Tianwen·Magweth Pengolodh

So far he had accepted two gifts with a clear conscience, for for four nights he entertained the court of Minastir. For more than two thousand years he had realized that his chief worth compared with other singers of the Eldar lay in his ability to memorize all the lines without error.Although he does not have a voice of pure silver, when the ballads are long enough to fill 2000 folio pages, the advantage of memory cannot be ignored.But whatever his shortcomings, those two gifts were fair rewards for singing the hymns, and the hospitality would not give the impression that he considered Minas Tire his home.But Seiko doing the laundry—or worse, offering to make him clothes—is going too far.It was time to decide whether he would continue to board here in Tar-Minastir.

Pengolod made the servant back down.Ignoring the plate of dessert, he set to work on his literature, which included notes he had copied from the royal library, and a gift from Tar-Minastir for his mediocre bardic performance— Small scroll bound in silver and gold.He reckoned that the most precious thing he wanted to bring back was a piece of paper that allowed him to see the archives kept by the Explorers Guild in Romenna.There, too, Alfwine could go with him.He could spend the rest of the night preparing a decent and grateful farewell speech for Minas Tir.

Unnie's Contest

Alfwine raised his head and narrowed his eyes.The evening sun streamed in through the open shop door, and with it Pengolod.He said, "It's a pleasure to meet you! I think you are back to get your luggage?"

Pengolod was immediately frustrated: "You already have another tenant?"

"No, but Ah Tang was sent back two days ago, saying that you are now the king's distinguished guest."

Pengolod rolled up the gray cuffs of his white robe: "Yes, but I'm back—if you still have room for me."

"Of course, but..." Alfwine gave him a puzzled and curious look, "Why? You don't miss the creaking sound of the trolley in the early morning, and all the housewives swaggered in and said You look so elf-like?"

Pengolod laughed unrestrainedly: "I have permission to look at the archives of the Explorers' Guild, so I have to go back to Romenna anyway. It is very convenient to go to their big house on the water from you." .You'll want to see my lore I've copied from the royal library—it's amazing how the Adunak language has evolved over the years. And—" Pengolod lowered his voice, "—and the palace has a tendency to steal The housewife who watched was just as we expected."

"You must tell me all this," said Alfwine, and began to smile.

"I came back to tell you." They sat at the large ink-stained table in the shop, ate a simple meal of smoked fish and bread, and told Alfwine about Tom's news and compared to what Pengolod had done.Pengolod hadn't been so interested in food and conversation for days.

They renewed their friendship, drank red wine together, and chatted until late at night.The next morning, Pengolod heard the cart creaking by early in the morning, so he complained a few times on purpose.Tom brought the water for the morning wash and greeted happily, and Pengolod managed to get downstairs in time for breakfast.He and Alfwine had just finished comparing who had the worse headache when Rosenzil came in with a big basket, ringing the bell as usual. "Good morning, my lord Elf," she said, addressing Alfwine again, "I told you yesterday, didn't I? He'll be back for the game. Nobody misses Uni's game." , that's the biggest event of the year."

"You haven't said whether you're going to the boat race," Alfwine told her.

"I'm not the type to miss a race! I have a few friends who want to rent a boat, and I'll go on that one. Uni Day is a women's day, and we can do whatever we like on that day, and we'll have a good time." Take advantage," she replied.

Alfwine pulled his beard and glanced at Pengolod: "Ah, you...have you already paid?"

"Well. We, we all settled yesterday," she said, casting a quick glance at the listening elf as well.

"We might see you on the water. I have a small boat myself. I hope your boat is comfortable enough to live up to your name."

Losinziel's face was serious: "My family! They think that giving me a Númenor name can hide the origin of our dark skin, but they didn't give me a tree or flower like other women here A name like that, but I chose a boat instead!"

"Your name is very honourable," said Alfwine gallantly, "perhaps you would like the Sindarin version of it? The Quenya version is well known—Venkilot. Of course, I charge you nothing .”

