Disclaimer: I don't own the wonderful world of Tolkien. *sniffles*

A/N ~ In this chapter, I have put the conversation in Haradaic in ITALICS. This is because the main language being spoken here is Haradaic and I am NOT going to try and write all of it out, even if a can remember twenty or so Haradaic words by heart now. LOL Why? Because I am slightly obsessed with the new language. *grins*

ITALICS ARE HARADAIC! Bold is mind-speech.

Haradaic

Mahin calio = Young lord/prince

Vawino inkar xrc qwart rur inke? = How long to cross the water?

Breniu ulihn = Three hours

Muhareen = Sand-sister

Eruxanre = Eru's Guardian

Calia Muhamik = Lady Sand-spirit

Gwaedh ~ Bond

The Haradrim boat grew nearer to the shore and Arienel gripped Elrohir's hand tightly, suddenly unsure of everything. She wasn't sure where the nerves came from, but the dark-haired elf's hand tightening reassuringly on her own helped to calm her and the elleth took a steadying breath as she watched the Haradrim. They did not come close enough to board, but they were within calling distance for communication. The elleth could see them eying the Anrarhin and then the Muhalorrn - clearly a gift - the Oliphants and then the Muhamik, the most dangerous predators in the desert. What could be going through the minds, Arienel could only guess.

A leader finally approached the railing of the ship and shouted questions over to them in his native tongue. "Who are you? What are you doing in our land? How come you to control our great creatures?"

No one answered as Faramir turned to both Nazir and Arienel - the two people who could speak Haradaic. His hazel eyes and tone were serious. "Nazir, you have been a great help and ally to Gondor, but I must ask; do you plan on traveling any further with us? We must have a primary translator now as to not confuse these men. It must be either you or Arienel."

Nazir nodded, but it would seem his mind was already made up when he spoke. "It has been a privilege traveling with you, mahin calio, but this is as far as I will go." The man smiled and Arienel was struck by how strange he still looked to her with his swarthy skin, black hair, tattoos and piercings. "It would be better if the Muhaniret were to talk. She is the one with the power behind her words even if she is a woman." He touched his brow and then heart to both the man and elleth. "I hope we meet again." With those parting words, Nazir went to the Muhalorrn and started gathering provisions to go back across the desert.

Faramir and Arienel looked out at the water again and the red-haired female sighed before calling back to the men on board- who were now looking slightly more suspicious than before. She had Faramir whispering the words to say in her ear, but Arienel made sure to put it into words and phrases the Haradrim would understand. She wasn't sure how she knew how to do this, but it seemed to come with the gift of speaking Haradaic in the first place...or maybe it had something to do with the Gift of Eru as if flared brightly around her neck, the flames warm against her skin through the metal. "I am called Arienel Flame of the Sand. My leader is Faramir, Lord of Ithilien. The warriors with me are Derufin and Bergil. The elves are Elrohir and Eluchon. We are a people that have come from the land in the North to make peace with the South, with your land. The Muhalorrn were given as gifts by the people of Nremesirn. The Muhamik are not controlled. They go with whom they choose and the Mûmakil are the ones that were saved by myself and my Dark Muhamik during the war between my people and yours. We have come to bring an offering of peace and the Mûmakil back to you as a sign of goodwill."

The Haradrim on the ships seemed to digest these words, speaking among themselves. They looked back at the Northerners on the shore every so often and Arienel could feel their eyes on her. It soon became apparent why as Haasin's warm breath blew in her hair and the warmth of Kamiseen's tail-scales wrapped around her waist. The Kalei were making it VERY clear who their allegiance was to and the elleth was grateful for it. She needed the support if she was going to be the translator for their group. And yet...this almost felt like the reason she was here. Had she come along for this purpose? She couldn't remember - not shocking at this point - and she pushed the thought away for a later date. She'd have to ask Elrohir about it...funny how she always thought to go to him about these things. Haasin's soft rumble alerted her to the fact that the men were speaking again and Arienel listened carefully before frowning. They were demanding more answers, proof, intent...had she not already explained what they were doing here? What more did they want? The Gondorians had crossed the desert of Harad, bringing the Oliphants with them, they were in the presence of the Muhamik, the most feared predator in the South and they had gotten gifts from the people of Nremesirn on their way to Citroprn. What other proof did these men need?

Arienel did not realize she was angry or that her eyes had gone gray until the wind started to pick up with little prompt. The Joy of Eru, the wind-cross seemed to pulse with life and the ship started to move, the waves tossing almost playfully as they pushed the Haradrim toward the shore - much to the mens' confusion. Arienel smiled, her eyes still gray, but amused...until the wind decided to spin the ship, using the sails expertly. The elleth touched the green-metal cross about her neck and glared down at it with her own gift. It seemed to subdue reluctantly - much like its former bearer - and Arienel once more focused again on the ship, folding her arms as she spoke, her voice almost haunting. She had the attention of every male on board and on shore, though, the latter party - minus the Kalei - didn't have any idea of the words she spoke. Haasin translated for the Gondorians and elves.

