Song of the Numenoreans, by Himring

[hhimring]

Author: Himring
Title: Song of the Numenoreans
Characters: Inhabitants of the coast of Middle-earth 
Pairing: n/a
Text type / Format: poetry (free verse)
Source / Fandom: Silmarillion (Akallabeth)
Rating: PG
Warnings: allusion to dubious consent
Word Count: 124
Summary: It is the middle of the Second Age. The Numenoreans, who always tended to think a little more highly of themselves than perhaps they deserved, have turned oppressive and grasping. Inhabitants of coastal towns are always happy to see Numenorean ships approaching (not).
Author notes: prompt fill for the prompt: taxes or similar charges.

 

We have seen their ship on the horizon. 

Drive the cattle up to the high pastures
so that the ship’s clerk cannot find them!
Send your daughters inside;
Numenoreans offer no marriage contracts! 

They have a long list of gifts they say they gave our fathers.
Who knew they were loans to be charged at high interest?
They have no record at all of gifts given in return.
Then why does the tallest among them wear grandfather’s gold around his neck?

How magnificent they are, how generous,
except for that small matter of taxes!
They come for a friendly visit
with a great many sharp blades at their belts. 

O gracious benefactors,
spare us today,
seek out another port!