The Lord of Rivendell spun on the company, his eye cold. When he spoke, Elrond’s voice was tight with anger. “You were expected some time past, Lady of Eregion...I do not care what delayed you, but only that you are at last here with your cohort. What is it you think you can say to spare these so called friends of yours and Rivendell, the justice they so richly deserve for crimes against all?'
Nethrida was no stranger to decorum and stood at attention, hands neatly behind her back, upright and stiff as a plank while Eduwiges stood beside her seething with anger. Behind them both, Ryn watched events unfold, confused and nervous but happy that at least she had her weapons, unlike most of her fellows. On the other side of the terrace, Finchley stood somewhat behind Xandilif, eyes wide. Lif and her sister Xanderian stood at ease…their bearing respectful but not deferential as, almost without thinking, Finchley reached out and took the Champions hand beside her. The Banshee glanced down at the girl and smirked slightly…then looked back to the negotiations happening in the center of the broad terrace.
Calidis stood before Elrond, her hands clasped behind her back. "Our delay is simple…Matters in the lands to the west, the town of Men, needed to reach their conclusion. The sisters Xanderian and Xandilif were seeing to their duties as stipulated by the Host of the West, to see to the protection of the Free Peoples wherever they may be threatened. I also awaited confirmation for this audience so that we would not arrive unlooked for.'
Elrond glanced around, noting Addie hovering at Calidis’ side, then looked back to the dark eyed elf. "I do not see the thief Rathvald...has he eluded your company?'
Addie bristled at the dismissive tone of Elrond toward her friend, but Calidis shook her head ever so slightly. Addie took this as a sign to hold her tongue for now and Calidis continued. "Rathvald did not ride with my company, but when he arrives I will claim him as one of my escort as well."
Elrond stared. "So...It is as I had heard…you grow most bold, silent one. In long centuries you asked not one favor of my house save for sanctuary in the name of your Father, now you seem to have a new policy, and keep company with....those your Father would not think fitting for his beloved daughter.' As he spoke his eye fell conspicuously on Xandilif and Xanderian. The Banshee met his gaze for a moment and the looked away diffidently, but beside her the Monk held his eye, her own gaze flared with a mix of emotion. She felt somehow that she stood at the edge of a cliff, looking across a burning expanse at the Lord of Rivendell.
Calidis cleared her throat, fingers of one hand curling ever so slightly. "My lord father would judge the character of others by their current strengths rather than their past weaknesses. So too do I ask that you look upon myself and my companions and take into account their worthy deeds of both the past and present."
Elrond raised an eyebrow.."Worthy deeds? In truth some of those of later birth amongst your number have shown good service in war, but on enquiry it seems their own people view them as troublemakers and criminals in many cases...is it little wonder then I find them here in the company of the obstreperous daughters of Anerial'
Eduwiges raised her voice, her anger bubbling over, 'I do not care for your tone Lord Elrond you have no right to speak to us in this manner..'
Pacing along the edge of the terrace, Elrond continued as if Eduwiges had not spoken. “Necromancy, consorting with servants of Shadow...disturbing the peace of the free peoples...theft by false witness...TREASON before the Crown of Gondor....civil destruction and endangerment...and something concerning the theft of a horse in Rohan....a most illustrious company you have found yourself amongst, Daughter of Eregion..and as for you, Eduwiges of Rohan....Do not presume I have forgotten your face and do not depend upon the kindness we have shown you in the past for services done willingly...you have made your choices of late, or so I have heard.'
Calidis moved to stand directly in front of Eduwiges to cut off her view of Elrond and vice versa. "In these late days it seems many are prone to remember the faults rather than the virtues... Many an innocent life has been saved by their actions. And much can be misconstrued by those who see little and talk much... May I remind you that you yourself were delivered into the hands of those who were looked upon with disfavor. And it was said that you were not treated unkindly."
From behind the company,, a small noise was heard...which appeared to be a repressed giggle. Eduwiges turned to look, spying the hooded scholar, Selunae, who had followed the company onto the Terrace. The elf was covering her mouth with her hand.
“This is getting us nowhere….” The Lord of Rivendell seemed to make an effort to calm himself. “Very well....then let us address the most pertinent matter before us, theft and misuse of a Morgul weapon of unknown abilities...this “Rathvald” bore it from here but I have no doubt where his impetus came from....ever do these sisters forge others into their weapons...And now at last they will be held accountable for their crimes...the Host of the West have no ambassadors here to defend them now, nor the Council of Dol Amroth.'
Addiela spoke up now. "I asked him to bring the blade to me, Lord Elrond.. It was my doing and for my sake he came."
Elrond stopped short...and turned..."And who are you, Daughter of Eorl?'
Calidis took a silent breath before speaking. "This is Addiela of Rohan."
Stepping closer out of the shadows Addie made sure that he could see her face in the light. 'I am the one who came in the company of Ahmo, the very ones you tasked with speaking for you to Master Gloin some time past.”
Elrond nodded slowly. “Ah...yes I know of you,...in this matter you are listed as....horse thief. And now as I look upon you, you wear guilt and shame as a gown....And have the stink of Mordor about you...'
Addiela bristled, her voice taking on an edge. 'A horse thief I am not nor would I ever be.. such is a shame to my very people.. but you are right that I wear shame for I am the one accused of necromancy.. and that is why I wished the dagger to be brought to me. Those are MY crimes, not something so base as horse theft.”
