A conversation with a Knight

Belfalas: Edhellond Countryside - Near the Mouth of Morthond(#14087RVhnto)

The air is fresh and clean, bearing a sea-tang along with the frangrance of pines and cedars. From its beginnings far in the Ered Nimrais, the cold Morthond flows ever southward through this country that Men still call Elvenland, where only a short distance northeast of here it joins the mighty Ringlo.

This rolling grassland is moderately forested, and between the trees grows hedges and thickets here and there among the pastures are pockets dense woodlands. Once the site of an ancient Elvish harbour, this land still bears the name of Edhellond, or Elf-Haven here it was that the Eldar built their Swan Ships and set sail over the western sea, never to return. Long since abandoned by the Elves, this area still retains the blissful rumour of those fair folk in both its tall trees and its name.

Dol Amroth itself lies to the southwest, along the Men Ernil east of this place. To the west is the ferry across the Lond Cobas, travelling to the far bank of the Morthond, and Anfalas. Northward is a paved road winding through the Eryn Laegol, \'Greenmantle Wood\' once beloved by the Elves of this counry there is situated the lands and estate of the Lord of Edhellond. The town of Edhellond is located to the southwest along a grassy cart-path.

The Sun is climbing to Her zenith as the morning marches toward midday. The sky is a cloudless blue and a cool wind blows from off the Bay of Belfalas.

Elusul sits by the water close by the way that leads to the ferry west to Anfalas. People going about their business this morning pass him by as he enjoys his leisure time by tasting the sea airs brought in by the breeze.

The drum of hoofbeats in the distance grows louder then Conalmir pulls his mount to a halt near the knight. \"Good day, sir,\" he says. There are no longer any obvious signs of his injuries - his ribs yet are strapped lightly, but unseen beneath his tabard.

Elusul nods to the squire. \"Greetings to you. A fine day for a ride. Where are you headed?\"

\"Nowhere in particular,\" Conal replies. He swings down, holding the horse\'s reins - it drops its head and begins to eat. \"I\'d not realized we were so near to the sea.\"

\"Indeed.\" Elusul points out the sights. \"The river is over there and then there is the ferry over to Anfalas. The sea is a short way that way, the Bay of Edhellond.\"

The squire nods. \"It is passing strange,\" he comments. \"I have known Lominzil since we were children, pages at the Prince\'s court and yet, I have never been here.\"

I see.\" Elusul asks, \"Your business on Tolcrist was resolved to your satisfaction?\"

\"Yes, sir,\" Conalmir nods. \"I cannot remember where I heard there had been an attack, but all was well. My family is safe and unharmed.\" A pause. \"Thank you, sir.\"

Elusul gets to his feet. \"You have been made a blue squire. Do you think you are ready for the responsibilities that come with the rank?\"

\"I believe so, sir, but I do not know. I cannot know until I try, thus to succeed, or to fail and try again. I shall do the best that I can.\" Conalmir stands quietly, holding his mount\'s reins, and meeting Elusul\'s eyes evenly.

Elusul nods at this answer. \"I see. Well, it seems if you\'re interested in the sea, you had best serve in the fleet. Do you think you could handle such a position, an officer of one of the prince\'s vessels?\"

\"Yes, sir,\" Conalmir answers, his eyes beginning to glow. \"To serve in the fleet is what I have always desired. As for being an officer, I could learn... But I am attached to Sir Arathis, and he does not go to sea unless at final need, I am told.\"

Elusul narrows his eyes, watching Conalmir. \"It gives me little confidence when you say you could learn to be an officer. When I was your age, I was already a knight and had seen battle aboard the Lord Tarlanc\'s ship as one of his lieutenants. I /had/ to learn. So I\'ll ask again, do you think you have the makings of an officer?\"

Conal flushes, but holds his head up straight. \"Yes, sir,\" he answers firmly.

Elusul nods, looking a bit more satisfied. \"It has been brought to my attention, your desire, and if I find you worthy, you are to join my crew as my squire. You will serve as my lieutenant then.\"

The squire\'s face brightens. \"Sir!\" he says, fervently. \"Thank you.\"

Elusul looks unmoved by this display of emotion. \"What know you of the sea? Are you capable of handling a boat on your own?\"

\"Yes, sir. I have lived with the sea all my life. I can sail a small boat alone, or as crew on a larger one. I went to sea with my father some, before he was killed. I have never commanded a crew though,\" is Conalmir\'s reply.

This seems to satisfy Elusul. \"So you know basic seamanship. We fight at sea and leave the sailing to the sailing master. That is how it goes usually. But I prefer to learn the ways of the sea myself. Are you capable of finding your position using the sun and stars?\"

Conalmir shakes his head regretfully. \"I know our stars, sir, and which point to the north. I will not get lost in the ocean about Tolcrist. But that is all.\"

\"You have much then before you to learn. How to fight on land and sea, how to captain a ship, how to be a knight.\" Elusul pauses. \"The seven virtues are?\"

\"Yes, sir,\" Conalmir says. He pauses, looking up to the side, and then recites, \"Honesty, Loyalty, Justice, Compassion, Courage, Humility and Hope.\"

Elusul listens to the recitation. \"When you are finished, you will know what they all mean and how to live them so that recitation will be second nature.\"

\"Yes, sir,\" Conalmir answers again. His horse tugs at the reins, reaching for a an enticing tuft of grass a little out of reach.

Elusul turns back to look at the water, but he thinks of something else to ask, \"You then know how to swim, yes?\"

Conalmir grins, as at some memory. \"Yes, sir,\" he answers readily. \"Since I was very small.\"

Elusul walks over to Conalmir and takes the reins of the horse from him. \"This is a fine mount. Where did you find such a specimen?\"

\"It is from the Girithlin stables. I asked the lad there if there was one I could ride this morning. He is a fine fellow, though horses are not my favorite.\" Conal relinquishes the reins.

Elusul swings up into the saddle and nods. \"Walking is important. So is running. I will see you shortly.\" He smiles for the first time, but slightly, as he wheels around and then gives the horse a good kick in the flanks to get off to a trot.

\"Yes....\" Conalmir looks astonished, staring after the knight for a long moment as he makes off with the horse. \"...sir.\"