A few moments after I had walked away, I heard two sets of footsteps begin following my own. Now all I had to do was figure out a way to get rid of them. My task was one of extreme importance, especially with the coronation tomorrow, so I could not simply abandon it. I would have to see what opportunity presented itself, if I would finally be blessed with some luck.
I walked out of the building and into the night air. It was not particularly cold, especially for autumn, but I did shiver slightly as a cool breeze whipped my hair around. I pulled my cloak around me, partly from the breeze and partly in order to cover my dress. I began walking around the courtyard, hoping that I might find inspiration for my escape. An especially strong breeze whipped my hair around and I turned into it to keep it out of my face. In doing so, I turned towards the outer wall where it was covered by hedges. The wind was strong enough to move them aside partially, revealing what appeared to be a small gap. Realising that if I walked closer the men's view of me would be blocked the corner of a building, I knew I had found my escape.
I casually walked in the direction needed in order to place them at just the right point, hoping they hadn't seen what I had. When I was no less than four feet away I sprinted straight for the gap without a backward glance. I heard shouting behind me, and the second I passed through I began rushing down a rough path that appeared to lead to behind the Houses of Healing. I tucked myself in deep shadow among some supplies that had been left near a back door while I tried to catch my breath and listened for sounds of pursuit. I could hear shouting in the distance, but no one seemed to be on the path.
Once I was sure that they had not discovered my escape route I placed my hood on my head to further disguise myself and then set off, making sure to keep to the shadows. I knew exactly where I was going, having taken the same route many times before in the past year. I would need to go through the winding streets down to the third level to begin with, and from there I could work my way back up to the Citadel. I needed to work quickly though as it was already far later than I would have liked to have started, but at least I was now away.
I longed for my bed. Tomorrow was the coronation of our new Queen, and yet I was going to have to miss it as my father had given me the night watch. Not only that, he had positioned me behind one of the smaller stables that severed the Houses of Healing with instructions to watch the road. At this time of night not even the healers moved, so once again I had been given the most boring task he could find knowing full well that I wouldn't make a single objection. How could I? He was not only my father but also my commander, and therefore all of his orders had to be obeyed.
I was beginning to drift to sleep when I saw a cloaked figure emerge from behind the Houses and begin walking down the road. It seemed to be trying to keep to the shadow, but after so long spent in the night I had grown very used to the gloom and could make it out quite clearly. It appeared to be a young woman, perhaps one of the servants, but it was strange that she would be trying to hide in such a manner. On an impulse, I stepped from behind my cover and began following her. She seemed to have a purpose about her, moving rather quickly for one of only average height and build, and she knew the way clearly very well.
We passed straight through the sixth, fifth and fourth levels, leaving behind the homes of the richer inhabitants of Minas Tirith as well as some of the more expensive shops. I was becoming more and more curious as we passed through each, wondering why a royal servant would need to go any lower than the fourth level. Soon, we were in the wide open space on the third level that housed the main market. It was surrounded by grass in which the children would play, creating a bustling atmosphere. Surely she was not going into one of these houses?
I watched as she walked down a little from the main area and stopped in front of a house I recognised. It belonged to a widow of a dead comrade who had passed early last year from the sickness, leaving her to struggle to raise four children on a street musician's wage. My father had been helping her with money and food, but recently she has been turning him away saying that someone had been delivering food to many of those who had lost loved ones to the sickness. Perhaps this girl was the kind person.
"Radhriel" I called, knocking on the door. It opened a fraction, spilling the orange glow of firelight and candles into the street. Noticing me, the woman stepped aside to let me enter.
Radhriel was a thin woman dressed simply in a grey surcoat and an undyed long sleeved dress. Her brown hair was tied in a bun, but wispy pieces of grey were coming out, while her hazel eyes peered out into the street. Her age I could not guess as I was aware of her Dúnedain heritage, but she had a pair of twin daughters a little older than me, a boy around the same age as Anneth and a younger daughter that was only 2 or 3. They were all sat by the fire, the oldest in two chairs while the other was left empty for their mother.
"I didn't think you were coming, Ellil." she said as I passed.
"I had a little trouble getting away with all of the coronation hustle." I replied, placing the basket on a small table by the fire and sitting on the floor with her youngest child.
"Yes, it will be a happy occasion amid the gloom. The new Queen seems fair and wise, and she has an heir already to take the throne when she is gone. She lost her own husband to the sickness, didn't she?" she was saying as she sat by the fire.
I shifted uncomfortably. "Yes, I believe he died last year." I said, keeping my face turned to the fire as images of my father passed through my head. Father sitting by the fire with me at his feet and Anneth on his lap, telling stories with my mother before bed... His face when Glíneth was born, overjoyed and overwhelmed to have yet another daughter... A few days before he died telling me that I was to look after my mother and sisters and that he loved me dearly, his little star...
"Ellil?" Radhriel said, bringing me back to the land of the living.
