Chapter 10
Arrival on Foreign Shores
Several members of the crew rushed bow to stern trying to make their paying customers off-loading seamless; they tied down the sails and threw lines to teams on the docks while several people watched their work. They never missed a step nor did they drop the baggage of their guests when they threw it over the side to awaiting arms, only to be sat on the dock with extreme care.
"We'll have you off-loaded shortly." The captain moved toward them, a pipe lit between his lips. His face was aged by the sea salt and time, his hair stark white which gave away his age.
"There is no rush, Captain." Gandalf smiled, watching a young man peering out from behind the mast. However, every time he was caught he hid again, giving Gandalf a joyous laugh at the reaction.
"Yes, but my Queen will be wanting you on dry land as soon as possible. I know she has people to escort you to the City." The captain moved next to Gandalf and leaned against the side rail.
"She knows of our arrival?" Legolas stepped into the conversation.
"I know she knew people were going to make the trip here, one of her advisors is a seer, but I don't know if she was aware of who was coming. Usually, she knows things well ahead because of that. She asked each coastal town to make certain you had escorts and that your rooms would be prepared once you made it to Avalon." He exhaled a plume of smoke; the scent of it had an essence of cherry to it.
The gangplank was lowered to offer an easy access to the dock; each visitor off-loaded, grabbed his baggage and looked around the dock, finding a man standing where the dock met the land waiting for them. He smiled, his narrow face making the act seem odd, seeing how many men had shown up, bowing to them as they walked up.
"You have been expected" He was a short man with a slight build, "The Governor of Savarin asked me to welcome you to Aquetiri and our home." He was a rather thin man with salt and pepper hair, and wore elegant attire which would make most think that he was more a nobleman than a servant.
The guests bowed their heads, a thank you to the man and that's when the shortest of them moved forward, "Will we make for Avalon tonight?" His voice was rough as was his mannerism and appearance which included axes as his main weapons.
"No, after such a long voyage we believed a night in a bed would suit you all." He bowed again. "I have yet to be told your names. I am Mister Themlek or I can be called Jorn."
"I am Gimli, son of Gloin." The man bowed to Gimli, waving his hand back showing him toward a group who were waiting to tend to their needs. He moved ahead along with other Dwarves who followed behind him, none spoke a word though.
"Legolas of Mirkwood. My father requested a few to travel with me." He motioned to two other Elves who nodded their heads nearly in unison.
Again the man bowed, "You are of the same peoples as Haldir?"
"No, similar though." Legolas moved forward as well, followed by his fellow travelers who bowed to the greeter.
"Boromir of Gondor." He moved up slowly, smiling slightly at their host before moving towards the others who'd gone ahead. He had no additional advisors with him as Aragorn felt he was more than an adequate emissary to discuss what was needed.
"And you sir must be Gandalf." Jorn bowed deeply to the older man.
Gandalf smiled and past the greeter as well. "Your Queen has given you detailed instructions?"
"She wanted to make certain none of you were insulted during your visit. We have items specific to your needs and if we do not have something, please ask." He led them to a well decorated building where the interior was that of extravagant comfort. On a tray, held by a woman were goblets and to her right the beginnings of a banquet.
"There is a large amount of food here." Gimli smiled.
"If all is not eaten the poor receive it."
"Is this common practice?" Boromir questioned seeing the man nod he felt comfortable speaking further, "Do you have many poor?"
"No, she makes certain we are trained and schooled, the "poor" is not eloquent, I'm sorry. It's more along the line of those who might need extra." Boromir nodded at his reversal. "If you would prefer we can hold off on the meal so you may clean up."
"Nonsense, I never see a point in letting good food go cold." He moved to the woman who offered him a drink which he sniffed at before swallowing the liquid inside. "What is this?"
"Mead, sir" The girl answered. "If you prefer I can have ale brought in."
"No this is good, a bit sweet, but good." He drained it and moved on, each person doing the same.
"Enjoy yourself Boromir, this is meant to bring an alliance we well may need." Gandalf spoke in a hushed tone so as not to interrupt the others.
Boromir nodded, "I don't understand the attentions we are receiving."
"Ask the lady when you meet her." Gandalf smiled, knowing a bit more about the leader of this new society.
"Ask a Queen why she chooses to do something?" He thought it offensive.
"Then sit in question." Gandalf puffed on his pipe, enjoying the aroma. It was a much welcomed gift from the captain who said that he'd find it smoother than most, which was showing itself to be an accurate statement.
They all sat around a large plank board table with platters larger than their own heads; the mead and ale flowing freely. There were several people assisting them at a moments notice so they were truly denied nothing.
