A/N: Well, new chapter up. My thanks to all of you who looked at the story. I hope to have the next chapter up over the weekend. Reviews are always welcome!
The Eighth of Girithron, 3260 S.A.
There is hardly any work for me anymore. Despite the dubious appeal of some of Ar-Pharazôn's reforms, they are quickly re-establishing the economy that still had not recovered from Ar-Gimilzôr's excesive spending on a fleet. Indeed, my fears seem to have been the utmost folly compared to how smoothly Ar-Pharazôn has been ruling. His new invasions in Endor, while certainly not beneficial to the natives, have brought us good fortunes.
Although, he does seem to have a strange lust for gold. My reports show that amount of gold mined has increased tenfold from Tar-Palantir's days (or Ar-Inziladûn as we are supposed to call him, under the Adúnaic Act). In fact, the Head of the Minerals Bureau claims we might destroy the economy for gold if we aren't careful. However, there has been no decrease in gold prices. The only explanation for this is that the gold is not entering the economy, but then where is it going? Other than this, things appear to be fine.
And yet, an odd shadow hangs over the land. For the first time in living memory, it has snowed harshly here. While the island has been subjected to cold spells and mild snows, this so the first time (or so the records say) since Tar-Anducal ruled that we have experienced such a drastic change from our usual mild weather.
Our population has strangely grown exponentially larger, the first time it has done so. The naysayers and elf-friends say it is because our lives are growing shorter, and this means we are reproducing more, but I prefer to think that it is due to our increased wealth. Interestingly enough, despite our ever expanding population, Andustar remains unpopulated, with people preferring to settle in the lands of Sorontil, despite its barren lands*.
Shockingly, riots have broken out in the less well-policed sections of Númenor. A group calling themselves the "the True Númenorians" is protesting the new laws of Ar-Pharazôn. While these people follow some of the beliefs of the Faithful (for example, they believe that Ar-Zimraphel should be Queen); they are most certainly not elf-friends. The Faithful themselves claim all the bizarre weather and births are the result of the Valar's displeasure.
The King's Men are taking it upon themselves to fight the rioters. They believe that the unnatural events are naught but a series of unfortunate coincidences. I personally and inclined to agree with them, though, either way, I believe that rioting will accomplish nothing except to waste lives, time, and money.
Our Queen, Ar-Zimraphel, has taken to hanging in the quarters of that man, Amandil. With Ar-Pharazôn's new acts, he is more out of a job than I am. Rumors have begun spreading about what the two of them are up to in there, but I steadfastly refuse to believe them.
Arnuzîr
The Second of Nínui, 3261 S.A.**
It has been rather busy around recently and I finally have some work worth doing. Recently an envoy of that Dark Elf, Sauron, arrived at Rómenna. He claimed that his master, taking advantage of the removal of Ar-Pharazôn from Endor, was going to reclaim th land that belonged to his empire at its greatest. He then proceeded to, in the most dreadful of tones, account what was to befall us then.
"And He shall take your forts from you, and burn them to the ground, and salt the areas around them, so that nothing shall live their again. And the soldiers inside your forts will be taken back to His Tower, Barad-dûr, were they will help breed strong, new orcs for His mighty armies. And then He will take your mines and your lumber mills and your farms and He shall use them for His own purposes. And without your mines and mills, your mighty economy shall crumble, and with it your empire. And then Mandos, yea death himself, and Manwë Sulimo, seeing that you are weak, will enact his grand plan and drive you from Númenor and use it as a stage for his mighty armies of Vanyar, his chosen people. And your people, bereft of their land and wealth will starve and die, and then the Valar will have dominion."
After hearing all this Ar-Pharazôn was in quite a rage, as you can imagine. However, he had the presence of mind to call a meeting with his Inner Council. Amandil (the Lord of Andustar) and I counseled that he should ignore this envoy, for Sauron did not have the time or resources to fight both us and the combined forces of Gil-Galad and Galadriel. But we were outspoken by the other Lords of Númenor and Council members: The Lord of Hyarrostar, The Lord of Orostar, The Lord of Forostar, The Lord of Hyarnustar, The Lord of Mittalmar, The Lord of Rómenna, The General of the Army, The Admiral of the Navy, The Governor of Armenelos, and the Priest of Eru (a very small church, viewed as unorthodox by the Quendi).
They all counseled that the best course of action would be to prepare the largest armada possible and set sail for Mordor. There we would end Sauron's rule, and increase our holdings in Endor. I spoke against this idea, for I thought it unlikely that Sauron, the great and cunning elf that he was, would make a mistake and insult the most powerful nation in the world without cause.
Our opponents argued back that if we invaded before the Eldar got the chance to, we would permanently have a hold on Endor. From the domain of Mordor, we could easily conquer the surrounding men. With a little more time and effort, the Dwarves and Elves would fall. And they argued the immense benefits of Moria and all the Elven technology would outweigh any cost.
Amandil tried to reason with Ar-Pharazôn, to tell him that his plans were foolish and his advisors of no great intelligence. But, Ar-Pharazôn had been hearing the rumors about Amandil and his wife, and he listened not to us, but to his foolish advisors instead and we were overruled.
