Something was wrong. It was obvious from how his two brothers had retreated into Macalaure's tent once they returned from their visit to Thingol. Tyelcormo paced restlessly trying to figure out what had gone wrong from the sounds inside the tent but he found little in the way of answers as he walked. Several had stopped by to speak with one of the two yet each was turned away with a request to return later.
The longer things drew on the more concerned Tyelcormo became. It was unusual for either one to behave thus, but for it to be both of them he was alarmed and wondered if perhaps one of them was hurt. Finally the entrance to the tent was parted and Carnistir walked out holding a bowl of water that was tainted red. Catching sight of the water and the faint metallic scent that he knew meant blood Tyelcormo reached out and caught his arm wordlessly demanding an explanation.
Seeing the look Carnistir shook his head pressing his lips together in a thin line, clearly he did not agree with something and given their location and where Carnistir had just been it was relatively simple to guess what. As though to confirm his suspicions Carnistir answered the unspoken demand. "Ask Macalaure, I gave him my word that I would hold my tongue on this matter."
With a sinking feeling Tyelcormo released his brother's arm and took half a step back. His eyes flitted towards the tent next to them and his hands clenched into fists. "So something important happened?"
Carnistir glared at him clearly annoyed with him making him repeat himself. Nodding towards the tent he answered, irritation at the situation clear in his voice. "I have already said that I will say nothing so you need to speak with him. I am not going to change my answer just because you ask me repeatedly about it."
Shifting from foot to foot Tyelcormo looked at the tent trying to decide if he should go in or not, he did have information Macalaure would need to know but if his brother was injured... At last he nodded at Carnistir who gave him a sharp nod then turned and carried the bowl away to dump it, probably outside the camp away from those who would smell the blood tainting the water in it.
Tilting his head with his eyes half closed Tyelcormo listened for movement inside the tent. Hearing nothing he stepped closer and tapped on the waxed canvas then waited. For a long moment there was no sound inside and he was beginning to wonder if he should simply return later, but as he started to turn to leave the reply came at last.
"Enter." Macalaure's voice even distorted by the tent cloth sounded tired, more so than it normally did.
Ducking a little he entered the tent, pausing once inside to allow his eyes to adjust to the dim interior. Once his eyes had adjusted he stayed there for a moment longer taking in the sight of his brother, Macalaure sat with a pen in hand yet lacking the typical robes and crown that he had taken to wearing in the camp when dealing with official business. Ever since Maitimo had been captured those were constant features for him so it was odd and far more concerning then the bowl of water Carnistir carried to see him thus.
"I heard that you returned from your audience with the Sindar. Did everything work out, or must we be concerned about broken friendships?" There were several that were still reeling from the sudden ban on their presence and language within the woods, and all of them turned to Macalaure to fix it even their cousins who had caused the rift.
Macalaure sighed and rubbed his eyes shaking his head. "It went as well as can be expected, I did manage to undo the damage that our cousins caused through poor timing and a lack of knowledge. Thingol has agreed to drop any and all grudges and bans for what occurred at Alqualonde so things may continue as they were without any further changes to them. If he does otherwise I am to be informed immediately because it goes against the agreement that is in place."
Tyelcormo frowned at the sound of his brother's voice, there was something to it that set him on edge whether is was pain or anger it made him uneasy. "That is good then, I know many were concerned that things would fall apart. Both in our camp and the camp of our half-uncle. Now-"
"Please just call him our uncle. For now any reminder of the gap between us and him will only weaken our position and could cause further trouble later. I know that Atar would have insisted otherwise but for now we do need their support." Macalaure cut him off before he could continue. Tyelcormo was a little pleased about it though it proved that even though he was a musician Macalaure had paid attention to the lessons in politics they'd been forced to sit in on. "Regardless how did the planning session go? Were there many problems?"
"That was the other thing I wanted to talk to you about." Tyelcormo stated walking closer, the tang of blood was stronger the closer he got to Macalaure but something in his brother's gaze stopped him from speaking about it presently. "There were suggestions for setting up smaller towns with farms around them and cities in the middle of those areas."
