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Feud	By : narcolinde Category: -Multi-Age > General Views: 27131 -:- Recommendations : 1 -:- Currently Reading : 1
Disclaimer: I do not own the Lord of the Rings (and associated) book series, nor any of the characters from it. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

Chapter List
- 91
- 92
- 93
Feud
By erobey
Beta'd by Sarah AK (remaining errors mine alone)

The Cast of Extras of Feud:

Many have asked for a refresher on all the extra's in the story, their names, what they mean, their places in the saga. This seemed like a good idea to me and something I should have done long ago! Here they are, in order of appearance. Also, a brief summation of the facts we do know about Erebor appears at the end. A sort of cheat sheet as we return to the Chamber of Starlight and try to unravel this strange puzzle. And, a re-post of the timeline of the story in regards to canon:

2941 - Battle of Erebor, Legolas' Judgement
2953 - Release of Annaldír, Legolas agrees to Gandalf's plan and heads to the Southern Regions of Mirkwood, befriends the woodsmen, meets Aiwendil.
2956 - Aragorn meets Gandalf (Return of the King, Appendix B, JRR Tolkien)
2957 - Aragorn begins his years of errantry incognito (same as above)
2958 - Legolas baits the Nazgul, meets Elrond and Erestor, and meets Aragorn

Talagan (Harper)
Sinda Captain of Thranduil's forces. He has been the King's friend since both were children. He knows Thranduil better than anyone else. Born in Neldoreth and immigrated with the Sindar refugees under Oropher's leadership before the sack of Menegroth. Talagan was there at the Last Alliance where his wife and son were killed in combat. So he has a grudge against the Noldor and Men, and he secretly fears Thranduil has condemned his mate and son's souls to eternal entrapment in either the Forest River or the trees of the Greenwood. Thus he is careful about defying his Lord.

Talagan has a violent temperament and is ruthless; due mostly to his years of fighting with Thranduil in rather tight situations all over Middle-earth prior to the Last Alliance. He helped Thranduil amass a great fortune of wealth and ill-got gains and is rather well off himself.

It was Talagan who condemned Legolas at Erebor, for he felt the archer had betrayed the great trust placed in him by the captain. Really, Talagan knew he was the one that failed, for he did not properly assess the forces on the ground nor have scouts determine the safety of the ridge behind the sniper's position. The fact that Legolas was already scorned and reviled as Elrond's bastard made him an easy scapegoat for blame. Thus Talagan was spared reprisals and tarnish to his reputation and for a short while the captain gained in the King's esteem for ridding him of the false heir and the faithless queen.

One of the Lost Warriors, Andamaitë, was a distant cousin to Talagan on his mother's side.

Maltahondo:(Golden Hearted - Quenya)
AKA Malthen (Golden - Sindarin)
The personal guard of Ningloriel and her son, Legolas, and thus served as the archer's corpsman among the troops. His job was to keep the arrows coming and defend the sniper from attack if necessary. Malthen has known Legolas since his birth and for many years served as the elfling's father-figure/older brother.

Malthen is bound to Ningloriel and her family by a debt of blood that was incurred in the First Age. The ancestor of the guardsman was among the servants of Celegorm who took the sons of Dior and left them to starve in the woods. The Laiquendi found and rescued the princes while pursuing the Noldor betrayers who would do such to innocents. A skirmish ensued and Malthen's ancestor killed one of the Laiquendi, an ancestor to Ningloriel. The survivors were brought to the Greenwood where the Nandor, under Iarwain's leadership, sentenced the guilty elf and all his progeny to servitude of the slain Green Elf and all her progeny. (Iarwain does not play.)

However, Maltahondo has been in love with Ningloriel for centuries out of time, and was her personal guard from her elfling days, and became her first lover when she was barely past majority. She kept him around and their strange affair continued intermittently whenever the queen was not able to be with her real love, Elrond, until she departed for Aman. She intended for Malthen to join her but he refused at the last moment, returning to Greenwood to try and undo the harm he has caused Legolas.

