Note to readers: I've put these first two chapters up as a teaser for the story, with the hopes of getting feedback while also providing myself with some intensive to write. Feel free to correct any errors in my lore as I haven't yet finished reading the LOTR trilogy (having read the Simarilion and the Hobbit), and also anything else you find wrong.


I regret to tell that my story begins with sorrow. The great Kingdom of Gondor had been revenged by a sickness that none could find a cure for. Many people who caught the disease, although the symptoms were initially that of just a common cough, found that within a week they could no longer rise from bed and within two many were dead. The strong and fit lasted longer, and some even managed to recover but were left permanently weakened. The sickness was suspected of being caused by a cult of evil Sorcerers that had been discovered during the reign of King Eldarion, and they appeared to have been intent on bringing our downfall ever since.

You would think that our bad luck would end there, but that is unfortunately not the case. Among the list of dead is counted King Canyaner, son of Eldarion, his wife Russariel, and their only child Silmion. Canyaner was the only child of the former king and with their deaths the line of Eldarion was extinguished. However, the Royal House of Telcontar still carried more heirs to the throne. Eldarion had three sisters, and although all three of them were dead the succession passed to the line of the eldest, Saeleth. She had no sons to take the throne, but one daughter who still lived; her name was Lhinneth, my mother.

She, my two younger sisters and I were stood before the three funeral pyres of our former rulers. My sisters and I looked quite different. Glíneth, so called for her love of sweet things, appeared almost identical to our mother with long dark brown hair and soft features, but held our dear father's light blue eyes. Anneth, the middle child, shared our father's eyes and chestnut hair, but with sharper features that told of our mixed blood. I was apparently the image of our grandmother, having inherited her elven silver hair and bright blue eyes, my face the mid-point between my two sisters.

Our other close kin attended as well, my mother's cousins Tatharwen and Tinnuon, children of her mother's sister Merilwen. Tatharwen seemed as delicate as a lily and whenever I saw her I almost expected the wind to blow her away. Her dark brown hair and eyes always made her skin seem like milk, even at the height of summer. Tinnuon was dark in comparison to his sister and, although younger by far, he was strong and sturdy with black hair and thick dark eyebrows that framed the grey eyes of our house.

My mother was to light the pyres, being next in line, leaving the three of us alone. Normally, the King would be laid in Rath Dínen, but as this was a time of sickness all bodies were burnt in order to prevent it spreading. Glíneth until this point had been as composed as the rest of us, but as soon as the flames caught she could no longer control her grief. I pulled my eight year old sister towards me, wrapping my arms around her as she wept silently. It was just then that I realised how much was about to change. Until this point, we had led a relatively quiet life within the palace, our only responsibilities those of important occasions. But from that moment on we were the royal line, the ruling house, heirs to the throne, our mother not only in charge of us but of the kingdom, and I was next in line for the throne…

"Tinweth" I heard my mother's soft voice, breaking my revive. She took my hand and led us into the King's House and what would be our new quarters.

We all went straight to our respective chambers, where we were each greeted by seamstresses. From our mourning clothes, we were to change into what would become our coronation gowns. Well, they were not strictly that for my sisters and I, but they were the dresses that we must wear for the day. The coronation was to take place the next day at noon, which to me seemed far too soon. That day, however, there was to be a mock version of the ceremony so that we would know what was to come as only my mother had been to a coronation before.

I stood upon a small wooden stool in my chamber while the dressmakers fussed around making last minute adjustments to the dress. It was a beautiful blood red dress, with long flowing sleeves and a belt of silver fabric. The bodice had been embroidered in a fine silver thread with a swirling design of stars that came down to one side and disappeared underneath the belt. Once they had finished their work, I stepped down from the stool only to then have to sit on it for the servants to work on my hair. They tugged roughly at my long hair, placing it up at my neck in tight curls. A heavy necklace of rubies and silver was then placed around my neck and a small silver circlet was positioned precariously on my head, forcing me to keep my head tilted slightly upwards.

"My, you look beautiful!" exclaimed my mother as she walked into the chambers. She wore a deep blue dress with flowing sleeves. The bodice was embroidered in the same thread as mine but it was of the White Tree in bloom, our emblem. Her hair was done in a similar fashion to mine, although as always there was less of it.

She took the circlet off my head and passed it back to the servant. "Come, it is time." She said, taking my hand once again. Her eyes were kind, and I think she knew just how daunting this was for me. After all, I would no longer be able to go about life as I pleased and to do almost anything without a care or simply walk around the lower levels among the people; I would be almost confined to the Citadel. Not only that, but as heir to the throne I would hold the position of Captain-general of the Guards of the Citadel, a position I could never hope to truly fulfil.