It is also my belief that he was affected by the rabbit's puzzling words concerning the Valar. Ar-Pharazôn had always believed the rumours that Sauron was once a Vala, or near enough. Perhaps he believed that Sauron had information concerning the Valar? Either way, it seemed romania him more determined to invade.
As of right now, under Special Field Order #3, the entire Navy is being assembled for our grand assault. I have been relegated to the role of accountant, for I am to be doing the maths necessary to prepare for our grand voyage. I shall also be accompanying Ar-Pharazôn to record our conquest. While Ar-Pharazôn is gone, The Lord of Forostar, Gimilzimir, shall rule in his absence.
Arnuzîr
The Fourth of Gwirith, 3261 S.A.
Our plans have been temporarily spoiled by a savage blizzard that has made all previous storms this season seem like a warm summer's day, comparatively. Needless to say, Ar-Pharazôn is not happy at all. He is probably angry enough to melt all the snow off the roads. He has taken to brooding in silence in the crypts that Ar-Adûnakhôr had begun to build. Already, those structures honoring death were becoming filled and in need of renovation.
But, regardless of the poor condition of the tombs. Ar-Pharazôn is plotting down there any way. The rumors about Ar-Zimraphel and Amandil are growing stronger, and I believe they are effecting Ar-Pharazôn strongly.
Several of the remaining dissidents that were living in Andustar have left. I believe that some of them are attempting to reach Valinor to tell Manwë of the situation here, while the others are heading to the Grey Havens. Either way, they are one less thing to worry about.
...
Luckily, we have many farms in Endor, or else the recent cold would have killed our people. The sudden cold overwhelmed our plants, which we grow annually***, and completely killed them of. If it weren't for our shipments from Endor I don't what we would have done.
...
After he delivered his message in full, Ar-Pharazôn had the messenger clapped and chains and delivered to the prisons, another recent invention of Ar-Gimilzôr.I have decided to head down there and conduct an interrogation with him. I shall record the results when I am through.
Well, I must report failure. I questioned the subject at length for several hours to no end. Toward the end, I had Gilithûtor, our torturer (a position also instituted by Ar-Gimilzôr), apply several forms of torture, but to no avail.
I inquired as to what he was to do after delivering his message. No reply. I asked him his name, his background, his connection to Sauron, what he knew of Sauron, what he knew of Númenor. To all of this I received no response. The only answer I got out of him was when I shouted at him that he had chosen the wrong side in this conflict, he responded by laughing at me. So far, no tests have indicated the prisoner is under the influence of some drug to reduce pain or strengthen mind, merely that he is very strong willed.
I returned to my quarters in disgust. I settled back down to look at the produce reports, when I heard a knock at the door. "Enter" I said. The door swung open and a Courier^ entered.
"The King has requested a meeting with you, my lord", the courier said. He then bowed, turned around and left my quarters. I leapt up immediately and made sure I was presentable before heading up to the King's rooms. When Ar-Pharazôn "requested" someone see him, he meant arrive there five minutes ago.
"I hear you have interviewed our prisoner", Ar-Pharazôn said in soft muttering tones. I glanced about the room before answering. The room we were in was only a small study of to the side of the Throne Room, but it was still over twice as big as my own quarters. It was not as decorated, no doubt because Ar-Pharazôn spent only a fraction of his time in this room.
"Err... yes, Your Majesty"
"And were you able to drag anything out of him?", he replied.
"Ummm... not really, Your Majesty"
"This is a bold move for you. All my knowledge of you would not have predicted that you would take such a bold course."
I began sweating nervously, despite the cold. Was he having me followed? I attempted to keep my worry out of my reply"I was concerned about y-your up coming invasion, My Lord"
"Ah, sure you are, you and Amandil both. Would you like me to tell you why I ignore your counsel?". I only nodded, knowing that no response of mine would prevent him from delivering his speech.
"I have heard many things from both sides of this argument. On one hand, Amandil has been saying that there are too many risks involved in attacking Sauron. He tells me we should move only to fortify our settlements. On the other hand, my other Lords tell me of all the land and wealth and soldiers we would gain from this excursion. They tell me to launch a massive invasion pointed at Sauron and Barad-dûr.
"I have agreed with them, but for other reasons. You see, our records show that around 1700 S.A., my ancestor, Tar-Minastir, sent a large force to help the Eldar fight this very same menace. That means he has been alive for at least 1,600 years."
"But I thought his age was explained by the fact that he is one of the Eldar"
"No, my sources claim he is actually quite human, at least in appearance. My spies claim that although he is tall for a man, he is no Quendi. The source of his age, according to my sources, is that this Sauron also has a store of great power on his person. It is my belief that it is this power that has given him great age and mastery of the Orcs"
"I plan to invade, not for land, but for the sole purpose of capturing this great power. I plan to set sail on the Fifth of Nórui. That day marks the day that I began a new era. An era of our supremacy!"
Arnuzîr
*Editor's Note: With the combined edicts of Ar-Gimilzôr and Ar-Pharazôn, Andustar had been almost abandoned, save for the Faithful.
**Editor's Note: While Arnuzîr wrote an entry for every day, only the most critical have been selected
***Editor's Note: The crops were already beginning to fail, no doubt due to a long practice of continual farming and never allowing the nutrients to regr low.
^Editor's Note: The Kings Couriers were an elite task force specifically trained to deliver messages in and around Arandor.