< Previous
Shawn Daysleeper and AelKennyr Rhiano
There is no rain. Sunlight, weak from fighting the clouds for a bit of sky, filters down upon a Swanhaven wet and weary of rain, constant winds, and lightning. Birds call to each other, from tree to tree, trills and whistles and bits of songs. But inside the palace of the Lord of Alqualonde, the Teleri King, hears them not.
He stretches for his hands, fingers splayed, toward the welcome warmth of the fire. The morning had not been so relieved of rain, and drenched and soggy, he had taken himself to the woods with bow and arrow, and sharpened hunting knife, to secure needed meat to feed the few that call Alqualonde home. It was a way to avoid thoughts of the moment, the news which rode upon the wings of an elf-turned-bird. In another part of the palace, Elwing rests, fed and refreshed. But Olwe does not know if sleep and Irmo's dreams will find him tonight. He looks over his shoulder into the earnest face of the sea merchant, Nole. His boon companion these many turns of seasons since the Teleri disappeared from their home, and a sailor and a king find themselves bereft of friends and family. The pop of the fire is loud and yet reassuring. "Finally, a dry afternoon, Nole," he says, by way of starting the conversation. "Think we may be lucky enough that we will have a night of stars instead of storms?"
Nole looks back at his king, smiling a little. "Yes, it looks like it will be a dry afternoon and a clear evening, but clear days following rain sometimes bring high winds." Other than that awkward musician Estelin, Nole was alone with his king. He felt loneliness this winter with the passing of his friend. But he has to look beyond that and forward for he knows his king needs him.
Olwe gives an absent nod, dropping his hands down to rub the palms briskly together, feeling the warmth seeping into the marrow of his bones. "There were times this winter that I wondered if we should be warm again," he murmurs to himself, and then turns a little to include Nole in his gaze. "The hunting was good this day, friend Nole. Three fat rabbies are in a stew pot, simmering, and by evening's supper, should be tender and falling off the bone. " He sweeps the room with his gaze, taking in his desk, books opened, the palms which have survived the winter, protected as they have been within the palace. "Come, let us sit. I have news and more to share, and your thoughts I would have." He raises a hand, newly warmed, toward the seats behind them. "Sit, please."
Nole looks relieved at the thought of a warm supper later that day. "It has been quite a miserable winter with the ice and snow, followed by rain." He looks to the chairs. "News to share? I would be glad to hear. I'll be happy to share my thoughts with you." He then takes a seat as instructed.
Olwe turns, and with the easy stride of long legs, crosses over to the other chair and sits down, leaning back. No wind buffets the palace walls this afternoon. No aching, icy coldness seeps under the doors to the chambers or slips invisible fingers in to lay upon the backs of their necks. Olwe closes his eyes for a moment, and soaks in the heat from the fireplace, the popping and crackling calming, soothing sounds.
"I thought we might salt the buck I brought down today. Preserve the meat for our trip. " He looks over at Nole. It is good to speak of their departure now, as a real thing that will happen soon, not something delayed time and time again, as they both sat locked in, icebound. He opens his eyes and gaze into the fire, clearing his throat softly. "This morn, as that storm was moving in, Alqua returned to us. " He pauses and turns his head to look at Nole as he adds, "Elwing was with her."
Nole looks at his king and repeating some of what he heard making sure he heard correctly. "Our trip? So we are going to depart? Excellent. Will we still be going to your cousin?" He smiles happily, thinking of the open sea again. He loves the sea breeze and guiding his ship around the oceans of the world. "Alqua and Elwing have arrived as well," he says as his mind comes back to reality. "So Aztryd arrived at her home in the Blue Mountains? I hope nothing befell them on the trip there. The day they departed seemed like a rough day to fly."
Despite the disquiet at the news his niece brought that morn, despite the itchy desire to be up and doing, preparing, despite the mood that seems to have captured the mind of the Teleri Lord, his lips curve into a smile at the younger elf's excitement. "We are going to depart, and soon. Before we grow roots and plant ourselves like waterlogged living elf-trees." His tone is light, a mock menacing storyteller's tone, just as when he told a very young Earwen stories to send her to sleep. The smile remains as he continues to answer Nole. "I was going to ask you if we can plan a day of departure, soon as possible, Nole." Then the smile slides from his face.
He nods in answer to the question about Sylvhara as he speaks. "We will go. Yes, to see how Comet fares. I know it is not in the mind of Lord Ulmo that we go, but yes, how can I sail away without knowing?" He laces his hands together and leans forward, resting his arms upon his legs. "She would not so callously dismiss me, nor can I her. And yes," he pauses and looks down at his laced fingers, "Aztryd and Elwing arrived safely at her home in Blue Mountains, but all was not safe there, I am afraid."
