In Darkness Bound by Fiondil

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Chapter 39: At the Court of Tirion

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39: At the Court of Tirion

Weeks went by and Ingwion and his people settled in. Ingwion was invited by Ñolofinwë to sit in on some of the council meetings as an interested observer and to attend court whenever his other duties allowed, for once knowledge of the embassy became more broadly known in Tirion, Ingwion found himself having to deal with those few Vanyar living in Tirion coming to him with complaints against the Noldor. Eccaldamos proved himself an excellent secretary, screening visitors and allowing only those with legitimate complaints to speak with Ingwion, who listened very carefully to what was being said (and even what was not being said), promising that he would bring their plight to the attention of Prince Ñolofinwë.

At first, Ingwion was somewhat puzzled by these visits and mentioned it to Eccaldamos. "Why do they not simply go to my cousin with their complaints? I have no power to redress their wrongs. Only Ñolofinwë can do that. And if they are that unhappy about their situation, why do they not return to Vanyamar?"

Eccaldamos took a moment before responding. "As to your first question, Highness, I suspect many do not think they would get a fair hearing among the Noldor, whether they bring their complaint to a city magistrate or petition Prince Ñolofinwë directly."

"That’s absurd," Ingwion protested. "I cannot speak for these magistrates, but my cousin is honorable and fair-minded and would listen to them without prejudice and if they have a legitimate claim for redress, he would see it done."

"Indeed," Eccaldamos said with a nod, "but I am simply explaining how these people see the situation. They are few and the Noldor are many. As for your second question, I deem that the Vanyar who live here do so by choice, most likely out of love, having taken a spouse among the Noldor. It cannot be an easy decision to simply leave one’s home."

"That didn’t seem to be a problem for nearly a third of the population who followed Fëanáro into exile," Ingwion retorted with a snort.

"Be that as it may, Highness," Eccaldamos said in a tone of mild rebuke, "these people have come to you to find succor for their problems."

"And I will speak with my cousin about them and see what can be done," Ingwion replied, accepting the reproof with equanimity. "Some of these complaints, while certainly legitimate, could easily be resolved in the city courts or with a disinterested third party mediating between the two parties, but there are a few I believe should be brought to Ñolofinwë’s attention for him to deal with if he will."

It was some time, however, before Ingwion found the opportunity to speak to Ñolofinwë about it. He had thought to speak to him in private, cousin to cousin, but decided that it would be better to speak more publicly, ambassador to regent. Nor did he wish to be the one to broach the subject, since it could be construed by the Noldor as interference on his part. Thus, he bided his time.

Sitting in on a council meeting a few weeks after his conversation with Eccaldamos, Ingwion was trying not to look bored as one of the nobles droned on about something to do with drains. Ingwion had tuned the ellon out some time before and was thinking of his family, wondering what his twin and Indil were up to. In fact, he had ceased to pay any attention to the flow of the discussion until he heard the word ‘Vanya’ mentioned. He quickly brought himself back to the present moment, silently cursing himself for his inattentiveness.

"....my people, a Vanya, was accosted the other day," he heard a Lord Herencáno say. "Sorondur is my chief falconer and I had given him permission to purchase a peregrine that he has had his eye on for some time which he hoped to breed with one of my other falcons."

"What happened?" Ñolofinwë asked and there was a weariness in the ellon’s tone, a sense of resignation, that surprised Ingwion.

"The person from whom he wished to buy the bird is one with whom he has had dealings before," Herencáno explained. "Sorondur knows what a bird is worth and he is a capable falconer. It is why I convinced him to remain in Tirion after Ingwë led the Vanyar to Taniquetil. He’s married to one of my estate managers and she was reluctant to leave her home. When he went to purchase the falcon, the buyer offered a price that was three times what the bird is worth."

"Perhaps he wished to haggle for the price," someone suggested.

Herencáno nodded. "And so I assumed when Sorondur came to me with the complaint, until I learned that the ellon refused to bargain. He and Sorondur are friends of a sort but that day their friendship proved vain, for the ellon refused to come down on the price. And when Sorondur protested, others who were there in the market reviled him and someone even threw fruit at him and he was forced to retreat." Herencáno gave a disgusted snort. "Never mind the insult to me in having one of my people assaulted in such a manner, but Sorondur is also a Manwendur and the Elder King’s emblem is clearly stitched on his jerkin for all to see."

