Holiday in the Sun RPG

[Envinyatar]

Previous events to the arrival of Bebberyn:

In the Seventh Tier of the City of Gondor
Previous post: doug*platypus

Minas Tirith was, almost literally, a hive of activity. Preparations for this celebration had started weeks ago, though you wouldn't know it by the way that merchants were running around making last minute arrangements. Even up in the Citadel, usually a place of calm repose, the atmosphere was frantic. The Citadel Guard were, by and large, the only ones immune to this holiday fever.

"See how they all buzz about!" remarked the captain to a guard standing next to him on the wall.

"The noise from the first circle is incredible!" remarked the other. "The last time there was this much excitement was when the King first returned. You would have been wearing diapers then, Beleg!"

"Not quite," the younger knight replied, "but you would have had more of your teeth still, you old badger! What a time for Captain Forweg to be on holiday in Pinnath Gelin. Some folk have all the luck."
Beleg had been left in command of the Citadel Guard at the worst possible time. All this activity made him anxious. It was much too easy for a dissident to cause mischief with so many people around. Although Gondor was not at open war at that very moment, it was still surrounded by some fairly powerful enemies.

Beleg turned away from the hustle and bustle, and gazed out from the walls. From where they stood on the parapet, the two guards could clearly see the docks at the Harlond. Not long before, the great ships bearing the blue banners of the Prince of Dol Amroth had sailed into port. The banner of the prince was a welcome sight to Beleg. Imrahil of Dol Amroth was accounted one of the most valiant men of the age, and Beleg was also looking forward to seeing his heir, Elphir.

Before receiving a commission to the Guard, Beleg had served as a soldier. To see the banner of the Silver Swan from across the battlefield, leading the charge of the cavalry of Dol Amroth, was a glorious experience. Beleg and the foot soldiers he had fought with had been saved several times by Imrahil and his Swan Knights.

Just then, Beleg's attention was called away from the sight. A messenger was running at great pace across the courtyard, and calling for him to come down.

"What is it?" Beleg asked when the messenger had halted before him, panting.

"A message from the Royal Bodyguard. His Majesty the King is missing!"

"Missing?!" Beleg could not believe what he was hearing. "What do you mean?"

"I mean exactly that - he cannot be found anywhere. The Captain of the Royal Bodyguard wants the entire city on alert, but none of the people are to know."

"Oh, this is just great!" Beleg complained to the other guard, who had come down to see what was going on. "Those clowns in the Bodyguard have really done it this time! What about the Lady Arwen? Do they at least know where she is?!"

"She is in her chambers," answered the messenger, "under heavy guard. I must go to the stables and send messages out. You will tell the Prince for me? My thanks!"

The messenger sprinted off in the direction of the stables. Beleg looked back over his shoulder, to where Prince Imrahil and his entourage had now entered the Seventh Circle. Beleg cursed the cowardly messenger, then steeled himself and walked over towards Imrahil. But he found it more than pride would let him do. To tell the Prince of Dol Amroth that they had somehow misplaced the most important man in Gondor! Beleg spotted one of King Elessar's delegates and drew him aside. The man's face grew pale, and he gasped as Beleg told him the shocking news.
Imrahil and his men came over, and Beleg was forced to relay the bad news himself. The King's delegate seemed almost stricken with grief - very helpful indeed! Beleg stepped forward and bowed his head to Imrahil, awaiting permission to speak.

"What is it, Captain?" the Prince asked, "Tell me."

"It is the King, Lord Imrahil. He is missing, and I fear that something foul may have happened to him!"

Prince Imrahil received the news from Beleg with a grave expression on his face. He called Elphir to his side, requesting that he, with a contingent of fifty men, accompany Beleg on a sweep of the grounds to look for Aragorn. ‘And you, my Lord,’ said Elphir to his father, ‘will you be accompanying us also.’ Imrahil shook his head ‘no’, and Elphir called for twenty men to accompany his Father wherever he decided he needed to go.

‘I hardly think that necessary. I am going in to see Lady Arwen. She can help us find the King.’ Elphir, as Captain of his country’s troops stood firm. ‘Nonetheless, my Lord, until the King is found, these men will be your guard.’ He motioned forth twenty from the elite Prince's Guard and gave them their instructions. ‘I would prefer not to have to return to Dol Amroth as King, my Lord.’ he said, as he strode off with his men to begin the search with Beleg.

Imrahil and his guard approached the White Tower, accompanied by one of Beleg’s men, Deorhelm. A hurried conversation with the guards posted there revealed that Lady Arwen was not there, but in her chambers in The King’s House, just west of the tower. They strode quickly to the House and were admitted to the front hall by the guards, but could go no further.

One Linghril, advisor to the King had ordered that she not be disturbed. ‘And where is this Lhingril?’ asked Imrahil, in an icy tone. ‘The Prince of Dol Amroth insists on seeing the Queen, and will not be put off.’ Lord Imrahil’s men drew up close behind him, their hands round the grips of their blades. Twenty pair of cold grey eyes held the eyes of the few guards there, adding their weight to the request of their Prince.

Deorhelm stepped forth and spoke quickly with the guards. It would not do for blood to be shed in the royal house. Imrahil was a close friend to both the King and Queen, and Captain Beleg was even now with Lord Imrahil’s son, searching for the King. The guards relented and allowed the Prince and his men to pass up the stairs to Arwen’s chamber.

It was Lord Imrahil, himself, who knocked at the Queen’s door. ‘Lady Arwen, it is Imrahil. I have come to ask you if you know where Elessar has gone.’ He spoke loudly through the closed door. And it was but a few short moments until the door was flung open, and the pale, strained face of Arwen appeared.

‘Imrahil!’ she cried, tears threatening at the corners of her eyes. Her voice was low and filled with grief as she took his hands in hers.

‘I have sought him, Imrahil. But he does not, cannot answer me. His mind is clouded, and he walks in strange dreams.’

She threw the letter, now crumpled in her hand down hard on the floor. Imrahil picked it up and read it quickly. ‘Who gave you this, my Lady?’

Her eyes blazed as she spat the name. ‘Linghril! The viper in the King’s household. His ‘advisor.’ Her eyes narrowed as she looked at Imrahil. ‘I did not think to test him when he maneuvered himself into a position close to the King. I thought he was one who loved Elessar and would do his bidding.’

My Lady?’ urged the Prince, willing her finish her thoughts.

But I have sought him out. His mind is hidden in shadow, and I know now he does the bidding of others.’

Imrahil turned to his men and sent two of them to seek out his son and Beleg, and to have them return quickly to the King’s House. He and the rest of his men would stay with Arwen, in her chambers, until they arrived. He positioned two men at the base of the stairs and two at the top. Two stood guard outside Arwen’s door, and four went in with them. Two to guard the inner door and two to guard the open balcony. The rest of his men were to pair up and secure the doors to the King’s House along with the King’s Royal guards. No one was to come into or leave the House without clearance from the Prince and Arwen.

His last order was given with a steely voice. ‘If Linghil is seen, he is to be subdued in any manner needed and brought to me.’

[ March 06, 2003: Message edited by: Envinyatar ]