Nole thinks of visiting Sylvhara, Comet's realm off towards the south. He remembers Olwe's cousin's kind hospitality and splendid realm, but then came the incident with the poisoned wine, and the touch of the dark ones through whom his beloved king was nearly lost forever to him. He knows he must be more vigilant this time for both himself and his king. "We can depart as early as tomorrow morning. I would say later today, but I do not want to miss a hot supper that you have started for us. Now if Estelin had started it..." his voice trails off but then news of Aztryd stopped him. "Aztryd arrived safe, but it is not safe now? Were they snowed in or something? Elwing is here you said, but did Aztryd return on Alqua as well?"
Olwe shakes his head, raising a hand to brush a stray lock from his blue eyes. The logs in the fireplace shifts and sparks fly up, like fiery fireflies. "Aztryd remained behind." He draws in a breath, the smell of pine in the air, from the logs burning just beyond them. "Elwing tells me the dwarf settlement was attacked. By whom, she has not said. She may not know. But it was fierce enough an attack to damage their entire settlement and leave but few alive. At least that is the impression I have from what little was said." He looks over and watches the flames in the fireplace as he continues. "Elwing was cold, tired, and hungry when she arrived. I suspect she is still sleeping in Earwen's old rooms." He turns his gaze to meet Nole's. "She spoke of the settlement looking 'burnt.'"
"Burnt?" Nole asks as he follows Olwe's gaze to the fireplace. The fire within reminded him of the attack Alqualonde suffered when he dragon and it's companion visited before. The burning forests, towers and the soot in the air. Ulmo came to their aid that day and sent the invaders off, but where did they go after that? Nole delves into his geography memory. The Blue Mountains were some distance from the coast and would have been too far away for Ulmo to assist. "Perhaps," Nole says aloud, "that the dragon went there following their attack here. Did Elwing see anything there like she saw here that day?"
Olwe's eyes widen at the question before narrowing as he grows thoughtful. "I did not question Elwing too closely," he says slowly. "She was cold and spent after her journey back to us. She traveled into the storms that rolled in last night. It could not have been but exhausting for both her and Alqua." He frowns at little as he thinks. "You are thinking the dragon left Alqualonde and, what, turned his rage upon the dwarves?" He nods as he considers this idea. "If so, then, was the Balrog with him?"
"It is my thinking," Nole begins turning to his king, "that the dragon and Balrog would have left in anger from here, having been turned away by Ulmo." He thinks for a moment. "It would then be conceivable that they would want to unleash their rage elsewhere. It would not take long for that large dragon to fly there. And even shorter time if it is angry." Nole shudders. "I would not know if the Balrog helped the dragon attack the dwarven settlement, but I would think one of them would be enough to ruin it. Did Elwing speak of survivors? There may be some if Aztryd stayed behind. It could be that Aztryd herself could be in great danger if either or both the dragon or balrog returned there to finish off any survivors."
Olwe nods absently as he considers the merchant's words, and then he answers, even as the aroma of rabbit stew floats up from the kitchens throughout the palace, even to where they now sit. His nostrils flare as he breathes in the smell and realizes that leagues from them, in Blue Mountain, the little dwarf mother and her babe may not have so rich a fare for supper. "She spoke of a few survivors she has seen, but tonight we can question her more." He leans back and rests both hands upon his stomach as he continues. "Certainly, you have the right of it, Nole. Either of those creatures could decimate the settlement. Any survivors are truly blessed by Eru to have escaped. And even should the dragon or the balrog not return, I must wonder at what can be left. They will have wounded, and the dying, and a burn out settlement cannot be expected to sustain them for long. What is there near to them that can serve as safe harbor for the children of Aule?"
Nole looks worried as Olwe thinks he is right. "I would say they are in great peril to remain there, even if the dragon or balrog does not return. Nor would they easily gain aid from their neighbours. The tales and customs of of those I meet on my voyages abroad yield much information. The Blue Mountains border the Noldor realm of Lindon, and the elves there do not look upon dwarves in high regard. It is said because of historic incidents that both sides say they have forgotten," Nole says sadly. "The lands to the east are ruled by the great king of men and the little folk, who do not understand the customs of the Children of Aule." Nole sighs deeply as he smells the rabbit stew. "I fear that any remaining dwarves will not survive long there or in their settlement without good food."
