Vaniel, My Heart

Vaniel, My Heart
Chapter 23: Chapter 22 - Treason and Hidden Cats Revealed
by Sienna
Disclaimer: All familiar characters are owned by JRR Tolkien and are used without permission. No monies are being made from this work. Original characters are part of the story and owned by the author.

Vaniel, My Heart,
by Sienna Dawn


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Chapter 22 - Treason and Hidden Cats Revealed

The same night of the masquerade.....

While Haldir and Vaniel pledged their vows beneath the stars, events were beginning to unfold that would threaten not only their union, but their very lives as well.

Eodwyn was not accustomed to fleeing females, and most especially not fleeing from him. Cursing his lack of control with Vaniel, he returned to the banquet hall, a sour look on his face.

It was there that he found his sister, still in deep conversation with their distant kin.

Noticing that Aladwyn's eyes locked onto his own, Eodwyn made for the long table where she still sat, engrossed in whatever plots were in the making. Looking around him, Eodwyn poured himself a goblet-full of rich wine and took a long gulp.

Addressing no one in particular, he said loudly, "Did not the King and Queen come to feast?"

Several nays rang out and Eodwyn nodded slowly, letting his gaze come to rest on Aladwyn and his cousin, Tonamor, with whom she was still deep in conversation.

Coming 'round the long table, Eodwyn pulled up a chair and sat, stretching his long legs. The hall was nearly empty, the dancing having been over hours before. Only a very few remained behind, content with drinking the last of the wine and watching sunrise come over the green fields beyond Minas Tirith.

Glancing 'round to Aladwyn, Eodwyn frowned. What was it that kept his sister's interest so? Shrugging, he let his mind turn to Vaniel. He'd learn soon enough.

But, just as he reached for more wine, Aladwyn stayed his hand and she came to sit next to him, "Nay, brother. You will need a clear head for what I'm about to tell you."

Eodwyn snorted and nevertheless reached for the wine. "I'm in no mood for Palace gossip and half-brained plots." He downed the wine in two gulps.

Aladwyn's clear blue eyes flashed at her brother. "Since when have you known me to waste my time in idle gossip?"

Eodwyn considered Aladwyn's words, while he looked at her, " 'Tis true. You never have."

Looking down and then back toward Aladwyn, Eodwyn sat back in his chair and spoke, "Very well, sister, I am listening."

Aladwyn smiled and sat closer to her brother. "Know you of the House of Caradgorm?" Her eyes crossed the large hall.

Edowyn frowned and thought for a moment and then shook his head, taking another gulp of the wine, "Nay, I do not."

Aladwyn frowned. She knew her brother was well on his way to getting drunk. " 'Tis an ancient elven family, sundered from Elrond's House. 'Tis also said they were exiled from Imladris in shame and came to live with the Dunedain." She watched her brother's face.

Eodwyn was confused and turned his face to his sister, "What do elven feuds and family history have to do with us?"

Aladwyn took a deep sigh, "Listen brother." She reached out for some wine as well. "Over a thousand years ago Elrond sundered a friendship with a royal elven family whose head was one Calenciril of the House of Caradgorm. This selfsame House was kin to the line of Glorfindel and to Elrond's own. Whatever happened between Elrond and Calenciril was never known, although some say the sundering came over alliances made with Men. None now know. But, Elrond sundered the great friendship between their two houses and all of the kinfolk of the House of Caradgorm were exiled from the realms of Elves. All of them." Here she stopped and sipped her wine, lost in thought.

Eodwyn shook his head and frowned. Still he did not understand, "Aladwyn, have you lost your senses? What care we for the falling out of elven lords?'

Aladwyn shot her brother a glare, "I love you as my true brother, Eodwyn, but sometimes you are a fool. Listen to my story!' Her blue eyes flashed. She picked up the thread of the tale.

"When Elrond exiled the entire House of Caladgorm no elven city, village or towerkeep would have them and so they turned their face North and joined the Dunedain. Some in the know of the story say that the elves of Caladgorm were allied to the Princes of Dol Amroth. After many generations there came a new breed of half elves and men, all of whom bore the mark of that ancient elven line." Aladwyn's eyes rested on Eodwyn's face, hoping he would make the connection.

