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6 Fourth Age: Meeting of the Lords
Topic Started: 14 Nov 2008, 09:56 PM (307 Views)
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For six years there was little rest throughout the Kingdom. As the defeat in the War of the Ring loomed the nobles returned home to fight amongst themselves. Just as they were unprepared for a war of the scale so where they doubly so for the aftermath. There had been dozen of Lords killed, noble lines had been broken and as they returned many had taken the opportunity to increase their lands taking from neighbors, claiming lands of a deceased Lord. As the dust settled new boundaries had been created and the King called for peace between them. All the Lords had been called for it was time to reunite the Houses, by marriage.

"It is the bell, the feast is beginning." Atii said as she walked toward Fhaleen. Fhaleen just sat preening his hair. Atii stood beside him looking down with a look of exasperation. "If you spend anymore time grooming yourself one might mistake you for a woman." Fhaleen smiled lightly as he rose, only in a mood as such he would let that slide even from his sister, she knew him well.

"Just remember" he says softly extending his arm and taking her in his. "I'm the one who decides who you marry."

The stage was set as noble after noble filed into the House of Lords for the banquet. It had been tradition that marriage proposal had been small get together ever few years to join together houses yet with the war and infighting such rituals had been abandoned. This year would be of special magnificence and size as nearly ever lord had a child, a niece, a widower that would be married off. Many got there early, hoping to forge deals before others arrived.

"Well what are we waiting for?" Atii said anxiously as Fhaleen sat calmly writing in their carriage. "We are going to be the last ones in." she exclaimed reaching over to touch his arm.

Fhaleen stopped his writing in a puff. "That is the point foolish girl." he said in annoyance. Stopping himself he put down the paper apologizing. "Your right" he said with a hint of contentment, raising himself "and you look beautiful."

The smell of exotic incense brings a smile to Fhaleen's face only momentarily as they enter the great hall. As they enter it was as all eyes were drawn the Fhaleen and Atii as if some involuntary spell had taken the guests. Throughout his temporary status and even after Lordship Fhaleen said little in meetings and disputes biding his time, for tonight.

Fhaleen takes Atii's hand as they make their way down the stairs he leans in to her. "Remember sister smile and don't act interested. They'll be eating out of the palm of your hands."

For months brother and sister stood day after day practicing etiquette, dancing and spending a fortune on their outfits. As the Lords stood in awe it was apparent the money was well worth it, beside Fhaleen always had a flair for the dramatic.

It was a unique position Fhaleen found himself in as normally the Lord would occupy one room while their children where allowed to court in the next. Very ceremonial of course, the Lords made all the decisions still it allowed atleast temporary excitements. Fhaleen could do both. It was of course still early.

"I thought you were as the big boys table." Atii says sarcastically walking to Fhaleen as he entered the room.

Fhaleen grabs a drink from a waiter without diverting his eyes from the brunette across the room who shares his glance before turning away. "I had to make sure you weren't up to any trouble of course." Atii rolls her eyes as a young man approaches them.

"You must be Lord of Dorwinion. Ugh. Atii's brother." He says nerviously. "I was wondering if I may.."

Fhaleen holds out his glass toward the kid who unconsciously takes it without thought. "You may get me another drink thanks." Fhaleen walks toward the brunette who happened to be talking to some young gent. Placing his hand on the youngster shoulder he turns him without force. "If I may have her for a few moments." he says with a smile. "You see were old friends." She looks down smiling as the man walks away with a look of defeat written on his face.

"Old friends are we?" she says with a flirtatious smile taking a drink of her wine.

Looking away as he speaks he glances between the other groups of females with their half stares. "Possibly, it may be hard to remember, too much wine I suppose." Again looking back into her eyes. "Of there are ways of making me recall, or remember later on." He says with a smirk.

"I heard of you." she turned from him as she brushed her hair to the side with her hand. "Perhaps you should return to the Lords room, that is why your here is it not?"

The look was unmistakable. He took her drink and gave it a whiff. She stood still in surprise as he gave a look of distaste. "Awful stuff, even the Lords drink is far to recent, no real flavor." Grabbing her hand he turned. "Come, I was about to go back to my carriage for some Dorwinion label, I can't stand to drink this stuff anymore."

She did not refuse.

"Fhaleen, Fhaleen wha..." he heard her say as he walked back inside the banquet adjusting his clothes. As he entered the hall he could see a portly fellow from the corner of his eye approaching.

"No one I know I hope." the Lord Rhandi says with a sneer coming to Fhaleen side as last of the desserts arrive.

As Fhaleen makes the last of adjustments he leans his head to the side toward the Nobel. "Not really sure, I think her name started with an H or an A though I could have it mixed up. I once called my sister Hellan, I've cut down on my drinking since then."

"Charming." he says taking Fhaleen's arm "Now about your marriage my daughter has just turned of age." Guiding Fhaleen the Lord grabs a cup of wine and hands it to him. "I do hold one of the biggest and... most lucrative provinces and right next to the capital. I think we can work something out, you my boy will be wealthier than you or you father ever imagined!"

"And you'd get direct path of trade to the West eh Rhandi?" Fhaleen says coyly.

Rhandi smiles. "My dear boy think of the benefits you would have. I would of course talk to the King about some provisions shall we say. I could not have my daughter living in nothing but utter luxury and of course whoever my new son would be."

Although a smaller province laying on the doorstep of the West made Dorwinion a powerful Lordship to be allied with. In this case it was not simply the Lords son one could marry into but the Lord himself, it was instant power. Fhaleen knew this very well.

"Tell me did you pay well to have the other Lords allow you to atleast be the first to speak with me? No doubt seeing as this is so you would have the best deal for me except I am in a terrible rush, business. Tell you what why don't you write up your proposal and that of the next nine best other Lords and have it sent out with the King approval." Placing his hand to the Lords arm. "And I promise I'll look it over and get back to you as soon as I return. Okay?"

"Okay." Rhandi replies begrudgingly

Walking away Fhaleen turns back to the Lord. "And for my sister as well. With all the confusion I must have forgotten."

The carriage turns beginning their ride home. Fhaleen glowers as Atii looks on expectantly.

"So?" she says moving her head toward Fhaleen as to get his attention.

"It was Rhandi like you thought. He thinks he's quite clever trying to lure with promised riches and power. Then he'd simply use us as puppets, a depot station storing his goods while gets richer than any Lord in the land. I can't wait to see the look on his face when it is I gain that prestige."

The horse rides onward back to Dorwinion.


 
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