This is not my first story ever, but it is the first story to ever go online. Please tell me if something doesn't fit into the original story. I have only seen the movie, so this is set in the realm of the movies.
If you find any mistakes in my spelling or grammar, please tell me. English is not my native language.
Warning: In later chapters, this story will contain Male on Male action.
Disclaimer: As this is a fan fiction, nothing in this story is owned by me, except for the idea.
Introduction
What lies beyond the fires of Mount Doom? Many have wandered, but none have returned. They have been slayed by orks, or have simply lost the way. Men knows the sea of Nurnen lies there, but none have gone. Men knows what lies at the borders of the north, west and south, but no maps are drawn of the small portion of land (though it is many kilometers across) east of Mordor, where the sun rises when you look from the natural mountain borders of Mordor.
Now that the land of Mordor has collapsed into the fiery pits of the earth and ork can harm man no more, it might be time to explore what land lies there.
Chapter one
The flag waves
Aragorn had packed, and now sat down on his kingly bed. He sighed and smiled, yet a certain nervous, primal look was in his eyes.
"What worries you?" Arwen asked of him. She was seated beside him and reached for his hand, which Aragorn eagerly grasped.
"Guilt." He replied. "Especially for Faramir. It had been only five years since Mordor and three since his marriage to Eowyn. I fear I might be pulling him and my other friends to their deaths if I take them on this journey. I fear to part them from the lives they have found after the start of the new age."
"Mordor is gone, now. You and your friends are aching for a new journey. You may be a king now, but the greatest part of your life you have been a ranger. You were not made to sit still, Aragorn."Arwen got to her feet and stared at him intensely. "Do not worry, for I will rule these lands in your absence. Nothing will go wrong under my judgment and you will return even more famous a king once you have seen the lands beyond Mordor."
Aragorn wanted to reply, but a knock on the door came.
"It's about time for you to get out of your chambers, my king." He recognized the voice of Legolas, one of the few elves who had not left for the undying lands. Perhaps the most human of elves Aragorn had ever met.
"Don't give me that 'your king', Legolas. " Aragorn said. He opened the door and greeted his friend with a pat on his shoulder. "I will be right there." He gestured for Arwen to give him her arm to hold and when they left the room, they were in the role of king and queen. The staff of the house greeted them at the entrance and bowed while they nodded in approval. Aragorn gave a nod to dismiss them.
"Quite the crowd has gathered outside." Legolas said. "Clearly the public is interested in what we are up to."
"Obviously…" Aragorn muttered. Even though this was an informal leave, word got around quickly in Minas Tirith and most of the citizens had gathered outside to see the king and his friends go on another journey. Aragorn had purposely put on his traveling clothes. The clothes he had worn all his life were gone, of course, because a king could simply not go out in clothes that had holes and unprofessional repairs in them. Now he wore simple clothes. A linen shirt, linen trousers and a short tabard. Above it he wore a complete black leather armor and sturdy black leather boots. The white tree of Gondor was stitched onto his sleeve.
"I will ride out on Brego." He told the stable boy.
"Brego is saddled and ready, my lord." The boy muttered nervously. He made a head gesture in the direction of the stables, where the proud brown horse stood, along with the friends that would join him on this journey: Gimli the dwarf, Merry and Pipin, the hobbits who left the shire for Gondor and Faramir.
"I can't say I'm anything but glad that you are willing to come along, my friends."Aragorn said.
"Well, you shouldn't!" Gimli yelled. "I'm surprised you even found the time to come with us!" He scoffed theatrically. Faramir hit him on the back of the head.
"It's very much true." Aragorn said. "If you had told me before the fellowship that I was to be king, I would have laughed at you, but now I am a busy man indeed.
"Well, at least we are glad to go somewhere again!" Merry said.
"The Shire seems to have grown lame and slow. A journey is the reason we left!" His cousin filled in.
"Yes, and for the pints of course…"
"Hushhhh!" Pippin hissed frantically. Merry rolled his eyes and everyone laughed.
"I think it is time we set out, don't you?" Legolas said, as he saddled his horse and mounted it. He pulled Merry in front of him. The others answered in agreement and mounted as well. Gimli this time had his own horse, for he had taken lessons from Eowyn.
Aragorn gave the crown to Arwen.
"Keep it safe and rule well." He said, tucking away a strand of hair that had gone astray and had fallen in front of her face. She pecked him on the lips.
"Safe travels." She muttered in elvish. She pressed the crown against her breast.
Then, the men left on their horses. Outside the citadel premises most of Gondor had gathered to give them quick nods of approval and a few curious looks. The elderly showed a clear disgust to their highness' choice of clothing, but the rest of them seemed not to mind, or even appreciate it.
"They think the clothes make you more human than any king or steward before."Legolas explained. " But the elderly are used to the arrogance of Denetor. They think a king should only be king, and act that way."
"A moronic assumption of course!"Gimli shouted and he grinned to the audience. "They also think that an axe is only a tool for chopping trees! I can tell them otherwise…"
"perhaps that is something to keep quiet about, my friend." Aragorn quickly hushed them. Even though Gimli was a good friend, his speech was barbaric and everyone had trouble not taking treats seriously when they did not know him.
Down the seven levels of the white city they rode, between the masses, until the giant gate showed around the corner. The way was kept free by the guards.
"Open the gate!" Arwen yelled. Six guards in ceremonial clothing ran to the heavy door and pushed it open. At that exact moment, the white light of the sunrise blinded the crowd. In this seemingly divine light, the new fellowship rode out and the black flags of Gondor waved as they passed.