For more than a thousand years House Tulussegol had ruled as Kings of Argalen, at one time they held the title High King of Dor Gilthoniel, who's domain was the seven isles and more, their reach ruled all the lands of the Sindari. From the farthest east of Himling on the Enegaer Ocean to western most island of Imlen on the Belegaer Ocean, the great Southern Kingdom who's might was equal to Arda Tuluva of old. But that, that was before the Consolidation, the two millennia Noldori conquest to "unite all under Heaven". Before the so-called Ever Victorious Army landed their invasion and subdued the Sindari and "consolidated" them into their Empire. After years of fighting Hallacar, known now as the King-who-Knelt, bowed before the Throne, before the Arda Tuluvan Emperor swearing an oath of fealty. King Hallacar became a vassal and given governance over Dor Gilthoniel, which was only half of his former empire. The rest was cut up and given to loyal generals and the nobility, they call the Blood - those who descend from the people of the Great Migration. However, three generations later his descendants rebelled against the Empire! It was, of course, swiftly vanquished and House Tulussegol was almost eradicated, the Tar-Finwalimon Emperor, who had just recently taken the Throne and formed a new dynasty - the Vildimë, could not afford a large scale rebellion of the Sindari of Dor Gilthoniel, he spared the King's heir and raised him in Eregion - the Emperor's new capital - to be loyal to him and foster no more thoughts of sedition.
Now, centuries later House Tulussegol has prospered into a powerful, influential house. Argalen, now ruled by King Adaer IV who's wife's own mother was the younger sister of the late Tar-Eärendelë Emperor (mother to the reigning Empress), and his brother married the Ancalimë Emperor's own sister, Grand Duchess Ilyarë, Princess of Arda Tuluva. What a gracious honor! In his heir's, his sons' and his daughters' veins flows the blood of the Daughters of Heaven. Truly a most fortunate gift! Members of the Tercenë Dynasty have twice, and twice only, ever married outside their fellow Noldori in the five hundred years of their reign and both those times were to House Tulussegol of Argalen. And now the Throne asks, yet again, for scions of his house to marry for the good of the Empire.
"It seems the Throne has taken an interest in you, my son." The King said handing Turgon the official document. Not two hours earlier an emissary from Imaldris - the capital - came before the Sun Throne of Argalen to deliver this Edict from the Empress herself! Adaer was most intrigued, it had been over five years since last the Imperial Court had called on him. After reading the Edict his mood turned sour. With a sigh he finally looked up to his son who, though patient, eagerly awaited what his father had called on him to come, apparently is "most urgent" and "to come with haste."
"You have received a Summons."
The Prince smiled, excitingly. "A Summons!?" It was rare, even for one of his high station, to receive a Summons from the Throne. Most were written by the Keeper of Rites, or some scribe in the "Name" of the Empress, or from the Highest Daughter, the Consul, but this particular Summons had the Empress' personal seal affixed.
"From the Her Majesty, the Empress herself, no less." The King said foregoing the obligatory phrase "may she live forever", the Sindair rarely, if ever, say. Unlike the Noldori and Teleri who so love to say the phrase afterwords and with such conviction! One would think they actually believed it! As if Heaven were watching over her so diligently that if one were to say it enough no harm would ever come to her, if that were the case why has Arda Tuluva seen so many, and so many dynasties at that. What fools. What blind, daft fools. He handed the the Edict to his son, Turgon.
The Prince took the document from his father in haste skimming over the edict, "What? Ganosia? I am to court a Ganosian princess?"
"It appears so."
"Was I not promised - before birth - to the Lindari countess?" Turgon said, it wasn't really a question, he knew this already, but he could not help but ask. His thoughts turned to when he first met his bride to be, to how nervous, how anxious, he was to meet her. He was so young then not yet nine and she barely eight. He may have said only three words to her while they sat next to each other for what seemed like an eternity during the three, or was it four, hour Engagement Ceremony and the Swearing of Oaths. He remembered how he could barely hold the chalice his hands were so sweaty and shaking almost violently. He recalled how she giggled when he almost spilled the entire chalice on her, which, of course, made him actually spill some of the wine on her pristine gowned. Since then the two had remained in touch, visiting one another when they could. He had grown quite fond of the Vilverin and her to him. He even learned Lindárin, their odd dialect of Quenya, or as they call it Soloneldi. And began to study their customs and history as to make her feel at ease when they would finally wed. But that call came to a crashing end. His heart began to pound, his mind racing. "What was sealed in blood cannot be undone, lord father. We swore her family a Sacred Oath. How can..."