Calidis stepped forward again. “I would remind Addiela and you, Lord Elrond, that guilt and shame are a testament of regret and sorrow over perceived misdeeds. However, I do not believe that the fault should rest entirely upon her shoulders.'
Nethrida bowed suddenly and spoke in a rush. “Lord Elrond, Calidis speaks truly, the fault for those crimes lie not with Addie but with all of us, and mostly on those dark forces that have misused us. And I feel I must say, whatever you may think of her, the Champion of the Azure Faithful is well respected in Dol Amroth, where I serve. You can not dismiss such service out of hand.”
Elrond looked at Addie closely, nodded to Calidis, then turned again to look out at the waterfall before facing Nethrida. "I see....and as for you, Nethrida of Linhir, I am told the ink of your pardon for unspeakable crimes is barely dry so watch your words, especially in defense of the Revenant, Xandilif. You seem to know her titles well as she has ever been a braggart, but do you know her crimes as well? Has she told them to you?'
Nethrida blinked a few times, taken aback. She shook her head "N...No, My Lord... But if I may... I deny not my cowardice and dereliction of Duty to the Stewards... But... The cause of all of this was.... A treasonous Captain who betrayed me... And my company" She nodded, though her posture and demeanor seemed to shrink a little when addressed by Elrond, who had already turned away, unconcerned by her defense.
Elrond sighed...."Yes, the followers of the Kinslayer's Spawn ever have excuses for what they do, just as the sisters ever have ready justifications for their own misdeeds...did you think yourselves the first company to be brought to book in their service? Or the first that they shall bury…or even the second or third?'
Struggling to control herself as much as Eduwiges was now, Calidis spoke again, ''That is a matter for our company. Each who choose to remain at their side do so freely and none here misunderstand the dangers and risks. Their crimes are not the matter at hand, otherwise, you would have done much more about them long ago. But let us return to your current displeasure.'
Elrond paused again...and attempted again to let his anger dissipate. He met Selunae's eye and nodded softly to himself. "Very well...it is without question that the crimes which you are now before me to answer for were brought about by forces beyond the control of any save the most learned...what hope could any of you have had. However that does not wash you clean of blame,....nor myself. I shall atone by looking away in large part from this matter...while you must right the wrong you have brought about...you must stop the dark creature that now walks this world by your hands. Already he digs himself deep in his nest, like the vermin he is, already he has taken innocent blood, and will take more..already he twists light into darkness, already his evil deeps hide behind masks of virtue.'
Calidis nodded and bowed her head to hide the faint signs of relief on her face. She had not expected a pardon considering how badly this interview had started. For a moment, she wondered what had changed but then dismissed it for now. "Then we thank you for your kind judgement in this matter. We will stop at nothing to see this creature's end... Let it not be said that those who say Lord Elrond has learned in full the wisdom of kindness are fools….However, in light of your generous verdict, there is one request I would make of you, my lord.'
Elrond nodded softly. “Daughter of Aegrod, you and your company have the freedom of Imladris, within reason..watch over them..and do not let ANY amongst them cause my regret. Now what is your request?
Calidis glanced back to Xan, and closed her eyes. “I believe that you had one residing here under your own protection; Xanir. His head was delivered to us... I would ask we also be given freedom to see about this matter as well."'
Both Addiela and Carneryn focused on Elrond intently as the question seemed to hang in the air.
Elrond stiffened slightly…and finally spoke. "That is a matter that concerns us not...I care not what the daughters of Anerial may do as long as they do not breech the peace. Perhaps they will see what others would hide behind gleaming illusion.'
Calidis inclined her head, inwardly shocked by his response. "Understood. And should we discover that the blame for Xanir's death rests on the shoulders of someone within this Valley?"
Suddenly the Captain opened the doors behind the company..."Your audience is at an end...your weapons await you in the home of the Lady Calidis'
Elrond turned and looked back at the crashing water, his voice low, barely audible even by Calidis. "You will find no such blame, Daughter of Aegrod...unless she too is blinded.”
Calidis nodded, taking that cryptic comment and the Captain's words as a dismissal. She curtsied politely and turned to walk out the doors, gently motioning for others to follow, her face a mask of calm.
As they gathered in the great hall, Selunae was awaiting them and smiled...."That went...well.'
As she came down, Nethrida strode forward and shoved Eduwiges firmly. 'Edu, next time you run your mouth like that in a meeting as important as this one is... I will break your nose.'
Eduwiges looked angry, but a bit chagrined by Nethrida’s rebuke. She still would have shoved back but Xanderian sighed and came between them..looking pale and drawn. "Nethrida, leave Eduwiges be..no harm came of it and worse would likely have occurred did she not speak and vent her anger at least somewhat.”
Xandilif leaned against a statue and watched the others....."Any of you get the same impression of that as I did?'
Addiela looked over to Lif. "Perhaps...But I would hear your thoughts of it Banshee."
Lif spat on the marble floor, much to the horror of several passerbys. "This was a little play....' She then looked around slowly, raising her voice. "…but for whose benefit?'
Eduwiges took a deep breath and released it as the entire company paused, and from their pervious dealings with Elrond Half-Elven, knew Xandilif was right. Something was very wrong in Rivendell.
Selunae tilted her head..."As ever the Maiden of Madness speaks when she should be silent...be a bit more wary, and we shall speak more of this later. For now, your arms are in the home of Lady Calidis and you have the freedom if Imladris….enjoy it….while you may.' With that the woman turned and flipping up her hood, walked briskly away.
Finchley sighed and looked around for where she could get a snack, muttering to herself. “No..that wasn’t ominous at all….”
