A Traitor Sentenced

Tower of Ecthelion: Great Hall

Before you stretches a deep hall, lit by recessed windows in the wide aisles at either side, beyond the rows of tall

pillars which uphold the roof. Monoliths of black marble, they rise to great capitals carved in many strange figures of

beasts and leaves and far above in shadow the wide vaulting gleams with dull gold, inset with flowing traceries of

many colors. No hangings nor storied webs, nor any things of woven stuff or wood, are to be seen in this long solemn

hall but between the pillars there stands a silent company of tall images graven in cold stone: an avenue of kings

long dead.

At the far end upon a dais of many steps is set a high throne under a canopy of marble shaped as a crowned helm behind

it is carved upon the wall and set with gems an image of a tree in flower. At the foot of the dais, upon the lowest

step which is broad and deep, there sits a stone chair, black and unadorned: the seat of the Steward. Also in the

shadows unseen, yet felt in presence of will and resolve, are lined the many Citadel Guards who keep watch upon this

most sacred of chambers.

[Denethor(#20260)]

Clouds crown Mindolluin, billowing around the Tower of Ecthelion and hiding its beacon from the eyes of Gondor. Rain

splashes over the Place of the Fountain, dripping from the naked branches of the White Tree and splashing the waters at

its feet.

The rain drums out the usual bustle of the court of Denethor, filling the Great Hall with silence, witnessed by the

graven images of kings long dead, and the Citadel Guardsmen in their winged mithril helms standing at every column in

between. At the far end, upon the lowest seat of the dias, beneath the long empty throne, a man sits upon a plainly

carven seat of black wood.

As the doors open, escourt the audience for which the hall has been cleared, he lifts his dark eyes and lays his od of

office over his lap and awaits their approach.

[Aearon(#16333)]

Among those beings escorted into the great hall is the Lieutenant Aearon Telpekhor, dressed in his finest uniform, his

boots highly polished, and his helm buffed and shined. As he enters with the rest of the group his eyes slowly look

about, but come back to rest upon the steward.

Besides the Lieutenant is a mad dressed in cheap simple garb, his hands are bound, and he is escorted by another

Hostman. This man is the former Man-at-Arms Thavron, his eyes are upon the floor but he stands up tall, trying to look

proud. Though that is rather hard to do with the hand of the Lieutenant and the other Hostman upon each shoulder,

gripping him tightly.

Directly behind Aearon comes a Blue Squire of the Swansmen of Dol Amroth, equally shined and dressed to his finest

uniform. It is Menelglir, and his face or what can be seen of it beneath his helm is grim--but also in awe, as the

young man cannot help but sneaking a look about the great hall.

[Turlach(#31527)]

Turlach, standing upon the other side of the bound man, holds his shoulder like a vise. His own lips are pressed

tightly together, and he is pale and grave in the presence of the Steward.

[Denethor(#20260)]

The Steward\'s dark gaze takes in the company and the prisoner it escorts. It pierces the long damp shadows that fill

the hall, lit braziers doing little to dispell the gloom. Into the rain-muffled stillness, Denethor entones, \"What

business brings you before the Liege-Lord of Gondor?\"

His look settles on the face of the prisoner and does not move. His commanding voice echoes through the hall, as he

asks, \"What deed has this man wrought that I must pronounce his doom?\"

[Aearon(#16333)]

As the Stewards voice echos through the hall the Lieutenant says with a proud voice \"This man former Man-at-Arms

Thavron has spoken out against yourself my Lord, he has attacked a man of the Order of the Swan, incited a riot,

knocked a Noble woman to the ground, and confessed his allegiance and support to the traitorous Black Company and the

Foul King my lord.\" his words are crisp and clear, spoken without emotion.

As the Lieutenant speaks Thavron goes to speak, but instead looks to the Steward and glares, waiting until the

Lieutenant finishes and saying \"Noble Pig!\", he says nothing else for the hand of the Lieutenant moves from his

shoulder to his neck and it would seem his grip tightens for Thavrons face turns to one of pain.

Still behind Aearon and Turlach, Menelglir takes a quick pace forward at Thavron\'s outburst so as to come directly

behind the man. He does nothing else for the moment, but now alternates between watching Thavron and Denethor.

[Turlach(#31527)]

Turlach is silent a tensing of his own neck to match the pain of Thavron, but his face is like stone, like the graven

kings that surround them.

