At War in Love. The Shadow over Rhudaur Part IV

Chapter 20. The Quarrel

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Cameth Brin Palace. Afternoon of November 9, 1347.
Written by Serenoli and Elfhild
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Odaragariel had quite recovered from her bout of jealousy - but she had been very quiet for a few days, and had spent some time thinking very seriously about her life, which rest assured, she did not often do.

The truth was that she owed a lot to Rhudaur, and more particularly the King, and all his family, for taking her in the way they had. The tacit, unspoken agreement was that one day she would marry Daurendil, and Rhuduar and Imlad Mitheithel would be united under one ruler. Not that a marriage was necessary for the King to give Daurendil the rule of Mitheithel - but it would be much neater that way, and she supposed the loyalty of the people would be won easier if she was by Daurendil's side. It would repay her debt of gratitude, and she was certainly not displeased to think of herself as the possible future queen of all Rhudaur. She did not dream of it, or hope very much for the day to come - she was content with her life of luxury, and idleness, content with her friends, and content with the thought of a safe future ahead of her.

She liked Daurendil, of course, but as a friend, as someone who was merry and thoughtless enough to be pleasant. In truth, she liked his brother Amantir more, but even Amantir was much too dull at times. If she ever thought of him as her future husband, it was more in the line of how he could be worked upon and improved. She came to the conclusion that the real reason she had been so upset to see Daurendil paying so much attention to Caelen, had been because she was about to lose her guarantee of a future. This thought, oddly enough, comforted her. She was easier in her mind accusing herself of disappointed greed then of disappointed love, and maybe she was right in her self-analysis.

One thing she had learned from her maid who carried her all the palace gossip, was that she had been guilty, certainly, of supposing Daurendil to be courting a married woman. Caelen was most decidedly not a married woman, nor was she with child, and while Odare was relieved, she still did not like her - to think she had come with her lies and deception, and made a merry fool of them all! She was glad the woman had been evicted, and was now living with some friends - she knew not who they were, and she decided she did not care much.

She was continually hearing more stories of Daurendil's foolishness over the girl, including a gripping tale of a midnight raid in which he had attemtpted to carry her off with the help of a grappling hook, of all things, which she half-believed, but still could not help ridiculing everytime Tarniel brought it up. It was just so fantastic, and she knew it was just the type of thing to appeal to the Prince. Well, he would not be happy before he made a thorough fool of himself, and Odare, at least, was ready enough to laugh at him, and tease him in as friendly a fashion as she could manage when the time came.

In the meantime, there were bigger things afoot. Amantir had been her informant for the recent Counsil meeting that had been called when the news of Gimilbeth's kidnap had come through. She was very interested in the fact that they were going to her homeland - the more so, now that she remembered just how long it had been since she had been there. She was not exactly sure how they had all managed to use Gimilbeth's kidnap to set out for war in an entirely different place, but it was of course a good thing... And surprisingly, Broggha, the uncouth hillman was to lead his men to free a fortress in her land... she wished she had had more to do with it, but the truth was, she knew next to nothing about what was going on in Mitheithel. She was determining to find out all she could, and be more interested in her people's welfare than her own, when a more unpleasant issue intruded itself upon her notice.

Tarniel, who had been reading a book, had looked up and said, "Oh, Odare, you know that necklace I gave you... oh, a month ago? That time when the bear went wild, I mean. I was meaning to ask it back for sometime past - unless you want to wear it again, in which case, of course, I don't mind in the least."

Mewlips take the girl for remembering! She was very sorry she had lost the necklace, but much, much sorrier that Tarniel was bringing this up, just as she was determining to reform. "Well, you know, when... I mean, I've been..." she looked up at Tarniel, who was looking at her, bemused, and decided to just confess, "I lost it."

For a moment, neither of them said anything - Tarniel was looking very quietly at her friend, her expression not having changed one whit.

"I must have lost it when I was, you know, attacked by the bear," Odare mumbled. She was glad she was wearing short sleeves under her cloak, for with a little manipulation, she placed her arm such as to display clearly the scar left by the attack - she needed all the sympathy she could get. "And I missed it when I woke up, but I was much too frightened and ashamed to own up, and I set some people to search for it, but it didn't turn up, and I wanted to tell you, only - well... the time never seemed right for it."

