Chapter 3: Red Days Rising
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- Blubbo_Baggins
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Chapter 3: Red Days Rising
- Wbweather
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Chapter 3: Red Days Rising
"Westu Thengel hal!" Istril calls out in a clear, ringing voice. She bows respectfully before the king and rises with a cheerful smile for Theoden. "I am Istril, daughter of Nestedir and Idhressel. I hail from the port city of Pelargir in the land of Gondor, your friend and ally." She gestured to Torwin and Hereweald. "These are my companions - your loyal subjects - Torwin and Hearweald. There is strength in their arms and valour in their hearts."
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Chapter 3: Red Days Rising
Hereweald waits for Istril to introduce them, but he is a Son of Rohan, and he is proud and true hearted, a man of action and of song. He does not let the foreign woman, no matter how much he respects her, speak for him in the presences of the king. "I am Hereweald, son of Hefric and Estron of the Westfold, slayer of the Boar of Leavesholt. Teller of tales, drinker of wine, eater of feasts!" He smiles widely at the king as he bows low. "I am honored beyond my station to be here among you and your family Thengel King." He waits to acknowledged then returns to his seat with the others
"He that breaks a thing to find out what it is has left the path of wisdom." - Gandalf
J.R.R. Tolkien, Council of Elrond, The Fellowship of the Ring
J.R.R. Tolkien, Council of Elrond, The Fellowship of the Ring
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Chapter 3: Red Days Rising
With that, food is served and a great feast it is indeed.There is roast boar and venison, a hearty vegetable stew, and loaves of freshly baked bread. Cups are filled with wine, ale and meed. For a while the talk is light and jovial as people eat and drink and relax. Eventually, Thengel sits back in his chair and motions to gather everyone's attention to himself.
“Rarely our table sees such a gathering of warriors bonded by the same adventurous spirit, or who have seen so
much of the world. Théoden, my son, is there a question you would like to ask our guests?”
The young prince of the Riddermark thinks a moment, and then say, I would like to know what each of our guests believe about the qualities of a man of worth. Which virtue is most desirable?"
Morwen chides Théoden gently, "Théoden, our guests might might rightly think it impolite to instruct the Lord of the Mark on virtue, especially when seated at his table."
"Nonsense." replies Thengel, “No one is ever too wise to learn new wisdom, neither child nor king. Speak, friends, what hold you to be the greatest virtue in a man? Is it bravery maybe, or wisdom? Generosity, or truthfulness?”
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Chapter 3: Red Days Rising
Torwin nods at the King and turning to Théoden begins,
"Well spoken young prince. Your father raises a man who shall be a wise ruler after him." Torwin pauses and continues, his face all seriousness (but those who know him might see that rather than anger, Torwin was instead speaking in great earnest),
"There is only one virtue that, without it, a man's courage, wisdom, or generosity ultimately fall short: honor. My father was Ealdred, Doorwarden of Meduseld, as his father before him, and his father before him, up to the fourth generation. In all those years the King and his lords depended on the honor - the faithful, steadfast commitment - of the Doorwarden for the security of Meduseld.
Under King Fengel my father was sent away. In the coming days my father sought to find ways to prevent the spread of further mistrust among our leaders, but in doing so he aroused the wrath of the King, who punished him, sending him to walk the paths under the Dwimorberg, and to receive final judgment from the Oathbreakers, as it were. For if he never returned, it was said, he would belong with the Oathbreakers (being one himself), but if he returned he would pass the test, and receive justice.
Beyond all expectation my father returned. He was proven faithful. Even now Rohan has emerged through decades of unfaithfulness, where dishonor and strife were sown among its leaders and warriors. All have suffered and in those years it was dishonor, lack of faithfulness, that weakened us.
Now our King leads in honor, and once again I have hope for the future."
Looking at all in the eye, Torwin raises his voice,
"Remember Halifirien! Remember the Oath of Eorl! It was there that Rohan became a people, a true country. Every time we uphold our vows, we overcome the curse of faithless Men, who in the past always fell under the Shadow's sway, whose curse continues on, but which is overcome by honor. Remember the words of Eorl!"
As Torwin finishes, all those in the room are familiar with the words he speaks,
"There shall be friendship for ever: their enemies shall be our enemies, their need shall be our need, and whatsoever evil, or threat, or assault may come upon them we will aid them to the utmost end of our strength.This vow shall descend to my heirs, all such as may come after me in our new land, and let them keep it in faith unbroken, lest the Shadow fall upon them and they become accursed."
