Rose of Rohan

Book 1

~Chapter Two in which a History is Retold ~

Borimir did not understand his father. Nor did he like the man. In Borimir's mind he did as he saw fit as long as he stayed in the old man's good graces. And marrying some half-elf lass surely wasn't his idea. But it secured his people and his kingdom's safety for a little while longer. And, the lass wasn't hard to look at either. He sighed in frustration as he pulled the ever curious Adriianii around the winding walls and pathways of the WhiteCity.

He carefully searched his memory for an inkling of something to make polite conversation over. Not a single detail regarding his intended came to surface. The only thing he could remember was a scrap about flowers he had read in a letter describing her.
He hoped the letter spoke of untold love, not an allergy, as he led the seemingly dainty elf to the royal gardens.

Adriianii thanked her elfen senses for the ability to keep with her soon-to-be-husband. He was obviously rushing to be done with her. His discomfort almost made Adriianii laugh. If he couldn't be around her for more than a few minutes, how on earth could he run a kingdom?

But, whatever doubtful thoughts flooded her head disappeared as he pulled her to his intended destination. Upon walking under the petal infused arches Adriianii was rendered breathless. "It's beautiful" She managed to mutter, pulling her hand from his to walk down the floral laden hallway. "A little dilapidated, but beautiful" she said glancing back at her betrothed from a dying bed of silver lilies.

"We've been meaning to have someone come rehabilitate the area but no one wanted to assume command over the job." He meandered to her side, stopping briefly to smell a colorful bunch of flowers. He didn't know their name. He didn't know any of their names for that matter. "Perhaps, once you are settled I could speak to my father about appointing you to oversee the gardens."

Adriianii nodded in consideration, although she had hoped for a greater sense of purpose and adventure outside of Oakdale, she was touched by his implied attention.
"Thank you, I look forward to showcasing your already beautiful city." She said, walking towards an empty square of soil. "I could send for some of a more exotic nature, for the empty looking spots." She smiled.

Borimir chuckled, recalling the rest of that introductory letter. I would be surprised if her heart were not mine by sunset, he thought to himself. "Well if you're excited now, wait until you see what resides at the end of this pathway." He loosely took her hand in his, and led her away from the other branches in the path. The letter had spoken of her well-learned and curious nature and inexhaustible thirst for more. The pathway slowly became more refined and tended to leading up to an obvious side or back entrance. The door's hinges were dusty.

"This", Borimir smiled letting the lady, his lady; walk into the room first, "Is our royal Library. When I was a child I received daily lesions here. And until recent, noted scribes would journey here to write their life's discoveries. I noted the other day, while preparing for your arrival; we had little resources regarding your specific kin. I also thought you might be tempted to regale your people's history for my own curiosity, and that you might transcribe it for our people's future references."

Adriianii smiled. Although her mother's kingdom lacked in history, it was certainly elusive and caused needless speculation and rumors. This task, proved less tedious than cultivating gardens, and would give her a chance to clear up what ever murky image King Marcaius had provided of his runaway bride's people.

"Are you asking me to tell you a story, my King?" She inquired coyly, testing how he reacted to the title.

Borimir's eyes threatened to grow wide, as his pupils had involuntarily done. He carefully thought about his next words, mulling them over in his mouth to see how they would feel; ultimately deciding that a curt nod would suffice as a reply. Adriianii mentally noted his nonverbal reply. She would definitely be calling him that in the future.

"As you wish", She said daintily. "I'm sure it is my elfen roots that you inquire after. Since my father's history is but your own, just a few years behind. The Kingdom of Oakdale didn't start with an ancient feud or preciously preserved drops of royal blood.

"It's beginnings were a little more humble. In the time after the Dragon Smaug resided in the halls of dwarves and was vanquished my ancestor Katrina (of half elf half wizard blood) needed a place of refuge away from her father's home in Mirkwood, and having never been close to her mother's kin she lacked a desire to stay in the forest altogether.
After finding her husband's home constricting she sought to create her own home.

