Who: Imrahil, Amrothos, Erchirion, Aragorn, assortd knights and criminals what: Dealing with criminals, setting up black fleets that by pass the admiralty, fun stuff like that =D Where: ARagorn's Office When: Before the arwen thing
Imrahil: *leads his knights and their special friend to the citadel to see Aragorn*
Norno: *rides alongside Imrahil, being a ninja good bodyguard*
Erchirion: *poking Arnatur with his sword hilt when he thinks no one is looking. Hums in time with pokes*
Amrothos: *rides in the back, watching Erchirion* If he starts talking again we'll get in trouble.
Arato: *eyedarts at Amrothos with the eye that isn't swollen shut* Which one of them again?
Nandir: >.> both of them. All of them?
Imrahil: *dismounts to go in to see Aragorn* Try to behave, everyone. I'll be docking pay for every offensive remark I hear.
Erchirion: Oooh I will have to live in the street *whispered*
Arnatur: That's three less telpy outfits for ME. *dry*
Erchirion: *jams the sword hilt into his nose*
Imrahil: Erchirion. *saw it*
Erchirion: It shut HIM up
Arnatur: And what happens when I tell the king
Erchirion: I don't live here.
Aragorn: *in his office, overseeing some reports.*
Imrahil: *leads his band of knights to the office* ...Lord Elessar.
Aragorn: *looks up, then stands* Lord Imrahil! Welcome.
Arnatur: Wave to the king everyone! Time to grovel.
Erchirion: *casually elbows him in the ribs*
Aragorn: *raises an eyebrow*
Imrahil: ...*HAD been goingto say some polite things first* while we were traveling through Belfalas, we found this man. He was ... terrorizing a village and holding its people captive and executing them at whim.
Aragorn: I see. And how many people would you say he has executed? Was it done personally, or did he have others do it for him?
Arato: THAT is not all he happened to be doing *looks meaningfuly at Amrothos*
Aragorn: Do tell.
Arato: Captain Amrothos and I were searching for signs when we arrived. He's built a secret dungeon in the house where he was keeping...well...
Aragorn: *looks expectant*
Amrothos: ...he was keeping a woman he was defiling every night chained underground. She said there were others. We found some of them before theywere hanged. *casts a truly nastylook at Arnatur*
Arnatur: *smiles back sweetly, before focusing his gaze on Aragorn's documents, inching closer to get a look at them*
Aragorn: *has a rather...dangerous look on his face* Do you have enough evidence to send him to the hangman's noose?
Erchirion: Well WE'VE all seen it, brought along some witnesses. But then again if you'd like us to drop him off back at home and give him back his branding iron...
Arato: shutupErchirion
Amrothos: *gives Erchirion a LOOK* ...we have evidence, as my brother said, and brought some of the victims.
Aragorn: *nods his head* That shall be good enough to silence any who might object, and better than slitting his throat in an alley, though he deserves no better than that.
Arato: I did offer to do that *grim smile* Among other things.
Imrahil: *exerts some control over the situation* We were hoping to take him back to Belfalas where other provincial lords would hear word.
Arnatur: Why keep it just a private show, my lord? DO at least give me my due.
Erchirion: Is it all right with you if there are snacks?
Arnatur: Small cookies in the shape of peasants. They can have real blood inside.
Nandir: *"accidentally" steps on Arantur's foot shifting foreward*
Aragorn: He was captured in Belfalas? Frankly, I would prefer he be hanged in private, and his body burned. *eyes him, as though he's seriously considering 'accidentally' running him through.
Imrahil: In my province, yes. *just reminding Aragorn* Western Belfalas. I fear there may be others abusing their people like him where we haven't been able to send men yet.
Arnatur: *bares teeth at Nandir, snarling like a wolf*
Arnatur: *missing one of the front teeth*
Aragorn: What resources do you need? Faramir and I can provide some rangers. *glances at the criminal again* But he will be put to death, no matter what the provincial lords have to say on the matter.
Imrahil: I want them all to see and hear, and let word of his execution spread tpo the farthest regions of my provinces.
Erchirion: Everyone can bring a friend. It will be like a party.
Amrothos: *offers* Those lords doing their job right will be glad to have the likes of him ended.
Arato: If the body could be preserved long enough...maybe they could visit that
Aragorn: Word can be spread, but every day his feet trod the earth is a stain on Gondor's soil.
Arato: *and take souvineers*
Nandir: *offers* we can cut his feet off.
Arato: Gone up from a finger, haven't you?
Arnatur: I can think of something more of them will recognize *leer*
Nandir: *UGH*
Aragorn: *dry chuckle* Feet and hands, I think, to prevent him from attempting to escape, but then we would become little better than he.
