In Darkness Bound by Fiondil

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Chapter 6: The Handing Over of Authority

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6: The Handing Over of Authority

The High King’s announcement of naming his twin sons as co-regents during his absence from Vanyamar produced a variety of reactions. For the most part, the people of Vanyamar were happy enough, if a bit surprised, with Ingwë’s decision. Both ellyn were well liked and respected among their people. There was no sense of discontent at the decision as far as Valandur could tell when he sent his spies among the populace to listen to their reactions and he told Ingwë so.

The responses among the immediate members of the High King’s family, however, were more diverse. Indil’s reaction was just about what everyone expected. "Better you than me," was her only comment. The twins rolled their eyes and smirked at one another.

Ingoldo’s response was much more heated. "As your brother and, need I remind you, the elder brother," he fumed, "I should hold the regency. Do you really expect these elflings to do anything but make a mess of it?"

Ingwë’s eyes narrowed as he frowned at his brother. "Neither Ingwion nor Ingalaurë are elflings, brother, nor have they been for quite some time. It is time for them both to take on the responsibilities of ruling and I have every confidence in them."

"As do I." Everyone turned to see Intarion standing there, a smile on the ellon’s face. "You are correct, Uncle," he said to Ingwë. "My cousins are full worthy of your trust in them and I offer my humble self to help them in any way that I can." He gave his uncle and the twins a respectful bow.

Ingoldo glared at his son in disgust and turned away. Tinwetariel shook her head in dismay. "Really Intarion, when are you going to stand up for your own rights instead of crawling about like a whipped dog?"

Intarion’s expression became unreadable as he faced his parents. "I know my place, Amillë. Ingwion and Ingalaurë are the rightful heirs to the High King, not I, and quite frankly, I have no wish to be other than what I am."

"A servant to...." Tinwetariel started to say but was interrupted by Intarion.

"Nay! Unless you mean that we all serve the High King and the people of Vanyamar, then you are correct, but I am no one’s thrall, whatever Fëanáro or you might think."

There was an uneasy silence that stretched to an uncomfortable level before Ingwë broke it. "I thank you for your offer, Nephew, and I am sure my sons will welcome your guidance, but more importantly, I think they will welcome your friendship even more."

Intarion smiled at Ingwë. "They will always have that, Uncle, and my love." The twins nodded enthusiastically, for they felt the same way about Intarion.

"Good, good," Ingwë said, then turned to his brother and sister-in-law. "We do not understand this animosity you have towards your own son," he said, speaking as High King rather than as the family head. "Intarion is a credit to Our family and Our people. We are well pleased with him and value his contribution to Our government."

"Bah!" Ingoldo snorted in disgust and stalked out of the room without so much as a bow to Ingwë. Tinwetariel followed him, her expression also one of displeasure.

For a long moment there was only an embarrassed silence, then Intarion spoke. "I am sorry, Uncle...."

Ingwë shook his head, going to the ellon and placing his hands on Intarion’s shoulders. "It is I who am sorry." He sighed. "Your atar never forgave me for being the one to act as our ambassador to the Valar. He was crushed that Lord Oromë chose me to represent the Vanyar instead of him even though I was most reluctant to go."

"Why is that?" Intarion asked, his expression of curiosity mirrored on the faces of the others in the room.

Ingwë smiled and looked fondly at Elindis, who smiled back. "Because it meant being separated from my beloved and I did not know if I could endure it."

"Yet you did," Elindis said softly. "We both did."

"Atar never liked that I decided to become a loremaster," Intarion said with a sigh. "He wanted me to enter the diplomatic corps and become your chief herald." He gave them a shy grin. "I would rather hide behind my scrolls, instead. I’m no good in public venues."

"Thou’rt very good at what thou doest," Elindis said, going to her nephew and giving him a warm hug and a gentle kiss on his brow. "My lord and I are most pleased with thee, child. Thy parents... that they do not recognize thy worth is their own loss and thou shouldst not feel to blame."

Intarion looked down at his feet, his expression somewhat morose. "I sometimes think I must be a failure for not doing what mine atar wishes."

