A BOOK OF SCROLLS: THE SECOND KING: Legandriel

THE BOOK OF KINGS:

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THE LORD KING LEGANDRIEL

1 TO the astonishment of many, the warrior King Legandriel showed a most poetic and religious side as he mandated the act of daily prayers. All those of the fourth and fifth degrees were obligated to recite prayers from his Book of Voices. Twice a day at dawn and dusk was the master of The Great Hall to call the people to praise Alno'Ilumana, the God of Heaven. No matter the occurrence everyone was to face the twin peaks of the Bay of Luhun and recite: “Praise be the Unspeakable Name!” For even in its simplest profession, the people called to mind their humble state before God alone. Somewhere beyond the twin hills and the rim of the world, even their Arrogant forefathers praise Alno in answer.

2 IN this one decree was King Legandriel was unmoved by even those closest to him, yet in all other matters, he eagerly sought the counsel of others. In time The Book of Voice became a priestly work from which rituals were devised and added.

3 THE second king of Mithar was a good and righteous lord. Under the rule of Legandriel many of the water fountains were rebuilt, overgrown passages made clear again, and Mithar’s damaged southern wall was repaired. Legandriel ensured that all who entered within the city walls were fed and cared for as all things were held in common and wealth was shared. The king and his household lived as the commoner. Under his rule, both poor, rich or visitor were held the same under God.

4 FOR twenty-nine years King Legandriel ruled gaining respect from the people as he saw himself as their servant. He, more than any other king or priest was Legandriel the most pious and honest in all his dealings before elf, men, and dwarf. He praised Eru-Illuva daily, and never with the same prayer, nor was the king ever found to be boastful. Any who saw Legandriel would have thought him a commoner had it not been for his crown; which he mandated as the king’s office.

5 KING Legandriel was ever a king of the people and much loved until his death. A boating trip across the bay saw a sudden storm arise causing the king’s boat to sway. A yardarm crushed his skull and tossed him overboard. Three days later a fisherman, Rizon Derekin discovered Legandriel’s bloated form upon the northern shore of the Bay of Luhun.

6 WITH great pomp was he returned to the very steps of Varlendur, the king’s great tower in the center of Mithar. The king’s body was ritually bathed and dressed by Na’Seek his beloved widow. As he lay on the burning funeral pyre and even for eight days later the people mourned his loss while a priest read from The Book of Voices. The children and women of Slavath, the Bedouin tent city, sang songs of tribute to the fallen elf lord.

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Meeting Lydia

2 TWO weeks after he became King, Legandriel began having night dream that worried him in his waking thoughts. He had no wife. Nor did he share the details of the dream with anyone, but thought in his heart, ‘I shall see the trustworthy for myself.’ On the seventh day of still having the dream, King Legandriel called his court together. As he laid the distress, but not the details of his dream before them, many pondered but none gave answer unto the matter. The king grew impatient with his silent court and ordered them to be fed in silence.

It came to pass that all of them were made to be most astonished. A cook from the Nasilian kitchen came before the king, without summons nor tray in hand and openly addressed the court, “My Lord, forgive my boldness in approaching this fair court –“

Being gentle Legandriel replied, “Speak for all are welcomed to do so in this matter good woman.”

Beside her, a small eight year old child had been led to stand nearby. The woman continued, “Noble Sire, this is my only daughter and youngest among twelve boys; her name is Lydia.”

Before the king gave word or rebuttal, the girl spoke boldly, “Gracious Lord of the Fair Ones, hail the truth today. You said you saw much in your dread but gave no details; but now, let your court now hear what you saw.

“There was a white shore, not unlike that along the Bay of Luhun of Mithar oh great King. Alongside that sacred shore were walking cranes with outstretched necks. Some were fat and others most lean, but all white in their glory. One by one did each of those nine swans lift off in flight, never to be seen in those mortal lands again.’

The gathered court of the king murmured among themselves in disbelief, some with outrage that a child spoke so freely in like manner unto the crown. Yet other perceived a change in his lordship’s continence that indeed truth was spoken but wondered as to its meaning.

Again the child Lydia continued unmoved from her boldness to Legandriel, “Then, you counted, oh king by the sea some crabs breaking forth from the beach sands. Of these thirteen you saw, one at a time taking their turn to measure the length of that shore and then back into the sand return.

“It was then when the last crab began to walk forth that a great wave overtook the crab, the white beach and very rocks of all the lands. For the world was naught and lost unto the living.”

It was then that King Legandriel fell back into his royal seat, and in grave silence pondered all the spoken words of the child before him. Then he said, “Child do you understand I have all authority to do with you as I see fit; grant you reward or chain you in a pit of despair?”

Looking without a smile and unimpressed Lydia replied, “With all due respect my lord you have no power over your dreams nor did you even know their meaning.” Legandriel said nothing to this.

Lydia continued, “After the nine Mitharian Kings shall fall from grace, thirteen Judges shall arise to brutal power. It is as it shall be, even so the flooding waves shall purge the world of all your ages from time itself.”

Legandriel changed that in that moment on that very day. Rising from his seat amidst that gathered court said, “Come closer child.”

Lydia complied. The King told her, for all to hear, “Because you are so remarkable and fearless I am commanding Nolmithlon to begin training you to be my royal scribe. From this day forth shall every king of Mithar be served by a scribe such as you. May it also befall the penalty of death should any molest or harm you or them you teach, for your records shall be unhindered and held as undisputed truth. The Scribes shall be record keepers that even the kings who follow shall not impede. The king is not above the law, nor any other he holds before the people as such.”

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