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Degas was delighted to find Athanar well versed in the goings on of the nobles in Gondor. His first thought was that conversing with someone who knew all of the nuance of the City and its inhabitants was like being home again. But then he mentally checked himself, and reminded himself that while Gondor had been his home for several years, and was the home of his wife-to-be, he was born a man of Rohan, and he was now a ruling lord of Rohan, a peer of Athanar, and, as a lord not under Athanar's rule (Degas sent a quick thanks into the West that his own Eorl had nothing to do with his sister), a man capable of calling Athanar by name, and speaking to him as a peer.
While they discussed the impending marriage of the daughter of a man they were surprised to learn they both knew, Degas realized that Athanar was quite an excellent conversationalist, when he was not busy asserting dominance. Degas hid a smile behind his cup, and spotted Athanar's wife leave the hall quietly, followed by Thornden. He cast a glance around the room, noting Athanar and Saeryn doing the same. Even most of the old inhabitants were unfamiliar to Degas, so he was not all together concerned with who and where they were. He shrugged mentally. It was not his problem, and if it was important, someone would come find Athanar.
"Yes," he interjected, "Lady Ivoraen is quite understanding of the matter, but the question remains: will the floods in Edhellond affect the movement of salt cod and pearls to Ethring? After the blight this summer, trade is already much lower than Calembel can handle. If Ethring loses its access to the coast, the King will be looking at a fortnight of negotiations to get enough grain to his people in the west."
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