"You have been given proof and you do not accept it. I will not give you more proof, but you will bring me to Nusayya." She wasn't sure where the last word had come from, but her eyes flashed a darker gray than normal as she said it and Arienel felt her gift finally leave her, departing back to the place where it rested when not in use. Whatever the word or title was, it seemed to have an effect on the Haradrim and it wasn't long before they had lowered three boats for the Northerners and started toward them. The men in her group blinked at Arienel, disbelief on their faces. How had she managed that, and in a place where women were not respected unless deemed powerful for some rare reason?

Elrohir and Eluchon seemed to be the only ones not effected by what she'd accomplished. Eluchon wasn't surprised because he had never stopped believing his princess was like her brother, father and mother, a good combination of the three; stubborn, gifted and smart. Elrohir simply knew Arienel and he knew that she could do much more than she had. The dark-haired elf laced their fingers once more and leaned to the side to whisper in her ears, sending shivers down her spine in a way she suddenly remembered - she didn't remember the time or place or reason, but she remembered the action quite well.

"You did well, Mell. If you bring peace between these two people, I think you shall need another name, don't you?" His brown eyes were alight with mirth when Arienel's blue eyes met his own with a pained look. She glared and rolled her eyes, pulling away from him. "No, I do not you intolerable elf!" Elrohir merely grinned, knowing she was not really upset with him. The way her bright eyes looked at him and the way Haasin and Kamiseen gave no hostile reactions to her mood were hints enough to recognize. Arienel huffed and crossed her arms once more...and just in time as the party of Haradrim had arrived on shore. They eyed the Northerner men with distrust, but seemed to have an entirely different look for Arienel herself. It seemed to be somewhere between awe and fear. Arienel wasn't sure she liked either of the reactions, but was also smart enough to know they could be used to their advantage at this point.

It took some communicating and compromise from both sides before everyone was at least tolerating the arrangements made. It was clear that the Oliphants would have to stay behind as they were too big to cross the lake. It was decided that two sailors would stay behind and herd the great animals back to Nremesirn where two more herders would take over and bring them around the lake to Cjornark. It would take days, but that was the best that could be done. Arienel spent a good ten minutes with Chifican and Beleg, making sure they would obey their new masters. The Muhalorrn and two horses were loaded onto the boat with some careful and creative maneuvering and transporting the men across the water was easy.

It was convincing the Haradrim that she wasn't coming without the other Northerners that proved trying, but Arienel eventually won the argument. Apparently Nusayya was someone important to the Haradrim and if the elleth knew of this person, then she, a Northern woman, must be important, too. The trick with the wind had helped in that area as well. The real problem came when the Kalei stepped forward. The Haradrim were adamant that the Muhamik not come aboard their ship and both Haasin and Kamiseen were equally as stubborn about not leaving the Kaleniya. Arienel had rubbed her temples for a good minute and tried to think. The solution came as she looked over the water and then turned to one of the sailors.

"Vawino inkar xrc qwart rur inke?"

"Breniu ulihn."

Arienel looked at the sibling Kalei and spoke to them mind-to-mind. "How long can you swim?"

Haasin looked across the water and his ear flaps pressed against his head in agitation. "Far, maybe an hour or perhaps two, but not three. We are natural swimmers, but even we have limits, Kaleniya." The elleth nodded and fingered the green-metal cross about her neck absently. Finally she smiled and nodded to herself. "You'll swim." Kamiseen opened her mouth to object and sky blue eyes met gold. "Do you trust me, Muhareen?" The dragoness blinked, but nodded and was silent. The Haradrim seemed to accept that the sand dragons were coming after Arienel explained how they would be following the boat, but they weren't happy about it.

Arienel was beyond tired when the city of Cjornark came into sight. Between keeping the fragile, dangerous peace between the Northern males and the Southern males and using her gift with the added help of the wind-cross to keep Haasin and Kamiseen afloat when they tired...she was finding it hard to focus on anything, much less the prospect of facing the ruler of this city if that be their immediate destination. Elrohir had his arm around her waist and she leaned heavily against his side, not even caring that part of her felt slightly awkward in his arms while more of her felt comforted.

Both Kalei were grateful when their clawed feet could touch the bottom of the lake and Arienel sagged, releasing her power. The son of Elrond tightened his hold on her, his brown eyes worried. "Arienel?" She gave him a small smile and shook her head, steadying herself. "I am fine. I am just...weary." All right, that wasn't the whole truth. She was also stressed, curious and nervous, but he probably already knew that. Elrohir gave her a look, but let it go, sharing a look with both Faramir and Eluchon over her red hair. They nodded subtly. They would keep a close eye on her and intervene if she tried to do anything beyond her strength at this time.

