(Archive) Imrahil

Elendor - Sunday, April 30, 2000, 1:04 AM

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Weather: Cloudy

Time: Late Morning

Season: Spring

Date: Highday - March 9, 3020

Real Time: Sat Apr 29 22:03:31 2000

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Dol Amroth: Prince\'s Castle - Throne Room

A cavernous room of icy marble yawns about you. The ceiling seems impossibly high--though the chamber\'s width is not exceptional--supported at regular lengths by thin spindles of smooth, undecorated stone. Indeed, the only color in the room itself is a slash of porphyry that runs arrow-straight westward to a set of steps that radiate outward from a tall dais, upon which rests the Marble Throne itself.

Light floods the Throne Room from a bank of massive windows set into the western wall. The central of these directly behind the throne is easily thrice the height of a man and four times his width and grants a vision of fog-shrouded cliffs leading down to the vastness of the Belegaer, with the distant finger of Tirith Aear thrusting up before it some distance to the west. Flanking the central window are thin ribbons of glass, all in pointed stone arches of their own that descend, each on a level with one of the steps of the dais, so that the central window and its point stand highest. Seemingly the only concession to real ornamentation in this room comes in the form of ornately carved stars placed at the top of each of the windows\' arches--seven stars in all, for the ancient house of Elendil the tall.

Contents:

Durandir

Maedhromir

Imrahil

Thorondur

Rorgomir

Obvious exits:

Marble Doors

[Imrahil(#10108)]

Long ago, the Sons of Numenor wrought this place, this palace of Stone by the Sea. Here it stands, a testament to the craft of old, even as the sun streaks through gilded windows. Dol Amroth it is called, and is immutable in its glory.

Here in this room, or more appropriately, hall, the mighty doors of Men are thrust open and a silhouette, of ages past and long strides makes its march, cape behind him, his head wearing a dread helm. The Prince has returned and his face is full of the wrack of war.

[Thorondur(#13821)]

The trumpets sound a familiar fanfare unheard for several months within the Marble Citadel: it is that special series of notes to announce the Knight-Herald of Dol Amroth! And so he comes, to the murmur of courtiers on either side of the esplanade, striding down the hall in leathers layered with dust and grime of the road.

Thorondur, Lord Girithlin, has come home as well.

[Rorgomir(#19834)]

Whether by accident or intention, there comes trailing, almost in the wake of the Knight-Herald another tall man, though his strange manner of walking upon his wooden leg, and the wooden hand jutting so crookedly from his sleeve would mark him as less than even the insignia on his sash would suggest. So comes the old sea-captain Rorgomir into the great hall, but just barely, as he finds a place along the far wall to stand and observe.

[Rensathor(#30040)]

Standing proud and fair are the Knights of Amroth, faithful to their cause and to the Prince. Winged helm and tall form, they are ready to do defend their oath, and to find no fault with absence in needy times. However, one amongst them strides before the others, and kneels before the stone dias.

\"...mi\'lord, much has transpired since your leave. Much is there is to parlay, and too many have missed your judgement.\"

[Imrahil(#10108)] The Prince marches past his thanes and then comes at length before the Marble Throne. He turns and looks at one at all, with an especial gaze upon the Herald. He then sits and says setting his helm aside and picking up a circlet of silver, \"It is with heavy heart and most sad tide that I have come to resume my Lordship of this Land. For while I had tarried long, only the most egregious of tidings have come forth to whisper rumours in my ear as to expanse of the power of the East and South. Therefore, I bid you one and all, to speak and not with so much a restrained tongue as would courtly custom advise, but as men true to their Lord.\"

[Thorondur(#13821)]

\"Then let it not ever be said that the Son of Echorion has a slow tongue, my Prince,\" cries the Herald gladly, and the ringing joy of his voice lifts many a heart. Who among this brotherhood cannot remember the wonder and the works of his youth? And it is not so long past as that, these twelve years gone.

