(Archive) The Seneschal

======================== Steward\'s Reckoning ========================

IC time is: Late Night < About 3:55 AM >

IC day is: Anarya

IC date is: 2 Narvinye

Moon phase: Waning Gibbous

Earendil: Gil-Estel is not visible.

IC year is: 3019 TA

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RL time: Wed Dec 08 21:18:27 1999

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*Note - Log supplied by Borgilas*

[Imrahil]

Sparkling diamonds set in sable velvet, veiled by the faintest breath of drifting, gossamer mists -- the stars of Elbereth shine brightly this night, beacons to those who must dwell in the darkness of Arda. And bathed in their gentle light, truly a garden of Yavanna this place seems, flower and tree and vine rarely seen, drawn together here -- the famed Hanging Gardens.

Silent and still with not even the faint sounds of the Citadel to trouble it, the lush gardens lie empty in dappled shadows and argent light.

[Borgilas]

Wrapped in a thick cloak to ward of the chill, clear air of early morn in the infancy of the year, Borgilas\' breath streams away from him in great clouds, lost amid the wisps that rise from the aqueducts--yea, and the very trees themselves, fed with the warm water that keeps them hale and hardy even in winter\'s chill. He eyes the dimly lightening eastern sky as false pre-dawn approaches, where Earendil\'s star lights the way for Anar to come.

[Imrahil]

But then...

A faint breath, the crunching of snow under a man\'s foot, and a sudden radiance floods forth from the shadows, and revealed in it stands a tall man and lordly, with hair of raven and eyes of grey.

Even as a stone crafted by the smiths of old in ages long past is the gem upon Imrahil\'s brow, and it gathers the light ere sending it sparkling forth -- and now, dim figures can be discerned thither. As statues they might have seemed in the gloom, but no men of marble these. For they turn as the lone Knight draws nigh, and mail and helm glint fiercely.

[Borgilas]

The figure wrapped in its cloak--black as old blood under the wan light of the Star-queen\'s fires--shifts to espy what might make the noise--and lo! His breath catches for a moment, and then bursts forth in a great gusting cloud. \"My liege,\" comes a soft, rasping voice. \"Or perhaps a shade from far-off Numenor, here to punish an old warhorse for failing in his sleep and rising even before the Sun herself?\"

[Imrahil]

\"Punish another for that which I do myself?\" and he steps forth now, great cloak of rich blue drawn close, a smile half-seen upon his visage in the shadows -- the Prince of Dol Amroth. And he motions back the silent ones, and they fade into the shadows again, unseen, yet ever vigilant.

\"Nay, that would be ill done indeed! Come, walk a while with me if you would.\"

[Borgilas]

A pause of several moments, and the sound of a lonely ship\'s bell rings out the hour, carrying over the waves of the sea that lies southward beyond the shadowed verdure. \"Whether shade or Prince, to walk in thy company is ever an honor, my liege. In sooth, I have sought thee for some several days, that I might speak with thee in private over recent...\" he pauses, and the starlight glitters on his lips while his tongue wets them, \"altercations.\" As he speaks, he falls in stride with the Prince, though somewhat awkwardly--his silver-shod cane, held by a single hand, emerges from the folds of his black cloak to aid him.

[Imrahil]

\"Altercations...\" and the Prince falls into silence then, his tread firm and measured -- strange indeed to see beside the Knight, and yet, he keeps pace with him.

And then, a sudden glance to the one beside him, and keen and bright, Imrahil\'s eyes glitter in the starlight, \"What trouble has risen afresh between you and the Lord-Herald?\"

[Borgilas]

Ever lighter grows the eastern sky, so that the stars all fade--and yet brightly still does Earendil\'s Lantern shine. A handful of the bolder birds have begun to stir in the greenery around the two men--mostly those of hardier winter variety. The Bragollach pauses as the title of Girithlin is spoken aloud, and his cloak falls open. A red-breasted cardinal settles on the branch of rowan directly above him, their colorings the same. \"Afresh, my liege? None, for we have not spoken since shortly after the first Convocation of my kin here in the citadel--over a fortnight. And yet I do not think either of our words--or deeds...\" he darkens slightly, \"Have been forgotten.\" He tilts his head. \"My lordship knoweth of the substance of our disagreement?\" he inquires, though it seems he already knows the answer. Above him, the cardinal tilts her head as well.

