Chapter 18 Eyes in the dark

When the caravan finally reached the area around the capital the journey had taken most of a year, to Maglor that was nothing but he was shocked to see the changes which had happened while he was away. Apparently fashion had changed a lot and now people wore robes with a completely new cut and some buildings had been torn down and replaced by new ones. The yields that year had been good and the shops and markets were filled with goods, the people seemed to be very pleased. Maglor still felt an odd feeling at the back of his mind, a sort of silent restlessness and he had no idea of where it came from. He was spending his free time training his colt and practicing with Aodh and he couldn't wait to see the others again.

When some representatives of the emperor bid them welcome back he wanted to just bolt and run to the palace to see how the others from the collection were doing. But he managed to stay in control of himself and waited until the greeting ceremonies were done with. He did notice one thing, the sons of the emperor all seemed to be there now and that meant that Ayjun really meant it, he wanted to step aside and let one of his sons take his place now. Maglor just wondered which one it would be.

The palace was filled with servants and workers and when Maglor finally entered the main hall he was instantly surrounded by cheering friends and he felt terribly relieved. They were all there, even Ali. He had become a dad by now and the family was growing for his wife was on her way with yet another one already and now he worked training guards instead of dancing, He was getting too old for that and his body couldn't take that hard training anymore. The shows had changed too, someone from the south had arrived and brought a whole new type of theatre with him and now everybody wanted that sort of entertainment and they had adapted. Maglor almost spat out the wine he was drinking when he saw the costumes, extremely elaborate robes with tons of gold thread in them and they all wore stiff black wigs covered with lacquer and their faces were painted bright white. Demetry said that they had to move as if they all had a broom stick stuck up their arse. Luckily some of the older noble men still wanted the old type of shows, with real dancing and real fun.

Maglor was so glad he was back home, here he felt at home and he sat there for an entire evening listening to the others telling of the things which had happened while he was away. There had been a scandal that winter, a rather huge and juicy one and the emperor had been very angry. Apparently one of the noble men had set his eyes on one of the emperor's youngest daughters and done something very rash and stupid. If he had done this the normal way the emperor would probably have let him marry her for the man was rich, well liked and of a very good family the emperor really would like to have close connections to but the guy had literally seduced the girl and knocked her up.

Maglor sort of cringed when he heard about that, it was stupid indeed for even if that man did marry the girl her reputation would be ruined forever and she would never be regarded as a suitable wife. Everybody would see her as a mere concubine, even if she wore his ring. The emperor had of course forced the two to marry to secure her future but the noble man had lost his tittle and had to move away and onto the country side where he was to spend his life governing a rather large farm the emperor owned. It was a good job with lots of prestige but of course not what the man would have wanted to begin with.

Another thing which had happened was that some travellers spoke of strange people from the north west, asking all sorts of questions and there were rumours of darkness descending upon the lands, of vile voices in the wind and evil omens. Maglor knew what it meant, the dark lord was indeed rising and expanding his power. This meant that he had to work hard now, and ensure that Sauron didn't get help from this corner of the world.

But for now he was happy to be back, he placed his horse in the royal stables where the stable masters were in awe of him and he and Aodh did refurnish their old rooms for the style had changed a lot now and these days bright colours and open spaces were the big thing. The old style with lots of dark auburn, black and gold was no longer fashionable. Maglor was very rich now and could afford this and he also knew that he had to go with the flow, not stand out too much within the crowd of noblemen surrounding the emperor. He had to remain anonymous and luckily he remembered the way power dances its own dance from Tirion and he did remember those steps rather well.

Five days after his return Ayjun did call him to him, he had expected it but he was shocked when he entered the small room where they held their meetings and saw the emperor again. The man had aged a lot in just one year, he had lost weight and his skin was sagging and he didn't try to hide his grey hair now, nor his lack of strength. Ayjun did smile, a rather satisfied smile. "I can no longer hide that I am an old man, it is not wise. I must show the people that they are better off with a strong man, one who is vigorous and able to rule for decades to come. I have been strong for so long now, it feels good to finally be allowed to be human!"

Maglor nodded. "I am sure it is my lord."

Ayjun walked over to a table and poured some wine. "I have made a list, and I want you to read it. I want you to help me decide which of my sons I should choose. You can see deeper than most, I do not want to make any mistakes here"

Maglor swallowed. "I am ready to help you my lord!"