"It is the will of the Empress!" The King said angrily, he, too, did not approve of this match. One did not break a Sacred Oath or forever your House would be shamed, disgraced, no family would ever trust your House's oaths again. "Treachery I say." The King grunted and made an inaudible comment, "But, alas, this comes from the Throne itself, only the Empress may turn asunder a sworn Sacred Oath. We will not be shamed for this." The King made an odd gesture common to Arda Tuluvan to ward off bad omens, he fell back into his throne leaning on his arm rubbing his forehead. "I am sorry, my son. But Vilverin will have to marry your brother, or perhaps, a cousin. I will allow her to choose, that is, if she will still marry into our House."
Turgon sighed, he began to read the Edict aloud to himself again, "'Because of the close ties the Royal House of Tulussegol has with the Most Sacred and Eternal Dynasty,'" he stressed the adjectives most mockingly, "'and our bonds of kinship it is in the greatest interest that His Highness, Turgon son of Adaer the Fourth of His Name..' blah, blah, titles, titles, blah, blah, 'is to court and marry a Princess of Ganosia for the welfa..' blah! Blah! Blah!" He threw the Edict to the ground, "Why me? The Empress has sons, other nephews! What about her Noldori kin, they are practically swimming in Princes.. or the damned Teleri they have more nobility in that northern gray waste they call home than we do!"
"Calm yourself! This is no way for a prince of Argalen to act." The King stood and grabbed his son, "Be still. You will learn to care for this Ganosian more than you have with Vilverin."
The Prince took a deep breath, "I am sorry, father. I am acting as if a child. I think it best if I take my leave now." Regaining his composure he bowed to his father as custom leaving the Throne room vexed and saddened.
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The Empress of Arda Tuluva, the Lord of Twelve Thousand Years, She Who's Eyes Look Above Us All sat upon the Phoenix Throne to her right stood left stood her Ómari or Voice, an ilar'nalda (hereditary servants of the Imperial Family and of the Nobility) used to speak to those who were far beneath her. They communicated with one another using intricate, highly complicated hand gestures, all members of the Imperial family learn the hand-language as well as all ilar'nalda. On her right was her Quentanwarion, a Truthspeaker, also an ilar'nalda who serves Arda Tuluvan royalty by telling them the absolute truth of a situation as they see it, no matter how painful or humiliating it might be. While many of the Blood call their Voice "Truthspeaker," few understand how much power they truly hold. Since those owned by the Blood are ilar'nalda they can be punished, but a true Truthspeaker is required to tell the absolute truth and may not be punished for it. Many think that the Tar-Malanturimon Emperor, the last man to hold the Throne, was mad to allow his Quentanwarion to live after she slapped him in the face before the entire court.
The Court was filled with members of government, High and Low Blood and other members of the aristocracy. The Empress' two sons; the Princes Arquentuor and Haryelenion, as well as the Highest Daughter and Princess Alátriel were also gathered this day.
Those assembled were on their hands and knees prostrated before the Empress and in unison everyone chanted, "The Empress IS Arda Tuluva. The Empress MUST be obeyed. The Empress WILL live forever. Holy Mother guide us. Holy Mother teach us. Holy Mother protect us. In your light we thrive. In your mercy we are sheltered. In your wisdom we are humbled. We live only to serve you. Our lives are yours." The remained on their hands and knees, known as the pentë’pá, for seventy-two minutes chanting the Devotion over and over again. They did not stop until the gong rang thrice. Everyone stood up and remained in silence for a time.
A gong rang and the doors to the Throne Room opened, the High Chamberlain yelled, "Who comes before the Daughter of Heaven?"
"Turgon, Prince of Argalen, son of Adaer the Fourth of His name of the Royal House of Tulussegol.” He declared proudly.
"Who comes before the Divine Above?" He asked again.
"Turgon son of Adaer of House Tulussegol, a most loyal subject to the Her Most Sacred Majesty, the Empress – may she live forever in honor and glory. Death and shame to her enemies.”
"Who comes before Her Most Holy and Sublime Majesty, Sovereign of All Under Heaven?"
"I, Turgon, most humble of servants who bows before the Throne, I, Turgon, most devoted servant to the Empress – may she live forever in honor and glory. I, Turgon son of Adaer who submit myself to her will and none other. To the Daughter of Heaven, who is most majestic and sublime. Who’s eyes burn with the light of the Two Trees.”
“Why have you been summoned, Turgon son of Adaer?”
“To fulfill my sacred obligations to the Throne. To fulfill my duty the Empire. To fulfill my oath!"
The gong rang again and all who were assembled bowed at their waist as the Prince entered the Throne room.
Turgon took twelve steps and fell to a full pentë’pá, on his hands and knees with his head to the floor. He stood took another nine and bowed again in the same fashion, stood took six steps and repeated he did this every third step before he was kneeling below the dais where the Phoenix Throne was set.