For as the child grew, Malthen began to take on more of a supervisory role over Legolas, monitoring every facet of his life when he and Ningloriel were not in Lorien. As Legolas began to mature and entered puberty, he was stunning to look upon, much like his mother, but unlike her was head over heels in love with Malthen. Whether it was spite for Ningloriel's rejection or common lust or some combination of the two, Malthen exploited this youthful infatuation and took Legolas as his lover. Not only was the youth underage, but Malthen also used him to express his increasingly hostile resentment of Ningloriel and the relationship became humiliating and abusive. Of course, this had to be kept secret.

Thus, when Legolas was finally assigned an active role among the troops as an archer in Talagan's company, Malthen had to end the affair. So to take care of this problem, Malthen enlists an elf he met in Lorien who later immigrated to Greenwood and became associated with Thranduil's court. The elf was actually a Noldo and served as a spy for Elrond's realm. Malthen handed over Legolas to this elf in the hidden glade where he and Legolas had enjoined their trysting. Malthen never touched him sexually again.

Malthen is the only witness to Legolas' actions at Erebor, as far as anyone knows. Yet he did not defend the archer against Talagan's charges or even try to stop Legolas from attempting suicide. After the public decree of Judgement, Malthen tells Legolas to find a clean death and wait for him in the Halls of Mandos. He leaves him with a lock of his auburn hair that Legolas wore around his ankle during his exile.

The only thing to his credit is that Malthen does regret what he has done. He gave up his one chance to be with Ningloriel permanently by refusing to go with her to the Undying Lands. He wants to make up for the sins of his past. That is a very tall order.

Fearfaron (Spirit Hunter)

Annaldír (Gift of the Trees)
A talan builder by trade, Fearfaron is the father of one of the Lost Warriors, Annaldír. Fearfaron is the first elf to demand restitution from Legolas during the public sentencing. Fearfaron's wife is in the Undying Lands. He cajoled her into sailing for she was fading from grief. She had miscarried their daughter after a spider attack left her poisoned. This was long before Legolas was born.

Annaldír was a spearman and died at Erebor trying to decoy the goblin guards. He was a widower, his wife and child both victims of the initial invasion of Amon Lanc when the Necromancer came and built Dol Guldur. After this he moved back home with Fearfaron when not out on patrol or on duty in the barracks. Alone among the other warriors, Annaldír befriended Legolas. He often told Fearfaron about Legolas and the two shared fondness for the archer that was unbeknown to him.

After the Judgement, Fearfaron required Legolas to assist him in his craft. Legolas was not very adept at it but tried hard and did learn a good deal. He showed great respect for the fallen trees the two salvaged from the forest and thus Fearfaron began to feel a stronger connection to Legolas. At the 12th anniversary of the battle, Legolas was required to return for his monthly chastisement and service to the carpenter. When Ailinyéro's punishment got out of hand, Fearfaron stopped the evil elf and the sick guards from raping Legolas. Fearfaron alerted the Council and the chastisement was revoked, and the oath of celibacy was nullified too. Fearfaron took Legolas back to his home, effectively adopting him on the spot. That same night, Annaldír was Released.

Fearfaron's name is significant. He serves as Legolas' father and represents the opposite of Thranduil's nature. We know now that Thranduil was capable of manipulating the souls of the dead for his own ends. Thranduil was more than ready to sacrifice Legolas as a means of forcing Ningloriel to his will. But Fearfaron only seeks rest for Annaldír's soul and peace for himself and Legolas. Due to Fearfaron's loving forgiveness, Legolas' spirit is prevented from fading and Annaldír's finds the way to Mandos. Legolas learns to trust Fearfaron and opens up to him, revealing for the first time his relationship with Malthen.

Meril (Rose)

Lindalcon (Song of the Sun Ray)

Valtamar(Good Fortune)
Valtamar died at Erebor trying to save the life of his comrade, Andamaitë. He was a swordsman and valiant warrior, a devoted father and husband.