Olwe watches Nole's face as he speaks, his blue eyes thoughtful, a little distant. He sits up and forward as the sea merchant finishes speaking. resting an elbow on the arm of the seat. "It has been in my mind all day to dispatch a message to Aztryd, by one of our regular swans, and offer assistance." He draws in a breath, and the aroma of the stew causes his mouth to water. The afternoon is quickly sliding to evening, and supper is a consideration they should take seriously shortly. "If the Noldor are not moved to help them, nor the men who live near them, we cannot stand by and do naught. It has crossed my mind that we would sail to Lindon in our journey, would we not? To that outpost there? Then it is no great matter to meet the dwarves there, at that port, is it? What think you, Nole. They descend their mountain and meet us. If Aztryd can give us a figure, we shall know how many survive at present." He pauses, and his voice drops low. "Have her count the less seriously wounded." He does not have to say to Nole that the more grievous would never make a descent from such a mountain range.
Nole nods. "Yes, we write that we could meet the dwarves at the outpost. I do not think the elves there would attack or hinder the dwarf survivors, but they would certainly not aid them either. The mountains are quite impressive, and surely even the most stalwart would not make it down to the coastal outpost if they are very wounded. But we need to know how many to expect, so we have enough supplies." He is not sure what would happen after that, but that could be asked another time. "Perhaps, my king, I will see to the stew and finish cooking our dinner. It will be dinnertime soon."
Slowly, smoothly, Olwe rises to his feet and catches the other elf by laying a hand upon the other's arm. "Nay, my friend, let us both go, together, and see to our meal. We tempt sorely the weave of Vaire to leave it so unattended lest our musician friend Estelin take it upon himself to check upon the stew and ..." Olwe tries not to grimace,"...flavor it for us. "We can speak further of these matters and with Elwing, who may be awake by then." Olwe looks away at the mention of Estelin. He cannot tell his friend that the disguised Irmo warned him from sailing to Sylvhara as well. Nor will he reveal to anyone this night that he has every intent of visiting his cousin before they set course, with all possible speed to retrieve such survivors as may be among Aztryd's people. His heart sinks as he thinks back to Nole's words. Could it be that, denied their victory, kept from achieving the death of Olwe and waste of Alqualonde, they turned their fury upon the innocent dwarven settlement. Instead, he turns back to Nole with a small smile, all the more painful for the lump in his stomach. "Come, Nole, let's rescue first our supper." And with that, he turns toward the door of the chambers, and the evening.
> Next
He stretches for his hands, fingers splayed, toward the welcome warmth of the fire. The morning had not been so relieved of rain, and drenched and soggy, he had taken himself to the woods with bow and arrow, and sharpened hunting knife, to secure needed meat to feed the few that call Alqualonde home. It was a way to avoid thoughts of the moment, the news which rode upon the wings of an elf-turned-bird. In another part of the palace, Elwing rests, fed and refreshed. But Olwe does not know if sleep and Irmo's dreams will find him tonight. He looks over his shoulder into the earnest face of the sea merchant, Nole. His boon companion these many turns of seasons since the Teleri disappeared from their home, and a sailor and a king find themselves bereft of friends and family. The pop of the fire is loud and yet reassuring. "Finally, a dry afternoon, Nole," he says, by way of starting the conversation. "Think we may be lucky enough that we will have a night of stars instead of storms?"
Nole looks back at his king, smiling a little. "Yes, it looks like it will be a dry afternoon and a clear evening, but clear days following rain sometimes bring high winds." Other than that awkward musician Estelin, Nole was alone with his king. He felt loneliness this winter with the passing of his friend. But he has to look beyond that and forward for he knows his king needs him.Olwe gives an absent nod, dropping his hands down to rub the palms briskly together, feeling the warmth seeping into the marrow of his bones. "There were times this winter that I wondered if we should be warm again," he murmurs to himself, and then turns a little to include Nole in his gaze. "The hunting was good this day, friend Nole. Three fat rabbies are in a stew pot, simmering, and by evening's supper, should be tender and falling off the bone. " He sweeps the room with his gaze, taking in his desk, books opened, the palms which have survived the winter, protected as they have been within the palace. "Come, let us sit. I have news and more to share, and your thoughts I would have." He raises a hand, newly warmed, toward the seats behind them. "Sit, please."
Nole looks relieved at the thought of a warm supper later that day. "It has been quite a miserable winter with the ice and snow, followed by rain." He looks to the chairs. "News to share? I would be glad to hear. I'll be happy to share my thoughts with you." He then takes a seat as instructed.
