[Envinyatar]

Tarannon sat hunched over the diagrams for his newest ship design. Sleeker and trimmer than the great ships that now were the mainstay of his fleet, these sturdy little birds could maneuver more easily than his larger warships, and they were fast . . . fast enough to catch those Southron ships that held the waters round the Havens of Umbar.

‘My lord?’ Gaeradan’s voice broke in on the King’s reverie, breaking the image and scattering it until his thoughts refocused, and all that lay before him were the inked drawings.

‘I’ve brought you the contracts our man negotiated in Minhiriath. They have promised us an increased supply of lumber from the Eryn Vorn.’ Gaeradon reached for the map of the lands in Southern Eriador. ‘We’ll need to send men and supplies to refurbish the sawmill we have here,’ he continued, pointing to the cape between the Baranduin and the Gwathló. ‘To handle the increased production.’ He shuffled through the sheaf papers he had brought in. ‘Here are the projected needs and the costs to us. Given the quality of woods they will be bringing in, I think that Gondor can well afford it. What say you?’

Gaeradan could see the attention of the King shift back to his ship’s model, calculating the price of it. A certain fire lit his eyes as he handled the little ship. And just as soon went out as he sat back in his chair, his eyes resting briefly on the royal family portrait. He rubbed his forehead and started to speak when Gaeradan stayed him with a smile.

‘I had almost forgotten this, my lord.’ He pulled out a piece of thick folded vellum sealed with the signet of a small branching tree and seven stars. ‘From Tarciryan. He and his family are returning from Edhellond.’ Gaeradan laughed as the King raised his brows at this news.

‘No,’ he assured him, ‘I did not read your letter. I received one also.’ He perched himself on the edge of the desk, in a posture of easy familiarity. ‘His son, Eärnil, is just turning ten this month. He wishes you to take him under your wing, let him serve at court. Get him ready to assume his place among the others here when he comes into his majority.’ Gaeradan stood, picking up the papers from the desk the King had left for him to see to the details.

He paused, just before leaving the study. ‘It will be good to see Tarciryan. I have missed him.’ Gaeradan nodded to the King. ‘I’ll return later with the names and costs attached to these.’ He held up the sheaf of papers in a mock salute and shut the door firmly behind him.

‘Yes,’ he thought to himself, as he hurried down the hall to his rooms, ‘it will be good to have Tarciryan here to see the pall Beruthiel has cast on the King. Perhaps he can talk some sense into his brother.’ He narrowed his eyes as he saw a small black shadow dart across the passageway in the distance.

‘And it will be good to have Eärnil here, safe, under my protection. Barring some sort of miracle, or worse, yet, some twisted plotting of our enemies, he will be Elendil’s heir, and Gondor’s continued hope.’

[ June 26, 2003: Message edited by: Envinyatar ]