Part 22, Chance Encounter
Mar. 3rd, 2005 11:11 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
dreamflowerWell, let's try this again. Maybe I'm out of read-only by now...
PART 22
The Fellowship had gathered in the King’s quarters, in a chamber that was fitted out as a small private dining room. Of those present, only Faramir and Menelcar had not been members of the Company as it set out from Rivendell. Faramir thought that he had been asked because of Boromir. Menelcar, of course, was there in his professional capacity.
Right after Gandalf had delivered the invitation, the Citadel’s chamberlain had taken Menelcar off, to find him a place where he could rest and rehearse, and given him some garments more appropriate to performing for the King. He had also been given an early meal, so that he could perform for the diners. As the Company gathered, he sat on a chair in one corner, strumming his harp.
Aragorn entered the room after all the others had assembled. As they rose, or stopped their conversations to pay him homage, he shook his head. “No, not tonight. Tonight I am Strider, and you are all my friends. I wanted one more night together, while you are all still under this roof.”
Frodo noticed that Aragorn was not wearing any sign of his authority tonight. He smiled to himself. Being King was his friend’s destiny and duty, but it certainly wasn’t to his liking.
The servants soon brought the meal, food in abundance, and rather simple fare compared to the feasts that had become standard since the coronation. The servants withdrew, and the friends began to eat, enjoying one another’s conversation, along with Menelcar’s gentle harp music, playing in the background.
Merry was telling a story of how, one night on the journey through Hollin, Boromir had missed his footing in the dark, and slid into a bramble bush.
“So, there he was, well and truly caught. Strider was going to try to cut him free, but it would really have been awkward, and he would have had scratches all over his face and arms. So Pippin just goes over and starts untangling him. He had your brother out in no time, and with only a few scratches.”
Faramir could only imagine his brother’s consternation at something so embarrassing. He looked at Pippin, who was grinning at the memory.
“And just how, Pippin, did you know you could get him out so easily?”
Pippin laughed, and Frodo said, “Oh, Pippin has very nimble fingers. As a young lad, his mother and sisters were forever asking him to untangle their knitting, or untie the knots that no one else could figure out.”
“Of course, half the time it was my fault the knitting was tangled in the first place. I had to learn how to untangle it out of self-defense. And I was usually responsible for the knots as well.”
“Ah.” Faramir chuckled. “Why does that not surprise me?”
As the servants brought in the desserts, Aragorn stretched back in his chair, and brought out his pipe. “Master Menelcar, we have been enjoying your harp. Please now would you fain sing for us?”
The minstrel nodded. “This song I will sing first, Sire, is in your honor. My old master on a time, was asked to leave the White City, for the singing of this song. Ever after, I have sung it wherever I go, in his memory:
Let ancient prophecies relate
Concerning king's or kingdom's fate.
I think myself to be as wise
As he that gazeth on the skies.
My sight goes beyond
The depth of a pond
Or rivers in the greatest rain.
Whereby I can tell
That all will be well
When the King enjoys his own again!
Yes, this I can tell
That all will be well
When the King enjoys his own again!”
Faramir sat forward as he listened. He had not heard this song since he was a small lad. He’d not realized before this that his father had banned the singing of it in the City, but it did not surprise him. Denethor took pride in the line of Stewards, but he did not look for the return of a king.
“When at last he shall return,
None his rightful claim shall spurn;
Nor refuse for any cause
Justice of those ancient laws.
Deny who would
Elendil’s blood,
Naught shall halt the rightful reign.
For all's to no end,
The times will not mend
Till the King enjoys his own again!
Yes, this I can tell
That all will be well
When the King enjoys his own again!”
Aragorn smiled. He had heard this song often as Thorongil, and it had thrilled and humbled him at the same time.
“A thousand years the royal crown
Hath awaited the fair brow;
For is there anyone but he
That of the same should sharer be?
Who better may
The scepter sway,
Than he that hath such right to reign?
