Oh my! 5 reviews!

This was really more than I had expected! Thank you!

I'm so happy that you liked it!
I know the story is kinda slow but it will pick up, slowly but surely. I just want readers to get to know Ari a little more before the action starts, as well as her pov as things get darker and more tragic in Gondor.
I have to apologize to my readers for forgetting to put the year when Chapter One happened, but it would be in the end/beginning of year 3000.
This chapter is a bit more of an introduction to her "present" life.

Enjoy!

Oh yeah, I don't know anything in this story except little Ariniel, all the credits should go to Mr. Tolkien who wrote this masterpiece.

Scorpian: Thanks for reviewing! Like I said, it is going to be very slow in the beginning. But keep up reading and it'll get better! Read your lotr fic, it seems very promising, hope you'll update soon!

Isiliel: I HOPE to avoid this story becoming an MS but... I'm a romantic at heart! Eurgh! (lowers head in shame...)

Shilly: I hope my explanations help clear things out!

Lady Peregrin/Horsegurl: Thanks for reviewing and i hope you will continue reading this fic!

On with the show!

CHAPTER ONE

Spring 3018

The years passed by, the world went on its business as normal as usual. Yet a shadow had grown that could no longer be ignored. For while Minas Tirith still shone in its white splendor the view to the far east, to the place where no life grew, a dark cloud began to creep out of the darkness in the land of Mordor. The people of Gondor did not openly talk about this shadow yet they began to feel an eerie feeling of foul things to come.
Men were encouraged, if not commanded to serve the Gondorian Army. There was a sense of alertness and as much as the dwellers of Minas Tirith tried to live their lives as normal as they could, fewer people dared to venture out of the safety of Her walls.
Danger was in the air and none knew what would become of it.

Stirring in my sleep, I took a deep breath and stretched my limbs. It was daylight, I felt it, and I prayed long and hard for it to be a sunny and warm spring day. I hid under the blankets and tried to go back to sleep but thoughts kept clogging my mind, thoughts and worries that were not easy to sweep away.
I was now in my mid twenties, no longer the little redheaded girl who made bread in the morning. Still pursuing my career in the Citadel, I had overtaken Mother's duties in the Kitchens and for a while, it was I who stirred and directed the other servants in their daily chores. Although demanding at times, I was quite content but doubt had begun to creep into my mind. I yearned for something more fulfilling yet I did not know what.
In the end, I had reached to a decision, this was not what I had in mind as a lifetime career. It did not help that Lord Denethor still managed to create utter fear when he made his visits to the Kitchens. I hated his presence every time and his face seemed gloomier than usual for a man of his age, his entire body seemed to be worn, as if he'd just returned from battle. Whenever he would grab my hand to point out some fruit or bread, I would be stunned by uneasiness for hours. Over the years, I had sensed that he seemed to be colder and more distant then in the times of my childhood, only smiling when someone would mention his eldest son. In the months before his death, he had stopped his visits altogether and was scarcely seen out of the White Tower. Now that I thought about it, it saddened me to know how tragic faith could be at times...

Since my mother and I could not afford to live in the upper levels, near to the Citadel, the Steward's appointees had allowed us to remain within the Castle for weeks at a time, as long as we carried on our duties. In return, we were released for days, even weeks, depending on the load of work.
I didn't mind that much, for it provided me with a higher allowance that helped my mother, who lived in our small apartment in the second level, and it also gave me a free bed while I worked.
The negative aspect was that I did not get the chance to see her as I once did and my brother Aryon as well. He was no longer receiving many days of rest from the army and it would be weeks and sometimes months before we could even meet each other face to face, though we corresponded often by letters. Too many times had I gone to bed in some cot, crying and praying for them. It was very hard but I could not let it break me. They were alive and well and that was all that mattered.

