Here's Chapter 2! Thanks for reading and reviewing.


Lord of the Rings: Through a Princess's Eyes (Part 1)

Chapter 2 – Departing Into the Unknown

The following morning, after a dreamless sleep, I discovered that I had awoken earlier than usual. I knew I wasn't likely going back to sleep though, for when I am awoken it's hard for me to go back to sleep. I sat up in my bed, yawned, and stretched. Through the windows beside me, I could see that it was early dawn. The sky was colored a pale, slowly lightening blue, there were light grey clouds with shades of purple and pink, and I could see that the sun, which was shining from the opposite direction, had cast long shadows of the castle onto the landscape outside; an ominous reminder of what I had come across last night. I stared at the scene outside for a long time, realizing that I was again filled with nervousness and anxiety, which were only heightened when I heard footsteps outside my door.

Curiosity got the best of me. I walked cautiously over to the door and quietly opened it just enough so that I wouldn't draw attention to myself. I raised my eyebrows at what I saw. Two of Father's advisors, the ones from last night, were walking down the hall. I remembered what Letitia had said about Father attending secret meetings. Could they be going to another one? It was inevitable. I had to know.

Once they had gone around the corner, I snuck out of my bedchamber and began following them down the hall as silently as I could. Though I myself knew where the council room was, this was the route that was more fun. When I was younger, sneaking was somewhat of a hobby of mine. I loved, and still love, the thrill of someone not knowing you're there, trying to get through without being seen. I couldn't help but smile as I took small steps through the castle, sometimes hiding behind corridors, and making sure I didn't get to close, lest they know I was following them. But this time, I was not sneaking around for only my enjoyment. I had to figure out what Father was hiding, even if I did end up with a punishment in the end.

I stood behind a corridor, and waited until the doors to the council room were closed, before sneaking as quietly as before over to the doors. I heard unclear, muffled voices before they were all silenced and a lone voice spoke up.

"Before we begin, I wish to stress that this will be the last secret meeting I will attend." It was my father. "But for now, two of my advisors came to me last night bringing news they insisted to be important." "I now allow them to come forth and share what they have discovered."

A different voice then spoke. "It is true, our news is important, but not the kind to be taken lightly. It regards the Black Riders the Royal Guard has seen twice on the borders of the kingdom near the River Lune."

Black Riders? I asked silently. I leaned further toward the door to hear better.

"Though it has been nearly a month since then, we now believe these riders to not be mere men," the man said, "but as agents of darkness. Indeed, they might even be servants of the Dark Lord himself."

I once more heard murmured voices, more alarmed this time. I too felt it, my heart stopping as I heard the words "Dark Lord". Only one being I knew of bore that title, but his real name we were not to bring up too much. It was the story I heard the least growing up; but ironically it was the one that fascinated me the most. Though three Elves, seven Dwarves, and nine Men were each given rings of power to govern their races, the Dark Lord forged a secret Ring for himself. War waged in Mordor, the one my people managed to escape. The Dark Lord was slain, but the battle was ultimately lost when Isildur, the elder brother of my ancestor Anárion, refused to destroy the One Ring. And despite using it to make himself invisible from his enemies, he was still killed by their arrows. Since then, the Ring was lost, never seen again. But what did all of this news mean now? Was the Dark Lord becoming active again? If so, how long had they known of this? What could this mean for my family, or even our kingdom? These and many more questions began to buzz like wild bees in my head, until another, different voice spoke.

"Gentleman," he said, "we cannot afford to be unnerved by this possibility. Whatever threat to the safety of our king faces us we must face with courage and dignity."

"And what of my family?" Father then asked.

"Your Majesty?"

"I refuse to be protected unless my family is given equal amounts of protection," he said. And before anyone could say anything else, he continued, "And I cannot tell you how tormented I have been keeping these meetings secret from them. As I have said before, this will be the last one I will attend."

Silence. Had they all been intimidated by my father's words? I had been, but I also admired the man and father I still knew: one who would give up himself before anyone else. I couldn't at that moment have been prouder to have him for a father.

"We understand your concerns Majesty," one man finally spoke up, "But the secrecy of these meetings is for the safety of the royal family as well. And you still haven't told us of your decision regarding your invitation to the council being held by Elrond Half-Elven the following month."

