Pashaar Palace

[Raithen Anar]

Set amidst gardens, fountains, courtyards, with white robed slaves silently attending to all whims, - this is where Raithen dwells when in his Kingcity.

[Raithen Anar]

The women, undulating, their stomachs rippling, hips describing horizontal, flowing S shapes, danced to the sound of tambours and drums, beaded belts chiming, their smoky eyes dark and brilliant as perspiration beaded golden skins.
Lounging on a long couch, Raithen watched, eyes showing nothing, for they could show no expression, being simply an inlay of purest gold, supping wine from a goblet carved from one single amethyst, chilled by snow brought from distant mountains on the backs of runners , and packed in straw underground . As the last cymbal note shivered to silence and the women waited, in deep obeisance, he rose lithely, ' ... You, you, and you, ' he gestured with one hand, and the guards came to lead them away to his chambers.
He shook his head faintly, this was the trouble with being what he was and a King, - his ministers, his councellors, any ambitious merchant prince, plotted to somehow get one of their women into his bed, in the hopes of influencing him. He gave a faint smile, no-one, ever, had influenced him, ( save Morgoth, long ago, and that had soon faded ) and some trollope was not going to change that, - but still they tried, - the men behind these women, - wanting power themselves, of course, more wealth, more gold and land, palaces and silks and jewells.
He stretched and walked out onto the great collonade overlooking the gardens and the city below, hearing the murmur of conversation that rose in the still air like the drone of bees.

[Valdrik]

Long had hard had been the journey for the Enedwaithian emissary. For many months now he had travelled; swiftly through Rohan in the dark of night, far into the east to Rhun, south through trecherous Mordor and Khand. Haradwaith was to be his final destination, and the journey through the vast deserts he had not been looking forward to. It came as a pleasant suprise to him to find the great roads so well laid and outposts that were dotted about them made travel swift and comfortable. Not once did he or his steed want for water and have none in their skins. The man knew little of Haradwaith, nor of its cities, but through his conversations with various nomads he came to understand that Pasharr was where he would find Harad's King. When he arrived at the bustling city he meandered through the croweded streets, taking in the exotic sights and strange peoples performing and peddling goods. He took room that night in a brothel of sorts and enjoyed the comfort of several Haradrim womem and large amounts of wine.

It was well past noon when he awoke the following day, well refreshed from his long traveling. He washed and put on his finest garments, for now he would go before Haradwaiths ruler. He made his way through the street untill he came to the gates of the oppulent palace. Bowing to the guards he smiled, "I hail from Enedwaith and have journeyed far for an audience before your Lord." He stood then and clasped his hands behind him, waiting to be led before their ruler.

[Raithen Anar]

The guards remained at their posts, all but one, who turned and entered the great doors, - after a time, he returned, and lead the stranger through the marble hallways, through columned arcades, but not to the Throne Room, Raithen considered sitting poncing around on a throne was a waste of time unless one was greeting a full sate visit, or about to make an example of some-one in front of the court.
Valdrik was taken to a smalll , walled garden , obviously private, where fountains played, standing there was a very tall man, with golden hair knotted and tied back in warrior braids, as the Eldar wore theirs, his clothing severe black, in contrast to thr beight robes, turbans and jewells of the court, black breeches, boots, and vest, showing bare tattood arms. There was a pure white Gerflacon on his wrist, who glared with fierce golden eyes as the man entered. ' There , my beauty, ' Raithen soothed, feeding her a morsel of raw meat, then called to his falconer, who was waiting, to take her away. He laved his hands in a flowing fountain and shook them dry, - he had uttered no word , but a white robed slave appeared with a carafe of wine, in a bowl of snow and two gemmed goblets.
' I am Raithen, ' he said to the visitor, ' in what way can I be of service, ' it was a mere politeness of course, but Raithen was ancient, and bred in Valnir, and had never lost the silvery courtesy of speech, even if he were disecting a living human - he would be polite about it.

[Valdrik]

((Just a note, Its not Valdrik but a messenger. We'll call him Fergin - I hadn't named him before, lol))

The Enedwaithian man followed the guard through the palace and into the garden. It was full of lush greenery and color one would never expect to find in a land many thought to be nothing more than endless sand. He watched intently as the gracious birld perched and took its morsel before lighting again to fly to its keeper. Fergin eyes fixed upon those of Raithen when he turned to greet him. Nothing could have prepared him for such a sight and he felt he might go blind if he gazed into them any longer. He hid his suprise and kept his compoure as he bowed before the Lord.