\"I bring tidings from Rohan, where our allies of the Riddermark yet ride free beneath the Sun.\"

Imrahil looks to this knight who kneels before him and says, \"Much to parle indeed faithful one. And none so near to my heart as to know what betides in this land. Arise then and speak if you will.\"

[Imrahil(#10108)]

\"Have I ever said else-wise Mighty Girithlin?\" says the Prince, \"For in that tongue lies the rumour of the Sea.\"

[Imrahil(#10108)] \"Yet speak on as is your wont,\" says the son of Adrahil, now leaning back into his seat of power, \"What of the Rohirrim? How fares swift Theoden and his son?\"

[Thorondur(#13821)]

And it is so, that Thorondur speaks with the lilting accent of these lands so near the wave, but so do the others, and the Prince himself. It is another Sea and wider of which Imrahil speaks, and the Herald bows his head, knowing it, in grave respect. \"Nay, Your Grace. But glad is my heart to smell the Bay once more, when I have been too long away upon seas of naught but grass and reed.\"

[Rorgomir(#19834)]

Silent and grim stands the captain of the sea, still and proud, for the Prince has indeed returned. Not a regular member of the court himself, he seems satisfied to watch from afar this day and only but look upon his leige and listen as those among his court make their speech.

[Imrahil(#10108)]

\"Seas to one are blue, and another green,\" says Imrahil. \"Yet even so both adhere to the Laws of Men. Indeed my heart hears you swift Girithlin, and by no lesser measure can aught be said of the love of Men for the Sea.\"

[Rensathor(#30040)]

The Knight nods curtly to Thorondur and Imrahil. After pausing for a moment, and listening, he starts. \"Osgiliath burns, and the Enemy stretches forth his hand. Corsairs are awash on the sea, and lights of distress can be seen in the distance, Master Rorgomir would have more knowledge of that.\" He pauses.

\"The youngest of our Order -- Durandir, has taken it upon himself to ride to the ruins himself with a few chosen, to bring tides of goodwill to the Men of the North. He is there even now.\"

[Thorondur(#13821)]

\"The love of Men, verily--or the Elves, lord, of whom much is whispered but little remembered in this darkened Age. But know this, as I have seen it: Old things are waking again.\"

Thorondur says this into the silence that greets this news of Durandir. \"I too have news--not fair, but fey, if not dark. A child lives among the Rohirrim who has the true sight.\"

[Imrahil(#10108)]

\"Little aid,\" says Imrahil at length, \"Can we give to those that fight on the east marches, yet maybe it is our duty even so. Whither is Rorgomir?\"

\"For this you are blessed Girithlin to go where the peril of Men lieth, but come back changed only if more fair,\" he now says to Thorondur, \"Yet even so, the Elves may not bring us aid or to that of our kin in Minas Tirith.\"

[Maedhromir(#22292)]

With hair of the purest alabaster gilded golden by the rays of the sun -- even as mighty Caradhras in lands far distant from fair Dol Amroth by the Sea -- he steps forth from those gathered hither to stand by the Prince\'s side.

Maedhromir the Old, first among the Isilrim, counsellor still if warrior no more -- tall and proud even in the winter of his life, comes yet again to serve the Prince, as he ever has through all the long years.

[Rensathor(#30040)]

\"...the true sight? Such should not be happening in perilous times -- but perhaps it is a good omen, and will bring aid to our cause.\" The Knight looks dubiously at Thorondur, and shakes his head.