She shuffled her feet under her dress, which was an extravagant and puffed up frock in deep purple, for she had not remained long in her defiant jewellery-less state. She risked a glance at Tarniel's face, who was now starting to look horrified. At least Gimilbeth would not hear of this for many days, she could not have borne the taunts her carelessness would undoubtedly bring upon her from that source...

***

Tarniel stared in disbelief at Odaragariel. So the emerald necklace, Elessya the Green, the heirloom of the House of Dauremir, was gone!

"I wish you had told me of this when it had happened," she said at last, rather piqued at her friend.

"I was so worried that you would be angry at me," Odare confessed sheepishly, her gaze darting to the side.

Tarniel studied the scar on Odare's arm and then looked to her face. "Not really angry, just disappointed. You should have told me when it had happened, not waited all this time."

Odare winced, hearing the irritation in the princess' voice. "I did not mean for it to happen... It was not a careless mistake, like simply misplacing it somewhere."

Tarniel thought back to the chaotic night when the huge bear went wild at the feast. A dignified crowd of lords and ladies instantly became a screaming, running mob of terrified people, like a swarm of ants trying to escape from a destroyed anthill. Chairs were knocked down as their inhabitants had leapt from them and headed towards the doors. Ladies fainted and their attendants desperately tried to get them off the floor so that they would not be crushed under the press of the throng. Personal belongings could easily get lost in such madness.

"You were only lucky that you were not killed," Tarniel replied, her expression softening.

"The chain must have broken, and the necklace got kicked around by the crowd," Odare suggested, her chest tense with the sigh of relief that she did not risk letting loose just yet.

Tarniel cocked her to the side and tucked a loose stray of dark hair behind her ear. "And no one was able to find it?" she asked pensively.

Odare nodded. "I had the feasting hall searched thoroughly. It is my supposition that someone unscrupulous, like one of Broggha's scoundrels, pocketed it, and now it graces the neck of one of their women." Attempting to gain even more pity, she put on her most morose face and then stared down at the floor sadly. "Again, I am sorry, Tarniel. When I borrowed the necklace, I had no way of knowing—"

Tarniel put her hand up. "What happened is in the past and we cannot change that. But we have other problems." A wry smile touched her lips. "What do we do if my father, the king, finds out about this? I do not think he will be very pleased at either of us, especially at me, since if I had not leant you the necklace, then it never would have gotten lost."

The eyes of both girls met, each one wondering what they would do.

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Cameth Brin Palace, King Tarnendur’s study. Afternoon of November 9, 1347
Written by Gordis
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“No, Daurendil, it is out of the question!” the King replied to his Heir’s long and heated speech. “I need Eryndil here – there are many others who could be sent to the battlefield.” He frowned darkly and studied his obviously much disappointed son. Despite the Heir’s usual impeccable attire, the dark circles under the youngster’s eyes were plain to see.

“I am a bit curious,” the King continued, “what is the real reason of your sudden interest in the matters of State in general and Eryndil in particular? I have a bad feeling that you are not as disinterested as you want to appear.”

Daurendil squirmed under his father’s piercing gaze as the King had an uncanny ability to see right through all his ruses. Still he tried to wriggle out of it. “What do you mean, Father?” he asked innocently. “I simply … appreciate Lord Eryndil’s … many fine qualities and…”

“That’s why you have paid him an unexpected visit last night?” came a cutting reply. “Or was it just a visit to his house that, as I heard, harbors the famed ostler’s wife?”

Daurendil’s color abruptly changed from white to angry pink. “She is not his wife,” he almost shouted, “she is but his sister and an honorable, innocent maiden!”

“If she is innocent and honorable as you say, then why in Ungoliant do you try to ruin her reputation?” the King hissed back. “First this bloody dress…then this grappling hook… You are a fool, Daurendil!”

“So you have set spies on me?” The Prince knew that he was threading on a dangerous ground, but his anger overcame his better judgment.

The King shook his head in disgust. “Let me put this straight, Daurendil” he said coldly. “As you didn’t return to the Palace last evening, your poor Mother has spent a sleepless night. And so have I. I deemed I had the right to know what kept you in the city so late – so I took measures to learn it. Must I say that I didn’t like what I learned?”

The Heir, his cheeks even redder than before, stood looking sullenly at his boots.