Ayjun sighed and sat down, Maglor was a bit worried, the emperor did look fatigued, almost ill. "We do not have much time my friend, I am sure you can tell that my days are numbered, and there are wolves scratching at our door as we speak. There are so many who would seek to increase their influence now, to get a foot inside of the court and maybe get closer to the throne. I have already seen it, scores of nobles who arrive, eager to get their daughters married off to someone with the possibility of rising to power."

Maglor cringed. "I can see that you are…well, very tired!"

Ayjun nodded. "Yes, but it is not only fatigue, I am ill Maglor. I may live for some years yet but I do not have the strength to be an emperor any more. I want my last years to be spent in peace, surrounded by true friends and not spit licking lackeys and false hearted liars. No, I want to leave this all behind and return to our roots, live in one of our smaller mansions out by the lake perhaps and just be Ayjun, only that."

Maglor felt a bit worried, ill? "You do deserve it my lord, you have been a very good leader for this realm"

Ayjun shook a hand, almost as if in denial. "Oh, I have made my mistakes as well, but I have learned from them and tried not to repeat them. Others have done the opposite so I guess I ought to be proud of my achievements."

He took a piece of parchment and held it up. "Here, as a reward for your help with that war leader, a property two hours ride south of the city, it is one of my finest mansions. And no, I will not accept any protests"

Maglor had to blink, he stared at the text and knew where this was, it was a grand place and it would place him among the most wealthy of this realm. Ayjun turned around, walked over to the fireplace with his hands behind his back. "There is one thing I need to discuss with you my friend, and it is important so please, hear me out before you say anything"

Maglor frowned. "Of course my lord?"

The emperor turned around again. "You have been an invaluable friend to me, and your help has been greatly appreciated. I want my successor to enjoy the same benefits I have, to have an advisor who sees things from a different perspective than a human being"

Maglor bowed his head. "I am more than willing to be off assistance"

Ayjun smiled, a very sad smile. "Oh, that I am sure of, but I am worried my friend. You are not nobility, in fact you are nobody the way the court sees it. You need to have an official status for the nobles to accept you, to have a background. If you are to stay by my son's side and be listened to you have to have a legitimate reason to be there"

Maglor winced. "You really think so? I cannot just stay in the shadows and help him from behind the façade so to speak?"

Ayjun shook his head. "No, you will be someone in power Maglor, someone the emperor trusts. You may be discrete but word will spread anyhow and I don't want you to be regarded as a person just out for power. So I have an idea"

Maglor got a feeling that this idea was one he wouldn't enjoy very much. "Alright?"

Ayjun took a deep breath. "I have many concubines Maglor, I have been forced to keep a large harem, to prove my manliness and power. And I have many daughters too. You will marry one of them, one of the youngest. Thus you will be family and nobody will challenge your right to be near the emperor, to be one he listens to"

Maglor almost choked. "Ah…but…"

Ayjun sent him a small grin. "I know how this makes you feel my friend, your kin will never marry for anything but love now won't they?"

Maglor nodded, he still had a hard time believing what he had heard. Ayjun tilted his head. "See it as your opportunity to fit in here, to be a part of the circle of power without being questioned. I would not ask this of you unless it was needed, believe me. I have heard the rumours of the power rising in the north west, of this dark lord. I fear it Maglor, I remember what you have told me. I need to be sure that you will be here, ready to lead my son and his sons in the right direction, to make sure that they aren't led astray by vile men with fair words and dark hearts"

Maglor blinked. "I won't let it come to that, no"

Ayjun smiled and patted his back. "Good, you will be presented to the court as a foreign prince, from a land far from here. Come to forge an alliance and nobody will question that. They may have seen you dance but they will not be able to recognize you as that performer, I promise."

Maglor felt conflicted to say the least. "But your daughter, it will be a loveless marriage, I won't be able to give her my heart"

Ayjun shrugged. "The girls here are brought up to expect that, most marriages are arranged and if you swear to treat her with kindness that is all I will ever ask of you. And she will ask for no more than that."

Maglor sighed deeply. "Yet it seems unfair, to put her through something like that."

Ayjun took his hand. "She will have a good husband in you my friend, one who will respect her and treat her like an equal. I have arranged for the wedding to happen in one month. It is the appropriate time to wait and a good month for weddings too. I need you close Maglor, so close you can keep an eye on everything at all times, and as the new emperors law brother you can do that, without arising any sorts of suspicion."

Maglor looked down. "So be it, I do not like it but I see why it is needed. Who is she?"

Ayjun grinned and his eyes were shining again. "Mei Lan, little doe. She is a very sweet girl and she has a good head on her shoulders too, way too god for the buffoons of the court. She can be your eyes and ears among the women of the court for they too try to influence the power structure, every way they can. "

Maglor felt trapped, but he couldn't back down now. "Alright, I will do it then. So, your sons?"