Imrahil: ...I really would prefer to have him return to Belfalas, the more witnesses the more credible his execution becomes with the rural people.
Aragorn: And give him just what he wants - infamy and perverse validation.
Erchirion: This implies that we WERE better. *pause* mylord
Aragorn: Do you tie women up in your basement and rape them nightly, Erchirion?
Nandir:...I think you don't understand the mindset of my people, Lord Elessar. I'm from the rural province -- we still believe in the idea of an eye for an eye.
Nandir: I know, in the cities, it's hard to believe, but people would think he had not really died but paid someone and escaped if it were not public.
Aragorn: And let me guess, they would trust Dol Amroth better than Minas Tirith *weary*
Nandir: ...it IS closer, my lord, Imraihl is well-known by name and his reputation, word of you and what youare is still spreading
Arato: That IS true. *nodding*
Arato: As far removed as we've been....my undercaptain is right
Arnatur: Which of you will bloody his hands most? And will you ever wipe it clean?
Amrothos: You know, you're not helping.
Aragorn: *nods his head to Imrahil**asks* May I?
Aragorn: *in calmest, most collected voice, ever*
Imrahil: ...my lord, my only request is we have enough of him to carry back to Belfalas without the smell upsetting the horses. Whatever you do, we shall need the body as proof.
Imrahil: *means he wants him alive, though, in one piece isn't required* Erchirion: I bet there's a lot that we can stitch together all the same
Aragorn: *calmly steps around his desk, smashes Arnatur's nose in, with all his dunedain strength, though he aims his fist so the man's nose doesn't go up into his brain and kill him, expression remaining collected, then wipes his nuckles and sits back down*
Aragorn: Do what you need to do, and see that he is given humane conditions. Gondor is just, and justice will be had, but we are not orcs, to tear the flesh of our enemies and criminals and force them to endure undue suffering..
Amrothos: *wishes HE'D been allowed to do that, dammit*
Arnatur: *staggers, bleeds, spits out a tooth that probably will hit Aragorn*
Aragorn: *takes out a cloth, wipes the blood from his face, regards Arnatur with a look that could melt stone*
Arnatur: *gazes back, sucking his tooth* it's going to leave a MARK *muffled sound*. NOW how will I be beautiful for the flames?
Imrahil: ...knights,get him out of here. We passed the jail on the way up, you know where it is.
Arnatur: Is it time for my prison sex?
Norno: Sorry. We're all booked.
Aragorn: *rubs his temple* If we could but remove his tongue..
Erchirion: They tried the same with me, I fear. But of course when they got close I bit them.
Amrothos: ...there could always be an "accident". >.>
Aragorn: *chuckles*
Arato: >.> Poll your money, point me at an apothocary and meet me at the jail tonight. We'll keep him from moving for it with all senses intact.
ARagorn: *raises eyebrow*
Amrothos: ...*prods Arnatur* Get a move on it, we're leaving.
Arnatur: But I like it here. The walls are nicer
Nandir: Certainly OUR prisons are much nicer than YOURS.
Nandir: You have nothing to complain about.
Erchirion: Just think. You might even last the night.
Amrothos: *prods Arnatur harder this time* If you don't start walking I'll let Erchirion "inspire you".The Prince needs to speak with Lord Elessar.
Erchirion: And I'll let my friends help
Aragorn: *sigh*
Erchirion: I think I'll start *digs in a bag someone is carrying and pulls out the telpy otter* with this
Arnatur: LADY LILY *JUMPS UP*
Erchirion: *snickers*
Imrahil:...rest assured, my lord, they know their instructions and will follow them without UNNECESSARY improvision.
Erchirion: *grins at Amrothos*
Norno: *moves to gaurd the door while Imrahil is speaking with Aragorn*
Aragorn: You wished to speak with me, Imrahil?
Imrahil: *to Norno* I'll be safe here, you are permitted to take your leave and go about the city as you will.
Imrahil: *to Aragorn* Merely to tell you more of what I saw in my provinces and to hear how Minas Tirith isdoing.
Aragorn: *nods his head*
Norno: *quick bow for the king and nod for Imrahil, leaves after the knights*
Aragorn: *leans back in his chair*
Imrahil: *sits* ...how are things going?
Aragorn: well enough. *nods his head* There has been some difficult with increased crime since the rebuilding began, but I've measures in place to deal with it
Imrahil: We've seen the same thing in Dol Amroth. You may have seen some of my knights are...young. We've had to recruit younger to put them on the streets to work with the militia.
Aragorn: Very young, scarcely out of boyhood. Many of our guards are the same.
Imrahil: *nods* It's been difficult keeping the streets safe, particularly at night.
ARagorn: there are some segments of the city the guards fear to tread. Most of the city is safe enough, but those areas have been..difficult.
