Author's Note: Hello, and welcome to A True Fellowship! We hope to find you in good health and spirits as you begin reading this. We're very proud of this story, and hope you enjoy it as you read. And tell us how you feel about it! Review, my friends! My coauthor, Jen and I, absolutely love to get reviews and see what people have to say, so remember - review long and review often. Thank you so much. So sit back, and have fun!
She was young and old
She was blind and could see everything
She spoke softly, in whispers,
But her voice carried across the mountain ranges
Like sleeping giants.
The cities lit like fairies and the oceans-
Undulating mermaids.'
Francesca Lia Block,' The Rose and The Beast'
50 years ago
He heard the whispers of the others as clear as bells in the humid, damp night. The nervous, superstitious whispers of youthful soldiers who have been awake too long and been on their feet all day in the strange woods. He tried not to let their hushed, worried voices get to him, but he could not help but scan their surroundings a few more times for any changes. He had not seen forests like these before, and the change of scenery slightly unnerved him.
" What do you think they'll do to us?"
" Has anyone ever met one before?"
" No, but I heard they don't like humans very much."
" I heard they don't like anyone very much, let alone humans."
" I heard they hunt humans for sport."
" They hunt Orcs, dimwit."
" Oh."
" So when are we going to reach their land?"
" Haven't you been paying attention? We are on their land. We've been walking through their forests for the past 20 minutes."
A slight chill seemed to sweep on all the troops, but Aragorn kept silent. He knew very well they were not in human territory any longer. The air seemed more humid this far East; the forests thicker and full of wildflowers he'd never seen before. Colorful birds could be seen in the gray dusk, and the occasional flare of a feline's eyes could be caught in the distance. Large cats and various exotic animals were said to be found in these types of woods, because the climate was so much warmer. He heard it hardly ever snowed there. But who were these people, that lived among this greenery and warmth? Could they help them in this bloody war between the Orcs and Middle Earth? The only comfort Aragorn found from the growing darkness was the wizard, Gandalf, his horse loping along with his steward at the front of the barrage. Aragorn almost smiled with affection at the long pointy hat, the white beard, and the robust laugh that came from him; obviously the steward was telling the amusing story he told last night at dinner.
His thoughts were interrupted by a shove in the arm. The man turned his shaggy, black head to the man on his right; Robert." What is it?"
" What was the purpose of us coming, captain?" he said in a low, curious voice to the captain." The wizard said they wouldn't harm us."
" It doesn't hurt to be cautious, Robert," a loud, obnoxious soldier named Thelmir added, turning to grin cheekily in the growing dark." Besides; it's Faerie's we're dealing with. They've always been sneaky, you just never know when you might make one mad and get an arrow between your eyes."
" William, silence yourself," Aragorn scolded. He had had enough of the whispering and bickering going on, although he well understood their unease.
" They could be hiding in these woods listening to us this very moment!!" another young soldier said with an accompanied nervous gesture.
" A perceptive boy."
Aragorn's head snapped around and murmurs from the soldiers came up when the foreign, clear voice made itself known. Where did it come from?? He didn't see anyone in the woods near them at all. Soft laughter accompanied the dumbfounded look on the soldiers' faces, and fleeting dark images passed their vision in the dark forest.
" Captain Thorongil," he suddenly heard Gandalf call out." Come here; I would like you meet a few of my good friends."
As he pushed his way to the front of the line, a soldier hissed at him," Don't look into their eyes too long. They say the Fae have mind powers and can read your mind and control it in a heartbeat."
Aragorn smirked to himself and shook his head at the young soldier as he made it to the front, standing between the brown and white horses of his steward and the old wizard. They both hopped down with him, and were faced with an awesome site.
A giant gate that seemed to be made of liquid gold with leaves tendriled around the bars stood open in their path, telling Aragorn they had reached the palace of Miranda; one of the nine major countries of the Faerie Kingdom that were ruled overall by a tenth, where the queen had her quarters. A faint shout sounded, and the gates were opened soundlessly. The ones who opened them stood in the shadows of the growing dark, so only their profiles were visible, but the weapons in their possession were clear as day to Aragorn. A quiver of arrows were on each of their backs, one male and one female, and bows were held at the ready in their hands. Aragorn regarded them wearily, before a commotion their left caught his attention.
Soldiers murmured as they were pressed to their right, and Ecthelion had to move his horse to the side as another horse clopped past. Aragorn watched for the rider of the gray mare, and found it to be a woman with pale golden curls, a serene, blank face, and a silver tiara sloping down her forehead. He heard Gandalf mutter to his steward," Princess Maia, of Triton."
" They are arriving for the meeting, I presume?" Ecthelion murmured.
" Yes," Gandalf confirmed. She was gone before they could comment further, and Gandalf gestured for them to continue. The soldiers, Aragorn, and the two on horseback moved on into the palace grounds slowly, the palace itself still a distance away. The jungle cleared to accommodate the area, and underneath Aragorn's feet was lush grass with a few wild plants growing here and there, sprouting vividly colored flowers that pleased the eye.