My eyes widened instantly at those last words. Elrond Half-Elven? The Lord of Rivendell? Why would he want to invite Father to a council he was holding? We had little to no contact with anyone other than our own people for the last three millennia. Why would someone as important as an Elven lord favor contact with our king now? I continued to listen.

"If the weapon of the Dark Lord has indeed been found, and Elrond Half-Elven desires those of the three races in power to attend, it would be wise to accept, considering that our kingdom, though strong, is rather isolated," one man said.

More silence. Though they were behind closed doors, I knew that all of my father's advisors, as well as I, awaited his decision anxiously.

"I have prolonged my response to this invitation," he soon said, "And it seems I can do so no longer. Very well, I will begin my journey to Rivendell within the following week. But first, I must find a way to reveal the news to my wife and children. They will not take it lightly."

The men began murmuring again, and I could tell that they agreed with Father's decision. But while I wanted very much to agree too, I found myself unable to. I decided that I had heard enough. Some, but not all, of my questions had been answered – to my dismay at the very least. Feeling I could go nowhere else, and without returning to my chamber to change clothes, I at once went to the first place I often went to in upsetting times: the stables.

Once I arrived, I was immediately comforted by the instant smells of hay and leather. Some of the horses neighed happily when they saw me, but I ignored them and went to the horse of my heart: Starfleet. I opened the door to her stall, went inside, and was immediately greeted by Starfleet putting her muzzle underneath my hand, indicating that she wanted to be pet. I did. I scratched her muzzle, kissed it, and stroke her neck before resting my head against it.

I was feeling a whole range of emotions: anger, sadness, and even confusion. I was angry at Father. How could he keep such important news secret from us – news that could threaten not only his safety, but that of his family and kingdom? It didn't matter whether or not we would take it lightly. We would at least know the truth and concerns. And what about Mother? Did she know of any of this? In any event, whether or not Father was reluctant about keeping secrets from his own family, it would almost have been the same had he lied to us.

I was sad at Father's decision. Did he really think it wise to leave his kingdom alone, with only a few of his guard to accompany him? Not only was he becoming advanced in years, if the Black Riders really were servants of the Dark Lord, it would be unlikely at the very least for him to able to aptly defend himself. I simply couldn't bear the thought of losing him before his time, especially at the hands of the most evil of minions.

And I was also confused over what had just occurred. I had just eavesdropped on a secret meeting, which, in some cases, can be viewed as an act of treason. Was I right in wanting to know what Father was hiding? Was I even justified in feeling angry at him for hiding this information? He was a king after all; and if it didn't mean immediate danger he could have kept these meetings secret if he wished.

These and countless other questions filled my mind, ones that I couldn't answer all at once. But I did know one thing for sure: I had to do something. But what? I thought over my options, and soon came to the bitter conclusion that as a princess last in line for the throne, and the youngest of nine children, there wasn't much I could do. Had I been a son, I could have easily approached Father and persuaded him not to go, and maybe even go in his place. Not that being a girl hindered me in terms of favor, but I would be safer against known and unknown dangers as a boy.

That was when a momentous idea came to me, one that I at first feared would be too filled with risks. But as I thought it over, I realized that it was the only thing I could do that would satisfy a person in such a state like me; something that, even though it would mean facing danger, would mean that I could keep those I loved – not just my kingdom but my family too – safe.

Suddenly my deep thoughts were broken once I heard a stack of hay hit the floor, causing me to jump in surprise. I looked out from the stall and breathed a sigh of relief when I saw it was only one of the stable-hands. He raised his eyebrows once he saw me.

"Oh, pardon me Highness. I didn't know you were here."

I smiled softly. "It's all right. I was just leaving."

But as I stepped out of the stall, I thought of another idea. If Father could hold a secret meeting, then I would hold one of my own.

I turned to the stable-hand and asked, "Would you please do me a favor?"

"Of course Highness."

I rolled my eyes slightly; I tired sometimes of being called "Highness" all the time, but I continued, "Please inform all of my siblings that I wish to meet them in the tower after lunch, in secret."