Ayjun handed over a thick folder, in it was information about each of his true born sons and a couple of the ones he had with his concubines. When he chose the new emperor it didn't matter who the mother was, it was preferred that it was one of the wives but if a son of a concubine had better talents and were more promising than a true born son then he would be a acceptable choice nonetheless. "Read it, return to me in three days. Then I will hear your opinion"

Maglor bowed and held the folder tightly, he held the future of an entire realm within his very palm now and it did make him feel a bit odd, humble almost. He returned to his rooms and sat down, not sure if he ought to start studying the papers right away or if he should wait and clear his mind. Aodh entered and sat down on the couch, he did look tired and Maglor had to look at him twice, the tall blond had a peculiar expression upon his face. "Is it true? The emperor will abdicate in favour of one of his sons for real?"

Maglor nodded, he stared down at the folder. "Yes, like he said before we left, and I am to help him find the right candidate, it is not easy my friend"

Aodh nodded. "I know, you need to find someone who is strong but not too strong, benevolent and yet tough."

Maglor laid the folder down, tried to think. "I know them all Aodh, I have spent time with all his sons, not much but I do think I know their character and yet…"

Aodh nodded. "You can never know a man fully just from a few moments, and from what others say. Heck. Back home the chief had a son and everybody adored him, he was such a great guy, always backing others up, always praising everybody, he was loved by everyone."

Maglor frowned. "And?"

Aodh shrugged. "He turned out to be a terrible chief, couldn't do anything really. All he did do was talk, and he never managed to form any plans or make anything happen. He was full of hot air and nothing else!"

Maglor had to smile. "Sounds like some men I have met in the past, huge words and little action"

Aodh nodded and stretched his legs. "Yes, he didn't last for more than two winters before his own nephew seized the power. Nobody tried to stop him, they were dead tired of being given orders which went in every direction, like a herd of spooked rabbits."

Maglor wanted to say it but his throat seemed to be too tight, Aodh tilted his head. "What? You look as if you have tried to suck on a lemon?"

Maglor sighed and looked down. "I am getting married"

Aodh gaped, his eyes huge. "Ah…Seriously?!"

Maglor had to nod, he felt a sort of knot in his chest. "Yes, seriously. The emperor wants me to marry one of his daughters, that way I can stay close to the new emperor without anybody finding it weird."

The blonde blinked again. "Ah crap, politics. It is for the devious minded and the ones with a wicked heart and a cunning soul"

Maglor tried to smile. "I couldn't agree more but he is right, the way this court works I need that connection, or else nobody will take my advice seriously"

Aodh rolled his eyes. "What happened to the time when everybody listened to the village dotard when they needed answers? "

Maglor had to snicker. "It is long gone, and I hardly believe that a dotard would be able to give sound advice when it comes to ruling a realm of this size. No, I have to do it, and I just pray that it won't end badly"

Aodh went quiet, he looked down at the floor and when he finally spoke his voice was tense, almost hoarse. "Will you still keep me near, after your wedding?"

Maglor swallowed hard. "Of course, nothing will change that. Both you and the two girls will be near me, all the time. I won't turn my back on you just because of this"

Aodh smiled, a grin of relief. "Good, I…I never thought I would feel this way about anyone, and absolutely not a male but…you have been…"

Maglor raised a hand. "I know, no need to speak the words"

Aodh took a deep breath. "You are spooky at times my friend, but I know you will give good advice. The new emperor will be lucky to have you by his side"

Maglor nodded and stared at the folder, his thoughts were racing. "Maybe, I was once a king you know, and I hated every day of it. It will help me now for sure but I am not so sure that this new emperor will be ready for what he is about to encounter. This court is huge and the power play is maybe subtle but dangerous, very much so"

Aodh leaned into the couch, his smile a teasing one. "And they don't know you are what you are, that you are…different. It will be your secret, the one little secret which makes a whole world of difference"

Maglor sort of grimaced. "Yes, I can never reveal my true nature to anyone from now on, but I can use the fact that I am supposed to be some foreigner to my benefit, claim that we never show our face to others, wear veils, sit behind screens. People are easy to deceive"

Aodh nodded and grasped a carafe with some white wine, poured a generous amount into a glass. "Indeed they are. Let us toast to your wedding and your new bride."