It was not long before another horse carrying a royal member of the Faerie kingdom passed them pay. The brown mare trotted at a slow pace past, and the soldiers and Aragorn could not help but look over. Her blue dress stood out shockingly against the green of the foliage, and long dark brown hair fell down her back, bound only by the circlet of gold around the top of her head. Turning her head to the slight noise the soldiers were making, she looked down at them beneath her nose, her face grim and openly unfriendly. Aragorn shifted uncomfortably and his mouth set in its own grim line.
" It appears as if we are not so welcome here, my lord," Aragorn commented darkly.
Ecthelion shook his head slowly, almost sadly." Prejudices die hard, Thorongil. I believe we will be hard pressed in convincing some members of the Fae royalty that."
" Who was she?" an anonymous soldier asked.
" Princess Lourine of Lo," Gandalf responded. His solemn face changed a few moments after, however, when he heard the clopping of two other horses and recognized one. A slow smile spread across his face." The princesses of Saffron and Ciel."
Their voices reached the men first, than the two white horses passed by slowly. The nearest one to them had her head turned towards the others, speaking lightly to her companion in the foreign, strange language of the Fae. Her white gown was odd; sleeveless on her right side so the fabric wrapped around her back and front, but it left her left shoulder bare. Her laugh was joyful, and he found himself watching her momentarily. Her hair was a light mix of brown and blonde, and pulled up in an intricate bun behind her head, showing off finely pointed ears and the arch of the tiara down to her forehead. As if finally noticing the stares of the awed soldiers, she turned her brown/blonde head and gave them a view of her lovely face. Her eyes sought out, surprisingly, Gandalf, and when she spotted him she smiled, flashing white teeth. Gandalf smiled affectionately back and raised a hand to greet her. She briefly raised her hand, as well, then with a slight shake of her hair turned her attention back to her dark haired companion as they rode off.
" You know her?" Ecthelion asked Gandalf, his eyes amused.
" I know her, as well others," Gandalf confirmed.
" That should help our cause," Ecthelion nodded approvingly.
Gandalf laughed." Yes, I believe it will."
Aragorn shook his head and smiled, and figured that would be the last of the ethereal travelers, but a few minutes later yet another horse clopped its way by them. Curious, he took in the dark brown mare and its rider. What caught his attention was her different state of dress; instead of a gown, she wore boots, a teal tunic and a skirt with a belt that a scabbard hung from. Female warriors, Aragorn thought to himself. He had heard they were not rare in Faerie Kingdoms; in fact, they were quite common. Her black hair was pulled up in a ponytail that bounced along with the horse, and a fine sheath of moisture shined from her forehead. Her gaze sweeped from in front of her to the soldiers, a distinct look of disinterest on her face, but it changed when she spotted Gandalf. She smirked, then smiled, and the wizard smiled back the same way he did with the lighter haired woman. She nodded her acknowledgement, and Gandalf raised a hand before the horse trotted off.
" Female warriors?" a soldier exclaimed, his tone incredulous.
" Not as uncommon as you would think," Ecthelion responded lightly.
Their journey to the palace was quickly coming to an end, as they drew closer to the massive building. A figure stepped out of it and walked slowly down the steps to greet them.
" The Princess Aaclyde," Gandalf murmured to Ecthelion. The steward raised an eyebrow at the unfamiliar custom of the leader of the realm greeting them in the front rather than the advisor.
She stopped when she reached them, and Ecthelion and Gandalf slid off their horses. The woman signaled for a young looking Faerie, who came up and took the reigns of the two horses. A sleek cap of tousled golden hair that ended at just about the middle of her pointed ears, framed her face, and cerulean blue eyes met the steward's gaze. She, as well, possessed a tiara that sloped down her forehead to end in a sapphired jewel. This was not what caught everyone's attention, however; nay, it was the shimmering behind her back that did.
The soldiers were hard pressed to hold in their reactions as they made out the outline of a pair of transparent blue wings; an ocean's blue and purple etched in, more prominent where veins were present. They curved up and behind from the Faerie's back, fluttering together like the twitch of a muscle. Most peculiar was the way they swept down again in jagged, almost torn-looking edges until they met between her shoulder-blades again. Aragorn tried to remember all the stories Elrond told him about the Fae, yet he could not recall one that answered his question of whether the wings were truly functional or not.
" Good day, Princess Aacylde." Ecthelion extended his hand and she shook it.
" A pleasure to meet you, steward," she replied in a smooth, low voice.
" Princess, this is captain Thorongil," Gandalf said in a commanding voice.
Not knowing why he was being introduced exclusively, he held out his hand and nodded. Instead of returning the gesture, the Faerie princess pierced him with a cool, searching look, then nodded her greeting. She studied him a second longer, as if in speculation, then turned to the wizard, a ghost of a smile on her face." Gandalf," she acknowledged. She began speaking in Fae to him.
Their conversation continued for a minute or two before a horn sounded, and the princess Aaclyde turned to look at him and the steward. She spoke a few more words in that Fae, then turned to look at the young captain standing before her with a bemused look on her face." Welcome to Miranda, captain Thorongil ," she said to him in the Common Tongue, then turned, beckoning the company to follow her. Two Faeries stood on either side of the steps at attention, and fixed their gazes on the passing humans. Aragorn found himself staring right back at the male guard; musky green eyes calculated him closely behind strands of silvery hair, the first male Faerie he had seen. Aragorn broke eye contact with the guard and studied the palace. The walls and pillars seemed to be made of gold and white marble, with balconies, open windows, and leaves spiraling up the sides that had grown from the ground.
