Gondor's King

Chapter 9

The morning mist, which has fallen upon the city, bathes the countryside in a myriad of colours as the sun rises from behind the mountains to the west. I have not slept at all since I returned home to Minas Tirith but while I am tired, I am too distressed by the treachery, which has fallen, upon my city to allow myself rest. As of yet I have had only a small few councillors to see me. All of them have pleaded with me for their lives having declared they have no knowledge of the ambushes I speak of. While I believe them in the most part I will not back down. Most of my councillors are from the farming villages surrounding Minas Tirith and while I am most certain that the treachery comes from within the city walls and not the country I am not going to be seen as a weak king in enforcing my laws. Of the letter that I received I sent word to Elrond who with good speed should be here today, two days earlier than their intended arrival at the start of the celebratory week. Sighing heavily I lift my pipe to my lips and inhale on the sweet weed in an effort to calm myself as I continue tare are out over the city from my library window.

“Father?” At the sound of Aratula’s soft voice I force myself to smile despite my ill temper and turn to address her. “Jastel bid me to bring you some food, as you were not at breakfast.” I watch my raven-haired daughter as she settles a silver tray upon my desk, and pours me a glass of my favourite elven herbal tea. There is so much reflected in Aratula as I once saw in Arwen and though I try not to, I always feel the pain of guilt in looking at the face of my daughter knowing that I did not love her mother as well as she deserved.

“Thank-you.” I whisper my thanks and watch as she smiles at me warmly. She turns to leave but I watch her hesitate at the entrance to the room. In questioning I raise an eyebrow in her direction and watch as she lowers her head a little to avoid my eye contact.

“Father why do you not sleep? Jastel says you have walked the halls like a ghost these past four days.” The concern in my daughters voice is genuine and I can not help but sigh a little as I tap out my pipe and place it in it’s resting holder on my desk.

“I am worried about this coming week that is all. It has been a long time since elves walked freely in Minas Tirith, I do not want to see them come to harm.” While I am not telling Aratula the entire truth some of it still rings true. I am worried but for other reasons concerning the elves but I will not burden her with my troubles, although I am sure that like her mother she senses what I do not say.

“When grandfather arrives he may be able to help you sleep with one of his potions?” I nod understandingly as Aratula moves to my side and I comfort her against me, my arms enveloping her in a warm hug.

“Aye, I will ask him for advice be assure my dear little one.” Even as I speak I feel her relax and I take comfort in having reassured her of my health at least for a little while. We both stare out of the window for a long time before I step away from her to drink my tea. “Have you seen Breachtian and Kahual? I should like them greet the party from Rivendell with me when they arrive.”

“No, Breachtian left early this morning into the city with Castile. I believe Kahual is in the gardens with Filgree having a lesson in archery.” I smile at my younger sons enthusiasm for archery practice. From an infant he has had the best of both elvan and human tutors but I believe he is already picking his favourite activities from his mothers heritage. However it is more Breachtian that I am now worried for he has been strange since my return home, unusually nervous and easily angered, quite unlike the young man I left but a few short months ago.

“Do you know of Breachtian’s destination and does he intend to return home while it is still light?” I phrase my questions with as light a tone as I can manage. It is not Aratula’s fault that she has two boisterous bothers, and is made to answer for them in their absence.

“It is unlikely he will be home before dark Father. He has spent quite a lot of time with Castile away from the palace since you left for Rivendell. I believe our tutors are tired of chasing him to take his lessons.” I furrow my brow in pensive consideration. I am now sure that my eldest son is not acting as he should and if I am not mistaken he has become wild without my discipline. I watch as Aratula swallows hard aware that I am suddenly not happy with her brother. “I do not know where they go but they never return home before dark and are always tired and hungry upon their return. Please father, do not tell him that I told you, he will be upset with me.” I nod in understanding of Aratula’s soft plea but I am already resolved that Breachtian will feel the force of my discipline when he returns home this evening.

“Very well, go and find your brother and tell him that there is no need to rush his lesson with Filgree. I shall meet our visitors from Rivendell alonAratAratula smiles warmly at me before turning and leaving me to finish my tea and the small fruits she has brought for me.

I am left alone in my library for some consible ble time before I am disturbed. Allowing me time to scan maps of Mirkwood upon the large leather topped tables. Although I am trying to keep myself occupied with distractions of trade routes I can not help but remember the face of my beloved as I run my hand absently over where his home is situated on the map in front of me. My heart pynes for his touch and of his melodic voice washing over me, like the softest water in all of Middle Earth. I can still see the smile reflected upon his face when I first saw him at the ford of Bruinen in our youth. I was playing with my brothers, Elladan and Elrohir when he arrived on horseback with his own two brothers. A perfect picture of beauty he was upon the fine steed. I could not have taken my eyes from him even if they had been ripped from my body.

