Prologue

The battle of Middle Earth was over, Sauron defeated and Mordor abandoned. The Orcs and Uruk-hai who had survived had immigrated north to the iron hills where it was believed that they would do now harm. Aragorn, having invaded a now lonely land, made a gift of it to a dear friend and near kin to govern. Soon, Aragorn broke off the tie between Gondor and Gandarl, giving Heiramon his own kingdom and title. Over the years, as Heiramon rebuilt the Kingdom, he also built a family. He had fallen in love with a woman named Marana who gave him a daughter. The King was overjoyed by the new arrival, but sadness soon followed as it is said that his Queen to be died suddenly. It is also said that the King fell into a great depression. Aragorn, hearing of the great sadness, visited Heiramon and saved him from the path that led to a sorrowful demise, reminding him that he had a daughter to care for. I t was his deep love for this child that cured the pain in Heiramon's heart. As the child grew, so did the country, as well as the happiness of the King. She flourished under the loving eyes of her father and her godfather, Aragorn.

Chapter 1

Surrounded by darkness, the mustiness unbearable, life's breath was needed in the Castle of Gandarl. The castle was a cold tomb with its beautiful prisoner trapped inside, a young princess whose beauty was unheard of in Middle Earth. She sat by her father's bed, as still as if only a portrait. Yet no canvas could do her beauty justice, for it was surreal, one would say unconventional. Her long tousled blond hair teasingly fell around her shoulders surrounding her heart-shaped face. Her bright blue eyes were warm and friendly, but held a fire that no one could comprehend. Her strength transpired through these portals as well as love and a caring for the world that is only felt by some. Underneath the façade of a lady, one would hardly expect that she was skilled in the art of war and combat, lesson that had been taught to her at an early age. With all the knowledge she had acquired had come a wisdom that rarely was known to those so young.

Aurora had lived in the castle since she was born, only seeing the expanse of the yard near the palace, nothing else. Oh, how beautiful the yard had been, with bursts of color and the sweet smell of entrapment. Though never leaving the castle premises, Aurora had a brilliant mind. Her observant eye had absorbed every page of the immense expanse of the King's library. She had met many neighboring kings and queens and had been interested in every culture. Some kings had been drawn to her youthful intelligence and guarded over her with a protective eye. Most queens, who wished that their young daughters could be as beautiful and charming as she, also favored her. Her closer admirers soon named her Aura.

As the young girl grew, she became very close to her father. She coddled him as he had once coddled her as a child. As her mother had died at Aurora's birth, the king had replaced his grief into a great love for his newborn daughter. Aurora could now feel death approaching her father's bedside and she fought it with all her will. "My King, O father, you must conquer this demon. Evil will not prevail over you father, not after all that has been overcome in the past." She held her father's withering hand, weakening in her grasp, and prayed to her mother who must be watching over her. However, her attention was pulled too soon by Galdor, the King's advisor who peered through the heavy doors.

"Princess," he began. "An emissary has arrived to the palace gate and wishes for an audience with your father."

"He is too weak from illness!" Aurora interrupted.

"That is why I would advise you to represent him Aura. It is the only way we can allude to being strong." Galdor pleaded. He was constantly bombarded with thoughts of the declining state of their nation. Once a beautiful and powerful country, it had descended into a period of darkness and decay. Now when his country needed him the most, the King could not be reached. "Your father will understand that it is for his people's best interest."

Had it been anyone else telling her this, Aurora would have been outraged, but Galdor had known her from birth, had been her playmate and trusted friend. He was a strange boy, never seeming to age much. His blond hair, nearing white was shorn and his blue eyes were piercing, as if they could read a person's mind. He could be easily be mistaken for an elf, if only he had the telltale ears. He had always known Aurora best, and known what she thought and was always ready to give her counsel. He also knew how much she admired and respected her father and wished to do anything to avoid his disfavor. Sitting on his throne could be taken as a great betrayal but Aurora knew what danger would come if outsiders knew of the king's weakness. It had to be done and Aurora bent over to her father and whispered gently to him that it had to be so.

She took her father's crown from its pillow and Galdor placed the tattered red cape over her shoulders. She turned to the cracked mirror beside her father's bed and tried to look dignified, but realized that she looked small and weak in the oversized robe.