Aragorn had perviously noticed the apparent absence of Miranda's soldiers, than remembered what the soldiers in Rivendell would do. He looked behind him briefly, into the trees. He could see them; over forty of them, in the area around the palace-the rest must have been inside. Each one that he could see in the trees, on the ground, in the bushes, had a weapon, be it sword or arrow, at the ready in their hands. He could see many, aye, but he knew there were more that he could not see.
Aragorn watched a particular Faerie leaning against the trunk of a tree; she was thin, with golden skin and blonde hair pulled up away from her face. She wore war attire, and had dirt smudges and bruises on her arms and face; even on her pointy ears. A bow was drawn back halfway in a slack position in her hands, the arrow pointing to the ground. Her eyes were narrowed as she watched the steward, the wizard, and Aragorn walk past told him that they were just as wary of the humans as the humans were wary of them.
Aragorn turned his attention back to the front, and soon enough they reached the large, double doors of the palace. Two more guards pulled them open, and Aaclyde stopped before entering. Turning, she swept her hair from her face and gave the soldiers a stony, closed look." Your men may stay out here for the time being," she began, and Aragorn swore she spat out the word 'men' with sarcasm and a glimmer of amusement. He was suddenly sure it was her that had spoken to them the first time as they were discussing their superstitions of the race during the journey here; she did not seem to think too highly of the steward's chosen men." I am sure they will behave." A few slight snickers came from the trees, but the Faeries they had previously seen in the wood were nowhere to be found
" Follow me." She turned, and the three walked inside. Faeries bustled around the large, high ceilinged room; some possessed the shimmering wings he had seen on Princess Aaclyde, yet others did not. Aragorn assumed they hid them, although he wasn't so sure. He swept his gaze around the room, taking in a pool of crystal clear water with floating lily pads and a little waterfall was cut into the marble on the right side. Smiling slightly to himself, he looked up at the ceiling momentarily before gazing to his left, getting a mild jolt of surprise at what he found there.
The last Faerie that had rode past on horseback sat at a small table partially obscured by a pillar. Her feet were propped up on the table, and her head was leaned back as she cleaned her sword off with a white rag. She was conversing with the brownish blonde headed Faerie that had smiled at Gandalf, who was leaning against the table across from her. Aragorn raised his eyebrows at the dark haired Faerie's choice of sitting position, and before he could think on it further, Ecthelion signaled for him, and they walked further to stop and converse with Aacylde a bit more.
" You would think they had never seen a palace before," the black haired Faerie commented, watching the human visitors along the length of her sword as she wiped it off.
The dirty blonde haired Faerie lifted her head and smiled." No, not at all." She gestured toward her friend and stood up straight." I think it's about to begin."
She sighed deeply as she sheathed her sword and her companion chuckled." The formality of it makes me nauseous."
" Welcome to my world," the golden eyed Faerie grinned.
" I don't know how you stand it." They walked over in Aaclyde's direction slowly, conversing easily and laughing until they were only a few feet away from the human visitors. Other princesses gathered to join them, but Gandalf and the steward continued speaking to Aacylde. The captain's attention, however, wavered from her to the newcomers every few seconds.
" Quite curious, is he not?" the light haired Princess asked her companion, who smirked and exchanged glances with her.
" What I fail to understand is our need of protection from men." Princess Lourine sauntered up, speaking in Westron to catch the attention, and disapproval, from Ecthelion and Aragorn." We seem to be doing just fine without their assistance," she articulated coldly, yet all under a fine sheathe of civility.
" They are not all bad," the black haired Faerie turned to give her a withering glare. Aragorn's eyebrows shot up with surprise at her apparent support of his kind.
Princess Lourine fully faced the female warrior and eyed her with distaste." I thought this meeting was for royalty only," she said in the Fae tongue, her voice sugary sweet." I have no idea what you are doing here."
" She is filling in for her Princess, and has every right to be here," the Faerie's companion shot back coolly, pinning the other woman with a dangerous look in her catlike, golden eyes." I suggest you hold your tongue, Lourine."
The princess stiffened and matched the other's gaze for a moment longer, before dropping it to Aaclyde.
" Finished?" Princess Aaclyde asked mildly.
" My apologies," Lourine replied in Westron, and Ecthelion acknowledged it with a tight-lipped nod.
Aacylde turned around and stepped up a few steps carpeted with a long dark blue rug. She met with the figure sitting on a throne at the top, and put a hand on hers." My queen, they are ready to see you," she said softly. Her hand was patted affectionately, and Aacylde stepped back.
" Come, Steward of Gondor," came a warm, soothing voice." I have been waiting for your arrival." The tall, slim figure stood, and deep, sparkling blue eyes regarded first the steward, then the wizard with sad warmth. Eyes that were old, yet young; innocent, yet ancient as the very trees surrounding her home." It has been many years, Gandalf the Gray."
" Yes it has, Emilia," Gandalf responded with equal warmth, sweeping off his hat for the Faerie queen.
