Oira Laurë 3: Final Brilliance
The White City
Demi was weak and her fever was peaking again. Gandalf knew he had to help her, but there was no time to stop. It would be better for her to wait until they reached the city for medical attention. He just hoped they would get to Minas Tirith soon. The elf witch was constantly coming in and out of consciousness, when this happened her head fell back onto Boromir's chest. It was his incentive to hurry home. He was worried sick night and day.
The horses ran with all speed, having no need to be pushed on by their masters. They had passed the Fords of Isen within the first hour and were making great time, but it was still not fast enough. Pippin was recovering and Demi was on her way. There was more to her confrontation with Sauron than was seen. There was something he did to her to make her so ill; Gandalf knew this, but not how. How could a lidless eye affect her so? It was a thought to frightening for the wizard. Demi was venerable and there was no way for anyone to protect her.
Three days and two nights had passed and on the third evening, the moon rosein the east almost full in physique. They were to ride yet again throughout the night. They were all weary, but Demi less so, as her strength had returned almost entirely that morning. They rarely took a rest and focussed on the road ahead, ever drawing closer to their destination.
"Where are we?" Demi heard Pippin ask from ahead.
"We have passed into the realm of Gondor." Gandalf said as they raced along the ground.
As they rode on, Demi saw flames peaked along the mountains.
"The beacons have been lit. Hope is lit for Gondor!" Boromir said, more so to himself. "Here, now Rohan will ride and my city will be saved, if it is not already lost."
When the cold dawn had come brought with cold grey mists in the twilight, the group halted for a moment. Gandalf spoke to the men that surrounded them. Demi stirred in her seat, slowly waking back up. She looked up and saw Boromir smiling down to her.
"Yes, we do know you Mithrandir and know that you hold the seven passwords of the gates in your mind. Doubtless of that are we, and with you the son of the Steward Denethor. The two of you may pass, the lady too, but your small companion there we are not so sure of. Is he a dwarf of the mountains? We will have no strangers pass into our lands. Not in such dark times, unless they be men of arms in whose faith their trust is renowned." A man said to the wizard. His hair glimmered in the light, yet all about him, his fellow men were hard at work fixing what seemed to be a wall.
"I will vouch for him to Denethor, but valour you aught to know cannot be matched by stature. My friend here has fought in many more battles and witnessed more perils than yourself Ingold, even if he is half of your height. We come now bearing tidings from the storming of Isengard with great weariness. His name is Peregrin and a valiant man beyond measure." Gandalf said with an air of authority.
"Man?" Ingold asked while his companions about him laughed. Demi glared at them at their mockery.
"I am no man Gandalf!" Pippin said, sitting up straight in his seat. "I am a hobbit, twice as valiant as a man! No offence meant, Boromir my friend."
"None of your words have been taken to heart Master Pip." Boromir said, smiling at Pippin.
"A hobbit? I have not heard of such a creature." Ingold said.
"A Halfling, but not one that was spoken of, yet one of his kindred." Gandalf said.
"Well that is enough for my ears at this time, but it is good to see you Lord Boromir. It has been long since you have been home." Ingold said, addressing Boromir. "And is this lady yours?"
"Oh, no! No! Do not be mistaken. This is my fair friend Vaira, of the elven kin. Her heart is not mine to win." Boromir said bashfully.
"It is an honour milady." Ingold said, bowing to Demi. She smiled in return, but was still slightly sour about how he addressed Pippin. "Now pass quickly, for the Lord of Minas Tirith will be glad to see his son once again!"
"We shall, but you should not waste such time rebuilding your walls, for that it is too late. Take up now your swords. Courage is your nest defence against the storm that is now at your feet!" Gandalf said.
"Our work shall be complete this evening, but we shall keep your counsel in mind Mithrandir." Ingold said. "But tell me first, will Rohan answer the call, or have they left us to our own doom?"
"They will answer, though they have already fought many battles without our aid. Be vigilant!" Boromir said.
