Many Journeys by Elleth

Chess Moves

A three-sentence ficlet. Finrod and Curufin in Nargothrond. Not altogether friendly rivalry. Can be implied slash, or not, as you like it.

Finrod stands bowed poring over maps and battle plans; a force of Orcs on the High Faroth plundering toward the Falas has left his people on edge and fleeing in droves into Nargothrond. It is late summer, grain ripe for the threshing stands abandoned, but without hunt or harvest they face a minor famine, and people are clamouring for the scapegoat to be brought to justice.

The scapegoat - the one whose men let the Orcs pass unhindered - is currently lounging in Finrod’s chambers, sipping the last of the decade’s finest vintage, and eyeing the chess board on the table, already considering another move ahead, and Finrod, against his better wisdom, turns toward Curufin for his own move in this game.

Chapter End Notes

Written for a three-sentence meme, prompted by Helcaraxë.