PART TWO: Be Watched
Lord Anglachelm was the perfect consult with which to determine the Lady’s passage eastward since he was himself, so recently returned from dangerous lands in the east and even though she sought the serenity of the Golden Woods as opposed the windswept dunes of the Rhûn, it was imperative that she glean maps or knowledge from him because she would be making the journey alone.
They met for council at Imlad Gelair, the secret cove where she had first met her sworn protector Lord Mittanyaro, although this was a meeting of minds and not hearts. Lord Veryacano also attended to Isoldis’ call, yet both Lords were soon greatly concerned as to the lady’s manner for she was by this present day long without rest and very disturbed in her imaginings. Heated debates abound, Veryacano scrutinizing the Lady’s sanity whilst Lord Anglachelm sought to offer his own lute in humble recompense, which only frustrated Isoldis further and by due course Lord Anglachelm the more.
The meeting ended without a conclusion and some nights later Isoldis found herself explaining her vexations to acquaintances in a bid to warn them of the impending danger of more vanishings. If they did not flaunt with her bewitchment by being near her, perhaps they would catch it to suffer their own losses! It was at this point that she had rebuked the noble and learned Galvathalion for not keeping up with the plot, and also the point at which Lord Anglachelm marched in upon the gathering at the Halls of fire and proceeded to reinvigorate the debate of previous nights, still without settlement.
The idea of Isoldis travelling east alone was insufferable to Anglachelm, no matter her pleading or reasoning and he insisted upon offering her his own lute to end the matter forthwith, yet Isoldis stubbornly refused his gifts or any further advice and was set upon her journey with or without his contributions. In fact, under the circumstances she thought it a good idea to leave the vale promptly having no wish to make her bewitchment public news, lest it find its way back to Mittanyaro! Any hint that Isoldis was suffering strife would bring Mittanyaro speedily to her side and straight into the eye of that terrible vanishing curse for which she could not bear! Luckily, he was presently camped in the mountains out of harm’s way and Isoldis would be gone well before his scheduled return, leaving a trail too old for him to follow.
It was the only way, or so she assumed, and yet Lord Anglachelm had more to offer the warring lady than a replacement lute, when the doors flung open to reveal Lord Mittanyaro, present and correct at Isoldis’ side. Furthermore, Lord Anglachelm not only blatantly informed Mittanyaro of Isoldis’ perilous plans, but henceforth commanded the Lord to guard the lady, and not let her out of his sight!
Oh! How furious Isoldis was with Lord Anglachelm, whose intelligence she deemed had sunk into the depths of depravity, given the possible consequences of his actions. Lord Mittanyaro would perform his duty to the absolute letter, fulfilling his oath to Lord Anglachelm and plaguing Isoldis with the terrible fear that her most beloved treasure, of all the treasures in Arda, was in dire jeopardy!
“Oh my Lord of cruel intent!” She scorned at Anglachelm. “What you have done is beyond exoneration...for if Mittanyaro does vanish, I shall ever hold you responsible for it!” Her foot stamped the polished floor in temper, before she left the hall in a furious rage.