With that Torwin lifts his cup, his voice loud and strong, "To honor!"
"Well spoken young prince. Your father raises a man who shall be a wise ruler after him." Torwin pauses and continues, his face all seriousness (but those who know him might see that rather than anger, Torwin was instead speaking in great earnest),
"There is only one virtue that, without it, a man's courage, wisdom, or generosity ultimately fall short: honor. My father was Ealdred, Doorwarden of Meduseld, as his father before him, and his father before him, up to the fourth generation. In all those years the King and his lords depended on the honor - the faithful, steadfast commitment - of the Doorwarden for the security of Meduseld.
Under King Fengel my father was sent away. In the coming days my father sought to find ways to prevent the spread of further mistrust among our leaders, but in doing so he aroused the wrath of the King, who punished him, sending him to walk the paths under the Dwimorberg, and to receive final judgment from the Oathbreakers, as it were. For if he never returned, it was said, he would belong with the Oathbreakers (being one himself), but if he returned he would pass the test, and receive justice.
Beyond all expectation my father returned. He was proven faithful. Even now Rohan has emerged through decades of unfaithfulness, where dishonor and strife were sown among its leaders and warriors. All have suffered and in those years it was dishonor, lack of faithfulness, that weakened us.
Now our King leads in honor, and once again I have hope for the future."
Looking at all in the eye, Torwin raises his voice,
"Remember Halifirien! Remember the Oath of Eorl! It was there that Rohan became a people, a true country. Every time we uphold our vows, we overcome the curse of faithless Men, who in the past always fell under the Shadow's sway, whose curse continues on, but which is overcome by honor. Remember the words of Eorl!"
As Torwin finishes, all those in the room are familiar with the words he speaks,
"There shall be friendship for ever: their enemies shall be our enemies, their need shall be our need, and whatsoever evil, or threat, or assault may come upon them we will aid them to the utmost end of our strength.This vow shall descend to my heirs, all such as may come after me in our new land, and let them keep it in faith unbroken, lest the Shadow fall upon them and they become accursed."
With that Torwin lifts his cup, his voice loud and strong, "To honor!"
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Chapter 3: Red Days Rising
"Very good, what say you other two? Is there a virtue more important than honor?"
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Chapter 3: Red Days Rising
"Honor is a fine virtue, one that is hard to define however, and yet is easily manipulated by those without it. No, I say Honor is not the most important virtue of them all. Important yes, but not the most important."
He sits thinking, a goblet in his hand as he chews on some good bread and washes it down with a cup of wine. He holds the attention of others, doing nothing for a moment, waiting, causing people to look at him expectantly. He lifts his goblet, and makes as if to speak but takes a drink. Someone in the back of the hall finally shouts, "Well?!"
Hereweald smiles, "Patience."
There are a few who understand what he's just done and jib the man without it. "A hunter must have it when waiting for his prey. To sit and watch and wait and to know when the right moment is to take action is a virtue that not all can master. Like the hunter, a leader must also know patience, he must be able to watch his enemies and his allies, and to wait to act when the time is right. He can not brashly charge into battle all the time nor can he move against those that he suspects of plotting against him until there is proof."
He sips his wine, "Patience allows for allies to be made, like those Dunlendings who aided us in defeating the great Troll of the Grimgelad. Had we recklessly thought those men enemies, just because they were born on the wrong side of the River Isen, we would not have had the manpower to defeat that evil. Patience allowed that alliance."
You know the tale of Helm Hammerhand yes? A great King of Rohan who saved our people.... he then begins to tell the Tale of Hammerhand, from start to finish, a story that demands patience to listen to. He near the end.
"...Helm had a great horn, and soon it was marked that before he sallied forth he would blow a blast upon it that echoed in the Deep; and then so great a fear fell on his enemies that instead of gathering to take him or kill him they fled away down the Coomb.
One night men heard the horn blowing, but Helm did not return. In the morning there came a sun-gleam, the first for long days, and they saw a white figure standing still on the Dike, alone, for none of the Dunlendings dared come near. There stood Helm, dead as a stone, but his knees were unbent. He stood all night, patiently, holding the bridge alone, waiting, knowing what was to come, and showed no change of heart. That is perhaps the greatest example.