"I look like a child." She breathed hopelessly "a child in her father's clothing."

Galdor approached her and laid his hand reassuringly on her shoulder. "Hold your head up high and you will look as courageous as your father himself. It will have to do. Once he hears you speak, nothing else will matter." He said warmly. Aura knew that he spoke true. Although she looked ridiculous in the tatters of her father's cape, no one spoke as eloquently as she when she chose to. She had a way of turning situations to her favor. With new determination, she walked through the castle halls to the throne where she received the messenger. He was a short, scrawny boy who looked none older than the age of twelve. He walked hesitantly towards Aurora and bowed nervously. Feeling sorry for the boy, she tried to make him feel at ease.

"What is your name child?" she asked sweetly.

"Roagan son of Roath, majesty." He answered uneasily.

"Roagan, what a lovely name" Aurora smiled back. "Where are you from Roagan? What message do you send me?"

"I come from Gondor with word from King Aragorn, majesty. He sends this letter if I may bestow it upon you. He sends word that that a council will convene in a fortnight." Roagan, now more relaxed, responded as he handed Gandarl the letter who then in turn handed it to Aurora.

" I see. May I assume that a representative of Gandarl is needed at this council meeting?" Aurora inquired, clutching the paper in her hand.

"He wishes it so, majesty." The boy replied.

"It will be done. Roagan, I imagine you should be hungry after your arduous journey."

A little smile appeared on his face. "Yes majesty." he gratefully answered. Aurora let a smile shimmer on her face as well. "Then Galdor will bring you whatever your stomach desires. You may tell your master that a representative of Gandarl will be sent to the council."

"Thank you majesty, you are most gracious." Roagan bowed, much more at ease this time.

Aurora gave him a slight nod signaling his departure and as he left, she let out a sigh of relief. Her mind was reeling from many disturbing thoughts. Thoughts of darkness, wonderment, disappointment and longing clouded her mind. Longing for freedom, an aspect of life that she had never had. Strange how a girl so powerful had no independence; a woman who may one day govern a whole country has never stepped out to see it; a princess with the tongue of many languages has never had the chance to speak them. Galdor noticed a glimpse of worry in her eyes, but ignored it. Very pleased by her performance, he approached her. "Aura, you were magnificent. No one would have suspected that you are anything but queen. Oh Aura, what a wonderful queen you will…"

"Stop!" she yelled, as if what Galdor said pained her profusely. "Not one more word! I betrayed my father, as he is ill, I wore his crown, sat on his throne and accepted his title! How can I face him?" Aurora fretted.

"It was your duty as heiress to the throne." Galdor intercepted.

"But not yet Queen. Never had I said I wanted to inherit the throne?" She cried out and Galdor gasped, as she continued, "What if I have no wish to be Queen. I wish to be free! Run the woods, swim the sea! That is what I wish, not to be trapped in this stone cage." Exasperated, she stood up, threw the cape on the throne and stormed towards her father's chamber.

"Do you mean that you will readily give up all that you own? That you are ready to be exiled? This will happen if you refuse the throne." Galdor warned, stopping her in her tracks.

"No, I will not denounce the throne. Nevertheless, I will not readily accept this fate yet. There is so much I wish to do. I wish to travel, to see the world." Aurora sighed, knowing that her desire was unviable.

"Princess, you know how dangerous it is outside these walls. Anything could happen to you. If ever you were hurt or killed, the throne would be vulnerable to take over." Galdor persisted.

Aurora turned to look over her shoulder, but did not meet her dear friend's gaze.

"I'm tired of being sheltered, Galdor, surely you understand this. What if I could go out without anyone knowing that I had left?" Aurora asked.

"How would you ensure this?" Galdor threw back.

"I would go without entourage." The princess answered. "No guards, no servants, no one will know that I am a princess. No one would think that I would be alone."

"And where would you go, may I ask?" Galdor implored.

To this, Aura had no immediate answer, but stared at her hand in which she clutched the letter.

"I will go to the council meeting in the fields of Rohan. Nowhere will be safer for me, not even this palace. And you know well enough that I may care for myself on the journey. You yourself have admitted that I have a swordsman's hand. It is decided Galdor, I will go."

All Galdor could do was nod obediently, for he knew that nothing he said could change Aurora's mind now. He could only promise to care for the kingdom in her absence.