Arbros and Vidnî: chapter 47 of Gantzor the Coldsword

The day of Zaikolinnwë came. It was sunny, clear, cold, and frosty. Queen Tithiánë came in state and ascended the stage on which she had proclaimed the Quest a year and a day before. All who had remained at Ravinnigos, in tents and huts, awaiting the outcome of the Quest and the raising of the first buildings of the new City, assembled again, in thick furs and skins, around Kapatingos, the Stone of Ingos. Pedrekkarpon was there, and Terve Mëolandi and the Thendâ of his thrâka-sarron.

Then came Mirutháli, leading by the hand Vidnî, who was clad in the sea-going attire of a Fâwienga, with the green baldric around her body, the Blade of Ingos at her side, and the Pereikatíri harvest chaplet on her head. They bowed to Tithiánë, and took up their places at her right hand.

Then also came Rauno, leading Arbros, clad as a rider without adornments of any kind except for the great Thendáka knife. They too bowed to Tithiánë, and took up their places at her left hand.

And the Queen said:

Now let these two declare   how the Quest has sped

And who can show tokens   of Tídris’ ruler.

Then greatly fearing, Vidnî stood forth and said:

‘The crown that I bring is no crown of gold, but a crown of straw. 

I received it from folk who loved Father Ingos. 

The sword that I bring is a blade of husbandry, not a sword of war. 

But it is the Blade of Ingos.’

At this there was a general murmur of approval and wonder, for few had known that Ingos possessed this sword of peace.

‘But I bring no ring. I grasped at a false show of gold, and I was almost drowned; and I have found no other.’

Then the Queen said: 

This crown we take   to be a true token

In goodwill woven   and given truly

By Ingos’ folk   in faithfulness.

The sword itself   speaks truthfully

That Ingos meant   his heir to hold.

But a rounded ring,   rude-wrought or rich,

Must come to council,   or the Quest fails.

And Vidnî stood aside, disappointed, but not surprised. Then Arbros, whose eyes had been downcast for shame at his poor success, looked up at Vidnî; and her beauty smote his heart. And her eyes met his, and he saw how much she cared for him. He took courage, stepped forward, and said:

‘I bring no crown and no sword. On my Quest I forfeited my claim to these things through my greed, but I learned that I want no lordship. I ask only two things. One is, to live the life of a rider, and I renounce my claim to the lordship of Tídris.’

And all wondered at this, and at what might be the second thing.

‘Yet, I bring a ring! It is no ring of gold, wrought perchance by the smiths of the Kabdath under the hills. It is a twisted silver wire that one child gave to another child, to plight his troth in play. I will give it to you, Vidnî, so that you may achieve the Quest and be Queen of Tídris, if —’

He faltered for a moment, and his voice broke, and he said:

‘And  — this is my second desire — if I can live with you always, and you can be mine.’

And Arbros held up the twisted ring so that Vidnî could see it and recognize it. And she looked on Arbros and saw how his heart would become whole; and she smiled at him, and held out her hand with the fingers spread, and Arbros placed the ring on her finger.

Then the whole assembly shouted for joy, and some that had horns and trumpets blew on them, and everyone broke into clapping.

Then the Queen arose, and there was quiet, and she proclaimed:

The Quest is ended:   let all here know

That Vidnî’s claim   is vindicated

To be rightful Queen   of the realm of Tídris; 

And that Rider Arbros,   when of age they come,

Shall be partner prince   to this people’s Queen.

And Arbros was always thereafter called Arbros ta-Saréga, Arbros the Rider. But Queen Vidnî liked to be known as Vidnî Fâwienya, Vidnî Waverider.

Then Pedrekkarpon came, bowing to Tithiánë and Vidnî, and begged that he might see the ring of wire, for he possessed the skills of a silversmith. And when he had examined it he said:

‘This is the finest silver, twisted wire though it be. May I be permitted to work for just a short while upon it? I will not mar the separateness of the strands, but I can gather them together so that they will always remain conjoined. And so it will make a fitting marriage ring.’

And he did this in a very short space of time, and returned the ring to Arbros, who kept it for the day of the crowning of Vidnî, when Vidnî and he should be wed.