"The name Oakdale comes from her husband's Kin. I know little about it's coming to be.
Oakdale was built as a safe haven for wanderers, and all who were seeking a place to belong. The outer walls of the city were carved out of massive trees, as to protect them in later years if needed. The gate was less decorative. It bore only Katrina's mark of wizardry, and 'Oakdale' carved both in dwarven runes, and elf script.

"There was no where safer. During the first war against the powers in Mordor the population grew into a city, worthy of comparison to your numerous cities. The residents came from diverse races, and had no one to govern or lead them. It was then it came to be known, Katrina's husband was a prince, or some level of royal decent.

"He was crowned King, she his Queen. Within the year as their Kingdom blossomed growing wide, and stretching into the trees as the Elves do in Lothlorian, Katrina bore him a child. Their firstborn was Celestia, my mother. And they saw fit, she would grow up with every right a firstborn Prince would have. The Kingdom was hers. Later in life Katrina bore a son, Que. He grew along with my mother in elven grace and longevity. Under their command as a family, Oakdale grew into possession of the largest flower gardens, and became renowned for healers, who Katrina taught herself.

"But time passed, and the King passed and returned to his homeland to lie in death with his brother and most beloved cousin. Katrina's life was longer, the magic in her genes giving her stubborn life as she slowly died from grief as elfs can do. My mother assumed her birthright, and ruled with grace and power.

"Under her supervision military ranks were established, a people's court grew into existence and the commerce blossomed in rivalry to the flora and fauna. But as her Kingdom flourished so did other's ideas of conquest. My father as a young prince didn't know of my mother's elven breeding and sought to fool her into becoming hid bride so he would gain her kingdom.

"His plan succeeded, he rendered my mother with child and planned to coerce her into marriage through this child. But when her elfish decent was discovered, no matter how many times confused with other races, he fled. Only seeking to hide this scandal. But his wife, my stepmother derived from an arranged mirage, was barren. And when I arrived at his door, he except me as his heiress no matter how he wanted to reject me.

"Oakdale refused to see shame at my mother's pregnancy. They brought her to a public questioning and deemed my father to blame for her indecency. She married Sitra Grey of Lothlorian, and later bore my sister Rochelle. Under their union Oakdale's elven population grew. We did not fight with the folk in Rivendell as we were connected through Katrina's uncle Elrond who resides there. Being of more elfish decent, he remains past Katrina, and offers aide to our people if we call. My sister has elected to live in his house, befriending his daughter Arwen. We don't spend our time fighting among ourselves as men do."

Adriianii smirked as Borimir understood her jab at man's inability to remain at peace with each other.

"That is the history of my people. And I hope you do not find our ways too strange. I fear ruling such a free people would prove difficult for men of your rank."

He chuckled darkly, "Don't doubt me. I have power your little providence has never seen. There will be no difficulty when we are married. Our people will recognize me as their rightful King."

Adriianii smiled darkly, "No my people would recognize you as King, if it were to be so. But for that to pass, you must be marrying a Princess of Oakdale. But I fear you are not. You are marrying Adriianii PoisenOak of some middle-of-no-where city that has managed to elude conquest long enough it's begun to parade its self as a real kingdom."

Borimir couldn't decide if he was attracted to her ability to careful turn the tides of a conversation, or how she had easily cornered him such simple technicalities.

He chose both, were expectable reasons. Her intelligence only seemed to rival her beauty.

"You are unlike most women Adriianii." He grinned, leaving formal titles to the damnable world of his father.

Farimir would have gone crazy over her.

Maybe tomorrow, he would teach the frail thing to handle a sword.
The adventure and rule-breaking could benefit her already quick mannerisms.

Borimir smirked, because he had the girl, he was finally going to have the Kingdom, and for once everything was going according to plan.

AN

Okay again thanks to all my epic reviewers, espicaly JediSkywalker01 (because she is the reason this was even written in the first place). Also this fict is going to be annualy updated on Fridays, so you all have the most time to read it.
Also I have a special announcment, if you haven't noticed at the top it now reads 'Book 1'.

I saw fit to split this story into two books. Book 1 being her time as a princess, and Book 2 dealing with her journy with the ring, and continuing thus.

ALSO- Two related ficts, will be released sometime soon. For this one's sister story, I'm thinkning with next friday's update.
For the Hobbit fict, well, I don't know.