Well, you remember Farael, Argentis- he's a man who speaks his mind, a career war type, like yourself.
"We can spin it any way we like," says Baranar, "but the other Cardolani Lords will not like or accept it."
"We're damned either way," says Farael."If I DON'T garrison you, no-one will believe that our offers of help are serious. You are clearly in need of it."
Baranar grudglingly nods.
"Very well," he says.
Farael offers his hand, which Baranar takes, grimly.
"Welcome to the Alliance," says Farael. "May you be the first of many."
As you seem to be around, Palidan, Farael will take note of you.
"You are the High Elf Palidan?" he asks.
Oh, sorry, Palidan.
The Elves have no direct equivalent for the human word 'Magic'. They have not distinguished that ability in the same way humans do- and wha they find exceptionally odd is the way that Humans use the same term for the dark arts of the Enemy, when as far as Elves are concerned the two things are totally different, and even if humans try and distinguish good and bad magic, the Elves simply conceptually differ.
Probably the best way to describe it is this passage from FOTR, when Pippin asks if the cloaks the Elves at Lothlorien gave them are magical. The poor Elf tries to answer the best he can based on what he thinks people using the term 'magic' mean.
"I do not understand what you mean by that. They are fair garments, and the web is good, for it was made in this land. They are Elvish robes, certainly, if that is what you mean. Leaf and branch, water and stone; they have the hue and beauty of all these things under the twilight of Lorien that we love; for we put the thought of all that we love into all that we make. Yet they are garments, nor armour, and they will not turn shaft or blade. But they should serve you well; they are light to wear, and warm enough or cool enough at need. And you will find them a great aid in keeping out of the sight of unfriendly eyes, whether you walk among the stones or the trees."
So the cloak is clearly what we would call magical, but the Elf does not understand the term, and feels he has to specify that they won't turn away blades.
As far as Elves are concerned, these things are just things they can do. 'Magic' is an abstraction from what is normal- to Elves, it is perfectly normal. What they would call a magic loak made by Elves, you would just call an Elven cloak.
Perhaps the best way to think about it is that you see a cloak like that as a form of 'natural technology'- very well made, in a way Humans don't get (though to be fair, the Dunadan have that art as well, and they make some kick-ass weapons, like the very one Farael is carrying).
Gets more obscure if you start using actual 'magical' effects, rare as they are- but the principle of it is the same. So you would never use the term 'magic' to describe what you do, because that makes no sense to you.
(Out of character, feel free to call it magic, for system purposes)
"I am Lord Farael, Battlemaster of Arthedan and Council member to King Arvedui. Well met, my Elven comrade... you have come a long way to see our troubles first hand."
The Arthedanian army does indeed arrive a few hours hence Decisions are made quickly- Baranar does indeed become a protectorate of the King. Unable to defend itself, a poriton of the army will remain behind to garrison it, perhaps in perpetuity, certainly for the forseeable future.
In one sense, the objective ois achieved. The first of the Cardolani Lords has signed up to Arvedui's dream of unification. Yet Farael has little confidence in the arrangements.
"They'll say Baranar was only attacked because he was discussing signing up against the Witch-King," he comments. "And then that he only signed up because he has become a puppet state occupied by our soldiers. If anything, this will just make people more scared to talk to us. What's the point, if by doing so all you get is attacked and then occupied?"
And there is a certain amount of disquiet amongst all the locals, as word of what the Black Orc said gets around.
Baranar, of course, wants to thank you all; your service to him has been incalculable, and certainly the day would not have been won without you. But his tone is sullen; few of his friends are still alive to share in his victory.
Farael is planning to depart tomorrow with the bulk of the army; it has been busy clearing the local area of any trouble. No sign of the Black Orc- "well on his way to Rhudaur or even Angmar by now"- but the are ais quickly safe again to live in- for now. With the Fortress intact, a local garrison can keep this place as a notable bastion in a part of Cardolan that is otherwise too hostile to live in. Maybe some refugees- of which there are plenty- will come settle here too. It might not be much to work with now, but it is all you have.
"Hey! This is going too fast 😊
Corlindel approches to Lord Farael and Baranar happy for the beggining of a new alliance between Arthedain and Cardolan. He saluts Baranar and Farael and then turns to Farael and says:
- Im Corlindel from Lindon. I came from the Grey Havens and I was sent by Cirdan to show you our friendship and support against the Witchking. I am at your service Lord Farael.
"We won!!! 👆
Throws East Lindon's vintage tobacco and pipes to all " 😊