Once more, Friday is the New Monday... and here is more of 'The Gift'

As ever with this story, I only own my original characters and story line...

Chapter  Five: The High King

Time passed, messages flew between Gondor and my fiefdom, arrangements were made and the bunting was found and washed.  I discovered, much to my delight and to the surprised astonishment of my advisors, that I was with child, and I hugged the knowledge tight to myself. I missed Lindir, but I had to set that aside and get on with sorting out my people’s future security. 

Still, every time I had a lesson in Sindar, I imagined talking to him in his own language.  I practiced the variations of ‘sorry’ a thousand times.

It was six months after my birthday that the formal visit from the court of King Elessar Telcontar took place and my pregnancy was properly showing.  I was honoured, and impressed, that King Elessar himself came to officiate, rather than sending his steward, and when I asked if it would be possible for me to have a few words with the High King in private, my wish was granted immediately.

‘In private’ really meant ‘with guards at the edges of the room’, but that was to be expected.  They were out of earshot, at least.

‘I’d like to speak to you on a matter of… um…’ I began. 

The king waved me towards a chair. ‘Please, sit down,’ he began.  ‘Forgive the informality, but my wife’s expecting and I recognise the signs.  She is sure we will have a son, but I have no preference.  Is this your first child?

I nodded. While it would have been lovely to chat about pregnancy, it was an awkward topic I was attempting to bring up, and not all the long months I’d had to prepare had seemed to be at all helping. Nor had the fact that there were several elves amongst the king’s retinue, and while I recognised not of them, still, at the sight of every pointed ear and sound of elegant voice, guilt was crippling me.

King Elessar seemed to realise something was wrong.

‘Why do you not tell me what’s troubling you, Lady Mesri?’ he asked kindly.

I sighed and tried to keep my hands still on my lap. ‘Some months ago, now, there was an… an incident… and someone was injured. I know who was responsible; I have evidence, but not proof and to bring this person to justice would be impossible for me.  And the person harmed is a gentle, kind soul and would not like me to seek vengeance…’

‘How may I help, then?’

‘I think it would be a good idea if my brother Briot could be appointed special envoy somewhere.  Possibly amongst a large number of big, strong men who have been alone for a long time without any new friends? Or maybe on an island with some sheep.  No, not sheep; something that might kick him occasionally.’

‘Your brother?’

‘Yes.’

‘It was he who…?’

‘I see you know about it.  Please, your majesty, do not think I have not hungered for reparation on behalf of the one who was harmed, for I grew most fond of him, but…’

I broke off as the king waved a hand.

‘Since these events took place before our alliance, there is no blame on you, Lady Mesri.’

‘Thank you.  Briot could go back with you, if you wanted?’

‘Perhaps I will instead permit some of my company to escort him to a suitable garrison where he can be useful.  And perhaps they can leave tomorrow, whereas we will remain several more days.’

I couldn’t help a sigh of relief. Tension between Briot and myself had only increased over the previous six months, and I really only wanted to focus on growing my child and caring for my people.

‘Is there anything more?’ the king asked, but suddenly, he wasn’t the king any longer; he was the traveller outside the inn, the one who stopped the pot boy from falling.

‘Do you know someone called Lindir?  Is he well?’ I asked.

‘Lindir? Yes, I hear he is very well. I did not know you were friends…’ He sat a little straighter, suddenly, staring at my enlarged belly until it felt like an impertinence and I placed my hands protectively over my stomach and lifted my chin to stare back at him. 

‘Forgive me,’ he said. ‘But are you Kovalia?’

I picked up one of the tough-skinned fruits from the display on the side table and presented it to him with a flourish.  ‘This is a kovalia,’ I said.  ‘I’m Mesri.’

He was still laughing when I closed the door after me.