Chapter 37 - The First Council
The rain started to pour harder and the wind blew in through the open window, snuffing out one of the candles that sat nearby. His arms were still wrapped tightly around her, and he gently kissed her cheek softly before going to close the window and retrieve in his wardrobe one of his robes for her to wear. Holding her towel in place with one hand, Vezely used the other to retrieve and relight the extinguished candle, moving it away from the window to a small table where two others had been lit.
Legolas returned to her side, holding out by the shoulder seams his favorite lounge robe; one of emerald green velvet. "You may wear this, if it suits you," he said courteously. Keeping her eyes on his and with a small coy smile on her face as she turned from him, she removed her towel from her body, placing it over the chair with one hand while her other slipped into the robe's sleeve. Legolas noticeably blushed even if he kept his eyes high and averted as he brought the robe up to her shoulders.
"Gratitude, my lord," Vezely remarked cheekily, turning her head to the side to look upon his reddened face, before his demeanor revealed he knew she was mocking him with that title; having lately been required to use it. He shook his head amused before returning to his wardrobe to retrieve another robe for himself.
Believing the privacy of the long robe would prevent her from bringing him any more embarrassment, Vezely began removing her trousers, remarking pleasantly, "I quite like the rain when you're not stuck in it," for she was enjoying the sound of the water hitting the stone building's side and tiled rooftops. Legolas would seek his own modesty by stepping into the side room to change completely out of his wet clothes. Vez added, calling to him, "It's soothing, like hot desert winds blowing across sand dunes or snow falling on burning cedars."
"Burning cedars?" Legolas asked back, curious as to the appeal of this sound, and for it to be compared to the sound of water flowing and falling over stone, since this was the first sound Elves heard when awoken and thus, they are forever drawn to it.
Vez realized the sound she referred was something quite dark. It was not simply snow falling on a campfire, but to a few past experiences burning forests or villages as she marched through them with her armies. The warmth of fire ablaze amid a chill winter's night, the sharp smell of cedar wood burning, snow falling but not hitting the ground, and what often resulted in victory, all induced a soothing quality she couldn't now quite understand. "It probably shouldn't be soothing," her voice trailed slightly as she realized a strange disconnect between her past and present; where her Elvish heritage would hold sorrow for such wanton destruction.
He returned to the room dressed in a honey colored robe, having gathered what she actually meant and noting her thoughts had been taken over. He took her damp trousers from her hands and hung them alongside the others on the wardrobe's door before returning to her, taking her hands by her side and telling her consolingly, "I know meeting more of our kin has been taxing on you, and your heart is already heavy with burdens unmeasured," referring to her soon departure for Rhun and the unknown troubles she would face, "But do not continue to feel ashamed for thinking different, for those who love you will not judge you."
She breathed in deeply, relieved and touched by his understanding of how she felt, admitting gratefully, "I needed to hear that."
He also knew she did. He took her hands and led her to one of the oversized lounge chairs, inviting her to sit and after she did he sat in the chair opposite her; but Vezely was not pleased to be apart from him so she joined him, shifting her robe slightly to sit by his side as he moved over allowing her room. Legolas openly took her in his arms, feeling silly for not having initiated exactly what he desired. She rested her head on his shoulder and closed her eyes, and both listened to the rain and felt their body temperatures regulate.
The three candles would eventually snuff out and the storm would end, as is often the case with spring showers that come and go as they please, but the couple continued to rest in each other's arms both content not to think beyond their love at that moment. It is said that when Thingol first encountered Melian the Maia in the woods of Nan Elmoth, they instantly fell in love and remained entranced together for nearly two centuries. If this could have been their fate, they would have both gladly accepted it. Only the sun, streaming through the cracks of the closed window stirred them from their rest, causing them to look upon each other in the morning's restricted light. Vezely brought her hand to the side of his face, gently touching his cheek with her fingertips, tracing his jaw line before running them through his now dry hair, moving a strand behind his ear. He gently took her hand and pressed it against his chest, as he often did, holding it there.
"The rain has never brought me such joy," he said softly, causing a smile to stretch across her face as he leaned in and initiated a kiss. As their passion heightened, Vezely moved her hand under the clasp of his robe, feeling the smoothness of his chest, while Legolas's hand roamed down her back, encouraging her to adjust her position to sit in his lap. He would somehow find his hand roaming her bare thigh, which the long robe no longer covered due to her movement.