The stable-hand smiled and bowed. "Consider it done Highness," he said. He then left. And soon, after kissing Starfleet's muzzle one more time, I followed suit, hoping I wasn't being missed.

The day that went by was perhaps the slowest of my life. During lunch I found it more difficult than usual to stay in my seat. At one point, Letitia, who sat next to me, gently nudged me; and when I looked up at her, she motioned with her head twice over at Father, who sat at the far end of the table. I nodded and, to avoid further silent conversation, went back to eating my food – though, of course, by then I had already lost most of my appetite.

I was more than relieved when lunch was finally over. I immediately headed for the tower, which is located at the far end of the castle and used for keeping watch for enemies in times of war. But now I had it to myself. I hoped that the stable-hand had sent word to my brothers and sisters, and even more so that this meeting was to remain secret, my nerves akin to that of a filly ready to race.

But soon, my siblings began to arrive one by one, until finally all nine of us sat in the tower – undoubtedly somewhat crowded due to the small space of the room. Even so, I was happy that my request had been fulfilled.

"You wanted to see us sister?" Festus asked.

"Yes," I replied.

"And why do you wish to keep this meeting secret?" Chariton asked.

"Let me explain," I replied as I stood up from my seat.

I took a deep breath and continued. "It may not have come to your attention, but Letitia informed me yesterday that Father has been holding secret meetings with his advisors." Everyone looked at Letitia, who nodded and then lifted her hand toward me so I could go on. "I didn't believe it at first, but this morning I heard two of Father's advisors walking down the hall. I followed them and, I regret to say, I listened in on the conversation in the meeting room."

My siblings leaned in slightly, indicating that they were interested. I went on. "Black Riders have recently been seen on the borders, and, Father's advisors believe them to be servants of…the Dark Lord."

As I expected, their eyes widened and half of them gasped. "You don't mean…'him'?" Marcius asked.

I pressed my lips together and sighed, but I continued. "There's more. Father has also been invited to join a council being held by Elrond Half-Elven of Rivendell."

"An Elven Lord?" Georgia asked.

I nodded. "Lord Elrond believes that the One Ring has been found, and people from the three races are being invited to join this council."

"Are you sure?" Bryn asked.

"What is Father planning to do?" Junia asked.

I nodded at Bryn and replied to Junia, along with the rest of my brothers and sisters. "Father has decided to accept this invitation. But, considering that Father is getting older, and that there might be servants of the Dark Lord at large, I have made my own decision."

I then looked out from the window at the landscape of my kingdom, thinking of the weight of what I was about to say, along with the possible consequences of such a decision, and revealed it to them. "I will go in his place."

"What?" Letitia suddenly said. I turned around and then everyone began talking at once, all of them I knew to be protesting against what I had just said. Fortunately though, it only took the raising of my hand to quiet them all down. But suddenly, Nephele stood up.

"Aminta, do you honestly think it wise to simply leave the kingdom by yourself to join a council being held by one of the great Elven lords? If Father's advisors are right, some of the most experienced and wisest of Elves, Dwarves, and Men will be attending. Forgive me if I sound rude but, you're so young, and a princess of a small kingdom."

"And consider the possible dangers," Festus then added, "You're not exactly the best swordswoman. And if you are correct in that there are servants of the Dark Lord roaming the roads, who knows what they would do if they got their hands on you? Let me come with you at the very least. I would be ready to defend you at a moment's notice."

I sighed a deep sigh at the words of both my brother and sister. I didn't want to admit it, but there were hints of truth in what they had just said. But I was determined to convince them, and myself, that I was set on doing what I intended. "Thank you Festus," I said, "But I am aware of the dangers. Considering the possibility that there are servants of the Dark Lord at large, if more than one of us goes that would only put both of us in peril. And, to be completely honest, I don't intend to go as myself."

"What are you talking about?" Letitia asked.

"I can't afford to draw unwanted attention to myself," I explained, "So to prevent that from happening, I will be dressing…as a peasant boy."

"What?" Bryn asked, "Aminta, why would you want to do that?"

"I will not only be safer against attack if I am in disguise," I replied, "Considering that most of the council members will most likely be men makes it all the more reason to do so if I am to be taken seriously."

