In the hours of relaxation following the Marriage of Prince Arvedui and Princess Firiel and after the marriage of the hobbits Cassie and Lothio - old friends were spending time together. Bulley was talking with Malbeth, there are two major pieces of business that need to be completed. There is the matter of advancing the Prince's relationship with Gondor by right of his new marriage. The second is the exchange of the Greatgoblin prisoners we hold, for prisoners held by the Witch King.

      In both cases, Bulley, said Malbeth, the elf Trevor is central. He is the key to entering the Court of Gondor with a view to bargain and he is the only person likely to have the ability to strike a bargain with the ultimate evil. I think your second bit of business is likely to present itself immediately. while the business with Gondor is likely to stretch out over the next decade. If we are thinking about going to Rhudaur we must assess the validity of the rumours of a massive build up of warriors. And I have another reason for going to Rhudaur which I will discuss with Trevor Cendarion. Let us go speak with Trevor on these subjects, said Bulley.

      Trevor listened to the points made by Bulley and Malbeth as he leaned forward on the chaise longue and raised the glass of Eridorean white wine to his lips. As regards relations with Gondor I would point out that Cirdan will be proceeding to Gondor immediately upon now that the wedding is well consumated. He wants to meet longer with King Ondoher who could come to Annuminias only briefly because of threats to his Kingdom caused by an apperent mustering of the Wainriders. Thus Ondoher asked me to come early to Arthedain and Grey Havens to represent his kingdom at the ritual of the wedding. He could have sent General Earnil ahead but, in confidence, Ondoher is reluctant to give Earnil any diplomatic mission, General Earnil is a fighter but he finds it difficult accept anyone as his equal including Kings Araphant and Ondoher himself. Earnil particularly distains the young prince Arvedui.

      But, let us take the most immediate case first, the prisoner exchange. No one has been successful in making a contract with the evil one which has not turned out to be to the disadvantage of the pleader.

      True, said Bulley, but seldom have entreetors had a bargaining chip like that of our three prisoners! Also we would not deal directly with the Witch King but rather his henchman in the betrayed kingdom of Rhudaur.

      Maybe we should be clear, Malbeth confided, what our objective in this mission is. Our mission is threefold. The most important reason we have not talked about: First we do suspect that Arnurleg, the grandson of the murdered former king of Rhudaur is being held in thrall by his grandfather and father’s murderers. We wish to rescue him. Second we want to make contact with elements who resist the witch king's influence. They are the resistance against those who have been set over the people of Rhudaur. Thirdly we want to gather an impression of the aggressive strength of Rhudaur. Negotiated exchange is only one of the possibilities we forsee in this expedition.

      All of that is the risk that makes diplomacy somewhat less dull, enthused Trevor suddendly standing and pacing the room. However, the prisoner exchange is insufficient as a bait to entice Rhudaur to issue us a safe pass to meet with them. They only move when they believe that the cards are stacked in their favour. They care nothing for the goblins we hold prisoner but if they believed that they could gain a stealthy advantage such as the placement of an assassin or a spy, then they would become interested. We must manufacture such an enticement. Let us arrange the semblance of a spy.

      Malbeth, Trevor asked, can you travel down the paths of memory to Grey Haven and there arrange a circumstance by which a goblin becomes desirable by reason of the intelligence he could take to the enemy? I can , I will and I go - with that Malbeth disappeared from the company.

      In the port city of Grey havens,amongst the parchments in Cirdan's office Malbeth found what he wanted - a letter from King Ondoher to King Araphant setting forth the kinds of support that would be supplied in the event of various kinds of threats on the part of the Witch King. He rolled the letter up into a narrow tube and put it into his pocket.

      He sent Midshipman Engrin Isennean to bring the goblin prisoners to meet with him in the offices of the Commodore of the Flotilla. He placed the letter in long hard metal case with a wooden handle and dropped it on the floor of the Commodore's office. He met the goblins in the Commodore's outer office. He sat while they stood. I am Malbeth the King's advisor. You three have an opportunity to accompany our delegation to "Hoardale Walls" in Rhudaur. There we will negotiate an exchange of prisoners with the Governor of Rhudaur. You could go home.

      Kanak the greatgoblin said I'll not go, neither them.

      I shall leave, and let you discuss our proposition, said Malbeth, as he left by the only corridor door.

      When the door closed, Gnasha growled - even if yas wanted to stay ya canna say so, ya ijit. If word got back ya wanted to stay - well jist think, the Witch Kings gonna win the upcomming war don't fergit. Ya can't say it. With this he grabbed Kanak by the throat and threw him through the door to the floor of the Commodore's office. As he approached to kick Kanak he saw the long hard diplomatic scroll case on the floor. Pausing he picked it up. He used it to hit Kanak across the face. Turning to the others he said - trouble is theys got us both ways. If we volunteers to stay, the Witch's gonna git us when he takes over, but if we goes home he's gonna make us an example fer gittin captured. What to do, what to do? Kin we buy our way home, say we was spyin?

