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piosenniel · 11-06-2002, 03:12 AM

Sharon's Post:

***** HARAD/UMBAR *****

As the two ships turned course and steered into the harbor at Minas Anor, attendants began to prepare the cargo to load onto the dock. Packages and supplies were quickly stored in a nearby area where the owners could send servants to come and claim their possessions at a later time. The retainers led the horses and Oliphaunts down the ramp, one-by-one, so that they would be waiting for their masters who would shortly leave the vessels. All was done with order and precision. There were no ugly incidents such as mice running across the ship's ramp or riots breaking out that had marred the start of the voyage.

A large number of curious onlookers from Gondor had come to gaze on the ship and its travelers. It had been many years since a vessel from Umbar had come to Gondor in peace. The men of the city were used to Corsair pirates, but not a King of one of the principalities of Harad or, even stranger to them, a Warrior-Priest of the Black Numenoreans. They seemed like strange, exotic figures from another world. The fact that a man of the north rode with them made the party even more puzzling.

Urken stood by the railing as the crowd surged back and forth trying to break through the barriers and gain access to the ships. He laughed and shook his head, but then his attention was diverted by something else, a matter of much deeper concern. He saw Jarl and Al-Gareth walking together on the dock, engaged in prolonged and earnest conversation. Urken felt his own back stiffen. Had he waited too long to play his cards?

Fuinur had managed to sequester the visitors on his own ship for the two-day cruise up the river. Perhaps he had been foolish to let that arrangement stand. He cursed his stupidity, and decided that the time had come to be direct. It was not a role that he relished, or one that came easily to a person of his temperament. However, even he acknowledged that there were times when the straight approach was the fastest and most valuable.

He went to a locked safe and secured something from it, tucking a carefully wrapped package under his arm. Then he went down the ramp to where the two men stood together on the quay, sidling up to them until he caught the attention of Jarl.

***** DALE - Jarl *****

The Dalesman stood a little apart. He was scanning the dock for familiar faces, faces from Dale. It was near the time set for the audience, and he hoped to speak with those whom King Bard had sent. He wondered if there might be information concerning them at a certain tavern he knew to be frequented by Dale tradesmen when in the city.

When Urken approached, Jarl mentioned the tavern and that it was nearby. 'We can kill two birds with one stone.' he thought to himself. Urken seemed in the mood to be more forthcoming, and Jarl wanted a way to put out some feelers on the delegation from Dale.

They walked along companionably to all appearances. Urken engaged the other men in some desultory conversation, drawing out Al-Gareth. While Jarl, his mind on other matters, made a few perfunctory remarks when addressed.

Sharon's Post:

Urken accepted the men's invitation and walked with them to 'The Mischievous Merman', a long time establishment close to the harbor. This was the first time, he'd gotten a close look at al-Gareth in the clear light of day. As he gazed into the man's eyes, a wave of recognition flooded over him. This was indeed the figure that had troubled his dreams for so many weeks. He struggled to keep his features impassive.

The men entered the private room they had arranged, hoping to ward off any prying eyes or ears. Once the door had closed behind them, Urken did as he had promised, placing his package on the table and slowly unwrapping it. As the wrappings came off, an ancient book of lore was revealed, one common to the peoples of the three kingdoms of Harad, Umbar, and Nurn. It was a source that Elessar and his court were unlikely to know well. Carefully, he turned the pages of the volume searching for the pertinent passages. Upon finding them, Urken began to read, apologizing to the men for his crude translation from the original Adunaic.

A fair jewel hidden in a veil of mud,
A slave, born now with noble blood.

For o'er a thousand years this land,
Has seen no strong or royal hand.

When the noble slave ascends the throne,
A great alliance shall be sown.

Three kingdoms, separate but allied,
No longer must their greatness hide.

Harad, then Umbar and now Nurn,
Find peace and power in its turn.

Urken fixed a firm eye on the figure of al-Gareth, and asked, "Can you tell me what these fine words mean?"