The light haired Faerie spoke to her friend in a whisper in her ear, and the black haired one laughed softly, her amused deep purple eyes meeting Aragorn's briefly. They appeared carefree to him, without worries; mischief gleamed in the dark haired Faerie's eyes and amusement in the other's golden ones, and he almost envied them. He could not remember feeling that way since the wars consumed his life, as well as the duties of being a captain. The young man shook away his thoughts and turned his attention back to the even more breathtaking queen of the Fae world. Lush, thick black curls framed a pale face, sweeping to the shoulders of her pale blue and purple gown. She held herself with a calm inner peace and dignity, and looked at them with respect. Behind her, pale blue wings shimmered and fluttered with slight movement. Here was a leader Aragorn could respect and like, he thought. As if reading his thoughts, her gaze turned to him, and with mild scrutiny, she studied him, reminding him of the powerful Elven stares he had grown used to living in Rivendell .' Welcome, Aragorn, son of Arathorn.' Her inner voice penetrated his mind as she continued talking to the king and Gandalf. His eyes widened. She knew his real name, but he should have expected as much.' You will do many great things in your life. You will not let me down; I trust you.'
" We made it unscathed, your Highness," the steward's voice boomed in the large room." Your kingdom is absolutely breathtaking."
She gave him an amused smile." Many thanks for your kind words, but it is toward Aaclyde that they shall be directed. It is her country I am staying in for the time being. Would you like to sit down?" She gestured toward a large table to their right, and he nodded in confirmation. The princesses and other Faeries followed at their queen's beckoning, and sat on the opposite side of the steward, the captain and Gandalf. Aragorn found himself directly across from the black haired warrior, who met his gaze briefly before turning to speak quietly with her companion. The lighter haired Faerie gave him a nod and a brief smile, for which he gratefully returned. He found himself a little uncomfortable with the extremely formal meeting, and it was thoughtful of her to set him at ease. The darker haired one sat back and looked at him again curiously before drawing her attention to the queen. Watching her for a moment more, Aragorn noticed silver hoops dangling from her ears, and an inch thick black ribbon snugly wrapped around her throat.
The queen settled in her chair across from Ecthelion and cut right to the point." There have been recent attacks on the borders of Triton that threatened these borders, so I felt obliged to come and see for myself. The numbers have been growing alarmingly large in the past few years. I hope your kingdom is faring better, Ecthelion?"
The steward shook his head slowly." Ai, it has not, I am afraid. We, too, are suffering from border attacks, far stronger than they had been in past years. That is why we are here."
She studied him briefly with wise, fathomless deep blue eyes." Yes, that is why you are here. You require assistance in keeping Mordor at bay."
" Yes," Ecthelion II nodded his white, proud head.
" We are both very aware of the threat this is posing. They are killing my people with every attack they make on our borders," she said with a sliver of pain in her voice." And I will tolerate no more. They must be stopped."
The steward of Gondor breathed easier at that moment." I wholeheartedly agree, your Highness." Ecthelion's tension, however, returned when he posed his next comment." I propose, to make it easier on both of our kingdoms, that we create an alliance."
Every princess and advisor stared at the steward, and the queen regarded him with thoughtful eyes." And what exactly would this alliance pertain?" Princess Maia came right out and asked. Her tone was introspective and polite, but she regarded him with cool dark eyes.
" Exactly what it sounds like," Aragorn spoke up, and suddenly every princess, advisor and warrior were pinning him down with deep, calculating eyes. They were almost as bad as Elven stares, Aragorn thought uncomfortably. He waited for Ecthelion's nod before continuing." A sort of 'I will watch your back if you watch mine' deal, if you will. The next time your attacks become bad, you will send word to Gondor and aide will be dispatched. It would be the same if we came across serious trouble."
" My captain is correct," Ecthelion added, enfolding his hands together on the table." We will gladly give you aide if you extend the same courtesy to us."
" What happens when both of us are under the same heavy attack?" The golden eyes princess asked him, her chin propped under her hand.
" Yes," the dark haired Faerie next to her asked him." When we cannot supply the soldiers to give you, and vice versa?" Aragorn watched them, intrigued. This one had the mind of a commander, much like him, he thought, glancing at the Faerie once more. When she looked over sharply, he looked away, but not before he caught her amused smile.
" We can negotiate a system," Ecthelion responded." Perhaps reserve troops in the case that this would happen." Properly appeased and interested by his remark, the two exchanged glances before sitting back.
" It is also made more convenient by how close your two kingdoms are," Gandalf added seriously." There would not be that long of a wait for an exchange in soldiers
Emilia briefly looked at Gandalf before settling back to Ecthelion. A glimmer of a smile graced her face, and she spoke." I see the truth in your words. I agree with it; however, I will not agree if my countries' leader's do not agree. It is their countries that will be effected."
The women exchanged glances, than began to murmur to each other quietly. This continued for several minutes while Aragorn, Gandalf and Ecthelion looked on, before it eventually died down. One by one, each princess and Faerie gave her confirmation, and Ecthelion coached his expression although inside he was grinning joyfully.
" I believe this is the beginning of a new chapter in history, is it not?" Emilia's voice held dry humor, but her eyes were smiling.
Ecthelion chuckled and caught Aragorn's eyes." Indeed it is." To Emilia's amusement, he reached over the table and held out his and. She shook it with a smile." Shall we draw up the documents, my Queen?"
