In An Age Before – Part 116
Chapter Eighty
Osgiliath – The Third Age of the Sun
They reached the outer wall and gate of the City of Kings but a half hour later, and there they were quickly challenged by a company of the guard, who barred their way with spears.
"Halt and declare thyselves," a lieutenant demanded as he faced them with suspicious eyes. Cloaked and hooded, the strangers openly bore arms of war.
The two ellith drew back their hoods, revealing themselves to be Elvish folk.
"I am Helluin Maeg-mórmenel of the Host of Finwë, and with me is Beinvír Laiquende of Eriador. We have long been friends and allies of Gondor, and of thy forefathers in Númenor ere that. 'Tis tidings of the South Kingdom we seek in this time of trouble, and we offer any such aid as we can give."
For some moments the lieutenant said 'naught, but only regarded them all the more closely, as if committing every detail to memory. Then he bid them stand and wait, though his voice carried less challenge than aforetime.
"Summon the captain," he ordered the guard at the end of the line barring the way.
The guard saluted and then turned and hastened back through the gate, entering the guard house by a strong door of steel located in the thickness of the wall.
When he was gone, the lieutenant approached and spoke again to the ellith.
"I ask thy patience. Thy names I have heard aforetime in lore, but for myself I can only confirm that thou art of the Elder kindred and have spoken no lies. In these troubled times I need defer thy passage to my captain who has the authority to offer the welcome of the King."
Helluin nodded in understanding.
"What was heard in Imladris then is true, that the realm of Anárion lies disquiet following the passing of King Valacar."
"Aye, 'tis true indeed," the lieutenant agreed with a sad nod. And then more quietly still he added, "some now speak openly against King Eldacar and so we seek to halt agitators from entering Osgiliath, for many would throw oil upon the embers of unrest that smolder hither. My heart is filled with foreboding for the days to come."
'Twas not long that they waited, for the captain of the guard came forth promptly. He was a tall Dúnadan of stern bearing who obviously took seriously his duties. The lieutenant snapped to attention and held his salute 'til 'twas returned. The captain then looked the Elves o'er for but a moment only ere he bowed formally and spoke.
"I am Captain Haldad and in ye I see two from our lore standing 'neath the same sun that shines upon me. 'Tis a great wonder indeed, for many lives of Men have passed since such last was. 'Neath thy cloak I mark the mithril Ring of which many stories tell, and so I accept thy declaration and offer the welcome of the Kings renewed."
Helluin and Beinvír bowed to the captain in return.
"Our thanks for thy King's welcome, Captain Haldad," Helluin said. "'Tis true that many years have passed since last we visited the South Kingdom, for we have been needed most in the north. Thither the strength of old falters whilst Gondor has remained strong. Yet of late we have heard tell of unrest, and so we have come to learn 'aught of what passes in the South Kingdom."
"Ill news travels upon swift wings, 'tis said, and yet such news is all too oft true," the captain replied. "Our new king is not accepted by all, especially those who see their own status maintained by the purity of their blood. Such is their quarrel with King Eldacar, that his mother was not of the Dúnedain. Yet 'tis the hope of many, myself amongst them, that the Men of Gondor shalt cleave to the right succession, for Eldacar is the son of his father."
"So we heard from Captain Hathol upon Parth Galen but three days past," Beinvír said. "He too, and his officers, strongly support King Eldacar."
"Captain Hathol is a good Man," Captain Haldad said, "and a good captain and soldier of Gondor. I would expect no less."
"Is support for King Eldacar strong amongst all the army?" Helluin asked.
"'Tis so with the Northern Army in which serve no few Men of northern blood, even from the days of Rómendacil," the captain confirmed, "and 'tis so too with many of the folk in the lands close by Anduin; Rhovanion, Lebennin and Anórien in particular. Yet I have heard tell of opposition from the southern fiefs east of Anduin, and of course amongst some of the nobility in Osgiliath itself.
