(Archive) Rorgan and the Wolf\'s Fleece Part XVII

October 25, 1999

Pacing inside the Commander\'s tent is Lady Aearwen, envoy of the Prince of Dol Amroth. Her hands nervously smooth the pleats in her dress repeatedly as she paces back and forth. Soft words slip from her lips as she appears to be talking to herself. The cool blue eyes of this woman glance to the tent flap and then away as she walks back and forth. Pausing for a moment, she draws in a long, deep breath and closes her eyes.

[Theodred(#9177)] There are voices outside, \"No, Athelhelm you return and see that the horses are ready. Meanwhile, I will speak with the Commander of the men of Mundburg\" Then, rumor of steps and then it is Theodred entering the tent, with long, hurried strides \"Galdorim? Galdorim? Ah, Lady...\" He stops as he finds someone, but seemingly not who he expected. He bows at the waisf \"Be hale and good morn to you. Excuse this intrusion, I sought the Lieutenant...\"

Her pale face flushing as Prince Theodred enters the tent, Aearwen nods her head and curtsies to the heir of the House Eofor. \"Good morn to you, your highness.\" Motioning to a chair, she says, \"Galdorim is away seeing to the movement of the healers tent and setting up a trap for the warg.\" Her fingers lace in front of her as she asks, \"Do you have time for us to discuss the recent events of unhappiness that have marred our visit to your land?\"

[Theodred(#9177)] Surprised by those words when he was starting to utter some polite farewell, Theodred\'s mouth lingers open yet for the same instant that in his brow a furrow appears. Immediately, however, his features are smoothed again and he nods \"Certainly, Lady. I have matters to discuss with the Lieutenant. yet I do not deem any of them more important that anything that may harm the long friendship of our peoples. What part of those events you wish to discuss?\"

Before she speaks of the matters of importance, Aearwen inquires, \"May I order you some refreshement before we begin?\" Waiting for the Prince to be seated, she says with simplicity, \"Honor, friendship, loyalty and the ancient bond between our two lands would have me speak of the insults spoken by Lord Bragollach.\"

[Theodred(#9177)] The easing in Theodred\'s countenance is almos visible as the words \"insults\" is pronounced. Seated, as the Lady indicated, she motions for her to be seated as well as she speaks \"Auspicious omen for our conversation, Lady. For now I see you know those words for what they are... and that you wish to have word about them shows you know also how damaging they may be.\" He even allows a gentle,if brief, smile to flash \"As for refreshment, whatever you desire suits me well enough\"

Turning to her assistant, Aearwen orders an assortment of refreshments to be served. Her eyes cut to the guard standing inside the tent flap and her words are firm, \"Please stand guard outside of this tent and see that no one enters, save the Commander himself.\" Settling herself into the chair across from Prince Theodred, her soft blue eyes gaze at the man across from her as the she speaks, sincerity clearly written in every line on her face. \"My heart has been saddened by the insults spoken to your people.\" Her head shakes at those words as her hand comes to her breast, \"In here, they are not just your people, they are mine as well. Since coming to Rohan, I have spent much time with such a vast assortment of people. The first night in Edoras, I met and spoke to many in the Sleeping Stallion Inn, welcoming conversation with all walks of life. My line is of a noble one, but my heart welcomes everyone, noble or common.\" Sighing softly as she continues, \"During the wake for the Drihten of Forensvale, my words and arms offered comfort all through the night. My tears flowed with those of his people as they expressed their sorrow of his loss, their pain was felt deeply by my heart.\" Raising eyes bright with emotion she says, \"My love of the Rohirrim is sincere and heartfelt, but you must know, Indilzar is my kin.\", letting those words sink in, she pauses in her conversation.

[Theodred(#9177)] \"A net of of many loyalties is the life of Men: to rightful liege-lord, to countrymen... to kin, aye\" After a pondering silence, Theodred speaks slowly, absently almost and his gaze wanders trough the tent until it falls upon battle-banners and standards and remains there. His right hand comes up to stroke his grey-flecked beard \"Fortunate he for whom all threads pull always in the same direction... Your kin, you say.... You know not that my father\'s mother was a Lady of Gondor? The blood of Morwen of Lossarnach, lawful Thengel\'s wife, runs through my veins....\" He sighs and, squarinf his shoulders, goes on \"Yet all those loyalties, must be, much as our people\'s friendship, kept and maintained by rightful deed and rightful word...\"

