Hands and Tongues
A tale freshly told of the Gondorian
The Lord Arathis confronts the Lord Curugil.
[Arathis]
From the heavens there is little light: clouds obstacle the moon, already thinned to a crescent. It is instead the dull brass of torchlight that marks the capital of Gondor.
So a cowled figure, his tall length wrapped in midnight hues, treads late into the House of High Lore. His footfall is unashamed, booming without contest in its hall.
[Curugil(#10108)] A page comes up to the man and says, \"May I help you Lord?\"
[Arathis]
\"Bring the Master of the House.\"
No quality of compromise rides the cowled figure\'s order.
[Curugil(#10108)]
\"Yes Lord,\" says the page thoroughly cowed. \"You may find him within. I believe he is by the statue of Vardamir.\"
[Arathis]
A shift of the figure\'s head dismisses the page.
With this, the fall of his boot, measured and full, grows towards the likeness of Vardamir.
And when he arrives, he is silent.
[Curugil(#10108)] The Lord Curugil Maethir Gildring is indeed by the statue of Vardamir Nolimon. In fact, he seems to be paying especial attention to the tengwar script below it. He mutters, \"Ah Vardamir Nolimon... greatest of Lore Masters. A model to us all... if only...\"
Curugil falls silent upon hearing the Lord Isilrim he turns. He brushes his tunic and then says, \"Well, Lord Arathis Isilrim. To what do I owe this dubious pleasure?\"
[Arathis]
Mirth is negated upon the visage of the Lord Isilrim, disclosed now from its cowl.
Such flatness assesses both the loremasters of stone and flesh wordlessly, thickening the air about him, ere coolly intoning in the tongue of the fallen: \"
\"I have asked you once without answer. And you speak much of her.\"
[Curugil]Curugil smiles and says, \"
\"
[Arathis]
\"And yet it was the doing of the Valar, by their might,\" retorts Arathis swiftly, stone visage sharing none the smile of the loremaster. He nears the Lord Gildring further.
\"Ar-Pharazon and his legion of the impious met their own fates. But the Land of Gift, first raised by the Valar, for what was it taken under the waves?\"
There is an impatience in his gaze, riveted terribly upon his interlocutor.
[Curugil(#10108)] \"If you wish the details,\" says Curugil. \"There is an excellent treatise I can refer you to written by Anarion. Yet, on the whole, it was the blasphemy of stepping on the shores of Aman.\"
\"Now surely you know this Lord Isilrim,\" says Curugil smiling. \"And I think, you have certain doubts about science and lore. That is understandable, for when strange deeds occur, then they are oft considered of ill-omen. Especially when strange things did occur, as they did the other night.\"
[Arathis]
A scowl from the Lord Isilrim, and his hand reaches to grasp the shoulder of the Lord Gildring. His grip is unkind and the space between his words sharp.
\"Those who challenged Aman under the banners of Ar-Pharazon met their own fates, Master of Lore, as I have said. And yet you tell me that the Isle of Gift--her women who ventured none on his ships, and those Faithful without the fortune of Andunie\'s sails--was thrust into the sea for the Usurper\'s sins alone.
\"Heed, fool!: You speak much of Numenor, but know little of her. You speak of her heights, yet know little of her fall. For there was no Justice that day, if Numenor was sunken for Pride.
\"The Valar broke their Gift because their Enemy remained upon its lands, which he corrupted, and came to first only by the charm of his words against righteous Men. It was our Enemy, with all his arts and talk of grandeur,--our Enemy who you do not meet upon the field--which claimed Numenor.
\"You practice his arts, and speak with his tongue and death too follows you as a shade.
\"But the righteous are not blind, Lord Gildring, and have understood their histories.\"
[Curugil(#10108)] \"A fool speaks and a sage is silent,\" says Curugil grimly. \"You are truly a fool. Do you think you can treat the Lord of the Gildring thusly? I am not one of your chattle retainers that you can strip of their trousers.\"
\"Nay,\" says Curugil. \"I see your heart is black, and if pride were to bespoke, then that is the pride of your house. For I have done naught, but show you courtesy at every need. But to come into this place of sanctity and accuse me of the Black Arts... I NEVER have been so insulted. You should open your mind instead of listening to false rumour. You are not your father.\"
He then says very softly as if gathering his patience, \"You are not from Minas Tirith. You are not a loremaster. I forgive you of that. Yet to come here... and say such things to me. You must apologize, or you will leave this House immediately.\"
[Curugil(#10108)]
The Lord Arathis, and the Lord Curugil stand by the steps of the High House in what seems to be a growing argument.