Meril is the oldest daughter and one of four children of a long line of warriors and lost her father in the Last Alliance. Full details below in the summary of the Erebor evidence to date.

During the public Judgement, Meril invoked an ancient Law as restitution: since Legolas was guilty of taking away Lindalcon's father, then Lindalcon was within rights to claim the title and position of Prince of the Woodland Realm from Legolas. Because of this, she moved into the stronghold palace and ousted Ningloriel, who refused to share her position of power with another, even though she hated Thranduil.

Though young and suffering from his loss, Lindalcon is not overcome by grief mainly because the tension in the stronghold requires him to be constantly alert. He hates Thranduil, cannot believe his mother has joined with him, and is angry that no one seems to remember his father. Except Legolas and Fearfaron, both of whom become his substitute family. Lindalcon does not believe Legolas caused his father's death, and as he has grown older has been beset by nightmares of the events of the battle. He believes neither he nor his father will find peace until the truth is revealed.

Because he was hiding in a spot he should not have, he overheard his mother lying to Thranduil about Legolas' visit to his new baby brother. When he revealed this, Legolas then told Lindalcon he suspects that Meril was involved in Erebor somehow. To hear that his mother may have deliberately helped bring bout Valtamar's death nearly breaks Lindalcon, but he survives due to Legolas' love and support and the two become closer than most brothers. Lindalcon boldly defends Legolas against Thranduil's charges and does not desert him even when the archer's illicit involvement with the Noldor is publicly revealed.

Rochendil (Horse friend)

Ailinyéro(Pools of Sorrow)

The husband of Andamaitë, one of the Lost Warriors. He is called Rochendil because he is the horse master for Talagan's company. It is his responsibility to ensure the safety of the horses during battle when the elves are not mounted, as at Erebor. He changed his name to Ailinyéro after the Judgement, where he demanded Legolas swear an oath of celibacy and also that he submit to chastisement. Chastisement was basically sexual torture. He was exiled after Fearfaron stopped these torments on the night of the Judgement's 12th anniversary. He was ordered to sail for the Undying Lands and stand before Manwë for his punishment.

Gladhadithen (Little Laugh aka Giggle)
Though we do not learn her name until many chapters later, she is there right from the start, caring for Legolas and arguing with Gandalf. This continues to be her style throughout. No one dares defy her orders, she has treated every elf in the Greenwood at one point or another, seen them all naked, sick and vulnerable. Even Thranduil. If anybody has power, she does and she uses it judiciously and for good. She serves as Legolas', and every one else's, substitute mother. When she steps forward, everyone else steps back and gives her room. Her name was given based on a good friend who reviews when she can and also happens to be something of a healer.

Ningloriel (Golden Water Lily Maiden)
Queen of the Woodland Realm and Legolas' mother. Selfish and promiscuous, she has helped ruin her child's life by her ongoing affair with Elrond of Imladris. She despises Thranduil and only seeks a means to become more powerful and influential. She loves Elrond as much as she loves anyone but has kept Maltahondo as her lover also. After the Judgement, when Meril and Lindalcon moved in, she moved out, dissolved her union to Thranduil and tried to get Legolas to go with her to Aman. He refused; she accused him of being selfish and left him anyway, after exacting a promise from Elrond to look after him. Maltahondo abandoned her at the Havens, however, and returned to Greenwood hoping to help Legolas survive.

Dambethnîn (My Answer) Pen-bara (Fiery One)

Orophin (?) Pen-Raeg (Bent One)
For purposes of this story, Dambethnîn and Orophin got to know Erestor sometime after the battle against the Balrog that ravaged Lorien in TA 1980. Based on what Erestor says to Fearfaron, Orophin must have been very young, barely at majority when he and Dambethnîn bonded. Erestor admits he has been with them for several centuries by the time he meets Legolas so it would not have been much after this disaster. Possibly, Galadriel and Celeborn sent some of the Galadhrim to Imladris to recover from their grief and shock and he met them then.

