Work Text:
Coffee, before it became widespread and much beloved in Middle-earth, had humble beginnings in Aman. For the longest time it sprouted by Yavanna’s pastures and Orome’s woods, mostly ignored and passed over for more valuable plants, like athelas. It became an ornamental plant, transferred into pots and decorated many a garden of the houses of the Vanyar and Noldor, particularly because of its aromatic fragrance.
Feanor, High Prince and later High King of the Noldor, was gifted many potted plants of the fragrant shrub, so much so that he had an entire line of the pots in his gardens at Formenos. For a long time he contemplated the plants, thinking of what use they may bring, and he picked up the fragrant beans that before were only left to fall to the ground. He sniffed its scent, and the idea so simple came to his brilliant mind: what if he roasted the beans?
So he roasted the beans, and their fragrance increased, and his eldest son Maitimo suggested that maybe they could drink it, like the tea the elves loved. So the roasted beans were ground, and thus, coffee was invented and soon became all the rage in Valinor – a drink to keep awake, or to keep energy high, but more tempered that miruvor and preferred by the Eldar to be drunk during mornings, with their breakfasts.
And, during his friendship with Melkor, Melkor upped the invention by serving the coffee with cold water and added iced cubes thereat, and also a dollop of chocolate syrup – and so therefore iced coffee was born, and iced mocha, and the rest was history.
=
The humble coffee shrub also made its way to the Hither Lands, of course. How, one might ask? Because of Finrod Felagund, who left Valinor with a hundred carts loaded to the brim with treasure and gold. Finrod, foresighted and far-thinking, brought not just gold reserves and precious stones. He brought the precious things the Amanyar were soon to miss sorely: comfort goods, comfort foods – he even brought pillows and shoes and blankets, and even ‘useless’ little trinkets like clocks and music boxes. He brought potted ornamental, medicinal and agricultural plants – for Finrod knew that the Noldor will abide long on Endore, and he would come to much power and influence if he will be the first and crucial source of industry and economics in the new land.
So of course, Finrod brought fifty sacks of different coffee beans, varying by roast – and also he brought fifty potted coffee plants of all variants that had been heretofore cross-bred by the herb-masters of the Noldor and Vanyar.
But the little coffee plant was soon the source of Finrod Felagund’s frustration. The eldest son of Finarfin wanted to kindle the coffee industry in Beleriand, but the soil at Dorthonion and Ladros, his first home, was too thin to nourish the plant. And at Minas Tirith by the Sirion, the soil was too wet – and far worse was the solid rock and loose soils at the Faroth, by Nargothrond.
=
Amrod had never forgotten that their cousin Finrod brought coffee shrubs from Valinor to Middle-earth. One springtime, the elder of the Ambarussar ventured forth from Amon Ereb on his own and rode west, to Nargothrond. Of the youngest sons of Feanor, Amrod was like his brothers Maedhros and Caranthir – for aside from his unmatched skill in the nourishment of growing things, he had a fine mind for trade and economics, and this was primarily why he and his brother Amras were positioned at Amon Ereb and made to hold the biggest land to produce food. With his careful decisions, Amrod built an agricultural trade network with Ossiriand, Taur-im-Duinath, the Falas and even Doriath. Thingol, the old conceited fool, can brag and deny all he wants, but his forests can only nourish his people for so much and for long, and he sources his fine meals from Amon Ereb just like everybody else. Hell, Doriath would wage war for Amon Ereb onion and garlic and ginger!
But coffee. Coffee is a rare and prized food commodity here in Beleriand, and the only known production is Nargothrond, and Nargothrond only sells small quantities of ground or whole bean, per harvest. Production is slow, and Amrod itches to get his hands on at least a single coffee plant, and–
He ran this through to Nelyo and Moryo – the idea of buying some coffee plants from Finrod. Last autumn, the twins visited their eldest brother and there Amrod sat with Maedhros and opened up the idea of the coffee industry to him. Nelyo agreed with his ideas, but he called forth Caranthir from Thargelion, and unfailingly, Caranthir came to them. The entire thing they discussed for a full week, and Moryo issued to Amrod a Treasury Warrant for a great quantity of gold, and the draft papers for a trade agreement with Nargothrond. And with these valuable things, Amrod set off.
