle-Earth for sure, you had walked half the way already when you were born." He stood from his chair and walked away.
I could do nothing more than watch his slender figure exiting the Throne Hall. Was that a compliment or an acidic comment? I could not be sure, I preferred to think it was the first.
TBC