"Sorry, my mind was away. What were you saying?"
"I take it that you had to sneak away again?" she asked.
"Yes," I replied sheepishly.
"You cannot continue this with such secrecy. If something should happen to you..." she scorned.
"I know, I needed to talk to you about that." I said, feeling uncomfortable again. "After tomorrow I will no longer be able to bring food, in truth I will not be able to even visit."
"And why is that?" she asked encouragingly.
"As of tomorrow I will rarely be able to leave the Citadel, especially on such errands." I sighed, realising that all eyes were on me. "I am Tinweth, daughter of Lhinneth, of the Royal House of Telcontar."
They all stood in unison, each hastily bowing to me. "No, no, please, I'm no royal yet." I said as I rose with them.
"I knew you were noble, but I was not expecting this." the woman was clearly delighted, but I watched as her face dropped. "You should not be here, it isn't safe for you out here. You need to get back to the Citadel where you can be protected."
"Protected from what?" I asked, thinking back to the men and missing guards. "There is a plot?"
"Yes. There are those who would have your cousin Tinnuon on the throne, those who believe that a woman should not take the throne, especially an unmarried woman, and the timing with this sickness..." she explained.
"My mother is not unmarried, she is a widow!" I exclaimed.
"You must leave at once. Make straight for the Citadel and do not stop, do not speak to anyone." she said, quickly going into another room where I heard a lot of shuffling and scraping. She came back in looking slightly flustered holding a long wooden box. "Here, take this in case someone tries to stop you."
She opened the box to reveal an Eket encased in its leather scabbard with a belt. "This belonged to my husband, but I have no use for it now." she said, taking it out and fastening it under my cloak, making sure that it would be hidden. She walked me to the door, peered around outside and then motioned for me to go. "You must leave now while there is no one around."
"What about the food? There are people relying on the food I bring them!" I said, my head a jumble of information.
"I'll take it to them myself, you have other things to be worrying about. Now go!" she said, almost pushing me out of the door.
Once back in the street, I stood completely amazed for a moment. The weight of the sword was strange at my side, a reassuring yet uncomfortable feeling. Then I was off like a shot, trying not to run all of the way up the levels. I no longer cared to stick to the shadows, preferring speed over stealth. The sword bounced at my side and I kept thinking I could hear footsteps following me the entire time.
I had waited for the girl to emerge from the house from my place on the other side of the market. There was something odd about her and I somehow felt compelled to find out who it was. I felt more awake than I had since darkness had fallen, my senses alert for all movement and sound. After a time shorter than I expected, Radhriel poked her ahead around the door again, and a few moments later the girl was nearly shoved out herself. I watched as she stood there in apparent confusion before scurrying off again back up the levels at great speed. As she moved away from the house, I moved in the opposite direction towards it. I knocked quietly on the door in way I knew she would recognise as friendly and waited for her to answer.
The door opened and spilled orange candle light onto the street once more and a flustered looking Radhriel stood a moment before recognition passed across her face. "Haldir, what are you doing here?" She asked, but as I went to answer she seemed to realise something and quickly stopped me. "No time for answers. Go, quickly, you must follow her."
"Follow who? That girl?" I asked, not understanding.
"The royal heir!" She almost shouted. It took a moment for my mind to understand what I had just been told, but then I instantly spun and chased after her. She was faster than she looked, and although I was only a little behind I couldn't see her. It was lucky that I had seen where she had started as otherwise I would have needed to slow to track her. How could I have been so stupid? I had known she had come from the Citadel and had heard alarm calls but I had not pieced things together. When my father finds out I let the royal heir roam around Minas Tirith without a proper escort he'll skin me alive, and on the night when we were expecting someone to make an attempt on the queen's life...
I ran and ran, stopping only when I was behind the Houses of Healing once more. There, I crouched again behind the same stack of supplies to catch my breath and gather my thoughts. My mother was yet to be crowned and already there were people who opposed her? And why would people fear a woman leading them? What made Tinnuon a more suitable choice? How was I now going to sneak back into my chambers without alerting the men stationed around who would now be searching for me? At least I couldn't hear any signs of people searching for me further up the path, and I seemed to have managed to leave behind anyone who might have been following.
Having steadied my rapidly beating heart and caught my breath, I stood and took the path back to the Citadel. It seemed rougher than before, and I looked down to find tracks for about a dozen men. I wondered if they had found my escape route and were searching the city for me, and a pang of guilt went through me. Perhaps I should have just told them my intensions and allowed them to accompany me, that would have avoided anything that might come when I returned. With these thoughts, my feet slowed and I reluctantly continued on.
Once I reached the wall, I paused for a moment to listen. The courtyard appeared silent, almost eerily so, with only the sound of the wind whistling between the buildings to be heard. I peered around the corner and found it just as empty as I had assumed, there was not a single person in sight. I took this as a sign that they had indeed gone into the city to look for me, and with a sigh I walked through the gap in the wall and made my way to the King's House.
