Gunboat Diplomacy
As much as you would like to have the meeting about Lanaya's clan the moment you awoke, such is not possible. Instead, you busy yourself in the time until breakfast sending messages. It proves somewhat complex, as you must trust your warriors and divide them into two groups.
Part of you wishes Ranger were here to aid them, but he has not yet returned from the search for the Noldo. You hope that is a good sign.
Your roads make travel reasonably swift, at least by the standards of this world (curse humans' short legs). However, between the time it takes your rangers to ride to the Chasind and to Gladesville and the time it would take their leaders to return on foot, there are many hours that pass before the meeting can begin.
You take the time to plan out what you will do, discuss matters with Marethari and track down Merrill. The latter is busy with setting up the working for the Lady to empower.
"Technically speaking, the Keeper should speak for me." She mentions. "It's kind of complicated with how everything's shaken out, but I think it'd be better if I stayed out of this."
"It will be a shame not to have your input." You state. "I value your unique insight and find you a source of good ideas."
Merrill blushes and waves you away. "Don't just drop compliments on people like that. And don't forget my Lyrium!"
It takes a great deal of self-discipline not to roll your eyes. It has not even been a week since you said you would get it. You do not forget things so easily; you are merely awaiting Ursular's return.
Eventually all the leaders of Brecilian are gathered into a single room. It slightly disappoints you that Endataurëo even has a war room. Still, it proves useful, and you doubt you will ever truly be free of the touch of the First Age.
A map of Ferelden, suspiciously like the one Paivel showed you what feels like many years ago now, is mosaiced upon a wall. In the centre of the room a large table holds a number of small wooden pieces shaped like elves, horses, orcs and dragons in all the colours you would expect. Around the table the various dignitaries stand, and you can see that Anneth has laid a rough sketched map of the forest upon the table.
"Thank you all for gathering today." You face each of them in turn.
Ophelia, Velkind, Thea, Anneth, Marethari. There are others of course, the housekeepers, Xandar and Lilian and various other officers of the infantry. However, these five are the ones that have the strongest voice, and thus require the most attention.
"I know this was short notice, and I apologise for that." You continue. "Had I the choice I would not have done so. Sadly, a time of decision is upon us. Yesterday, around two hours past noon, Lanaya and her clan ambushed me upon the road."
The room immediately erupts into noise. Nobody has raised their voice exactly, but so many speaking at once still causes a veritable wall of sound. It is partly your fault, you had not told the people of Endataurëo what had transpired, partly to save the effort and partly to avoid any unwise action before this meeting.
"SILENCE!" You roar.
The stunned silence that immediately descends reminds you that you do not exactly need your full volume. There are relatively few people in the room, and they are not Noldor who will respond to calls for silence with more noise.
"Thank you." You state calmly, and at a normal volume. "Please remember that if all speak at once then no one shall be heard. To reassure those who might be concerned, I am unhurt and so is Lanaya's clan. However, these events require a response, and that is what we are here to discuss."
"We going to attack her?" Anneth asks cautiously.
"That is not my current intention." You answer her reassuringly. "I do not wish to cause senseless slaughter, and I am not blind to the numbers disparity. Ideally, we would utilise avenues of diplomatic pressure to bring her to the negotiating table."
There is a palpable air of relief in the room. Well, from everyone except Velkind, who scowls.
"Why leave elf save?" He asks brusquely. "Attack once, attack again. Foolish to cede the, the, what is word, property held by one on the attack?"
"The initiative." You supply to his nod. "I am not. You misunderstand what I mean, when I say diplomatic avenues, I mean all options short of war. Except forcing anyone into marriage!"
People give you strange looks at that. Personally, you agree it is ridiculous that you have to specify that, but that assumption had led to the Tinúviel situation. Once again Turko has ruined things for everyone else.
"We will apply as much pressure as we can." Marethari steps up to continue the explanation. "However, anything we do must be done in unison, so now is the time to propose ideas or veto those you cannot accept."
Once more noise erupts as people start to propose ideas and argue in small groups as to the best path forward.
This time you do not silence the cacophony. It is best to allow people to argue amongst themselves and think aloud. You will remain silent and let others speak until you believe there is some kind of consensus brewing. In the meantime, you listen in on the small groups as they argue.