Rosenzil was obviously very happy, and put his arms around the basket: "Tell me what to say first, and then I'll see if I like it or not."

"Losinzir means 'blossom of the foam,' and in Sindarin it is called Gwengloth."

Losing Chilton was stunned for a moment, and then asked Pengolod directly: "Really?"

"Exactly," Pengolod said emphatically.

"Gwingloss...Gwingloss...that sounds horrible! I thought all Elvish was good!" she complained.

"You don't have to use that name," Alfwine said quickly.

Pengolod added: "There are still some not-so-good-sounding Elvish names, such as Elmo, Algon...a nobleman tried to translate his Sindarin name into Quenya, but gave up...he Said, 'Taylor Perno' sounds like an out-of-tune horn. I don't think there's anything wrong with it."

"Tyler Purnor," repeated Losingzill softly, as if savoring, "no, it wasn't too bad, but Gwingloss—no, I didn't mean to offend. If I changed my mind, I'll tell you tomorrow." She shook her head and walked away.

Alfwine looked at her back thoughtfully, but didn't touch the muffin he bought.Pengolod broke open his piece of muffin.It tasted of fresh apricots, and the pastry was a treat in his red-wine-torsed stomach, so he allowed Alfwine to ponder for a while before saying: "It seems to be getting better and better—her craft Not bad. I think if she wanted to, she'd come here earlier in the sale and get you the best batch. She's got a good ear and a good sense of music, doesn't she?"

"It is said that people from the Southern Islands have excellent singing voices." Alfwine took a big bite of his muffin, "Indeed, it's really good," he added, "Maybe you are right." Daydream recovered and smiled easily, "I can't believe I didn't tell you about the competition."

"If I'd let you chime in last night, maybe you would have. Do you have a boat? Are you going to race?" Pengolods asked.

With his mouth full of muffins, Alfwine said vaguely, "No, no, it's just a mediocre boat—a dinghy with sails that can hold a fisherman or two in it. Down by the pier. I go out fishing sometimes at night, and Tom rides him out to play. It's just what everybody does."

"I remember what you said. When we entered the fjord, I saw boats everywhere."

"The racing boats are not like those, nor are they like merchant ships, barges, and three-masted ships that go out to sea. They are streamlined, with narrow bows, and three sails. The lords of all Númenor have their best men Sailors sent to sail, and some use all kinds of connections to keep their best rowers out of the battle! Prince Anduini spent more money on a rowing boat than on his son's wedding More, they are so crazy. This upcoming race is the most important race of the year in all Númenor, and the center is in the fjords on the island of Tor Uni. People for several leagues are carrying Come to the port with food and drink, or take a boat into the water to see."

"Can your ship carry one more person? I don't have the fanaticism of sailors, but I have been on small boats many times, and the experience is quite pleasant." Pengolod asked.

Alfwine did not answer directly: "When you were in Armenelos, the crown prince didn't mention this contest at all?"

"Not at all, not at all."

Alfwine looked thoughtful: "Rowing was his favorite activity. It was even rumored that he would cut short his sailing trips just to come back and watch the races. If he couldn't participate, he had someone read it for him. Messages, and sending his favorite officers there. His barges are always full."

Pengolod understood at once why Alfwine changed the subject: "He didn't know I was going back to Romenna for the race. I only saw him one night, and that time—I told you about the .We didn't like each other very much, but now I realize what his quality is."

"In that case, his ship's loss is my gain—I'll never say that again in my life!" said Alfwine cheerfully, and wiped it off carefully with a piece of linen. He raised his hand and spread out a piece of parchment. "My boat is average, but my wine must be good. The hotel on this street asked me to draw a detailed drawing of the racing boat on a wide banner, so that the drinkers can place bets." Examine the wide Banner leads to discussion about rowing, which in turn leads to handing out banners, receiving red wine