The first thing that caught my attention was the lack of guards inside. Frowning, I pulled off my cloak and folded it over my arm thinking that I would appear less out of place in my dress. As I was doing this, I saw that all of the doors stood open. I quickly looked into Glíneth's room, which was the closest. The bed covers were disturbed and one of her slippers was discarded carelessly in the middle of the room, but there was no sign of my sister. I rushed out of the room and quickly checked Anneth's quarters. Again the bed was in disarray, and one of the pillows was across the room as if it had been thrown. I checked my own room as well, but unlike the others it appeared as though someone had gone through my things and turned out every draw. What they had been looking for, I cannot say, but they clearly didn't find it.
Lastly, there was my mother's room. I approached slowly, dread building in me with each step. This door was mostly closed, and when I pushed it open I was greeted with what was probably my worst nightmare. Close to me and a little apart lay my sisters with pools of fresh blood about their heads. Their backs were to me, but I assumed their throats had been cut. My mother was also on the floor in front of her bed, a dagger protruding from her chest a little below her heart. Her blood also stained the floor, but there was less of it.
I stood frozen, unable to take in the scene before me. My mind was telling me that this couldn't be real, that this was them trying to scare me and make me feel bad for leaving the Citadel. In a moment, they would all jump up and Naneth would scold me for being so unthoughtful and then hug me and tell me how worried she had been. But there was a part of me that wanted to break down and cry, to just fall to the floor and grieve the loss of my family. I could feel my stomach twisting in knots and a thought came that I was thankful that I hadn't eaten much or I would have simply thrown it back up again.
Slight movement from my mother broke whatever spell I had been under and I rushed to her side, kneeling in her blood. She was breathing, but only just, and the wound was still bleeding. One of her hands was feebly around the dagger, and I took hold of her other one. Her eyes instantly snapped open and although they appeared confused to begin with I saw relief cross her face. She gripped my hand tightly, almost as if to keep herself from falling back into unconsciousness.
"I'm here, Nana." I said softly, nearly choking on the words as tears began building in my eyes. "Please don't leave me."
"Go into the draw... and bring me... the wooden box." She said, pointing towards the ornate oak desk tucked into a corner of the room.
Nodding, I reluctantly stood and went to it. The top was littered with official papers, all of which needed my mother's attention even though she was not crowned. I opened the draw carefully, noting that it stuck slightly as the box was a little too tall. The box was unremarkable, but I guessed that it must be important if my mother wanted it now. Without closing it, I walked back and gave it to my mother, kneeling beside her again. She rummaged through it and retrieved a beautiful eagle-shaped brooch set with a leaf green gem.
"This is... the Elessar, made... by the elves... in the first... age, and given to... our ancestor who... bore the same... name by the... Lady Galadriel... of Loth... lórien." she said, placing it in my hand and closing it tightly. "I place it... in your keeping. Le melin, iellig[CD1] "
"Naneth..." I began, before crying out as someone pulled me up by my hair.
"I'll take that." said a male voice behind me as I was pulled into someone. With one arm he held me tightly against his body, but with the other tried to prize my hand open to take the brooch. I struggled to get free of his grip before I remembered the Eket Radhriel had given me. Reaching for it with my left hand, I clumsily drew it and managed to stab whoever was behind me in the leg.
He cried out in pain and released me. I turned, still holding the sword, to see who my assailant was. He was dressed in black from head to foot, and carried both a dagger and sword at his side. His hair and short beard were chestnut brown, his eyes almost yellow, and he appeared familiar to me. Then it came to me; this was one of the Guards of the Citadel that I had inspected only that morning as a part of my new duties.
"If you won't give it to me, I'll just have to kill you first. Either way, you end up dead and I have the Elfstone." he sneered, drawing his sword.
"As Captain-general, I order you to drop your sword!" I commanded, trying desperately to keep both my voice and sword from shaking.
"I don't take orders from a girl." he replied, slowly stepping towards me.
Suddenly, he swung his sword for my head. Unsure of what to do as I had never before held a sword, let alone been in a fight, I simply jumped backwards to what I hoped was out of reach. He kept swinging, changing between aiming at my side, body or head. All I could do was duck and dodge, hoping that I could find an opportunity to run past him for the door. It seemed however that after all that had happened in the past year I was still unlucky as I was so busy trying to avoid the man's sword that I forgot the blood on the floor and managed to slip and fall. The man instantly placed his foot on my right wrist, pressing down until I cried out and was forced to release my grip on the Eket.
The man grinned menacingly down at me as he prepared his sword for what would be a killing blow. But then his face contorted in surprise and he went completely still, before slumping without another sound to the ground before me. Standing just behind where he had been was a man with shoulder length black hair and steel grey eyes. In his hand was a bloodied Eket, but what really caught my attention was his grey cloak and star shaped brooch.
[CD1]Gondorian Sindarin "I love you, my daughter."
