Chapter Text
The days of autumn are ending, the trees are shedding their leaves, and preparing for their winter sleep. It is a time of year that I have always loved both on Arda and now here on Tol Eressëa. The colours are so vibrant as if to celebrate this last burst of life before the arrival of the winter snows. Fimbrethil tells me that it is unlikely the winter this year will be as severe as the first one Gimli and I experienced in our new home. However, we are taking no chances, for should the snow set in our valley high in the hills is soon made impassable by snow and ice and we in the Great House in Car Annûn will have to fend for ourselves. That is not something that is new to either Gimli son of Gloin or me. Greenwood was often isolated for months on end during the winter months and the dwarves routinely closed their doors at the end of autumn and did not open them again except at dire need until spring.
Most of our preparations were set even before we went off to spend a few days at New Imladris for the wine harvest and feasting. Since our return we have been finalising our own harvest and storage. Today Gimli and I will accompany the wagon driven by Fimbrethil into Avallónë and collect the last of the supplies that my staff believe indispensable if we are to enjoy our winter solitude as well as they wish us to do. I also intend to collect some paints and pigments for my illustrations and two books that I have in mind to give to Gimli at Yule.
Our party is to meet with Master Edelharn, at the inn known locally as the Hungry Hobbit after the ring bearers who frequented it while they lived on Tol Eressëa. Edelharn is going to ride back with us and spend the winter at Car Annûn. He and Gimli are full of plans as to how they will work on the East Wing. I am hoping that I will have time to draw designs for the interior wood paneling and not have to spend too much time pretending to understand what they are talking about or feigning an interest in it even when I do.
While we are in Avallónë I am also expected to attend the last council meeting of the season, which is not something I am looking forward to. Too many memories of the last time I attended the council intrude upon my mind. It is foolish in the extreme I am aware, and I have done my best to hide my disquiet from Gimli, but I am concerned lest Dagnir also attends the meeting. I allowed that particular elf to destroy my peace of mind and my composure in the summer and I am not yet fully free of his insidious determination to demolish my self-esteem. I now know the reasoning behind his hatred but still find it hard to accept that he should carry such animosity for so many ages. But with the support of Lord Elrond, Errestor, and of course Gimli he was put to the rout.
Although the leader of the Avallónë council, Master Lonathion, had to be taken into our confidence over Dagnir’s conduct, the full facts were not made public, as much to spare my blushes as to save his reputation. So many of his old friends and supporters are not au fait with what occurred and will no doubt expect to see Dagnir there representing those Silvan elves who live deep in the woods and who prefer to have little to do with those they consider ‘incomers’ such as myself. If Dagnir is present, I suspect he will neither have forgotten nor forgiven what happened to him at the last session. Anyone who carries a grudge as long as he did is unlikely to have changed his opinions just because of one setback.
Ah well there is nothing to be done but to put as brave a face on things as possible and hope that with Gimli by my side Dagnir will think twice before trying to discompose me in public at least. I snort as I recall Gimli’s threats to him the last time they clashed. My dwarf is indomitable, and only a fool would go up against him more than once. I am so fortunate to have him here by my side and on my side.
For now, unless I wish to endure his wrath, I had better hurry down to the yard where the wagon and the horses are waiting.
Our ride down to the haven of Avallónë is uneventful and we are able to enjoy the autumn sunshine as we travel. The sea sparkles and the swan ships that ply between here and Valinor come and go with great frequency. For long years I feared and hated the sea for what it was doing to me. Now I enjoy swimming and sailing and just watching the play of wind and water. Today I have other things to concentrate on and once we are all settled into our rooms at the inn and I have changed into what Gimli calls my ‘princeling clothes’ the two of us leave Fimbrethil to begin shopping and we go up to the council building.
Almost as soon as we enter the square I see my nemesis, Dagnir Englorion, staring down his nose at me. He then turns to one of his cronies and comments in a voice which he knows I will hear but Gimli may not.
“Ah here comes the Prince now. He was, I fear, a somewhat recalcitrant student but even so I managed to inculcate sufficient discipline in matters of language and custom so as to ensure him success at the last council. I was pleased that all my efforts on his behalf paid off so well even though I got little praise for it.”
“You are too modest Master Dagnir,” his friend replies, and I am unable to decide if the ellon knows the real truth and meaning behind the words or is just responding as he thinks anyone would to such a speech.
My footsteps falter at the words as I recall the fear and uncertainty that his actions wrought in me during the summer. But Gimli’s firm hand on my elbow and his low voiced “easy lad” steadies me. Gimli may not have heard what was said but he is no fool and he can tell by my reaction that it was nothing good. He is fairly bristling beside me, and a low growl resounds in his throat, as he eyes up Dagnir.
I lift my chin and remind myself that I am the son of Thranduil and the ward of Gimli son of Gloin and not to be intimidated by a bully such as Dagnir has proved to be and continue my journey up to the steps of the council house.
We have almost reached the doors when Dagnir steps directly into my path.
“Well met Prince Legolas.”
His bow is a nice mix of condescension and arrogance. I do not honour him with a verbal response, but merely incline my head briefly. Gimli sniffs the air an looks straight into Dagnir’s face.
“Do you smell anything rotten nearby laddie?” He asks me, though he does not look in my direction. Instead he keeps his eyes on Dagnir.
Dagnir’s face darkens, but with so many listening in to our exchange he manages what might pass for a thin smile.
“Lord Gimli.” Then he lowers his voice and adds, “I had hoped that old age and decrepitude might have carried you off by now. Mortal kind live such short lives do they not?”
Gimli laughs but I see his hand has gone to the throwing axe at his belt, as does Dagnir who looks a little unsettled by this response.
“You need have no fear of that happening anytime soon Master Stagnant,” Gimli tells him, raising his voice so all around can hear, “Though I thank you for your concern over my health. You will be pleased to know that I will be here long enough to see you are properly rewarded for your efforts with the prince earlier this year, and it will be a real pleasure to do so, trust me in that.”
“His name is Dagnir, Gimli,” I point out helpfully.
“Aye that is what I said, laddie; ‘Stagnant’ like fetid water. Come Lamb, you have tarried here long enough you have work to do.”
And we go on into the chamber leaving Dagnir behind us, and those around us buzzing with amusement and conjecture as to what they have just witnessed.
The meeting in itself is an anti-climax and the business soon concluded. I am happy to take my leave and return to the Hungry Hobbit to meet up with Edelharn and Fimbrethil. I am even happier to see that Tàras is also with them. The three of them have chosen to sit outside in the gardens since the weather is so mild and there is a glorious view of the sea as well.
“Tàras what are you doing here?”
He gives me a quick bow.
“I offered to help Edelharn carry his luggage to the inn, and Master Fimbrethil thought you would not object to my staying to meet with you.”
“Of course we do not. It is good to see you again. How are your parents and sister?”
“You’re looking well laddie,” Gimli adds, “How are your studies coming along?”
As Tàras tells Gimli about his work with Edelharn, we all sit and the landlord comes out with wine and ale as well as food and before long we are all happily laughing and exchanging news as we sit and enjoy the view. Despite Dagnir this has turned out to be a good day.