October 3, 1436 SR: We had dancing class again to day, and Mr. Ardemon actually got so angry he tore his wig off and threw it on the floor and stamped his feet on it. The poor man. He cannot manage this class and what is to happen next I can't imagine. Perhaps he should complain to the King or the Queen, but I think he is too proud to do that.
We were all there, the 6 of us who live at the palace, the 6 maidens who come just for lessons, and the 12 gentlemen, including Prince Darius. Prince Darius objected to coming, he said so at breakfast, but the King said it was expected of him and that every gentleman should be able to dance well enough not to make a figure of himself. The Queen laughed and the King looked self-conscious and he admitted that he had never been taught to dance, himself, but that he wished he had been. Prince Darius frowned and looked defiant, but when the Queen asked him why he objected he had no answer. I thought perhaps, she said, that you had some objection to dancing, in your home. Would your father object?
Prince Darius laughed, then, and said, I wish I had thought to say that was so, my Lady, but it isn't so. I will dance, but I won't like it.
He has been put into the dormitory with the other gentlemen, and his servants protested, saying that they had been entrusted with the Prince's safety, and that they couldn't guard him if he was in a room with 11 other boys. The King frowned and asked if they had any reason to imagine that the Prince would be in danger. I have never heard him use that voice before and I wasn't surprised that those men backed down. They are not so much servants as bodyguards, obviously, but they dare not defy the King, and they are quartered with the menservants. The 12 young gentlemen are expected and required to be civil to each other, fighting is not allowed. They get fencing, and stick fighting, and boxing, and every now and then one of them has a black eye or bruises, but no one has complained. Prince Darius is the youngest of the Gentlemen, he is only 15, but he is easily the tallest and he is the only Prince. Some of the others look down on him, calling him 'Swerting' and 'orc-boy', and they say he's not a real Prince, but some kind of Southron bandit chieftain's son. They don't say any of this in front of the King, of course, but they could make Prince Darius very miserable. I don't think they will, though. Whatever they say, he is a real Prince, you can see it in every line of his body, and in the way he deals with the King. Today at breakfast, he asked the King: My Lord, am I your guest, or your hostage? Every one at table was suddenly very still, and the other boys looked scared.
The King set his cup down and looked at Darius in surprise. You are my guest, Darius. Why do you ask?
Darius hesitated, then said, There are those who say I am a hostage, my Lord, to ensure that my father honours his treaties with you.
I see, the King said. What do you think, Darius?
I think my father will keep his word, whether I am here or not, Prince Darius said, and there was defiance in his voice. He has other sons, and I am not even his favorite.
The King said, I think your father sent you to me as a token that he trusts me, and that I trust him. That is how things ought to be between Kings.
So, when you have a son, you will send him to my father for a time? Prince Darius asked.
I had not thought of this, the King said. But it may be that I will, if I have a son. He glanced at the Queen, who was listening with interest. What say you, my Lady?
I think a Prince ought to see the world, she said. Even the Prince who is my son. She smiled at Darius, What says your mother? Was she against your coming to us?
I have no mother, my Lady. She died when I was born, Darius said.
The Queen leaned across and put her hand over his. Then I will be your mother, Darius, while you live with us.
He lifted her white hand and kissed it. You honour me, my Lady, he said, and his voice was a little thick. Then he turned again to the King. My Lord, whether or no I am a hostage, I am security for my father.
In a sense you are, the King said. Your father wishes you to learn our ways, to understand Gondor, so that when you are king, and perhaps my son is king, our two peoples will remain friends. The King looked at the rest of us and said, You are all here for the same reason: to be made into ladies and gentlemen. For some of you, it will be quite a struggle. Then he rose and the other gentlemen rose, and he said, Tomorrow I will ride out to the hills, and see what sport I can find. Any who care to join me, come now and we will speak to the huntsman about horses and dogs.
Of course, he meant only the men, and it was after that, an hour or so later, that we met in the gallery for the dancing lesson. The gentlemen came in, and right away Baranor started in on Prince Darius, saying, You just had to go whining to the King, didn't you, swerting?
The other boys looked uneasy, but did not interfere as Baranor shoved Darius.
Mr. Ardemon bustled over to them and said, Now, gentlemen, this won't do!