He stood and introduced himself, getting straight to the matter of his visit, not wanting to waste any of Raithen's time. "I am Fergin of Enedwaith. Lord Valdrik, Chiefton of Enedwaith has sent me here offering tidings of alliance an trade between Enedwaith and Haradwiath." He took one of the offered goblets, nodding a polite thank you, but waited for his host to speak before taking a sip.

[Raithen Anar]

( lol sorry, reading too fast again! )

Raithen waved a hand gensturing the messenger to drink, sensing his surprise,- not at himself, but at this place - so many people thought Harad was simply one big sand dune, if they had only seen the badlands and desert of the north, but there were jungles, savannahs, mountain ranges who's peaks were capped with snow throughout the year, massifes who's shadows in the evening fell across whole tribal lands.
It was rich in precious gems, gold and spices, which was why, once one entered the cities, they saw its wealth displayed. Here the gardens were watered daily, and fountaines cooled the air - but Raithen did not mind the world outside Harad thinking it was a dust bowl full of howling tribes-people - not for now, while he was so engaged in conquest and intercenine warfare.

' And what can Enedwaith offer in trade, ? ' Raithen asked, not impolitely, but simply desiring an answer. ' And what does Enedwaith desire most from us? '

[Valdrik]

Fergin took a sip of wine as Raithen gestured, savoring the sweet cold liquid which was quite a relief from the scorching Haradrim sun. The question Raithen raised was a good one, for now that the emissary saw the richness of the southern lands he was not quite sure what Enedwaith could offer that Raithen did not presently possess. There were things Fergin thought that might entice Raithen to accept the alliance though. He took another sip of wine before addressing the question. “It is more than obvious that you require little if any of the products Enedwaith can produce and surely my people would benefit from trade more than yours. However, I’m sure the merchants of Umbar would love to line their pockets with more gold by selling their wares in the north.” He smiled, “There are also other benefits for you, methinks. As an ally your ships would be given free and safe harbor in our ports, an advantage if your sailors found themselves under attack while voyaging far from home. We also have quite a horse trading market, offering the finest steeds raided from the rolling plains of Rohan.” Fergin tilted the amethyst goblet up and finished off the red liquid within it. “Now, as to what my lord desires.... it is long been known that Umbar is host to the finest shipwrights in Middle Earth. Valdrik would like to see some of these fine vessels built for his own navy which consists now manly of Longboats and pilfered Elven vessels.” Fergin paused after going over the items that might be traded and sold between the two realms. True, it would benefit both economies if an alliance was struck, but, this was not the greatest concern. “What my lord desires most is the comfort of another ally in the south. In these times no realm should stand alone. The greatest advantage for both our realms is the added security of a trusted ally. If an alliance is struck, I assure you, Enedwaith will answer in your time of need.”

[Raithen Anar]

Raithen nodded, ' Look about you, as you can see , this city is like painted old whore, who never turns away a customer, - it was rich and corrupt long before I ever came here.
Harad thrives on trade, - for there are some things we do not have in great abundance, iron is one of them, - you have the ancient port of Lond Daer don't you? And one at the mouth of the Isen? It's a long time since I was in the north, things could have changed, ' he set down his goblet, ' Even were I , personally, or Harad, enemies with another country, trade would still go on - illegally of no other way, you know that, it's the lifeblood of this country, how it will become richer . I will send documents to your ruler with my seal, - and sent to Umbar and the port authorities that your ships and cargo may enter there safely, there's an enclave which you may use privately, in Umbar, I will put guards around it, - you know since the War of the Ring, the Corsairs and Haradhrim fear the people of the north, ' he gave a dry smile and called for his scribe, who brough vellum, ink, and wax, and wrote what Raithen dictated, then the King pressed his seal ring into the dark red wax
' For your King; papers to ensure your safety in Harad, show them at any army way station, I will send to Umbar, and set down the orders, - as I said , it's long since I went north of Umbar, I may call upon your ruler, but I am not Valar, and I cannot simply appear there, it will take a long journey, as you've seen.
So... now that is settled, what news from the North? '

[Valdrik]

Fergin smiled, delighted with Raithen's response. He bowed somewhat ceremoneously, "Thankyou, m'lord. Valdrik will be most pleased when he hears of your acceptance."