"We call Grey Wardens yes?" Velkind asks Anneth. "Brightstar hated by orcs1 so they be friend."
It is fortunate that you are not involved in the conversation, as you need to take several moments to compose yourself at that unusual coincidence. When you return to the conversation, it is close to its natural end.
"… so I do not believe the Grey Wardens are as close to Lord Russandol as you seem to think." The ranger replies. "Further with the Blight on the horizon they are likely busy."
In another part of the room Lilian and a group of officers are arguing with Ophelia.
"Why not?" The mage asks fiercely. "This seems like a matter for the king or the Teyrn, whichever. A foreign power is intruding upon Ferelden, they have a duty."
"Assuming they can even be bothered to carry it out, what are they going to do?" Ophelia replies just as passionately. "March their heavily armoured infantry into a forest to be picked off one by one? The best we can hope for is political support, and at what cost?"
Still more debates rage about you. There in one corner Thea and Xandar are fiercely debating the methods of some kind of curse. The fact that both of them believe you are capable of some variety of divine retribution is concerning. More so that they are technically correct, not that you believe a true curse is warranted in this situation.
Even if you assume you could even manage one powerful enough and still face the Blight in a month or two.
Marethari finishes her argument with one of Ophelia's minions, and you leave your quiet observations to approach her.
"Would it be possible to reach out to the other Dalish clans?" You ask quietly. "Lanaya's actions risk bringing them all into conflict with Ferelden, and that might sway them enough to aid us."
The Keeper bites her lip. "You would be asking a lot. They would be siding against their own and with humans. I know you aren't one, but they won't and even if they did you still represent a human kingdom. Even if they were inclined to help, I don't know what they could even do."
You wave off Xandar who had been wandering over. "Is there any harm in asking? If it is merely a matter of presentation, then it should be simple enough to phrase it less like a warning or ultimatum and as something more akin to a plea for aid. Stroke their egos even slightly."
"We can try, but I don't know how long it would take to get word out." Marethari says. "I would not put my faith in it, and even if something happens, it will not be soon."
"I would rather exhaust all other options before we are forced to choose the sword. After the meeting, I will aid you with the letters. The worst that happens is nothing." You state, withdrawing from the conversation.
You take a look over the room. The noise has ebbed somewhat, and you can see several groups turning away from each other, preparing to speak to others in the room. In other circumstances you might permit this, but the discussion time was always intended to be thinking time.
"Attention please!" You call, loud but not deafening.
Eyes turn towards you and it only takes a few minutes for the last of the conversation to die down.
"Thank you everyone." You state into the silence. "I am pleased to see we are all so dedicated to the safety of those within the forest. Now, however is the time to decided what we are putting into effect. With your permission, I shall begin."
When nobody speaks to object you do just that. "I think it is safe to say that we are all committed to this alliance we have created beneath these trees."
Once more nobody objects so you continue. "I think it is time this is made known, and in fact expanded. We must make a public statement, declaring that all within this forest will consider an attack on one as an attack on all. Further, I propose that we seek further allies abroad, nobles and villages, any who will join."
"Why bother?" Velkind asks. "We enough!"
"I agree." You reply. "However, my goal is to put Lanaya in as much of a stranglehold as possible. The more who join our alliance the greater the risk to attack anyone within it. Further, the wider we spread it the fewer options she will have militarily."
There are murmurs of agreement, and Ophelia leaps to her feet and slams a hand on the table.
"Exactly! I for one am willing to swear to this cause, though I know not what my village can offer." She proclaims.
"I ask for no oaths, and I would prefer to do without." You note calmly. "Your enthusiasm is noted, however."
There are some logistics to be worked out, such as who shall be speaking to whom, but ultimately everyone agrees your plan is sound.
To your surprise Marethari stands up next.
"I propose that we leverage this alliance to create a trade embargo upon Lanaya's clan." She states.
"What would that even do?" Ophelia asks with a frown.
"Do you see any mines around here?" The Keeper asks mildly. "Lanaya needs to trade with humans to replace arrowheads, and even the acid used to tan leather comes from humans. Without trade we will deny her the ability to resupply her warriors."
"Unless she meets a travelling merchant." Martin points out. "They'll gouge her but in times of war people are happy to run a deficit."