A resonate knocking interrupts my thoughts and I stand almost guiltily and quicker than necessary considering I am alone, as one of my councillors enters the room.

“Your Majesty, Lord Elrond of Rivendell has arrived.” I acknowledge my councillor with a curt nod and stand to follow him out of the study. Elrond’s arrival has been much anticipated by myself and I have much to talk to him of concerning the present troubles my kingdom is having at court. I sweep down the hallways of my private chambers and quickly jog along the public corridors. I’m slightly flushed by the time I rethe the great hall and I take a moment to catch my breath outside in the corridor before allowing the two door guards to announce my arrival to the party inside.

“His majesty Elessar Telcontar.” The elves inside the hall fall silent as I step into the large open chamber. All of the elves bow politely except Elrond who warmly inclines his head slightly in acknowledgement.

“Lord Elrond I thought you’d never arrive. I had thought you’d have changed your mind.” I smile teasingly at my elder as I move forward to stand directly in front of him. He smiles in mirth and shakes his head in refute.

“What and miss the only invitation I have had to Minas Tirith since your coronation? I do not think so, such rare occasions are to be celebrated with open arms.” I lower my head in disgrace as I feel a pink flush of embarrassment fill my cheeks. My slackness in my promises have already caused me embarrassment but to be chastised by Elrond in my court is well deserved. I note with amusement Eladdan and Glorfindel’s presents beside Elrond as well as the presence of a young elf woman I have not seen bef She She is fair of face, with long blonde hair and seems to be quite shy. I smile at her warmly as I embrace both Glorfindel and Eladdan in a warrior’s handshake. Elrond smiles at me knowingly as I glance from the young woman back to him in questioning. “Allow me to introduce you to Arrionetta. She is the King of Mirkwood’s daughter and is soon to be, Eladdan’s wife.” She curtsy’s politely to me and blushes profusely as Eladdan takes her hand and entwines their fingers together. Looking at Arrionetta she is the image of Legolas and I cannot help but smile fondly at her and my own brother, happy for their union.

“You are very welcome here Arrionetta, as is your father who in my understanding will join us two days following.” I turn my attention back to Elrond who throws me a knowing look but remains silent. “Please take a seat.” I gesture to the two comfortable chairs at the head of the chamber for Elrond and I before smiling at the other elves in the large party from Rivendell. “All of you please relax I’ll have my courtiers bring you some refreshments and take your things to your rooms.” There is a unanimous murmur of thanks spoken in elvish and I smile warmly at Elrond who nods his own silent thanks. “So how was your trip? Unhastled I hope?” I tentatively hold the two glasses as my courtier pours the amber liquid into them before passing one of them to Elrond and gesturing for my courtiers to begin attending to the other elves in the party.

“Aye as unhastled as a trip of this kind can be.” Elrond easily sips from his glass of wine and I watch slightly amused as my courtiers stare at the elves from their stations around the hall. It has been a long time since elves have been seen in Minas Tirith and I allow them the freedom to gaze over the beauty of the creatures in front of them before dismissing them to ready the guest quarters. “I do not see your son’s here Aragorn? I would have liked to have seen Aratula too, to introduce her to Arionetta.” Elrond raises a smooth eyebrow in my direction and I find myself sighing heavily at the thought of my eldest son’s disappearance this morning.

“Yes I apologise for their absence in greeting you. Breachtian left the palace this morning without my knowledge and we are all awaiting his arrival home. Aratula is in the gardens I believe as is Kahual who is eagerly participating in his archery lessons with Filgree.” I smile half-heartedly at Elrond who nods in understanding. I am sure having raised three children of his own understands how trying they can be. Eladdan laughs softly at the comment about my youngest son.

“Kahual is enjoying his time with Filgree then? I remember a time when I hated archery with the very same tutor; he must have softened in his old years.” We all laugh at Eladdan’s joke and I find myself compelled to tell of Kahual’s first lessons with Filgree but decide not to, save my youngest embarrassment.

“No matter I will see them at dinner no doubt? I believe we have a much more pressing issue to discuss do we not?” I nod in understanding and note the sudden uneasiness of the councillors which are present in the room, and which are obediently being good hosts to the elves in their presence.

”Yes but you have all travelled so far. Let me allow you to take some rest and get settled into your accommodation before we talk of business.” I stand from the chair and gesture for those courtiers and councillors still in the room to begin escorting the elves to the western wing of the palace. That part of the house I believe has the best view to the forest beyond the walls of the city, which hopefully will make the elves more comfortable in their stay here in the city.

I see personally Lord Elrond and his closer party to their chambers and make sure they are comfortable before leaving them to rest. Elrond makes me agree that we will talk in the study before dinner about my court and the mysterious message I received. I feel comfortable with the elves in the house and I am glad indeed that Elrond is here to help me at this most pressing time concerning my court.

TBC…………………….