A Tale of Two Lirillos by Kaylee Arafinwiel

Lirillo's Excellent Adventure

The description of Alqualonde is based on that given by Fiondil in "In The High King's Secret Service".

“Well, Child, we meet again. What have you been doing there?”

Lirillo, grandson of Olwë Lindaran, spun round. His eyes widened in surprise, and his hand shot out to rest on the prow of the celmavenë as he focused on the source of the call. Then he came forward to meet the Maia who was his namesake, greeting him with a shallow, but respectful bow. “Naught of import, my lord,” he said hastily. “I had thought to take my boat out for a short journey…”

The Maia Lirillo smiled in answer, his eyes gleaming with mischief. “Ah, but the celmaveni all belong to the Crown, do they not – this is the Lindaran’s boat, in truth. Wouldst thou steal thine anatar’s boat, even for a short journey?”

The young elf fidgeted. “It is not stealing, my lord. I am a member of the royal family. It is my boat, too.”

“Hmm.” Lirillo – the Maia – examined the small canal boat with an expert eye. “And dost thou know how to guide the boat?” he asked.

“Yes. Better than you could, I am sure, my lord,” the young prince retorted. “I am of age, I need not answer to anyone for my whereabouts. So, if you will pardon me, I shall go now.”

Lirillo studied the stubborn elf. His namesake was clearly not going to give in without a fight, and Ulmo’s Maia disdained the thought of forcing the youngster to change his mind – that would make him little better than their Fallen Brother. “Then mind the archway, child, and see thou dost not sail beyond it to the open water.”

“I’m not stupid,” came the princeling’s sardonic reply. He took his place and poled off, pushing away from the royal landing.

“Sometimes I wonder, Little One,” the Maia murmured into the wind. He only hoped his Master would watch over the heedless Child.

***

Prince Lirillo poled the celmavenë through the canals, watching the lines of variously coloured glowing lanterns carefully, so he might not strike any of the wharves by accident. It was thrilling to him to be out by himself, no guards or irritating cousins to watch over him. He was uncomfortably aware that it was unlikely the Maia had gone, but he studiously ignored the thought. He was alone. He was. Anatar Olwë would not miss him, and he could stay out until Wilwarin began her descent into the Sea without being detected.

Of course, he had failed to account for one thing…

Guiding one of the celmaveni as he was, he could be mistaken for a luntequen. A hail was given, and he ignored it at first, not thinking it was for him. But when a gaggle of adolescent elflings chased him down the raised walkway running alongside the canal, he was forced to halt. When he realised they had been drinking, he felt even more irritated. Who had let them drink at one of the inns?

Do not be foolish, Lirillo, he scolded himself as they boarded. Of course, they raided their parents’ stores. No innkeeper would be fool enough. “Where may you be going, young masters?” he asked resignedly as they clamoured for his attention.

“The house of five blue fish on the Celma Uinen,” the elfling who was clearly oldest directed.

“Very good,” Lirillo murmured and set off. He found the house without mishap – it was next to the house of four green shells, where Mistress Tarawen kept her sewing business, and his mother patronized the shop frequently. The elflings each gave him a coin in thanks, and Lirillo pocketed it with a sigh as they disembarked.

Irritated by the detour, the young prince made for the archway. He would be fine, he told himself. It was the Maia who was stupid. But as he passed through the Celma Elenion, he received another passenger, taking him as far away from the archway as he could possibly go.

And so it went.

The more Lirillo desired to leave Alqualondë, the more his plans were derailed, and he spent the day pressed into service as an unwilling luntequen. The only good thing the young prince could see about the whole mess was the coins he was earning. The real luntequeni were employees of the Crown, paid from his anatar’s treasury and only given these tips as customary thanks for their service. Lirillo had never tried to earn his own money before, and it was a novel experience.

Time passed slowly, and Lirillo began to feel less irritated about the experience. Whenever an elf gave him a few words of thanks, or even praise, along with the coin he began to feel a flush of pleasure. Some of the older elves even talked to him while he took them to their destinations, and he learned much from their tales. As the time for the daymeal came, he ate the repast he’d packed for his open sea adventure.  Lirillo wondered what his next patrons would say and do. Being a luntequen, he decided, was almost…exciting.

The latter part of the day was wearing on, and Lirillo was tiring, but he had stopped trying to head for the coral archway that led out to the open water. He was dutifully acting the proper luntequen, almost forgetting he was in truth a prince with responsibilities of his own.

Lirillo picked up his next passenger. He had long ago stopped scrutinizing the elves he took from one place to another, only speaking when they spoke to him first. He got nervous when the elf getting into the boat directed him to the Arna Paca – the plaza fronted the royal palace, and Lirillo finally wondered what his family would say.

Wilwarin was sinking beneath the waves when Lirillo returned to the royal landing in the Arna Paca, occupied by his anatar and parents – Prince Salmar and Princess Faniel Finwiel.

“Thank you, Salmarion.” Hearing his name made Lirillo jump – as did the gold coin in his hand, stamped with his passenger’s face. Ingwë Ingaran!

Chapter End Notes

Chapter two is posted and three is nearly ready! Just needs some reworking..