“If you have nothing to say, then you are dismissed” the King barked, suddenly out of patience. “Go and reflect on your unseemly behavior!”

Trying to hide his angry tears, Daurendil turned and fled the room - the door banged violently behind him. He stopped at the landing and cursed several times, using the vilest words in his vocabulary. It helped but little – he still felt … he felt he could kill somebody with his bare hands right then and there. Or, more precisely, he felt he was going to dissolve into childish sobs.

Everything …everyone turned against him! Father, Mother, his friends, Eryndil …even Caelen herself! His sister, the sweet little Tarniel, betrayed him also – for hadn’t he begged her to intervene, to save the day by writing a simple dratted letter? Too much to ask evidently – instead the prissy girl must have spilled it out to her dear Arinya, if not to Mother! Well – she was going to hear what he thought about it!

Daurendil gritted his teeth and stalked towards his sister’s rooms.

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Tarniel's sitting-room in the Palace, Cameth Brin. Afternoon of November 9, 1347.
Written by Serenoli and Elfhild
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Footsteps outside the door. Loud, angry footsteps. Odaragariel, who was feeling guilty, gave a start. Had they been found out already? Someone banged the door open, and Odare looked up slowly, prepared to find the accusing gaze of the King on her. Instead she found Daurendil, looking accusing, certainly, but not at her, at his sister. In fact, he hardly seemed to notice her presence.

"You didn't do it, did you?" he began unpleasantly. He had just had a humiliating interview with his father, and he was in the mood to quarrel. As brothers will, the one person he had found whom he could boss around right now, with some reason at least, was his younger sister. "The one, simple, small thing I ask of my sister, and she does not do it. So affectionate, so sweet as she is." He sat down heavily on the best chair in the room and glared at Tarniel balefully.

"What did you ask her to do?" Odare asked, curious, and somewhat relieved that they were safe about the necklace for now.

Tarniel answered, "He asked me to give Caelen a riding-dress. Apparently, he had already presented it to her, but she had returned it as she thought it was improper of her to accept it from him." She shot her brother an angry glance. How dare he barge in here and start haranguing her about this, especially in the presence of Odaragariel! Embarrassed, she felt heat infuse her cheeks.

"And you wanted your sister to make the gift proper, is that it?" finished Odare for her.

"Yes! I don't see that it is something unreasonably hard to do. If Tarniel and you could just say that the riding-dress was a gift from all of us who went hunting with her that day, then, why she could even come back to the Palace from that man's house where she's living. You might make her your lady-in-waiting or something like that!" Odare was looking at him, incredulously. Did he really expect her to pretend to befriend this girl so he could court her?

Daurendil meanwhile, had softened his tone somewhat, almost wheedling, clearly hoping that if he could convince Odare to help him, his sister would fall in line. "I mean, its not right, her living in an unmarried man's house. She was desperate, of course, didn't know anyone and he took her in - but if you two extended hands of friendship, she could just stay here! Besides, I don't trust that man. Some thane's useless son, and he is obviously trying to take advantage of her helpless state. I thought he could come in handy by going North - goodness knows we need loyal men on the front, there are too many Hillmen going anyway. And father just shot me down. Absolutely would not hear of it. First Caelen, then father. What do they see in this Eryndil?" he ended bitterly.

"Are you sure your wish to see him go with the army was purely due to your desire to see him useful?"

Daurendil got up, all haughty disdain. "What are you trying to insinuate, Odie?"

"Nothing much. Except that you are obviously smitten with this girl, but unless I'm wrong, she prefers Eryndil. She returns your riding-dress, but thinks nothing of living in his house. Seems to me I detect more than a hint of jealousy in the works."

"I think you're jealous yourself!" said Daurendil wildly. "You're the one that convinced Tarniel not to do what I asked her. You probably got that hag of a housekeeper to kick Caelen out in the first place!"

"Enough!" cried Tarniel. "I did not take anyone's advice in not doing what you asked, I acted on my own judgement."

"And even if she asked me, I would hardly help you to entrap that poor girl!" added Odare, though it must be added, she hardly thought of Caelen as a helpless girl, and as far as entrapping went, she thought Daurendil was in more danger.

"What have you got against Caelen? Why won't you two help me?"

