Tianwen·Magweth Pengolodh

how to go.

Rumir is back, this time in a cloak and hood, and I'm still coughing. "It turns out that this is Aretil's son. Someone told me that Sargant, the son of the lord of the Harp family, has started to associate with him."

I leaned up to the table: "Vera, that's right. That's a story that Sargante would love to hear." In the past Rumir had said on my first day as his apprentice that I had made an enemy.He is right.

I told my family about Maglin and they were very interested.They came to the same conclusion as I did, that he was still unfamiliar with his new home, and that he would be gentler when he learned about our customs.It was quite common in those days.Gondolin treats the dead young nobleman as if he were a sweet puppy, forgiving of all offenses, when we learn, too late, that he is more like a wolf cub .The flattery of commoners, the gifts of master craftsmen, the acquaintances of nobles, and the indulgence of Turgon all nourished him like meat.But if Maeglin hadn't been such a gifted blacksmith, these might have been nothing more than intrigues at Turgon's court.

What did he win with that particular feat?I'll tell you right now.He was not only a blacksmith, but a prospector, and had a mentor who imparted knowledge of the mountains that surrounded Gondolin.It all came to fruition at a major conference that fall.We were discussing how to release and distribute the harvest of recent years.I was there, too, doing the dullest of my various jobs--secretary, and I was scribbling away when the belated Maeglin entered the council hall.

Maeglin pushed the door open with a bang, and glared at the surroundings, as if everyone present had personally insulted him: "My King Turgon, I want to say that all your subjects are idiots!"

Shock spread among members of parliament.Surprised, Turgon got up and left the throne: "What do you say!"

Maeglin, who was still wearing the suit he had been traveling with, walked into the hall swaggeringly, carrying two burlap sacks on his shoulders.The blacksmith who had been his guide four months ago now followed closely behind him, dumbfounded, and he was silent when Maeglin spoke loudly. "Throughout all the years of the founding of Gondolin, your blacksmiths have been collecting bog iron ore, and your people have been saving peat and charcoal for fire like timid tribes in the forest! The treasures are always waiting for you to discover!" Maeglin threw down the sack and took out a large piece of dirt, "Who here can tell me what it is?"

"It's a stone, and it's a pretty good example of a stone," joked the lord of the Harp family.His son Sargant looked worried and poked him.

Meglin sneered: "'It's a rock'—would you say that about gold ore? That's the only wealth you recognize! But no one needs gold. It's iron ore, fine and pure. Aoli loves it. The miners of the Khazads have shown me how to find such ore. Turgon, rich iron ore awaits you; yes, with my art, you will also have plenty of steel."

He opened another sack. "You thrifty people, for lack of fuel to make charcoal, let it be. Your blacksmiths' furnaces go out too often. Don't let them lie idle any longer! There is enough fuel in the mines to burn your kingdom A thousand full years! I offer you, Turgon, the stone fuel of the Qazadians, which they call 'coal.' Look." He strode to the fireplace in the hall, and put the sack of Everything was dumped on the wood in the furnace.He covered the flames with black stones, and several cried out.However, a miracle happened.The stones themselves began to smolder, emitting heat.They become burning coals, just like fine charcoal.

The timing of Meglin's presentation is perfect.The nobles and wise men gathered here were not only impressed, but immediately decided to assign manpower to Maeglin to dig the mine.Meglin saw the right moment at that meeting, and asked Turgon humbly if he could be allowed to attend the noble meeting in the future, so as to guarantee his own interests.Turgon consented.When the meeting was over, Meglin ignited the fire of victory from the bottom of his heart.He swaggered more and more as he walked, the head blacksmith still following him.I was at the door with the other clerks, and I heard him say, "Of course I have wisdom beyond my years. I was taught by a strict teacher." Hearing this, I felt pity and softened my heart.After all, my kind family, my gentle and loving family, are still alive.

