Chapter 1:

Ariadne was proud of the blonde haired man, and who he had become. The one she had once considered a brother had changed into who she now saw: a noble man with a good heart. He was someone she could depend on and love. Her heart ached for him as he hung his head in sadness, his father reprimanding him for yet again something else. Faramir was more of a man than their father could ever be, and she hoped one day he could see that.

"Father, he did the best he could."

Lord Denethor glared at her, "He was practically useless!" he turned to his youngest, "Always you cast a poor reflection on me."

Faramir shook his head, "That is not my intent. . ."

Boromir and Aria exchanged worried looks. They knew their father didn't always approve of Faramir's actions, but they loved him. That was all that mattered to Faramir. Boromir stepped forward and leaned close down to his father, "You give him no credit and yet he tries to do your will."

With that Boromir stalked away, their father trailing behind him like a lost puppy. Aria turned to her adoptive brother, waiting for a response. When nothing came, she pulled him into her embrace.

"Don't listen to him, he loves you," she whispered.

Faramir said nothing, but held her tightly. So badly he wanted to kiss her, but he knew that would have dire consequences. They were so used to the secrets and sneaking around, he hoped one day soon that they could appeal to their father. He loved Aria enough that perhaps he would bless a marriage.

"Aria, there's something I wish to-"

"My daughter!" Denethor called out to her as he approached her side. Taking both of her hands in his, he smiled with pride, "It is time that you venture outside of our kingdom with your brother, Boromir."

Aria laughed, "What do you mean?"

Denethor leaned in and whispered, "There has been a meeting called to order, in Rivendell. The One Ring has been found,"

The girl took a step back, "You cannot ask me to go, I will not."

Her heart was pounding out of her chest, she knew that this Ring was powerful and not to be toyed with. Knowing her adoptive father, he would not be able to keep his hands off of it for long. If the Ring were to fall into the hands of another human, all of Middle Earth would surely be lost.

"But you, my daughter, are strong like your brother. We need trustworthy people like yourselves protecting it. You are to go and bring it back to me, to Gondor."

"Father I will not-"

"You will go, Ariadne." he snapped at her, a madness in his eyes that Aria was slowly becoming familiar with. With a longing look at Faramir, he nodded to her and disappeared in the crowd of soldiers. Boromir put a hand on her shoulder and motioned for her to follow him.


Boromir and Ariadne paced the Great Hall, admiring the statues of past Gondorian Kings. It was also part of Aria's tutoring that she sketch the statues, not that it was all that good.

The oldest royal knew that one day he too would lead the kingdom, having the eyes of the motionless statues peer down at him made him nervous. It also made him determined to lead with as much power and dignity as these men had once done.

Aria stopped in front of one particular marble figure, Minardil. His gaze on her seemed to be one of pride and it made her smile.

"Do you think my family was under the rule of these great Kings?" she asked, voice echoing down the marble hall.

Boromir furrowed his brow, "Aria, your family is the rulers."

"You know what I mean, Boromir,"

He laughed, "I could not say, but your family, wherever they have ended up, will always be held in high honor by me."

Aria thought back to when she had learned about her true family, or, lack of. Lord Denethor and his wife Finduilas had adopted the girl when she was just an infant. This she found out also through rumors, the people of Gondor just couldn't keep the secrets at bay. Aria had come to accept it, just as she had also come to accept Boromir and Faramir as her brothers. Lord Denethor had become father, and Lady Finduilas had become her mother. She knew nothing would ever change that. Royal or not, they were her family and she loved them.

Rumors had been spreading throughout the kingdom about young Aria. Tales were told of how she was actually not of DĂșnedain descent, but of Elven descent. Many said she was delivered to the palace doorstep on a cloudy night by an Elf on a white horse. Of course, Aria knew that she was not of Elven descent. While she was blessed with the long age of the DĂșnedain, she was not immortal. Nor did she have pointed ears, which should have been a dead giveaway, to her at least.

The rumors had mysteriously surfaced within the kingdom. Aria was aware of the citizens that did not appreciate her place in the royal household. She was not of true Gondorian royalty, many thought she should have been cast out a long time ago.

Boromir smiled at his sister and pulled her in for a tight hug, "Cheer up, Aria. The Kings of Old look down on you with pride, just as they do my father."

The dark haired girl laughed quietly, "One day you'll be a marble statue, just like them."

"And it shall be the most handsome statue in this hall!"

Aria arched her brow playfully, "Only a fool would think that!"

The two laughed loudly together, holding their stomachs as they headed towards the door. Just then, a tired looking Faramir burst through the door, sweat dripping from his face.

"Ah, brother-"

"Don't tell father that you've seen me." he pleaded, hurrying past them.

Aria turned and ran after him. She knew that Lord Denethor was harsh on the youngest and his actions took it's tolls on Faramir. Grabbing his arm, she pulled him to a stop.

"What happened?" she asked.

Faramir looked her in the eyes with anger, "I let my horse go from the stables."

"Why on Middle Earth-"

"Because all of the other horses are well-trained and healthy. I have been given the sickliest horse in the entire kingdom!" he yelled in frustration, "So I let it loose."

Ariadne let go of Faramir and crossed her arms, "Let me talk to him, please. Surely he can spare more than enough horses for you."

"Don't be foolish, you know he would not."

Faramir turned and stalked down the Hall. The slamming of a door around the corner could be heard, and the girl hung her head in defeat. No matter how hard she and Boromir tried, their words could never comfort him. No matter how hard Faramir tried, their father could never be pleased. Aria glanced back at Boromir, who looked on at her in sadness.

"It does little to talk to him," he said.

Aria said nothing as she walked back to him. The two parted ways as soon as they entered the Royal Hall. As she put her sketchbook and pencils away, she noticed Faramir's work on their tutor's desk. It was beautiful and detailed so well.

Faramir had drawn his sickly horse on the paper, and she was instantly reminded of the pain and fear of his father on his face. Aria left the room quickly, deciding to find the horse and bring it back to the stables as soon as she could. Already she could see the trouble her brother would be facing if their father found out what he had done, and she knew he would find out somehow. Lord Denethor kept many eyes on his youngest son, unfairly so.


It has been a long time, my friends. Forgive me if my writing seems rusty! Thank you for reading the first chapter of The Steward's Children! This story will be paired with another one I will post up here soon. Eventually they will join as one story when the War of the Ring starts.

I have also posted this story on Archive of Our Own! My name is Mrs. Baggins on there.

Reviews always welcome! Thank you!

~Kendall~Mrs. Frodo Baggins~Mirabella Millstone of Bywater~