Author's note

Well, hello there! Thank you so much for choosing to read my little story!

What I chose to do in this story is to write someone's point of view of what happens in Gondor and eventually becoming involved with some of the main characters from the book (in this case, F/B and a bit of É.)

This will be mostly book-verse though the Coronation will be movie-verse for the sake of this story.

It is NOT meant to be a MarySue story though I could understand why people would think that way. Personally I hate MS stories but I guess it is up to you to decide-)

Now it's time to do some reading! Enjoy!

xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxox

PROLOGUE

On the second level of the ancient White City, a young girl with long red hair stood by the window, staring out into the Pelennor Fields. The sun had not yet risen though the horizon had changed into a pale pink color, promising a hot summer day.

She sat on a small chair where she would stay for hours, looking down at the view that was open to her, from the Pelennor to the Outer Wall to the faint outlines of Osgiliath.

Yawning loudly, she rested her head on her hands and began to feel drowsy. I woke up early again, she said to herself.

Sighing, she closed her eyes and absorbed the silence. Ariniel usually found it comforting that a big city such as Minas Tirith could ever be quiet, even deserted. One of her favorite past times, when she did not have to go help her mother in the Citadel's kitchens, would be to stand by the window and watch the people of Gondor go about their business.

At a small age of nine, she already was a kitchen servant for the residents of the Citadel. She did not mind, the small allowance was enough to help out her family, who were not the most noblest nor the richest.

Her father, who had served in Gondor's Army, had died when she has still a babe, being ambushed by a band of orcs in Ithilien. Her older brother, Aryon, had followed his footsteps and at the age of fifteen, was slowly climbing up the ranks, from stabling the horses to assisting the archers while at the same time training with a bow and sword as well.

Ariniel still had a few hours before she would have to start walking up to the kitchens, a journey which took up to an hour or two if she could find the shortcuts.

She almost fell asleep until she heard faint claps of hooves coming from above. Two voices she heard in the silence, laughing and snickering. One of the horses neighed, and soon their hooves became faster and faster, passing rapidly by the second level and then finally stopping by the Main Gates, where they had to wait for the watch guards to open.

It was the brothers.

Immediately she woke up and pushed her chair back, knocking it into the ground. Standing up, she peeked out the window but made sure to remain unseen.

They were now trotting slowly on the main road, where they went, she could not know.

Laughing and seemingly eating, they sent friendly jabs at each other and seemed to mock one another.

They were small but she could discern the oldest one with his dirty blond hair and the youngest with his wavy dark hair.

Smiling as the oldest tried to stand on the poor horse; the youngest only laughed and pointed. Wishing she could be there and take part of their idiocies, Ariniel peered out even more sticking her head out the window to get a better view.

The sons of the reigning Steward would often take an early ride in the morning in order to spend time alone in each other's company, which they knew would soon come to an end as the oldest would soon be sent out to defend the borders of Gondor, where bands of orcs roamed freely.

Ariniel enjoyed being able to see them on those rare occasions. It was always fascinating seeing them both, showing off, helping, learning, and sometimes even injuring the other.

It would usually start with the eldest attempting to do some stupid stunt, the more dangerous the more amusing, and then the youngest would either laugh, cry in horror or simply copy the stunt. Quite often, it would end by someone getting slightly injured.

Ariniel's brother, along with some of his friends, would taunt her at times, saying that she was obsessed by the heirs of Gondor. "Really, Ari, I do not want the Lord Steward to know that my younger sister spies on his sons." Aryon would smile teasingly and she would usually cross her arms and stick his tongue at him.

She wasn't "really" obsessed with them; she enjoyed their "company" in a way. It was such a relief that the sons brought life in the else gloomy halls and gardens in the Citadel. Even at her age, she would become paralyzed in fear whenever the steward would make his appearance in the kitchens. His cold, stern face that had forgotten how to smile made her shudder.

As she concentrated on the brothers, she noticed that they had stopped near fields in the Pelennor, probably finishing their breakfast. The eldest seemed to be telling a story as he made gestures with his hands while the youngest stared in awe. Oh how I wished I could hear what they say, she thought.

Her head was now sticking out of the window and after what seemed hours, she suddenly realized that the sun was beginning to rise as the first rays woke the White City.

The brothers had long finished their breakfast and were now jumping on their horses. Where are they going to now? She wondered. Osgiliath? Ithilien? Then her mind became clouded... To Rohan and meet those horse lords? To Fangorn Forest and have a talk with those mythical Tree shepherds? Meet the elves in their elven city by the Misty Mountains? To Mordor to fight evil orcs?

A sudden whistling broke her dreaming, she trembled in shock and looked around to see who's whistling it was, but she could not see anyone... Then she returned to look at the pair and noticed that the eldest, now sitting on his horse was waving his hands up in the air and looking upwards towards Minas Tirith, while the youngest was close behind him, doing the same. She wondered who it was they were whistling and now pointing at and it was then that she realized, they were pointing towards her!

Immediately she ducked under the window, breathing hard. Not again, she thought. She'd been so careful to stay concealed yet, they spotted her again!

Resting her back under the window, Ariniel wondered what she should do. A part of her wanted to see what they were doing now while the other only wanted to run up to the kitchens.

No! She decided. They have not spotted me yet, they probably do not even know which level I live in, and this will not change anything. Slowly lifting her head up she peaked outside and with a huge sigh, saw that they had began to ride towards the river side. She smiled as they disappeared out of view, wondering what adventures they would have for the day...

When she could no longer spot them, Ariniel decided to go the kitchens and begin her day's chores.

Opening the door, the cold kindled her senses. She trembled slightly and began her walk towards the Citadel of Minas Tirith.

The days were still lively although many began to feel the shadow increase from the East. None could have foreseen that the fair city would soon become under siege by the foulest creatures of Middle-Earth. None could have known how their lives would change in the War of the Rings, not even little Ariniel knew what role she would play that would for ever change her life. Let us now follow her story...

xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxox

Like it?

Didn't like? Stop reading!

It is my first fan fic so hopefully I didn't butcher Tolkien's masterpiece!

Reviews are most welcome but if you don't have anything positive to say, please avoid reviewing! Constructive (not Criticism) advice is also welcome.

The story is almost done though I am having a rough time with the beginning...

See you next time!