There was a stir among the councillors and they exchanged uneasy glances. "If the Valar were to learn of this...." one of them started to say, then stopped, as if afraid to voice what everyone was thinking.

Before anyone else could respond, Ingwion saw his chance and spoke up. "Lord Herencáno’s falconer is not the only one who has suffered at the hands of the Noldor simply because they happened to be Vanyar."

All eyes turned to him and Ñolofinwë frowned, though more likely at Ingwion’s interjection than at what he had actually said. "You know this for a fact?" Arafinwë asked.

Ingwion nodded. "Since my arrival several Vanyar who make their home here have come to me to voice their complaints," he told them. "My secretary, Eccaldamos, has screened them and has made sure that the complaints were legitimate before allowing the complainants access to me. In many cases the complaint centers around unfair pricing and a refusal to bargain. In a few, there have been outright attacks. No one has been unduly harmed, but these people are fearful for their children, who are of mixed Noldorin and Vanyarin heritage."

Arafinwë nodded, stealing a glance at his brother who remained silent. "Price gouging seems to be endemic," he admitted. "I believe it is happening in Vanyamar as well with the Noldor being penalized by having to pay higher prices for the same goods."

Ingwion shook his head. "The High King put a stop to that practice as soon as he learned of it." He gave them a mirthless smile. "In fact, your own son was inadvertently instrumental in forcing Atto’s hand in the matter."

There were many raised eyebrows at that, and not a few skeptical looks. Arafinwë simply grimaced. "So I have heard," he muttered.

"What exactly did Ingwë do?" Ñolofinwë asked.

"Besides exacting a rather stiff fine on the people known to be price gouging, Atto came down rather hard on the guilds and let it be known that he would not tolerate such practices," Ingwion explained. "He said he would disband the guilds first before letting it go on. You can imagine how the guildmasters felt about that!"

There were knowing nods from everyone. Then Herencáno spoke. "It seems to me that we need to make as strong a statement as Ingwë has against this. My falconer is not responsible for what has happened in Tirion and for him and others to be discriminated against and reviled simply because they are Vanyar and not Noldor is an injustice that needs to be redressed."

Ñolofinwë sighed and nodded. "I am aware of all this. I had meant to speak with the guilds to see what they had to say about it first before taking any direct action. That there are those who fear for the safety of their children because they happen to have Vanyarin blood is troubling. No one should have to fear for their child. That is against everything we Eldar stand for."

"Perhaps," Ingwion averred, "but the sad truth is, people are acting irrationally out of fear which is slowly turning to anger. It may, if it is not addressed immediately, turn to actual hatred and then we are going to have an unholy mess on our hands."

There were nods all around. Ñolofinwë gave Ingwion a measuring look and the ellon returned it with one of his own. For all that Ñolofinwë was regent, Ingwion was several yéni older than his cousin and his status as haryon to the Ingaran gave him the greater rank. "Can you give Arafinwë the information you have gathered about this?" Ñolofinwë asked.

"I will have Eccaldamos send him a copy of the report that I have sent to the Ingaran," Ingwion replied and the implications of that statement were not lost on any of them.

Ñolofinwë, to his credit, did not flinch or grimace, but simply nodded. "You have our thanks," he said formally. "If to the report you could append exactly what measures the High King took when confronted with a similar situation, I would appreciate it."

"You will have it before Second Mingling," Ingwion promised and then added, "and I thank you for listening to me. I know I was out of turn to speak but I felt you should have as much information as you needed to come to a just decision. What happened to Lord Herencáno’s falconer might be viewed by some as an isolated incident and thus easily dismissed. I did not wish for that to happen. Sorondur deserves better than that if only because he is a fellow Elf, never mind having the Elder King’s favor."

To that there was no disagreement among the councillors. Shortly thereafter the meeting adjourned and the councillors began to leave, though Ñolofinwë indicated that Ingwion and Arafinwë should remain, for he wished to speak with them privately. Herencáno stopped before Ingwion’s seat and gave him a bow. "Thank you, Highness. I feared that my complaint would fall on deaf ears. That you were able to corroborate what is happening heartens me. Sorondur is dear to me both as a trusted servant and as a friend and I am grateful for your words on his behalf."

