Day 47: Treasure

[tanaquiljall]

phyloxena asked what dowry did Arwen bring?

as part of the A Little Knowledge Can Be A Dangerous Thing series.

Day 47

Treasure

Faramir bowed. He had been presented to the Queen, of course, and exchanged a few words in court, but never before had they held private discourse.

Arwen plaited her fingers in her lap. Faramir realised she was as nervous as he.

"I would have your advice on how best to bestow certain items in my dowry for the enrichment of Gondor." When Faramir nodded, Arwen gestured to several bundles carefully wrapped in oilskin. "I bring many volumes from my father's library...."

Faramir forced himself to attend to Arwen and not cross the room to open every parcel there and then.

Comments

[telperion1.livejournal.com]

Oh, I can so see this. All of those lessons in diplomacy and governance are put to the test in a very real way.

And, you know, there are worst ways to invest a dowry than to use it to buy the friendship of your husband's steward and chief counselor....

[telperion1.livejournal.com]

On re-reading my comment above, that word "buy" is bothering me. I don't mean to imply that Faramir can be bought off, or that Arwen would stoop to that. I'm not expressing myself particularly well. I hope you know what I *do* mean, and I think you know me well enough for me to trust in that.

[tanaquiljall]

Glad you liked the drabble. *g*

And I hadn't actually thought of it that way, but you're right, the books could have been a deliberate choice to create a bridge and a foundation for friendship between the new queen and the king's steward and chief counselor.

(And I did understand what you meant by "buy" and that you didn't mean it negatively {{{hugs}}})

[gwynnyd.livejournal.com]

I can see them flipping through the volumes together, in about another ten minutes. Excellent way to bring tanglible value to Gondor.

[tanaquiljall]

LOL yes - but I'm sure Faramir would just about manage to wait until Arwen opened the first bundle. *g* And I thought it was a nice practical present for Gondor from the Elves/Half-Elves.

[jay-of-lasgalen.livejournal.com]

*Grin*

I love this. I can imagine Faramir regarded Elrond's books as more valuable than gold!

[tanaquiljall]

Thanks, Jay! And absolutely - I'm sure Faramir couldn't think of anything more wonderful for Gondor (which is already rich in so many natural resouces) than knowledge.

[lindahoyland.livejournal.com]

This is most enjoyable. I can just picture Faramir's excitement.

[tanaquiljall]

Thanks Linda - I'm glad Faramir's excitement came across so vividly.

[phyloxena.livejournal.com]

Just as I imagine it. These mortals are so excitable! I believe she arranged making copies, not splited Elrond's library. She had almost forty years to prepare.
Looks like Faramir will have to found the first ever university in ME.

[tanaquiljall]

Just as I imagine it. These mortals are so excitable!

Even the cool and calm Faramir - yes!

I believe she arranged making copies, not splited Elrond's library. She had almost forty years to prepare.

Hmm, well I was thinking that Elrond knows he is leaving Middle-earth and wouldn't necessarily take his library with him (or all of it), and wouldn't want to leave it mouldering at Rivendell, so maybe they're originals....

Looks like Faramir will have to found the first ever university in ME.

Perhaps he will! The University of Emyn Arnen? Ithilien U? *g*

[phyloxena.livejournal.com]

I thought, since Elladan and Erlohir reamined in Rivendell for a long while, and Arnor is a kingdom now, too, the originals would stay in there. Elves can be content with unique originals, but Men will naturally need and seek ways of proliferation.
Rivendell University? *g*

[phyloxena.livejournal.com]

Especially cool and calm Faramir. Books! Elves!

[rakshathedemon.livejournal.com]

I've always thought that Faramir would found at least one institution of higher learning. There might have already been colleges in Gondor, for clerics and healers and other specialists. But there will be a huge demand for knowledge as the peace of the early Fourth Age unfolds; and Faramir will be happy to encourage the development and concentration of old and new knowledge.

[tanaquiljall]

I can certainly see "Houses of Healing" in each major town acting as "teaching hospitals" for apprentice healers. And Faramir is definitely going to need to found a hospital in Ithilien.... *eyes circling nuzgul*

Clerics I'm not so sure about - Gondor doesn't really have "organised religion". I can maybe see some kind of central administrative college where administrators go to study law and governance.

I suppose the question is whether, without the base of religious and philosophical of most universities founded in the mediaeval period, the craft skills currently taught through apprenticeships would become academised and the subject of research....

Raksha, you are very good at setting me thinking complicated thoughts about Gondorian society...!

[rakshathedemon.livejournal.com]

Wrong word choice on my part - by clerics, I didn't mean religious teachers, I meant white-collar workers: cartographers, historians, teachers, lawyers, interpreters, draftsmen, engineers, etc.

And I definitely see Eowyn as founding the first Houses of Healing in Ithilien, perhaps more than one, with or without Faramir's help (he's going to be awfully busy).

I don't see Gondor as a mirror of Western European medieval life; more like a mixture of Rome, Egypt, Byzantium, with some idealized bits of England, and an Elven influence...

[tanaquiljall]

Wrong word choice on my part - by clerics, I didn't mean religious teachers, I meant white-collar workers: cartographers, historians, teachers, lawyers, interpreters, draftsmen, engineers, etc.

Oh, no problem - and yes, I think we're talking about the same kind of knowledge-intensive professions. I can definitely see all of those....

And I definitely see Eowyn as founding the first Houses of Healing in Ithilien, perhaps more than one, with or without Faramir's help (he's going to be awfully busy).

*glares at mutating nuzgul circling closer....*

And I agree about Gondor not being a mirror of Western Europe... I was just wondering whether the concept of a university as currently understood would evolve in the same way without the religious influence, and how it would evolve if you didn't have monasteries and theological colleges as centres of learning....

[marastar.livejournal.com]

Aaaah, Faramir and his books. Like a duck to water.

I don't see Arwen as being quite so fond of books, but maybe has a few favourites that she cherishes and reads over and over again.

[tanaquiljall]

Glad you liked the drabble. I agree on Arwen being less of a total bookworm: I'm sure she appreciates books and finds them useful, but doesn't revere them as objects in themselves perhaps quite the way Faramir does!

[rakshathedemon.livejournal.com]

Ooh. And Squeeeeeeeeeee! I know just how Faramir feels. How wonderful of Elrond to leave some of his books for future generations of Men. (of course, he's had centuries to have them copied, re-bound, etc.)

[tanaquiljall]

LOL glad you enjoyed the drabble - I always like it when I provoke a squee. *g*

(And I love your LJ icon!)

[paranoidangel]

Oh, that's just such a perfect Faramir reaction.

[tanaquiljall]

Thanks! *g*