Winter's hold cannot last forever
When the oldest daughter of King Aldor, third king of the first line of Rohan, fell in love with a peasant the new land ended up being created. Enith had not her father's blessing for her love but when she would not bend to his wishes and when he saw the love shine from within her, he gave in. The land he gave her as dowry lay in the far north of his kingdom yet surrounded by. It was no bigger than one could easily ride from boarder to boarder between sunrise and sunset. For the most part it consisted of small farms and scattered woods. Small farms that now fell under a new ruler. Most people welcomed it and even those who did not would come to see the benefits before her reign came to its end. The newborn kingdom held its independence yet protected by the greater kingdom of Rohan and future kings of the great kingdom would not strive to repossess the small corner of lost land. King Arold's gift lasted until generations had past and the small land seemed of no bother nor interest for the Rohirrim.
And so Enith reigned in the land of Romen with her beloved Habas by her side. History does not know his real name for he is remembered as Habas because like a harbor he sheltered his queen and they weathered many a storm together.
And this is where our story begins, in the land of Romen, where Enith's descendent, Queen Aema, now reign.
CHAPTER 1
A welcome visitor with unwelcome news
Like the land, the only town within its borders were also called Romen. Most people would not see it as more than a village but since it was the closest thing the land offered to one, the citizens had dubbed it so. For it was where the people of Romen had gathered their necessities. The packed dirt road, also known as the main road was edged with dark wooden houses mostly occupied by merchants and craftsmen. The houses were small, seldom more than one story except for the towns only inn called, "The Morning", according to the paint-chipped sign hanging above the door. With its two full stories it stood out among the thatched roofs of the other buildings. Only the smithy's rooftop made a futile attempt to reach as far.
This particular day, as so many others the town was a bustling of activity. A continuous banging of the blacksmiths hammer and the shouts and bargaining of the marketeers filled the air. Carriages were crowding the street, some with goods for the various craftsmen, some with locals trying to make their way in or out of the town. The air was dry, eagerly awaiting the rain, and the sun still stood to the east when three odd, hooded figures made their way through the hustle. Clouds of dust rose from the dirt road and swirled around their feet for each step they took.
As they followed the main road as it snaked it's way up the hill the houses scattered. It seemed the buildings will to climb had been word down over time. Just as much else in this corner of the world were worn and weathered.
As the company of three made it through the manor gate they were greeted with suspicion. People paused tending to their tasks, as caring for the horses or carrying water, to eye the strangers. In a land as small as Romen, outsiders were not a common occurrence.
Everyone's eyes followed them curiously as they walked across the courtyard. The uniformed guards, though attentive to the strangers, seemed to enjoy a little bit of leisure in the early day hours and chatted while eying their surroundings. On the rim of a small fountain in the middle of the courtyard, a soldier had put his helmet aside and was happily playing some card game with a young boy. The manor stood in the north-east corner of the courtyard. The dark wooden building sitting atop a roughly carved gray stone foundation with its bulky roofing made the whole thing rather imposing, quite opposite what its size would suggest. The history shared with Rohan was evident throughout the land and no less so regarding the manor and the buildings surrounding it. Marked by age the most prominent feature of the rustic building was its elaborately carved columned archways that framed the grand entrance with its wide stone stairs leading up to the thick, heavy doors. The balcony overlooking the courtyard mirrored the entrance below and through the archways, down the front hung the green banner with the golden sunrise of Romen on display. The same arches also lined each of the two wings that branched out in each direction with an enclosing effect of the courtyard.
They walked passed the stables and solider quarters and cut across the small square to climb the stairs leading up to the entrance of the manor. They were asked to state their business and kindly leave their weapons in the door ward's custody. The guard was a stern, broad fellow, a little scruffy but undoubtedly a good soldier. The town's guards they had come across were wearing plain helmets and armor of steel, dusty and not particularly neat. This man was a queen's guard, marked by the horse hair plume on his helmet and the impeccably polished set of armor.
'Tell her highness that an old friend, Aragorn, son of Arathorn is here.'
The guard regarded them with slight suspicion but sent word as he was asked. Word came back and the look upon the guards face swiftly changed.
'Her Highness bid you and your fellow travelers welcome, my lord'. And with a bow he stepped aside and they were escorted through the doors.