      Whats that you got in yore han? Is that spy stuff?

      Gnasha opened the case and pulled out the scroll - but none of them could read. Yet the symbol of Gondor was pressed into the signature at the bottom of the document, that much they could discern. Hits important I kin see that, said Gnasha, mayhap hits got a price, and he quickly stuck the scroll in his pants. He placed the long scroll case back on the floor of the Commodore's office.

      Malbeth who heard every word that was spoken by the goblins waited another few minutes before comming back into the room. What have you decided? Malbeth asked. Ta go home, said Gnasha.

      We're stayin, said Kanak, and the others nodded at that. None wished to tell on Gnasha because they were glad to be rid of his oppressive ways.

      Malbeth grasped Gnasha around the neck and brought them both instantly to Annuminias, by means of memory, where he turned the prisoner over to Lindor's Lancers for safekeeping . He instructed the Lancers not to search Gnasha.

      Gnasha found himself in a large donjon room with several humans who had been sentenced for various crimes committed in the city. His presence caused a turmoil in the donjon. What is a goblin doing in our prison??? Are we less than human -that we must be imprisoned with a Goblin?

      Shut your trap said the larger of two huge blonde prisoners. Goblins we can live with - but by the Hammer of Rhudaur we can't stand you petty criminals of Arthedain.

      Gnasha instinctively moved near his defenders. Yess, up with Rhuduar and down with Arthedain. The two groups rushed to put their faces inches from the other. Yet, no actual fight broke out.

      The Arthedain prisoners retreated before the Rhaurdarians.

      Houar the largest blonde prisoner sauntered over and sat with his back against the stone wall. Gnasha hurried to sit next to him. So youse is Rhudaur is youse?

      Yeah, answered Houar.

      I'm on my way there accordin to that kings advisor Malbeth. He thinks he kin trade me for one of ums.

      You are going to the Walls of Hoardale? You can tell them we are here!, said Houar.

      I kin do, yeah - now look what I got here - and now Gnasha produced from his pocket the scroll he had picked up from the Commodore's office floor. The two blondes and the goblin turned their backs to the other prisoners and huddled around the document. Houar read. Ist it sumpim? Asked Gnasha. After a few minutes Houar proclaimed in a whisper - this thing has got a price. It could buy us all back into Rhudaur without the usual punishment for getting caught.

      We got to send Rhudaur by raven that they should agree to trade you to get this document. And listen Goblin, we going to let you go with this message but you got to tell them that we sent you !!

      Out on the streets: Malbeth next met with Perisault Boreorn chief of the Bull Dancers. He explained the mission he was pursuing. They conferred most of the evening.

      In the morning Perisault met Engrin Isenean. That Took is one who jumps forward very quickly is he not? said Perisault. I wonder if he performs so well over a long career such as mine! I see no reason to doubt the quality of his performance, said Engrin. Do you not, you young dolt, did you see how short was his turn with that bull, and did you not see that Charger , the bull, was bewitched into mild bewilderment? This Bulley Took is full of puffery and sham.

      Engrin was too surprised by the vituperation in the voice of Boreorn to grapel with the notion of a false Bulley Took. He could only say in stumbling language - Well The Took seemed to me a genuine hero - as are you also Perisault, how could I think otherwise, the grace - the bravery of both of you is an inspiration.

      I will not be relegated to the same sentence in which the Took is encompassed, he shall get a deadly come-up-ence said Perisault. At that, the Chief Bull Dancer turned on his heel and walked away.

      All morning Engrin sat in the "Inspired Bakery Cafe" and puzzled with everyone who met him about the implacable hostility offered by the Chief Bulldancer to the new heroism of Bulley Took. Beorlad, who brought his friends for lunch, could not believe such an attitude on the part of his friend Perisault, yet he could not disbelieve the sincere young Engrin.

      So upsetting was this news that the friends spoke more loudly than usual and most of the patrons of the cafe became aquainted with the strange news. In the corner of the cafe sat the man from Rhudaur. He spent all his days in the Agoramarket and the Forum. Every night he sat at tables in resturants. He listened, and listened. If he thought a bit of conversation was something the Governor of Rhudaur could find useful he spoke the words to a Raven who lived in the monument of the Northern Gate to the city. The raven flew off to High Hill Dyke carrying the news of Annuminias to its enemies.

      Malbeth took his chances. After he decided to find the man from Rhudaur. Malbeth managed a network of his present and past students who lived in every neighborhood in Annuminias and in all the little hamlets of Arthedain. They brought him information and observed the important things that went on in their town, their neighborhood and their circle of contacts This activity was both Memory training, for which students came to him, and patriotic activity in support of Malbeths role as Advisor or Vizier to the King. The students also worked for Malbeth because they loved his humour and his vision. This network had long ago given him news of the man from Rhudaur, his identity, his purposes, his methods.