The two decided to let Erestor join them at Dambethnîn's suggestion. Dambethnîn was given the nickname Pen-bara (Fiery One) and Orophin was called Pen-Raeg (Bent One) by Erestor, who is known to them as Pen-raun (Deviant One). *(NOTE: I have found that some of the chapters say Pen-raug rather than Pen-raeg. I will try to correct these errors. Pen-raug means 'Devilish One'.)* The couple love one another and both love Erestor, as much as he will let them, but he refused to formalise their bond and remains free, seeing them when he can but also prowling after any young eligible elf that catches his eye in Imladris. This Erestor clearly states to Elrond in the chapter 'Pondering Difficulties and a New Course', saying he has never pretended to any formal bonds. Later, he tells Legolas he is bound! (OK, he lied. He did not think he was going to fall for Legolas. He tells all the young elves he seduces the same thing, so they will not endanger their hearts while engaging his lust.)

Their situation is not clear, for while the couple were definitely worried about what was happening to Erestor; they were not under the impression he had actually given away his heart. This they deemed had been given to them, as much as he was capable of giving. What they will think when they learn of this bonding to the wild elf is up in the air.

Erestor(Actual meaning unknown)

Sigiland (Long knife)

Berenaur (Brave Flame)

Pen-raun (Deviant One)
Erestor's many names are just inventions made by the author. Tolkien never gave any translation of what 'Erestor' means and if there is one I have not seen it. So I made up a meaning for that also from the following words: Erui=alone (Er), estë=rest (est), oré=inner heart (or): Alone Rests the Inner Heart. Sigiland is his father name and until the fall of Gondolin this is the name he was known by. Berenaur is his mother name and the one he decides to use once he and Elrond actually meet Legolas who laughs at them for pretending their names are Herdir (male lord) and Rusciphant (old fox). Then Elrond steals the name Erestor because it has just enough prestige to wow the rustic Wood Elf and Erestor uses the name his mother bestowed on him. It is nice Legolas chooses this one to call him, for this helps Erestor heal tremendously. Legolas tells Erestor he was true to this name when standing between Thranduil and him at the council hearing. Due to Legolas, Erestor has won back the right to use this name again without shame.

Iarwain (The Oldest)
This elf's true name is lost to time, for this is an ancient awakened at Cuiviénen and has been with the Danwaith forever. His name is blatantly a tribute to Tom Bombadil, who was called this by the elves and signifies the reverence the Wood Elves have for this elder. However, Iarwain also goes by the name Oromëndil (Friend of Oromë). Iarwain does not like sharing power with Thranduil and was happy to allow the Judgement to stand unchallenged, for it removed the King's heir. Thranduil got around that after taking a consort and producing more children. Then the Tawarwaith started to be spoken of and Iarwain figured out this was Legolas. He decided to try to regain control of the Realm through manipulating the wild elf. He has been unsuccessful in predicting what Legolas will do and also how the wily carpenter will intervene.

Ben'waeth (According to the Wind)

Ben'waith (According to the People)
This is the name of the elf servant who has been Meril's friend for centuries, long before the consort's change in fortune. They are gossip hounds and have a standing contest to see who can astound the other with the most outrageous news. An accidental misspelling occurred recently and though I caught it I decided to leave it as it stands, because the way Ben'waeth is presented is different in each of the two chapters.

We first meet her after Meril has her argument with Thranduil over her lies regarding the Tawarwaith. Ben'waeth encourages Meril to open up to her husband about what happened regarding Erebor, for Meril told her of it at the time. Meril refuses. However, spelled this way, Ben'waeth means 'According to the Wind' and in Tolkien's universe, Súlimo, or the Wind Lord, is another name for Manwë, the Vala closest to the mind of Iluvatar. Thus I chose this name, for the elf was speaking with the voice of right and justice.