The hallway they entered was boarded with the same arched columns as outside and held no windows to let in the light of the day. Though lit candelabras and torches hung on the dark wooden walls it seemed dim to eyes familiar to broad daylight. The corridors branching out to either side and into each wing gave only glimpses of the sun on the echoing stone floors through the tall windows edging them. They were asked to wait among the columns in the hallway until they were called. The queen was handling other concerns at the time, the escort said. Through the huge open doorway they could see a great hall opening up. It too lined with columns on either side and at the far end of the room they could make out the throne on a dais. That's why this hall was commonly referred to as the throne room. Standing in the shadows of the hallway they could overhear the queen and her current visitor, although they were not in their line of sight. The visitor were undeniably a poor man, asking for aid. Suddenly the queen raised her voice slightly and called upon one of the servants.
'Will you please send someone to our storage and see to that this man can feed his family for seven days, Alise,' she said. 'And fetch Morgar for me please.'
Morgar was 1st attendant at the queen's stables. As Alise went scurrying off to carry out the orders, the queen once again turned to the poor man, offering him comforting words and making small talk, until Morgar walked in;
'Morgar, have you any use for a pair of extra hands in the stables?' The queen said.
'Of course, your highness. There are always things that needs tending and never enough hands our hours to do so.'
'Splendid,' she responded. 'Please make use of Mr. Nimvy. In return we shall feed his family as long as these times demand it. I expect him to be treated fairly and respectfully, and you, Mr. Nimvy, will return to me in three full moons and we will see to your situation again. Agreed?' She looked at the two men expectantly.
'Yes, Your Highness, of course Your Highness.' they both replied so that it was hard to make out who said what. 'Good, thank you both. You're dismissed!' she said with a genuine smile and the men bowed, hat in hand then turned around and walked out.
A servant approached the three men to announce that the Queen was now willing to see them. As they walked into the great room she was momentarily caught up in conversation with one of her attendants. She was of a surprisingly short stature which her bold nose did not compliment very well. Her big eyes, though they were indeed beautiful enhanced the impression of a bird at flight. In truth if one were not careful, one might mistake her for barely more than a child. She was indeed very young, but she carried the burdens of her few years lived with dignity. She wore a modest crown intertwined in her fair hair which was gathered in an intricately braided bun at her neck and her dress, fitting yet quite simple for a queen, had small silver embroideries along the hem and cuffs.
She dismissed the attendant and turned around and spotted the men.
'Lord Aragorn,' she exclaimed excitedly as her steps quickened towards them, 'my eyes must be deceiving me,'
With a great big smile she stepped up and grabbed Aragorn's hands, leaned in and kissed him once on either cheek; 'It has been too long my friend. How wonderful it is to see you well. The years have treated you kindly I see.' she said, still smiling while her hand rested on his cheek. She was visibly moved by his presence.
'This is surely an unusual sight though. A man, a dwarf and an elf traveling together, would you be so kind Lord Aragorn as to introduce me to your friends?' she said.
'Of course, I beg your pardon Your Highness,' said Aragorn. 'This is Gimli, son of Gloin.' And Gimli stepped forward, took the queen's hand and offered her a deep bow;
'Gimli at your service.' he said.
She answered his bow with a polite nod of her head.
'You are welcome Gimli, son of Gloin. A mighty man you seem to me, although the trees must seem taller to you than they even do to me.' Standing next to the dwarf it was clear to all that she was barely taller than he.
Her eyes twinkled and she gave him a smile. Gimli had trouble figuring out if he should be offended or flattered and the only thing he managed to get out resembled mere noise rather than words.
'And this is Legolas, son of Thranduil.' Aragorn continued with a gesture towards the elf.
'Too seldom do we see your kind in these lands, master Elf.' Aema said to Legolas. 'I am honored by your presence, you are most welcome.' She held out her hand and Legolas gave a sweeping bow as he kissed it.
'The honor is mine, my lady.' he said. 'And I graciously accept your welcome.'
Once again she called on Alise.
'These gentlemen are my personal guests, will you please see to that they are offered the best of our accommodations.' and with that Alise again went scurrying off to carry out orders. Aema turned to the men; 'You must be exhausted, please make yourself comfortable upstairs while you wait for your rooms to stand ready. I regret not being able to offer you a wash and rest right away but Alise is swift and it won't be long, I will have wine and something for your pipes brought to you. Might I have the pleasure of your company at supper later this evening?' she said and gladly, they accepted her invitation.