Soon, Amrod passed into the borders of Nargothrond, and when the scouts and hunters surrounded him, the elder of the Ambarussar happily let himself be abducted toward the hidden realm.
=
When the blindfold was removed, Amrod found himself standing in a lush garden, underground. For a moment all else was wiped from Amrod’s mind as he stood there, rendered dumb, his gaze nailed to the clearly artificial and enchanted ceiling, which cleverly and impressively mirrored the world sky outside. There were even clouds! Clouds! How under Aule’s nose hairs did Finrod even manage–?!
“Beautiful, isn’t it?” comes Finrod’s amused laughter.
Amrod, still gaping, tore his eyes from the enchanted cave ceiling with difficulty. There his elder cousin is, serving refreshments himself on a round garden table. Finrod is looking golden radiant as always, pearls twined with his hair. He is clad in the Telerin manner today: a sleeveless tunic top, loose trousers, and a myriad of pearl and sapphire jewelry. Presently, Finrod poured wine in bejeweled cups. Then he picks up the cups and with a bright smile, hands one to Amrod. Amrod accepts the cup and toasts his cousin.
“Your realm is truly a masterpiece, Finrod,” Amrod says, awed, before he takes a sip of his drink.
“Why thank you,” Finrod beams, and winks. “Wait until I give you a tour of our caverns– but of course, only after your errand is done, and so we both may have peace of mind and enjoy ourselves. You will take a vacation, won’t you, dear? I’d love to host you for a month, so you may relax! Mah! Managing Amon Ereb is surely tiring.”
Ah, yes. All within warning. Finrod never had bad blood with Amrod and Amras, but Amrod came here to do business, and of course he was accordingly warned by his brothers. Yield, but not too much, but also be careful, because their cousin Finrod has unmatched wiles, and could sway even the Dwarves of Belegost. Once upon a time, Curufin had said that Finrod could probably sway even Gorthaur. Amrod believed those warnings.
“Ah of course,” Amrod smiled. He sat down on a plush pouf on the grass and stretched out his legs. “I came here to ask if I might buy four pots of your coffee plants.”
Finrod surveyed him over the rim of his own jeweled cup. Amrod keeps his jovial smile, bracing himself internally.
“My coffee plants?” Finrod repeated. He set aside his cup, and reclined amidst the poufs looking like a drop of gold amid the veins of rock that was Nargothrond. He feigned to be very deep in thought. “Proposal?” Price. He was asking about the price.
Amrod hastily set aside his own drink and searched his leather satchels. Then, he pulls out the Treasury Warrant signed by Caranthir and Maedhros, and gives that over. He held onto the draft agreement just yet.
Finrod accepts the scroll with bejeweled fingers. He unfurls it and reads it in silence. While he reads, Amrod helps himself to more wine and nibbles. Oh, truly, Nargothrond had the best muscat grapes– delicious!
Then Finrod laughed quietly, and set aside the scroll. “Dear, what will I do with gold?” He grins at Amrod now. “I have enough gold. Dare I say, I have more gold than your brothers? I do. Now, now, sweetpea, surely Nelyo and Moryo have sent you along with a better offer? Else all that tiresome journey on the road won’t be worth it, no?”
Ah, Amrod thought now, as he paused from stuffing his face with the big, green grapes. Shit. Here starts the long haul, then.
=
The long haul extended into days, and weeks. Finrod played his cards exceedingly well – he distracts Amrod with food and revelry, and indeed Nargothrond welcomed the elder of the Ambarussar with all due courtesy for a Noldorin prince. There was even a small tourney held in the honor of Amrod’s visit, and Finrod threw Amrod quite nonchalantly in the midst of his predatory lords – and from all corners the Lords and Ladies of the houses of Nargothrond attacked Amrod, hoping to weasel out concessions from him: extended credit cycle from Thargelion, a share from the agricultural cooperative of Amon Ereb — everything and nothing, and if Amrod was a shred less intelligent than he was (or, if it was Amras here instead), he would certainly be robbed dry.
He held his ground, and, as planned beforehand with Nelyo and Moryo, he sought to negotiate increased payment by virtue of his authority to amend the treasury warrant. But Finrod, laughing and glittering, slipped away from his offers.