Spending so much time in the Citadel, I had gotten familiar with the servants from the entire Castle, who made sure that everything was in order.I especially grew interest in the ladies who aided the Healers. They would come at times demanding for this and that and as I questioned them about their doings and findings, I found myself wanting to be with them. Mustering the courage, I went to ask the Warden of the House of Healings to become an aid and even possibly learn the methods of becoming a Healer. The Warden, to my relief, was quite favourable of having me and soon after, I was appointed to simple chores which consisted of boiling water, growing different herbs and too often, preparing meals for the Healers or the wounded.
It turned out to be quite soothing and a huge contrast from the hectic and messy days I was usually accustomed to in the Kitchens. The House was often silent and the Garden, was able to take a person's breath away. It had become my refuge, my sanctuary, from all the troubles that I encountered at times. The sweet smells from the pretty flowers, the splendid view that waited for me, it was heaven!
Unfortunately, both the Healers and I learned early on that I would not be able to learn their traits as the sight of blood made me queasy, if not faint. It was rather mortifying and embarrassing yet I knew that there was nothing that could be done and I persisted. They were grateful enough to let me remain under their roofs though they rarely made me tend the heavily wounded.
When I began assisting the Healers, I thought I would be rid of my tasks in the Kitchens, how wrong I was! Upon my departure, I had given the leadership to two good friends of mine whom I thought would be able to take the challenge yet they now needed me more than ever. I then began to share my time between the Healers and the Kitchens.

I tossed in the small cot that was my bed. Groaning that I could not fall asleep, I sighed and tried to relax. Taking deep breaths, I began to think about two special men whose lives I've followed since I was little.

My affection for the brothers had not changed over time, it had only gotten worse! Whenever I could spare any moment, I would go to the nearest window and look for them, or rather, in the direction where they were stationed. They spent lesser times within the City as the oldest was still roaming around Gondor's borders or defending Osgiliath while the youngest, who I prayed for the most, had been appointed as Captain of the Rangers in Ithilien, keeping watch on the roads, ambushing whatever enemies that were making their way into Mordor. I heard of their tidings, oh yes, and it did not bring me much joy. How they managed to remain unscathed, I would never know.
Even my brother Aryon, who was often under Boromir's command in Osgiliath, would come back to the City with bruises and even arrow wounds. For them, it was trivial but for me, it was death!
Nevertheless, the affection I bore for them was unquestionable. Although I would no longer spy, I had now the privilege of running into them in the Citadel and I felt a relief that they did not recognize the little girl they had whistled to, many years ago. I must admit, however, that though I had stopped spying on them, I would rather often hide myself behind columns or statues whenever they walked towards my direction!
It was Boromir whom I saw more of. He would enter and make unannounced stops in the Kitchens at different times of the day. We spoke little, never showing much interest in me but he was polite enough to make small talk while I prepared him a meal. Always he would boast about his victories or how he managed to kill some ugly orc. I usually let him talk away and would smile at his stories, his overconfidence humoring me.
As for the youngest, the one I wish to know better, was a bit wiser. After hearing the Steward's loud voice time and time again whenever he was present in the City, Faramir usually kept his distance from him. He would spend most of his time either in his private chambers or in the old library, for whenever I saw him pacing around, he would always have a book under his nose! Sometimes I would spot him early in the morning, walking quietly to the Stables, then riding down to the Pelennor where I knew he could read at his hearts content without any disruptions... or his father's critical comments.

Although I bared no love for the Steward, I always wondered how it was that he could ever have brought two wonderful children into this world: One valiant and brave, the other gentle and wise.

Pulling the blankets below my face I opened my eyes and looked around me. It was time to get up...I looked upon the window that stood near me and though I prayed for a warm and sunny day, I could distinguish the dark skies creeping from the East. Sighing disappointedly, I looked away, that awful feeling invading my body.

Did you like it? It was a bit hard to describe her life with the present but hopefully, it wasn't too bad! Not too proud of it but I had to "introduce" her present life.

Oh yeah, I was wondering, what do the Canon and AU terms mean in Fanfic? Those are the only ones I don't understand! Thanks for the tip!

Something that keeps bugging me though is if a person were to "walk" through the levels in Minas Tirith( from bottom to top), how much time would it take? 2-3 hours or more like 4-6? I didn't put in a time frame when Ari was walking up but I should think it would take a long time, no? (sigh)

Reviews are always welcomed, good ones or constructive ones! I promise next chapter will be better and we finally get a little bit of action as Osgiliath is under attack and a certain brother leaves Minas Tirith on a secret mission (you know which one I'm talking about!). Until then! xoxoox