The knock at the door broke them apart from their passionate embrace, though neither desired to move to answer it; both hoped that whoever was there would leave if no sound was heard. But another knock followed, along with a voice, "Legolas, it is Thalion. I was hoping we could talk."
"I will be there in a moment, Thalion," Legolas called after exchanging a sorrowful look with his partner, immediately after aiding her in a scramble to obtain her yet damp attire from the open wardrobe and her scarf from the chair before sending her to the side room.
With his hand on the door, Legolas then noted Vezely's sai positioned next to his quiver set on the entryway side table, but being too late to hide it he decided to risk leaving it in sight, thinking his friend would not take notice or connect who they belonged to.
"Apologies for an early morning intrusion," Thalion spoke in his usual polite and upbeat manner after Legolas opened the door to him. He had been worried about the small quarrel they had at last evening's event and wanted a chance to further mend their relationship this morning. "Evening rain always brings a more glorious dawn, worth a stroll in. I was hoping you could join me, though I see you are not yet of proper attire."
"Unfortunately not," Legolas replied trying to appear relaxed, "I have been resting;" the statement not necessarily being a lie.
"As we all have after drinking enough wine last night," Thalion added with a smile, "I would be happy to wait if such a stroll suits your mood."
Legolas assumed it would be unusual for him to turn down his friend's company and especially after chastising him last night on behalf of his maltreatment of Vezely, it would be duly worrisome. So he allowed Thalion entry to wait for him, placing himself in front of the entryway table; hoping to block initial sight of the extra weapons. Thalion went and took a seat in one of his chairs, taking the book from his end table to read as Legolas moved to his wardrobe to gather the proper robes to wear for the council meeting.
"Ah," Thalion remarked in recognition of the Elvish tome his father had packed for him, "First Age Poems of Love and Lament," he added, "Somewhat appropriate."
"As my father always tries to be," Legolas replied bluntly, before moving with his clothes into the side room where Vezely was hiding.
"I escorted Lady Adele back to her quarters last night," Thalion heightened his voice so his friend could still hear him, "Her heart has settled for you my friend and I would like to believe you feel the same."
Vez, who was listening closely to the conversation from the start, raised one eyebrow at Legolas, who looked at her hopelessly as she walked over to him and mouthed silently the words, "Do you?" as she assisted him in unclasping his robe.
"I'm afraid, Thalion, I do not feel the same," Legolas raised his voice so his friend could hear; his eyes, however, were still engaged with Vez's who then appeared glad to hear him say so. After assisting him in removing his robe, she turned around with it in her hands to give him privacy to change, as Legolas added, "I will speak to her of this today, so as to not continue leading her to believe otherwise."
"My friend," Thalion started in protest, "Your heart is as stone to not open to such a beautiful light."
Vez began to snigger slightly at Thalion's words of endearment for the Elf-maiden, but she quickly put the robe she was holding over her mouth to muffle her sounds. As soon as he was dressed he embraced her from behind, wrapping his arms around her tightly, whispering in her ear, "Do not stay away from me all day," hoping to display his desire for them to gradually overcome their public separation.
Closing her eyes to soak in the feeling of his touch and his light breath against her ear, a small smile and a nod was all she could reply, and he kissed her cheek before releasing her. Both were disheartened by the breaking of another intimate moment, though the evening they had spent in each other's arms would sustain them until another came to pass.
The ambassadors had already begun to sit in their respective groups when Vezely entered the meeting hall. The wooden chairs were placed in a large expanding circle, with the inner ring reserved for the leaders or head ambassadors of their regions. Behind this circle were more chairs dispersed in rows, including chairs with tables for scribes who were poised with quills and parchment, ready to take down the proceedings to preserve for their realm's future progeny. Aragorn desired this circular construct in order to replicate the respectfulness and leveling of hierarchies he experienced at the Council of Elrond.