Suddenly hearing something, he turns around, and looks seeing Maedhromir and Rorgomir. \"Here are two you seek mi\'lord -- let us hope they may bring better news of good, not dispair...\"

[Thorondur(#13821)]

\"So might the Son of Ecthelion say, upon his high seat beneath the Tower of Guard,\" retorts Thorondur, throwing his shoulders back and gazing almost defiantly upward upon his Prince. \"Yet you have charged me to speak as Men ought, and so I shall: All aid is not found in strength of arms. And the Prince of Dol Amroth must know that the East is mighty, and aswarm with swarthy brutes. It may be wisdom will serve us better than steel in our trials ahead.\"

[Rorgomir(#19834)]

With a shake of his head as his own name falls from the Prince\'s lips, the one-legged captain peels himself from teh wall and begins to make his slow way forward. \"I am here, My Prince,\" comes ringing the clear voice of Rorgomir, \"but to do thy bidding.\"

[Thorondur(#13821)]

With that, the Herald Girithlin falls silent, and chances a look to find who might speak thus, of a child and the true sight of which he himself has spoken.

[Imrahil(#10108)] \"Even in despair our hopes shall be uplifted,\" says Imrahil. \"For our we not Men of Numenor and from despair comes hope?\"

\"Wisdom will win in such matters Girithlin, if we knew what this wisdom would bring,\" says Imrahil now to Girithlin. \"What counsel would you give to us therefore?\"

Then on a nonce a glance at Rorgomir, \"Ah. Rorgomir, still hale no doubt, what tidings can you judicously speak to those present?\"

[Rensathor(#30040)]

\"Perhaps, mi\'lord Thorondur. Maybe you have been too long away to know that steel is our only defence against the shadow, and wisdom has failed many times hence against that.\" The Knight steers himself clear, and also brings his gaze to the peg-legged Sea Captain, a faint smile catching his face.

Thorondur holds his tongue a moment, waiting to speak \'til all others fall silent--though his eyes, sharp and sapphirine, mark whomever this contrary knight might be for certain chastizing.

Imrahil looks to the others and says with laughter, \"I fear that in my need for news I have spoke too liberally. Let us first hear the tidings of Rorgomir, then if Thorondur would allow, tell us what holds his mind?\"

[Thorondur(#13821)] The Lord herald inclines his head, acceding to this course of action.

[Rorgomir(#19834)]

\"Judiciously, My Prince?\" asks the aging captain, when finally he doth speak. \"Nay, I would not suppose myself to be a judge in other than matters of the sea and surf and wind. There is nothing of the weight of the news My Prince recieves from the Northern reaches of Gondor, yet I would report that not a fortnight hence, the men of the Hyarmentir took a smuggler with two tons of Mumak ivory in her hold. Of the Black Captain of the South, I have neither seen nor heard a thing.\"

[Imrahil(#10108)] \"Where is the cargo now?\" asks Imrahil, shifting in his seat slightly as if to indicate a change of thought. \"And how many were slain?\"

[Rorgomir(#19834)]

\"In the main, it has been brought to your coffers, My Prince,\" speaks the captain in his slow lilted way, \"in accordance with your wishes in such things. Nine and twenty were aboard the smuggler, if her log can be trusted at all, My Prince. And of them ten and five were slain outright, the rest taking to the rail and the mercy of Ulmo.\" Then does Rorgomir scratch his chin, \"From the Hyarmentir were lost but seven and four wounded. By the time we rounded everything up and took the vessel into tow, My Prince, not was to be seen of those that went overboard in their haste to escape your wrath.\"

[Imrahil(#10108)] \"Alas for the slain,\" says the Prince. He then says, \"Let this be decreed: To the widows and children of the slain men of the Hyarmentir, let one fourth part of the treasure be used to give to them as recompense for their losses. Let the rest then be used to grant relief to the farmers and husbandmen of the coast, who have lost much in these days. As for you Rorgomir, I thank you for bringing this to my attention, and in reaction, the sea guard must be redoubled. Let it be known that for the head of Khazamr the Black, I offer a royal reward of ten golden florins, dead or alive.\"

[Rorgomir(#19834)]

\"All will be done in accordance to My Prince\'s wishes,\" nods the aging captain as he begins to back away from the Prince. \"I shall see to it at once.\" Then, with a short awkward bow, the one-legged captain pivots and begins the long march toward the door with a purpose to his limp.