[Ceredir(#1394)]
A servant, perhaps oblivious to the heated words being exchanged here, has ushered in Ceredir. With a quick bow to the Lord Gildring, the servant hastens away, leaving the Master Scout just standing there to fend for himself. The result is that Ceredir blinks and tries to politely look about the room, even as he stands in the spot to which he was ushered.
[Arathis]
Only now do the tides of mirth come to Arathis\' features but they are fell and curved, angling his lips wryly.
\"Know, Master of Lore, that there are ears for your lies that both Black Hand and Black Tongue may be cleaved.
\"And that I would not betray the sword, to trumpet here loosely.\"
With a final pulse of force, he releases his grasp upon Lord Gildring\'s shoulder, and widens his eyes upon his interlocutor.
\"My ears have heard you: Gondor, you say, is in suicide. Yet you sit behind her warriors and would murder her. I shall not let you.\"
A frigid pause, and then the Lord Isilrim departs.
[Curugil]Curugil watches Arathis leave and then he looks at Ceredir for a moment. It is clear his face is ashen. He says, \"What an... idiot! I thought for a moment he\'d slay me on the spot. Whatever witchcraft has beset him it is most likely through the bottle. I will have none of this. I shall set forth a suit against him.\"
[Ceredir(#1394)]
\"What means he by this?\" Ceredir asks, mouth hanging open for several seconds as Arathis departs. \"I thought...I thought the Black Hand was a political movement of some sort, but...did you say Gondor is in suicide to him? Did I hear right?\" The questions come out in a rush.
[Curugil(#10108)]
\"Yes,\" says Curugil. \"I surely did say we were in suicide, and most clearly this is the case. If we cannot be united against the Enemy, then how are we not in suicide? What a fool. He comes from a warrior caste, and what I thought was an intelligent one -- at least his father was. Yet... well, I must do what all good civilians do when accosted by armed men. I must LITIGATE.\"
Curugil motions for a page to come over to him, \"Guillion. Bring paper and pen.\"
Curugil then says, \"Write this down...\"
He then says, \"My Lord Denethor,
I, Lord Curugil Maethir Gildring, would like to bring suit against the Lord Arathis Isilrim for slander. On the mid-afternoon of Orgilion - May 13, 3046. Arathis Isilrim demanded entry to the House of High Lore. He accused Curugil Gildring of practicing the black arts, named him a fool and threatened him by saying, \"Know, Master of Lore, that there are ears for your lies that both Black Hand and Black Tongue may be cleaved.\"
With your justice, and wishing to remain civilized in this matter, we hearby would press suit against him seeking justice and damages. We wait upon you at your pleasure.
Curugil Gildring\"
\"There,\" says Curugil taking the paper from the page and affixing his seal to it. \"Bring this to Hurin of the Keys and have a copy made for that foul-mouthed knight.\"
The page hurries off...
Curugil turns to Ceredir, \"I do apologize about this imbrologio.\"
[Ceredir(#1394)]
\"But...\" Ceredir watches as the page writes, the scout keeping his peace until the matter is done. \"But are we not united? Explain this to me? I am not wise to politics in this city...I do not have a family that taught me such.\"
[Midhwen(#29054)] Footsteps can be heard coming from the staircase and soon Midhwen appears, clutching a notebook and accompanied by scholar who appears to be explaining something to the young healer, to judge from the wild gesticulations.
�\"-but that is only under certain circumstances, of course. Good day, lady.\"
�Midhwen continues down the stairs alone as the scholar presumably returns to his studies.