Later, she turns up again, when the glen is being set to rights for Legolas' return with his new mate. I spelled the name wrong: Ben'waith, which means 'According to the People'. Well, I decided to leave it that way because in that chapter she speaks up after Gandalf derides the Wood Elves efforts to make amends to Legolas. She effectively represents the voice of her people.

The humans in the village:

Llannadh, Sarah, Chloe, Amethyst, and the Elder with ivory skin and brown eyes, all these were chosen from among fans who had submitted reviews and said they would not mind being mentioned that way. Some others are mentioned more vaguely and only they are aware. Carnil (Red Star - Mars) and Cemendur (Servant of the Earth - aka geologist!) are me. The human name equivalents are Mark (Carnil) and George (Cemendur). Cemendur survives, Carnil perished. There is also an elven child that argues with his brother, when bringing some food and drink to Legolas, who is named Cemendur. These little ones are all foreshadowing of Legolas' strong protective instinct towards Taurant and Gwilwileth and his guilty belief that he has brought trouble upon them.

Just in case anyone was wondering, Legolas is determined to return to the village and visit with Cemendur again. That will be a funny little side piece sometime in the future in which Aragorn, Legolas, and Cemendur will have a small and harmless (mostly) adventure one summer while Erestor is stuck in Imladris and the Tawarwaith is bored and restless.

Taurant (Mighty Gift)

Gwilwileth(Butterfly)
The prince and princess of the Greenwood, Thranduil and Meril's children. Gwilwileth is still learning to speak and thus some words are difficult for her. She calls her self 'Gwilith', which means 'air' and indeed she is flighty and bright as any breezy spring day. Her father will give her the name Echuiross (Early Spring Rain).

She makes up all sorts of funny names for people out of different word parts. She calls her baby brother Tauron, which means forester, Lindalcon is Lindon (Land in Beleriand where the Laiquendi originally dwelled, later a haven for the remnant of the Noldor). Legolas has turned into Limlas, (fish leaf), Gladhadithen is Gladdie because it is easy not because it means anything, Iarwain is Arwain (Royal Sickle). (He likes this because it refers to the constellation called the Sickle of the Valar and names him royal by virtue of being awakened when this constellation was prominent. However, the Sickle is the same as our Ursa Major aka Big Dipper and that is prominent much of the time anyway at least in the Northern Hemisphere.) Arathorn is Aran (king). And so on. What she will call Erestor, Gandalf, and Aiwendil has not been revealed.

Taurant is just a helpless baby right now and Legolas will do his best to protect him. We will have to wait a bit to learn what sort of character this elfling possesses and whether he will appreciate the gift of the Tawarwaith's blessing or not.

Have I left anyone out? Any other detail anyone would like to have brought forward?

What we know about Erebor thus far:

From the Hobbit we know this much: The Wood Elves were pinned down and boxed in, for goblins had swarmed in unexpectedly from the other side of the Mountain and were converging upon both the southern and eastern spurs defining the valley. Thranduil was at Ravenhill, Gandalf with him; Thorin and Dain's men were in the valley surrounded by the goblins. The elves were struggling to hold their positions on the southern spur but were being slowly overtaken.

From the story we know this: Talagan's plan was to destroy the Goblin King, thus demoralising the rest of the fell beasts and bolstering the hope and courage of the remaining fighters. He was confident his plan would work, for Legolas was highly gifted and in fact never missed that anyone had ever noted. The plan would have worked, but someone started throwing rocks at Legolas and hit him just as he was about to take his shot. He missed.

So the big question is, who threw those rocks?

A) Goblins?
B) Malthen?
C) Ailinyéro?
D) Talagan?

Thranduil has referred to it as an avalanche, but this is an exaggeration. There was definitely a rock fall, however, and it happened just as many pivotal things occurred: 1) the Goblin King was exposed 2) the eagles started to fly into battle 3) Thorin was struck down. So no one was really concentrating on what was happening on one small ledge above two elves.