[Thorondur(#13821)]

\"The man\'s head, to hear it told, is ugly enough alive,\" comes the dry quip, inevitably from the Lord Thorondur. Smiling wryly, the Herald adds, \"I can\'t imagine it should look any worse on a pike above the gates. Why, it might even improve his complexion.\"

Imrahil nods and then turns his head to Thorondur clutching the arms of his seat so that the knuckles whiten, \"Aye, but it will not after the crows feast upon it. Now Thorondur, tell me what counsel you would give.\"

[Thorondur(#13821)]

\"Firstly, I would remind His Grace that if we swear to bring him any more heads, we had ought build ourselves a few Towers of Umbar in the courtyard,\" says Thorondur with the flippancy he is known for. That youthful grin betrays his jest, however. \"After all, we should soon have Dubhglas, and this Khazamr, and Adrazor himself if we succeed in all these endeavours.\"

First pausing to let the nervous laughter die down, the Herald then explains, \"But I spoke before of wisdom, and though this brother of mine may question me,\" he indicates Rensathor with a gesture, \"I ask you, my Prince: Did not our ancestors ever snatch victory from the jaws of defeat by craft other than steel?\"

[Imrahil(#10108)] \"You are learned Thorondur Girithlin,\" says the Prince. \"I ponder your words, but as you say so, I ponder not the heads of our foes, but your latter speech. All of history has shown us that strength can only suffice when it is mighty enough, such as were written in the chronicles of the Fall of Mordor. Yet to what end do you argue?\"

[Thorondur(#13821)]

\"I say that it may be our hope lies in faith and the strength of spirits, that the Valar may yet save us as they have in Ages gone,\" counsels the Knight-Herald, spreading his hands wide in a gesture of supplication as he steps forward before the throne. \"The Eldar say Manwe cast down his guardianship with the coming of the Great Armada, but I ask you this, now: Who are these great Eagles of the north, if not his messengers?\"

[Imrahil(#10108)]

\"It is said thus in the histories Lord Herald,\" says Imrahil rubbing his chin, \"And as your name says, you give them much thought. Yet to what end? Surely you would not think of them pleading our case to the Lords of the West?\"

[Thorondur(#13821)]

\"No ship of ours can find the Hither Shore,\" answers Thorondur, simply.

[Imrahil(#10108)] \"But the Valar have left Men to their own devices for many an age!\" says Imrahil. \"Though our times are hard. Where do these eagles of the North dwell?\"

[Thorondur(#13821)]

\"I do not know, and maybe only wizards can say,\" answers Thorondur, his face troubled for the first time since he entered the hall.

[Thorondur(#13821)]

\"I do not know, and maybe only wizards can say,\" answers Thorondur, his face troubled for the first time since he entered the hall. \"Yet it is known they nest high in the Hithaeglir, the Misty Mountains west of Anduin, north of the Riddermark. Mayhap a man of steadfast mien and hearty spirit can find them.\"

[Imrahil(#10108)]

The son of Adrahil sighs, \"Hard would it be to lose a Man on such an errand, hopeless as it might seem, and wild. Yet, on this measure we can take the risk. Who among my knights will go?\"

Thorondur does not waver, but suggests in his voice, strong and young and clear, \"It may be, Your Grace, that where one man could fail, a band will succeed.\"

Imrahil nods and says, \"So be it! Yet ere such Men are chosen, thought must be given to who shall go. Even though this errand be wild, it should not be wildly done. In three nights hence, let us go to the tombs and pay respects to the Dead, then we shall do what we might.\"

Imrahil rises from his seat, \"With that said, I shall now go see the schenescal and conduct some matters that must be seen to.\"

Thorondur bows his head, and falls to a knee. Raising an arm in salute, he cries, \"Let it be done according to thy will, my Prince!\" And just as quickly does he rise, and step back into the sudden thron of knights who would question him, and put their names forward, but Thorondur can only shake his head.