Then shall there be peace,
And the wars they will cease,
When the king enjoys his own again!
Yes, this I can tell
That all will be well
When the King enjoys his own again!
Though for a time that fair White Tree
Leaf and branch doth withered be,
Bereft beneath a shadowed sky
While seasons long hath passed it by--
Once more shall it bloom
With rare perfume
That falls like sweet rain.
The old renewed shall be,
When the time you see,
That the King enjoys his own again!
Yes, this I can tell
That all will be well
When the King enjoys his own again!
Then fears avaunt, upon the hill
My hope shall cast her anchor still.
Until I see some peaceful dove
Bring home the branch I dearly love.
Then will I wait
Till the waters abate
Which now disturb my troubled brain,
Then for ever rejoice,
When I've heard the voice
That the King enjoys his own again!
Yes, this I can tell
That all will be well
When the King enjoys his own again!” (1)
Menelcar followed this stirring and serious song with one of Bilbo Baggins comic songs, the very song in fact that Frodo had sung upon the table at Bree, and the hobbits and Gandalf were nodding their heads in time to the music. Aragorn laughed as it ended. “You will note, Frodo, that he does *not* punctuate the song by dancing on the table!”
The minstrel sang several more songs, some of them new to the Company, and others like old friends, familiar and homely. Pippin was nodding his head and tapping his feet, and obviously itching to sing once more with his old friend.
Menelcar met his eyes, and nodded. “If you will, Pippin, I would have you sing the last song with me?”
Pippin glanced at Aragorn, who nodded. He got up with alacrity, and joined Menelcar at his side. The minstrel played a couple of chords on the harp, and Pippin remembered the song, one he had learned from the bard during his stay in the Shire.
Menelcar began the song in his rich baritone:
“I ask not for ease and riches
Nor earth's jewels for my part;
But I have the best of wishes
For a pure and honest heart.”
Pippin added his sweet tenor to the Man’s voice as they sang the chorus.
“Oh, pure heart so true and tender
Fairer than the lilies white
The pure heart alone can render
Songs of joy both day and night.”
Then the hobbit sang the second verse:
“Should I cherish earthly treasure
It would fly on speedy wings.
The pure heart a plenteous measure
Of true pleasure daily brings.”
Then the two of them joined their voices once more, for the rest of the song. As Pippin sang the last verse, he looked at Frodo, his green eyes filled with tears. Frodo’s was the purest heart he knew, and Pippin felt he was singing straight to his cousin’s soul. If only Frodo could realize it, if only he could find songs of joy again.
Oh, pure heart so true and tender
Fairer than the lilies white;
The pure heart alone can render
Songs of joy both day and night.
Eve and morn my prayers ascending
To utmost West on wings of song;
Seek the joy that knows no ending
The pure heart that knows no wrong.
Oh, pure heart so true and tender
Fairer than the lilies white;
The pure heart alone can render
Songs of joy both day and night.” (2)
The singers finished, and Menelcar played through the chorus on his harp only, one last time, before the notes died, and he and Pippin bowed.
There was a silence more appreciative than applause.
Gimli blew his nose rather loudly, which broke the mood. Aragorn stood. “Master Menelcar, Pippin, that was wonderful.”
This seemed to be the signal to rise from the table, and the rest of the company did so. Menelcar saw to putting his harp in its case; there had been no talk ahead of time of remuneration, but he did not think the King would stint him.
Faramir approached, and handed him a purse, with a smile. He took it gratefully. Then he turned to find himself face to face with the King.
“Sire,” he said, with a slight bow.
“Master Menelcar, I find myself favorably impressed with your choice of material. I will be needing a Court Bard. Is that a position you might consider?”
Menelcar stared, stunned.
____________________________________________________
(1) Song adapted from a folksong found at:
http://www.contemplator.com/scotland/kingjoy.html
(2) Song adapted from a folksong found at:
http://www.contemplator.com/tunebook/wales/calonlan.htm
This is a great site, by the way, if you love folksongs!