Of the attendees in the inner circle were King Eomer and his head advisor, an older man who also served his father Theodon, and who Vez remembered holding war council with back in Edoras . Seated next them was Aragorn and Faramir, followed by the two head ambassadors from Dale, and the main advisor from Erebor, Gimli's father, Gloin, followed by Gimli himself. Both realms had also lost their kings in the battle. The greatest presence in the hall were the Elves, most of which were dispersed in the outer circles of seats. This was in part due to their desire to show support for the coming of man, knowing it was the fading of their time, while also using Minas Tirith as a neutral meeting ground to hold their own Elvish sub-councils. King Thranduil sat next to his son, followed by Lord Celeborn from Lothlorien and Lord Elrond from Imladris. Gandalf sat by the side of Lord Elrond, the only two there from the esteemed White Council and both keepers of rings; each held in the highest regard by all who were there.
Noticing her slight uncertainty in seating arrangements, Gandalf called to her pleasantly, "Vez, why don't you sit by me," leading her to the empty chair aside him. Having been sent to Middle Earth at the beginning of the Third Age to protect it against the growing forces of evil, Gandalf believed one of his final duties before departing to Valinor was to ensure this once tainted Elf and remnant of Sauron's malice, was prepared to complete her tasks in Rhun; sensing as Lord Elrond, the role she had yet to play in this world.
Vez had not expected to be given such a seat of prominence next to him, or even to be seated in the inner circle. Just her presence at such a council felt uncanny. Her mind inevitably drifted back to her days as general of the Easterling Coalition, and the many councils she held with Sauron's chief advisors and other great leaders of Rhun. Ironic how peace, at least amongst those in attendance, was also the main agenda.
Lord Elrond greeted her pleasantly, and Vezely spoke to both him and Gandalf of the honor allotted for her to be there, to which Gandalf replied assuredly, "Peace also rests in Rhun's recovery, you should be here."
Aragorn stood from his seat and welcomed those in attendance, deeming them friends bound together in a Reunited Kingdom. He would then call for a moment of silence in remembrance of the many lost during the war; appropriately opening the first council with a reminder and precursor of what would be that morning's main topic of discussion, namely, reports of the major battles and recovery taking place in each region. These battles included the Ford of Isen and the Battle of the Hornburg in Rohan, the Battle of Dale and the Battle Under the Trees up north, the Battle of Osgiliath and Pelennor Fields in Minas Tirith, and Battle of Morannon at the Black Gates of Mordor.
The reports started chronologically in Rohan where Saruman's forces were the first insertion of Sauron's wrath on the West. King Eomer's aged ambassador provided the account, relaying the numbers slain and the forces sent to Dunharrow to then aid the Gondorians in Minas Tirith. Vez worked through the numbers in her head as the forces amassed and causalities were listed; having always enjoyed statistical assessments of war in order to find any anomalies in them; as if they might provide strategic use for later. She could not help but feel again in her former role of general as she sat there. The delivery and presentation of the information was also unsurprisingly similar to council practice in Rhun, where the presenter gave their report, allowing additional commentary from others, for example, Gandalf reported on the fall of Saruman following the Ford of Isen, followed by an open question and answer period.
Faramir then provided the full account of the battles that took place in Gondor, with the ambassador from Rohan adding his own people's casualties to the report. In the question and answer period, there was intrigue over the poison the Variag's used in the assault, many desiring to know its warfare origins, but with Faramir unable to answer many specifics. The poison known in the West only as "Mercy Sleep" had been used sparingly by Western healers to ease the passing of those fatally injured; allowing them to drift off into a peaceful slumber before assisting in shutting down their vital organs. Never had it been used outside of healing houses or for any dark purpose. This was both due to its rarity and the reluctance of healers to even house it in their medicinal cabinets, since the antidote was yet undiscovered in the West.
The concern and desire for this information came mostly from the men of Dale and dwarves of Erebor who queried whether the poison may have been used during their own battle against the Easterlings. They worried if they were negligent in letting their own people die, especially if an antidote could have been garnered from the enemy.
Gandalf, thinking Vezely may be of use in this conversation, piped in, "Perhaps the ambassador from Rhun could provide us with these details, seeing as she was the one who detected its use and provided knowledge of its antidote."
Having been content to remain silent and so far unnoticed since seated, then to suddenly have all eyes turned upon her by words of praise only to answer on a weapon she herself devised, was enough to make Vez uncomfortable; though any uneasiness could not be garnered by her cool demeanor. She confirmed, "The Easterlings did not use Castis, or what you call "Mercy Sleep," in the war up north. Only the Variags wielded it. This I am certain."