With the signatures of nine Faerie leaders, advisors and warriors alike, the first alliance between Men and Faeries was formed.
She was young and old
She was blind and could see everything
She spoke softly, in whispers,
But her voice carried across the mountain ranges
Like sleeping giants.
The cities lit like fairies and the oceans-
Undulating mermaids.'
Francesca Lia Block,' The Rose and The Beast'
50 years ago
He heard the whispers of the others as clear as bells in the humid, damp night. The nervous, superstitious whispers of youthful soldiers who have been awake too long and been on their feet all day in the strange woods. He tried not to let their hushed, worried voices get to him, but he could not help but scan their surroundings a few more times for any changes. He had not seen forests like these before, and the change of scenery slightly unnerved him.
" What do you think they'll do to us?"
" Has anyone ever met one before?"
" No, but I heard they don't like humans very much."
" I heard they don't like anyone very much, let alone humans."
" I heard they hunt humans for sport."
" They hunt Orcs, dimwit."
" Oh."
" So when are we going to reach their land?"
" Haven't you been paying attention? We are on their land. We've been walking through their forests for the past 20 minutes."
A slight chill seemed to sweep on all the troops, but Aragorn kept silent. He knew very well they were not in human territory any longer. The air seemed more humid this far East; the forests thicker and full of wildflowers he'd never seen before. Colorful birds could be seen in the gray dusk, and the occasional flare of a feline's eyes could be caught in the distance. Large cats and various exotic animals were said to be found in these types of woods, because the climate was so much warmer. He heard it hardly ever snowed there. But who were these people, that lived among this greenery and warmth? Could they help them in this bloody war between the Orcs and Middle Earth? The only comfort Aragorn found from the growing darkness was the wizard, Gandalf, his horse loping along with his steward at the front of the barrage. Aragorn almost smiled with affection at the long pointy hat, the white beard, and the robust laugh that came from him; obviously the steward was telling the amusing story he told last night at dinner.
His thoughts were interrupted by a shove in the arm. The man turned his shaggy, black head to the man on his right; Robert." What is it?"
" What was the purpose of us coming, captain?" he said in a low, curious voice to the captain." The wizard said they wouldn't harm us."
" It doesn't hurt to be cautious, Robert," a loud, obnoxious soldier named Thelmir added, turning to grin cheekily in the growing dark." Besides; it's Faerie's we're dealing with. They've always been sneaky, you just never know when you might make one mad and get an arrow between your eyes."
" William, silence yourself," Aragorn scolded. He had had enough of the whispering and bickering going on, although he well understood their unease.
" They could be hiding in these woods listening to us this very moment!!" another young soldier said with an accompanied nervous gesture.
" A perceptive boy."
Aragorn's head snapped around and murmurs from the soldiers came up when the foreign, clear voice made itself known. Where did it come from?? He didn't see anyone in the woods near them at all. Soft laughter accompanied the dumbfounded look on the soldiers' faces, and fleeting dark images passed their vision in the dark forest.
" Captain Thorongil," he suddenly heard Gandalf call out." Come here; I would like you meet a few of my good friends."
As he pushed his way to the front of the line, a soldier hissed at him," Don't look into their eyes too long. They say the Fae have mind powers and can read your mind and control it in a heartbeat."
Aragorn smirked to himself and shook his head at the young soldier as he made it to the front, standing between the brown and white horses of his steward and the old wizard. They both hopped down with him, and were faced with an awesome site.
A giant gate that seemed to be made of liquid gold with leaves tendriled around the bars stood open in their path, telling Aragorn they had reached the palace of Miranda; one of the nine major countries of the Faerie Kingdom that were ruled overall by a tenth, where the queen had her quarters. A faint shout sounded, and the gates were opened soundlessly. The ones who opened them stood in the shadows of the growing dark, so only their profiles were visible, but the weapons in their possession were clear as day to Aragorn. A quiver of arrows were on each of their backs, one male and one female, and bows were held at the ready in their hands. Aragorn regarded them wearily, before a commotion their left caught his attention.
Soldiers murmured as they were pressed to their right, and Ecthelion had to move his horse to the side as another horse clopped past. Aragorn watched for the rider of the gray mare, and found it to be a woman with pale golden curls, a serene, blank face, and a silver tiara sloping down her forehead. He heard Gandalf mutter to his steward," Princess Maia, of Triton."
" They are arriving for the meeting, I presume?" Ecthelion murmured.
" Yes," Gandalf confirmed. She was gone before they could comment further, and Gandalf gestured for them to continue. The soldiers, Aragorn, and the two on horseback moved on into the palace grounds slowly, the palace itself still a distance away. The jungle cleared to accommodate the area, and underneath Aragorn's feet was lush grass with a few wild plants growing here and there, sprouting vividly colored flowers that pleased the eye.
It was not long before another horse carrying a royal member of the Faerie kingdom passed them pay. The brown mare trotted at a slow pace past, and the soldiers and Aragorn could not help but look over. Her blue dress stood out shockingly against the green of the foliage, and long dark brown hair fell down her back, bound only by the circlet of gold around the top of her head. Turning her head to the slight noise the soldiers were making, she looked down at them beneath her nose, her face grim and openly unfriendly. Aragorn shifted uncomfortably and his mouth set in its own grim line.