"I am glad to have been of assistance, my lord," Ingwion said graciously. "Perhaps someday I will have the honor of meeting Sorondur. I have not hunted with falcons for some time now and miss it."

"Do you have your own bird?" Herencáno asked.

"Yes. I brought Mercalindë with me," Ingwion replied, "though, in truth, I have had little opportunity to hunt with her."

"Perhaps we can arrange something in the near future," Herencáno suggested.

"Thank you, I would like that," Ingwion said and Herencáno gave him another bow before exiting the council chamber.

Ñolofinwë waited until the doors had closed behind the last councillor before speaking. "I wish you had come to me in private about this, Cousin," he said softly to Ingwion, not actually looking at him.

"I had thought to do so," Ingwion replied, "but decided against it."

"Why?" Now Ñolofinwë raised his eyes to look at him directly, his expression clearly puzzled.

"Because by speaking publicly on the issue, even if only before your Privy Council, it makes the complaint official," Ingwion explained somewhat coldly. "If I had come to you in private, it would have been as your cousin and you could have safely ignored anything I said to you. But by speaking as I have here in this council chamber I speak as the Ingaran’s ambassador and you cannot ignore what I have said however much you might wish to."

"Even so...."

"Even so, I waited weeks before speaking," Ingwion interrupted. "Give me credit for that much, Cousin. I did not broach the subject on my own. I did not come whining to you about how unfairly you Noldor are treating us Vanyar." Both Ñolofinwë and Arafinwë flinched at that, but did not interrupt as Ingwion continued. "When Herencáno spoke of what happened to his falconer, then and only then did I speak of others suffering similarly. And I did so because I could see from the expressions on the faces of some of your councillors that they were ready to dismiss the incident as isolated and minor and of no real importance. You yourself said you were aware of what is going on. Can you truly fault me for voicing my own concerns? You are half Vanyarin. I would think you would have some compassion towards your amillë’s people."

Ñolofinwë bristled at that and his eyes flashed with anger. "How dare you?"

"I dare because it is the truth," Ingwion shot back. "You say you were meaning to speak to the guilds about this. Why haven’t you?"

"There’s been no time...." Ñolofinwë started to explain.

"Nonsense, Brother," Arafinwë interjected. "You’ve been dithering back and forth over this issue for the last five weeks. I told you two weeks ago to go to the guilds, but you have not done so. I know you have been reluctant to act for fear of what Atar will do when he returns, but I think if you do not act soon, there will not be much of a city for Atar to return to."

"Arafinwë is correct," Ingwion said in a more conciliatory tone. "I know you never wanted to rule, that you were content to be the younger son of the Noldóran, but the truth of the matter is that for the next eight or so years you are, for all intents and purposes, the king. Finwë is Noldóran in name only while he remains in exile with Fëanáro. You need to show your people, indeed all of Eldamar, that you are capable of leading the Noldor in these troubling times. Be the king they need, Cousin."

"But I am not king, only regent," Ñolofinwë protested.

"You are splitting semantic hairs," Arafinwë said. "King or regent, it matters not the title. What matters is that you act and act decisively. Do not worry about what Atar may or may not do eight years hence. Concentrate on the here and now and the plight of our people, of all the people of Tirion, whether Noldor, Vanyar or of mixed heritage. The fact that Ingwion has spoken with those who fear for the safety of their own children because they are not pure-blooded Noldor makes my blood run cold. Such fears cannot be dismissed as idle fancy. Ingwion is correct when he says that the fear and anger that is felt now can easily turn to hatred. Our brother raised steel against you, forcing the Valar to act as they did. I dread to think what might happen if elflings are threatened in a similar manner."

Ingwion suppressed a shudder at that thought and felt his stomach roil. Ñolofinwë’s expression was grim. "You are both correct," he said softly. "I have been...afraid." He turned his attention to Ingwion. "It is why I have hesitated to go to Ingwë for help. I feared I would be seen as weak and unfit to rule if I have to go running to others."

"Atar suspected that might be the case," Ingwion replied. "It is one reason why he sent me, hoping that you might confide in me and let me help in whatever manner I can, even to sending queries to Atar asking for suggestions."

"You mean, you would be willing to act as a conduit between us and Uncle Ingwë so that others would not be aware of the fact that we are seeking his help?" Arafinwë asked.

