[Child of the 7th Age]

Eckthelion paced nervously about the guardroom striding from one window to the next and absentmindedly staring out as he waited for his soldiers to appear with their prisoner in tow. Surely, by now, he should have heard some word of how the luncheon had fared and what had happened to the three gentlemen who'd been invited to Sador and Pelien's house.

This whole thing was not without risk and, on the whole, the Steward preferred to take a safer path, leaving daring rescues and bold attacks to those like Thorongil who seemed to have more heart for it. Still, he'd felt there was very little choice in this matter. Weighing the odds on whether to attack the Corsair fleet in distant Umbar was one thing. Making that same decision in regard to a traitor found in the midst of his own court was quite another.

The Steward's reveries were interrupted by a determined knock on the door as a guard stepped hastily inside, his face flushed and excited, "Sir, they're coming...from across the plaza. A band of twelve guards escorting a single prisoner."

"And the prisoner? What livery does he bear?" The Steward's voice was calm, belying the torrent of emotion that raged underneath.

"Sir..." The guard hesitated and then went on. "He wears the livery of Gondor. The black and silver uniform and an emblem emblazoned with the tree and seven stars."

Eckthelion sighed and winced, refusing to meet the eyes of the guard. With difficulty he asked the second question, "And can you tell who this soldier is?"

The guard nodded and whispered, "Athadan, sir. It's Athadan."

By this time, the escort was marching down the hall with the prisoner safely ensconced in chains. The soldier at the head of the column stepped forward and barked out, "Pernell, here. Reporting on behalf of Captain Addruran."

At this last pronouncement, the Steward glanced up with a startled look as he noted Addruran's absence. Pernell's words of assurance immediately came bounding back, answering Eckthelion's unspoken query, "Oh, no, sir. He's fine. The captain, I mean. His wounds are being tended now, and he should be up and about shortly."

"Good, then," came the brisk response. "Station three of your men outside the door and take the rest back to their barracks. Give them the afternoon off for a job well done."

"And the prisoner?"

"Take off his chains. Then I will deal with him in here."

"But, sir...."

"None of that, now. The man is unarmed. And I have my sword and dagger."

"But the men of Umbar possess tricks of sorcery..."

Eckthelion cut him off abruptly and stared Athadan directly in the eye. "This is no man of Umbar. No practitioner in the dark arts. This is a citizen of Gondor who finds himself on a bleak, unfortunate path."

With that, the guard did as he was bid, leaving Athadan seated in the guardroom and closing the door behind him. Eckthelion stood and walked to the window, staring out across the city. "Your own deed has condemned you. Tell me, what shall I do? What does justice say in such a case?"

There was no answer from the tall young man with black hair and a thick black moustache who squirmed uncomfortably in his seat.

Hearing only silence, Eckthelion continued, "Justice would call for you to go in front of a firing squad of your peers. For you have betrayed them, as much as you have betrayed me and the state that you serve."

"Sir, please, I..."

"No, I already know what you would say. You would tell me that you were misled and that you have no grievance against myself or the people of Gondor."

"But, sir, it is true."

"Indeed, I know it is true. I have found out enough of you and your family to glimpse something of the truth. There was no great evil. No hatred of our people. No love of the Corsairs. Only the little things that get in the way for all of us. A desire for wealth, distinction and power, perhaps also a woman with honeyed lips who promised more with her eyes than ever came to you."

At this last comment, Athedan found his breath coming in short, jagged gasps. The steward quickly retorted, "So my words have found their mark, especially the latter. I am not surprised."

"Well, Athadan. I have a bargain for you. A bargain that can earn you your life again and some small measure of respect, if you agree to my terms. First, you will do as I say so that we may lay a trap to ensnare this lady and her family. For they are vipers that must be wholly obliterated.

Secondly, once you have carried out this ruse, I will make alternate arrangements for your employment. I have a company of soldiers serving on the northern border of Mordor in the shadow of the mountains. These are honest lads who have the hardest task among my soldiers, to stand and watch as the shadow grows ever darker and warn us if an attack should come. You will serve there as they do for a good five years."

"And then?"

"Then you will be free to go and live your own life with no stain upon your head or that of your family."

"You will do this then?"

Athadan greedily shook his head, glad to sign any bargain that would give him his life and, even more, allow him to strike back against the silver-tongued vixen who had put him in this fix.

"My aides will instruct you as to the details and also secure a full list of your contacts." The Steward rose to go, but then stopped and spoke again to the soldier, "One last thing. Just so you never forget. You will be carefully watched from this moment forward. I am not so trustful as that. And if I ever see the slightest reason to suspect you, I will tell your comrades what you have done to betray those with whom you serve. I will not have to execute you. For I have little doubt that they will arrange for your death and in a most unplesant way. But for now, I will simply tell the other guards that a grievous error has been made, and you are innocent. See that I do not have to tell them anything else."

With that, Eckthelion rose and left the room, as the aides came in to question and instruct the prisoner.

[ September 30, 2003: Message edited by: Child of the 7th Age ]