Maglor winced. He didn't need a wife, not more than he had needed the concubine he had been given but he realized that the emperor was wise indeed. The inner circle of ladies at court was an arena of power into which no man had access and yet he needed to know what was going on also among those women. They could influence their husbands and sons and he would never underestimate the power of females. He remembered the girls he had known before, his cousins and how they had behaved. Oh the rules had been strict back then, a proper lady was supposed to be meek and demure and obedient to her parents but try to tell that to Aredhel, or Artanis? Both had been fierce and independent and he wondered still about the tales he had heard about Aredhel and her husband. How in the name of Eru had that smith managed to capture her heart? Was it true as some said that he had used foul magic to overpower her and have his way with her? Maglor supposed that he would never know and he grasped the folder again, opened it and started to read. There it was, all the possible information he could need and ask for and he knew that this would be some long days for sure, before he would make his choice known.

Juh was hiding inside of the bench again, the tiny body was shaking and he had tears in his eyes. The room outside of the hiding place was dark and did smell of cat pee and mould and the boy had closed his eyes, trying to shut out his fear. Juh had seen something bad, something terrible and he didn't know what to do. His master would punish him if Juh interrupted him in any way and the others? They didn't care, he was used to being chased away by a stinging whip or words which stung even worse.

The basement was an abandoned one, the building above it unsafe and he had often sought refuge down there when the others ganged up against him. He felt safe in the darkness but now that safety was torn apart by the presence of strangers. He had heard them, and hid and then he saw several men through a crack in the old bench. Men wearing rich robes, in bright colours and at first he had been jealous for they were obviously well off and all of them were pretty. Then he saw what they had been carrying and his heart sank, he recognized those small barrels, had seen them before. His previous master had been making fireworks and died in an accident and he knew that this was. It was the black powder, the dangerous and unstable ingredient in fireworks. And they had a lot of it. He listened and heard of their plans and his heart was beating so very very fast and he was scared. If they found him they would kill him for sure, they planned on killing the emperor. They were bad men, he just knew it.

They had talked for a while and he had remained inside of the old bench, the room was tiny but that didn't matter for Juh was tiny too. He was not normal and that was why he was a slave, his mother had sold him to get rid of him for a son who was deformed was a son nobody wanted. He couldn't speak and his eyesight was bad except at night, his back was bent in an odd angle and one leg was longer than the other and his left hand only had two fingers and a very long thumb. People spat at him when he walked by, he tried to stay indoors much of the time and he was forced to clean the fireplaces and the hearths. Thus he was covered with sooth much of the time and that didn't exactly make him look more normal. He wondered what sins he had committed to be punished thus, it had to be something rather bad. But what now? He had to tell someone!

He couldn't let them murder the emperor, he had to find someone who would believe him, and even more important, understand! He could write a little but not much and his fingers were stiff and didn't move the way he wanted them to. Who could he talk to?

Then an idea formed within his tormented mind, he had heard rumours, tales the servants told. He often listened when nobody thought he was there and more times than he could count people didn't even care if he was there for they didn't believe that he was anything more than an idiot. That he was stupid. The tales said that the emperor had a demon in his service, one he had forced to serve him. They said that demons could read minds, that they could look straight into people's soul and that you needed strong magic to control them. Juh had often been called a demon by passers -by, a monster even. So if it was true then maybe this demon could help him? If it did serve the emperor then it would try to protect its master wouldn't it? He had to find it and he crawled out of the bench and took a deep breath. The palace was enormous but he knew how to find his way without being seen by anyone. The vast labyrinth of hidden corridors and basements were his playground, his safe place to be. If it took weeks, he would find that demon and then he would warn it of these bad men. His master wouldn't miss him, if he disappeared he doubted that anyone would even notice that he was gone. With a small whimper he disappeared into the darkness, there had to be a way to find that creature, before it was too late!

Reading through the files took a while, the emperors loyal men had gathered all the information there was to find on his sons and when Maglor had read through it all there were no secrets left. He knew everything about them all and he felt that he had made his decision. He felt restless before he was to meet the emperor again, there was something which bothered him but he wasn't sure of what it was until that very morning. He and Aodh had shared a bed as they always did and Maglor had to get up early. He did peek back into the bedroom and saw that Aodh had grasped Maglor's pillow and was holding onto it as if it was a life west. There and then he did understand, Aodh was afraid that they would drift apart and he had to sit down for a moment to analyse his own feelings. He did love Aodh, but not in the way he had loved Artemar, it was more of a friendship, a sort of camaraderie. He doubted that he ever would feel the same passion as he had with Artemar, that kind of love comes only once in a lifetime. He would have to make sure that Aodh didn't feel pushed aside when he got married, it was no other way around it.