My sisters joined us as we walked in procession to the throne room, although the true coronation would take place in the Court of the Fountain. There, my mother stood with her back to us as she had been instructed, while my sisters and I were made to stand upon the steps facing towards her with me at their head. Our Steward, Bór, stood in front of my mother with his son Eithor bearing the cushion that would hold the crown. Opposite us on the stairs stood the ruling family of Rohan; King Cenric and his sons Cyneric and Elfwine. Cyneric, Elfwine and Eithor were all handsome young men. Cyneric and Elfwine, like most of the Rohirrim, were tall with blonde hair. Cyneric also bore the normal blue eyes like his father, while Elfwine's eyes were leaf green. Eithor was the image of his father, with mousey hair and hazel eyes, and was next in line to be our Steward and Prince of Ithilien.

There was complete silence as Bór laid the terms of Kingship before my mother for her to accept. As this long dialogue went on, I took a moment to look around the room that would soon become a very familiar sight. It had white walls and white floors of white marble, with black and white stairs and a white throne in a room full of light. Black columns stood around with statues of former kings in between. Banners bearing the heraldry of our house, the White Tree in bloom and seven stars upon a black background, hung from the walls framing the throne and the black Steward's Chair was still placed at the foot.

The room was supposed to be empty of people save us, but there was a man stood lurking in one of the archways near the back of the room. Shoulder length auburn hair and a thick beard framed a weather beaten face set with blue eyes. It was his silver-grey cloak fastened by a star shaped brooch that caught my eye and I was reminded of something, although I couldn't quite remember what.

"Now come the days of the Queen," came the ringing voice of the Steward, bringing me back to what was before me, "may they be blessed!" He placed the imaginary crown upon my mother's head, who was at this point kneeling before him. She stood and turned, and what happened next I was not expecting.

"Et Eärello Endorenna utúlien. Sinome maruven, ar Hildinya, tenn' Ambar-metta.[CD1] " Clear as a fresh breeze and as rich as velvet came my mother's voice, singing in the high elven tongue. Only two lines she sang, but I stood enchanted by the sorrow in the words as well as the joy.

My mother began walking down the steps with Bór behind her followed by Cenric. After the ruling parties, I followed with Eithor and Cyneric behind me, each of us the next in line to our respective positions. Then came Anneth and Elfwine, both of whom were next in line again although it was unlikely either would rule, and lastly little Glíneth. We walked only far enough that Glíneth came a little away from the throne before Bór called us to a halt.

"All shall hopefully go as smoothly tomorrow, with a little luck." My mother said smiling, although it did not quite reach her eyes. "Now, I think we shall take a small meal before we fast. No vaer I thin.[CD2] "

"My Queen," The men answered in varying languages as they bowed and we walked away.

Before we could leave the throne room my mother suddenly stopped and stood staring towards the back of the room. "Tinweth, take your sisters straight to my chambers to change out of your gowns and wait there for me."

"Naneth[CD3] , is something wrong?" I asked worriedly.

"Do as I say." Was her only reply. I watched as she walked towards the man I had noticed earlier before I took Glíneth's hand and walked away.

"Why must we fast, thelig[CD4] ?" Glíneth asked as she skipped along beside me, completely unaware of anything that just took place.

"Because it is tradition." I replied, only half listening. My mind kept wandering back to my mother and that man, wondering what they were talking about.

"But what about breakfast and my evening snack? I really can't go without my honey cake." She said, pouting up at me like she used to when she was younger.

"I'll see what I can do, pinig[CD5] ." I replied, a smile forming as I ruffled her hair. I turned around to look for my other sister and found that she had stopped further down the hall and was speaking with one of the young nobles.

"The coronation is tomorrow." She was saying.

"Anneth, come here now." I called, and I was only graced with a glare.

"You shall be heir to the throne from them on, yes?" asked the boy.

"After my sister, yes." She replied inching towards him.

"Anneth! Naneth ordered us to her chambers and you will do as you are told." I shouted. She scowled at me once more but did return to my side. I took her arm to prevent her from wandering off again and continued on to the King's House.

Once we were in our mother's chambers, I waited until we had changed into more comfortable clothes and the servants had left before I turned on Anneth. "Anneth, you must stop acting like a spoilt child. As of tomorrow you will be in line for the throne just as you said, and from this moment on you must act like it. That means no more unescorted meetings with young nobles and no more public disobedience. You must conduct yourself in a regal manner for the whole of the Reunited Kingdom shall be watching us, all of us."

"No, they shall be watching you and naneth. Who I speak to will have no consequence." She replied.

"Oh, but it will, for if you choose to fraternise with less distinguished people or anyone with questionable honour it will reflect upon naneth, and she will not need us creating gossip among the people. We must all make sacrifices in order to keep the peace, and we must all grow up quickly and learn the role of Royals. Others will be looking for us to make mistakes and will be waiting for errors in order to discredit us.

"We must stand together and prove them wrong, the three of us against the world just like it used to be." I said, holding my hands out to the two of them.

Glíneth took my hand in an instant and then stood smiling at Anneth. "Anneth?" she asked.

"Naneth is going to need us to be strong." I said and still she did not take my hand. I sighed, "Please, I need your help." She grimaced, but took my hand none the less.

"Where's nana[CD6] ?" Glíneth asked, her big eyes looking up at me.

