Shadow of the West

[Imladris]

Arshalous wrapped the white scarf around her head loosely so that a few stray locks of raven hair would manage to find their way out of the folds. "If any call asking for me," she said to Semra, "tell them that they can talk to me at the banquet. If they are fortunate not to have been invited, tell them to drop by tomorrow."

Semra nodded and helped Arshalous with her soft leather sandals. "Thank you. If you like you can go to my library and read the scrolls within or feel free to explore the house."

Semra's eyes widened.

"Come now, there is more to life than serving," said Arshalous lightly as she left the room.

Sunlight streamed through the windows onto the stone hallways as Arshalous strode through the house and into the atrium. The atrium had a small fountain in the middle that chuckled merrily to itself. Birds flittered and dipped their beaks into the warm water while insects buzzed lazily in the nearbye garden.

Arshalous summoned her stabler and ordered that her favourite mare, Telitha, be saddled. Arshalous kissed Telitha's muzzle when she was brought to her, and mounted easily, and patted Telitha's neck when she was settle comfortably. "Let's pay a visit to Korak, shall we?" she whispered in Telitha's ear.

~~~

"I would like to speak to Korak," said Arshalous to one of his servants.

The servant nodded and melted into the perpetual gloom that was a permanent guest in Korak's dwelling. There was a swift patter of feet and Korak appeared, impatience glowing in his handsome features. A necklace dangled from his hand as his fingertips played at the chain.

"A gift for the princess?" she asked, pointing to the jewelry. She laughed to herself. Her cousin was a bit of the fool to think that he could buy the Princess' regard.

He nodded shortly. "Did you come here for a reason?"

"I was just wondering if you could tell me your thoughts of the Emissary and the silly little banquet we will be having in their honour."

[Nurumaiel]

Korak's face burnt with rage at the obvious insolence in his cousin's voice concerning the necklace. Was she daring to think that he actually loved the Princess? Did she think the necklace was the result of sentimental feelings? A quiver passed through him, but he showed no exterior sign of his anger, save the colouring of his face. Rather he gestured for her to sit down, and he poured some wine from a golden pitcher that sat upon the low table in the corner.

"Feast now, my Lady," he said, his eyes hard upon her, "and I will tell you what I think." A mocking smile twisted and distorted his handsome face. "Fear not. The wine is not poisoned."

"I had no fear of such a thing," she replied, with coldness, and a smile of her own, likewise full of insolence. Yet she did not touch the wine.

He himself sat, and leaned back, completely at ease. He never went to his cousin's home when he could help it, for he felt powerless there. Here, in his own abode, it was different. He could play cat and she would be the mouse, and he had nothing to fear from her. He could be master, and she would be lower than he. He studied her, but she showed no signs of uneasiness. A flush of annoyance came to his face at this. She seemed completely comfortable. She did not look in the least intimidated. He straightened, and spoke briefly.

"I do not even know who this Emissary is. All I know is that the banquet provides me with a perfect opportunity to raise the King's esteem for me."

"As well as the regard of the Princess?" questioned the Lady, and she glanced at the necklace.

Lord Korak's face burned a deeper red, and a vein stood out on his forehead. "As far as I care for her regard," said he. "As husband of the Princess I will be given the perfect chance to become King."

The Lady's eyebrows raised. "Is it wise to tell me that?"

Korak paused, and fumbled with his words for a moment. No, he did not think it wise. The Lady was now in a perfect position to tell the Princess exactly why he wanted to marry her, and women were so sentimental. The Princess may refuse him, as she had every right to do. But Korak would not show this new-founded concern to his cousin, despite his deep and angry regret that he had spoken so without thought. He laughed in her face. "I do not fear you as a competitor for the Princess' hand," he said. "I see no lack of wisdom in what I have said."