Even so, Gandalf stated unequivocally that there were no goblins on the ridge above Legolas' position. If anyone was looking around, it was he. The Hobbit says he was just sitting there thinking while all the fighting was going on.

Maltahondo did not report any activity until he saw the rocks start falling. By that time it was too late for Legolas to do anything, no matter what Talagan thinks. What was the guardsman doing all this time?

Talagan, knowing the goblins were pouring toward the elves' positions on the southern spur, could have detailed at least one soldier to cover the archer his plot so depended upon, yet he did not. And where was he during this time?

Ailinyéro hated Legolas and according to Meril (see below) had a motive for causing him to miss. But he was assigned to guarding the troops' horses and he would not have been involved in the combat. Also, Meril's tale is not flawless. Still, where was he during this time?

This is the 'confession' Meril made to Thranduil:
"I loved Valtamar, this you must accept," she at last began to whisper and raised her eyes, strained and alight with a frantic gleam, to his.

Thranduil gripped her arm and lifted Meril up onto his lap, wrapping his arms around her as her head nestled in the crook of his neck. This was difficult to hear, for if love was so quick to come and go within her heart, what did that foretell of the bond they shared?

"Aye, it is nothing unexpected for an elleth to love. Go on."

"He wanted many elflings; I would not consent. He was a warrior, and I suffered the death of my father at a young age. The Last Alliance claimed him and his remains lie in the stagnant waters of the Dead Marshes. My mother faded quickly thereafter, leaving me to rear my three younger siblings. I did my best, but in the end I lost the littlest; she died of grief. Then I sent the other two over sea at once."

"You did not join them, why?"

"Valtamar. He served with my father; was there when he met his end. He did try to make me do so, even though he loved me dearly even then. I was comforted by his love, and came to return it. I could not go and leave him alone. He would not abandon the Greenwood, for seasoned warriors were fewer in number after the Last Alliance and needed here.

"Those early years were wondrous and we lived in joy despite the growing dangers from the Necromancer. During the Watchful Peace Valtamar was seldom far from my side and he once more renewed his request for offspring. I resisted long, for I did not trust to the Weaver's [Vairë, Vala of Destiny] compassion and felt my fate was always to be marked by loss, as it has ever been for a spearman's daughter and a warrior's wife.

"Nearly six hundred years did I make him wait, perpetually begging this gift of me on every Edinor Dû'wîthiel [Binding-Night Anniversary]. (NOTE- this sounds like an inconsistency, but Meril is counting that 600 years from the END of the Watchful Peace (2460) not from the Last Alliance. Lindalcon is pre-adolescent, 38, when we meet him first and matures over the years Legolas is in exile. This puts his birth at 2903, so Meril was exaggerating that amount of centuries a bit, it was more like 443. Please forgive the author for just estimating in this case instead of calculating everything exactly.) I do not recall what swayed me after such steadfast refusal. Yet I have never regretted relenting to Valtamar's unceasing pleas; Lindalcon was our delight and my only consolation upon his death, prior to my union with you.

"Once our son was in his twenties, however, my husband began to demand more babes. We argued much and the strain grew between us. Valtamar saw my refusal as insecurity and deemed he had failed as my spouse and as a soldier. I could not make him see I was guarding Lindalcon against the pain I endured on losing my parents and my siblings.

"By then we were often apart due to the increased activity of Orcs and the need for longer and longer tours of patrol. Then one morn he was brought home badly wounded and I nearly went berserk, shouting at him that I would leave and take Lindalcon with me to Aman if he did not resign his commission and seek a less dangerous life.

"He called me a coward and faithless! He accused me of caring nothing for Greenwood and our child's future, of forgetting Tawar and the bounty of the trees. We resolved the conflict but things were not the same there after. And though we did share a bond, I ceased to lay with him. Of course we did not reveal any of this to Lindalcon and he never discovered our discord.