"We can accomplish much the same things by interfering with her hunting." Anneth continues. "Ranger helped organise them and we don't even need to fight them. Just make hunting in the best areas difficult."
"You would condemn her whole clan to starvation!?" Marethari exclaims, eyes blazing in fury.
"Not starvation." You soothe her. "It would be impractical. Instead, I believe Anneth means to simply run interference. March warriors along animal trails to destroy them and scare off prey. Reduce profits and make them hunt harder and longer."
The Keeper turns a fierce glare upon you. "If they start starving it will not be those who are your foes who suffer. It will be the elderly, the weak, the very young. They have done nothing to deserve your rage."
You meet her gaze. "There will always be an open door and an extended offer of friendship at my halls. So too, is your clan not to be interdicted in any way. If they must go somewhere else to survive I will escort them personally if need be."
Marethari's chest heaves a few times, then she nods and sits down.
Now you must turn your attention back to the matter of organising the tasks that must be done. Then you will need to write letters with Marethari, and you really need to talk to Thea and Velkind about their clans.
Truly your work is never done.
Delegating various parts of the task is something of a delicate process. On the one hand, almost everyone here is a leader who will have a part to play. The Dalish and the Chasind will be instrumental in interdicting Lanaya's hunting. Ophelia on the other hand, representing the closest village to danger is positioned for a key part in the alliance.
However, if there is one thing you can always count on humans for it is to take any implication that they should step back and let another lead as an insult. Despite the undeniable importance of each role, you can easily envision a world where both Velkind and Ophelia push for more control over the actions of others.
This is not helped by the fact that you intend to take that central role yourself.
"Ophelia, it is likely we will need a staging ground for any joint military actions." You inform the woman. "I believe Gladesville has space outside its walls, if not would you be willing to find space near your home?"
Ophelia nods and you turn to the others. "We are going to need to coordinate to make sure that we cover all aspects of the forest, at least until Ranger returns and is able to guide us with more precision. I have few warriors to contribute, but can I prevail upon both of you to speak to Anneth on these matters?"
Faced with a request that seems to place you in their debt rather than a command, neither seems to object to doing so. Later you will take Anneth aside and tell her that she will need to subtly guide both of them to keep them on track. You hope it will not prove too great a challenge for her.
"For my part, I will seek out those who we need to speak to regarding this alliance." You state.
The first group of people you have to speak to are the villages you trade with. The trio are an obvious target to make your life more difficult, much like hunting was for Lanaya. There is the kind of poetic symmetry in attacking them that retaliation attracts. Thus, you begin with them.
Needless to say, it almost immediately becomes annoying.
It would be too much to ask of humanity to have the noble who rules a village, or a set of villages, operate alone with delegates who can point you to them. Instead, there is a complex web of competing and cooperating power structures. Village elders who control day to day life, and thus would be responsible in the event of an attack, have no power over the local guards who serve a knight. The knight it turn has no ability to make deals with other nobles, and thus needs the local baron.
Personally, you like to believe it was your extensive growth as a person that prevented you from strangling the insipid human who insisted that the Chantry needed to be consulted on matters involving 'the heathens'.
It proves somewhat beneficial in the end, as it gets everyone you need to speak to in a single room at once. That does not make it any less of an irritating hassle to do.
"Thank you all for coming." You state, biting back your annoyance. "I have come to you today to propose something of an alliance against one of the Dalish clans in the forest."
From there you provide a brief description of the situation as it currently stands. There is little reason to discuss how the problem came around. Fortunately, none seem to have trouble believing the matter is a concern, human enmity towards the Nandëo and Thedas' perequendi more generally working in your favour for a change.
"So what you're saying is you want our retinues to help you deal with your Dalish bandit problem." A smug sounding human says.
"No, that is not what I said." You reply, too confused at his attitude to be irritated by his arrogance. "There would be no point, your forces are largely heavy cavalry, which will not perform well against the asymmetric warfare practices of the Dalish."
The attitude of the room changes immediately. Lounging knights lean forward, village elders gasp in horror and the baron fixes you with a measuring look.
"Then what are you asking for?" The noble asks.