Ayjun was waiting for him and Maglor saw that the man had slept poorly, there were dark shadows under his eyes and he was shivering a bit. Maglor did bow deeply and the emperor did gesture towards him, bid him take a seat. The room was dark and rather cold and Maglor could smell that the aging man had been taking some sort of medicine, the smell was a bit rank and oddly bitter. "So, I recon you have read everything and made your choice?"

Maglor nodded, he held the huge folder in his hand and placed it on the table in front of him, he wetted his lips nervously. "Yes, I have come to a conclusion"

Ayjun tilted his head, smiled. "Good, now, how did you come to the conclusion?"

Maglor blinked and made a grimace. "By using my experience, I was a king for a few short years but it taught me a lot. I hated it! And I spent every day wishing that I could have avoided that so called honour, not only because I wanted my big brother back but because I wasn't cut to lead, not in that manner. An emperor has to be strong to survive mentally."

Ayjun nodded and leaned back. "So, who shall it be?"

Maglor took a deep breath. "Yanjem, your fourth son"

Ayjun raised an eyebrow. "Alright, why him?"

Maglor shrugged. "Because he is the most stable of them, he doesn't excel in any manner but he is above average and he doesn't seem to be the type of man who sees his own needs and ideas as more pressing than those of others."

He stared straight at Ayjun. "Your oldest son Chieng is proud and if I may say it a bit haughty, he is easy to lead by flattery and too fond of luxuries. He is a strong one but his strength will fail him, he is like a huge palace built on a foundation of sand"

Ayjun had a small grin on his lips. "Do continue"

Maglor nodded. "Your second son Dha'an is too ambitious, he is a very prosperous businessman for sure but you cannot run a country the way you run a business operation, we are speaking of people, not sacks of grain. He may increase the wealth of the capital but the realm as a whole will eventually suffer and the people will rebel against him"

The emperor did look pleased. "Yes, go on"

Maglor cleared his voice. "Your third true born Arush is a good man, he is kind and gentle of heart and spirit and he is a man everybody loves. He spends his time praying and doing charity work and to be honest he belongs in a monastery, not a palace. He is too good of heart to rule, one has to be hard and at times cruel to rule a realm and he is neither. He would start to cry the moment he is to sign a death sentence, no matter how horrible the crime. "

Ayjun chuckled. "Yes, I have come to the same conclusion, so, how about my other sons? The ones born by my concubines, no candidates there?"

Maglor shook his head. "Unfortunately no, they are all either too young and inexperienced or too fond of their status. And the two eldest of them are both men who can be lead astray by others, they need to follow and cannot truly lead. They will be slaves of their counsellors and wives, torn in every direction until they snap. No my liege, Yanjem is the best choice, he can rule and he is strong enough to think for himself. He will listen to advice but he won't let others have the final saying. And his interests are many, he reads and learns and is a man of few passions but strong curiosity."

Ayjun smiled widely. "Exactly, you have thought the same way as I have. He is the right one then, I will inform him later. So, do you wish to meet your intended before the wedding?"

Maglor had to blink, he hadn't expected that question and Ayjun chuckled. "Threw you off balance now didn't I? But I want my daughter to keep her eyes and ears open already, the court knows that I am to abdicate, the rumours are swarming like a hive of bees and I fear that the fight for power is gonna be a ruthless one."

Maglor swallowed hard. "Ah, is it appropriate? I mean…."

Ayjun grinned. "I make the rules, so yes, it is alright. I want the two of you to meet, I need to know that things will be taken care off"

Maglor nodded. "Then I agree."

Ayjun smiled widely. "Good, I will make a servant bring her, she is waiting as we speak"

Maglor felt a bit nervous, and trapped. He hadn't expected to meet this woman this fast, it wasn't the custom there and he had yet to find out what he truly felt about this whole arrangement. Ayjun pulled a string and a bell could be heard from afar, the emperor took a deep breath. "Maglor, she is a very wise young woman, she has been given the very best education and she has been trained the same way as the two concubines I gifted you. She can protect your back if need comes."

Maglor tried to smile, she was probably lethal since this sort of training was taken very seriously. They heard footsteps and a door opened next to the fireplace, there were hidden entrances all over this place and a servant entered, bowed deeply and stepped aside. Maglor stared at the woman who was to be his wife, if only in name. She was wearing the typical court robes, and the first thing he did notice was the fact that she was very doll like. Small and elegant with a long neck and a heart shaped face with enormous eyes and a very innocent appearance. Her black hair had been carefully put up into a huge and intricate style with many combs in it and it had to be almost as long as she was. She did look like a person who is gullible and sweet, one without a dark though within that cute head of hers.

