Gondor's King
folder
-Multi-Age › General
Rating:
Adult ++
Chapters:
17
Views:
2,464
Reviews:
3
Recommended:
0
Currently Reading:
0
Category:
-Multi-Age › General
Rating:
Adult ++
Chapters:
17
Views:
2,464
Reviews:
3
Recommended:
0
Currently Reading:
0
Disclaimer:
I do not own the Lord of the Rings (and associated) book series, nor any of the characters from it. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.
Chapter 2
Chapter 2
The ride to Rivendell is a lengthy one and I fear my rear end is suffering horrendously. My once saddle hardened rump now soft like a newborn’s at my lack of horsemanship over the past few years. We stop at inn’s along the way but only for food and to rest the horses briefly. Much to my own insistence of only being accompanied by the few healers and guards, two of my councillors have joined my party. We buried the young messenger high in the hills outside of Gondor’s boarders and as far away from villages as possible. I will not risk the infection of my city by foolishness, hence why I have had my whole court washed in camomile and tea-tree to bathe away any lingering germ or virus, which may have been left behind by the messenger. As we draw nearer to the ford that marks the beginning of the boarder of Rivendell I am struck by the savage silence of the forest. When I was last in Rivendell the forests sung with wildlife and the beautiful harmonies of the elves laughing and playing could be heard upon the wind. However now there is a choking thickness to the air and the unmistakeable stench of death lingers upon the breeze.
“I have a bad feeling about this your majesty, if you should enter Rivendell, you yourself might be infected and we can not risk losing you to ill health, Breachtian is not yet ready to take on the crown.” I glare at Gladimir over my shoulder sternly and shake my head in disgust at his callousness.
“Do not treat me as a fool. I am not sick yet and will take precautions against my infection but if it does happen then it will be because I tried to save a race that deserves to walk on the earth far more than any of us. I have two son’s and I have no doubts that with my demise they will both learn very quickly the responsibilities of court and rise to their duties.” I glare around at my party all of them lowering their heads in respect of my words. “Now if any of you do not wish to continue then turn back now, for once you are here you will not leave until I have found a cure or died trying, as I will not risk spreading the infection to Gondor.” I raise a questioning eyebrow at each individual member of the party of 12 around me. They all nod obediently and I smile inwardly to myself. So far they have only been allowed to see the passive, dutiful side of me at court, but now they will see the Ranger’s command that still lives within me.
Spurring my horse on we pass easily through the ford and under the canopy of the Rivendell’s forest towards the last homely house. As we draw closer to the high stonewalls of Elrond’s house I begin to notice that there is hardly anyone around the place. We are not met by anyone and I take the opportunity to hand out the strips of fabric to my party, for them to cover their mouths and noses.
“Hello?” My voice echoes in the empty hallways of Elrond’s home as I steadily make my way down the entranall,all, having my party look into each room them come across but to touch as little as possible. In instinct I call out in elven for Elrond and I’m rewarded by sounds from the chambers up stairs. Gingerly we make our way upstairs and the sight that greets me at the top of the stairs saddens me. Glorfindel sits in a limp heap against the wall, he is alive but very weak. He smiles warmly at me and raises a shaking hand out to me. I do not hesitate to move over and kneel beside him grasping his hand in my own, aware that my gloves provide some protection. He has lost so much weight that his robes hang around him and his hair possess no heavenly golden shine it is supposed to. He moves to speak but I shake my head and gesture for one of the guards to help me get him up off the floor. “Do not speak old friend, save your strength. Let us make you comfortable before you tell me of this evil which has befallen you all.” He nods limply and rests fully against me as we move towards a nearby bedroom. I avert my eyes from the sickly scene of the bedroom. A few bodies of servants lie scattered on the floor, their corpses riddled with signs of decay. “Gladimir.” I turn to my councillor and gesture to the bodies that lie on the floor. “Take these six guards and scour the palace and the gardens surrounding it. Have every corpse moved to the stables and any living bring here to the upper chambers. If there are any horses in the stables let them free into the surrounding fields. We shall have to bury the dead in the hills away from Rivendell to prevent further infection.” Gladimir nods and instructs the guards to pick up the corpses from the floor of the room before disappearing back out into the corridor. Glorfindel groans a dreadful sound and I quickly strip the bed covers from the soiled bed before allowing the guards to lay him upon it.
“Elrond he is in his room.” At Glorfindel’s laboured whisper I nod to two of the healers to go in search of him before I instruct the other two to ready some beds and search out the kitchens and some food for the sick. Softly I sit beside Glorfindel on the bed and begin to remove his robes intent on inspecting the symptoms of this sickness. His hand falls on mine to pause my actions and I look up at him questioningly. “It comes from men, this sickness was brought by a man.” I stare shocked at the elf who closes his eyes in pain for a moment before breathing out heavily.
”Who?” I whisper intently aware that the last remaining councillor has positioned himself on the other side of the bed to hear what Glorfindel has to say as well. Once again Glorfindel takes a long breath before speaking.
“A wanderer from Arnor ate wis ses several months ago, he died in his bed several days later. He has infected us all.” I nod understandingly glad somewhat that the wandered who brought the sickness is no longer able to continue spreading it.