"I was hoping for something akin to a deterrence agreement, one we could have town criers proclaim across the lands." You explain. "Such that the Dalish will know that any attack upon those who cannot defend themselves will be met in force."
The baron follows your glance to the town elders and nods slowly. "And what would you be bringing to this 'alliance'."
"Well, I have an agreement with another Dalish clan and access to a number of … irregular warriors who are skilled at such combat. I do not have an accurate count, but I would estimate four hundred or so." You reply confidently.
"The bandits." One of the knights says in what he believes is a quiet tone.
You meet his gaze. "There are no longer any bandits within Brecilian Forest. I have made sure of it."
There is a long moment of considering silence. The baron spends a few seconds getting your attention, then stares at you for a time.
Eventually the baron smiles. "I think we can work with this deal."
You grin. Things seem to be going well.
When you return to Endatuarëo, proclamation in hand and copies ready to send to Lanaya, you find a report from Anneth waiting for you.
My Lord
I have managed to keep the peace between the Dalish and the Chasind so far. Both have proven somewhat reluctant to engage, but I managed to convince them to simply hunt in the areas Lanaya usually would. It has required a small outpost to be set up for both groups, but such should be manageable. To my surprise that flamboyant fu…
At this point there is a long scratch as though the pen had been snatched away and the writing continues in a flowing oversized hand.
My most wise employer, it is I, Cocycus.
When I saw such a fair damsel in such a difficult bind, I thought I would lend her my considerable expertise on the matter. Under my proud leadership, my thoroughly adequate students have managed to see off a challenge from the local ruffians in style.
Sadly their leader declined my offer to duel, a shame as I have never slain a Dalish in single combat befor…
Once more the writing halts suddenly and the first hand resumes in small cramped writing at the bottom of the page.
Despite what the fool implies no Dalish were killed. It was a lot of pointless posturing and bragging, mostly from him. Situation is stable, will report later.
Anneth.
You laugh quietly to yourself. It is good the two are getting along.
A Kingdom is like a Garden
When the meeting is over you pause before heading off to put the plan in motion. Now is a good time to speak to Velkind and Thea. The two had been reasonably peaceful throughout the meeting, neither sniping at the other. Though this is a good sign, you do not want to leave the Chasind unattended.
A step outside of the room and your eyes scan through the departing crowd. It is not hard to find the pair, who are even heading off together. Hopefully that is a good sign and not merely the result of both needing to go in the same direction.
"Thea, Velkind." You call. "A moment please."
The two turn to look at you. It takes a few moments to reach them, but between your height and presence most people are quick to get out of your way. Honestly, the longest delays were the time you attempted to step around someone the same way they were attempting to step out of it.
"Brightstar." The two say in chorus as you reach them. "How can help?"
You smile at the pair. "Do not worry, this has nothing to do with the meeting we just had. Actually, I was hoping that you might tell me how things are going with your clans?"
"We are not to fight, if that ask Brightstar." Velkind says.
Thea nods in agreement.
"That is not what I was asking." You assure them. "I fully trust that the two of you are holding to your promises. No, I was wondering how things were going more generally. Is the trade holding up? Have you had trouble with merchants?"
There is a small amount of awkward shuffling, before Theas says, "It be hard Brightstar. Merchants talk about value of money, but not be seeing value. Coins are worthless."
"They are, technically." You reply. "They are generally considered representational. I am uncertain what they are pinned to in this land, but at home it is usually a bucket of water, a sheeve of wheat and a cow."
"That not to be what merchants say." Thea says with a frown. "They say gold and silver have value itself. I try tell that can't use gold or silver, too soft, but they say is valuable. I think they try to trick us."
Velkind joins in. "Is true. I see copper, important metal, for plate and for bronze, but silver and gold worthless. Pretty, but useless."
You frown. "How strange, now that you mention it, I have noticed that they place the highest value on gold coins. That always struck me as strange2."
"Exactly, anger yell at merchants who try to deceive mighty Beragrāp clan!" Velkind exclaims angrily.
"They are not attempting to deceive you." You sigh. "I will ask to be certain, but I suspect that they are speaking the truth. Humans around the world display an unhealthy fascination with silver and gold."
It really confuses you. They are beautiful metals admittedly, but hardly worth the fuss humans make about them.