He righted himself and took the papers as Raithen offered them, tucking them into the inside pocket of his cloak. Fergin had had no news from Eenedwaith since his journey had begun well over a month before. What he did have were little bits of information that he'd picked up from travelers along the way.

"Forgive me if what news I can supply you with has already reached your ears. I'll first inform you that I have travelled through the lands of Rhun, Mordor, and Khand. Such was my task to speak with each ruler as I have with you. It was a profittable journey, indeed for now Enedwaith holds alliance with each of these realms, though, if I might say, the one struck today seems to hold the most potential." He paused and would have listed the names of each of the rulers he'd spoken with, but, thought surely this would be old news to Raithen and he didn't want to insult the man with petty information. "The latest news that I've been able to gather is of some stirring of forces against Cile Dinaedel of Moria. It has been whispered that his own father, Morsereg, along with Alcorad of Mordor seek to overthrow him." He frowned, "This news though was already a week old when it came to me. By now perhaps the battle has already transpired." He paused again, letting Raithen consider what he'd been told, then added. "I am to expect a ship sent by my Lord to meet me in Umbar to speed my return home. When it arrives I am sure I can provide you with news that is much more current and helpfull to you."

[Raithen Anar]

Raithen had heard of the people of course, but it seemed, and indeed was, very distant - if he bent his mind, like all Maia, he could see things, far away, but not as if he were looking through a Palantir, - he had always felt reliance on any Power made one lazy, so he had always concentrated soley on the arts of War and command.
After the War of the Ring, - when Sauron had been so decisively and embarressingly defeated, - Raithen had given the equivalent of a mental shrug and turned his attention to Haradwaith, and almost entirely ignored the north. It was easy to, he could not level a mountain, or open a crevasse in the earth to swallow some rebellious tribe who defied him, he literally rode out and fought, galloping his cavalry from flashpoint to flashpoint.

' nay, news from the north is slow to reach us, and much is rumour, ' he said, thinking, ' your lord obviously thinks high of you to send you on such a long and potentially dangerous journey here, so before you go, for yourself, these rulers you spoke of, ' he sipped some wine, ' I serve no-one, - I never served sauron - but sometimes alliances can be made with certain peoples. Only if they are strong, - not only militarily, I mean up here, ' he tapped his head, ' iron in the blood and in the will. ' What is your personal views of each of these starting with your own King, Valdrik, '

[Valdrik]

Fergin pondered a moment on what to say of his King. He decided against embelishing Valdrik's deeds or praising him as if he were some god. "Lord Valdrik is a capable leader. He has united the tribes of Enedwaith under one banner, and he has done so through leading them, not coercing them. He is loyal to those he claims as friends. For any further judgement upon him, I will leave that for you, for I am sure he will be axious to meet you personally." He thought back upon his visits to Rhun and Mordor, what could he say about Khaldun and Alcorad? His visits with them had been short and to the point, niether seemed too interested in asking questions. "Rhun's King, from what I gathered, is a rational man, I believe, more of his character than that I cannot persume to know. Alcorad of Mordor" He paused as he thought back upon their curt meeting, "Is a rash fellow. He cares not for the politeness and ceremony of diplomacy. A strong ally he is indeed, but, I fear, in the end he might expect servitude in place of comradery." He smiled, "But, this is all just the opinion of a lowly messenger, take it as you will." Fergin's mind then shifted to Morsereg Dinaedel, a man he had yet to meet, but had heard rumor of nonetheless. "There is another power, in the far north. Morsereg Dinaedel. It is rumored that he and Alcorad are like brothers, and it would seem they both have their ambitions bent on subjecting all of Middle Earth to their will. Aaaah, but yet again, that is nothing more than rumor as well, but, methinks it would be to your benefit to learn as much as you can about each of these fellows. My Lord has not yet decided on backing either of the two, and though he holds alliance with Alcorad, I can assure you he has no intention on turning Enedwaith into a pupet state of any realm. Valdrik will fight when it serves his purpose."