The ambassador from Dale narrowed his eyes in mild suspicion, desiring to have more than her stated certainty to prove it, "Is this an official understanding of the Easterling Resistance?"
"No, it is not," Vez replied solidly, desiring to keep her replies truthful, "But I can confirm that Variag's use of Castis is novel in the sense that the poison has not been used in Rhun for warfare for more than 100 years."
Vez unintentionally further peaked the ambassador's curiosity, as he proceeded to ask, "And was its war use developed by the Variags?"
"No, it was not," she replied bluntly, not willing to offer more information.
"Then can we be entirely certain it was not used up north? Tell us, for I am sure I am not the only one at this council interested in knowing, what is the origin of this use?" The ambassador's tone betrayed his minor frustration in not getting what he considered a fulfilling answer; as he and others now queried if the Variags did not begin its use in war then its secret could not have been kept in their culture.
Vezely's eyes briefly found Legolas's across the way; his eyes betraying his concern for her imminent revealing what he himself just recently discovered in the conversation she had with Remi when they journeyed outside the gates to perform the burial ritual - she began its use in war.
Vez held her head slightly higher, her demeanor void of emotion and her eyes strongly engaged on the ambassador's as she provided him the fulfilling answer he sought, "The first and only known use of Castis in battle was in the region of Sera, southeast of the Sea of Rhun; used by the elite forces of the Easterling Coalition to subdue a rebellion that had broken out. The large number of unexplained deaths after a strategically called truce in battle instilled fear in the region's inhabitants, and easily re-secured them under Sauron's submission. I am the origin of Castis's use in warfare, and Öldür, later turned into one of Sauron's undead and then leader of the Variags, was my second in command at the time. My tactic then moved with Öldür, and remained in Khand," then she reasserted firmly, "As I said, it has not been used since, and I am certain it was not used up north."
The ambassador only blinked after he finished processing the information, sitting back down as the conversation hit a wall. Vez removed her eyes from the ambassador, and glanced slowly around the circle of ambassadors, a few shifted uncomfortably in their seats. Out of anyone, Faramir was the least pleased to now hear this, as all could tell from the bitter look that stretched across his face.
Gandalf, feeling a bit daft for not foreseeing this outcome when requesting Vezely to answer, tried to mediate, "The important thing is the antidote is now known to the West and all can pledge to never use it as such again," as he looked to Vezely sternly, who could only nod politely to him, holding no ill-will for the wizard's continued disastrous attempts to ingratiate her with others.
Faramir would make a motion to continue the questions, which eventually brought up the issue of the captured Variags and Harad yet being held in Minas Tirith's second level prisons. None of the other regions held prisoners of war.
The other ambassador from Dale asked politely, "What will be done with these captives?"
"They will be released," Faramir replied, "And escorted to their homeland."
"That is kind of Gondor to allow, and to provide escort on such a lengthy journey. If we can pledge assistance in this task," the ambassador started as an offering of solidarity between the reunited realms.
Faramir replied in kind, "Assistance is not needed. They will be escorted by Lady Vezely, who the prisoners have chosen as their leader."
"Chosen as their leader?" The other ambassador who asked the question regarding the poison remarked surprised.
"It is, from what I understand, customary for Easterling clans to fall under the leadership of the one who killed their leader. Lady Vezely killed the leader of the Variags at the Battle of Pelennor Fields, and requested the title, to which they accepted," Faramir explained judiciously, trying not to betray his own displeasure at this development. "Neither Lord Aragorn nor myself have any doubt in her abilities to attend to this. Nor do we want to create any ill-contempt with those men we return to Rhun, which sending them locked in chains and surrounded by guards would do," Faramir hoped to leave the worries there.
"Perhaps I am confused by this...Easterling ritual," the ambassador from Dale replied, his tone betraying his contempt for the enemies responsible for slaying his king and people, as well as a growing suspicion of the Easterling Elf who currently shared the inner circle, "But I will defer to your position on this operation."