Northern eyes turned to look at the city coming into view as the boat drew closer to docking. There was a reason its name meant 'Gold Spear'. The walls looked to be made of gold - though, in reality they were made of a hard to find golden hard-sand - and the large structures within the walls all came to a point at the top, reaching for the sky and peeking over the wall itself. The dock the boat came to was made of a thick, rich wood for the jungle was nearly touching the walls of Cjornark on its northern side and was readily available. The gates of the city itself were actually made of gold.

Arienel departed the boat in a state of wonder and was grateful for Elrohir's presence on one side and Kamiseen's sudden appearance on the other. As the Northerners walked along the long dock, following the leader of the sailors, they were stared at with anger, fear and curiosity by the other sailing men there. The elleth knew it would just get worse when they entered the city. If the were allowed to enter the city...

The Gondorians, elves, Kalei and Arienel stayed quiet as their guide talked with the guards of the gate. The elleth thought she caught the name 'Nusayya' many times and soon one Haradrim guard was leaving, racing away on a horse toward an unknown destination. The sailor guide told them they would have to wait for the guard's return and answer. He was going back to his boat. Faramir thanked the man in Haradaic, his accent horrible and the sailor departed. The Steward sighed, rubbing his neck and looking suddenly nervous as he paced, looking at the gates in thought.

Bergil and Derufin seemed to not know what to do and so went to tend the three Muhalorrn and the two stallions while they waited. Eluchon leaned against the wall behind him, talking with Haasin and Kamiseen was curled on the ground close to Arienel and Elrohir as the two sat on the ground. The elleth was grateful for the rest and leaned back against the dragoness. She was asleep before long and so did not have to wait in impatience for the next hour for the guard to return.

It was nearly night when the gate opened and the Northerners stood quickly, ready for either welcome or attack. At this point, it was hard to determine which greeting they would get. They were in enemy territory, deep in enemy territory and the rules were completely different here. These people didn't trust them and the feeling was mutual. Arienel blinked awake at the noise and sat up as Kamiseen nudged her, standing after a moment, her hand on the dragoness' scales. Haasin came to flank her left side and Elrohir looked back at the three with some relief, seeing Arienel was well protected. No matter what happened to the rest of them, the dragons would not allow her to be harmed, of that he was more than certain.

It would seem the protection was unneeded, though, as many armed men came out of the gate, but only a slight, dark man on a horse approached them, looking nervous himself, but also slightly pompous as only someone in authority can be. His dark eyes traveled over the group, recognizing the position of authority Faramir held as the hazel-eyed man stood in front, but looking more for the person who looked to hold even more power, the one Nusayya wanted. He found this person quickly and a look of surprise flitted across his weathered face. A woman? And such a strange woman! Her hair was the color of flames - and tangled beyond being wild - her eyes like pools of dark water in the flickering light of the torches, her desert-clothes torn and dirty, her skin clearly having gone without a bath for some time...and yet, she carried herself in a way that spoke of confidence and the Muhamik themselves stood by her side, teeth bared slightly and gold eyes glittering. Yes, this was the one Nusayya wanted.

The messenger pointed to the woman and his voice was nasally. "You have been summoned to the palace and an audience with King Ikrimah of Harad. Nusayya sends her greetings to her...sister." He seemed to hesitate over the last word, but Arienel felt a sudden connection to this woman. She should know who Nusayya was, she knew it! The elleth merely nodded and then crossed her arms. "I am not going alone."

The man looked displeased, but nodded curtly and turned back to the the guards with him. Arienel looked at her own group. "We've been summoned to the palace. The King of Harad is called Ikrimah and this Nusayya...she is on our side, I think." She mounted Haasin as she spoke and the Gondorians and elves mounted their own animals, looking both cautious and yet curious as the guard procession surrounded them, but didn't come too close. It would seem they were going to get an escort.

The large group traveled through the darkened city quickly as most of the villagers had gone in for the night and the cobble-stone streets were clear. Curious faces peeked out of windows without glass, but no one came out of there sand-rock houses and they went by uninterrupted. The guards had tightened the parameter around the Northerners as they went through Cjornark, but none of the Haradrim horses would even approach the Muhamik and so Arienel and the Kalei were given a wide berth at the back of the procession. The elleth was grateful for the fact as she got to look around without having to meet the dark eyes of the dark people around her.

The palace came into sight quite suddenly and sky blue eyes blinked in amazement. She had yet to see anything man-made that was remotely 'beautiful' until now. The entire palace was made of sand-stone mixed with gold. It was both strong, sturdy and it glittered in the torchlight. Red stone trimmed the corners of the walls and topped the battlements. The main roof, where the throne room must be located, was domed and spiked at the top with smaller domed roofs around it. It was large, not as big as anything in Gondor, but clearly bigger than the palace in Edoras. Arienel decided she liked it.

