[piosenniel]

***** DALE - Elessar/Isilmir *****

‘I could hear you by the twentieth step, Isilmir!’ came the rich, deep voice within the room. ‘I am improving, then, O Fit One.’ wheezed the Minister. ‘Just last week you said you could hear my hard breathing as I crossed the courtyard.’

Isilimir entered the Tower ‘s top room, and stood panting against the door frame for several minutes, wiping the sweat from his forehead with the sleeve of his gown. He took the glass of cool water offered from Elessar’s hand and drank half of it in one gulp. The King waved him to a seat, busy with a chart he had been marking.

Not one to stand on ceremony, Isilmir divested himself of his gown, and sat down watching the man as he worked. From long experience, he had found it best to let the King direct the course of the conversation. He dipped the edge of one of the gown’s sleeves in the remaining water and wiped the back of his neck, hoping the slight breeze from the Tower’s windows might cool him.

Dressed as he was, Elessar still looked the part of a weather beaten Ranger. He had on old black breeches with a comfortable dark green tunic that allowed him the freedom of movement he so favored. He still wore his high boots of supple leather that fit him so well. But now they were clean, no traces of muddy travel clung to them. His hair was no longer shaggy, but now there showed more flecks of grey against the raven dark of it. These days of peace had softened his face a little; it was less pale, less stern. But still the keen, grey eyes of Strider shone from it.

He sat on the edge of the desk, and regarded Isilmir closely. ‘What prompts Gondor’s Minister of Trade to seek the King in his high Tower. Something of importance to the economy, I would think, since it forced you to climb all those stairs to reach me.’

‘I came to ask a favor of you.’ said Isilmir simply. ‘One which will set right a wrong, and will bring Gondor some rich opportunities in certain areas of trade.’

‘A wrong undone and the promise of monies.’ chuckled Elessar . ‘ What more could the King hope for?. He drew a chair up close to Isilmir, and sat astraddle, his forearms and head resting on the back of it. ‘Let us have this “simple” favor from you. We will decide then what we will do about it.’

Isilmir poured himself a fresh glass of water and drank it greedily. Then, point by point, Elessar drew out from him the story of the Southrons and the men of Dale and the heir to the throne of Nurn. His face was impassive as he took it in, though there was a momentary narrowing of the eyes when Isilmir spoke of conditions in Nurn, and how the man had been hunted like an animal. The King was silent when Isilmir had finished speaking. He had risen from his chair and stood gazing out the slit window toward the east. When he spoke at last, his voice was so low and soft , that Isilmir almost missed his words.

‘Bring them to me this day. Come to the North Door of the Tower when the sun has just set and up to the second conference room. I will hear them out.’

Isilmir thanked him for his time and consideration then sped back down the stairs. Elessar stood for a long time, looking out that eastern window, watching the long shadows of clouds slide over the mountains and into Mordor.

[ November 07, 2002: Message edited by: piosenniel ]