[Denethor(#20260)]

Impassive as a statue carved from alabaster, the Steward merely listens. His visage is unflinching even after the

prisoner\'s outburst. His dark eyes bore into the man in the briefest of moments, before turning back to Aearon and

observing, \"The foul king of what?\"

Without awaiting a response, he asks, instead, \"To what extent was this riot? How many injured? How many dead? How many

joined in it and can you be sure he was its leader? As for his attacking another man of Gondor, was he armed?\"

Lifting up a hand in a casual gesture, Denethor turns his dark gaze on Aearon and adds, \"As to knocking over women,

this is not a crime of which I know was brought across the waves from Numenor.\"

[Aearon(#16333)]

As the Steward speaks the Lieutenant listens and waits, as he finishes the Lieutenant says \"He spoke of his support and

allegiance to the false Pretender king my lord, the riot was small but a handful of men involved, none dead, the men

injured were Thavron himself, his fellow Man-at-Arms, Man-at-Arms Turlach here, and Squire Menelglir. Both men were

armed, Thavron incited the fight by spitting directly in the face of the squire. My lord.\"

As the Lieutenant speaks Thavron spits upon the floor of the great hall and says \"I should of run him through, made an

example of this fat noble pig. The Black Company will restore honor to Gondor! They will get rid of your corrupt seat

/steward/.\"

As Thavron says this the Lieutenant turns and strikes the man saying \"Hold your tongue traitor! Or you will be gagged!\"

Again Menelglir steps forward to control Thavron if needed, but as Aearon strikes the man, he instead turns to

Denethor, bowing quickly first.

\"My lord, I attempted to reason with the prisoner first and have him calm down. He was speaking treason to a group of

men in the training grounds, breaking his oath in doing so, insulting you, my lord, insulting Gondor. When I asked him

to stop and tried to reason with him, he grew more agitated and violent instead.\"

[Turlach(#31527)]

Turlach trembles but says nothing, still maintaining his grip upon the prisoner\'s shoulder.

[Denethor(#20260)]

\"Stupidity is not a crime against Gondor,\" Denethor says simply as they threaten to gag the prisoner and speak of

insults. He continues, \"However, oath-breaking and taking arms against Gondor are crimes of the gravest nature. Never

since the Kinstrife have we suffered them to go unpunished.\"

Bending his will upon the prisoner, the Steward\'s dark gaze flashes, and he pronounces, \"I deem you believe this idiocy

you babble to all and sundry.\"

Steepling his fingers before him, he asks the man, \"Tell me, who taught you such fool notions? I deem you lack the wit

to shape them on your own.\"

[Aearon(#16333)]

Thavron, at first tries to resist, grunting even but then he says \"It makes no difference if you know who opened my

eyes, Lieutenant Alkhaszor of the Black Company! He opened my eyes to your treachery!\"

As Thavron speaks the Lieutenant says nothing, simply keeping his grip upon the neck of the man tight, but listening to

every word spoken.

\"Alkhaszor,\" Menelglir mutters behind the prisoner. \"This is not a name we have heard before....\"

[Turlach(#31527)]

Again Turlach\'s expression does not change the new name brings no recognition, and he looks ahead to the Steward.

[Denethor(#20260)]

\"Since you are doomed as an oath-breaker, I see no need to correct you,\" the Steward says dismissively, \"This name

sounds like it comes from Umbar who have been allies to the Enemy since before the time of the Kin-strife. Perhaps you

do not know that, but I have already excused your stupidity. Stupidity does not excuse treachery.\"

Denethor\'s dark eyes fall on Thavron and his powerful voice fills all the corners of the Hall as the stone faces of the

ancient kings bear witness, \"This doom I pronounce on you. Thavron son of Aduial, your deeds have marked you as a

traitor to Gondor, a willing pawn to the devices of the Enemy. You work His will and have broken your oathes to the

Lords of Gondor. These things cannot be undone nor forgiven. Therefore, I name you oath-breaker. You will await in the

dungeons beneath this tower for a mete hour for your execution.\"

[Aearon(#16333)]

The Lieutenant Listens to the words of the Steward and bows his head as he finishes.

As the Steward finishes Thavron laughs and says \"The Black Company will save me! They will not let one of their own be

executed! You will see! You fool!!\" and then he spits a the Steward with a foul sneer upon his face.

Though as he spits the Lieutenant shoves the man, driving him down upon his knees then roughly grabbing him by the neck

once again and saying \"Shut your mouth or I will shut it for you.\" Looking to the Steward he bows and says \"I will

remove him from your presence my lord..\" and then roughly pulls him to his feet once again

Grim is Menelglir\'s expression as this sentence is pronounced. HIs eyes flash as Thavor spoits, but he holds his tongue

and his ground.

[Denethor(#20260)]

\"I pity him,\" the Steward says, waving a dismissive hand at the oath-breaker and his escort, \"Let him suffer in his

idle hope of rescue and other false beliefs.\"

Turning the side, he beckons an adjutant who holds forth a scroll, thus returning Denethor to the regular business of

the day.

[Aearon(#16333)]

With that, the Hostmen half drag the traitor out of the grand hall, the traitors muffled protest can be heard as he is

drug, but no one pays him any attention. Rather they simply drag him out leaving the Steward to his regular business.

And once more, Menelglir follows this group, exiting the hall last.