The Northerners were made to dismount and the Muhalorrn were taken away by slaves. The two stallions refused to be led away at first, but with some crooning talk from Kamiseen, the horses went reluctantly with the other mounts. The Muhamik refused to leave and no one made them. The doors to the main entrance of the palace was big enough for the sand dragons to fit through, but Arienel was informed that the inside was not. Haasin and Kamiseen were agitated and unhappy about being separated from Arienel, but in the end they settled on the sand in a large courtyard and decided to reluctantly wait for their Kaleniya to come back and inform them that everything was well. If she didn't come back...well, their kind would take vengeance of the worst kind on this city and the Haradrim knew it.

Arienel felt a flutter of nerves as they passed under the doorway into the cool interior of the palace. Torches burned brightly on the walls and plush rugs of red, rolling on and on covered the sand-rock floor. The messenger removed his shoes and sat on a bench near said rug. Many slaves, carrying water and towels came forward and started washing his feet. They waited patiently for the Northerners to sit before taking their shoes and doing the same to their feet. They did not look up, did not speak and Arienel felt an anger stir in her when she saw that many of them were younger than she was and some had suspiciously light skin, probably halfbreeds of North and South. That could only mean one of their parents was of Gondor, a slave themselves. The fact was not lost on the Gondorians or the elves, but none of them could say anything about it at this time, not with peace being so crucial to obtain right now.

Their messenger finally led them down the long hall - still barefoot - with many pillars and openings into different places on either side of them. It was a very open place overall and Arienel was glad for it as she held Elrohir's hand, feeling jittery and having a difficult time not feeling like she was overwhelmed. She hoped she wouldn't make a mistake, being as tired as she was...

Nusayya looked up as the throne doors opened. Her light gold hair was the greatest attention-drawer in the room and so she wasn't surprised when the Northerners entered and immediately looked her way. The dark-eyed and dark-skinned woman merely let her gaze pass over them, not judging or disdainful, but preoccupied as she found who she was looking for. The flaming hair of her guest rivaled her own gold locks for attention and Nusayya couldn't help but smile when their eyes met. Those sky blue eyes looked so innocent in the way of a child and yet wisdom swam in their depths and power. Soon recognition did as well.

Arienel blinked, breaking her gaze from the woman who sat to the left a black-haired, dark-skin and eyed man on the throne. There were five seats up on the dais and only four of them were filled. The King, Ikrimah who appeared to be in his forties had the middle and biggest throne, and it was made of gold. His gaze was stern, but Arienel did not think it was cruel or unreasonable. If anything, he looked interested in his white visitors if not somewhat suspicious. He was clearly a war-hardened man with a weathered face and scars. The woman who sat at his immediate left was around ten years younger than him with dark, curled hair and a gold tiara, delicate chains draping down the back of her head. She was beautiful with delicate features and Arienel knew she was the Queen of Harad, representing all of its beauty. Nusayya sat at her right, two places away from the King and her hair was of the lightest gold. She had dark eyes and skin, appeared around twenty years and while she was not the most breath-taking creature, there was a wisdom and happiness that seemed to shine from her, brighter than her strange hair.

And the last throne on the far right was filled by a curly, dark-headed girl of around eleven or twelve. She had the beauty and delicate bearing of her mother, but the fierce look in her dark eyes of her father. There was a quiet stubbornness about her, a toughness that Arienel thought would serve her well in the harsh world she lived in. The throne to the right of the King, the only one there...was empty and the royal family seemed to be acutely aware of this as they constantly glanced at it and then looked away quickly, the women blinking as if against tears.

The King held up a hand as the Northerners approached and they stopped, bowing instinctively, but no more than what was called for as a sign of respect. Arienel let go of Elrohir's hand as she walked forward to stand beside Faramir, knowing she would have to translate everything that was said, both to the King and to the Steward. The thought made her stifle a yawn. Nusayya suddenly spoke quietly and her father beckoned her to rise and come nearer. She did with grace and knelt beside her father's throne, speaking softly in his ear. Ikrimah appeared skeptical at first, but his daughter persisted and he gave in, much to the apparent annoyance of his advisers .

"My daughter has requested that I give you a night to rest before asking what purpose you have in my kingdom. I am inclined to agree with her for your interpreter alone looks ill-suited to stay awake. Go, rest in my house, but do not think that you are unwatched." His tone had been reasonable, just and even amused when talking about Arienel, but the last bit showed that he clearly did not trust them yet and when Arienel translated this, the Gondorians and elves accepted the warning with nods and thanked the Haradrim King for his gracious hospitality to his enemies in Haradaic to the best of their ability. Arienel's eyes met Nusayya's as they were led away and the woman winked, comforting the elleth somewhat. Just like in her dream, the Haradrim woman radiated a peace that Arienel wanted to be around. If Nusayya was confident in their well-being than the red-head would try to be, too.

The Northerners were led down a more closed hallway and to a row of dark-wooden doors. Each person was assigned a room and as Arienel disappeared into her own, she saw guards, two each, being posted to a door. The elleth merely shook her head and looked about her room. It was lit by simple torchlight and a small fireplace, enough to keep the sand-walls warm at night. A raised bed with fine-clothed blankets and sheets greeted her fingers and a plush carpet of deep brown was soft beneath her bare feet. Arienel smiled to herself and then started violently when she noticed the slave-boy in the corner, standing very still and very quietly for his young age. He had been studying her, but now looked down hastily, fear flashing in his light brown eyes, fear of being punished.

