Until the Stars Are All Alight

Summary- Not all evils can be totally defeated. Not all light shall meet dark, nor can either truly be defeated. There is a delicate balance between good and evil. When Saruman ruled at Orthanc, he made a pact with the Orcs and Uruk-Hai. They were to aid the forces of Barad-Dur when the time came to smite the world of Men. But that oath wasn't held fulfilled, as the Ents stormed Orthanc, destroying some but not all of those who had sworn an oath to the Wizard. Now, as King Aragorn slowly fades into shadow with his wife, Queen Arwen, their eldest and only son, Eldarion, takes up the throne. Now all their hopes rest within the strength of this new king. But help shall come from many unlikely places...The Fellowship had begun to be reformed between the races of Middle Earth.

Disclaimer: This is based of a site on Avidgamers called Afterfate. The plotline belongs to Crownless and most of these characters, besides Merenwen, whom is my creation, belong to their owners. Do not sue me either for using the world of Tolkien.

Special Note: This was on my old account but, thankfully, I deleted it off it and is now posted here. So cheers!

Chapter One- Bittersweet

It had been a thing of glory as the rightful king, Aragorn, son of Arathorn, had taken the throne in the White City, rekindling the hope for peace and a better life. It was a celebration that outlasted all celebrations throughout time and knowledge. The Ring had been destroyed by Frodo Baggins, aided by his faithful and steadfast servant and friend, Samwise Gamgee. The world had been saved and the time to rebuild was at hand. Hope had been stowed upon all and the strength in men seemed to grow with every passing day.

Most of the elves departed for the Undying lands in Valinor. Galadriel, Celeborn, Elrond, and Gandalf the White, along with the ringbearer, Frodo Baggins, and his old and weary uncle Bilbo Baggins to sail away with them. Tears were shed between friends as the ship sailed off into the West, where Frodo would no longer bear the weight and pain that the Ring had brought upon him. But the story does not end there. For a new generation was born into the world just before our dear Frodo had gone into the West.

In the morning hours of Spring, Eldarion was born to Aragorn and Arwen, their first and only son to come. His hair was dark, like his mother, though his eyes held a sense of the world around him, as had Aragorns'. And, only two years later, their first of twelve daughters was born.

Her name was Merenwen, and it was while peering into his little sisters' cradle that Eldarion and she bonded. That bond would last them a lifetime of love, life, joy, and sorrow. But enough of that. Let us go into the future, 20 years ahead. For this new chapter in life is about to unfold...

"I'm going to catch you Merenwen!"

"Not if Aduialmîr goes faster!"

Pelennor Fields had forever remained a place of remembrance to the peoples of Minas Tirith, but at that very moment, the forms of two steeds and their riders flew across them. The stallion was a dark brown and the mare an off-white. The riders were no mystery to the Guards of the Citadel, watching the siblings race one another. Eldarion and Merenwen, the eldest in the family, had grown into young adults in this world. Merenwen was nearing her 17th birthday while her bother was already 19 years of age.

Their laughter could be heard across the plains as Merenwen slowed her mare so that her brother could come up alongside her. Both were undoubtedly children of the King Elesser and Queen Undomiel. Each had the looks of both parents. Eldarion was at least as tall as their father, his hair mixed between dark brown and black. His skin was rugged and yet held the fair complexity of his mother. Merenwen looked most, out of her sisters so far, like her mother. Her hair was a deep ebony tone, her skin a fair shade of cream. Though she had her father's storm hued eyes of blue-gray.

"I hope things stay like this forever." Mused Merenwen aloud as she stayed her mare with a hand upon her nose.

"Alas, little sister, nothing can stay forever in peace." Eldarion said, a smile upon his own features. Each were thinking of the countless tales that their father had told them of the mighty battle in the fields, as had the White Lady Eowyn and The Steward Faramir. The slaying of the Mighty Witch-king was by far the best to listen to. As children, they had listened in rapture when Eowyn would visit them as the story kept them in their seats until the very end. Eldarion had once thought that to be a part of such a thing would have bee fantastic. Merenwen had not thought of that to be anything close to exciting. Now, standing upon the field where blood of many was spilt, neither thought that war sounded exciting anymore.

"One can only hope though."

"Hope can't pull us through everything."

"Pish-posh."

Smiles grew across each of their features. Though they knew that one day they'd need to help keep the kingdom of men strong, neither wanted to wreck this moment of happiness and peace. So they stood there- more like sat actually- and watched as the sun peaked up into the sky.

It was on days like these that one would love to reflect on a happy time. The sky seemed to be reflecting the mood of the kingdom, the clouds of gray covering every speck of blue sky from prying eyes. For the King was dying. Each of his children and his wife were by his side, holding their vigil of prayers that his passing would be easy. Tears streaked down most of the daughter's faces, but Merenwen shed no tears. Her heart was weeping but, as if to show that she could be strong, she kept these feeling inside of her, sitting stiffly upon her chair. Eldarion was in a right state as well. Little had any of them slept for the past few nights as they watched their strong father deteriorate.

It was, in those last hours, that complete silence filled the chamber in which they sat. The breathing of the King was labored as each watched and waited. Dawn was soon approaching as the night was chased away by a meek appearance by the sun for but a moment. Gray clouds covered the bright light, shedding the gloom over the kingdom.

Finally, only mere hours after the sun had risen, the great King of the White City passed on to join his fathers. It was then that tears streamed down every single member of the family's faces as Eldarion embraced their frail looking mother. Thus, her brother, Eldarion, was named King.

He was crowned mere days later. Though they were still grieved by the passing of Aragorn, they greeted Eldarion with enthusiasm. It was, during this ceremony, that Merenwen was made his heir, to rule in the stead of himself rather than the Steward alone. She took this duty as one would- with head high and pride running through her veins that Eldarion had chosen she.

Though the darkness had been thought to have passed, each of the daughters watched as their mother started to fade. Her once ebony hair had gone silver, her eyes loosing their light that shone when she was working. It was her wish to be taken to the Golden Wood. And it was there that she passed on, beneath the trees of the wood that had once been her home.

Thus begins this new chapter in the lives of the children of the White City. Evil has woken once more in the world of Middle Earth. For a new threat seeks to cover the world in shadow once more. And it seeks to rule the entire world of Middle Earth.

The Fellowship shall be restored...