      May I sit here? Malbeth asked the blonde blue eyed man in the blue coat at the back of the cafe. I hate to stand until an empty table becomes available. And indeed I enjoy making new friends. My name is Malbeth I am a professor of memory and a lover of bakeries and taverns. I try to sample as many as possible each month. Is this one of your favorites chair?

      I am sorry, said the blonde man, the is taken by my friend Houar who has just stepped out and will be back shortly!

      Aha, said Malbeth, I should have spoken of that immediately!

      I met your friend Houar on the street as I came here. He told me to to express to you his regret. He said - and I quote him- "tell the man from 'R' that Houar will not be able to meet with him again and that Houar's advice was to strike up a profitable arrangement by speaking truth to Dr Malbeth rather than following himself, Houar, to the donjons." So saying Malbeth sat down at the table. I take it, that I would be more welcome in this chair than a member of the Kingsguard.

      Now, Malbeth continued, I would most particularly like to send a message to Hellegore, Governor of Rhudaur. Listen carefully and report accurately, this is the message. A party from the court of Arthedain requests safe passage to The Walls of Hoardale.

      Our Party will consist of Myself as representative of the Court of Arthedain, Trevor Cindarion as a factotum of the court of Gondor, Gilmabon Inglorion of the house of Finarfin, Perisault Boreorn representative of the people of Annuminias, and Bulley Took our squire. We will bring with us Gnasha the Greatgoblin our prisoner. We wish to exchange the goblin for one you hold in your donjons. Give this message to your raven and report to me with the answer

      Why would you ask me?... started the man standing up from his chair. -

      NONE OF THAT, I KNOW WHO YOU ARE AND WHAT YOU DO AND FOR WHOM. Do not try my patience, ended Malbeth slowly and cooly.

      The man ran off down the street.

      Houar, Houar, whispered the man from Rhudaur. He held tightly to the window bars of the prison, with one foot into the Ivy's stem, he could hold himself in this position for only so long. Yeah, yeah! is that you? said Houar moving across the donjon to the window.

      I'm going to try to see if a bribe could get you out, said the man, Listen, someone is real interested in us. The grand vizier Dr. Malbeth came to see me - he's got a bunch of people from Arthedain that want to go to Rhudaur. They say they want to exchange a prisoner, a goblin. I don't know what prisoner of ours they want.

      Houar startled, a goblin? - sure he's right here. And listen - he's got a document he stole - a letter to Araphant from Gondor. That document could buy our way to the Walls of Hoardale without our being punished for being caught.

      The man from Rhudaur whistled ~~~~maybe Hellegore's goin to be real interested and maybe even the the Witch King himself in Carn Dum. We could get something out of this Houar! Listen, I'll be back as soon as I can - but I've got to shake Malbeth's spies first. At this he left the window and climbed down the ivy and made his way to the home of the raven.

      We can certainly say that the story we want to be transmitted to Rhudaur is on it's way, said Trevor. You say Malbeth, that your students observed the man from Rhudaur hanging onto Gnasha and Houar's cell window? Well that completes the circle. They will certainly think that Gnasha is carrying an important stolen document and that there is division within our party with Perisault homicidally angry with Bulley. All that should make us very attractive to them.

      Let us make ready our goods for the trip then, prodded Malbeth. Bulley, if you will, do not bring a pony but ride Greatheart with me, We may have to do some fast galloping before this trip is over. I own a two person saddle that you will find very comfortable. Your bow might do considerable damage from that perch. Also being so close to me will explain why Perisult here hasn't killed you before we get to High Hill Dyke. I don’t think I will be required to mount a complete act of hostility between the time we leave Annuminias and our arrival at Fornost suggested Perisault.

      Give me fair warning, said Bulley

      Beorlad marched into the square below Bulley’s room at the head of a detatchment of his men. Beorlad walked up the stairs and then called Malbeth into the shadow of the landing. He whispered in Malbeths ear. “The man from Rhudaur approached me with a bribe to allow Houar, his companion Haari and the goblin to escape. As you instructed me, based on your agreement with our king, I accepted the bribe and then I pretended to effect a transfer of the three prisoners to another donjon. I allowed the two Rhudaurians to jump into Lake Nenuial in the darkness of night and I was carefully ineffectual in searching for them, however I prevented the Goblin from making an escape. Now I am doing a flagrantly obvious door to door search and I will carry on until midnight.

      Thank you, Beorlad I appreciate your loyalty to your king that extends so far as to take this chance of endangering your reputation. This is a form of bravery that is perhaps harder than simple physical gallantry. The bribe money, I will certify has been turned over to the League for Orphans to help little children receive some joy and benefit.

      Malbeth, turned away thinking that most elements of the plan for succeeding in the mission to Rhudaur were now in place. Yet he could not help thinking that any contact with the Witchking’s minions involved dealing with corruption. Corruption always meant that one must personally cleanse oneself. He bethought himself of Elbereth and resolved to talk with Ossirenna.He waved goodnight to his companions, walked down the stairs and away from the square, when he came to the Baranduin River he threw off his clothes and plunged into the cleansing depths.