"And what is this mark, sister?" Despite himself, Eodwyn was becoming interested.

Aladwyn grinned, "A star on the left arm." She watched her brother very carefully now.

Eodwyn frowned. A star mark on the arm? That was familiar to him but he could not put his finger to it. Turning puzzled eyes to Aladwyn he breathed, "Who?"

Aladwyn sat back, "Vaniel." Triumph glittering in her eyes.

Frowning, Eodwyn thought for a moment and then laughed, taking another gulp of wine. "Don't be ridiculous. What you are insinuating is sheer stupidity, Aladwyn!"

Aladwyn sat up like a bolt, her eyes flashing again, "Indeed?" She brought her blonde head closer to Eodwyn and whispered, "She has a star shaped mark on her left arm. I have seen it with my own eyes. Do not tell me you have missed it, brother." Sitting back, Aladwyn reached for her wine.

Eodwyn reflected for a moment. Indeed, as Aladwyn said, Vaniel did bear such a mark, for he too had seen it once but gave it no thought. Now, he turned a thoughtful gaze on his sister's countenance. "This is the mark of a royal line?"

Aladwyn nodded, "Not only elven kingship, but blood to the Princes of Dol Amroth, as well as of Glorfindel's House of the Golden Flower and most importantly, to Elrond's own, for cousins it seems they were to Elrond's line."

Aladwyn waited and then spoke, watching her brother carefully, "Do you see what this portends?" She saw Eodwyn's frown. "Dear brother," Aladwyn sighed in exasperation, "the mark of the House of Caladgorm was a star-shaped mark. That Vaniel bears this mark makes her very special."

Still, Eodwyn failed to follow Aladwyn's logic and he snorted, "Nonsense. Elves do not bear birthmarks." He served himself more wine.

"Not all elves, true," agreed Aladwyn, "it is uncommon, but not unheard of. Yet, it is this selfsame birthmark that makes these elves so special. That and their lofty lineage." She added thoughtfully.

Eodwyn snorted, "And so, what does this mean to us? Only," he answered his own question, "that the mystery of Vaniel's parentage has been solved. " Eodwyn looked over at his sister, his blonde eyebrows arched in mock anger.

Aladwyn smiled, "Oh, and still, there is more than that, dear brother."

Eodwyn was beginning to not like his sister's tone and told her so, and then watched her shrug, "I care not what you think. I tell you there is a hidden cat somewhere nearby," Hissed Aladwyn, using the old Gondorian proverb which meant there were many secrets about.

"What did Tonamor tell you?" Eodwyn suddenly asked, wishing to change the subject.

Aladwyn shrugged again, "I would tell you but you do not wish to listen." Reaching for her wine, Aladwyn drank the last of it. She refused an offer of more from her brother.

"You mean to say that Tonamor is the culprit for all of this elven nonsense and stories of long feuds and lost family lines?" Eodwyn's eyes flittered to their distant kin, who now sat alone and watching them.

Suddenly, Eodwyn was interested. He knew the Princes of Dol Amroth had many spies. "Tell me everything he told you."

Now it was Aladwyn's turn to snort, "So now you are piqued, brother?" Aladwyn smiled at her brother's darkening countenance, " Oh, very well.....This is what he says....that Imrahil in secret took a lover upon his forty-seventh year, an elven woman of the House of Caladgorm, who bore the star mark on her left arm. Imrahil did not wed the elf, but a child was born of the union, a female child. The child's mother soon died after the birth. Because Imrahil feared for the babe, he had the child taken by its wet nurse, yet they disappeared near Moria and neither the babe nor the wet nurse were ever heard from again. 'Tis said the child was stolen by Orcs or devoured by Goblins. But no matter. Imrahil came to believe the child dead." Aladwyn looked at Eodwyn to see if he was following her clearly. When she saw that he was not, she clucked her tongue and Eodwyn's eyes lowered to hers.

"Vaniel....'tis Vaniel. She's Imrahil's daughter!" Aladwyn hissed through gritted teeth, watching her brother's eyes widen in disbelief.

