As spring approaches, Mornel and her cousin make plans to visit Alqualonde. Mornel has to make a detour to Tirion. Olorin has a special mode of transport for Finrod and his beloved.
13. Onwards to Alqualonde
After most of the patients were treated by the Maiar, there was an impromptu celebratory meal at Formenos. The customary sticky Yule pudding and spiced possets were served in the keep's healing wards. Despite being confined to her bed, Mornel gave instructions that the customary Yule gifts of fruit and nut loaves were to be distributed to the servant elves and the Avari tribes who had arrived in Formenos for the Yule Fest. It was important to keep relations cordial with the Avari clans although Tatie was more in favour of sending them out with only apologies about the cancelled festivities.
Olorin spent much time in private discussion with Finrod about the difficulties he had experienced since his return and provided guidance and advice where needed. As the weather cleared and spring crept near, plans were made for three of the patients to travel to Lorien for further healing. In Lorien, restoring sight and limbs were easy feats for the Valar. In addition to the patient who had lost his hand and the one who was blinded, there was an apprentice who had shown periods of mental confusion despite an apparent recovery early on. Family and friends would accompany the patients and healer Maiar.
It was a tedious task to prepare the carts for the journey. Victuals had to be provided for the travellers as they would have little time for hunting along the way. Mornel gave instructions for Tatie and the master blacksmith to govern the city in her absence at council, citing a desire to visit her amme in Alqualonde. Lady Eldalote had sent word that she would be returning to oversee the sowing of the fields and preside over the spring prayers to the Valie Vana and Yavanna. The city would be in good hands.
As for Finrod, a journey of another kind awaited. The road through the Calacirya took them too near Tirion and it would never do for Finrod to be mobbed by well-meaning citizens if they were to ride there. Master Olorin called down one of the Great Eagles from the sky to take them to Alqualonde. Amarie would travel with Finrod. Mornel and Helwien would ride to Tirion, where Mornel would call on her uncle. Helwien would remain in Tirion while Mornel continued onwards to Alqualonde. Of course, this would mean she would arrive in Alqualonde a week or two after Finrod.
"I hope you packed light," the Maia jested as he patted the broad back of an eagle.
"W-we're going to ride on Lord Manwe's Eagles?" Amarie gasped in awe. Olorin nodded.
"Aye, and with Thorondor's blessing too. The Eagles choose who they would carry."
It was an exhilarating ride through the crisp air high above the city of Formenos and through the mountain passes. Finrod laughed merrily as he rode on the eagle with Amarie holding onto him from behind, soaring above the clouds and wheeling between the mountain peaks. The Eagle was a strong flyer and an adventurous one. He would duck and weave through the passes and river gorges, offering the elves a bird's eye view of Aman's beauty. They passed over the golden city of Valmar, flying low enough to wave to Ingwion and his wife as they prepared to attend their morning prayers on the terrace. They passed the great bell tower close enough for Finrod to reach out and strike the bell. His granduncle Ingwe would probably be wondering why the morning bell to prayer was slightly off.
Near Tirion, they alit on a lonely crag for a rest. In addition to the couple's saddlebags, the eagle was also carrying in his talons a hamper packed by Formenos' kitchens. The hamper contained sandwiches and cider. There was even a very rare venison steak for the eagle. They had a lovely view of the shining white city below as they ate. After their picnic lunch, they continued onwards. Finally, they saw the sun-speckled sea and the pearly sands. Finrod sobered up considerably. Somewhere beyond that sea his little sister dwelt under the shadow of Morgoth.
The king and queen of the Swan Haven were taking their afternoon tea on the terrace when a great shadow passed overhead. Two saddlebags landed beside them with a thump. The eagle alit on the terrace and allowed his passengers to disembark.
"Grandfather, grandmother…" Finrod choked as he embraced his grandparents in turn.
"Findarato, welcome home," Olwe smiled and thumped his grandson on the shoulder. Queen Falamiril stopped Amarie from curtseying and offered her some lemon tea.
It was always faster travelling without an entourage to slow her down. Mornel preferred the company of close friends during her travels. Grandmother Indis had been scandalized at first but she had grown used to the younger nis' decision. Mornel was a grown elf and no stranger to camping out under the stars. Had not Irisse ventured out into the woods alone as often as in the company of her Feanarion cousins? Arafinwe reasoned. What harm could come to her within Aman's boundaries? They brought along rations of bread and venison jerky. Mornel had brought along her harp so that they might enjoy some music in the night.
Princess, why do you insist we go to the White City? Fearocco nickered. It is not as though we are welcome… Fearocco hated Tirion. He had been difficult during the journey, nipping at the tail of Helwien's gelding or kicking in front of her so that both nis and steed were choking on the dust of the trail. Mornel had found it necessary to use her riding crop to discipline her wayward horse.
"Oh, the stable-hands might be friendlier if you stopped trying to kick them," Mornel replied as she poked at the campfire. Helwien had gone off to wash at a nearby stream. Aunt Anaire had warmed up to her a little, as did many of the other nobles. However, after all these centuries, there were still stubborn pockets of resistance in Tirion. Some felt as a nis, Mornel had no business running a city like Formenos. Others felt threatened by the northern city whose star was fast rising. Some nobles suggested Mornel pay annual tribute and taxes to Tirion but Ara declined the proposal. They were family after all. They would have preferred it if she were to remain a ward of her uncle's until she was wedded off – a proper noble lady with only dances and embroidery on her mind. That was never Mornel.
Remember that Lord Windbag? Fearocco snorted. Mornel nodded with a chuckle. That noble was a close ally of Lady Indis', a Noldo with some Vanyarin blood in him. After one too many drinks at the festival, he had insulted the memory of Mornel's father and brothers in the Great Square. Fearocco had avenged his mistress by dealing out one of his infamous kicks, sending the hapless elf into the fountain. That sobered him up.