" It appears as if we are not so welcome here, my lord," Aragorn commented darkly.
Ecthelion shook his head slowly, almost sadly." Prejudices die hard, Thorongil. I believe we will be hard pressed in convincing some members of the Fae royalty that."
" Who was she?" an anonymous soldier asked.
" Princess Lourine of Lo," Gandalf responded. His solemn face changed a few moments after, however, when he heard the clopping of two other horses and recognized one. A slow smile spread across his face." The princesses of Saffron and Ciel."
Their voices reached the men first, than the two white horses passed by slowly. The nearest one to them had her head turned towards the others, speaking lightly to her companion in the foreign, strange language of the Fae. Her white gown was odd; sleeveless on her right side so the fabric wrapped around her back and front, but it left her left shoulder bare. Her laugh was joyful, and he found himself watching her momentarily. Her hair was a light mix of brown and blonde, and pulled up in an intricate bun behind her head, showing off finely pointed ears and the arch of the tiara down to her forehead. As if finally noticing the stares of the awed soldiers, she turned her brown/blonde head and gave them a view of her lovely face. Her eyes sought out, surprisingly, Gandalf, and when she spotted him she smiled, flashing white teeth. Gandalf smiled affectionately back and raised a hand to greet her. She briefly raised her hand, as well, then with a slight shake of her hair turned her attention back to her dark haired companion as they rode off.
" You know her?" Ecthelion asked Gandalf, his eyes amused.
" I know her, as well others," Gandalf confirmed.
" That should help our cause," Ecthelion nodded approvingly.
Gandalf laughed." Yes, I believe it will."
Aragorn shook his head and smiled, and figured that would be the last of the ethereal travelers, but a few minutes later yet another horse clopped its way by them. Curious, he took in the dark brown mare and its rider. What caught his attention was her different state of dress; instead of a gown, she wore boots, a teal tunic and a skirt with a belt that a scabbard hung from. Female warriors, Aragorn thought to himself. He had heard they were not rare in Faerie Kingdoms; in fact, they were quite common. Her black hair was pulled up in a ponytail that bounced along with the horse, and a fine sheath of moisture shined from her forehead. Her gaze sweeped from in front of her to the soldiers, a distinct look of disinterest on her face, but it changed when she spotted Gandalf. She smirked, then smiled, and the wizard smiled back the same way he did with the lighter haired woman. She nodded her acknowledgement, and Gandalf raised a hand before the horse trotted off.
" Female warriors?" a soldier exclaimed, his tone incredulous.
" Not as uncommon as you would think," Ecthelion responded lightly.
Their journey to the palace was quickly coming to an end, as they drew closer to the massive building. A figure stepped out of it and walked slowly down the steps to greet them.
" The Princess Aaclyde," Gandalf murmured to Ecthelion. The steward raised an eyebrow at the unfamiliar custom of the leader of the realm greeting them in the front rather than the advisor.
She stopped when she reached them, and Ecthelion and Gandalf slid off their horses. The woman signaled for a young looking Faerie, who came up and took the reigns of the two horses. A sleek cap of tousled golden hair that ended at just about the middle of her pointed ears, framed her face, and cerulean blue eyes met the steward's gaze. She, as well, possessed a tiara that sloped down her forehead to end in a sapphired jewel. This was not what caught everyone's attention, however; nay, it was the shimmering behind her back that did.
The soldiers were hard pressed to hold in their reactions as they made out the outline of a pair of transparent blue wings; an ocean's blue and purple etched in, more prominent where veins were present. They curved up and behind from the Faerie's back, fluttering together like the twitch of a muscle. Most peculiar was the way they swept down again in jagged, almost torn-looking edges until they met between her shoulder-blades again. Aragorn tried to remember all the stories Elrond told him about the Fae, yet he could not recall one that answered his question of whether the wings were truly functional or not.
" Good day, Princess Aacylde." Ecthelion extended his hand and she shook it.
" A pleasure to meet you, steward," she replied in a smooth, low voice.
" Princess, this is captain Thorongil," Gandalf said in a commanding voice.
Not knowing why he was being introduced exclusively, he held out his hand and nodded. Instead of returning the gesture, the Faerie princess pierced him with a cool, searching look, then nodded her greeting. She studied him a second longer, as if in speculation, then turned to the wizard, a ghost of a smile on her face." Gandalf," she acknowledged. She began speaking in Fae to him.
Their conversation continued for a minute or two before a horn sounded, and the princess Aaclyde turned to look at him and the steward. She spoke a few more words in that Fae, then turned to look at the young captain standing before her with a bemused look on her face." Welcome to Miranda, captain Thorongil ," she said to him in the Common Tongue, then turned, beckoning the company to follow her. Two Faeries stood on either side of the steps at attention, and fixed their gazes on the passing humans. Aragorn found himself staring right back at the male guard; musky green eyes calculated him closely behind strands of silvery hair, the first male Faerie he had seen. Aragorn broke eye contact with the guard and studied the palace. The walls and pillars seemed to be made of gold and white marble, with balconies, open windows, and leaves spiraling up the sides that had grown from the ground.