Arienel didn't know if Gondor kept Haradrim slaves or if she had ever seen one before - she didn't remember - but the sight of this boy, no more than ten, looking so...trained, subdued, it made her heart ache and she approached him slowly, kneeling down to be at his level. What he thought she was going to do, the elleth had no idea, but he shook like a leaf when her fingers came out to lift his chin gently. His eyes wouldn't meet hers, staring at something to her right and Arienel spoke softly, the crosses at her neck almost burning her skin with the power radiated off of them. "Pen neth, do you speak Westron?" She was not sure why she asked or had called him 'pen neth' but there was something about his light eyes and brown hair that didn't strike her as Haradaic and his skin, well it seemed more tanned than naturally dark...and the fond name...she remembered being called that...by someone dear to her, though, she could not picture his face...

The elleth was rewarded when startled light brown eyes met her gray and the child blinked before swallowing hard and nodding, his voice faint. "Yes, mistress."

Arienel grimaced. "Do not call me that, pen neth. My name is Arienel. What is yours?" She watched as the boy seemed to cringe and shrink inward at the question and she reached out to touch his shoulder. He seemed loathe to let her, but permitted it because in his mind, he didn't have a choice. Something happened- though, as her fingers made contact with his skin and the Joy of Eru flared brightly, a breeze coming through the open window to caress their hair. Alagos had said the wind-cross was determination...and love. Arienel found that she was crying and didn't care. The little boy was, too, and though he looked startled by the fact, the Gift of Eru, the cross of fire, of trust and hope, it took care of the awkwardness or fear either of them could have felt, washing over each of them gently, making the flames around them in the torches and fire-place flare. It seemed to be over as soon as it started and Arienel sat back, suddenly to tired to even kneel. The slave-boy barely stayed on his feet, staring at her.

"Asabiarn. My name is Asabiarn." His voice was quiet and still speaking in Westron, though, his accent was clearly Haradrim.

Arienel smiled. "It is good to meet you."

The elleth woke slowly to the sound of chirping birds. It turned out that she had been placed in the room closest to the Courtyard of the Birds and their sweet chirping woke anyone in this wing of the palace. It was a sought out room among ambassadors and Nusayya had made sure she got it. Arienel was only to learn this later, though and for the moment was just glad that she was rested, comfortable and clean.

Asabiarn it turned out, was to be her personal slave for the duration of her stay and he had made sure she was taken care of just like any other guest of the palace. A bath had been drawn and bread and fruit set out. Clothes had been sent sometime while she bathed in the washroom, both sleep ones and an outfit of dark blue and purple for the next day. Arienel had gone to bed clean and full. So had the boy for the elleth had refused to to eat unless he did and she suspected he'd given in both out of hunger and fear that he would be punished if she didn't eat. Arienel planned on making him take a bath later using the same technique... Now, though, she forced herself out of the bed and into the washroom, noting that the basin was already full of clean water. She hadn't even heard him come in! Arienel left the washroom dressed, hair brushed and pinned back around her ears to find her heart in her throat once more at the sight of Asabiarn in the corner. He was so quiet!

"How long have you been standing there?"

The slave-boy looked nervous, but answered truthfully as far as the elleth could tell. "Since you awoke, mistress Arienel." He refused or seemed unable to drop the first part of her new title and Arienel let him have it, knowing it was a losing battle at this point anyway. She shook her head and moved to the window, sitting on the seat there and looking out. "Asab, where do you come from? You are not of the Haradrim."

The boy shuffled his feet, flicking brown hair out of his eyes, but answered. "My parents said they were from a place in the north called Rohan. They told me they were captured on their way to visit friends in Gondor. They are both dead now, mistress Arienel."

Sky blue eyes grew dark with anger, but she didn't look at the child, but outside still, watching the horses in the training yard below. "Who takes care of you now?"

"No one, mistress. I sleep with the other slaves. We look out for each other as much as we can." He suddenly looked up and seemed to be asking permission to speak with his eyes. Arienel smiled despite her growing, but simmering anger. "You may speak freely around me, Asab. I will not punish you for anything you might say and that is a promise."

Light brown eyes looked positively shocked and slightly skeptic, but the boy spoke, almost as if he were afraid to lose the opportunity. "Do you not want to hear about the palace or Harad or the King, mistress Arienel?"

A red brow rose and Arienel turned away from the window to give him her full attention. "Why would I ask about those things?" How much did he know? How perceptive was this young child? Asabiarn bit his lip, but spoke again, cautiously. "Everyone asks these questions, mistress and being that you are and your friend come from the north and must be here for an important reason, I thought that..." He trailed off and Arienel beckoned for him to continue. He did...after a moment's hesitation and a second glance at her. "I thought you would want information so you can better face the King."

