InsaneJournal

Who: Imrahil and Erchirion
What: Erchirion asks Imrahil for men to escort him on his quest
Where: Imrahil's room/office
When: Afternoon, a day or two after the Visions
Rating/Status: All Audiences/Complete


The meeting with Radagast had redoubled Erchirion's desire to act. It was with renewed motivation that he walked toward the office his father has taken up in the Steward's Guesthouse, rehearsing his words as he went. Mordor! What an exciting notion that was! The young Dol Amrothian longed for some adventure, and what better excuse than the need to study and research?

Taking a deep breath, he knocked on the door to Imrahil's office.

Imrahil was currently in the process of feeding the birds that he was keeping in the room he used as a guest house, and so he couldn't get the door himself, since his hands were full of sticky fruits and some nuts. "The door is open and I'll be just a moment." He called, looking for a place to set down what he was holding and a towel to wipe his hands on.

Erchirion walked in quietly, closing the door softly behind him as he looked around. "Good afternoon father," he called loudly, and then, just to make sure added, "It is Erchirion. Am I interrupting something?"

"Erchirion?" Imrahil shook his head as he wiped his hands and turned to face his son. "Funny, I'd have said, oh, Lottie." Then he turned to offer him a grin to show that he was joking. "Nothing that can't wait." he said, even though the crow looked a little annoyed at its snack being delayed. "What's on your mind then? Something to drink? I can send for it."

Erchirion eyed the crow suspiciously. Ever since talking to Radagast he had a different opinion of birds, and of people who could communicate them. And while his father did not show the same talents as the brown wizard on that front, the bond he shared with that black bird was often disturbing. "No drink, thank you," he politely denied the offer, allowing himself to take a seat in one of the chairs. He took a moment to mentally go through his request one last time before saying, "I come to see that my father is well, to offer my hand if you require it, and to ask a favor."

"I always have need of you, of course." Imrahil agreed, setting the crow on a perch so that it wouldn't cause too many problems while he talked to Erchirion and then moved around front to perch on the edge of his desk, since his knees were cooperating enough today to allow him that. "Right now nothing specific but I know that your investigations have been interesting. My sister Finduilas has returned as well." he added casually. "She puts me in a mind of you. Inquisitive, determined to find the answers for all things...The two of you should meet at some point soon... And a favor?" He leaned forward a little. "If it's within my power, of course."

Aunt Finduilas? Well, that was a pleasant surprise. "I will be happy to meet her," Erchirion assured with a smile, "Might we not have some family dinner, like we used to before the war? It has been long since we all ate at the same table, and I think we could all use the respite from all the politics and recovery efforts..." He was talking more to himself than to Imrahil, but his words were honest. It felt to him as if the war had not only torn the city apart, but his family and friends as well, and it was something to regret.

"But, there is another thing. Please, do not be over-worried father. I plan to ride into Mordor with Radagast the Brown, to retrieve a certain substance from Lake Nurnen, which I deem essential for my research."

"That does seem like a good idea." Imrahil had to agree. "We can all practice being ourselves again instead of what machinations have made us become..." Because, truly, he had seen all of thm starting to slowly fall apart and having not been able to do a thing about it now, intended to take the chance where he could. And then...Imrahil's eyes widened considerably at that last part. "You deem...The Black Lands!" He asked, trying to get ahold on himself. It wouldn't do to yell and make Erchirion think that he did not support his efforts but...but still... Imrahil's hand reached up and slapped his forehead, where he kept it for a moment. "...You are certain?" he asked at last, something sinking in the pit of his stomach.

"Yes," Erchirion said, determinedly though he could not entirely keep his voice from wavering. It was unfair to worry his father so without giving a proper reason, and so he dug in his pocket for a second before pulling out a small folded cloth and unrolled it to reveal a small capsule containing the same yellowish substance he was setting out to collect. He showed it to Imrahil in the palm of his hand. "This is what I am going to retrieve, father. It is an extremely corrosive acid, made from a natural substance found in the Sea of Nurnen mixed with venom from the fangs of one of those birds the Dark Servants were riding. It is powerful enough to eat through steel in a matter of minutes. Fixed as an arrow-head, our archers will be able to target the weakspots of siege machines and cripple them so that they are unable to hurl those devestating rocks."

He paused, letting his explanation sink in, searching his father's face in hope to see understanding and agreement. "Minas Tirith, will not be able to withstand such giant stones hurled at it a second time," he said, "And though Sauron is defeated, it is by your upbringing that I learned to never trust the future to be peaceful for long."