Gimli devoured all he had, while Legolas and his people tried a few things some of the servants said Haldir suggested and they were enjoyable even to an Elf's palate. The sampling was appreciated by them all and one of them even tried some of the other items as well.
Boromir smiled finally, relaxed and enjoying the different items as much as he enjoyed the company around him; it was the first in a while that he felt at ease. He laughed at Gimli's stories and at the way the Elves drank, he knew that if he'd imbibed so quickly he'd regret it the morning after.
Outside an hour earlier a rider took off fast toward the capital of Aquetiri, his mission was simply to inform the Queen and her advisors that their guests had arrived. The horse he sat atop was a gift from the Queen herself and was meant specifically for this purpose because of the speed it could maintain.
The rider had to beat out others for the position and he would have it for whenever there was a need, for as long as he could ride. He weaved over uneven ground and around obstacles that lay in his path with ease and his only focus was on reaching the Queen as quickly as he could.
Target Practice
Haldir walked out toward the gardens, his garb flowed easily in the light breeze, making his way down the steps he saw Alya shooting an arrow at a target a good distance away, the bow was hand carved and, to Haldir, surprisingly well made. It flew straight when she released and hit the outside ring in the center of the target; he proceeded to watch the next two which hit fairly similar to the first. Her stance was experienced and her aim would have been perfect if not for the string on the bow.
"The bowstring is too old." He saw her turn to face him, her hair pulled back out of her face.
"I know, but I haven't found a proper replacement." She turned to take another arrow, but stopped as Haldir approached her. "My mother taught me the skill when I was younger; I had to keep making them till I had the perfect one.
"May I?" She handed him the bow and stepped back. "It's well made, but not perfect. It was not made by an Elf."
"Elves aren't the only masters of the bow." She smirked.
"True, we are just the best." That comment received a disbelieving look. "When I bring this back I will bring my own and give you proof."
"You better. I don't take anyone's word for anything." She smiled wryly before walking over to pull the practice arrows from the target. "Especially when they exceedingly brag about it."
"Do you practice because you expect a war?"
"Always. However, I practice to relax."
"I thought you played chess for that?" Haldir smiled thinking back to her last loss with Navarre knowing it would make her retort.
"No, I do that to upset myself. I do this to take out that frustration." She pointed to the target. "I just picture my opponents face on the target." She moved passed him and up toward the palace, unaware that the guests had arrived or that a great danger was looking to feed again near the west coast.
Another Feast
A brown haired woman rushed up the steps, hitting a large wooden door before rushing into the small wooden temple, blood still pulsing from the long slash wounds on her back, "Please." She spoke breathlessly, her hair disheveled and dripping with sweat. "Please help me."
A man walked out with long robes and beard, his hair parted in the middle seemed a greasy grey color, "You'll bring it here." He whispered closing in on where she stood, "You've already been touched by him." He motioned to the claw marks.
"Did anyone send for help, perhaps they will arrive soon?" She moved in, but he blocked her; she looked back at the door she'd just entered. "Please I have no where else."
"There are many here already, almost all of them children. Do you wish them their death at its hands?" He seemed almost angry and urgent at the thought of the creature entering.
She looked down, shamed by the thought of it, tears now pouring from her eyes, "I don't want to die." She looked back, in fear, hearing his wings flap, "Not like that."
The man looked back to see several children cowering together in a corner, whimpering at the sounds outside, several adults near them huddled together. "We sent a rider, but someone said he was taken, along with his horse. There will be no help from the outside."
The woman closed her eyes, sniffling. "Please I can't go back out. You have to let me stay."
The man pushed her back, he knew that anyone touched by the creature was marked and nothing could save them. That's what they had realized in the short time it had killed so many, it was a sad yet honest truth and he would expect no less from everyone if he'd been marked. The marked would be feasted on till only their skin remained; not even their bones would be left.
The woman cried harder still, when another woman came forward from the corner of the temple. "Let her stay, Alain. It's only right."
The man turned, shocked by the comment, closing his eyes he remembered the reason he started the temple. Nodding to the woman he turned from her to welcome the latest inside, but as he did so the creature ripped the doors from their hinges and beheaded the woman with one swipe of its clawed hand, its wings close to its back when it attacked; the woman's head bouncing on the floor before rolling a bit to a stop.
The man backed up in shock, eyes wide from the horror of it, but as he backed up he fell to the ground, his face completely covered in the victims spurting blood. "Run!" He screamed to those inside as the creature sat back on its haunches and began to eat, unafraid of any reprisals that might come at him and slurping at the liquid as it oozed from the flesh it devoured hungrily.