Dear, Nargothrond needs no gold.
But sweetpea, what use have I for gems? I have more gems than Moryo can delve from Mount Rerir!
Let’s not talk about gold, dear, why don’t you go with me down to the underground rivers for a dip?
Nargothrond needs no gold.
Sweetheart, come now, I’m beginning to be very cross with you. Is this all you have to offer?
Is this all you have to offer?
…All
…You
Have…
To…
…Offer?
=
Amrod cannot send out letters to Thargelion asking for help. He knows Finrod will watch the mail. So he paces around his guest suites and turns to the still-sealed draft agreement his brothers sent him to Nargothrond with. He takes a deep breath, and picks up the folded parchment. A month he has wasted. A month! Well, here goes.
=
Amrod set out that day and waited in line with other petitioners wanting to put their matters forward to the King of Nargothrond. Council had just ended and now Finrod was receiving petitions from his subjects. There was a long line and it moved ever slowly, but Amrod stood his ground and waited in all patience. For to be a farmer and a hunter, and excel in both crafts and trade, one had to have an impressive quantity of patience. And Amrod had it.
Soon it was his turn to sit before his cousin in his great study. Finrod beams brightly at him, as always, and offers him toffees from a lacquered box. Amrod gets a big handful of toffees, returns Finrod’s smile and – without pause, puts the sealed parchment on Finrod’s desk.
Interest immediately flared in Finrod’s vibrant blue eyes. He breaks Moryo’s seal and opens the letter– and there reads Himring and Thargelion’s proposal for a crop and profit share agreement. The idea was this: Finrod will offer for sale all of his coffee plants, which will henceforth be planted and grown at Amon Ereb. Of course, he will be given shares from whatever incoming profit the coffee industry will bring forth. Starting offer: fifty percent.
“Honeybunch,” Finrod exclaims at Amrod, smiling. “I knew you had something good to offer! I knew! This is marvellous!”
Amrod knew better than to get his hopes up that Finrod will accept the offer outright, but ever has he loved the outdoors and the sun, and a month he has spent here underground in Nargothrond, and any longer and he will go mad. He needs the sun! The wind! The real clouds and sky! He–
“But for this offer, I will give you only two coffee plants.”
Amrod felt his guts sink when Finrod folds up the parchment again, without signing it, and hands it back to him.
“Two only?” Amrod says, aghast.
“Why yes,” Finrod chuckles with such joy. “Darling, sweetie, honeybunch – see here. Your brothers did not bring a single coffee plant, despite the fact that it was Uncle Feanaro who kickstarted everything in Valinor. My, my, such haste, no? Well I can’t blame them – everything was such a blur in those days. We had many worries and more cares. So, yes. For this offer–.” He chuckles again. “Two coffee plants, and fifty percent share of everything that shall henceforth profit from those two plants.”
=
Despite warnings and his own brilliance, Amrod is far from being a true seasoned negotiator like Maedhros or Caranthir. Eager to be gone from Nargothrond, he breaks first, and two days later, he asks for Finrod’s proposals.
Finrod gave it to him in great delight: he will sell all of Nargothrond’s coffee plants, effectively handing over the entire production to Amon Ereb – however, seventy percent of all profit shall be for his account. Seventy. Take it or leave it.
Amrod, who from the beginning walked right into the trap (truly, you do not go into Nargothrond to negotiate. You drew out Finrod instead), agreed, if only to be quickly on the road home.
Finrod put to the fire Maedhros and Caranthir’s draft agreement, wrote up an entirely new one with his terms, and signed it. Amrod, eager only for escape, signed it too.
Three days later, Amrod was back on the road, with three wagons – two filled with gifts of treasure and other precious things from Finrod – and the third with all the coffee plants he could ever want.
=
Of course, Caranthir was furious when news finally reached Thargelion of the terms of the concluded agreement. Maedhros, however, only laughed it away.
“Bah, let him have this victory,” Maedhros said, quite good-naturedly, too. “He never forgave me for winning the battle for Eastern Beleriand. It’s fine. We all profit anyway. Let Finrod have this win.”
And so this is how coffee and its industries found its way to Middle-earth.