"The Prince of Argalen is given leave to stand before the Most Sublime Empress." Telperiel Voiced, "Let it be published among the Blood that Turgon is to fulfill the will of Heaven. Let it be known!"
Still bowing the members of the Blood chanted, "It is known." They did not stand until after the Prince rose.
"Turgon, Prince of Argalen, son of Adaer the Fourth of His name, faithful servant of the Great and Glorious Tercenë Dynasty of the Present Time. You will fulfill your sacred obligation directed to you from Heaven. Are you prepared to accept the duty to which you were born? Are you prepared to acknowledged what fate has brought?" the Empress' Voice asked.
"I have accepted my fate, Divine Above. I understand the duty to which I was born." Turgon said as he bowed at the waist. It is the way of things, he did not like it, but addresses to the Empress were always to be formal and self-deprecatory, even by the closest of family members."It brings only bliss to my soul to fulfill the Will of the Empress - may she live forever!"
"You may commence the ceremony, child." Voiced Telperiel.
“Zheckhainah is my wife. Zheckhainah my wife. Zheckhainah my wife.” He said reluctantly, only three times does he need to say it and his part of the marriage is complete. Now he has one year and one day to woo the Ganosian princess in hopes she will complete the marriage pact.It has been known to happen in Arda Tuluva that couples will marry not ever have even met, they will have been married for years, sometimes, decades before the meet. This was how it was done centuries ago, now it only done for tradition.
"It is done, then.” The Empress herself said, upon hearing her voice the entire court fell into a full pentë’pá. It was not uncommon for the Empress to speak during court, but it still surprised the Blood when she did. “You will complete this contract and we will have Ganosia as an ally.”
"Lord Iarwen of House ben-Adar will present himself before the Throne at this time." Telperiel Voiced.
The Deputy Executor stepped out from where he was standing, falling to hands and knees, “Your loyal servant bows before the Empress - may she live forever."
“It is the will of Her Majesty that you accompany Prince Turgon to the Ganosian court. You are charged with representing the earthly government of Arda Tuluva to solidify a treaty with Ganosia. You have been granted plenipotentiary prerogative in all matters with Ganosia hence forth. Let it be known.”
“It is known.” The members of Court declared bowing at the waist.
“I thank Her Most Gracious Majesty twelve thousand times for this honor!” Iarwen said, muffled by the fact his face was still pressed against his hands on the floor.
“It is done!” Telperiel Voiced, “Go now and fulfill your missions. So let it be written!”
The Court fell to their hands and knees, “So let it be done!”
After a lengthy closing ceremony the Emrpess left followed by her cortege and the rest of Court. Turgon met with Iarwen to discuss when they were to leave. "Three days hence, Highness." He was already pact and prepared. Not a week ago he had told Vilverin of his dilemma, of his sorrow that they can no longer wed. Though, they he did not yet love the Lindari countess romantically, he knew one day he could. She was beautiful, clever and ever full of wit. And she expressed that she would have enjoyed mothering the future royal generations of Argalen, She was saddened but she knew that one did not go against the Throne's wishes, else be shamed even loose one's titles, in some cases one's own life. Even if he did not accomplish what he was set out to do he could not marry the Countess, it would shame her, breaking a marriage pact for another than returning back. It just was not done.
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The Highest Daughter, Princess Saralíndë, surprised both Prince Turgon and Lord ben-Adar with her arrival on the private airplane, "I was unaware that the Highest Daughter is to accompany us. It is truly a gracious honor." Turgon said with a rushed bow. If they had been in the presence of other Court officials Turgon would never have spoken the Empire's heir in such a manner, he would have had to wait from her to speak to him first, but as this was considered unofficial he, being of Royal Blood, was allowed to speak to her directly. Iarwen ben-Adar, on the other hand, was only a Baron, therefore he could not, she would most likely speak to him through her Voice, however, because of his importance in the Marduuk government, being second to the Consul, he could, theoretically, speak to her during an official State event and she would not need her Voice, as he would be considered "within her reach" so to say. The complexities that were at hand confused even those who claimed to be experts at Court Etiquette. However, in such personal confines Iarwen surmised he would be allowed to speak without needed to be spoken to, though he had nothing to say so he bowed respectfully and continued reviewing his notes on Ganosia.
"Yes, dear Prince. I decided it were time I left Arda Tuluva and visit foreign Courts, I am to become Empress - pray Heaven's wills it many and more years until that day - I should come accustom to diplomatic endeavors." The Highest Daughter said gesturing ever so slightly to her ilar'naldar to take their seats. The airplane readied itself for take off and the ten hour flight to Olyan the Royal city of Ganosia.