Where will the bunny go next?
PART 22
The Fellowship had gathered in the King’s quarters, in a chamber that was fitted out as a small private dining room. Of those present, only Faramir and Menelcar had not been members of the Company as it set out from Rivendell. Faramir thought that he had been asked because of Boromir. Menelcar, of course, was there in his professional capacity.
Right after Gandalf had delivered the invitation, the Citadel’s chamberlain had taken Menelcar off, to find him a place where he could rest and rehearse, and given him some garments more appropriate to performing for the King. He had also been given an early meal, so that he could perform for the diners. As the Company gathered, he sat on a chair in one corner, strumming his harp.
Aragorn entered the room after all the others had assembled. As they rose, or stopped their conversations to pay him homage, he shook his head. “No, not tonight. Tonight I am Strider, and you are all my friends. I wanted one more night together, while you are all still under this roof.”
Frodo noticed that Aragorn was not wearing any sign of his authority tonight. He smiled to himself. Being King was his friend’s destiny and duty, but it certainly wasn’t to his liking.
The servants soon brought the meal, food in abundance, and rather simple fare compared to the feasts that had become standard since the coronation. The servants withdrew, and the friends began to eat, enjoying one another’s conversation, along with Menelcar’s gentle harp music, playing in the background.
Merry was telling a story of how, one night on the journey through Hollin, Boromir had missed his footing in the dark, and slid into a bramble bush.
“So, there he was, well and truly caught. Strider was going to try to cut him free, but it would really have been awkward, and he would have had scratches all over his face and arms. So Pippin just goes over and starts untangling him. He had your brother out in no time, and with only a few scratches.”
Faramir could only imagine his brother’s consternation at something so embarrassing. He looked at Pippin, who was grinning at the memory.
“And just how, Pippin, did you know you could get him out so easily?”
Pippin laughed, and Frodo said, “Oh, Pippin has very nimble fingers. As a young lad, his mother and sisters were forever asking him to untangle their knitting, or untie the knots that no one else could figure out.”
“Of course, half the time it was my fault the knitting was tangled in the first place. I had to learn how to untangle it out of self-defense. And I was usually responsible for the knots as well.”
“Ah.” Faramir chuckled. “Why does that not surprise me?”
As the servants brought in the desserts, Aragorn stretched back in his chair, and brought out his pipe. “Master Menelcar, we have been enjoying your harp. Please now would you fain sing for us?”
The minstrel nodded. “This song I will sing first, Sire, is in your honor. My old master on a time, was asked to leave the White City, for the singing of this song. Ever after, I have sung it wherever I go, in his memory:
Let ancient prophecies relate
Concerning king's or kingdom's fate.
I think myself to be as wise
As he that gazeth on the skies.
My sight goes beyond
The depth of a pond
Or rivers in the greatest rain.
Whereby I can tell
That all will be well
When the King enjoys his own again!
Yes, this I can tell
That all will be well
When the King enjoys his own again!”
Faramir sat forward as he listened. He had not heard this song since he was a small lad. He’d not realized before this that his father had banned the singing of it in the City, but it did not surprise him. Denethor took pride in the line of Stewards, but he did not look for the return of a king.
“When at last he shall return,
None his rightful claim shall spurn;
Nor refuse for any cause
Justice of those ancient laws.
Deny who would
Elendil’s blood,
Naught shall halt the rightful reign.
For all's to no end,
The times will not mend
Till the King enjoys his own again!
Yes, this I can tell
That all will be well
When the King enjoys his own again!”
Aragorn smiled. He had heard this song often as Thorongil, and it had thrilled and humbled him at the same time.
“A thousand years the royal crown
Hath awaited the fair brow;
For is there anyone but he
That of the same should sharer be?
Who better may
The scepter sway,
Than he that hath such right to reign?
Then shall there be peace,
And the wars they will cease,
When the king enjoys his own again!
