Tolkien Fan Fiction
| 6 |
| The coin's two sides |
Prompt: Lend Summary: It turns out you can serve two masters. |
| Next morn, Captain called muster. “Remember well our duty,” Ránion told Poros's assembled soldiers. “We defend Gondor's integrity: maintain peace, keep Haradrim out. Clear?” Someone shifted. Ránion turned sharply, stared... “Sir?” Celbaran heard himself ask. “When the Khan's men come, these a-lehani – shan't they run?” “Undoubtedly.” “And if they seek escape by the Crossings? Captain,” he asked, “must we lend our swords to Harad's vengeance?” Silence, then: “Say rather, to Gondor's interests.” Gondor's interests. Later, Celbaran spies the woman, wearily balancing squabbling children on either arm. Appeasement is not peace, yet impoverished power, Gondor – they – will kill even for that. |