[Imrahil]

Inclining his head faintly, the Prince halts now -- and in his wake, his footprints are clear to see in the thin snow. And in the stark marks of his feet, splashes of green -- for this is fair Belfalas by the sea, and even though Winter be a jealous mistress, the land blooms in her spite.

Seating himself upon a stone bench kept thither by an arch, he motions to the Bragollach to do likewise, \"But I would hear in your words all that came to pass that day.\"

[Borgilas]

A sigh of weariness and resignation, bundled with no small measure of relief emerges in a steaming exhalation as the Red Knight does as his Prince bids, lowering himself slowly, cane held on the ground between widespread knees, gloved hands clasped atop it.

\"Thou knowest full well that the Lord Indilzar hath gone from Dol Amroth. Whither or why, he did not tell me...\" there is a moment as the Bragollach eyes the Prince curiously--it is plain to see that he wonders just what the Lord of Dol Amroth knows or discerns of this--\"...and the matter of the house\'s succession is in dispute. This was my purpose in calling the Convocation.\" A pause, and the cardinal hops down to peck unheeded at a fir-cone that lies half-buried in the snow next to one of Borgilas\' red-leather boots. \"Not all in the house agreed that I should be made Lord in Indilzar\'s stead, as I had proposed--the lady Gweneth sought counsel from thy son, when the Girithlin, as is his wont, intruded and confiscated a letter of some relevance and import.\" He pauses now, to hear any words the Prince might have, and to catch his breath in the cool crystalline morning.

[Imrahil]

\"Lord Indilzar will come again to Belfalas when he deems the time fit\", and the Prince dismisses the matter with a curt wave of his hand. \"So the Girithlin took the letter which you would say was yours by right -- and what words passed between you then?\"

[Borgilas]

Growing hesitant now, Borgilas chooses his words with care. \"I found out not then, but perhaps a day or two afterward...I confess to a fury that is the mark of my blood. I sought out the Girithlin and had harsh words with him. This I do not repent, and yet...\" He swallows, then, \"He was with a woman of Rohan. I remember not her name, save that I had seen her and spoken to her a brace of times before while the Girithlin toyed with her. I...\" another swallow, and the Cardinal glances upwards at its nervous doppleganger, \"I besmirched her virtue in casting aspersions on the Girithlin\'s own past. I did not know at first that she was there, and when the words were said, the could not be unsaid. I have tried to make amends, but she will not hear me. I grieve for this, but it is past...and even My Lord knoweth the Girithlin\'s propensity for womanizing--banned from court, breaking thy daughter\'s heart--and perhaps her mind...\" he stops, suddenly, aware that he treads on dangerous ground. Not snow, now, perhaps, but treacherous black ice. The bird moves away from Bragollach on some new errand.

[Imrahil]

Pale fingers of dawn creep across the sky, and Tirion fades into the west even as Anar comes forth from the East -- for it is ever his Doom to follow ceaselessy the one he longs for but may never reach. And the cardinal rises into the sky in a flurry of feathers, startled by a sudden motion from the Prince.

In the faint flush of dawn, he is fully revealed -- stern and regal -- and with a face drawn with weariness, and shadowed eyes in which burns a bitter knowledge, \"You will seek out this Lady of Rohan, and you will ask her forgiveness whether your pride wills it or no. Have you aught to say to this?\"

[Borgilas]

Borgilas nods. \"I did this shortly afterwards, milord. She would hear neither my words nor my explanation for them, and would accept no apology. There was naught else for me to do.\" His tone is faintly dejected, and he does not meet Imrahil\'s gaze.