Of the Southern Army I am not so sure. The garrison of Umbar is for the most part manned by soldiers from Harondor and South Ithilien now, and in the days of Hyarmendacil 'twas no question of their loyalty. Yet now those days lie 400 years past, and during the reigns of Alcarin, Narmacil and Calmacil, the strength and resolve of Gondor waned. Thereafter most of our attention was claimed by threats from the east, leaving the south both less involved and less closely held…and e'er has Umbar harbored some of ancient lineage, scions of the King's Men of old. They art true blooded Dúnedain, and they have married into well 'nigh all such families as came to the Hither Shores after the Fall of Númenor, and from this, I deem the loyalty of some houses suspect, though their blood be pure."
Helluin nodded in acceptance of the captain's tidings. Then she asked in a softer voice pitched to carry only to the captain's ears, "have any been named as more acceptable by those who reject Eldacar?"
"To my knowledge none have been named by the opposition as yet, Helluin," the captain replied whilst shaking his head 'nay', "though no doubt those such as meditate upon challenging the succession have their candidates. Alas, the possibilities art too many rather than too few." Hither he paused a moment ere continuing with more than a hint of sarcasm.
"Were I to seek for one to support in a bid to usurp the throne, t'would be one of noble blood with recent kinship to the ruling kings; the more recent that kinship, the better. I should also seek for one already known and esteemed by the people; a trusted statesman, renowned captain, or wealthy philanthropist perhaps."
"King Valacar had but one wife and one son," Beinvír said, "so who stands closest to the throne?"
For several moments Captain Haldad stood silent in thought ere he answered, and with no small measure of uncertainty.
"Perhaps t'would be Mírendil¹, granddaughter of Calmacil's younger sister Merendisse, or maybe Castamir², eldest grandson of Minalcar's younger brother Calimehtar, or even Haryonwe³, Castamir's eldest matrilineal cousin. There art others, I am sure," he said with a shrug whilst shaking his head. "Whither royalty is concerned, much energy is spent in calculating proximity to the throne and the order of succession. Alas, such art intended for an uncontested succession." ¹(Mírendil, Jewel-Lover = mire(jewel) + -ndil(agent in names; -lover of) Quenya Merendisse, Party-Girl = merenda-(feast, party) + -isse(fem. agent) Quenya) ²(Castamir, Caretaker = casta-(care for, tend) + -mir(agent in names; 'one who' tends) Quenya) ³(Haryonwe, Princely-One = haryon(prince, heir) + -we(masc. agent in names) Quenya)
All fell silent, pondering the possibilities. The mention of Castamir agreed with the rede of Fónathron and the messengers from Imladris.
So t'will be he, or she, who commands the greatest measure of influence, Beinvír commented silently to Helluin as their eyes met.
Aye, the Noldo agreed with a groan, and such influence may come to be that which most easily commands a mob.
Now after exchanging farewells, the two ellith parted from Captain Haldad and the guard company of the gate, and they went forth into the city of Osgiliath. Upon that fine summer morn they marked that the growth of the city upon the western shore had been extensive since their last visit. Indeed the wall and gate through which they had entered was o'er three furlongs further inland than in the days of Berúthiel. The broad avenue they trod 'twixt the gate and the central bridge of the city was lined with fashionable businesses of all sorts, yet down side streets the Elves could see shabbier premises and less well constructed buildings bracketing narrower and more poorly constructed ways. An even better vantage they gained when they'd ascended the ten fathom breadth of the causeway to the bridge. Thither they turned their eyes from the grand buildings ahead and paused to view a less picturesque quarter of the City of Kings. 'Neath them now wound rough cobbled streets, and buildings of poorly fired brick that grew e'er meaner the closer they marched down to the water, 'til 'twas 'naught but thatched roof hovels of wood on dirt tracks lining a muddy bank.