[Curugil(#10108)]
\"I know not,\" sighs Curugil. \"Unfortunately, because of the occupations of my house, my kindred has been accused of such things before, despite our constant service to this land.\"
\"Learned anything?\" says Curugil. \"Not yet. For I have been occupied trying to get the House of High Lore back in order. There is of course much speculation...\"
Curugil looks up toward Midhwen as she comes down the stairs and says, \"Greetings Lady.\"
[Ceredir(#1394)]
\"It seems odd to me that the keeprs of the history and heritage of Numenor should be accused of such,\" Ceredir says a bit distantly, looking around as he speaks and then back to Curugil again. \"But I am certain the Steward will clear your name..and the name of your house. Those with...small minds cannot help but be superstitious and mistrusting of what they do not understand.\"
\"Midh..my lady,\" the scout corrects, with a smile. \"I did not know you were studying here, as well.\"
[Curugil(#10108)]
\"Thank you for your kind words Ceredir,\" replies Curugil. \"I am positively famished. Perhaps you would care to join me for something to eat. The lady as well of course.\"
He motions to the servants of the hall, \"Bring out a small table, bread, wine and meat.\"
[Midhwen(#29054)] \"Greetings Lord Gildring, Master Scout.\" Reaching the bottom of the stairs, Midhwen makes her way over to the two men. \"I was lucky enough to receive an token of entry. You have some fascinating books on the subject of healing, my Lord, but many are the languages used are unknown to me.\"
[Curugil(#10108)]
\"Yes,\" says Curugil smiling. \"We have works in Old Quenya, Adunaic, and also the Valarin. While I do not know all these languages, I am certain we have some translators.\"
[Midhwen(#29054)] \"What were you studying, Ceredir?\" While waiting for an answer from the Master Scout, Midhwen takes the opportunity to question the loremaster present. \"Are there any who teach these tongues, in addition to translating?\"
[Ceredir(#1394)]
\"Food and a chance to sit would be good,\" Ceredir says, \"so thank you, yes. \"
\"I have not studied anything. The Lady Menawa told me Lord Curugil wished to speak to me, so when I had a free moment, I stopped by. Menawa wishes to study the healing arts here, she said. And she will do some work in exchange for the Lord?\"
[Curugil(#10108)]
\"Yes,\" says Curugil. \"A lovely lady to be sure. I wanted to see if perhaps you were interested in working for me. I know you have a commitment to the Scouts, but the House of Lore is in need of protection.\"
[Midhwen(#29054)] \"I think it would be re-miss of me to not concentrate on Adunaic first, my knowledge of the tongue is poor, I\'m afraid.\" With a chagrined look at Curugil, Midhwen addresses Ceredir with a laugh. \"I am impressed she can find the time, alongside our duties, although of course our load is lighter within the city.\"
[Ceredir(#1394)]
\"Of course sir, yes, I am interested. Though what nature of work do you have in mind?\" Ceredir says. He smiles briefly at the Healer. \"You would be surprised how much free time some Healers can find now that they are back in the city.\" His tone is dry.
[Curugil(#10108)] \"Why lady,\" says Curugil. \"I know the perfect person! My sister Mogaen is an excellent teacher of Adunaic.\"
Curugil nods to Ceredir and says, \"Mostly guarding the House, and the scholars therein. But look, I have been trying to get special permission from Hurin of the Keys to assign members of the guards hither. I will give him your name if such a post interests you.\"
[Midhwen(#29054)] \"I am sure there will be more discipline introduced in a few weeks, those of us who returned from the campaign have a lighter schedule at the moment.\" A shrug is aimed at the Master Scout, but Curugil\'s announcement has her distracted. \"Truly? I would be glad to learn from her, if she has the time.\"
[Curugil(#10108)]
\"I shall draft a letter of reference for you to present to her,\" says Curugil to Midhhwen. \"Depending on her schedule she may be very accomodating.\"
\"A guard.....\" Ceredir falls silent while the other two speak. \"I could give some time sir...but I couldn\'t be counted on to be here full time, as I am pulled by other obligations in the Scouts. But, would that be enough? Or you have other tasks?\"
[Curugil(#10108)]
\"I am not sure what my sister may charge,\" says Curugil smiling. \"But you may ask her. The last student she had, it was gratis.\"
Curugil looks carefully at Ceredir, \"There may be other tasks to be sure. I have an errand coming soon that I might need trusted men to go afield for me, yet that might be a long mission.\"
[Midhwen(#29054)] \"I will contact her soon then, with your permission.\" Midhwen nods to both men and looks out of a window. \"It is must later than I anticipated, I lost some time in the library I\'m afraid. I must be off.\"
\"As for discipline,\" Ceredir says, returning briefly to the previous topic of conversation with Midhwen, \"I told Lady Menawa such, I assure you. Though it seems to me, more and more, that my words are not always clear.\"
He shrugs slightly, and, as Curugil answers his question, turns full attention to the Gildring lord. \"I see. Last year I was given leave to visit Rohan, and I do not see why they wouldn\'t do the same for other matters. And...other men of the Company have family duties that call them. My half brother Thingalad is Lieutenant of the Carmayar and a Master Scout. Surely he will need lengths of time for family business? I have no family...will they deny me the same priviledge, though?\"
Curugil rises from his seat to bid Midhwen good day, \"Farewell Midhwen, pray come to our House again.\"
He then looks at Ceredir, \"This is good news then! I shall be most happy to have your aid. I too, must get going. I have business to attend to, not the least of which is to contact my litigator, Jonnion Cochranomir.\"
\"My lord,\" Ceredir says, standing. \"Thank you again. I return to the barracks, Lady. Would you like an escort to your destination first, though?\"
[Midhwen(#29054)] \"Thank you Ceredir, I would be glad of an escort.\"