"A question I wish I knew the answer to." I said, thinking back to that man. "Did you see the man standing in one of the archways in the throne room?"

"The one with the grey cloak?" Anneth asked.

"Yes; have you seen him before?"

"He looked familiar. If you'll let me leave, I can go and question some of the servants about him."

"No, we were told to stay here and so we shall. Tomorrow we shall find out, I think, but for now we must focus on the ceremony and keeping Naneth happy." I replied, going through again in my head how things would proceed. "What is keeping her?" I was very conscious of the growing darkness as I had places I needed to be.

I opened the door expecting to see two Guards of the Citadel outside, but instead found two men I had never seen before. Both had turned towards me as I opened the door and I found them to be complete opposites. The one on the left had mousey hair and beard with olive eyes, appearing almost like one of the Rohirim in green with a long bow and quiver on his back and an Eket at his side. The other was the contrast with dark hair, beard and eyes. He wore black and red and there was a long sword at his side. The only similarity between the two was their grey cloaks fastened with a star shaped brooch.

"Where are the guards?" I asked, pushing Glíneth back inside the room as she had been hanging on my arm.

"They have been dismissed in order to prepare for tomorrow." Replied the one dressed in green, the hint of a lie in his eyes.

"Where's Nana?" Glíneth asked, coming to the door once again.

I turned and pushed her back, making sure to still block the door with my body. "Anneth, take her." I said, making sure they were far enough away from the door before I turned back to the men. "Why have I never seen you before? I demand to know who you are!"

"Tinweth," I heard my mother call as she walked down the hall towards me. "I told you wait inside for me."

"I was worried." I replied, watching her nod to the men as she ushered me inside and shut the door.

She sighed and placed a hand on my cheek. "You need not worry about me." she replied softly, motioning my sisters to join us. "None of you need worry about me." We stood there and hugged until there was a quiet knock on the door.

"Enter!" mother called. In walked a servant with a silver tray bearing food and drink. She placed it on a small table, curtsied and left. "We will eat together, then you will bathe and have an early night."

"May I be excused Naneth? I feel tired and would like a long rest before tomorrow." I asked, praying silently for my stomach not to rumble and give me away. "I am not hungry anyway."

"You may, but I insist that you take something to eat before you sleep." she said, cutting some cheese and bread for me to take. "Ollo vae, Iellig[CD7] "

"Losto vae, naneth." [CD8] I replied, leaving the room.

I noted as I walked that rather than standing outside my mother's chamber, a pair of men had been stationed at either end of the long corridor that housed all of our chambers, each man wearing the same silver-grey cloak. Once inside my own chambers again, I quickly ate my small meal as I tied my hair away from my face and covered my head with a scarf. I quickly found the old brown cloak I had hidden at the bottom of a chest. It was dirty and a little ragged, but that suited my cause. When I was satisfied that I would have as much of my appearance disguised as possible, I retrieved a basket full of food I had hidden and quietly walked out of the room.

Now came the challenge, trying to get past the guards. I tried to look as innocent as possible as I turned left and walked towards the men. I was a servant, returning home with leftover food for my family, a gift from the soon-to-be princess. I had every right to be there, at least I hoped that's what they'd believe. It appeared however that I was not yet due good luck as the men I approached had been the ones stood outside my mother's chambers earlier.

I tried walking straight past them, hoping I wouldn't be stopped, but one of them grabbed my arm and spun me around. "What business do you have here?" asked the one with dark hair who held my arm.

"I-I-I was just r-returning home to my family. I-I was given some leftover food to take to them." I replied, trying my best to keep my eyes down and to seem unassuming. "Pl-please, let me go."

"Release her, Tirion." he said, causing the other one to instantly drop my arm."Why don't you try telling us the truth, herin vell[CD9] ?" the other one said, placing his hand under my chin and raising my head. They both bowed, but made sure that I didn't try to run before they received an answer.

"I needed some air, so thought to take a walk." I replied, telling a half truth.

"And the basket?" he asked.

"Does contain food. Now, if you'll excuse me." I tried walking off again, but the dark haired one once again grabbed my arm.

"What do you think you are doing? Unhand me at once." I demanded, my voice low but my tone full of authority. I held his gaze as he stared at me, clearly not expecting such a reaction.

"Forgive me, herin vell, but we cannot let you wonder alone, especially at this hour." explained the blonde.

"Fine, follow me if you would." I said, spinning around and walking away.


[CD1]Quenya, "Out of the Great Sea to Middle-Earth I am come. In this place will I abide, and my heirs, unto the ending of the world."

[CD2]Gondorian Sindarin, "Good Evening."

[CD3]Gondorian Sindarin, "Mother"

[CD4]Sindarin, "Sis"

[CD5]Sindarin, "Little one"

[CD6]Gondorian Sindarin, "Mum/Mummy"

[CD7]Gondorian Sindarin, "Sweet dream, my daughter."

[CD8]Gondorian Sindarin, "Goodnight, mother."

[CD9]Gondorian Sindarin, "Belvoed Lady"