"Fearocco, I have to visit Uncle Ara and tell him about how his son is faring. We go there every year. Please be on your best behaviour. We will only be there for a few days, no more than a week. Please, Fearocco," Mornel pleaded. The great horse tossed his head, which Mornel hoped meant a yes. A rustle of leaves announced Helwien's return and the nissi settled down for dinner.
They reached Tirion the following afternoon. Princess Mornel's unannounced springtime visits to Tirion were always anticipated with a mix of curiosity and dread. The guards would announce her arrival to uncle as soon as they spotted Fearocco trotting up to the city gates. News would spread and elves would peer from their windows and doors as she led her steed in the direction of the palace. She had promised Lady Indis not to gallop through Tirion's streets after a high-spirited Fearocco wreaked havoc in the marketplace once, ruining a dozen produce stalls. Many of the city inhabitants had since learnt that Fearocco was a beast to be given a wide berth whenever possible. Even the broad avenues of the city seemed too small to contain a steed like Fearocco. Helwien parted ways with her at junction of the craftsmen's sector. At the palace, Mornel would be given her usual room and an hour or so to freshen up before meeting with her uncle.
This time, she was surprised to arrive at the palace gates and find her uncle Ara and his queen waiting there. Of course, they would want to hear about Finrod from her as soon as possible. Grandmother Indis was in her parlour waiting for Mornel to pay her respects as befitted a dowager queen. The trio adjourned to Indis' parlour as soon as Mornel had Fearocco stabled and watered. Indis was so eager to hear news of her grandson she did not quibble over the dust of the journey Mornel was tracking into her parlour. Lady Anaire was there too and she made a pointed reminder to Mornel to take a bath as soon as the discussion was concluded.
"Mornel, child. Please tell us how Findarato fares…" Indis begged as she motioned for a servant to bring refreshments. Mornel gratefully partook of a tall glass of lemonade before continuing.
Although she was weary from her travel, Mornel described truthfully her cousin's progress over the winter to gasps and exclamations from her elders. Indis was troubled to hear that Amarie and Finrod went about unchaperoned in Formenos. But they would be wedded soon, right? Amarie's flight from Valmar had already ruffled some feathers among the more conservative Vanyar elves. The incident with the flashback during the Songs of Power was alarming to Finrod's parents. Music had been Finrod's passion back in the Years of the Trees. But he was going to be healed with Earlindo's help, right? Even Olorin had advised Finrod undertake the trip to Alqualonde for healing.
It was late into the night when Indis finally rang for dinner to be served in the parlour. They would dine informally there. Mornel had also brought some of the scrolls Finrod had written about the Exiles over the sea for the palace archives at her cousin's request. They were not yet complete but Finrod felt the deeds of his kin should be recorded lest they be lost to memory. She would hand those precious scrolls over to Master Rumil in the morning.
Over dinner, she had been surprised when Arafinwe tried awkwardly to converse in Sindarin, much to the disapproval of his mother and law-sister. Earwen tried to join in but she kept lapsing into the similar Telerin dialect. They spoke about the harvest and trade with Formenos. Lady Eldalote would be meeting with the king before making the journey up north to Formenos for the planting season. There was talk of Ingwe's twin granddaughters and how they had chosen to dedicate their lives in Lady Este's service, leaving scores of disappointed nobles in their wake. Lady Indis once more attempted to broach the topic of marriage to Mornel but Mornel declined to meet with the noble she had in mind.
The following morning was spent in discussion with Master Rumil and Uncle Ara over the linguistic peculiarities of Sindarin. "I suppose he might have simply Sindarized his name," Master Rumil mused as he considered the name Prince Findarato had taken in Beleriand. The references to Lord Aule's creations and the Second-born were of interest to the old scholar too.
As she had promised Fearocco, they left Tirion on the third morning for Alqualonde. Uncle Ara and Earwen wanted so badly to leave with her but they had royal duties to attend to in Tirion. Impromptu visits were simply not done by kings and queens. They needed to have an entourage of a dozen guards and servants, Indis insisted. It would only be proper. Letters announcing their intent must be sent to King Olwe at least two weeks in advance to allow their hosts time to prepare. Earwen murmured that they were only visiting her parents and there was no need for such fanfare. Arafinwe wanted so badly to see his son again and hoped he could get some time away from Tirion to do so.
In the end, King Arafinwe of the Noldor wrote a brief letter detailing their intent to visit Alqualonde and handed it to Mornel. "You would be my herald to Olwe this time, wouldn't you, Mornel?" the king jested and clapped her on the shoulder. There was no faster way to send word to Alqualonde save by falcon and royal letters were never sent by a bird. The proper way of doing it was with a herald to speak on the king's behalf. Unfortunately, the current royal herald in Tirion was known to be both slow and forgetful. An invite from Arafinwe to Ingwe took a month to reach Valmar after the poor elf made an unplanned detour into the wilds. King Ingwe was not amused to receive the invitation a week before the banquet as it meant he had little time to assemble his entourage. Lady Anaire tartly observed that the young ner would do better as a poet given his head was constantly in the clouds.
A princess who does not act as a princess, Mornel smiled. Aunt Anaire had commented to Indis about her once. Her atto had not lived as a crown prince, her amme had told her. He had chosen the forge over council. She could understand why. There were tiresome royal duties and protocols. The duties Mornel accepted as necessary to the smooth running of a city but some of the protocols were a little silly.
Author's Notes:
Next chapter – Alqualonde.
Every time Mornel rides Fearocco into Tirion, he probably causes some form of property or personal damage to the citizens. Hence the dread.