'Excellent,' she said. 'Now if you excuse me I have other matters to attend to.' She smiled at them as they bowed, Gimli a little deeper than the others, Aragorn with merely a nod, and she left, dress flowing behind her, making a whisking sound that soon faded into the hallway.
Another well groomed attendant appeared, introduced himself as Finngal and politely asked the gentlemen to follow him upstairs. They walked into the east wing and soon climbed stone stairs spiraling up to the second floor. There they found themselves just inside the balcony looking out over the courtyard. Across the hallway from the balcony they were shown to an open common room with a hearth gaping hallow since fires where of no use in the heat of the day. Comfortable padded benches where placed around a table in front of the fireplace and there were low bookshelves along the right wall beyond a small serving table where wine had been brought for them. Gimli promptly helped himself to a goblet of sweet red wine and excitedly discovered the pipe weed in an intricate wooden box on the table;
'Come on now you fools, why delay the enjoyment, we have longed for it many a night!' he said to the others with delight. Aragorn and Legolas shared a quiet chuckle as they followed his advice. Aragorn with his pipe stuffed walked out on the balcony. The arches and the roof offered a rather fair protection against the curious eyes below. Only had he stepped up to the railing they would have been able to spot him.
He lit his pipe as Legolas, goblet in hand, walked up to him;
'You seem very dear to her.' Legolas said, quietly awaiting Aragorn's response.
'Indeed, it's mutual,' he said finally. 'I knew her father, King Héald. An honorable man. And I have known her since she was but a wish in the depths of her mothers mind.'
He fell silent; a small smile appeared on his face and he was seemingly lost in memories of days passed. Legolas was looking down into his goblet of wine, slowly moving his hand as if to stir it, waiting for Aragorn to return to the conversation. He looked up and caught Aragorn's eyes;
'Will she heed your advice?' he asked and Aragorn fell quiet for a short while.
'She will do what she deem right for her people, of that I am certain. Wise beyond her years she is, but her head is as strong as it is keen.' he replied.
It seemed the same fond smile was once again finding its way to his lips.
They were interrupted by a familiar whisking sound approaching and soon Queen Aema appeared in one of the arched doorways leading out to the balcony. She said nothing. Legolas quickly made a bow, glanced at Aragorn and walked back inside. Slowly she made her way across the balcony. Her hands clutched in front of her as if she felt subtly anxious;
'Aragorn,' she said, 'my friend. Why have you come?' Aragorn kept silent. 'As lovely as it is to see you again, your troubles are weighing heavily on your shoulders, will you not share them with me?' she continued.
Aragorn looked at her;
'We will talk of it later, it hurts me having to burden you with the news I'm carrying.' He said.
She looked at him, eyes clear of expression for the time being. Unreadable. Her gaze fell on his necklace;
'How is she?' she said quietly.
Aragorn followed her eyes and looking at the evening star hanging around his neck he soon realized to what she was referring;
'She's sailing across the sea, as we speak, with what is left of her kin.'
As he said this he turned away to look out over the courtyard. Aema took a step forward, trying to capture Aragorn's eyes but he wouldn't let her.
'Aragorn,' she almost whispered. 'You have endured an awful lot in your life, but this parting must lay the most grievous of pains upon you. There is no cure, no ease for the absence of your heart's desire.'
She found nothing more to say and she fell silent. Aragorn did not look at her though he knew she would be overcome with sympathy. Suddenly someone discretely cleared their throat behind them. They both looked up to see Alise standing there.
'Your Highness, My Lord. The accommodations have been arranged.' She said.
Their eyes met and Aragorn could still trace the sympathy on her face.
'Thank you,' Aema said turning back to Aragorn. 'Now rest my friend, we will speak of your news over supper. Alise, will you be so kind as to show the guests to their rooms?'
'Of course my lady. 'Alise replied with a courtesy and with that the queen left her guests for now, for her too was longing for a little bit of rest.
*** The story is pretty much completed. I will post new chapters as fast as I can.
I really hope you have enjoyed the story thus far and I am grateful for any comment, review or opinion you may want to share with me. ***