Aragorn had perviously noticed the apparent absence of Miranda's soldiers, than remembered what the soldiers in Rivendell would do. He looked behind him briefly, into the trees. He could see them; over forty of them, in the area around the palace-the rest must have been inside. Each one that he could see in the trees, on the ground, in the bushes, had a weapon, be it sword or arrow, at the ready in their hands. He could see many, aye, but he knew there were more that he could not see.
Aragorn watched a particular Faerie leaning against the trunk of a tree; she was thin, with golden skin and blonde hair pulled up away from her face. She wore war attire, and had dirt smudges and bruises on her arms and face; even on her pointy ears. A bow was drawn back halfway in a slack position in her hands, the arrow pointing to the ground. Her eyes were narrowed as she watched the steward, the wizard, and Aragorn walk past told him that they were just as wary of the humans as the humans were wary of them.
Aragorn turned his attention back to the front, and soon enough they reached the large, double doors of the palace. Two more guards pulled them open, and Aaclyde stopped before entering. Turning, she swept her hair from her face and gave the soldiers a stony, closed look." Your men may stay out here for the time being," she began, and Aragorn swore she spat out the word 'men' with sarcasm and a glimmer of amusement. He was suddenly sure it was her that had spoken to them the first time as they were discussing their superstitions of the race during the journey here; she did not seem to think too highly of the steward's chosen men." I am sure they will behave." A few slight snickers came from the trees, but the Faeries they had previously seen in the wood were nowhere to be found
" Follow me." She turned, and the three walked inside. Faeries bustled around the large, high ceilinged room; some possessed the shimmering wings he had seen on Princess Aaclyde, yet others did not. Aragorn assumed they hid them, although he wasn't so sure. He swept his gaze around the room, taking in a pool of crystal clear water with floating lily pads and a little waterfall was cut into the marble on the right side. Smiling slightly to himself, he looked up at the ceiling momentarily before gazing to his left, getting a mild jolt of surprise at what he found there.
The last Faerie that had rode past on horseback sat at a small table partially obscured by a pillar. Her feet were propped up on the table, and her head was leaned back as she cleaned her sword off with a white rag. She was conversing with the brownish blonde headed Faerie that had smiled at Gandalf, who was leaning against the table across from her. Aragorn raised his eyebrows at the dark haired Faerie's choice of sitting position, and before he could think on it further, Ecthelion signaled for him, and they walked further to stop and converse with Aacylde a bit more.
" You would think they had never seen a palace before," the black haired Faerie commented, watching the human visitors along the length of her sword as she wiped it off.
The dirty blonde haired Faerie lifted her head and smiled." No, not at all." She gestured toward her friend and stood up straight." I think it's about to begin."
She sighed deeply as she sheathed her sword and her companion chuckled." The formality of it makes me nauseous."
" Welcome to my world," the golden eyed Faerie grinned.
" I don't know how you stand it." They walked over in Aaclyde's direction slowly, conversing easily and laughing until they were only a few feet away from the human visitors. Other princesses gathered to join them, but Gandalf and the steward continued speaking to Aacylde. The captain's attention, however, wavered from her to the newcomers every few seconds.
" Quite curious, is he not?" the light haired Princess asked her companion, who smirked and exchanged glances with her.
" What I fail to understand is our need of protection from men." Princess Lourine sauntered up, speaking in Westron to catch the attention, and disapproval, from Ecthelion and Aragorn." We seem to be doing just fine without their assistance," she articulated coldly, yet all under a fine sheathe of civility.
" They are not all bad," the black haired Faerie turned to give her a withering glare. Aragorn's eyebrows shot up with surprise at her apparent support of his kind.
Princess Lourine fully faced the female warrior and eyed her with distaste." I thought this meeting was for royalty only," she said in the Fae tongue, her voice sugary sweet." I have no idea what you are doing here."
" She is filling in for her Princess, and has every right to be here," the Faerie's companion shot back coolly, pinning the other woman with a dangerous look in her catlike, golden eyes." I suggest you hold your tongue, Lourine."
The princess stiffened and matched the other's gaze for a moment longer, before dropping it to Aaclyde.
" Finished?" Princess Aaclyde asked mildly.
" My apologies," Lourine replied in Westron, and Ecthelion acknowledged it with a tight-lipped nod.
Aacylde turned around and stepped up a few steps carpeted with a long dark blue rug. She met with the figure sitting on a throne at the top, and put a hand on hers." My queen, they are ready to see you," she said softly. Her hand was patted affectionately, and Aacylde stepped back.
" Come, Steward of Gondor," came a warm, soothing voice." I have been waiting for your arrival." The tall, slim figure stood, and deep, sparkling blue eyes regarded first the steward, then the wizard with sad warmth. Eyes that were old, yet young; innocent, yet ancient as the very trees surrounding her home." It has been many years, Gandalf the Gray."
" Yes it has, Emilia," Gandalf responded with equal warmth, sweeping off his hat for the Faerie queen.