Ayjun smiled, the smile was proud. "Maglor, this is Mei Lan, do not worry, this sweet kitten does have claws"

The girl did bow and did so in a very elegant manner which didn't make her dress reveal anything about her shapes. She did look at him and she did look a bit shocked but her face was neutral and he knew she was trained to hide her true feelings. Maglor swallowed. "I am honoured"

She smiled, a very sweet smile. "Likewise my lord, my father has told me a lot about you. I am ready to serve, in every manner"

Maglor stared at Ayjun. "You said I would be presented to the court?"

Ayjun nodded. "Yes, in a week. I have made the arrangements already. Everybody knows that a foreign prince is to arrive in a few days time, from a realm to the north"

Maglor had to make a swift grin, at least that was true. "So, all I have to do is to play the role?"

Ayjun nodded. "Yes, you will be escorted out by night and meet your entourage outside of the capital, and arrive in style of course. I have already prepared everything, you will not need to do anything except playing the role. My son will take the throne a week after your wedding. It will be month full of grand celebrations for sure."

Maglor stared at Mei Lan, she did appear to be childlike and naïve but that was probably a mask. "Are you truly ready for this? It is a grand sacrifice"

She tilted her head. "It is no sacrifice serving my father and this realm, I have been raised for this task. I will take my place among the women of the court and I will make them all believe that I am someone hardly worthy of attention, a sweet but dumb thing with no interests outside of embroidery and serving my husband"

Maglor had to smile, a somewhat wry smile. He had seen that sort of tactics before, and they usually worked rather well. "Good, I am pleased."

Ayjun brought his hands together. "So, in five weeks time we will have a new emperor and I pray that it will be for the greater good of this realm. I will let you know when you have to be ready Maglor, if we make you exotic enough nobody will question this. I have always sought to create new alliances and Mei Lan is just a concubine's daughter. She is suitable for someone of your status"

Maglor nodded and felt a bit strange, married couples usually lived apart in this culture and only met at times but still it felt weird to know that this small woman was to be his spouse. But all for the cause and he bowed to her as she was lead out of the room again by the servant. Ayjun sighed. "This dance of power is one where each step has to be carefully planned my friend, I have a vast network of spies and contacts. You will be given access to it, if anybody does approach our realm trying to spread the influence of this Gorthaur you will be told immediately"

Maglor froze along his back just hearing that name, it called forth such horrible memories and he shuddered. "Yes, this land has to be ready"

Ayjun did dismiss him and he returned to his chambers in deep thoughts, he sensed that the next weeks would be frantic to say the least. He told Aodh of the news and the man had to snicker. "You as a foreign prince…well, you are royalty and foreign enough I bet, but how are you to disguise that you are no human being?"

Maglor shrugged. "Oh I bet that Ayjun has a card up his sleeve, he is smart, and cunning. He will have thought of that."

A few days later a servant came to Maglor after a performance held for some foreign ambassadors, he gave the elf a note which just said "tonight" and some instructions and Maglor felt a knot in his belly from sheer nervousness. He and Aodh pretended to go to bed as usual but they did stay awake and a little over midnight there was a soft knock on the door and they were lead out of the palace through a servants corridor. Horses waited outside of the huge palace and they rode disguised as soldiers until they reached the outskirts of the farmland surrounding the capital.

Several wagons were lined up with guards and horses and servants and Ayjun had really prepared well. Almost everybody were of foreign background and even the horses were a breed not commonly found in this realm. The wagons were of a very strange construction and had to look very alien to the commoners there and they spoke of wealth and power.

A woman sat on one of the chairs put out beside the main wagon, she bowed her head and Maglor saw that she was well above her youth but one with both power and self confidence. "I am Sanya, I am here to prepare you for the role you are to play."

Maglor did dismount and Aodh stared at the woman with big eyes, she had a huge crate next to her and it was filled with clothes. "So, you and your lovely partner here has to be transformed completely"

Maglor cringed but sat down in the chair and the woman immediately started braiding his hair. It felt strange having someone else than Aodh doing that but she was quick and effective and before long his hair was arranged in an utterly ridiculous manner which hid his ears completely. Aodh was giggling. "Oh sweet…ah, that looks so silly, like you have put pillows over your ears"

Sanya grinned. "Yes, but this isn't everything. Wait and see"

She found some make up and painted Maglor's face bright white before she added a ridiculous amount of Kohl around his eyes and painted his mouth too rather dark. Then she added a whole ship load of jewellery to him or so it felt and to top it off she placed a sort of hat on top of his head and from it thin veils of silk and gold thread did their best to obscure his facial features. She glued false finger nails onto his hands and said it was to show that he was royalty and thus never had to work. Maglor hated them right away, even when she polished them with gold dust.

