Nargothrond soap opera Act 2. Cat's out of the bag and someone is in the doghouse.
The Champion of Nargothrond
Year 490
Gwindor
I am such an idiot. Now Finduilas knows he is Turin, son of the great champion Hurin, I am yesterday's castoff fashion. I thought she would be sensible about the entire curse from Morgoth thing but apparently not. What's worse is that one of her nosy ladies was listening in and she went off to yap about our private conversation to half the court. So Agarwaen, Son of Ill-fate, is now Captain Turin of Nargothrond, courtesy of His Majesty.
Finduilas seems to have entirely lost her head with our new captain, hanging on to his every word. I mean, was growing up in Doriath that interesting? Somehow, I have been barred from the throne room. The next thing I know, my betrothal has been called off by decree of the king at his daughter's urging. Good grief, was she that superficial? Then I learn I have been assigned a job in the kitchens…
Finduilas
Atto is an idiot. What you asked me whether I like Turin, I didn't really mean that I like like him that way! Is it too late to take back that decree? Gwindor's no longer speaking to me and I have been hearing less-than-flattering remarks around the corners about faithless princesses from the matrons of the city.
Argh, do you have any idea how bad this reflects on me? This scandal is going to ruin my reputation for the next few Ages! I believe the bards will be singing songs of Finduilas the Faithless until Arda is Unmade. To cap things off, Turin is mortal, so I can only expect his company for the next six decades or so before Lord Namo calls him into his Halls and beyond.
Turin Turambar
Oh wow, I can really get used to this captain stuff. I never had such fine clothes and what gorgeous rooms, even in Doriath. It sure beats wearing the same clothes for weeks on end and huddling with several other equally smelly bandits in that hovel. Oh, do those skimpily-dressed fair ladies come with the rooms? Never mind, I better send them packing as it will never do for the princess to stumble over them if she decides to visit me.
I suppose I better start earning my keep. Perhaps I should suggest some new construction projects, like a proper bridge across the river? Maybe an overhaul of the current tactics. This guerrilla warfare thing probably hasn't been reviewed since the time of Finrod Felagund. I thought the Eldar enjoyed grand battles to better show off all their battle-finery, especially the Noldor.
To do list:
Revamp outdated battle tactics
Improve transport by building new bridge
Try to figure out whether I really have been given a princess' hand in marriage
Seems the Council here is full of dead-weights like Saeros. Perhaps I should start by overhauling the council first as a favour to my future law-father. This could get messy…
Orodreth
Oh, goody, now that troublesome betrothal is off, we can start planning a proper wedding for my little girl. I better make an appointment with the seamstress. Not sure why my little girl seems to be mad at me. I even had Gwindor barred from the throne room lest he makes a scene. I hope he likes his new job in the kitchens turning the spit. We do not seem to have much use for a one-handed former warrior-elf. Having his ugly face about the court just plain unsettles the ladies.
Well, I can't say I am all that keen about a Mannish law-son – all that stuff about Beren and Luthien aside. I suppose if the marriage does not work out, my girl will be free to marry again in a couple of decades. In the meantime, I can start looking for suitable law-sons to take Turin's place.
Oh, has anyone seen Lord Spiffy-hair or whatever-his-name is? I do hope he is not indisposed. He said he had some urgent matters about the new patrol schedule to discuss. Where's Lord Baggy-pants? He still owes me from last week's whist game.
Author's Notes:
I will leave it open to interpretation on what happened to the deadweights in Council. No use for a one-handed warrior elf? I think Orodreth's lucky Mad Maedhros did not hear about this.