[Imrahil]

\"Then you will do so again, until she pays heed to your words\", and cold and stern such that the chill of the winter wind fades before it, seems Imrahil\'s voice. But he pauses then, and turns to the dawn with a deep breath.

Long moments pass thus, ere he stirs, motioning to one among the High Guard who comes forth. To him, the Prince speaks softly, and the mail-clad man bows and departs, and with his leaving, to Borgilas the Son of Adrahil looks, cloaked again in calm command, \"Never have I sought to meddle in the matters of the Houses,and I will not do so now.\"

[Borgilas]

Borgilas inclines his head. \"Thus the wisdom of thy line is again proved. And yet, Girithlin would act with thy Voice...\"

[Imrahil]

\"I will speak with the Girithlin. Indeed...\", and rising, the Prince looks now to Borgilas with arched brow, his tone thoughtful, \"...I would have speech with both of you. A summons will be sent in but a few days.\"

And through the arched gateway steps the one who had been sent upon an errand, and he makes his waay swiftly towards the two.

[Borgilas]

Borgilas nods. \"If I am not here, milord, thou may\'st find me at Linhir, at the Knight-Captain\'s seat there.\" Borgilas eyes the Knight curiously as he speaks.

[Imrahil]

\"That is well\", and yet, even as the Prince speaks to Borgilas, it is upon the Knight that his gaze rests intently. And now, the tall man comes to halt before Imrahil, and he bows -- and he bears a finely-carved casket in his arms, wrought of fair lebethron.

Borgilas arches his brows at this, curious. He shifts in his seat but does not rise, as some of the night\'s frost liquefies in the glare of the morning\'s fire.

[Imrahil]

Slowly, the Prince reaches forth and opens the casket -- and a sudden fire flares within, burning brighter for being trapped within.

Thither, nestled in folds of velvet lies a cross wrought of silver and of the finest craftsmanship, and it sparkles crimson and argent in the rosy light of dawn.

\"Kneel before me, Borgilas of the Bragollach!\"

[Borgilas]

Borgilas blinks in sudden astonishment. He lurches forward from his bench, and both knees strike hard the frosted ground of the gardens--a wince shows the pain, but he does not cry out, his cane leaning forgotten against a bench. He does not take his eyes from the gleaming bauble which the Prince holds bathed in the light of the sun.

[Imrahil]

Raising the cross, the Prince holds it on high for long moments ere turning to the kneeling man -- and then, he stoops and sets it upon the Knight\'s breast.

And drawing back a pace, he speaks sternly, \"Rise, Borgilas of the Bragollach, Swan-Knight of Dol Amroth...and Seneschal of Dol Amroth!\"

[Borgilas]

A face blank of any emotion but pure astonishment gazes at the Prince--or rather stares at him--for long moments, and then down at the sigil he now bears. \"This is...unexpected, Highness,\" quietly. He glances \'round, then, spying his cane beyond the reach of his arms, and with a grimace makes his way painfully up without its aid.

[Imrahil]

\"And yet, not undeserved -- for few have served me as the Bragollach, and none among that House, more steadfastly than have you\", and gravely, the Prince aids the Knight to his feet. And he looks to the East then, whither the Sun rides high now, \"But the day draws on, and my duties await me. Seek me out and we will speak of your new tasks. Namarie, Borgilas of the Bragollach!\"

And turning, swiftly he strides from the lush gardens, his Knights around him, and he, the tallest in their midst.

[Borgilas]

Borgilas calls out, as the man turns to leave, \"My thanks, my liege...\" his voice cracked and more filled with emotion than the usual gravel, as he stands admiring the newfound sigil of rank and office...while on a nearby branch, his cardinal familiar seems to have found a large walnut, pecking merrily away at it in the shadowed mists of the branch...

Fin

12:46 PM

ound a large walnut, pecking merrily away at it in the shadowed mists of the branch...

Fin

12:46 PM