Fergin then chanced imploring more of the Lord of Haradwaith. "You sir, are of no doubt of the ancient breed.. of those formed when the world was still young. Yet, I have heard little to no stories of you. It is obvious to see where the ambitions of those such as Alcorad lay, but your intentions are not so obvious. Is one of your blood content to keep within his own borders, or are your eyes set on broader horizons as well?"

[Raithen Anar]

Raithen listened, to the verbal sketches drawn of the men, if he were not so damned busy galloping from one rebellion to another, he really should go to the north, but he trusted no-one to lead his troops save him, - familial ties were horrendously complex in Harad, one tribe might have eternal bloodfued kanli against another, or a man might be linked through his grandfathers cousins second wife to another clan and feel loyalty to them. He asked for blood oath and enforced it, but still believed in leading, not ordering and sitting back.

' Oh, I have been around, ' he said, it was no secret really, ' I was born in Valinor, before the Sun and Moon, - but Morgoth I came to deem a coward who fought only when he had to, using his Balrogs and dragons and orcs, to do his dirty work, - so I never thought him worthy of service, - and Sauron even less. The only times he ever battled openly, he was defeated, he worked in guile, malice and cunning, but rarely openly.
He surrendered to my father, Eonwe, without striking one blow, in the War of Wrath, at the end of the First Age, - I only heard of it after, and ' he shrugged, ' Never would I bow the knee or respect one who had not even attempted to fight, and bowed his head to my own father.
I respect warriors, people who fight even if the odds are against them, whether they be Men, Eldalie or Maia, like myself, - those people I will respect, not serve, but give them their due honour . ' He rose lithely, ' Rule of Middle Earth, Morgoth tried it and failed, Sauron tried it and failed - yet still people try. And they will fail, because the Eldar will never bow to evil, they would rather leave Middle Earth altogether and Men.. ah well, men are the most complex of Eru's creation. Even if you had an empire of Evil which spread across Arda, men would not lie tamely under that yoke, they would always rebel, always fight, never submit, - I see it here. And it it is in you, in the way you speak.
So my plans, are more long term, Man of Enedwaith, indeed they have to be, and I have watched the mistakes made by others, and I do not intend to make them. Nor do I bluster, boast, bully or cut off my nose to spite my face, I see the world as a huge game of Sha ( chess) , and watch the pieces moving on it. I migt move my own peice once in a century . I also don't have the scorched earth mentality of Morgoth or Sauron, I do not wish to rule a blasted land filled with mindless slaves, but a place of wealth, arts, riches, vitality, and therefore I'll trade with any-one, I will not close Haradwaith off to any-one, but an advancing army. I want my foundations to be firm as rock, not built on shifting sands. '

[Valdrik]

Fergin listened with great intrest to Raithen as he spoke of his past and of his future plans. It seemed that though Raithen had great ambitions, they were not of the sort that would gain unwanted attention from the likes of Gondor and Rohan, but, perhaps laying low and building up power was just what the times called for. Indeed, it seemed that Raithen was more calculating than others, past and present.

"If I may say, it seems you have laid quite the foundation for Haradwaith already, Raithen." He raised his goblet, though it was already empty, in a toast, "To Enedwaith and Harad, long may both prosper and our bonds strengthen."

[Raithen Anar]

' I will gladly drink to that, ' he raised his own goblet , the sun catching fire in the gemstones inset in it. ' Only a fool ever believes they have accomplished everything, the first thing I did, and any nation should, is build roads, for swift movement, of trade, and armies, over watched by legionaries to discourage bandits, preying on those who travel them. But it might take me... another century, before I can truly say I am King of all Harad, - God-King, well, they'll call me that is they wish, ' he shrugged uncaring. ' tell your King and his people, they are welcome in Harad, - but, ' he paused, ' the Northern Men will always be hated, by the Haradhrim, so do not lower your swords. If you travel anywhere, and are attacked, then do as you will you will not answer for the deaths of these people, not while your people are known as allies, however, I cannot be in all places at once, this is a violent land, '
He put down his cup, ' I would ask you to stay for the games, but as your king expects you back, - they are held each year, so perhaps next time '

[Valdrik]

Fergin nodded, "Indeed, I should like to stay for them, but, alas, I have not time. I'm afraid if I do not make for Umbar soon then the ship sent for me will give me up for lost." He bowed low before Raithen, "Thank you for your hospitality M'lord." He stood then and after Raithen nodded his dismisal turned and left the palace to make ready for his journey home.