Eodwyn stared at his sister, his mind churning. So that was it! Now he knew why Vaniel vaguely reminded him of someone. Imrahil! She was daughter to the Prince of Dol Amroth! A Numenorean line restored! And not only Numenorean, but elven as well, kin to both Glorfindel and Elrond. Eodwyn rested his eyes beyond the windows of the hall. Vaniel's claim to the throne of Gondor went beyond Aragorn's, thought Eodwyn, for with the departure of the elves from Middle Earth, Vaniel could lay claim to the realms of Imladris and even Lothlorien, as well as the lands of Gondor, erstwhile Anor, as well as the lands once known as Beleriand, and of which only Lindon now remained. His eyes remained calm as did his face, but his heart was racing. Vaniel's blood was dear indeed, he thought. And she was soon to be his. So much power so close within his grasp. And the Marchwarden, he smirked, the Marchwarden had all but given him a clear path to making Vaniel his wife. Eodwyn turned to his sister.

"Are you certain of this, Aladwyn?" Eodwyn asked his sister, "After all, there must be other half-elves with the selfsame birthmark and who can just as easily lay claim to these titles." He saw his sister shake her head.

"Nay," Aladwyn replied, "they are all either long-dead or exiled in Valinor."

Eodwyn frowned, "How can you be so certain?"

Aladwyn sighed deeply, " 'Tis Tonamor's thought that if others still lived and dwelled upon Middle Earth then long would Sauron and his spies have sought and destroyed them. Either way, word of it would have come to us. Yet, nothing has ever been mentioned until now."

"And how does Tonamor come by this knowledge?" Eodwyn asked suspiciously, his glance raking quickly over the older man.

"From Faramir himself, who spent company with Imrahil in the House of Healing when a Southron arrow struck the fair Prince of Ithilien. Remember brother, Imrahil is uncle to Faramir. And so you see, I am very certain. Which means," Aladwyn's eyes focused on her brother's face, "that we have a true claim to Gondor and much more beyond, as true as Imrahil and his kin, though ours would be stronger should you wed Vaniel. It is we who should rule Dol Amroth and not they." Her blue eyes glazed in memory of the ancient claim her family had long held over those lands, one that King Elessar had chosen to ignore. "It is we who are true descendants of Galador, for we have the proof of it though Imrahil's line has but a small claim."

Her eyes turned back to her brother, who was silently staring at his wine cup, "And you, Eodwyn, as the eldest of our House have rights of claim, you should be Prince of Dol Amroth, not Imrahil." She sighed and sat back, "but since Elessar thinks otherwise, your claim would be doubly strengthened should you wed Vaniel who is Imrahil's daughter."

Aladwyn sat back and contemplated the situation. "Think on it, Eodwyn. With Vaniel as our foil, we could take not just Dol Amroth, but claim Gondor as well as the elven realms for long gone are the elven lords." She turned her blue eyes and saw Tonamor still watching them, sipping from his wine goblet.

Suddenly, Eodwyn had a thought and sat forward, "Does Vaniel know all of this?"

Aladwyn shook her head, "I know not, but surely she must have some knowledge of it, why else come to Gondor now?"

Eodwyn rubbed his eyes, suddenly weary, and caught Tonamor's brooding gaze for a brief moment. Their talk was dangerous; their aims could bring disastrous consequences. "This is folly, Aladwyn. We are talking treason! It might well be we could lay claim to Dol Amroth, but think you that Elessar will simply hand over Gondor? And what of the elves? Not all have departed, or have you forgotten Thranduil, Legolas and Elladan and Elros for that matter? Celeborn and his captains still dwell in Imladris and Eryn Lasgallen. Nay, we must check our ambition and wait just a while longer." Here Eodwyn paused and thought for a moment. "Yet, the Lady Vaniel would make things easier. Mayhap I will wed her, sister." Tuning his head, Eodwyn draped his arm over the back of Aladwyn's chair and stared openly at Tonamor, who was still watching them.

"And we have no proof that Vaniel is indeed daughter to Imrahil," he said and straightened, breaking eye contact with Tonamor.

Aladwyn thought for a moment, knowing her brother was right. "Nay, we do not, but I daresay Elladan and Elessar well know. Perhaps it is they who hold the key to this. Unless we bring Vaniel to Imrahil or he to her."