Arienel smiled and stood from the window seat. Her touch seemed to startle the boy and he cringed, but the elleth just squeezed his shoulder gently and waited until he wast too curious not to look up before speaking softly. "You are right and I would like to have more information. What can you tell me?"

Arienel wandered the courtyard grounds with her guards in tow. The other Northerners hadn't seemed to have figured out that they were not locked in their rooms, merely watched constantly by their shadows and Arienel was planning on telling them...after she got some thinking time to herself. It wasn't that she did not appreciate their input and their presence, but she didn't even remember them and they remembered her as either someone different than how she was now or everything she did reminded them of things she used to do and didn't really do now. Either way, it felt like she was constantly being watched to see how she would behave. It got tiring.

At this point, also, she had much to think about. Asabiarn had been a wealth of knowledge, being ignored as a slave, but hearing almost everything that went on in the palace. Either it was him that saw or heard it or a fellow slave. Arienel found out that Nusayya was actually half elven, half Haradrim and that her mother, Arahael had been the King's first wife, but she'd died before he was made King of Harad. The people only accepted Nusayya because of her power. The boy could not tell her what that power was. Nusayya was the first child, but since she was a female, could not take the throne. Sumay was the King's youngest daughter from his wife, Queen Yusraa. The girl was said to be very fierce at riding and archery, belaying her fragile appearance. She was a jewel in the King's crown. If Nusayya was the adviser, then Sumay was the silent, but determined guard in the background, alert to everything.

The son of the King, Amr, had been taken from Harad not two months ago - along with a few other children - and the people suspected the Anrarhin were involved. Asabiarn warned that Ikrimah was very unstable right now over the loss of his son, his only heir and he would not take kindly to requests for peace between the North and South not knowing if the North was involved with Amr's disappearance. Arienel had discovered that Ikrimah had become King only two years before and for a time, had been under the dominion of Sauron, but not by choice. He wanted a better life for his people, but at this time, was unsure how to bring that about, how to show the rest of Arda that his people wanted to change, if not their ways, then their relations to others.

Or at least the King had wanted that until Amr went missing.

Arienel now paced the Courtyard of the Tiraa, a desert plant that bloomed red flowers, and tried to think. Haasin and Kamiseen soon found her and her guards backed up, still staying, but staying further away, hands on weapons. The two sand dragons ignored the Haradrim and instead nuzzled their Kaleniya fondly in greeting. Arienel pet each of their heads and then followed Haasin's gold eyes to another small shadow that she'd noted long ago. "Asab, come here."

The slave-boy looked almost petrified - and also strangely drawn - but obeyed, coming to stand, trembling, before her. Arienel noted that his eyes never left Haasin's face, though, he didn't look the dragon in the eyes. The elleth shook her head and touched his shoulder, moving him to stand in front of her. She stood behind him, placing both hands on his shoulders to both help him stay standing as he still shook and to comfort. "Asab, this is Haasin and Kamiseen. They are my friends and will never harm you." She looked into his eyes from over his head. "Do you trust me when I tell you this?" Light brown eyes looked up at her and then strayed to the chain the fire cross hung from and the leather thong the wind-cross hung from as they swung free of her neck. He looked back at the dragons, Haasin especially, and then nodded slowly, relaxing slightly. He'd never trusted any master or mistress before, but this one...this one seemed different.

Arienel smiled and soon the four of them were sitting together, Asabiarn looking nervous and glancing at the guards. The elleth didn't pay attention, telling the Kalei what she'd found out. "What do you think will convince the King to make peace with the North? What if the Northerners did take his son?" The two siblings looked thoughtful, though, Haasin also looked distracted, his gold eyes rarely leaving the boy and Kamiseen answered for her brother and herself. "While I do not know if your kind took the prince, I do know that his father would most likely do anything to get him back."

"What do you mean?" Arienel glanced at Kamiseen, try to pay attention, but her eyes stayed on Asabiarn as he was called over by a stern-looking man. The boy seemed to cower as he approached and from beside her, she could feel Haasin stiffen. Kamiseen didn't answer, watching her brother with concern. "Ruun?" The male sand dragon didn't respond and when the man with Asabiarn struck the boy across the face with a rod, the Kalei moved faster than Arienel could ever remember seeing. The Haradrim man found himself suddenly falling backward on to the cobble-stones, scrambling back in fear as the Muhamik roared in fury, standing over the fallen child. Gold eyes burned with feral hate and the man knew he was going to die as he looked into a fang-filled mouth that hovered over him.

"Haasin! Daro!" Arienel sprinted across the courtyard, Kamiseen by her side, but neither of them would reach the male in time if he chose to act. The elleth absently realized the dragon's roar had attracted a crowd very quickly, but she didn't care, only speaking reasonably to the Kalei as she slowed and approached carefully. "Haasin, you swore an oath to the Kaleniya, to me. You cannot kill this man." All that answered her was a low growl that she found suddenly and startlingly familiar. It was one of savage and uncompromising protection...for a bonded. Sky blue eyes snapped to Asabiarn to see the child looking terrified, but still pressing close to the sand dragon's leg nonetheless out of instinct born of the Rishten. The slave was both scared of the dragon's anger and drawn to Haasin.

