Idrill the Traitor

[William Cloud Hicklin]

When a person forms his own private guard and his followers starts encouraging others to rally behind him in case of the kings death, it starts to look like the preparations for a "Coup d'état".

That's a very modern way of looking at things. In earlier days, before the State acquired a monopoly of lawful force, virtually all great nobles maintained armed retainers. Depending on the state of law and order, it often was just common sense!

Given the expectation (justified) that *Maeglin* might resort to violence, I see nothing treasonable in forming a bodyguard.