Vez starred strongly at the ambassador during Faramir's explanation, intentionally trying to make him uncomfortable. The man would looked at her momentarily after his reply, before quickly averting his eyes and shifting in his seat, causing Vez to smirk slightly, mildly amused by still having such a dark influence. The exchange did not go unnoticed by Thranduil, who marked it another example of her crudeness.
The reports continued onto the northern regions. It was then that Vezely finally learned the details of the invasion of the Easterlings and how after three days of close-quarter fighter, the men of Dale and their allies, the dwarves of Erebor, were unable to hold back their forces, causing them to retreat into the Lonely Mountain. It was at the Gates of Erebor that King Brand, grandson of Bard the Bowman, and Dain Ironfoot were slain. For seven days the men and dwarves barricaded themselves inside the mountain, and only until news from the South of the defeat Sauron did the Easterling forces grow disheartened enough to allow the siege to be broken and for the allies to easily "chase" them out of Dale, or at least that was how the ambassadors described it. Without a doubt, however, if Sauron had not been defeated at the Black Gates, the Easterlings would have succeeded in taking Erebor and would have marched into Mirkwood, fighting alongside the Orc and Warg armies of Dol Guldor. The Elves would have been no match for the two forces and the north would have lost.
Only by a strange twist of fate did Vezely not lead his host into Dale, and she felt strangely disgusted when hearing, as the ambassador put it, her would-have-been men losing heart and retreating. Something with the description didn't sit well her, as Easterlings are trained to fight to the death no matter the circumstances. Thus, she grew suspicious of these deserters. As the question period commenced, she quietly raised her hand to be allowed to speak, to which Faramir offered her the floor.
Standing from her chair, she stated her suspicion firmly, while maintaining some politeness, "I must question the ambassador's description of the retreat of the Easterling legions. Please know that my request for these details is invaluable so I can return to Rhun with an idea of the dynamics taking place there." The ambassador nodded curtly before she continued. "Easterlings are trained to fight to the death, no matter the circumstances. If these men were yet under my command," she held her head slightly higher, "They would have taken Erebor, if not for Sauron then for the glory of Rhun, fearing not the impending battles to be waged. So it is difficult for me to believe all forces simply retreated."
The ambassador explained, "Well, of course there was an extended battle following the siege breaking, but a significant amount had left prior, dwindling their numbers enough for our victory."
"Would you be able to remember the crests of the forces that remained?" Vez queried.
"What do you mean by crests?" The ambassadors wondered.
"The Easterling Coalition is not one force. It is a federation of nations, bound only in solidarity under Sauron's rule with each maintaining their independence. Militia are cloaked in the same armor, carry standardized weaponry, and are clothed in the same colors, but their shields hold crests of their homeland, differentiating where they hail," Vezely explained. "I have suspicions of who these deserters may have been. If one among you has remembrance of the crests of those who remained," she looked at them hopeful.
An ambassador of Erebor raised his hand, "I may be of assistance," he said slightly uncertain, having been in charge of casualty reports.
"Vidar is in charge of record keeping," Gloin explained, "He has the keenest remembrance among us."
Vez nodded before walking behind her chair to the Rivendell scribe's station, the Elleth looking at her calm and curious as to her purpose "Can I borrow this?" she spoke while abruptly taking the quill from her hand and shifting a piece of parchment in front of her, never really intending to gain permission. Vez began to quickly sketch several crests onto it, most of which held simple geometric designs combined with compound Rhunic script. There were six crests in all, marking the six pledged territories of the Easterling Coalition, many of whom had further subdivisions or tributaries under one banner, but she could set aside those details for now. The room waited patiently as she worked, though it didn't take her long.
"If you could tell me those unfamiliar," Vezely requested after she handed Vidar the parchment. The gray haired dwarf took from his pocket a single spectacle to get a closer look.
A moment later, he gave her his conclusion, "There is one I am completely certain not having seen amongst the left shields. The others appeared but I cannot provide you exact amounts," and he pointed to the crest unrecognized - a compound character of the ancient Rhunic word meaning darkness or without light.
Vez's demeanor betrayed her disdain at the crest he pointed to, having held suspicion of the 'People of the Dark Lands' since she oversaw the negotiation of them joining of the Easterling Coalition; a task only achieved near the end of her reign as general. Forgetting herself for a moment in troubled thoughts, she spoke, "Gratitude, I have no further questions for the ambassadors," and she returned to her seat.