With their farewells said, the foursome rode on into the early hours into the land of Rammas Echor, a wide land, fair and fertile with towns running along the long slopes. The sky had turned light now and they had ridden for some time. Where the White Mountains at last came to their end they saw Mount Mindolluin. As though built out from the mountain and conjoined to it was a city with seven levels: The Guarded City. Demi gazed on in marvel. The city was a wonder all unto itself. It almost seemed impossible, but it was not so. The seven levelled white city stood on the knee of the mountain as the sun climbed over the eastern shadow. A beam of light fell upon the city, making it shine and glitter. White banners swayed in the breeze as though they were dancing to a sweet melody only they could hear, then trumpets sounded, great and clear.
They rode up to great iron doors which opened before them and they were greeted by many men.
"Mithrandir! Now the storm is high and indeed upon us!" They cried in despair.
"Let us pass, for I must speak at once with Lord Denethor." Was all the wizard said. At his command, all fell back to let the two horses pass. They flew up the winding streets in the hope to reach Denethor before time was too late, threw each of the six lower levels, passing through each of its gates. At the last gate and the entrance to the Citadel and dismounted they passed and hurried to the high court.
The guards there wore black clothing and worm helms similar to those the Conquistadors wore, high crowned and covering most of their heads, sitting close to their faces, gleaming like a silver fire, and they were wrought of mithril. On their black surcoats was a picture embroided. It was a white tree blossoming, and above that, a silver crown and many pointed stars. The small group of four were admitted into the court without question and they walked across the court, in the centre of white stood a dead tree, but all else in the surrounding gardens were well tended.
Gandalf pulled Demi and Pippin aside from Boromir who stood patiently waiting for his friends.
"Watch your words and do not speak out of hand. Théoden is kindly, unlike Denethor, though his mood may be lifted at his sons return. He is a proud and stubborn man of a great lineage and power, though he is not king. Say naught of Aragorn when it can be avoided and leave out Frodo's errand all together." He said with grave words. They both nodded in agreement and joined Boromir, even if Pippin did not wholly understand this.
Boromir offered Demi his arm and she took it, slightly nervous about meeting the Steward. Gandalf knocked on the large door, which soon opened by themselves.
"Creepy." Demi muttered to herself.
Behind the door was a long and great hall. The windows in the wide aisles on either side lit the room well and tall pillars held p the roof. The hall was not decorated by any tapestry or statue, but rather the hall was quiet and sombre. Between the pillars stood tall bodies in cold grey stone, like those of Argonath. The avenue of dead kings.
Further down in the hall sat a man on a stone chair beneath the empty throne that was set up high above many steps that led up to it. The man was old, wrinkled with age and troubles of his time. In his hands he held a book and he traced along it with his fingers, then made notes here and there, but he did not look up to see who had entered his hall.
"Hail Denethor, son of Ecthelion, Lord and Steward of Gondor. I come to you now with tidings and counsel in such dark times." Gandalf said.
The old man looked up and beheld Gandalf first, but when his gaze shifted to meet Boromir's, he stood and walked forth, a proud smile on his face.
"Boromir, my beloved son. You have returned to me! I thought of you lost to me, but seeing your face...it is all the proof I need to care not for the doubts of my mind." Denethor said, taking his son into a warm embrace.
"Father. It has been too long." Boromir said, hugging his father. Gandalf looked slightly angry and he tried to return the Stewards attention to the matter at hand.
"Denethor. Celebrate your sons return later, the dark shadow is come and will strike soon." The wizard said.
"Dark indeed is the hour and at such times you are wont to come, Mithrandir. Tell me first who is in your company. Doubtless that you know that we do not take so kindly to those unknown to us?"
"That I know, but those I bring are my friends and allies of Gondor. May I present Lady Vairaista of Lothloríen and Peregrin Took of the Shire, a Halfling." Gandalf said.
"A Halfling? Little love do I bear for that name since those accursed words came to my council, that my son was almost gone from me because of...one of these Halflings." Denethor said his voice cold.
"And yet if it were not for Lady Vaira here and her friend Aurenessa, I would have perished. It is not the fault of my hobbit friend here father. Do not blame him for such." Boromir said.
"How could two women, be her elf or no, save my son from certain death against a battalion of orcs?" Denethor asked with great reservation.
Gandalf shook his head, signalling to Boromir not to tell. Denethor would surely take advantage of Demi's gifts.
"They are gifted with their weapons my lord." Boromir said.
"And yet this hobbit as you call him, through all the strange tales I have heard of him embarking on, could not come to your aid son?" Denethor said.
