IC Story Thread: Ch.1,Ad.1 - A Sensitive Matter

He places his hand upon his chest to help steady his breathing, it looks as though he has been running for some time, and he takes a moment to compose himself.

Finally he gulps, "Indeed you have! What joyous news.

When the children did not show up at the Embassy in Umbar, we feared... and had little left but to assume... the worst.

The Lady Diplomat had then put out her own feelers, and the understanding she gained was not encouraging...

Oh, I cannot believe it. How wonderful..."

He swallows hard again, and comes to take a cup of water from the table you all had been furnished.

He then turns to Eothain's words, "Fear not, it is not imminent war.

But again, after my plotting in sending you all on this mission did not bear fruit in a timely manner, their mother grew impatient.

Umbar, and the Corsair Ship-lords, took a stance of officially having no knowledge of the occurrence... such is their way, in protecting their own. So that was no great surprise.

But it was also as transparent as the air between you and I. We knew they knew something, and they knew it too, but because they would not budge on it as a matter of principle, and... well, this was this woman's children!

The Lady Diplomat resigned from her position.

Umbar had shortly thereafter come to the Embassy seeking aid in locating a group of Westrons they asserted were responsible for arson resulting in death. But it has never been our position to do such a thing, and they knew that - they would do no such thing for us were the tables turned, but they used that as an excuse to expel our Embassadorial presence entirely.

So, anyway, not war. Just an end to official communications...

Particularly with the retrieval of the children, we may try be able to re-establish relations. But it will no doubt take time.

...

Anyway, I digress!

You won't need to escort them any further, but you can and should certainly accompany them to Minas Tirith. Where you could witness their reunion and be Honored, likely by King Turgon himself!"

After all his talks Seonaid gets the impression that Andireg is genuinely quite happy and relieved. Further or deeper motives though may require deeper questioning or understanding.

Andireg nods to Eothain, "War is an abomination, son. And although this may not have technically been war, it was an act of war. Wars have been waged over less.

While we would eventually appreciate a debrief of what occurred, we would never make public any portion of your mission. Nor judge you for actions taken in the course of your response to such an act.

I wouldn't have thought it to be a big public ceremony anyway, but any honors you might be deemed worthy to receive - and your service to Gondor in this way is very worthy, can be made as privately as you desire.

I have already summoned hospitalers, and they are making preparations for you and the children's recovery. They should be here soon to take you all somewhere more comfortable.

And I have some dispatches to make, and the preparations for the escort to Minas Tirith to begin.

Unless you have any further need or questions for me, I should like to start those immediately."

It's easy enough for Cirion to stay with the children, as he is nearly a child himself, in appearance at least. Though the events of the past 6 weeks may be about as clear of a divider between those two stages as anyone ever gets.

But the natural process of the hospitalers is to split the adults from the children, as the two need different manners of care and caregivers.

However, with any level of insistence at all, the rest of you are allowed to remain with them as well, if you wish. Mainly because no one has any actual physical injuries, and it's mostly mental duress, exhaustion, and dehydration.

You're all allowed to recuperate for two days, and they are good, restorative, restful days, but then on the third the escort from Pelargir to Minas Tirith is ready and you all depart in a comfortable carriage, preceded and followed upon by a small detachment of cavalry and infantry.

It's a little more than 100 miles from Pelargir to Minas Tirith, but the march is made in two days, without event.

You pass through the gates of the Pelennor Fields next to Harlond, which are the very same gates that the Corsairs would have had to enter and exit from during their abduction attempt.

And with that, the vast majority of the military detachment remains at the gatehouse, and your carriage with just two cavalrymen and two footmen continues on into Minas Tirith proper, and up it's tiered levels to a seemingly random manor-house on the 5th level, but of course it is not random, and you see a man, a lady, and a young woman standing outside.

The lady breaks down in tears at the sight of the wagon, clearly having to restraint herself from running straight to the carriage once it's rounded the furthest turn still 100 feet away. And the man is covering his mouth, clinging to a beard, with his face twisted in an expression of both great anguish and unfathomable joy...

As the carriage stops, and the children inside see their family, they start bouncing up and down and there is a merry chirping of 'mommy, daddy, mommy, daddy, mommy, daddy!' from both of them that doesn't stop until they are out of the carriage and in their family's arms, and the air to speak the words is briefly squeezed out of them...

The tears and expression of joy do not go away from the man and lady, but the anguish does, and it's perhaps easy to get lost in the feeling of those 5 people clutching each other and crying together, that this is the most important thing going on in the entire world right now.

Once the emotions have tailed off at least a little, the man and the lady step through their three children as the kids circle tightly amongst themselves, and they take the hands of any of you who offer, and greet you, and introduce themselves - Eadric and Lyra Blackridge

Eadric shakes his head in wonder, as he looks upon you all, "I must admit... I had my doubts, when they told me their plans. I was furious, infact...

But. You four proved a dedication and ability that... is truly exceptional, even among the already exceptional peoples of Gondor. I... there is just no way I could ever express my gratitude, adequately.

But, thank you... thank you... thank you...", his voice trembles with emotion as he moves between you all.

Lyra also moves to take each of your hands, smiling through watery eyes into your faces, and thanks you, and ultimately says, "If you would do us the honor, Regent to King Steward Turgon - his younger brother Fingon - waits inside, along with Minas Tirith Lord Constable Einirion.

We should like to have you all join us for our supper?"

And she motions to the front door.

Lady Blackridge smiles gently and says earnestly, "Master Cirion, all I see are the glorious raiments of a hero, fit for any Lord or Lady of the Free Peoples."

And then she moves to begin to sweep her children inside.

Eadric Blackridge welcomes you into their home and introduces you to the King's Regent and Constable. Their house is very finely appointed, it's facade and much of interior is crafted of granite or marble (like much of Minas Tirith in general), as you might expect from a member of the Court. But the building is modestly sized and - in Minas Tirith, space is limited and of a premium, so - function and efficiency took precedence over any real oppulence.

The meal is very well prepared and delicious and there is plenty of food, however again there is a level of reservedness that seems to speak to both the good times that Gondor has been experiencing, but also the looming potential for necessary austerity.

Afterward, the children are prepared and sent off to bed, and the King's Regent, Constable, Lord and Lady Blackridge, and you all are left to enjoy each other's company, partake of celebratory drinks if you desire, and converse....