He had to wear some robes which were so elaborate and heavy he felt as if he was to suffocate and he rolled his eyes and gasped. Sanya just giggled. "I will serve you from now on and make sure that the illusion is kept perfect each time you have to make a public appearance. You will make people believe you are pampered and spoilt and just nobody they really need to regard as important. Just some concubine born sent off to seal a business deal"

Aodh had to wear a huge wig made from black horse hairs and she did make his skin look swarthy and uneven. Then he had to put on a sort of silly armour made from leather plates and a mask which did look a bit like a snarling demon. When she was done the two stared at each other and had to laugh out loud. "You look like a clown Maglor, I mean it, nobody will be able to take you seriously"

Maglor chuckled. "And you look terrifying, it is not fair you know"

Sanya grinned and tilted her head. "Now, you do speak the language of this realm but try to add an accent whenever you speak. And keep your voice low, as if you are shy. Also, never reach for anything, we will have servants ready to give you everything you wish for, you have to make everybody believe you are a weak person, and that your culture is one where you stay as private as possible."

Maglor grimaced. "Alright, I will try"

She finished by pushing a sort of bag inn under the robes and it did make Maglor look as if he had a bit of a beer belly. "There, nobody will bother with you now. You are harmless, a nobody but still a part of the family through your marriage"

Maglor took a deep breath. "As long as it serves the greater cause. So, what now?"

Sanya grinned. "Tomorrow you enter the city and is greeted by the emperor and lead to your own part of the palace, don't worry, there are corridors leading back to your old rooms and you can train and perform with the others whenever you like, but some times you have to show yourself with the emperor and his sons. "

Maglor stared at Aodh, both were thinking the same thing. This would most certainly become an age of deception.

The next day the wagons started moving towards the city and Maglor had to sit inside to play his role, he couldn't even look out of the small windows and Sanya had put on a veil which let only her eyes remain uncovered, she was to play the role as favourite concubine. Yanhe and Yanhu had to remain in the palace since they had been seen too many times, they couldn't be seen with this foreign prince, at least not in public. Maglor knew that they had taken quite a liking to Aodh and he wouldn't be alone even when Maglor had to spend the night with his wife.

The city was probably aware of the arrival but few bothered, strangers were normal there and only when they reached the palace did they notice something out of the ordinary. Some guards had been gathered and there were curious nobles gathering in the great square to catch a glimpse of this foreign prince. The emperor and his closest men were waiting on the steps of the main building and Maglor felt silly, this was absolutely absurd and yet he had to play his role like never before. The robes were very wide and allowed him to bow his legs a bit so he didn't appear to be that tall, he also wore some extremely uncomfortable shoes which made his steps short and almost wobbly. He was sure he did look like a freak of some sorts.

He was helped out of the wagon by Aodh and another of the guards and he was escorted over by Aodh who did look rather menacing wearing that mask. Everybody were mumbling, the robes had gone out of fashion a generation ago and the make up? This was most certainly a representative from a realm way below them.

The emperor did bid his new law son to be welcome with grand words and Maglor did respond by bowing very deeply and whispering his answer with a slightly warped voice. Then he was escorted off to a banquet in his honour, it was lavish and grand but he had seen them way grander and he knew what the emperor was signalling thus. This foreign prince was important but not THAT important. Maglor was fuming, the robes were warm and uncomfortable and he couldn't reach for anything. The servants were almost shoving food into his mouth and the terrible make up did leave a nasty taste on everything he ate. He couldn't wait until this was over.

When the banquet was over he was lead off to a wing of the palace which was to be his own, and Ayjun had arranged it so it was very close to where he had lived before. There was just a small wall between the two buildings and a hidden corridor connecting them. The new chambers were very elegant and foreign and Ayjun had filled them with all sorts of exotic furniture and odd things Maglor had a hard time believing were real. Most of it had to be very costly and he realized that Ayjun probably had enjoyed himself a lot creating this illusion. It wasn't that often that the man got the chance to be playful. He had to admire a battle scene consisting of hundreds of tiny figures all carved out of one large Oliphant tusk and the artist had to have spent ages making it for the whole thing was more than twenty feet long and so detailed you could see the buckles on the horses harnesses. Aodh was giggling and when the servants did retreat for the night they hurried back to their old chambers. Maglor couldn't wait to get rid of the horrible make up and the stuffy robes and the two of them helped each other tear the clothes from their bodies before they hit the pool.