[ November 06, 2002: Message edited by: piosenniel ]

11-06-2002, 03:12 AM	#401
piosenniel Desultory Dwimmerlaik Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Pickin' flowers with Bill the Cat..... Posts: 7,779	Sharon's Post: *** HARAD/UMBAR * As the two ships turned course and steered into the harbor at Minas Anor, attendants began to prepare the cargo to load onto the dock. Packages and supplies were quickly stored in a nearby area where the owners could send servants to come and claim their possessions at a later time. The retainers led the horses and Oliphaunts down the ramp, one-by-one, so that they would be waiting for their masters who would shortly leave the vessels. All was done with order and precision. There were no ugly incidents such as mice running across the ship's ramp or riots breaking out that had marred the start of the voyage. A large number of curious onlookers from Gondor had come to gaze on the ship and its travelers. It had been many years since a vessel from Umbar had come to Gondor in peace. The men of the city were used to Corsair pirates, but not a King of one of the principalities of Harad or, even stranger to them, a Warrior-Priest of the Black Numenoreans. They seemed like strange, exotic figures from another world. The fact that a man of the north rode with them made the party even more puzzling. Urken stood by the railing as the crowd surged back and forth trying to break through the barriers and gain access to the ships. He laughed and shook his head, but then his attention was diverted by something else, a matter of much deeper concern. He saw Jarl and Al-Gareth walking together on the dock, engaged in prolonged and earnest conversation. Urken felt his own back stiffen. Had he waited too long to play his cards? Fuinur had managed to sequester the visitors on his own ship for the two-day cruise up the river. Perhaps he had been foolish to let that arrangement stand. He cursed his stupidity, and decided that the time had come to be direct. It was not a role that he relished, or one that came easily to a person of his temperament. However, even he acknowledged that there were times when the straight approach was the fastest and most valuable. He went to a locked safe and secured something from it, tucking a carefully wrapped package under his arm. Then he went down the ramp to where the two men stood together on the quay, sidling up to them until he caught the attention of Jarl. * DALE - Jarl * The Dalesman stood a little apart. He was scanning the dock for familiar faces, faces from Dale. It was near the time set for the audience, and he hoped to speak with those whom King Bard had sent. He wondered if there might be information concerning them at a certain tavern he knew to be frequented by Dale tradesmen when in the city. When Urken approached, Jarl mentioned the tavern and that it was nearby. 'We can kill two birds with one stone.' he thought to himself. Urken seemed in the mood to be more forthcoming, and Jarl wanted a way to put out some feelers on the delegation from Dale. They walked along companionably to all appearances. Urken engaged the other men in some desultory conversation, drawing out Al-Gareth. While Jarl, his mind on other matters, made a few perfunctory remarks when addressed. Sharon's Post:** Urken accepted the men's invitation and walked with them to 'The Mischievous Merman', a long time establishment close to the harbor. This was the first time, he'd gotten a close look at al-Gareth in the clear light of day. As he gazed into the man's eyes, a wave of recognition flooded over him. This was indeed the figure that had troubled his dreams for so many weeks. He struggled to keep his features impassive. The men entered the private room they had arranged, hoping to ward off any prying eyes or ears. Once the door had closed behind them, Urken did as he had promised, placing his package on the table and slowly unwrapping it. As the wrappings came off, an ancient book of lore was revealed, one common to the peoples of the three kingdoms of Harad, Umbar, and Nurn. It was a source that Elessar and his court were unlikely to know well. Carefully, he turned the pages of the volume searching for the pertinent passages. Upon finding them, Urken began to read, apologizing to the men for his crude translation from the original Adunaic. A fair jewel hidden in a veil of mud, A slave, born now with noble blood. For o'er a thousand years this land, Has seen no strong or royal hand. When the noble slave ascends the throne, A great alliance shall be sown. Three kingdoms, separate but allied, No longer must their greatness hide. Harad, then Umbar and now Nurn, Find peace and power in its turn. Urken fixed a firm eye on the figure of al-Gareth, and asked, "Can you tell me what these fine words mean?" [ November 06, 2002: Message edited by: piosenniel ] __________________ Eldest, that’s what I am . . . I knew the dark under the stars when it was fearless - before the Dark Lord came from Outside.