Aragorn, curious as to her complete dismissal of further questioning, asked, "This information provides the lead you had hoped for?"
Vez replied with slight discomfort, "It does. Thank you to the council for allowing my presence."
Aragorn looked over to Lord Elrond briefly, who exchanged a glance silently conceding they move on with the reports. The meeting concluded well past lunchtime, making the dwarves less than pleased as they exited the council room intent on going to the dining hall.
"Lady Vezely, may I have a word?" Faramir approached her after she arose from her chair, others still in ear shot of what he would say, "Why did you not relay this information on the poison's origin when we conversed on it?" For she had briefed Faramir about the poison, but notably left out its origins. Now he was displeased with looking incompetent during the council.
"It was not asked," Vez replied bluntly, his topic of choice making her further disinterested in conversing with him.
"It would have been a useful detail to have been given, and rather convenient of you to leave it out, seeing what it implicates," Faramir said betraying his irritation over her attitude.
Miffed by his insinuation, Vez repeated with a laugh, "What it implicates? As if I avoided telling you in order to keep my name out of your book of bad deeds."
Despite what he assumed was her attempt to raise his temper, Faramir tried to remain cool, remarking quietly, "A little repentance mends misunderstandings of such deeds."
"What do you want from me, Steward?" Vez was now noticeably annoyed, and she did not lower her voice as he just did, "Do you desire that I bow before you with water in my eyes, displaying remorse that my past sins brought death to your people?"
Noticeably uncomfortable by the scene she was now causing, as many had turned their eyes in their direction curious of it, Faramir stood up straighter, "If you are even capable of displaying such remorse, for I have not seen it," he stated truthfully, for he had never seen her display sorrow publically.
"Then where do I start?" she asked somewhat hastily, heightening her voice, "And should I do the same for the ambassadors of Dale and Erebor, since the Easterlings carried on battle techniques that I weaned into their regiment? And for the Elves of the Woodland Realm, whose forests burned faster via aid of an incendiary substance whose use I helped spread? And what would this accomplish, Steward?" She firmly inquired him, undeterred by those who were now staring.
Faramir shifted his stance uncomfortably, as Aragorn came up next to him, placing a hand on his shoulder, asking calmly, "Is everything alright?"
Vezely did not remove her eyes from Faramir's as he spoke to him, "Just a minor misunderstanding," then adding courteously before walking away, "Gratitude for your time, Lady Vezely."
"Nothing, Steward," she called to his back a second later, "It would accomplish nothing. Words mean nothing. They are said and then dissipate into the air. I prefer to speak through my actions."
Faramir did not stall in his retreat, and Aragorn nodded politely to Vez, though with a hint of disapproval of her behavior, before leaving after him.
"You need to control your temper," Lord Elrond said with quiet concern, coming aside her.
"My temper? The man has warranted a punch in the face since we first met and yet he stands un-battered, so I think I have controlled my temper quite well," Vez replied nonchalantly, her eyes yet stern on Faramir's back as he left the hall.
Sensing both a tumultuous history between the two and Vez's cultural differences coming into play, Elrond stepped carefully, "Even so, it is better to leave without enemies."
Vez knew Elrond was providing her friendly advice, so she adjusted her behavior, saying calmly, "I do not disagree, even if it is unlikely I will ever see the man again."
He rightfully connected her statement to his prior thoughts, "I sensed distress over what was revealed today by the ambassador of Dale."
"Minor," Vez lied, then saying politely, "But the matter should not be of the West's concern."
"Perhaps not at this moment," Elrond added considering, "Though, I would very much like to hear the history of whom this unaccounted for crest belongs to. Why don't you accompany me to dinner in the West Wing tonight where such a conversation may be of interest?"
Not willing to turn down Elrond's request, Vez accepted, and afterwards Elrond left to ask questions of other ambassadors. Legolas, who had watched with heightened concern the conversation between Faramir and her, knowing too well her feelings on the man, had just left aside Lady Adele, politely asking for her company in order to discuss the breaking of their courtship.
A/N: A detail heavy chapter, I know, but got to set some things up for what's to come! A big THANK YOU to all my lovely reviewers. You really have been helping me write this with your comments/thoughts.