Imrahil: ...*nodding* And your streets are too narrow for horsemen. *sympathetic*
Imrahil: ...how are you personally? You look tired, if I may be bold.
Aragorn: I've been sleeping better than I was, at first, at least. *nods his head* Hard to sleep at night when there is so much to do.
Imrahil: I understand. It's hard to balance everything. But you've a steward to help you, that must make the task easier. I've been trying to give Elphir greater weight at home, but Princedom was always a job for one.
Aragorn: *nods his head again* Aye, and I don't envy you the lack of aide.
Imrahil: *nodding* It's been difficult, manging the city, managing my provinces, trying to rebuild the knights, and rebuild the fleet... but my people work hard. I'm proud to be Dol Amrothian, proud to be from Belfalas.
Imrahil: It will be a long time before Dol Amroth shines again, along the ports the damage is still extensive. *a little wry* We haven't had as much help as you have, here in Minas Tirith. Your repairs are coming along very well.
Aragorn: Thank you. I've already made plans to divert resources to the provinces, to help them rebuild more than just the farmlands. *has had 2 repair priorites, MT and the country's capability to grow food*
Imrahil: You might be interested in speaking with some of my knights, many of the younger ones are from the farmlands, they left extensive holdings to ride with me, but they know the state of the land well.
Aragorn: *nods his head* I will ask them, yes.
Imrahil: ...actually, Sornorno, my... *pauses* personal aide, is one such. After the war he attempted to return home, but his manor and the outlying villages were torched, so he returned to work for me.
"personal aide" sounds like boy toy to me
Aragorn: I think everything was torched *heavy sigh*
Imrahil: ...not everything, Elessar. Whole towns were spared only a few miles from the coast in Belfalas. We still have significant pockets of farmland that were undamaged closer to the mountains.
Imrahil: But my people have come to call the Corsair invasion onto the land the Coastal Fires.
Aragorn: ..That is good to hear. *exhales*
Imrahil: *nods* Part of why I chose to ride when I came. I wanted to see for myself the places where villages still stood and people were rebuilding.
Aragorn: *nods his heaD* It is good you did so, for you found and stopped a monster
Imrahil: My knights found him, I was just along for the ride. *rueful* I'm not as young as I used to be.
Imrahil: I've had breathing trouble ever since we retook Dol Amroth. It comes and goes.
Aragorn: The smoke from fires? Or do you think they used other more insidious weapons?
Imrahil: Part of it was the rain, a large part. I became ill with a cough after fighting in a long cold rain, the cough keeps hanging on, though I've recovered from the rest.
Aragorn: Would you like me to look at it?
Imrahil: *quirks an eyebrow* How? The best healers in Dol Amroth told me to take it easy and treat the symptoms with laudanum and hot drinks. *of course, doesn't have time to take it easy*
Aragorn: As if you've the time or inclination to 'take it easy'? I am an accomplished healer myself, at the least I can help ease some of the symptoms.
Imrahil: ...perhaps soon. I'm feeling well enough for the moment, if tired. The journey isn't as easy as it used to be, for any of us. The roads are in horrible condition.
Aragorn: Something else to repair. I'm afraid the errand rider routes are heavily damaged as well, and have only been partially cleared.
Imrahil: ...perhaps I can spare some of my knights to reestablish the road between Amroth and Tirith, they are heavier than your riders, better suited to such work.
Aragorn: I can count the riders I've left on one hand, and only one of those is a veteran.
Imrahil: ...is your veteran the Umbarean woman? She's well-known in Amroth, there's a rumor she and Erchirion have... had relations, after she sold him some horses.
Aragorn: *raises an eyebrow* Karigan, yes, and I highly doubt that rumour.
Imrahil: I wish I could say I doubted it of Erchirion, but he starts to foam at the mouth like a dog if there's a woman he can talk horses to.*wry*
ARagorn: *laughs*
Imrahil: ...it's actually been difficult trying to find women for my sons. Elphir was more blind luck than anything else.
Imrahil: Amrothos does whatever he wants to, with whomever likes him, and Erchirion ... the less said, the better. It may seem frivolous at such times, but as their father, I am hoping they will marry before they are too old.
Aragorn: *chuckles wryly* Certainly younger than I, hmm?
Imrahil: *amused* ...we may be long-lived, we of the Swanhelms, but we are not that long-lived, I'm afraid.
Imrahil: ...speaking of the future queen, how is she? I must pay her a visit some time before the wedding, I'm sure she'll be too busy to see me after. *wry sort of nudge-nudge-wink tone*
Aragorn: *smirks* If all goes well, she might be busy for some time to come. She is doing well, though there is some trepidation on her part, for understandable reasons
Imrahil: I am sure if she is a good woman, the people shall take to her warmly. I remember when my sister wed Denethor, she also was uncertain how she would be recieved, but she was popular.