Eodwyn frowned, "What for?" he turned his blonde head to his sister, placing the wine cup in the center of the table.

"So that we can be certain, Eodwyn. If Imrahil recognizes his own daugher then our claim is solid. We cannot stay our actions for fear of the the elven lords! They may not depart Middle Earth until we are long dead and buried! And what then, Eodwyn? Who will press our claim then?" Aladwyn's eyes flashed. "And Imrahil is in his dottage." She lowered her eyes and tugged at the sleeve of her gown, then raising them to meet Eodwyn's grave countenance, "We must move quickly for time races against us!"

Shaking his head, Eodwyn stood, "Nay, Aladwyn. Desist. Our words are folly and they bring war." Slowly he strode across the great hall, his head bowed. He needed to think and Aladwyn's words confused him.

But then, he thought as he walked the long corridors of the quiet Royal House, Aladwyn had a very valid argument. If Vaniel was Imrahil's true heir and he joined his claim to hers then they could possibly convince Elessar of their rights and take Dol Amroth. This would avoid war, for he did not think he possessed an army large enough to successfully lay seige to that city. Not as long as Elessar was still allied to the elven King Thranduil and his son, Legolas. These two elven lords combined could create an army large enough to defeat any threat to Imrahil's claim and hold on Dol Amroth. Claim to elven lands by right of Vaniel's blood ties to Glorfindel and Elrond could come later.

But how to discover the truth of the situation? Eodwyn thought long and hard on this question, finally deciding that the best course was to proceed with secrecy. He would counsel Aladwyn to keep her suspicions quiet and then approach Elladan. By judging his reaction would Eodwyn know if there was any truth to what his sister and Tonamor claimed.

Eodwyn walked slowly toward his chamber, his thoughts finally turning to Vaniel. Haldir had given him consent to pursue her and indeed he had every intention of doing so. He was still perplexed as to her reaction toward him and his direct approach. Surely, he reasoned, she realized he was interested in her. Then why was she so coy with him?

Shaking his head, Eodwyn neared his chamber and pushed open the door.

Back at the dinning hall, Aladwyn was making to rise when she caught sight of Tonamor's man entering the hall and quickly approching his Lord. Although her ears did not catch a word of their conversation, she knew from Tonamor's expression that something interesting was happening. Deciding to make herself known, she coughed. Instantly both men turned their gaze to her.

"What news, cousin?" Aladwyn asked the grey-haired Tonamor.

Her kinsman's face betrayed nothing, "News you may wish to hear, my Lady."

At once Aladwyn was on her feet and moving toward them. Standing next to Tonamor's man, she heard her kin say, "Tell her."

The man bowed to Aladwyn, "My Lady. Our sentries have reported a party set forth from Dol Amroth not two days ago. Prince Imrahil and his Lady make for Minas Tirith." He turned to Tonamor who dismissed him with a wave of the hand.

Aladwyn looked silently at Tonamor and arched an eyebrow, crossing her arms. " 'Twould seem the kettle is boiling hot, my Lord." She smiled.

Tonamor did not return the smile, "Take a care, cousin, for you tread on thin ice. You cannot force this on Elessar or Imrahil. Best to let things happen on their own.....with a little push from us, yes....but first let them meet on their own. Let us see what happens then."

Aladwyn snorted, knowing full well what Tonamor meant. "And what gain you from this?" Her eyes narrowed, her voice betraying her suspicion.

Tonamor's dark eyes feasted on the beauty before him, "Why Lady, no other gain than save the knowledge that our family's true position is finally acknowledged. After all, Elessar may very well be a direct descendant of Isildur, but who has protected Gondor for these thousand years? Not he or the elves. We have, Lady, and you well know this. It is time to make our voice heard. But, " and here he stood, "we must act with care and wisdom for some would call our words treason." Giving Aladwyn a curt bow, Tonamor stepped around the long table. "I bid you a safe and restful night, cousin."

Aladwyn nodded and said, "Rest kinsman and I thank you for your words." She watched him leave the hall, deciding that she too would take her leave and get some rest. She had a great deal of thinking to do.

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[To be continued..]