Aodh washed the make up from Maglor's face and both had to laugh now, it had been so bizarre and so laughable and the elf didn't doubt that the court believed that this new law son of the emperor was an oddball and an eccentric but nobody worthy of their attention. Aodh kissed him with hunger and before long they had hit the bed, the odd situation seemed to have awakened the hunger within them both and Maglor did allow Aodh to take him. The man had been trained very well and Maglor was writhing with pleasure, he tried to hold back for as long as possible but in the end Aodh was too good at this. He knew Maglor so well, every sensitive spot on his body and Maglor cried out as he spilled hard over the sheets. Aodh grunted and followed suit and they collapsed into a heap of shivering bodies and sweat. Aodh kissed his lover possessively. "Now, should I call for the girls?"

Maglor shook his head. "No thank you, you have worn me out for sure, I fear you will have to do your best to keep them satisfied from now on, I will have to spend at least some time with my wife"

Aodh lifted himself onto his elbow. "She is pretty right? I bet you will spend a lot of time with her."

Maglor let a hand run through Aodh's thick golden locks. "Are you jealous?"

Aodh shook his head. "No, or…maybe. I don't know. But I understand why you have to do this, and it isn't such a bad thing, having Yanhe and Yanhu all to myself"

Maglor just snickered and knew that Aodh enjoyed the threesomes with those two immensely. They pulled the blankets over themselves and fell asleep, Maglor was rather certain that he would have to make sure that everybody knew that the foreign prince was strange indeed, the best way to hide is in plain sight and if you are convinced that somebody is on the very verge of being categorized as stark raving mad you won't expect that person to be someone you have to watch out for.

The next morning Maglor was taking a bath when he suddenly felt a draft and he grasped a towel and jumped out of the pool, there was somebody there with him for he could smell something strange, almost like dry earth and old sweaty socks and he felt nervous right away. He grasped a dagger which had been hidden underneath a bowl of fruit and walked around to the other side of the pool. Some couches had been placed there with some tall urns containing large ferns and he did see something moving in the darkness between them. He bit his teeth together, what was this? Hardly an assassin, whoever it was, it was a tiny person and he felt that smell or rather stench again. "I can see you, do come out"

There was a shuffling sound and a tiny boy crept out from behind the urns, he wore only a long dirty tunic and nothing more and he was skinny and malformed. Maglor felt a surge of intense pity, the child had huge dark eyes and looked pitiful, he was no threat for sure. Could it be some servant's child who had gotten lost in the maze of service corridors? He bent down, tried to look as non-threatening as possible. "I am Maglor, who are you little one? Are you lost?"

The boy made some odd gargling sounds and Maglor realized that he was a mute, and probably not quite right in the head but the eyes were desperate and told of fear. The boy was terrified of him and yet he did look as if he was pleading for something. "I am not dangerous, what is the matter lad?"

He made his voice very soft and the lad stared him straight in the eye and something most peculiar happened. For a second Maglor was taken away from this room and into a sort of basement where men dressed in nice clothes were stacking some sorts of ceramic barrels on top of each other, all connected with what looked like string. The boy let out a wailing sound and then he managed to form a word, "Boom"

Maglor swallowed, he started to realize what he just had seen. "Boom? You mean an explosion?"

The lad nodded. "Boom!"

Maglor got up, feeling faint. The boy had seen something absolutely worrisome, the preparations for an act of terror, for an assassination attempt? Aodh entered the room and stared at the small boy with shock and Maglor turned to him, feeling as if the world was spinning in front of his eyes. "Aodh, we have to warn the emperor. This boy has seen someone preparing to kill either him or his son"

Aodh just gaped and Maglor stared at the boy, he had to have a tiny bit of the ability most elves did have, the gift of Osanwe, mind speech. He could only hope that he would be able to figure out who these men were, or else they all could be in mortal danger. From the boys mind he knew that these balls were explosive and dangerous and the amount he had seen? Oh Eru, it would be enough to blow up the entire palace! He grasped a pair of robes and some shoes and felt frantic. "I have to go to the emperor, right now! Take the boy and give him some food and wash him, put him into a shirt or something but keep him hidden. He too could be in danger if the ones behind this learn of his knowledge. "

Aodh laid a hand on the small boys head, very gently. "Will do, be careful"

Maglor didn't answer, he just ran and prayed that Ayjun was available. This was just horrible, he kept praying as he ran. They had to find the culprits, and fast.