Ingwion nodded. "Yes, that is exactly what I mean. Atar will not dictate to you, but he is willing to offer suggestions and advice, if you are willing to use me to relay your concerns to him."

The brothers glanced at each other and some sort of communication passed between them. Ingwion sat still, patiently awaiting their response. It was not long in coming.

"If I give you a list of my concerns, will you see that Uncle Ingwë gets them?" Ñolofinwë asked in a small, hesitant voice.

Ingwion smiled. "Yes, I will," he said simply and for the first time since coming to Tirion he saw the two brothers visibly relax.

****

When he reported what had happened in the council chamber to Eccaldamos later that day, the ellon smiled. "Ah, so you have figured out what your more... covert mission is, have you?"

Ingwion gave him a considering look. "You knew that is the real reason why my atar sent me here," he said, making it a statement.

Eccaldamos nodded. "That is what Lord Valandur told me. He also told me that you needed to come to that conclusion on your own."

"Why didn’t my atar tell me himself?" Ingwion demanded, clearly puzzled and not a little hurt. "Why pretend that he wanted me to be his ambassador...."

"That is not a pretense, Highness," Eccaldamos interjected. "You are the Ingaran’s ambassador, but you are more than that. You are his means of helping Prince Ñolofinwë without anyone being the wiser. I do not know why you were not told this. I only know what I was told and that was that you were to come to this realization on your own." He gave a shrug.

"And if I never did?" Ingwion asked, still looking hurt and confused.

Eccaldamos smiled gently. "You have a quick mind, Highness, and a compassionate heart. I think you would have eventually offered yourself to Prince Ñolofinwë out of pity for the untenable situation he is in, knowing that the High King would gladly help, even in this manner."

Ingwion sighed, somewhat mollified by his secretary’s words. "Perhaps you are right," he averred, "but I think in my next missive to Atto, I’m going to ask him about it."

Eccaldamos’ only reaction was a smile as Ingwion excused himself to dress for dinner.

****

At both Arafinwë’s and Ingwion’s suggestion, Ñolofinwë held an open assembly in the Paca Ñaltatilion, inviting the guildmasters as well as all the nobles to attend. Ordinary citizens were also encouraged to come, for what the Regent would say would affect them as well. Ñolofinwë dressed in his most formal court garb, as did Arafinwë, who stood on his brother’s right as Ñolofinwë sat on the throne that had been brought out to the courtyard and set upon a dais beneath the White Tree so all could see him. The rest of the royal family also were in attendance, dressed appropriately and ranged around the dais. Ingwion also was there, but as an interested observer, not officially as Ingwë’s ambassador. Thus, he eschewed wearing his most formal court garb for something less ostentatious, keeping to the background, standing among the other nobles and courtiers with Eccaldamos beside him.

When all were assembled, Ñolofinwë spoke. "It has come to Our attention that some of the residents of this fair city are being treated unfairly by others. Vanyar who have resided amongst us in peace these many yéni are now being reviled and forced to pay higher prices for goods and services. We have received several reports from different sources detailing these unfair practices and We are sorely disappointed that any of the Noldor, who pride themselves for their nobleness of heart, are acting in ways contrary to custom. The Vanyar are not to blame for our troubles, which, frankly, we have brought upon ourselves. We therefore direct the guilds to be more vigilant against price gouging and other unfair practices. Failure to do so will result in disbandment of the guild in question."

There was a stir among the crowd at that pronouncement. Ñolofinwë waited for it to die down somewhat before continuing.

"We are also cognizant of the attempts of certain people to incite others to violence for the sole purpose of sowing discord among fellow Elves. This is reprehensible and cowardly. We ask that when rumors begin to spread and tempers begin to flare that ye take a moment to reflect on the veracity of the rumors before acting. Calm is the watchword of the day. The Valar’s Peace has already been broken once and they showed great restraint in how they dealt with the issue, but We doubt that they will continue to show such restraint in the future. Remember who ye are and whence ye come, my people. Remember that we are Noldor and of noble lineage. Let us show our fellow Elves and the Valar that we have not forgotten this regardless of the circumstances."

There was a long pause as the assembly digested the prince’s words. Then one of the lesser nobles whom Ingwion did not know stood forth, his expression one of distaste. "How much of what you have said is your own words, Ñolofinwë, and how much is but the words of the Vanyaran through his mouthpiece?" He cast a disparaging look at Ingwion who bristled at the implied insult to his atar but did not otherwise respond, letting his cousin speak for him.