"Well..." Imrahil's eyes lit up as he imagined the possibilities in future practice. "That would do very well for our archers posted on ships as well as in the cities..." He had to agree with that. And the rocks had been especially devastating, it was true. "I understand..." He said at last, quietly. "Or not entirely but...the gist of it...your father never has been one to grasp the intricacies of such practices." And then he sighed. "Still, Mordor...If you must, then you must but..." He glanced away from Erchirion a moment, trying to think of something he might tell him that would be profound. "Oh sod it." he managed at last, looking back at his son. "I've never been good at profound either. If you do this, you will promise me to return unharmed, do you understand?"

"That..." Erchirion said slowly, "Is the favor I was going to ask. I go with Radagast, but he is not the fighty sort of wizard. And myself, I take my bow of course, and a sword, but I am not as skilled as Elphir with neither," he admitted. He did pride himself, in the back of his mind, for the way he unfolded his argument so that now his request would seem very reasonable, and even necessary. "I ask, therefore, that you lend me a few men of your guard, skilled in combat should the need arise. The time to enter Mordor is now, I am sure of it. The Dark Lord is only recently defeated, and the time past has been too short for a new force to take roots. Yes, there may be some leaderless orc bands still lingering, and for that I require our men. Will you give them to me?"

That? Was quite easily done and Imrahil nodded at once. "I did not know how much secrecy you wanted, but of course they can be spared." And they would be out of his hair for a while as well. Which, in his mind, created a win-win situation all things considered. "As many as you need to see that you accomplish your goal successfully. Perhaps a few of our more scientific men as well."

"Four, no more," Erchirion was quick to reply, for he did want secrecy. An armored brigade marching into Mordor would doubtlessly attract the attention of whatever forces that lingered there. "And if they know their way in science, that would indeed be a bonus. Thank you, father. And please... Do not tell others of my mission, or the weapon. I wish them both kept secret, 'til the time is right."

That was true enough, as much as Imrahil would have wanted to send in more...it WOULD doubtlessly create more danger in the long run. "I'll let the appropriate people know at once." He promised, picking up a quill to write out a few quick summons as the men he'd met while riding with them came to mind. "And not a word to anyone but those who need to know." he agreed. "If this got out to anyone...well...You know the risks well enough yourself."

Erchirion nodded, and a bright smile lit up his face. He enjoyed such times the best, times when his father agreed with him and acted to help him without delay. It was way better than making a fool of himself falling asleep in council, or having a navy captain talking to him while he wore a dumbstruck expression. "Well, I shall inform Radagast, if I can find him," he said, rising up. "Thank you for your time, father... Is there anything I can do for you, besides? An errand, a message to be delivered? Medication?"

"At the moment? No. I'm quite all right." Imrahil assured him. "Save your promise that you will be careful and that all the risks you take ARE strictly necessary. I won't have you coming back to me dragged between two men on a liter, do you understand?" He asked, his face going quite serious for a moment. And then he paused and relaxed his expression a little. "You are in your element just now you know. It suits you very well."

A crimson rush of blood painted Erchirion's cheeks at the compliment and he looked away. "I promise to return safely, father," he responded, never having been one to take compliments well and so deciding to simply let it slip, knowing that Imrahil didn't expect an answer anyway. He made his way to the door but stopped, turning back. "You know, I've had a dream," he said, and did not know what it was in him that drove him to share this with his father, "In it, you and Amrothos, Elphir and Lottie came to my house for a party. And I was married."

Imrahil smiled at that for it seemed they had shared a dream, though in his, he'd returned to the deck of a ship and active captaining duties, along with his four children serving under him in some capacity. "Married?" he asked, grinning. "Well with any luck that will come true and I think we would be glad to do that. Had you achieved some great discovery then?" He asked. "It may be this one when all's said and done."

"I don't know," Erchirion admitted, scratching at his beard. "Now that you mention it, you were all very proud, but I didn't know what for, at the time, and awoke before I found out." He shrugged then, smiling shyly. "It was just a dream though. I better concentrate on reality, and therefore take my leave. We plan to set out after King Aragorn's wedding, so there is no need for haste in gathering the right men."

"Oh good," Imrahil told him with a nod. "Plenty of time for me to motherhen you about being careful." And to pick just the right group to go with him too.

Erchirion laughed, "Yes... Perhaps I should ask Elphir to help me improve with a sword, just as a precaution. Well, farewell father! Call upon me if you require me."

And with that, Erchirion exited Imrahil's room and closed the door behind him with a smile, thinking that the whole thing went very well. In his element! Who would've thought... It was with light steps that he walked out of the guest house, seeking Radagast.