Olwe turns, and with the easy stride of long legs, crosses over to the other chair and sits down, leaning back. No wind buffets the palace walls this afternoon. No aching, icy coldness seeps under the doors to the chambers or slips invisible fingers in to lay upon the backs of their necks. Olwe closes his eyes for a moment, and soaks in the heat from the fireplace, the popping and crackling calming, soothing sounds.
"I thought we might salt the buck I brought down today. Preserve the meat for our trip. " He looks over at Nole. It is good to speak of their departure now, as a real thing that will happen soon, not something delayed time and time again, as they both sat locked in, icebound. He opens his eyes and gaze into the fire, clearing his throat softly. "This morn, as that storm was moving in, Alqua returned to us. " He pauses and turns his head to look at Nole as he adds, "Elwing was with her."
Nole looks at his king and repeating some of what he heard making sure he heard correctly. "Our trip? So we are going to depart? Excellent. Will we still be going to your cousin?" He smiles happily, thinking of the open sea again. He loves the sea breeze and guiding his ship around the oceans of the world. "Alqua and Elwing have arrived as well," he says as his mind comes back to reality. "So Aztryd arrived at her home in the Blue Mountains? I hope nothing befell them on the trip there. The day they departed seemed like a rough day to fly."Despite the disquiet at the news his niece brought that morn, despite the itchy desire to be up and doing, preparing, despite the mood that seems to have captured the mind of the Teleri Lord, his lips curve into a smile at the younger elf's excitement. "We are going to depart, and soon. Before we grow roots and plant ourselves like waterlogged living elf-trees." His tone is light, a mock menacing storyteller's tone, just as when he told a very young Earwen stories to send her to sleep. The smile remains as he continues to answer Nole. "I was going to ask you if we can plan a day of departure, soon as possible, Nole." Then the smile slides from his face.
He nods in answer to the question about Sylvhara as he speaks. "We will go. Yes, to see how Comet fares. I know it is not in the mind of Lord Ulmo that we go, but yes, how can I sail away without knowing?" He laces his hands together and leans forward, resting his arms upon his legs. "She would not so callously dismiss me, nor can I her. And yes," he pauses and looks down at his laced fingers, "Aztryd and Elwing arrived safely at her home in Blue Mountains, but all was not safe there, I am afraid."
Nole thinks of visiting Sylvhara, Comet's realm off towards the south. He remembers Olwe's cousin's kind hospitality and splendid realm, but then came the incident with the poisoned wine, and the touch of the dark ones through whom his beloved king was nearly lost forever to him. He knows he must be more vigilant this time for both himself and his king. "We can depart as early as tomorrow morning. I would say later today, but I do not want to miss a hot supper that you have started for us. Now if Estelin had started it..." his voice trails off but then news of Aztryd stopped him. "Aztryd arrived safe, but it is not safe now? Were they snowed in or something? Elwing is here you said, but did Aztryd return on Alqua as well?"
Olwe shakes his head, raising a hand to brush a stray lock from his blue eyes. The logs in the fireplace shifts and sparks fly up, like fiery fireflies. "Aztryd remained behind." He draws in a breath, the smell of pine in the air, from the logs burning just beyond them. "Elwing tells me the dwarf settlement was attacked. By whom, she has not said. She may not know. But it was fierce enough an attack to damage their entire settlement and leave but few alive. At least that is the impression I have from what little was said." He looks over and watches the flames in the fireplace as he continues. "Elwing was cold, tired, and hungry when she arrived. I suspect she is still sleeping in Earwen's old rooms." He turns his gaze to meet Nole's. "She spoke of the settlement looking 'burnt.'""Burnt?" Nole asks as he follows Olwe's gaze to the fireplace. The fire within reminded him of the attack Alqualonde suffered when he dragon and it's companion visited before. The burning forests, towers and the soot in the air. Ulmo came to their aid that day and sent the invaders off, but where did they go after that? Nole delves into his geography memory. The Blue Mountains were some distance from the coast and would have been too far away for Ulmo to assist. "Perhaps," Nole says aloud, "that the dragon went there following their attack here. Did Elwing see anything there like she saw here that day?"
Olwe's eyes widen at the question before narrowing as he grows thoughtful. "I did not question Elwing too closely," he says slowly. "She was cold and spent after her journey back to us. She traveled into the storms that rolled in last night. It could not have been but exhausting for both her and Alqua." He frowns at little as he thinks. "You are thinking the dragon left Alqualonde and, what, turned his rage upon the dwarves?" He nods as he considers this idea. "If so, then, was the Balrog with him?"