Imrahil: ...I hope she takes to Minas Tirith better than Finduilas though. *sadly*
Aragorn: It would be..tragic, for history to repeat itself.
Imrahil: ...if she seems to ail in the city, you most certainly can send her to Dol Amroth for visits. The sea air is good for the sad of spirit... perhaps why my people are so determined to recover what we've lost.
Aragorn: And she could visit her grandparents as well *nods his head* Lorien would do most people good, even in it's twilight.
Imrahil: I have heard only second-hand stories of the elvish kingdoms. It seems improbable to me anywhere is more beautiful than Belfalas in spring bloom.
Aragorn: *chuckles* I've seen Belfalas in a spring bloom. I've seen Khand, and Lorien and many other places. They've all their share of beauty, and it is those places we love most that are the most beautiful.
Imrahil: ...I remember. *looking at Aragorn with scrutiny* Though I was still mostly a boy. I remember when Captain Thorongil came to my father's house.
Aragorn: *chuckles* I remember..
Imrahil: ...I broke my nose falling out of a tree in the gardens trying to overhear what you were telling my father.*amused smile* You look very much the same.
Aragorn: Thank you. I had good parentage *winks*
Aragorn: *puts a hand on Imrahil's shoulder* You look much like your father, and have all his..better traits
Imrahil: *laugh* A few of his lesser ones, like that infamous temper, though, fortunately, not the handlebar moustache. Erchirion inherited his sharp tongue, I'm afraid.
Aragorn: I could picture the middle child sporting that mustache just to bother you.
Imrahil: *amused* He's a good son, just... headstrong. Strongly opinionated. Lacking tact. Not so different from a young man I once used to know.
Imrahil: I've only ever got to worry about Erchirion shooting his mouth off at a bad time. Now Amrothos... there's where my real trouble lies. He does without thinking. Always going off on his own to play hero.
Aragorn: Not necissarily a bad trait.
Imrahil: It's going to get him killed.
Aragorn: In that, it is a bad trait. It needs to be tempered by experience - including mistakes.
Imrahil: When I was his age, I knew better. He really shouldn't be here at all, he's a sailor, his heart is at sea.
Imrahil: But his ship was ruined in the Battle of the Bay, the admirals have sent him to harass me until I give them more money.
Aragorn: *laughs* *looks thoughtful* I wonder..
Imrahil: ...I'm doing everything I can to see he gets his ship again, if only because he tends to overshadow me if women are in the room. I think they like his scar. *wry smirk*
Aragorn: Or his charisma. But I think I have an idea. He can have a ship again, and indeed, he can sail wherever he wishes and do what he wishes and help who he wishes - so long as he follows any request you or I put forth.
Aragorn: In other words, I'd like to build a small shadow fleet, answerable to myself, yourself, or the stewards, and only us.
Imrahil: *quirks an eyebrow* Such a force could be deadly. And highly controversial. Difficult to keep secret, unless it was disguised as a regular part of the fleet unless particular orders came.
Aragorn: It would have to be. And I think it would have to be part of the exploratory branch, or a special branch you have set up, for scouting. I wish to give the captains as much freedom to move around as possible, learn ports and local customs all along the harad, and perhaps even far to the east. Maybe they should be part of the merchant fleet..easier to trust, less restricted by military protocal.
Imrahil: ...perhaps a bit of both. So you want whole crews devoted to spying.
ARagorn: *nods his head* Spying, and other deeds.
Imrahil: I'll... talk to Amrothos about what he thinks, if that is all righ with you. He's a natural gossip, he'll be able to predict who would be good candidates.
Aragorn: That would be useful, yes.
Imrahil: *nods* ...you probably want to get back to work, I should make sure my knights all made it safely to the barracks. I've some long overdue conversations to have with them...
Aragorn: Some of them do seem a bit...
Imrahil: ...the war was hard on them. They've seen the bulk of the action.
Imrahil: They're my very best, the most talented and most experienced.
Aragorn: They seem to have a long leash with the tongue.
Imrahil: It's inescapable, among their own company, such language is their primary form of communication.
Imrahil: They're sharp like knives, all of them, they're not used to keeping decent company.
Aragorn: *laughs*
Imrahil: ...they're good men. I'd trust all of them. I just don't trust them to keep their mouths shut.
Aragorn: Except when it counts?
Imrahil: ...precisely. *stands up* After I've had time to unpack and arrange my papers I'll bring you proper reports of how things are.
Aragorn: *nods his head* Thank you. I'll have some reports for you as well
Imrahil: ...try to get some rest before the wedding. You'll need it.
ARagorn: Thank you, I shall. *nods his head and escourts him out*
Imrahil: *nods back to Aragorn, goes to find his knights.*