Maeglin's stern nature and his discoveries push Gondolin into a new phase, one of greater conflict.He gained a lot of power through his knowledge.I told you that in the first days of Gondolin there were several hungry winters.Once the mines of Maeglin began to produce coal, this rarely happened, because we no longer needed so much wood to make fires, so that more fields in the limited area of ​​​​valleys could be used for cultivation.All this benefited Turgon, and he promoted his nephew as a reward.The politics of favors intensified, and one was either for or against the young prince and his innovations.I never thought there would be more rumors, but the truth is, there are more.

Before long, Maglin's position was so secure that a dedicated clerk was needed.I wasn't one of his recruits; we didn't see each other often, but he made it clear—he had a deep distaste for me.I will not tell you the long list of unhappiness and misfortune that has befallen me as a result.Rumil and a few others reassured me that I had just been unlucky to have witnessed the moment of Maeglin's panic, which had aroused his dislike for me.But in any case, the antipathy was there, and the joy of Gondolin seemed to me somewhat eclipsed.

****

as Letalie

When Pengolod finished his story, they ate, but more quietly than usual.Later, Alfwine took Pengolod aside for a few private words.

"Your story made me reconsider. I cannot imagine a prince of Númenor harboring ill will towards you, unless he was jealous of your success in gaining the favor of that pretty lady. If so, there is a way It can make you safer. What do you think of taking Ah Tang to participate in Ruleta Lie?"

"A Tang!"

"We don't want to talk politics in his presence; and I bet neither Ciryathan nor the lord king. He's from Armenelos, but he hasn't been to the Those great ceremonies. You've had him with you all the way and overnight at camp, and his innocence will be your best shield."

Pengolod thought for a minute.This boy was at the age when no one could get along easily with him.He was an age at which he would listen carefully for any bits of knowledge that would help him grow up, but he was too tall to be dismissed as a child and too young to be considered a grown-up.Cirjatan would not ignore his conspicuous simplicity and sharp eyes that surveyed his surroundings. "great."

They informed Ah Tang of this decision, saying that it was Alfwine's reward for his helper, and Ah Tang was ecstatic about it.For the rest of the week he worked redoubled errands to show his gratitude and sent Pengolod's white silk robes and his own borrowed linen robes to the washerwoman, laundered spotless. .The king promised that they would not take the bumpy carriages that transported pilgrims to the holy mountain, but rode to Armenelos and Meneltamar, so Tom went back and forth to the royal stables three times.

It was a day's ride to Armenelos, and they left Romenna early in the morning.It was the first time that Pengolod rode out on horseback since he came to Romenna.He corrected Tom's bad posture in the saddle and had a good time all the way.At Tang's age, give him a chance, as long as someone is willing to listen, he will chatter endlessly.Pengolod had a hearty question about the cowsheds and civilians he saw on the road, and Tom's frank answers often revealed information that the child himself was not aware of. "No, the land from the mountain to the exit of the fjord is all cultivated for the king and the people of Armenelos. It is called Arlando, which means the 'royal domain'. Romenna has only the port and fishermen. On the mountain Armenelos side Are people richer? I guess so. I thought Romenna was kind of shabby at first. Look, that's Armenelos. It's on that ledge, on the slopes of Mount Sanctuary, higher than Romenna , so it can be cool in summer. The houses in the city are built with gray stone brought by carts from the north.” Even at such a distance, Armenelos still looks neat and formal.Guarding above it is the green Mount Meneltama.

Pengolod realized that the Númenoreans said Meneltamar was tall because it was the highest mountain on the island.Compared with the lofty peaks of Ehoriath or the Misty Mountains he had seen, Meniltamar was a mountain, but it was only a small one.The low slopes climbed gently into a smooth cone; a road wound up the hill to a plateau that opened to the south, east, and west.The peaks rose from the high ground, shielding the clearing from the north wind.This road is very tiring to walk, but no matter men or women, as long as they are healthy and strong, they can go up the mountain along it