Nodding in agreement as she listens to the words of Theoden, solemn eyes locked on his face. A soft smile curves her lips as he mentions Morwen, a Dunadan of Gondor, \"It was for that very reason that I mentioned my own bloodlines, your highness.\" A frown furrows her brow as she obviously struggles for words, \"Truthfully, I know not how to say these next words and I humbly beg your forgiveness as I stumble through what I feel must be said. This is my first diplomatic trip outside of Gondor and I lack the experience, but not the heartfelt desire.\" A soft laugh slips from her lips, \"Now that you know I am a bit nervous, I shall continue. Nothing quite like laying your own vulnerability on the table.\", eyes twinking as she says. \"Seriously, I had hoped Lord Indilzar would retract the words spoken and make an apology to all of those involved. And then to add insult to injury, the words spoken by his squire, in defence of Indilzar, but against the House Eofor, cannot continue to unaddressed.\" Softly blowing out a long breath, she looks at the Prince for a moment as she continues, \"I, humbly ask for forgiveness for all insults spoken against the Rohirrim people. My request is as envoy for Imrahil, the Prince of Dol Amroth. He holds sacred the tie that binds our lands and will see that Indilzar is addressed for the remarks made by not only himself, but those of his squire.\"

Theodred\'s hand leave his beard to become a fist where he rest his chin as, with silent attenttion, he follows the Lady\'s speech. Again the shadow of a smile tugs briefly at his mouth\'s corner \"Should most of your diplomacy happen to be in the Mark, you might well find such lack of experience your greatest asset. For though we are loth to weave veils of bright words ourselves, we do see through those that other spin, and over words we value the hearts where they come from\" He leans back on his seat \"And that is why I shall ask no further oath nor guarantee of that which you just assured me: your word, nay, your heart suffices. Because of that, I shall cease pursuing this matter for now and until I hear again from you, or rather the Prince through you....\" Now he let\'s his contained smile grow to a somewhat mischievous grin \"... because of that, and because thre has been public, loud apology, and rebuttal and scorn of Lord Indilzar, by the Lieutenant and others, that even the last of my Riders has seen or heard of...\" He sighs, now actually taking one of the refreshments \"Lady: I never doubted of the Prince, nor of you, or so many others... But there are not many in Rohan that know our friends of the Stoningland as I do... \"

Mail Message Number 13 (Message ID #: 572278)

FROM: Theodred - Fri Oct 29 18:34:14 1999

SUBJECT: ALONG THE MISTIES: Words

MESSAGE:

\"The Oath itself was made of words\" Thus spoke GLEOWINE, Loremaster of Rohan, Theoden\'s scop and his dictum was wise. For words, spoken and understood, perhaps, in haste, threatened the pledge of friendship and alliance between Gondor and Rohan, unbroken for the lives of seventeen Kings of the Mark.

Rohan came to be by the Oath. Perhaps that is why words are rarely light for its folk, from the King to the last peasant. And, thus, perceived insult in the speech of some INDILZAR, Lord Bragollach, of Dol Amroth was deeply grieved by the Rohir that with the Men of Gondor attempt to end the warg menace. Apologies were urgently demanded. By KEROWYN, Theoden\'s sister-daughter, and Lord FIORDOR of Dunlostir, among others, and mild, soothing words that sought to make little of Indilzar\'s saying were seen as not enough. And thus, fed by gossip and rumor, an estrangement grew and it even seemed that the banners of the Tree and the Horse now would not willingly go to battle together as ever before. And in this way, from words came a test of the bonds between the two peoples.

Yet, at the same time men of both nations, such as GALDORIM, RORGAN, COLINOR and others, labored to restore the friendship and calls to patience and restraint were issued from both sides. They were apparently heeded, but if they healed resentment was doubtful. It was not until the proud Indilzar received some public admonition from Galdorim and Rorgan when he was faced by DOLWYR, a Rohir lad, that some of the old comradeship started to return. It however, led to Indilzar\'s angered and hasty departure from the camp.

And, finally, one day the Lady AEARWEN, envoy of Prince Imrahil, spoke at length with THEODRED son of Theoden. She offered her own regret, sincere apologies and vehement protests that unfailing friendship and respect dwelled on the hearts of the Men in Dol Amroth and of the Prince himself. That the Lord Bragollach, although her kin, spoke but for himself and was not example. She also expressed her hope that her lack of word-skill would not hinder the conveyance of her true meaning. Theodred replied that the Men of the Mark could often tell sincerity apart from eloquence. That he harbored no doubts on those matters himself, but that his worry was if it would now be so, he went on saying, for all the Men of the Mark. He admitted, however, that, in that regard, the public actions of Rorgan and Galdorim could suffice for now. Further redress and action by the Prince himself, Aearwen also assured to Theoden\'s son, which he graciously accepted, declaring, in turn, that neither he, nor those with him, would pursue this sad matter any more for now. And so what started with words ended too with them. The rift seems mended, at least while more pressing business are at hand.

. And so what started with words ended too with them. The rift seems mended, at least while more pressing business are at hand.