Tarniel replied in a calm tone, "Well, I can't help you because it is just not right. Caelen returned the riding dress; can you not take a hint? It is obvious that the girl does not want anything to do with you, so stop meddling in her life. Think of your reputation - and hers. Caelen has a penchant for scandal, and it brings shame to the royal family for you to chase after her like a drooling buffoon!" The emotion had risen in her voice, rendering it high and shrill. Pausing, she closed her eyes and took a deep breath.

"As for Odare, you know that - how shall I put it? We all expect you and Odaragariel to marry someday." There, the words, unspoken all these years, were out, and hanging in the air. "In her position, she could hardly hold your rope while you climbed up this girl's balcony!" Her fists clenched at her sides, Tarniel stared at her brother with newfound defiance.

Daurendil was looking shocked, and Odare took this opportunity to add, smiling maliciously, "Oh, we heard about your little adventure. I daresay your father and mother have heard, too. No wonder the King was so reluctant to let you send your rival to his death. Very honorable scheme, Daurendil. Did you come up with it yourself? Such a neat plan. Saves you the hassle and guilt of killing him yourself, but gets him conveniently out of the way!"

"And are you all that honorable yourself? What about your schemes to get Caelen out of the Palace so that you can marry me and become the queen? Why don't you just marry Amantir? Less trouble, and you might convince father to let you rule that barren waste that you own."

Odare had said pretty much the same thing to herself in her head, but that did not make it any less painful to hear Daurendil say it. Half of her wanted to burst into tears, the rest of her too angry to let herself display any weakness.

"You can not say that to me! Do you think that... I care for you and Amantir only so I can snag you as husbands? You and I have not been friends for ten years, for you to insult me like that for a girl who you've only just met, who doesn't care for you, merely because she's beautiful! I owe your father a lot, I owe Tarniel a lot, I owe Rhudaur - but I don't owe you anything. I don't have to spend a minute listening to your filth, if I don't want to."

"But I have to listen to you accusing me of being a murderer." replied Daurendil quietly, shaking with anger.

Odare did not reply. The silence was broken by the door opening, and Amantir entered, looking moody. "I thought I heard loud voices." No one replied to this, so he went on, "Father sent me to look for you, he says he has some good news. But, oh, look, here he is himself. And my mother as well. Quite a royal procession." He smiled at his own joke, and sat down on a chair nearby, as his parents entered the room as well. Tarniel's room, normally a large airy place was looking distinctly crowded, and everyone, even the King, was looking slightly awkward.

"I was coming here to talk to Tarniel alone, but I suppose it matters not that you are all here. You will be relieved to hear that your sister Gimilbeth is safe. I have just received a letter from her." No one looked very relieved, though Tarniel murmured something about being glad. Daurendil was still glaring at Odare and she was looking at the wall, fighting against a lump in her throat.

"And," the King adopted a sterner tone and faced Tarniel, "I also wanted to tell you a strange story I heard from the messenger. Apparently a Hillman was executed by the order of your sister, for being found in possession of an emerald necklace - Elessya, in fact. I thought you had it, Tarniel. If it was stolen, why did you not tell me of it?"

"Oh, stop picking on Tarniel!" Tarnendur, shocked, and more than a little surprised turned to face the wrathful Odare. "I lost it when that bear attacked me and your Hillman must have picked it up then. I only told Tarniel of it today. It was very irresponsible of me and I am sorry. I am glad to hear the necklace is safe, however." Picking up her courage, she added, "I have also decided that I will never marry Prince Daurendil. I renounce any claims I ever had to being his wife. Better to do it formally now that you're all present."

"What are you talking about, girl?" the Queen was looking at her, bewildered.

Daurendil said, laughing, "My dear Oddie, I wouldn't marry you if my entire family went down on their knees right now and begged me to. I wouldn't want all my children to end up looking like you, see?"

Odare struggled to come up with something horrible enough to say to him, but words failed her. "Right. I'm leaving."

"Be my guest." he said, bowing her out of the room. "Shut yourself up in your room and howl - see who cares."

"No, I mean, I'm leaving Cameth Brin. I'm going back home, to that barren waste, as you call it." turning to the King, she said, and avoiding looking at Tarniel as much as she could, she went on, "I will be forever grateful to you, sir, and I will always remember that you were my friend. But - I can not stay under the same roof as your son. There is an army leaving to go there right now - Eryndil might not be going with them, but I will be."