Untold Tales RPG

Note to the King from a spy, that's sorta sitting on the desk, and eventually was forwarded to Boromir, with a copy to Faramir:

Umbar is in chaos. Earthquake. Palace partially collapsed. Docks destroyed. Mithrandir spotted leaving the city. Zigureth has fled, Zimraphel status unknown. Leadership uncertain, factions infighting. Ar-Pharazon injured, but sided with an Admiral named Narak.



Note to Boromir, from the king:

I am beginning to feel a little better, so I wished to state a few things, in a way that you cannot interrupt with the righteous bellowing I surely deserve.

Firstly, I am very pleased with how you and your brother have handled the city while I have been laid up, especially you. The security in the immediate aftermath was particularly well handled, and though it has been lightened since, it is still better than it was.

Unfortunately, we often do not see the errors in front of us until an event occurs. Still, I am proud of you, as my Steward and sonmy friend.

I have a few requests. Firstly, I want the wraith taken to the citadel and given a room. He is to be kept under heavy guard, lock and key, and to remain in that room until further notice. He was not the one that stabbed me, but he still has committed crimes, and his loyalty is uncertain. He should not be in that cell, but I trust him about as far as I can throw Minas Tirith.

Make it a very small room, too. Feel free to question or interrogate him as you see fit, though do try to avoid cruelty. If the stick is used too often, it will be harder to sway him to our cause.

Secondly, I'd like preparations to be made for my wedding feast. As soon as I am capable of standing for more than five minutes, I wish to be wed. For personal and practical reasons, I'd rather not wait any longer than that, and I know the guests have been waiting overly long as well, and likely wish to return home.

Thirdly, I'd like you to choose soldiers to comprise your own personal guard and company, similar to Faramir's White Guard and his rangers, and the Grey Company that I've not sent home to the North for myself.

They report directly to you, save if you are injured or absent, in which case it will be Faramir, or myself, depending on whom is available. But they are to be at your personal command, for whatever you deem they are needed for, be it to shore up the guards in time of emergency. They will also guard your wife, whenever you are married. Who makes up the company, the size, and how they are equipped is up to your discretion. You've the keys to the armoury.

That is all I can think of at the moment, save that I understand more clearly how bored you were with nothing to do but lay in bed and heal. You may say you told me so, at any time.

Aragorn Elessar, High King of Gondor and Arnor

... in the hands of a very winded Page.

Boromir,

I will be brief. Aragorn is stable, though has awoken only briefly. At the time being, I feel it is safe to assume he will survive this. Since he continues to ask for Arwen upon waking, I am lifting my ban on visitors so that she may sit by his side.

Any futher company or stresses may reverse the work we have done, so I will allow Arwen, and ONLY Arwen, be present. I will make a note when it is allowable for Stewards to come berate him for so foolishly walking the streets alone.

In other news, as I hear the ranger Ithiriel works for your brother, he may wish to know that she, also, is stable, though he may wish to relieve her from duty indefinitely. I would prefer it if no one troubled her, as well. There are already enough elves in the houses to make the healers worry of a possible invasion.

I can be found here if you need anything further.

- Lord Elrond

Dear Steward,

I am alive, and little the worse for wear. Though we are still confused as to how we found ourselves in such dire straights, Rider Karigan can fill you in on the working theory, which is too distasteful to put down in ink.

I am sorry that I left you without an assistant, and I am sure you are quite upset at this development, as am I. If it pleases you to know, I was not accosted or otherwise abused.

In reality, it has not sunk in yet. I wear a mask, so that the others can remain calm, though this nagging bit of fear rests in the pit of my stomach, for my safety, and for others.

(the following is written hastily, at the very bottom)

I long for the warmth of your arms, and the heat of your breath upon my neck. Your lips haunt my dreams, and the memory of your body against mine keeps me strong, though we've not shared in the joys of such union.

Lay claim to me, Boromir, when I return, until the sheets are soaked through with our sweat and the echoes of our cries fall silent. Lay claim to me, until my nails have drawn patterns on your back, and your fingers have left bruises in my silky skin.

~Miriel

A full, detailed report, regarding the whole mess of the dead being raised, and everything that is currently known, along with the theory that Ar-Pharazon is in control of Umbar, is prepared by the king and sent to Boromir. Included is what Beruthiel said about the wraith's inner turmoil and how he may be reasoned with, along with how he has overthrown she that returned him.

It starts with "Though you may have gotten some information in pieces already, here is the full extent of what we know." And goes on for several pages in meticulous detail, as the king has been preparing this for some time in order to properly give his stewards all the information they need, and then some.

Includes a full two pages on Zigureth and Zimraphel, and what is known about them, most of which was gleaned from Karigan, and ending with the note that they are incredibly dangerous and may very well be a greater threat than the wraith, in particular with Pharazon as an ally.

Last page is Aragorn's observations on the above, and a request for Boromir to assign a guard detail (over a dozen of them) of his most trusted guards, to be stationed through out the city and observe any unusual behaviour among other guards (amongst others). Mentions that he will be assigning his most trusted rangers to the top two tiers in secret as hidden lookouts and for protection, most specifically of the many guests in the city for the wedding, and that he will be asking Faramir to vet Ithilien rangers to do the same in the remaining five circles.

Lastly, requests to see him, post haste.

Along with orders to increase the patrols along the southern border, and further informing settlements - and the likes of Rohan and Dale - of what seems to be a flu-like illness, the following letter reaches Pelargir bearing the seal of Steward Boromir II:

As asked, this letter should arrive along with five healers and additional supplies, to aid in the efforts against the illness which has afflicted your citizens. It is under the recommendation from the King, himself, that you treat this as a self-imposed siege situation, and do not let any persons either leave or enter the city, unless it is to send forth a message for further aid or to inform us further of the situation as it transpires, to avoid spreading the illness to other areas. In order for Minas Tirith to be prepared in the event that an individual has entered this city after traveling from Pelargir, and thus exposed us to the ailment in question, we wish to be granted a further insight into what your healers have noticed with the illness in its early stages, so that our remaining healers can be aware should afflicted persons visit the Houses of Healing. If this matter does escalate, then an emergency meeting of the council will likely be called, and notices will be duly issued as to the location and date of the meeting should it be deemed necessary.

A further letter is sent to Dol Amroth, to Prince Imrahil, from Boromir:

Esteemed Uncle, Prince Imrahil,

It has been brought to our attention and I mean to duly inform you, that an illness has spread within Pelargir. I would be wary of those who might have borne business from that city to yours, in the event that they may have shared much more than merely business with you, but what appears to be a rather nasty touch of something which involves a fever, as well as coughing and vomiting or the likes. I shall keep you informed as soon as newer information should arrive, and it has already been ordered by the King that Pelagir is to be kept under containment until such time as the illness transpires. If you have any further insights or suggestions, they would be most welcome. And if there is a council meeting called in the event that things take a catastrophic turn for the worst, then I shall send a notice with the greatest of haste.