"Similar to what was in Laiquacelu?" Macalaure asked, referring to a smaller town a day or two from TIrion. It had served as a trading hub for the farmers in the area, but it traded a lot of that in Tirion so that those not comfortable with the city wouldn't have to go.
Tyelcormo nodded in confirmation to the question and wondered what Macalaure would think of the proposal. He watched as his brother grab his quill and dip it in a pot of black ink before writing something on the parchment in front of him. If he turned his head it looked like a list of things needed for the proposal to work properly.
"I will need a list of how many of our farmers and herders know how to use a close range and a long range weapon. Also a list of those who know how to use only one would be useful as well. If we make such communities then they will be on the outer edge so that everyone is defended well."
Relieved to know that Macalaure was truly considering the idea Tyelcormo nodded giving his brother a half bow with his right hand pressed over his left breast. He nearly smirked catching the flash of irritating in Macalaure's eyes as he straightened. "It will be done immediately.
"Have the Ambarussa take care of it, they will be able to work together and ask the entire camp quicker than you will. Also see if you can convince someone from uncle's camp to do the same. Mixing our groups will make things work smoother."
"I thought you were going to visit him tomorrow. Did something change?" Tyelcormo asked, finding the change an odd deviation yet lending more support to his belief that something had happened to cause Macalaure to be injured. His brother had attempted to meet with their uncle every couple of days to help calm the anger that was directed their way by those who crossed the Helcaraxe.
"I changed my mind. The meeting with Thingol took more of my energy then I expected and I doubt that I have the energy to play politics with out cousins."
"If I ask what happened in Doriath you will not tell me, will you?"
"All that you need to know is that I reached an agreement with Thingol and the problem he took with us has been dropped. What more do you truly need to know?" Macalaure replied sharply to his question. Tyelcormo flinched a little, it seemed ironic just how many people, himself and the rest of their kin included, forgot just what Macalaure could truly do until they were faced with his ire.
"Nothing, nothing more needs to be said. I apologize for bothering you about it." His contrite reply won him a flicker of guilt from his brother, but it was not enough for Macalaure to stop and explain what had actually happened. Reluctantly Tyelcormo accepted that until it was necessary for him to know Macalaure would keep his silence, and unless it truly threatened Macalaure's well being Carnistir would as well. "Is there anyone you would like me to send for?"
"Yes, send for Huron is you would. I need to know how many attacks occurred as well as any other things that stood out while I was away." Macalaure requested as he stretched gingerly, rolling his shoulders a little as though they were bothering him some. Tyelcormo wanted to ask if he could help and move closer to see what he could do to help his brother instead he bowed formally to Macalaure then stepped back before turning and leaving the tent entirely.
Outside he frowned as he looked upwards, the stars danced cheerfully and the moon cast the silvery light that he recognized as Telperion's glow over the land bathing it in half shadows. Sighing he ran a hand through his hair glancing over his shoulder for a moment half hoping that Macalaure would call him back and explain what was going on to him. There was no such call though and he resigned himself to the bitter knowledge that unless Macalaure was unable to do something and Carnistir spoke of what happened or Macalaure himself spoke of it he would not know what happened.
Frustrated he turned towards the main part of the camp, he would need to talk to Carnistir again and even if his younger brother could not tell him what happened he could tell him how he could help. Once he knew that he could tell Curufinwe and the Ambarussa what he knew as well so they all could care for their older brother as well as they were able. Macalaure may keep them in the dark as much as or even more than he had with Moringotho's demands for the return of Maitimo but that did not mean they would not help him however much they could.
Once more he looked at the tent wishing Maitimo was present. The eldest had always had a way of getting Macalaure to answer him no matter what was going on or how little he wanted to talk. Sadly Maitimo was still away, dead or worse, and he would have to make do with Macalaure and his reticence to answer things. Shaking his head Tyelcormo walked away, he had been sent to find Huron, which he would, then he would find Carnistir. Macalaure and he both would have answers, what answers they could get and then they would go to work.
Casting a glance northwards Tyelcormo pressed a closed fist over his heart. "Maitimo, I hope you're alive and okay... because we need you and I promise some day that if we can we will rescue you."