"Valtamar knew his rights under the Law yet did not invoke them openly as he should. This was for Lindalcon's sake, but far better would that upheaval have been than the truth he was attempting to conceal from us!" Meril burst into fresh tears, but these were of anger and abused pride, not sorrow and despair. Thranduil caressed her hair and closed his eyes as he pressed her head against his shoulder.

"Valtamar took a consort," he said and felt her nod avowal.

"Oh far worse! He got her with child, a warrior in his company. She was wedded and the scandal would have destroyed any happiness we had left. How could I let him break Lindalcon's heart that way? I would not suffer it or have my child shamed thus!" Her weeping increased intensity for several minutes as Thranduil sought to comfort her, but already he had a sick feeling in his stomach regarding the completion of this tale.

"What did you do about it?" he prompted when the tears subsided yet she did not resume speaking. He felt her take a long shuddering breath and release it slowly, so slowly, as if she was at last purging all the pain and anger she had harboured hidden in her heart for centuries.

"The mate of this inu warrior came to me. He was outraged. He wanted to have them answer for their deeds before the Council, but I pleaded for him to consider the children, Lindalcon and the growing life in her womb, blameless of any wrongs. He relented, but said he would not have a bastard foisted upon him to raise. He said he would deal with them and that the child would never breathe air.

"Again I begged mercy for this unborn elfling! I urged him to confront his mate and demand she remove to Aman or at least to Mithlond. This would solve our dilemma without jeopardising innocent life. He said he would consider it.

"The next day, the call came up for the march to Erebor. The rest you know. I fear this elf made good his threats and was the cause for the deaths of at least two of the Lost Warriors, Valtamar and Andamaitë." She stopped speaking and snuggled against her husband as if ready for repose, heaving another great lungful to cleanse her soul.

Thranduil frowned; if the warrior inu involved with Valtamar was Andamaitë then Rochendil was the irate mate. This was the real name of Ailinyéro, the elf banished by the Council for molesting the outcast under the veil of seeking retribution by chastisement. A link had been established, but most tenuous was this thread connecting the parties. Something was not quite right.

"What of the archer? How is Legolas involved in all this? How did Rochendil manage it?" He felt Meril shrug listlessly.

"He was not, at least not in the scandal. I have no idea how Rochendil made all this come about. I assumed he merely saw a chance to create a scapegoat for his crimes."

"What of Maltahondo? Where does he fit into this? Was he part of the plot to blame Legolas?"

"Nay, I do not believe so. I think he was as unaware of what was taking place as was his charge."

"But you condemned Legolas, too! You demanded the fullness of the sentence, a punishment he did not deserve."

"I went along with everyone else! How could I reveal all when that would only add to Lindalcon's grief? I would not risk my child's life! He was so devastated by the loss of his father, to tarnish his happy memories would have been brutally cruel.

"As for the mandates I made that day, perhaps they were not fair. Would you hold me to account now? Are the love we have found and the family we have produced insufficient justification for that small infraction? Legolas did not really belong to anyone; he was just another archer, and his death would not even be remarked in Greenwood. No one thought him able to survive a year on his own, much less seventeen. It was never to come to this sort of conclusion."

Meril claims the real victims were on the valley floor below, yet her story about Valtamar and Andamaitë lacks credence, because no parents would knowingly charge into battle and put their unborn child at risk.

Meril claims Maltahondo was not involved at all.

Meril also says her information came from Ailinyéro, who is conveniently no longer present to refute whatever she states. How does she know about all this before hand? Why didn't she go to Talagan with what she knew and protect the unborn child she claimed to be so concerned about? According to her, Ailinyéro somehow caused the rockslide, so where was he during the battle?

No matter whether it is lies or truth, Meril has said entirely too much not to be involved on some level. Why would she do this? Was Valtamar really supposed to be a target? Was he having an affair of not? Why would Ailinyéro tell Meril anything at all about his plans? How could he trust her to remain silent?

So that is all there is thus far, folks.
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Feud