“Alright rest now, I will do everything I can.” Glorfindel smiles fondly up at me as I grasp his hand with a comforting squeeze before continuing to undress him. The rash that covers their body is familiar to me but I cannot remember where I have seen it before. There is no telling how long it will take to heal the sick but I pray that I am not to late to save what remains of Imaldris’ elves.
TBC…………………
The ride to Rivendell is a lengthy one and I fear my rear end is suffering horrendously. My once saddle hardened rump now soft like a newborn’s at my lack of horsemanship over the past few years. We stop at inn’s along the way but only for food and to rest the horses briefly. Much to my own insistence of only being accompanied by the few healers and guards, two of my councillors have joined my party. We buried the young messenger high in the hills outside of Gondor’s boarders and as far away from villages as possible. I will not risk the infection of my city by foolishness, hence why I have had my whole court washed in camomile and tea-tree to bathe away any lingering germ or virus, which may have been left behind by the messenger. As we draw nearer to the ford that marks the beginning of the boarder of Rivendell I am struck by the savage silence of the forest. When I was last in Rivendell the forests sung with wildlife and the beautiful harmonies of the elves laughing and playing could be heard upon the wind. However now there is a choking thickness to the air and the unmistakeable stench of death lingers upon the breeze.
“I have a bad feeling about this your majesty, if you should enter Rivendell, you yourself might be infected and we can not risk losing you to ill health, Breachtian is not yet ready to take on the crown.” I glare at Gladimir over my shoulder sternly and shake my head in disgust at his callousness.
“Do not treat me as a fool. I am not sick yet and will take precautions against my infection but if it does happen then it will be because I tried to save a race that deserves to walk on the earth far more than any of us. I have two son’s and I have no doubts that with my demise they will both learn very quickly the responsibilities of court and rise to their duties.” I glare around at my party all of them lowering their heads in respect of my words. “Now if any of you do not wish to continue then turn back now, for once you are here you will not leave until I have found a cure or died trying, as I will not risk spreading the infection to Gondor.” I raise a questioning eyebrow at each individual member of the party of 12 around me. They all nod obediently and I smile inwardly to myself. So far they have only been allowed to see the passive, dutiful side of me at court, but now they will see the Ranger’s command that still lives within me.
Spurring my horse on we pass easily through the ford and under the canopy of the Rivendell’s forest towards the last homely house. As we draw closer to the high stonewalls of Elrond’s house I begin to notice that there is hardly anyone around the place. We are not met by anyone and I take the opportunity to hand out the strips of fabric to my party, for them to cover their mouths and noses.
“Hello?” My voice echoes in the empty hallways of Elrond’s home as I steadily make my way down the entranall,all, having my party look into each room them come across but to touch as little as possible. In instinct I call out in elven for Elrond and I’m rewarded by sounds from the chambers up stairs. Gingerly we make our way upstairs and the sight that greets me at the top of the stairs saddens me. Glorfindel sits in a limp heap against the wall, he is alive but very weak. He smiles warmly at me and raises a shaking hand out to me. I do not hesitate to move over and kneel beside him grasping his hand in my own, aware that my gloves provide some protection. He has lost so much weight that his robes hang around him and his hair possess no heavenly golden shine it is supposed to. He moves to speak but I shake my head and gesture for one of the guards to help me get him up off the floor. “Do not speak old friend, save your strength. Let us make you comfortable before you tell me of this evil which has befallen you all.” He nods limply and rests fully against me as we move towards a nearby bedroom. I avert my eyes from the sickly scene of the bedroom. A few bodies of servants lie scattered on the floor, their corpses riddled with signs of decay. “Gladimir.” I turn to my councillor and gesture to the bodies that lie on the floor. “Take these six guards and scour the palace and the gardens surrounding it. Have every corpse moved to the stables and any living bring here to the upper chambers. If there are any horses in the stables let them free into the surrounding fields. We shall have to bury the dead in the hills away from Rivendell to prevent further infection.” Gladimir nods and instructs the guards to pick up the corpses from the floor of the room before disappearing back out into the corridor. Glorfindel groans a dreadful sound and I quickly strip the bed covers from the soiled bed before allowing the guards to lay him upon it.
“Elrond he is in his room.” At Glorfindel’s laboured whisper I nod to two of the healers to go in search of him before I instruct the other two to ready some beds and search out the kitchens and some food for the sick. Softly I sit beside Glorfindel on the bed and begin to remove his robes intent on inspecting the symptoms of this sickness. His hand falls on mine to pause my actions and I look up at him questioningly. “It comes from men, this sickness was brought by a man.” I stare shocked at the elf who closes his eyes in pain for a moment before breathing out heavily.
”Who?” I whisper intently aware that the last remaining councillor has positioned himself on the other side of the bed to hear what Glorfindel has to say as well. Once again Glorfindel takes a long breath before speaking.
“A wanderer from Arnor ate wis ses several months ago, he died in his bed several days later. He has infected us all.” I nod understandingly glad somewhat that the wandered who brought the sickness is no longer able to continue spreading it.
“Alright rest now, I will do everything I can.” Glorfindel smiles fondly up at me as I grasp his hand with a comforting squeeze before continuing to undress him. The rash that covers their body is familiar to me but I cannot remember where I have seen it before. There is no telling how long it will take to heal the sick but I pray that I am not to late to save what remains of Imaldris’ elves.
TBC…………………