"Never that," Ingwë assured him. "The failure is in thine atar for not recognizing and rejoicing in thine own worth. But be assured, child, that We do."

Intarion gave them a short bow, looking more appeased. "Thank you, Uncle. I appreciate thy trust in me."

"It is more than trust, Intarion," Elindis said with a smile. "It is love, for thou’rt family."

Ingwë nodded. "My beloved speaks truly, Nephew. Now, since there has never been a need for a regency, perhaps you could lend us your knowledge of lore to help me craft a suitable ceremony of transference of power."

Intarion nodded gratefully, giving Ingwë his obeisance. "I would be honored, Uncle."

****

The ceremony handing over the kingdom to the twins was much more elaborate than the one for Ñolofinwë, and more public. Before the gathered lords and ladies of the city as well as the heads of the several guilds, Ingwë gave over the rod of his office to Ingwion. To Ingalaurë he gave an ancient sword, one that Ingwë himself had wielded during the Elves’ long journey across Endórë to Aman, for there had been many dangers along the way.

"For ye are both Our regents," Ingwë intoned as the twins knelt before him, "and so unto Ingwion We bestow the rod of Our office that he may judge rightly the affairs of the realm. And unto Ingalaurë We bestow Our sword which is named ‘Quenditirno’ that he may ever guard Our people and keep them safe."

The twins rose as one and bowed low to the High King and Queen before turning to face the spectators, all of whom gave them their obeisance. Then Ingwë spoke again, addressing the entire assembly.

"We leave Our chief councillors to aid Our sons in the governance of the realm, but they have the final say in all matters. We reserve the right, however, to overrule any judgments they may make in the meantime if the situation warrants. Otherwise, Prince Ingwion and Prince Ingalaurë have Our deepest trust. Let all treat them as they would treat Us, with the respect due to your sovereigns."

The assembly bowed again and then there were cheers as Ingwë led his sons down the center aisle, one twin on either side of him, with the rest of the family following. It escaped no one’s notice that Lord Ingoldo and Lady Tinwetariel were not present, though their son was.

****

"Well, that’s a relief," Ingwion said with a sigh as he doffed his formal outer tunic stiff with embroidery, throwing it carelessly on a nearby chest and plopping into one of the chairs next to the fireplace of the twins’ sitting room. They each had their own suite of rooms — bedroom, study and bathing chamber — but shared the sitting room and privy. Ingalaurë gave his twin a wry look as he took the other chair, handing Ingwion one of the goblets of wine which he had poured for them before sitting. Ingwion gave his twin a look of thanks before taking a sip and sighing even more heavily.

For a while neither twin spoke, each lost in his own thoughts. Ingalaurë, however, finally broke the silence with an observation. "Atar never said how we were to come to an agreement and who would have the final say in matters that might come up."

Ingwion shrugged. "I suppose we could ask him about it," he said diffidently, taking another sip of his wine. "Of course, as the elder...."

"By five minutes," Ingalaurë couldn’t help interjecting, though there was no animosity in his voice.

"As the elder," Ingwion repeated with a grin, "it stands to reason that I should have the final say."

Ingalaurë scowled. "I suppose," he agreed with great reluctance.

Ingwion gave his twin a sympathetic look. "Let us pledge here and now, hánonya, that we will always come to a decision together and if we cannot agree, then we will go to those who are older and wiser than we and listen to what they have to say."

"Atar did say he was leaving Findis and Valandur as our personal councillors," Ingalaurë replied with a nod. "Let us agree then, that we will consult them if we find we cannot agree between ourselves."

Ingwion held out his hand to Ingalaurë who took it. "Let us even so. Valar valuvar."

"Valar valuvar," echoed Ingalaurë and the twins smiled at one another.

Neither of them noticed the unclad Eönwë standing in the middle of the room, solemnly recording their oaths.

****

Quenditirno: Elves’ Guard. Quendi is the original name which the Elves gave to themselves, meaning ‘Those who have voices; speakers’. Eldar, ‘People of the Stars’, is a name bestowed upon them by Oromë.

Hánonya: My brother.

Valar valuvar: ‘The will of the Valar will be done’, an attested phrase.