"From thither adaib foeg¹ no noble usurper shalt come," the Green Elf observed. ¹(adaib foeg, poor houses = adaib(houses) + foeg(mean, poor, bad) gen. const. Sindarin)
Helluin nodded whilst watching those few inhabitants upon the streets below. These were poorly dressed, some in laborers' clothes; perhaps hands who worked at the docks located furthest upstream and downstream, whither the city wall met Anduin.
"Amongst the mudianin¹ the greater concern is the day's wages and whether such shalt be found upon the morrow," Helluin said. "These folk shalt suffer much for any unrest to come." ¹(mudianin, those who toil = mudo-(toil) + -ian(obj. suff, n on v) + -in(pl suff) Sindarin)
Leaving behind this sobering vista, the two ellith made their way onto the bridge proper, and such was its breadth of twenty fathoms that at times 'twas difficult to remember that they were indeed upon a bridge at all, and not upon solid ground. To either side rose fine stone buildings of many stories that blocked any sight of the river; fashionable residences and fine shops there were. Comfortable inns and restaurants stood beside the offices of professionals and a few houses of the more prestigious guilds. About them moved the well-to-do citizens of Osgiliath, going about their business. Some gave them sidelong glances, for their rough clothes, stained boots, travel bags, and weapons were far from common.
An approaching mother edged her two children away from the ellith's path, passing them in a nervous hush. From an outdoor table at a café, a well-dressed couple watched them, suspicion in their eyes as they whispered 'twixt themselves. A similar look they received from a group of passing soldiers.
"I sense not the welcome of days past," Beinvír remarked.
"Aye, and I have yet to see a cat, either black or white."
"Still, I wonder how far such attitudes towards travelers prevail?"
"I suppose we shalt discover that soon enough," Helluin replied. Her growing sense of foreboding had whelped a grim expression.
Indeed they discovered the lessened hospitality of Osgiliath well ere noon. At the first inn they came to, the owner turned them away with a scowl. At the second, 'twas suggested they find lodgings, 'more appropriate to their station' in the precincts 'off-bridge'. They didn't try a third.
The same held true when they sought a meal. They were thrice turned away at the door. At the last establishment, the herdir mádad¹ had looked down his nose at them 'cross the threshold and told them to, 'be away, we cater not to urchins of the woods'. By then Helluin was seething and Beinvír saddened as well as hungry. ¹(herdir mádad, maître d'hôtel (lit. master of eating) = herdir(master) + mád(eat) + -ad(gerund suff; eating) genitive const, Sindarin)
"Soon I shalt be full-willing to snare a cat and spit roast it in the middle of the street," the Green Elf said as they walked back down the causeway and off the bridge.
"And soon I shalt be full-willing to carve a hostler upon his own board," Helluin muttered. She was sick of the rejection and the suspicious glances and the shying away of strangers. "T'would think 'twas a plague from the Black Land we carried, for crying aloud."
Her words were greeted by a low chuckle, and when she turned to the sound she saw a young Man, somewhat shorter and stockier than the Dúnedain, and with an unruly shock of light brown hair that o'erhung his forehead and half-concealed his dark eyes. He was dressed as a hunter and carried both a bulging game bag and a bow. Since the guards at the gate, he was the first to meet them with a smile.
"Pray pardon thy reception from these fine folk, m'ladies," he said, whilst sketching a mockery of a courtly bow and gesturing behind them to the city with an exaggerated flourish. "'Tis the nature of many to affect the airs of the high-born though they themselves be no more than shop-keepers and clerks."
"'Tis so throughout the city then?" Beinvír asked.
The young Man shook his head 'nay'.
"'Tis so most with those grasping at nobility and seeking to raise their station, mostly in their own eyes," he said with another chuckle. "'Tis worst amongst those with some wealth but no title. The nobles art as they have e'er been, I wager; born to riches and power, and needing not to grasp for such in every moment. Scant welcome shalt ye find upon the bridge ere ye come to the city center."