"It is my thinking," Nole begins turning to his king, "that the dragon and Balrog would have left in anger from here, having been turned away by Ulmo." He thinks for a moment. "It would then be conceivable that they would want to unleash their rage elsewhere. It would not take long for that large dragon to fly there. And even shorter time if it is angry." Nole shudders. "I would not know if the Balrog helped the dragon attack the dwarven settlement, but I would think one of them would be enough to ruin it. Did Elwing speak of survivors? There may be some if Aztryd stayed behind. It could be that Aztryd herself could be in great danger if either or both the dragon or balrog returned there to finish off any survivors."
Olwe nods absently as he considers the merchant's words, and then he answers, even as the aroma of rabbit stew floats up from the kitchens throughout the palace, even to where they now sit. His nostrils flare as he breathes in the smell and realizes that leagues from them, in Blue Mountain, the little dwarf mother and her babe may not have so rich a fare for supper. "She spoke of a few survivors she has seen, but tonight we can question her more." He leans back and rests both hands upon his stomach as he continues. "Certainly, you have the right of it, Nole. Either of those creatures could decimate the settlement. Any survivors are truly blessed by Eru to have escaped. And even should the dragon or the balrog not return, I must wonder at what can be left. They will have wounded, and the dying, and a burn out settlement cannot be expected to sustain them for long. What is there near to them that can serve as safe harbor for the children of Aule?"
Nole looks worried as Olwe thinks he is right. "I would say they are in great peril to remain there, even if the dragon or balrog does not return. Nor would they easily gain aid from their neighbours. The tales and customs of of those I meet on my voyages abroad yield much information. The Blue Mountains border the Noldor realm of Lindon, and the elves there do not look upon dwarves in high regard. It is said because of historic incidents that both sides say they have forgotten," Nole says sadly. "The lands to the east are ruled by the great king of men and the little folk, who do not understand the customs of the Children of Aule." Nole sighs deeply as he smells the rabbit stew. "I fear that any remaining dwarves will not survive long there or in their settlement without good food."
Olwe watches Nole's face as he speaks, his blue eyes thoughtful, a little distant. He sits up and forward as the sea merchant finishes speaking. resting an elbow on the arm of the seat. "It has been in my mind all day to dispatch a message to Aztryd, by one of our regular swans, and offer assistance." He draws in a breath, and the aroma of the stew causes his mouth to water. The afternoon is quickly sliding to evening, and supper is a consideration they should take seriously shortly. "If the Noldor are not moved to help them, nor the men who live near them, we cannot stand by and do naught. It has crossed my mind that we would sail to Lindon in our journey, would we not? To that outpost there? Then it is no great matter to meet the dwarves there, at that port, is it? What think you, Nole. They descend their mountain and meet us. If Aztryd can give us a figure, we shall know how many survive at present." He pauses, and his voice drops low. "Have her count the less seriously wounded." He does not have to say to Nole that the more grievous would never make a descent from such a mountain range.
Nole nods. "Yes, we write that we could meet the dwarves at the outpost. I do not think the elves there would attack or hinder the dwarf survivors, but they would certainly not aid them either. The mountains are quite impressive, and surely even the most stalwart would not make it down to the coastal outpost if they are very wounded. But we need to know how many to expect, so we have enough supplies." He is not sure what would happen after that, but that could be asked another time. "Perhaps, my king, I will see to the stew and finish cooking our dinner. It will be dinnertime soon."Slowly, smoothly, Olwe rises to his feet and catches the other elf by laying a hand upon the other's arm. "Nay, my friend, let us both go, together, and see to our meal. We tempt sorely the weave of Vaire to leave it so unattended lest our musician friend Estelin take it upon himself to check upon the stew and ..." Olwe tries not to grimace,"...flavor it for us. "We can speak further of these matters and with Elwing, who may be awake by then." Olwe looks away at the mention of Estelin. He cannot tell his friend that the disguised Irmo warned him from sailing to Sylvhara as well. Nor will he reveal to anyone this night that he has every intent of visiting his cousin before they set course, with all possible speed to retrieve such survivors as may be among Aztryd's people. His heart sinks as he thinks back to Nole's words. Could it be that, denied their victory, kept from achieving the death of Olwe and waste of Alqualonde, they turned their fury upon the innocent dwarven settlement. Instead, he turns back to Nole with a small smile, all the more painful for the lump in his stomach. "Come, Nole, let's rescue first our supper." And with that, he turns toward the door of the chambers, and the evening.
> Next