Everyone inside screamed and began to scatter, the children rushed through a small opening and fled into the basement of the temple. The adults who were there ran out of the temple and off to areas unknown hoping to evade being the next meal. Before the man could get to his feet the creature wrapped its clawed hand around his ankle and lifted him straight up in the air where he hung upside down well above the temple floor. He flailed a bit, screaming in vain at the beast as it licked its lips clean of the blood.
The man looked at the beast upside down, panting in fear and thrashing out in hysterics, but he knew nothing would help him at that moment. In what he felt would be his last moments he reached for something beneath his robes, but the creature caught sight of it and threw him down by his ankle breaking his back on the pew-like chairs.
The man gulped for air unable to scream out from the blow just as the creature began to rip his limbs off one by one; the shock alone should have killed him, but he survived until the loss of blood killed him. The events being watched by a boy, his eyes wide in horror as the man who risked his life to protect them was now the latest to be served up for the creatures feast.
Avalon
Alya moved around the front of the palace, her coat blowing behind her from her swift movements as she moved toward the city walls. Many people along the way stopped their duties and bowed to their Queen, who returned the acknowledgements with a nod.
She moved up the steps which led up to the guard's walkways along the walls, "Night."
The guards bowed, not surprised by her arrival, "My Queen." She had done this at least once every 7 days. She made certain their jobs were done easily either with offers of water or with just a conversation.
She smiled, and moved along the walkway looking out over the grounds beyond, "All clear, Hetsel?"
"Yes, M'Lady." The man bowed. "All appears quiet."
"Good. Let's enjoy it while it lasts." Her hand touched the guards shoulder before she moved on. Smiling she moved toward another who'd made a visit to the walkway, "Aron? What are you doing up here?"
"My visions have ceased." He was visibly disturbed by it. "I can't explain it."
"Then we return to what we have always done." He looked at her quizzically. "We deal with things when we know them, not before." She moved next to him, sitting on the wall. "There is a point where we cannot rely on visions, but on ourselves."
"But if something…?" He turned toward her, signs of shame still on his face.
"If…if something happens we deal with it when we know and we don't beat ourselves up for not knowing about it ahead." She smiled softly, "You cannot save the whole world every minute, Aron. Accept it."
Aron nodded, "I wish I never had them to begin with." He forced a smiled. "I feel such a responsibility."
"Of course you do. You are a good person, with great intentions." She hesitated. "You know how I feel about visions though."
He nodded, smiling slightly, "That you do not know if the visions occur to warn of the act or if they cause it."
She put a hand on his shoulder, "Now come, let's get off this wall and go inside. Have some mead and relax." He nodded and left with her, the men bowing as she passed. "Any way I can have them stop that?"
"You've tried, M'Lady. It didn't hold. For them you are Queen."
"I accept that, I just don't…I've always seen it as that without them I would rule nothing."
"And without you they may not have lived so long." Aron laughed at the face Alya made after he made the comment.
As they made their way to ground level she turned to their captain, "See to it they get extra food. Tell them though that they must stay sober for a while, just for the safety of our visitors."
The Captain bowed and acknowledged her request, "Thank you, M'Lady." He didn't move until they were out of sight, though.
Savarin
The night began to wound down when the emissaries started to leave for their rooms; the first to retire was Gandalf who nodded a good night before his exit. His feet seemed to glide across the floor to many of the servants, all of which bowed as he passed. One following him up the steps to make certain he didn't have a need before he retired.
The next was Boromir, who was again feeling uncomfortable with leaving Gondor the way he had, he'd told Gandalf earlier it felt like he was deserting his post. He stood up and drained the last of what was in his goblet, setting it on the table before he exited and moved up the stairway to a long hallway on the 3rd floor. He moved through the dimly lit passage and stopped at a door near the end, opening it to find a well appointed room with an oversized bed and large chair near a fire that had been started earlier in the evening.
He smiled to himself at that moment, 'You should enjoy it.' He attempted to reconcile himself to the situation before moving into the room and removing his coat, putting it on the back of a chair that looked like it was designed for that very purpose. He then walked across the room and settled into the chair near the fire, closing his eyes and enjoying the warmth that filled the room; just outside he could hear the waves break against the dock and the birds calling out.
A knock at the door made his stand, "Enter?"
"Lord Boromir, I wished to know if there was anything you required before the evening is done?" Jorn's peeked inside.
"No, thank you. Will we be leaving before dawn tomorrow?"
"Yes, Sir. I will awaken you a short period before so you may have breakfast." Jorn bowed when Boromir thanked him again before he exited, leaving his guest to his own devices while others remained below still enjoying the party they created.