The light haired Faerie spoke to her friend in a whisper in her ear, and the black haired one laughed softly, her amused deep purple eyes meeting Aragorn's briefly. They appeared carefree to him, without worries; mischief gleamed in the dark haired Faerie's eyes and amusement in the other's golden ones, and he almost envied them. He could not remember feeling that way since the wars consumed his life, as well as the duties of being a captain. The young man shook away his thoughts and turned his attention back to the even more breathtaking queen of the Fae world. Lush, thick black curls framed a pale face, sweeping to the shoulders of her pale blue and purple gown. She held herself with a calm inner peace and dignity, and looked at them with respect. Behind her, pale blue wings shimmered and fluttered with slight movement. Here was a leader Aragorn could respect and like, he thought. As if reading his thoughts, her gaze turned to him, and with mild scrutiny, she studied him, reminding him of the powerful Elven stares he had grown used to living in Rivendell .' Welcome, Aragorn, son of Arathorn.' Her inner voice penetrated his mind as she continued talking to the king and Gandalf. His eyes widened. She knew his real name, but he should have expected as much.' You will do many great things in your life. You will not let me down; I trust you.'
" We made it unscathed, your Highness," the steward's voice boomed in the large room." Your kingdom is absolutely breathtaking."
She gave him an amused smile." Many thanks for your kind words, but it is toward Aaclyde that they shall be directed. It is her country I am staying in for the time being. Would you like to sit down?" She gestured toward a large table to their right, and he nodded in confirmation. The princesses and other Faeries followed at their queen's beckoning, and sat on the opposite side of the steward, the captain and Gandalf. Aragorn found himself directly across from the black haired warrior, who met his gaze briefly before turning to speak quietly with her companion. The lighter haired Faerie gave him a nod and a brief smile, for which he gratefully returned. He found himself a little uncomfortable with the extremely formal meeting, and it was thoughtful of her to set him at ease. The darker haired one sat back and looked at him again curiously before drawing her attention to the queen. Watching her for a moment more, Aragorn noticed silver hoops dangling from her ears, and an inch thick black ribbon snugly wrapped around her throat.
The queen settled in her chair across from Ecthelion and cut right to the point." There have been recent attacks on the borders of Triton that threatened these borders, so I felt obliged to come and see for myself. The numbers have been growing alarmingly large in the past few years. I hope your kingdom is faring better, Ecthelion?"
The steward shook his head slowly." Ai, it has not, I am afraid. We, too, are suffering from border attacks, far stronger than they had been in past years. That is why we are here."
She studied him briefly with wise, fathomless deep blue eyes." Yes, that is why you are here. You require assistance in keeping Mordor at bay."
" Yes," Ecthelion II nodded his white, proud head.
" We are both very aware of the threat this is posing. They are killing my people with every attack they make on our borders," she said with a sliver of pain in her voice." And I will tolerate no more. They must be stopped."
The steward of Gondor breathed easier at that moment." I wholeheartedly agree, your Highness." Ecthelion's tension, however, returned when he posed his next comment." I propose, to make it easier on both of our kingdoms, that we create an alliance."
Every princess and advisor stared at the steward, and the queen regarded him with thoughtful eyes." And what exactly would this alliance pertain?" Princess Maia came right out and asked. Her tone was introspective and polite, but she regarded him with cool dark eyes.
" Exactly what it sounds like," Aragorn spoke up, and suddenly every princess, advisor and warrior were pinning him down with deep, calculating eyes. They were almost as bad as Elven stares, Aragorn thought uncomfortably. He waited for Ecthelion's nod before continuing." A sort of 'I will watch your back if you watch mine' deal, if you will. The next time your attacks become bad, you will send word to Gondor and aide will be dispatched. It would be the same if we came across serious trouble."
" My captain is correct," Ecthelion added, enfolding his hands together on the table." We will gladly give you aide if you extend the same courtesy to us."
" What happens when both of us are under the same heavy attack?" The golden eyes princess asked him, her chin propped under her hand.
" Yes," the dark haired Faerie next to her asked him." When we cannot supply the soldiers to give you, and vice versa?" Aragorn watched them, intrigued. This one had the mind of a commander, much like him, he thought, glancing at the Faerie once more. When she looked over sharply, he looked away, but not before he caught her amused smile.
" We can negotiate a system," Ecthelion responded." Perhaps reserve troops in the case that this would happen." Properly appeased and interested by his remark, the two exchanged glances before sitting back.
" It is also made more convenient by how close your two kingdoms are," Gandalf added seriously." There would not be that long of a wait for an exchange in soldiers
Emilia briefly looked at Gandalf before settling back to Ecthelion. A glimmer of a smile graced her face, and she spoke." I see the truth in your words. I agree with it; however, I will not agree if my countries' leader's do not agree. It is their countries that will be effected."
The women exchanged glances, than began to murmur to each other quietly. This continued for several minutes while Aragorn, Gandalf and Ecthelion looked on, before it eventually died down. One by one, each princess and Faerie gave her confirmation, and Ecthelion coached his expression although inside he was grinning joyfully.
" I believe this is the beginning of a new chapter in history, is it not?" Emilia's voice held dry humor, but her eyes were smiling.
Ecthelion chuckled and caught Aragorn's eyes." Indeed it is." To Emilia's amusement, he reached over the table and held out his and. She shook it with a smile." Shall we draw up the documents, my Queen?"
With the signatures of nine Faerie leaders, advisors and warriors alike, the first alliance between Men and Faeries was formed.