"Ah, another of the Eotheod!" says Arvedui. "I tell you now, if you are as good a rider as your kinsman Marakith then you are a credit to your people and ALL Northmen." He turns, his cloak billowing slightly, and heads to his chair at the 'head' of the table.
"We shall need stout men such as you if the Witch-King is ever to be bested!" he continues. "And of course you have my permission." he sits, and looks at all around him.
"I suspect there has been tension again," he says. "In my Council Chamber, no less?"
"Sire, these outsiders do not understand our ways," says Morsire. "As simple as that."
"Simple indeed, and I believe you," says Arvedui. "As I also believe you would not understand their ways should you be at their home."
"I would know to hold my tongue before making comment or criticism, until I had learned," says Morsire.
"And very commendable that is too, Morsire. You are an example to us all."
Morsire hesitates.
"Thank you..." he says, slightly non-plussed.
"Now," says Arvedui. "To business! Unless anyone has any comment to make first?"
-
"The King makes no demands of his visitors, Lady," says the Messenger. "He asks your attention at your sufferance, but to see him is, of course, an honour,. The King is in Council right now but I shall take you to his throne room, should that please you."
Arvedui raises an eyebrow.
"You think to enter Cardolan alone is instant death?" he asks. "I think there are some people living in Cardolan who would be aggrieved to hear such things said about their home! Arnor is no longer safe, to be sure, but any danger will be in travelling, I would think, not at your destination! Still, to ease your mind now, no, you will not be alone!
"So then, to business. Of course, you all know of my plan to unite with Cardolan, and the reasoning for it, and I do not intend to go over it again. Suffice to say that early work on my plan has beem under way for quite some time, and we are ready to achieve our first solid result!
"Of course, our largest problem is in achieving this political unification against the possuible objection of Cardolan's people. Cardolan is now split into dozens of small Lordships. These are realms of common men, most of whom do not look outside their own borders. They call themselves Cardolani as we would call ourselves people of Middle-Earth, they do not see any place called 'Cardolan' as their home any more, only the Lordship they live in. When the east of their 'country' was invaded, these people treated it as vague news from abroad.
"Yet there IS a common binding to thrse people. They are people of the same dress and culture, who enforce the same laws that the Dunadain who once ruled them did. And there are Lords-a-plenty who would see Cardolan unified- but none can achieve it by diplomacy, nor have the power to di it by force. The Dunadain in Cardolan are long dead of battle and plague, but every nobleman who would claim overlordship oif the lands claims Dunadain heritage. Few truly have it.
"It is these Lords we must convince to accept me as King. Whilst we can offer Cardolan much, you can see why this would be difficult; they would no longer be their own masters, and any who had ambitions of greater power would be thwarted. Many hate each other and will not bear to be in one Kingdom together. I hope to persuade them with promises of protection from the Witch-King, of greater prosperity, of a future with hope. It is not easy.
"But we have found one man with whom we can start our plan for real, and here is where this journey starts. His name is Lord Baronar, a Lord in the north-west of Cardolan. He suits our purposes for several important reasons.
"First of all, he is a powerful Lord. He commands a small army which the raiding parties of the Dunlendings fear. He holds a fortress to keep that army supplied which the Dunlendings cannot touch. Because of this, his lands are relatively plentiful as villages all around look to him for their protection, they pay him taxes and he has built a semblance of civiisation for them.
"Secondly, his claim to Dunadan heritage is genuine- if weak. He could be considered a rightful leader of men.
"Thirdly, he is a popular Lord, to whom many other smaller Lords may follow the lead of.
"Fourthly, and most vitally of all- Lord Baronar has communicated to me that he is interested in my plan, and wishes to dsicuss it further. I believe he only needs to be convinced in person of our good intentions and he will accept the plan whole-heartedly.
"So, I plan to demonstrate that faith. And who better to send to demonstrate that, than this group of people from all corners of Middle-Earth who all have faith in our cause? Dwarves, Hobbits, Elves, Men from far places. The start of the dream of an alliance of all free peoples against the evil of this world- as the Wise have councilled me.
"All I require is for you good people to travel to Baronar's fortress and act as witnesses to my good intentions. That is simple enough, yes?"
-
The messenger leads you to the waiting room just outside of Arvedui's throne room, Aiwendil. This place is rather tastefully done out to the maximum of possible human luxury- there is more glory in this place than any of the scattered human settlements you ever saw down south.
Arevedui will come speak to you soon- your conversation with him will take place AFTER he has talked to the other players at the Council, but I will be doing it with you at the same time in the game, if that does not confuse you, ok?
"It sounds simple enough. Though there are Orcs and Dunlendings waiting for us when we enter Cardolan, I'm sure we'll manage. Afterall, they are simple raiders and warriors who cannot match your military might. Their raiding parties aren't strong enough to take us down. Only the focused forces like the ones that the Witch King to us to kill the Princess." Talin looks around to glimpse the other faces, and then looks back to the king.
"They won't try that again without something solid to gain," says Farael. "Most of that raiding party was slaughtered trying to make it back to Rhudaur."
"And the west of Cardolan is far safer than the east," says Arvedui. "Nonetheless, we have taken the precaution of working out a route that will keep you well clear of anywhere the Dunlendings are likely to wonder- and clearer still of the orcs! And once you are in Baronar's lands you will be safe again, of course."
To your surprise, Aiwendil, no messenger or flunky comes to show you to the throne room. It is Arvedui himself who enters through a side door (check the thread provided for his description). His is carrying his coronet-style crown loosely in his left hand.
"Ah!" he says, with a wide smile. "You must be our new visitor. Please, come in."
He raps loudly on the giant throne room doors, and they are pulled open from inside.
Arvedui puts on his crown as he enters the room. He beckons for you to follow him as he walks along the central 'groove' of the throne room, an in-laid red carpet, trhat leads to the steps to two thrones- a grnad one for Arvedui, and a smaller one for his wife, who is not here. He sits upon the larger- you know enough etiquette to have not followed him up the steps.
"Welcome to Arthedain," he says. "All races are welcome here, but most especially Elvenkind. I understand you have travelled far. Please, tell me about yourself and your travels."
"I have travelled here from Firien Wood, sire, far in the South-East. Our line has always cared for the trees there, but the Ents have finally woken rom their long slumber, and we were relieved of our duty. I swore I would not rest until I had travelled the length and breadth of Middle-Earth - which is what brings me to your realm."
"I see!" says Arvedui. "You are far from home indeed. My wife knows that wood. She went there as a child. She never saw an Ent but I have heard legends of these walking tree-sheperds; the Old Forest near here has similar such rumours.
"Tell me, did you have any trouble making the journey here? Any danger or peril?"
(been a way for a whilce cause net problems, normally these should be fixed, I read all that I missed tho I had some comments to the king I'll keep em to myself to not make the game messed up)
Argentis turns to Talin: "I will not hear anymore disrepect to my brother, Dwarf. For I can assure you his warrior skills are certainly as good as yours. I am sure Zeratul did what he could fighting Orcs. And should you ever feel the need to offend my brother again in my presence, your skull will end up being my new drinking mug!!!"