Ñolofinwë’s expression went dark. "The words are mine, Morcocáno," he said through gritted teeth. "The Ingaran’s ambassador has nothing to do with it," he added, stressing both Ingwë’s title as High King of all the Elves and Ingwion’s status as his ambassador.

"Indeed," Morcocáno said with a sneer. "I find it hard to believe."

"Believe what you will," Herencáno said, stepping forth to confront his fellow noble. "I know for a fact that his Highness has been aware of what has been happening in our city and has planned this assembly for some time. Prince Ingwion’s role in all this has been minimal. He merely confirmed what others had already reported to the Regent, including, I might add, myself."

Ingwion had to admire the noble spouting lies and half-lies as truths. He wondered if the other councillors would counter his claims, but apparently none of them were willing to contradict Herencáno.

Morcocáno, however, did not back down. "I have heard differently...."

"Then you have heard wrong," Herencáno retorted coldly. "The Regent has spoken. It behooves us to obey him."

"You are only saying this because you have a Vanya in your employ," Morcocáno stated.

"I am saying this because it is the truth," Herencáno came back, his temper barely under control at the obstinacy of his fellow noble. Then he gave the other ellon a considering look. "As I recall, you are a patron of the miners’ guild, are you not?"

Morcocáno gave him a surprised look. "What has that to do with anything?"

"Only that the last outbreak of violence we had was between the miners’ guild and the metalsmiths," Herencáno stated. "I have read the reports and often wondered whose idea it was for the miners not to increase their ore production as the metalsmiths asked."

Morcocáno’s expression turned angry. "What are you saying?" he hissed. "Are you accusing me...."

"I haven’t accused anyone... yet," Herencáno rejoined, leaving the implications of his words hanging.

"Why you! How dare you!" Morcocáno yelled, his expression turning to white fury, and before anyone could react, he rushed towards Herencáno, pulling out the knife hanging on his belt as he did so. At once pandemonium reigned as people screamed and some rushed to stop the maddened noble. Arafinwë pulled his brother off the throne, intending to protect him with his own body if necessary. Ingwion found Eccaldamos pushing him back out of the way. Herencáno, taken by surprise, was a fraction too late in attempting to avoid the blade, but before it could touch him, strong arms pulled him away so that Morcocáno overstepped his balance and landed sprawled on the pavement, grunting with pain, the knife still in his grasp.

Herencáno looked around to see who had rescued him and found himself staring into the grinning face of the last person he expected to see: Findaráto. "M-my lord?" the noble stammered in disbelief.

Findaráto released him, patting him on the shoulder. "You are unharmed?" he asked and at Herencáno’s nod, he stepped forward to stand before the still sprawled Morcocáno who was gasping for breath. With studied calm, Findaráto bent down and took the knife out of the ellon’s hand, giving it a disgusted look before tossing it away. It skittered across the flagged pavement to land in front of the dais. Silence reigned across the courtyard as Findaráto stood there. He cast a sardonic glance at Ingwion, who returned it with a grim smile, before turning his attention to Ñolofinwë and his atar, the two standing there beside the throne, staring at him in disbelief.

"So," Findaráto said in a conversational tone, "now that the excitement is over, what’s for dinner?"

****

Manwendur: Servant of Manwë, particularly, one who was devoted to that Vala. It was applied especially to those persons, or families, among the Vanyar who actually entered Manwë’s service and in return received instruction from him; cf. the attested word Aulendur ‘Servant of Aulë’, given to those persons, or families, among the Noldor who entered Aulë’s service [See ‘The Shibboleth of Fëanor’, (Note 61), Peoples of Middle-earth, HoME XII].

Mercalindë: Wild-Song.

Vanyaran: King of the Vanyar. Ingwë’s title when he is not acting as High King. An attested word.

Paca Ñaltatilion: The Court of the Silver-white Tree. Ñaltatilion is the Quenya equivalent of the Sindarin Galathilion, the name given to the Silver-white Tree that was an image (a living tree not giving light of its own) of Telperion that Yavanna gifted to the Elves of Tirion. Galathilion is the name given in The Silmarillion. The White Tree of Gondor is a descendant of this tree. The name means "Radiance of Tilion".