"Then Lord Steward I am in your debt! Please, as payment...I offer you my service." Pippin said, bowing before Denethor. A wicked smile, gleaming as though of winter passed over the Steward's face.
"Give me your weapon Halfling!" Denethor said. Pippin reluctantly handed his small sword over, presenting the hilt to the man on the throne.
"I accept your service, for you are not daunted by words and you have courteous speech; strange though the sound of it may be in the South. And we shall have need of all folk of courtesy, be they great or small, in the days to come. Swear to me now!" Denethor commanded.
"Take the hilt," Gandalf said, "and speak after the Lord if you are resolute to this."
"That I am." Pippin said.
Denethor laid the sword along his lap and Pippin put his hand on the hilt as instructed and repeated slowly after Denethor:
"Here do I swear fealty and service to Gondor,
And to the Lord and Steward of the realm,
To speak and be silent,
To do and let be,
To come and to go,
In need or in plenty,
In peace or war
In living or dying,
From this hour henceforth,
Until my Lord release me,
Or death take me,
Or the world end.
So say I, Peregrin son of Paladin of the Shire of the Halflings."
"And this do I hear, Denethor, Son of Ecthelion, Lord of Gondor and Steward of the High King, and I will not forget it, nor fail to reward that which is given: fealty with love, valour with honour, oath-breaking with vengeance." Denethor said at last as Pippin took back his sword and sheathed it again. "Now my first command for you Master Peregrin, tell me of your tale in full. Sit now and begin!"
As Denethor was talking, servants came in bearing food and wine and seats for the Stewards son and his guests.
"See to it that none trouble us for an hour." Denethor commanded and they were left alone. Pippin retold his story, leaving out Frodo and the ring and Aragorn where he could with aid from Gandalf. Demi sat silently, though Denethor was Boromir's father, and she was very close to Boromir, she loathed Denethor. In his eyes she knew that love had long left him, and he hated his younger son, of which Boromir had told the girls much of.
For long it seemed they talked of the journey they took, of Isengard and Rohan. And yet though they were elusive of Aragorn, still Denethor heard news that the Heir of Isildur could be out there. Gandalf grew angry and stormed out, Pippin at his side. Boromir and Demi stood, and Demi was about to take off after them, but Boromir grabbed her arm.
"No, leave him be. It is not your place Vaira. Be at peace for now and rest while you can." He said.
"I can't, that is not my place Boromir." She said.
"My son, show your lovely lady to a room and let her rest, take rest also for yourself. Your journey has been tiring." Denethor said, going back to his meal.
"Yes, father." Boromir said and led Demi from the great hall.
"We have to find Gandalf!" Demi said once they were out of ear-shot.
"I know, come now, but my father would not be pleased to know that I would take the side of a wizard over his own." Boromir replied.
They left the hall and crossed the court then walked over to a house after a few turns here and there close to the wall of the Citadel. They met the guide who showed Gandalf and Pippin to their room and he showed them where their friends had gone. At the door to their room they saw Gandalf.
"I am in haste, Pippin. Do me a favour when you go out, even before you rest, if you are not too weary. Go and find Shadowfax and see how he is housed. These people are kindly to beasts, for they are good and wise folk, but they have less skill with horses than some." The wizard said. He turned and saw Boromir and Demi walking towards him. "I am off, but I do not know when I shall return, I have business to attend to." Was all he said and then he left.
AE: Well, there is the first chapter down for OL3: Final Brilliance, thanks to Levanna for the name. Anyway, this was a fairly long chapter compared to the ones I normally write, but I hope you enjoyed it. Next chapter will focus on Rhia, Aragorn and the gang, then the next with Demi and so forth. Sorry if it confuses anyone, but it works out in my head!
Levanna: Thanks for your review. Its really appreciated. Its true though, you do rock. Thanks again for the story title. I was hitting a brick wall trying to think of something. Total loss of inspiration and ideas. I ended up ditching the heels for most of the night only coz my feet were sore, I figured out how to walk in them. Thanks for pulling me up in that typo, I didn't even notice it, I might fix it, depends on how lazy I am, and now that's pretty darn lazy!
Well, here's to the first part of part 3. I cannot believe that I even made it this far to be honest. But I wouldn't be here without the undying loyalty and support from Levanna and all those who have taken an interest in my works. I really thank you.