I finished with one more saying. "I understand if none of you wish to help me, or if you even express a desire to tell Father. But I care not, I'm going to do something to protect our family and our kingdom."

Silence then filled the room. I wondered what my brothers and sisters were thinking, and what any of them would say next. But before long, Georgia spoke up. "I will help you Aminta."

Chariton nodded. "If it means keeping Father safe, I'll help you too."

Slowly, one after one, each of my siblings gave their (reluctant) consent. I wondered again about the weight of my decision, but it was the words of Junia, who consented last, that made it become heavier to bare.

"I may not like keeping secrets," she said, "and I may not like the thought of you traveling alone. But, you're right; Father is ill-equipped for a journey such as this, and I am proud that you are willing to carry the burdens of others."

"Keeping my family and kingdom safe is not a burden," I said. But even so, while I didn't show it, my heart began to race.

In an attempt to keep it from racing anymore, my siblings and I quickly discussed a plan. Chariton and Marcius would give me some of their old clothes that they no longer wore, Festus and Nephele would find me a suitable weapon, Junia and Bryn would help me pack, and Georgia and Letitia would help to alter my appearance. All would be done very early the next morning, and in secret.

Once we were sure of what everyone would do, we left the tower and went back to living the day as if it were any other. I spoke as little as possible to Father and Mother, and every time I did I felt pangs of guilt. I kept assuring myself that what I was about to do was for the best, but I couldn't let the guilt go. In doing so, I ended up getting only two hours of sleep that night, until the sun began to rise, and I realized it was time.

Chariton and Marcius gave me the clothes consisting of boots, leggings, a buttoned shirt with a vest, a cloak to keep me warm, and a pair of fingerless gloves. Georgia and Letitia then got to work helping me transform myself into a boy. Dirt was applied to my cheeks to hide their redness, a piece of hard fabric was wrapped around my chest to flatten it, we even tied my hair up and put on a blond wig Bryn had found over it.

After we were certain I looked convincing enough, we hurried outside into the courtyard at the back of the castle as quietly as we could, then we headed to the open field where one of the pathways led. There, we were greeted by Festus and Nephele, Festus was holding the best sword he could find, and Nephele was holding onto Starfleet, who was saddled and ready. Junia and Bryn then helped load the things I would need onto her, after-which Festus gave me the sword, which I strapped to my belt. When it looked like everything was ready, I breathed a deep sigh as I decided to bid my siblings a fond farewell.

"Brothers and sisters," I said, "I thank you for your assistance, but now, the rest is up to me. I promise I will reach Rivendell safely, and that I will write as soon as possible."

"Promise us one more thing Aminta," Festus said.

I turned toward him, and could see by the troubled look in his eyes that he still did not wish to part with me. Nevertheless, he gave a sigh and said, "Promise that if this ends up becoming more serious than you first thought, that you will return home safely."

I frowned. I hadn't really considered that possibility. If the Ring had really been found, what would Lord Elrond decide to do with it? What if his decision involved me and I had to reveal my identity? Once these questions were brought up, I couldn't escape them, but I soon realized that when faced with a journey such as this, I must be prepared for anything.

I nodded. "I promise."

I then proceeded to hug each of my siblings – from oldest to youngest – and every one of them said their own goodbyes. It was all so moving that by the time I came to Letitia, there were tears in both our eyes. We hugged as fiercely as we could.

"Good luck Aminta," my sister said as positively as she could.

"Thank you sister," I said.

We then reluctantly let go of each other's embrace, and I walked over to Starfleet, put my feet in the stirrups, and hoisted myself up into the saddle. Once the reins were in my hands, I took one final look at my brothers and sisters.

"Well, my siblings, I bid you all farewell. But before I go, I have one last request."

I held the reins tight and said, "Tell Father and Mother I love them."

Before another word could be said, I urged Starfleet forward into a canter and together we went through the field before finding the nearest pathway. Once we did, I found myself unable to resist the urge and looked back for a few brief seconds at the castle, the early morning sun just barely hidden by it, before I turned around and concentrated on the road ahead. It was during those few moments that I realized that I was leaving the only home I had ever known, and going to a place I had never been to. It was all I could do to keep myself from turning back, but despite the temptation, I continued on down the pathway.


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