Light brown eyes came to meet her own and the slave-boy soon heard a voice in his head that made it throb as if with headache. "Asabiarn, I know this might pain you, but you need to listen. I cannot stop Haasin and neither can Kamiseen. You need to make him look at you, make him obey you." The child's eyes widened with astonishment and disbelief as he looked at the underbelly of the creature he sat beneath and then back at her. Arienel kept her eyes on Haasin, but tried to smile a bit. "You can do it. I promise." If the male Kalei was going to listen to anyone, it would be his bonded. Just as Morroch listened to her.

The man being threatened hadn't moved, but his eyes did widen even further as Asabiarn finally crept out from under the sand dragon - most had assumed he'd been crushed - and stood tentatively before the Muhamik, reaching up with a shaky hand to touch the dragon's neck. "Dragon?" The creature didn't respond, growling still at the Haradrim and the boy bit his lip and spoke a bit louder. "Haasin?" Gold eyes snapped to meet the child's and the two froze, an instant connection passing between them like neither had ever experienced. Haasin found that it felt like he was happy, content for the first time in ten years, since the boy had been born. Asabiarn felt cared for, noticed...and he felt a headache coming on from the sudden presence of the Muhamik's mind within his own. The Haradrim took this moment to scramble out of the sand dragon's immediate range and the crowd of people looked on in amazement as the large Kalei settled and relaxed under the boy's hand, laying down in a content way.

Arienel just breathed a huge sigh of relief and smiled over at her ashen guards before looking back at Kamiseen. She knew she would have to explain to Asabiarn what was going on, using the knowledge about the Rishten she remembered Morroch knowing, but right now, she was just trying to not fall down from the adrenaline fading out of her system "What did you mean by saying Ikrimah will do anything to get his son back?"

Mild time-skip in which Arienel goes to get the men and elves, explaining that they can leave their rooms...

"You think that if we promise to get the King's son back he will make peace with Gondor?" Faramir looked skeptical, raising a brow as he spoke. The Gondorians and elves were all in the Courtyard of the Tiraa and Arienel had just finished telling them what Kamiseen proposed. The dragoness snorted. "Yes, that is what I told the Kaleniya." Arienel smiled and touched the Kalei's neck, glancing over to where Asabiarn slept soundly between Haasin's legs and clawed feet. The male dragon had his head close to the boy's body, shielding him from the slight breeze and others' eyes. The slave-boy had not been bothered by any of the Haradrim since Haasin's clear display of possessiveness and protection. Arienel was grateful for this and for the fact that Asabiarn had not asked her what had happened between he and the sand dragon yet. He was surely curious and confused, but in his mind, his mistress was busy and he could wait.

"Amr is the King's only heir. If we can bring him back to Harad, the King might be willing to make peace with the North."

"That is not all that would be required, my sister, but it is a good idea. My father misses my half-brother greatly." The voice, strong, but musical made the Northerners whip their heads around to see Nusayya approaching them on quiet, bare feet. She smiled, always seeming to be happy and touched Haasin's scales as she passed. The sand dragon didn't stir and Kamiseen remained relaxed as the princess came closer, waving the guards that stepped forward away. The Gondorians and elves made to stand, but the woman merely motioned them down and sat herself, every movement filled with an elven-like grace that showed her halfbreed heritage. Arienel watched the princess, but in the corner of her eye, also noted that Eluchon did, too... The action brought a small smile to her lips and sky blue eyes sparkled with amusement before focusing on the other woman again.

"What else would be required to make peace with your father, Eruxanre?"

Nusayya's dark eyes seemed to sparkle with laughter as she looked at the sand dragoness who had spoken and her voice was light, but also filled with a wisdom Arienel could sense instinctively. "I have not been called that in many a year, Calia Muhamik." She turned her gaze back to the Northerners and suddenly became much more serious. Arienel had no need to translate her words for she seemed to speak Westron fluently, leaving the Northerners to wonder how she had come by the skill. "My father has heard of the peace you made with Nremesirn and it is acceptable to him, but Nremesirn is only a small city and the tradition of alliance is different with larger cities like Cjornark and the ones further to the south than with smaller ones. While Nremesirn made an oath with you for the gift of peace from the Muhamik and they exchanging the gift of the Muhalorrn with you to seal it, that is not all that would have to be done to make peace with all of Harad under my father's rule."

Faramir nodded, understanding, but his expression was cautiously curious when he spoke. They had expected that deals and oaths would have to be made, but the extent of the negotiations were still unknown and any information would be useful. The fact that they were acquiring it from the King's own daughter was strange, but the man was not about to question it or her motives. "What are the traditions of alliances with you people?"