"What deem thou that we should find thither?" Helluin asked.
"Both true nobles who shan't deign to notice ye at all, and such as art more used to strangers, for many come hither from far off lands in embassy to the court."
"Then a better welcome we may find thither," Helluin said, "for we have come seeking tidings on behalf of Lord Elrond of Imladris."
The young Man's eyes fairly started from his head. For the first time his cynicism and sarcasm were replaced by surprise. For the first time he looked at the two closely enough to mark the tips of their ears, the unnatural fairness of their faces, and the light in their eyes.
"If my eyes deceive me not, ye art Elvish folk. 'Tis long since any of your kind have been seen in the city. Of the far land of Imladris some tales tell, and so too do some tell of the wisdom of the Lord Elrond, yet I wager that none living hither have seen either."
"I should not take thy wager," Beinvír agreed, "for the Lord Elrond last stood in the realm of Gondor during the reign of Isildur and Anárion, whilst visitors from Gondor to the Hidden Valley art rare."
The young Man nodded, for he knew 'naught to gainsay her.
"To the city center we shalt go," Helluin decided, "yet we would sup ere we again walk the gauntlet of the bridge and its fine folk. Know thou a place wherein wretched urchins such as we might find bread and cheese and perhaps a flagon of ale?"
"Aye, that I do," he said, pointing to a building some two blocks down a side street off the causeway, "and I shalt be glad to walk with ye, for I know the owner and have come to bring him a brace of pheasants and other fowl I have lately shot."
The two ellith were very agreeable to this and the three made their way off the causeway and down the street.
"I am called Boromir the Hunter," he said by way of introduction. Helluin and Beinvír gave their names in return, but these brought no sign of recognition.
In the common room of a bustling inn called The Knave's Redoubt, they found a hearty meal of basic fare and better than expected ale. 'Twas an establishment catering to the hard working common folk of the city whose concerns included little snobbery and few pretenses. They were paid no undue attention, which was quite welcome. Amidst laborers and locals, their travel worn garments passed without notice, for none of the patrons seemed inclined to frills or frippery in dress or speech. Beinvír's bow and Helluin's sword, indeed even her armor, barely drew a glance. They were reminded of many an inn and roadhouse they'd visited in their travels, and finally they felt comfortable in Osgiliath.
On his way out after a bout of loud but good natured haggling with the owner, Boromir stopped at their table and bid them good fortune.
"…and if they raise your ire with their pretense, just do as I do and imagine them alone in the woods at night," he said, ere offering a wink and taking his leave.
"…and if their food lies as heavy in your bellies as their manners, pray come hither again for a meal," the innkeeper called out to them from 'cross the room, his jest greeted with much laughter from the other patrons.
Now after finishing their meal, Helluin and Beinvír made their way back onto the causeway, and thence walked the broad avenue of the bridge, ignoring such looks and comments of suspicion and disapproval as were directed towards them. Ere they reached the city center, the woods in Beinvír's imagination was well populated with the pretenders to gentry of the City of Kings.
They came at last to a precinct set apart by an encircling avenue, within which stood the great buildings of the monarchy, with the tower, the royal audience hall, and the Dome of Stars at its center. Outside this avenue stood the mansions of the nobility, the grand theaters, the lodge houses of exclusive orders, and the halls of a few prestigious clubs. Thither did the bridge stand upon many pilings founded upon the solid bedrock 'neath the shifting bed of the river. O'er the long years of the South Kingdom, pilings had been added for to broaden the way, so that by the reign of Eldacar, the royal precinct encompassed some hundred and ten fathoms in length by fifty-five fathoms in width, or about five acres. 'Twas an island of stone, built by the mason-craft of Gondor, that rose some six fathoms above the maximum spring flood crest, but in summer, some eight fathoms above the water.