Baranor spun around and said, Be quiet, you antiquated fusspot. Then he poked at Darius's chest and said, A guest of the King, my foot. Prince Darius, my foot. I don't see why you had to be foisted onto us, a barbarian like you.
Prince Darius said nothing, but he backed away from Baranor, and his eyes were blazing with anger.
Mr Ardemon grabbed Baranor by the arm and said, If you cannot be civil, then you will leave.
Baranor laughed, And you'll make me? He looked around at the other boys. Come on, he said, we'll leave orc boy here to learn how to walk like a human being.
Targon grimaced. No, Baranor. We're supposed to stay, the King expects it, you know that. You heard what he said.
Mr. Ardemon tried again. Baranor, he said, either be civil, or leave.
Baranor repeated what Mr. Ardemon said, in a mocking voice, then he reached over and tugged at Mr. Ardemon's wig and it fell forward, half covering his face. Baranor started to laugh and I am afraid we all did, it was so funny. Then Mr. Ardemon flung his wig on the floor and stamped on it in his fury and I felt ashamed, even while I laughed.
Young people, he hissed at us, there will be no lesson today. If you can learn to act like civilized beings, I will see you here on Thursday. Then, he picked up his wig and stormed out.
We all looked at each other in horror. Even Baranor. Prince Darius looked at Baranor and said, Is that the manner of a gentleman? To insult that poor old man?
Oho, swerting! Do you dare to give me lessons in courtesy? Baranor sneered.
Someone had better, Prince Darius said. And don't call me swerting.
What should I call you? Prince Barbarian? Prince Orc? Baranor said.
No, said Darius. You should call me Prince Darius. He slapped Baranor, hard, across the face. You need a lesson, Baranor, and I am the fellow to give it to you. Are you game?
Targon said, There is no dueling allowed, Darius, you know that. The King won't have it.
Dueling? You mean with swords? That is not what I meant, Targon. But we are allowed to box.
Baranor swaggered across the gallery and opened the door with exaggerated courtesy. Come, then, Prince Whatever-your-name-is, and I will give you a lesson, instead.
While all this was going on, we girls were trying to talk to the other gentlemen, and some of us were crying and we all knew that if this came to the King's ears there would be terrible trouble. And, as Targon tried to tell Darius, Baranor was the best boxer in the place. Darius only laughed, and would not be dissuaded.
Merien threatened to go to the Queen, but the boys talked her around. Then Firiel wanted to know if we could watch the fight, and the boys were all horrified. Firiel's brother, who was one of the gentlemen said, Of course you can't watch, Firiel, don't be such a hoyden!
Then all the gentlemen left and we stood about, wondering what to do next. Anna said, her voice shaking, Did you ever see anything like Mr. Ardemon, stamping on his wig?, and we went off into gales of laughter again.
We all met at dinner, as usual, and the gentlemen came in as they generally do, noisy, laughing, hungry as hobbits. Baranor had a dreadful black eye, and he seemed to have trouble using his right hand, and Darius had a swelling over one eye, and his lip was split, and they both moved rather gingerly, but that was all. The king looked at them for quite some time, and then he said, Boxing today? Don't you usually box on Wednesday?
Baranor looked apprehensive, but Prince Darius said, I needed some extra practice, my Lord. Baranor was kind enough to give me a few pointers.
Baranor flushed, and shot Darius a grateful look. He addressed himself to his soup and did not look at the King.
As soon as we were in the common room we pelted Targon and the others with questions. The fight, apparently, had been a draw. Baranor was the better boxer, but Darius was taller and quicker. The upshot was mutual respect, and no more 'swerting' or 'orc boy'. The combatants had been made to shake hands, and they all swore to secrecy.
Firiel's brother herded all us Maidens into a corner and said, You have to swear, too, you Ladies.
We all agreed, and then Merien said, What about Mr. Ardemon?
What, indeed? We will find out on Thursday, I suppose. Anyway, tomorrow the King and the gentlemen, and some of the knights, are going hunting, and some of us girls want to ride out, too.
I sent to the stables, to ask that Pixie be brought around after breakfast, and I am quite excited, I have not been out for a good ride for many days. The air is cool, and up here there has been frost, and it should be a fine day tomorrow.