Yet men still say that the horn is still heard at times in the Deep and the wraith of Helm will walk among the foes of Rohan and kill men with fear."
He sits thinking, a goblet in his hand as he chews on some good bread and washes it down with a cup of wine. He holds the attention of others, doing nothing for a moment, waiting, causing people to look at him expectantly. He lifts his goblet, and makes as if to speak but takes a drink. Someone in the back of the hall finally shouts, "Well?!"
Hereweald smiles, "Patience."
There are a few who understand what he's just done and jib the man without it. "A hunter must have it when waiting for his prey. To sit and watch and wait and to know when the right moment is to take action is a virtue that not all can master. Like the hunter, a leader must also know patience, he must be able to watch his enemies and his allies, and to wait to act when the time is right. He can not brashly charge into battle all the time nor can he move against those that he suspects of plotting against him until there is proof."
He sips his wine, "Patience allows for allies to be made, like those Dunlendings who aided us in defeating the great Troll of the Grimgelad. Had we recklessly thought those men enemies, just because they were born on the wrong side of the River Isen, we would not have had the manpower to defeat that evil. Patience allowed that alliance."
You know the tale of Helm Hammerhand yes? A great King of Rohan who saved our people.... he then begins to tell the Tale of Hammerhand, from start to finish, a story that demands patience to listen to. He near the end.
"...Helm had a great horn, and soon it was marked that before he sallied forth he would blow a blast upon it that echoed in the Deep; and then so great a fear fell on his enemies that instead of gathering to take him or kill him they fled away down the Coomb.
One night men heard the horn blowing, but Helm did not return. In the morning there came a sun-gleam, the first for long days, and they saw a white figure standing still on the Dike, alone, for none of the Dunlendings dared come near. There stood Helm, dead as a stone, but his knees were unbent. He stood all night, patiently, holding the bridge alone, waiting, knowing what was to come, and showed no change of heart. That is perhaps the greatest example.
Yet men still say that the horn is still heard at times in the Deep and the wraith of Helm will walk among the foes of Rohan and kill men with fear."
"He that breaks a thing to find out what it is has left the path of wisdom." - Gandalf
J.R.R. Tolkien, Council of Elrond, The Fellowship of the Ring
J.R.R. Tolkien, Council of Elrond, The Fellowship of the Ring
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Chapter 3: Red Days Rising
"Both of my friends make excellent points," Istril began as she takes the floor. She glances from Torwin to Hereweald before focusing her gaze intently upon Theoden. "Both honour and patience are commendable and good virtues for anyone, particularly a ruler, to practice. But I believe that wisdom is more important, for it is wisdom that teaches what is honorable and when to be patient."
"Circumstances often determine whether a course of action is honourable or not. When you have defeated your foe, how do you know when it is honourable to give him mercy or when it is honourable to justly slay him? You must have wisdom to weigh the facts that the situation presents so that you may rightly decide."
"Similarly, patience is important, but there exist those moments in life when one must make a momentous decision with little time to deliberate. It is experience - that of yourself and that of others who may instruct you - that gives rise to wisdom."
"Though I have trained with bow and blade, my trade is in herb-lore and and the healing of hurts. The knowledge that I have is the result of a great many years' worth of cumulative wisdom in the treatment of illness and bodily injury. When a patient lays on the table before me, I do not always have the luxury of time to deliberate and exercise patience. There are times I must act! And I must act wisely to preserve a life."
"So too must a king act, for the decisions he makes, whether hastily or with great deliberation, determine the course of his people for good or ill, and he must choose wisely."
"Circumstances often determine whether a course of action is honourable or not. When you have defeated your foe, how do you know when it is honourable to give him mercy or when it is honourable to justly slay him? You must have wisdom to weigh the facts that the situation presents so that you may rightly decide."
"Similarly, patience is important, but there exist those moments in life when one must make a momentous decision with little time to deliberate. It is experience - that of yourself and that of others who may instruct you - that gives rise to wisdom."
"Though I have trained with bow and blade, my trade is in herb-lore and and the healing of hurts. The knowledge that I have is the result of a great many years' worth of cumulative wisdom in the treatment of illness and bodily injury. When a patient lays on the table before me, I do not always have the luxury of time to deliberate and exercise patience. There are times I must act! And I must act wisely to preserve a life."
"So too must a king act, for the decisions he makes, whether hastily or with great deliberation, determine the course of his people for good or ill, and he must choose wisely."