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By Root 884 0

'sky' this midnight, right where seven phials (six bright ones and one most bright) formed the Sickle of the Valar on the fields of Nimrodel, the constellation whose handle points at the Pole of the World. The clofoel of Stars and her dancers – the only ones allowed on the 'sky' – having left for the shade of the mallorns a while ago, she was completely alone, still futilely trying to figure out how baron Grager was going to accomplish what he promised: "By morning light you will find the sack with the Seeing Stone in the grass near to the phial that represents the Polar Star in the Sickle of the Valar." Access to the 'sky' is forbidden to all other Elves, including even other clofoels, under penalty of death, so there's no concern with anyone finding the palantír before her; but how will the Mordorian spies sneak here? Therefore… is it, therefore, one of the dancers? But that's absolutely impossible – a dancer connected to the Enemy! Oh yeah? What about clofoel of the World connected to the Enemy – is that possible?

She objected to her own thoughts: I'm not connected to the Enemy, I'm merely playing my own game. Sure, I will do everything to save my boy, but I'm not even considering sticking to the conditions of their bargain. In the morning I'll have the palantír, on noon of August first I'll learn the name of the crown prince of Mordor – who else could it be? – and when it's time to exchange the hostages I'll make sure that they all remain in my hands, no worries. Apparently, these Men aren't familiar with the Elves' power; well, they'll learn.

It's not the Men that I have to fear – what can those dung worms do? – but my own kind. When I win this game I will lay a palantír and the head of a Mordorian prince at the feet of the Sovereigns, and no one will dare open their mouth – the winner is always right. Whereas if I fail or they simply won't let me finish the game, the whole affair will be cast as a pact with the Enemy, as treason. The clofoel of Tranquility would give his right hand for a chance to charge me with that and send me to his dungeons under the Mound of Somber Mourning… Should he have even a shadow of doubt regarding my talks with the Ithilienians, his Guards will start digging like only they can, and then I'm finished. I did explain my visit to Emyn Arnen to Lady Galadriel by the need to check on news from Umbar: "someone in Lórien, possibly the clofoel of Tranquility, has apparently begun his own game with Aragorn." Once he finds out about that conversation – which he will – he'll have no choice but to thoroughly besmirch me in the eyes of the Sovereigns, and he'll work hard at it.

She gave a start as it occurred to her: what if this whole business, including the happenings in Umbar, is nothing but a long-term play by the clofoel of Tranquility, and a Guard's hand will be on my shoulder the moment I pick up a sack with a stone imitating a palantír? Elandar and those Ithilienian barons working against me for the clofoel of Tranquility?! Nonsense… I'm being afraid of my own shadow. How come the Ithilienian spies are teaming with Mordorians, obviously with Faramir's knowledge? That's clear, actually: they hope to gain, as their commission in the bargain, an Elvish clofoel compromised by working with the Enemy, and therefore forever pliant. Which is how it would've come out had I any intention of playing along.

In any event there's no going back now: the only thing that will save me is a victory in this 'prisoner exchange.' Not only will it save me, it will elevate me to the next level! Afterwards I'll find those who will put the sack with the Seeing Stone by the Polar Star tonight; I will do it myself, with my Service, ahead of the Guards, and expose those traitors to the Council: "Our incomparable preserver of Tranquility had been so busy looking for conspiracies – we all know what that's worth – that he managed to overlook a real Enemy spy network in Caras Galadhon. Or, perhaps, he did not overlook it at all? Perhaps this network is connected higher than I dare suggest?" He won't survive such a