"We human, Brightstar." Thea says defensively.
"Of course, I did not mean to imply otherwise." You assure her. "It is not a rule that all humans abide by, merely a trend I have noticed among the many humans I have met."
The two exchange glances in confusion and you sigh. "It matters little, tell them you do not value gold and they will barter. It is the nature of the merchant to find what people value."
At least that is what Moryo always said.
The two chasind nod at your words and, with only minimal prompting, begin to run you through a brief summary of how their clans are managing. The report on how the farming is slowly becoming more and more used, discuss the troubles of hunting and other such minutiae.
Still eventually your thoughts and words turn away from such simple matters and towards what you are intending to do with the pair.
The divisions between the Noldor had brought about your downfall. Admittedly, it was hardly the only factor, but it was a significant one. Had your father been able to unbend his pride long enough to LISTEN to you, then you would still be King of the Noldor. That would have ripple effects all its own, but among those would be the fact that you would not have lost nearly a third of the host of the Noldor before the war even began.
That is why you are so determined to see the Chasind put their childish feud to rest. Not that they would agree that it is childish, like most children they will stamp their feet and proclaim that they are not being childish, this is important.
Much like your father and uncle.
"Tell me, Velkind, Thea, your clans have long been at odds. Does that remain the case?" You ask innocently.
The two Chasind leaders nod and answer in unison, "Yes, Brightstar."
"Truly? I thought with how well the two of you were getting on that the enmity had been buried at last." You pretend not to notice the two looking in horror at each other as they realise what they just did. "A shame. Tell me, why does your enmity persist?"
The Chasind do not respond immediately. You suspect they are having something of an existential crisis as they realise they have been in a room together for the better part of two hours without so much as a single insult. That, or they have realised the eerie unison they have been speaking in. Perhaps you are getting too predictable in how you address others. Something worth reflecting on later.
"Brightstar, you are to know what their clan do." Velkind says without the anger that would once have accompanied those words.
"I know what was done in the past." You state calmly. "Yet, time changes all people, and your kind more so than mine. Do you both still believe that the other would turn on the other so easily?"
"Is not that easy Brightstar." Thea offers hesitantly. "Is, is hard to explain. Is painful to ancestors to leave vengeance unfulfilled. We no to want to make problem for you, but is matter of, uh, moral goodness? Fighting spirit?"
"Honour." Velkind says suddenly. "Words is honour. Is matter of honour. Not of self, but of clan."
A moment of thought passes in silence. The human's faces are not resigned, nor are they gleeful. Instead they are determined, as though this is something they cannot be swayed from.
The tale of your people is cast aside without being uttered, you doubt they are blind to the potential harm their feud will cause. Rather, they seem to believe that they must act upon it regardless. Part of you respects that.
"Tell me, did your ancestors love their children?" You ask instead.
The two look at you as though you have gone mad, even as they confirm that they did.
"Did those children love theirs in turn?" You ask once more.
"Brightstar, why are you being to insult ancestors?" Velkind asks warningly. "Ancestors are us but gooder."
"I ask because you seem to believe that your ancestors would wish you to continue this feud." You reply. "Perhaps they would have in the south, where you must strive for limited resources, but here there is plenty for both clans. Surely then they will not begrudge you putting down this feud lest it hurt you both."
The two look at each other warily.
"Is not easy Brightstar, perhaps you right, but that matter for wóthbora3. I only know self duty." Thea says quietly.
"Do you have a child Thea?" You ask.
The woman nods.
"Would you ask him to die to avenge you?" You speak softly, gently. "Would you have him throw his life away to kill those that harmed you?"
"Never! Want only good for them!" Thea exclaims.
"Then why do you believe that your ancestors feel differently?" You ask.
Thea is silent, eyes wide as she processes what you told her. Velkind too is silent, looking at Thea with a thoughtful expression.
It is Velkind who eventually breaks the silence. "Even if agree Brightstar, clan will not so easily be agreeing. How you convince?"
Some might have thought your silence shock at Velkind's uncharacteristic concern. It is not. Rather it is more that he has raised an excellent point. How can you convince people to lay aside a feud that has existed longer than any of them have been alive?
You certainly never convinced your father to put aside his enmity with your uncle.