Yes, this I can tell
That all will be well
When the King enjoys his own again!
Though for a time that fair White Tree
Leaf and branch doth withered be,
Bereft beneath a shadowed sky
While seasons long hath passed it by--
Once more shall it bloom
With rare perfume
That falls like sweet rain.
The old renewed shall be,
When the time you see,
That the King enjoys his own again!
Yes, this I can tell
That all will be well
When the King enjoys his own again!
Then fears avaunt, upon the hill
My hope shall cast her anchor still.
Until I see some peaceful dove
Bring home the branch I dearly love.
Then will I wait
Till the waters abate
Which now disturb my troubled brain,
Then for ever rejoice,
When I've heard the voice
That the King enjoys his own again!
Yes, this I can tell
That all will be well
When the King enjoys his own again!” (1)
Menelcar followed this stirring and serious song with one of Bilbo Baggins comic songs, the very song in fact that Frodo had sung upon the table at Bree, and the hobbits and Gandalf were nodding their heads in time to the music. Aragorn laughed as it ended. “You will note, Frodo, that he does *not* punctuate the song by dancing on the table!”
The minstrel sang several more songs, some of them new to the Company, and others like old friends, familiar and homely. Pippin was nodding his head and tapping his feet, and obviously itching to sing once more with his old friend.
Menelcar met his eyes, and nodded. “If you will, Pippin, I would have you sing the last song with me?”
Pippin glanced at Aragorn, who nodded. He got up with alacrity, and joined Menelcar at his side. The minstrel played a couple of chords on the harp, and Pippin remembered the song, one he had learned from the bard during his stay in the Shire.
Menelcar began the song in his rich baritone:
“I ask not for ease and riches
Nor earth's jewels for my part;
But I have the best of wishes
For a pure and honest heart.”
Pippin added his sweet tenor to the Man’s voice as they sang the chorus.
“Oh, pure heart so true and tender
Fairer than the lilies white
The pure heart alone can render
Songs of joy both day and night.”
Then the hobbit sang the second verse:
“Should I cherish earthly treasure
It would fly on speedy wings.
The pure heart a plenteous measure
Of true pleasure daily brings.”
Then the two of them joined their voices once more, for the rest of the song. As Pippin sang the last verse, he looked at Frodo, his green eyes filled with tears. Frodo’s was the purest heart he knew, and Pippin felt he was singing straight to his cousin’s soul. If only Frodo could realize it, if only he could find songs of joy again.
Oh, pure heart so true and tender
Fairer than the lilies white;
The pure heart alone can render
Songs of joy both day and night.
Eve and morn my prayers ascending
To utmost West on wings of song;
Seek the joy that knows no ending
The pure heart that knows no wrong.
Oh, pure heart so true and tender
Fairer than the lilies white;
The pure heart alone can render
Songs of joy both day and night.” (2)
The singers finished, and Menelcar played through the chorus on his harp only, one last time, before the notes died, and he and Pippin bowed.
There was a silence more appreciative than applause.
Gimli blew his nose rather loudly, which broke the mood. Aragorn stood. “Master Menelcar, Pippin, that was wonderful.”
This seemed to be the signal to rise from the table, and the rest of the company did so. Menelcar saw to putting his harp in its case; there had been no talk ahead of time of remuneration, but he did not think the King would stint him.
Faramir approached, and handed him a purse, with a smile. He took it gratefully. Then he turned to find himself face to face with the King.
“Sire,” he said, with a slight bow.
“Master Menelcar, I find myself favorably impressed with your choice of material. I will be needing a Court Bard. Is that a position you might consider?”
Menelcar stared, stunned.
____________________________________________________
(1) Song adapted from a folksong found at:
http://www.contemplator.com/scotland/kingjoy.html
(2) Song adapted from a folksong found at:
http://www.contemplator.com/tunebook/wales/calonlan.htm
This is a great site, by the way, if you love folksongs!
Where will the bunny go next?