The two ellith marked the presence of many troops moving about, walking informally whilst off-duty, or marching in units on patrol. These were from the city guard of Osgiliath rather than Gondor's regular army, and wore black surcoats emblazoned with the emblem of the White Tree o'er bright mail. In several locations they noted the gathering of citizens who stood harkening to orators. These groups varied much in temperament, some listening respectfully, others cheering, and in one case, heckling. This last group had dawn the attention of a company of soldiers who stood beyond the margins of the crowd, warily watching for violence.
"T'would seem 'tis much discussion afoot," Beinvír remarked.
"More like a few have much to say," Helluin replied, "whilst many art willing to harken."
At that moment the heckling graduated to threats and the two ellith could see things being thrown at the speaker. He in turn loudly denounced the crowd, gesturing wildly ere being hauled down by his most vehement detractors. Predictably, the soldiers waded in, dispersing the crowd and subduing the assailants. These they took away, along with the speaker, marching them 'twixt their columns like common criminals, and disappearing down an avenue into the city center. By then, some of the dispersed crowd had passed Helluin and Beinvír, offering dirty looks and a few unfriendly comments.
"I suppose t'would be well that we seek to execute our embassy upon Elrond's behalf," the Green Elf said, "for I deem t'would be better to come as representatives of a far away land than be hauled thus before the judiciary as…knaves."
"Thou art correct, beloved, and we shalt begin by introducing ourselves to yonder company," Helluin said, catching Beinvír's eye and directing her with a quirk of a brow, "aye, those now headed towards us…as if we carry some plague of the Black Land."
Indeed a company of the city guards were headed towards the two ellith, intent on discovering the reasons for their presence 'nigh an incident of civil unrest, they being armed strangers and in no way proper citizens of the realm. One glance at the detail commander left no doubts of his suspicion…indeed it came to the Noldo that he expected them to flee, for he was watching them like a hawk and had ordered his Men to hasten their approach. In hopes of displacing his doubts, Helluin and Beinvír walked towards them at a relaxed pace. When they had closed the distance to three fathoms, Helluin addressed the commander, whom she marked bore the rank-badge of a sergeant.
"Hail and well met, Sergeant-Commander, we art Helluin Maeg-mórmenel and Beinvír Laiquende, travelers from afar, come to the City of Kings seeking tidings of the South Kingdom on behalf of Elrond Half-Elven, Lord of Imladris. Of late we have spoken of our errand with Captain Haldad at thy west gate, and ere that with Captain Hathol upon Parth Galen. Both gave us leave to pass."
The sergeant called his company to a halt, and for many moments he looked the two in the eyes. Ere he could challenge them, they had spoken fair, stating their names and their errand. 'Twas hardly the conduct of spies, scoundrels, or agitators. The two captains he knew by name though not personally, and the name of Elrond was also known. The rest was above his authority to validate or question. They had, howe'er, claimed to be an official embassy from a foreign sovereign, and despite their bedraggled appearance, this demanded that he escort them to one more highly placed, for their errand constituted diplomacy, and that was…politics.
"Hail and well met, Helluin Maeg-mórmenel and Beinvír Laiquende," he said, with professional courtesy, "I bid ye accept our escort to my captain. He hath the authority to convey ye to such officials as may satisfy your inquiry."
"Our thanks for thy aid, good sergeant," Beinvír replied. She offered a smile and he replied with a nod and a grunt.
They were marched down an avenue 'twixt columns of soldiers, much like common criminals, Helluin thought, and after a couple of turns, into the antechamber of a gated building with thick walls of its own, which stood a good distance from the Tower and the Dome of Stars. They remained in the large antechamber, with the soldiers about them, whilst the sergeant went off to report to his captain. Some distance away, the speaker they'd watched being heckled, and some dozen of his most antagonistic audience, were arguing with a captain whilst his sergeant and troops stood by ready to intercede. Catching Beinvír's eyes, Helluin spoke to her beloved in silence.
T'would appear from the current company that we have been conveyed to the goal of the City of Kings, meldanya.
To Be Continued