Still, this is a different matter and you are a different quendi. You should not allow the creeping pessimism to sabotage your efforts before they have even begun. You will place your faith in your ability to convince people of things and do just that.
"In truth, I was hoping to speak to various members of your tribe on the matter." You reply to Velkind. "If this is a matter of your religion then I shall begin with them. Are you willing to arrange a meeting with them?"
Velkind and Thea nod, but the former says, "Brightstar, when have time? Are not riding to speak to other chiefs?"
"I will be, but when I return I should be able to swing by your clans. It would be easier if you could gather those I wish to speak to in a single area, will that be possible?" You reply.
The two shake their heads. Thea says, "Brightstar, they no trust other clan. Will not go where other is."
You sigh. "Very well, I will manage."
The moment you meet with the first of the wóthbora, as they prove to be called, you can immediately tell they are going to be trouble. Thea's group is made up of a significant number of the older members of the tribe. Their brows are furrowed, and most look at you with suspicion.
You slide from Orundómë's back and greet them with a smile. "Greetings, I am Nelyafinwë Maitmo Russandol, known as Brightstar by some. Are you the people I am to speak with?"
"If you are the one who is trying to convince us to forget the treacherous nature of the Berāgrap clan, then yes." A woman who looks ancient to your eyes but is likely to only just be out of childhood4 says.
Humans make you want to sigh, they really do. "May I ask how you came about to that conclusion?"
One of the younger men snarls, "You want us to roll over and let them slit our throats. We won't stand for it!"
"I assure you I have no such designs." You reply, concealing your weariness.
"Yet you would demand that we become one with them, let them take our women, kill our sons!" Another man yells.
Several people start to nod in agreement.
"I am not asking you join their clan, I am merely suggesting that the time has come to allow old grudges to fade into the past where they belong." You state, more calmly than they deserve.
"You demand we forget the dead? Abandon the ways of our ancestors!" Yet another woman shrieks. "You claim to be a messenger of the gods and yet you make such outrageous demands!"
This seems to be a trigger as several other people begin to heap accusations on you before you even have a chance to respond. In vain you try to get a word in edgeways, but to no avail. At last, your patience gives out.
"The next person to accuse me of saying things I have not said will prove their words on pain of death!" You thunder, sword half drawn.
Silence descends as the group collectively flinches and steps back. In that moment their angry façade breaks and you are finally able to see to their underlying thoughts. Fear. A deep existential fear, more potent than mere fear of the blade is what you see written upon their face.
With a sigh you let your sword slide back into its sheathe and sink down to sit upon the grass. After several moments of hesitation, a few of the older wóthbora follow your lead. Then others follow until all are seated upon the grass.
With forced calm you say, "I know you are afraid. You have good reason to be, but I assure you that there is no need. I have given my word that I will protect you, and I assure you that neither forces of darkness nor leagues of bright swords can make a son of Fëanaro break his word. Please, let me explain myself and then you can decide if I am attempting anything untoward."
Slowly, hesitantly, the wóthbora nod one by one. They listen to your arguments about the ancestors and the lack of need for conflict between the clans. You doubt any truly come to agree with you, but they are at least no longer hostile to the idea.
Sure enough, the Berāgrap clan's wóthbora prove as stubborn and afraid as the Morgenstorra clan's. The results are much the same.
1 Apparently Orc is an old English word for demon. Too perfect not to use it here.
2 Calaquendi use gold for coins partly because of the reasons it makes a good currency and partly because among all metals they value it the least. Admittedly, that is not saying much as they do value beauty very highly, but as a culture they generally prefer silver for decorations, hence it is considered more valuable. Copper and iron are considered too useful to be used in coins. Ironically the calaquendi essentially use gold much as the real world once used paper money, as a stand in for something more valuable. It's important to remember that Valinor is pretty much a post scarcity society. The Valar can make metal (and likely have to if they don't want the finite resources to run out) or perhaps Valinor simply does not have non renewable resources (in the sense that even normally non renewables can be renewed). As a result, I firmly believe that nothing in Valinor is truly 'rare' as a result there is no mapping of value to rarity.
3 wóÞbora, meaning either speaker or seer is, in Chasind, best translated as one-who-speaks-to-elders
4 Around 50 years old