"An alliance, a peace of this magnitude would require promises, gifts and a marriage."

The steward blinked. "A marriage?"

Nusayya simply nodded, her expression calm as she explained. "To make peace with the North, there would be a marriage required. A man, powerful in your land, would marry the King's eldest daughter to make a binding of blood and honor. This man might be a lord, a prince, a King, but he must hold a position of power or be related to someone with power."

There was a very long stretch of silence before Arienel spoke, her eyes narrowed. She spoke in Haradaic to keep the conversation between them and the men watched the woman closely, but could not discern what it was the spoke of. "You are the King's eldest daughter."

"Yes."

"Does this not bother you? That you would marry a complete stranger only to make peace between two peoples?" Arienel wasn't personally sure if she'd be able to do something like that. Deep down, she knew she loved Elrohir even if her conscious mind didn't remember the emotion. Her sky blue eyes found his brown - slightly concerned - and the elleth couldn't imagine the uncertainty of marry someone you did not know...and from a completely different culture, different customs, language... She did not remember Elrohir, but at least she knew him to be honorable and that he did love her. What assurance did Nusayya have if she married a Northerner? The elleth met the other woman's black eyes and Nusayya seemed to read her mind, smiling gently. "I have accepted my role in Eru's Song, little sister. I am not afraid to meet the one the Creator will give me, not if it will bring peace between two of his people."

Arienel shook her head, but did not argue at this time, unsure what she would say. It was Eluchon, surprising many, that spoke, his light blue eyes never leaving Nusayya's black. Arienel watched the two of them together and it was with a small idea growing in her mind that she listened to the conversation the two held. "Princess, you say that the eldest daughter must marry a man of power according to his own land, but as you can see in our group, the only males of power here are the Lord Faramir, who is betrothed already and Elrohir, also betrothed and to the princess of my own kingdom. How long will your father wait for a man to be found for you among the Northerners to complete this peace?"

The dark-skinned woman held his gaze, a small smile curving her lips. "I am glad you have asked this question for there is an answer that might help you. Many times, when peace is being made, there is not a suitable match in age between the sons and daughter of different families. Powerful families have been known to adopt a general or a wealthy man's daughter into their family by way of a blood-ceremony to marry them off into an alliance." She chuckled. "As you may logically see, this does not strengthen any powerful bloodline and that man or maiden is not truly of the powerful family's blood, but it does count as an honorable alliance if those people have been adopted into the powerful family before they are married off."

Now everyone looked thoughtful and it was Elrohir who spoke, slowly, trying to make sure they truly understood the loophole Nusayya had provided them with. If she was correct, then they might have a chance to complete this alliance. "You are saying that if Faramir were to adopt Derufin into his family in a blood-ceremony of your people, then Derufin would be an acceptable suitor in the eyes of your father and your people?"

A smile. "Yes, but the blood of a Steward is not going to satisfy my father."

Faramir raised a brow, unsure if he should be insulted. "Why not?" Nusayya moved her golden hair behind an ear, revealing a small point at the end, reminding Arienel that the woman was half-elven. "You do not simply ask for peace from one city or even two, but for all of Harad with the North. This is a great request and it will require powerful oaths and bindings. My father will give me to no less than a man part of a royal family. From what I understand of your people, a Steward, while powerful among your people, is not royalty."

Arienel watched as one by one, all eyes came to her and it was with a jolt of understanding that she realized that among everyone here of the North...she was the only one that could claim immediate royal family...at least that was what the others had told her. Derufin and Bergil were simple soldiers. Faramir could claim very distant, diluted ties back to the King's of Gondor, but he was not truly royalty. Elrohir was descended on both his mortal and immortal side from Kings, but his father had not taken the role of a King and so technically he was not a prince. Eluchon was merely the son of an adviser and of no royal blood. Arienel...was the daughter of an elven King.

The elleth sighed and ran a hand through her red hair, resigned to the fact that she was going to be playing a major role in the negotiations. If Elrohir's stories of her forgotten past were to be believed, she was usually involved in things like this all the time anyway. It seemed she was not to escape the responsibility just because she could not remember having accepted them in the first place. "What must I do?"

Nusayya laughed, the sound like tinkling water, reminding the elleth of the water-cross she'd seen the woman with. It was not visible under the pale yellow dress she wore, but Arienel could see the glass-like chain around her neck. "It is simple. Before witnesses of the court of my father, you must exchange blood with the man you would adopt into your family. Usually this is done by the the head man of the family, but I think with all my father has heard of you in the past three days, he will make an exception." She looked over the three available bachelors with a calm gaze, unworried, but Arienel noticed that her eyes lingered on Eluchon the longest before coming back to meet the elleth's sky blue ones. "I know you will choose wisely, little sister." The princess stood and nodded to each of them before settling her hand on Arienel's shoulder. "I will talk with you more concerning other matters later tonight."

Arienel nodded and the other woman left, disappearing into the palace, leaving the Northerners to sort through the puzzle and advise she'd given them.

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