'Sweet Elbereth, do you always ask this many questions?' Boromir asked after I asked him how long he had been travelling. Before that I had asked him if his horse had had any trouble travelling such a long way. Before that I had asked if he had met many people along the way, and before that I had asked if he had gotten lost on the road a lot. The first question I had asked when we had arrived at our resting quarters was if he had met many elves before. Boromir added, 'A child does not ask as many questions as you, yet they have much more to learn!' Ryce burst out in laughter, but made no comment. I shot him a sideways glance.
'If you think you are done learning just because you are no longer a child, you are mistaken,' I said, 'I enjoy asking questions as it is a great way of getting to know someone!' I countered.
'You can learn a lot more by observing rather than bombarding them with questions,'
'I disagree,' I said in response, 'How could I have observed if you had gotten lost on the way? Or how many people you met?' he sighed and cast his eyes upward.
'Perhaps having more of a conversation instead of an interrogation would be better,' he said.
'What do you mean?' I asked. I heard Ryce giggle. He was enjoying this way too much.
'After you ask someone a question, give them some time to ask you one in return. I know nothing about you yet you expect me to answer each and every one of your questions truthfully!'
I thought about this. He had a point. Yet I could hardly explain to him the reason why I wanted to get to know him better. At least not yet.
'Ask me something then,' I tried.
'I'd rather observe,' he said. It was silent for exactly two seconds before Ryce lost it and started laughing uncontrollably.
'You are impossible,' I said semi-angry, but when I looked at him I saw him trying to hide his grin and I felt a smile spread across my face.
'I do have one question, though,' Boromir then said, 'observing you two has not provided me with an answer. Are you… together?' Ryce answered before I could say anything.
'No. Sorrun has harshly denied me many years ago. Only recently I have come to terms with it,' he sighed dramatically, 'she loves another,' I gave him a dry look.
'Ignore him. No, we are not together. His love is back in Edoras, as is mine,' after I had said that I realized I should have said I was betrothed. Adding it now seemed out of place, so I decided against it. Boromir was looking at me funny.
'You have met him. Her betrothed,' Ryce added, 'he was there when you visited Rohan,' at this Boromir's head shot up.
'You mean you are betrothed to the prince?' now it was my turn to burst out in laughter.
'No, silly. Eomer,' I said once I recovered. His stance changed again, seeming somewhat more at ease that I was not engaged to a royal member of Rohan. Little did he know of my own heritage, 'do you have a love?' I asked in return.
'I do not have time for love. With the current unrest in Middle-Earth, I feel it is futile,' his words shocked me.
'Why would you say that?' Ryce asked. Only then did Boromir seem to realize what he had said.
'Nevermind that. Go on then, Sorrun, I am sure you have more questions for me,' I guessed he did not want to continue talking about that topic, so I didn't press it.
'I do, actually. Now we are in the safety of Rivendell, I was wondering if you could tell us more about the dream you had. Why did you go and not Faramir? What are Morgul-spells? What is Isildurs Bane? How come you and Faramir both had the same dream?' Boromir raised an eyebrow at me.
'You know, asking them all at once does not make it less of an inquisition. However, I will answer them to my best abilities. Why I came here instead of Faramir might not make sense to you, as I've told you Faramir had had the dream more than me. You might be right to think that would have made him the better choice, but my father told us the road to Imladris was dangerous and treacherous, so I took it upon myself to go. As for why Faramir and I both had the same dream, that I do not know. We are brothers and that is about the only reason I can think of. Morgul-spells are a part of a kind of dark magic, or so my father told me. I do not know what Isildurs Bane is, but we might get more answers once the mystery man Lord Elrond is waiting for arrives,' once again I felt none the wiser. The two men went over the riddle again while I sat back in my chair and let out a heavy sigh. We were in a section of what Elladan referred to as "guest chambers", but "guest mansion" would have been better. There were so many rooms for guests to sleep in. I had my own and so had Ryce and Boromir, which left the other dozen unoccupied. We were now in a common area with open access to a balcony. There were comfortable sofa's and chairs as well as big, elegant tables. The walls were bare with here and there a gap where a candle could be placed. The balcony provided a beautiful view over Rivendell and in the distance I could see a waterfall. I had planned on visiting it in the next few days. I was eager to explore this city.
I looked up as Ryce sat down in the sofa across from me. Boromir had gone.
'He left, but did not say where to. Why did you not tell him?' Ryce asked me. Instantly I knew what he was referring to.
'I am not ready yet. I think he might take it the wrong way, or not believe me at all,' I expressed my worries.
'I understand. I will not push you, but think about how you are planning on doing this. If you wait too long he might take offense, or your paths will separate you and you find yourself without another chance. He is a proud man, a very proud man, but he is not unreasonable. Make sure to-' he was interrupted by the someone entering the room. There was no door, so having Elladan appear out of nowhere surprised me.
'I was asked by Lord Elrond to take you to him,' He did not sound like Elladan, this voice was much deeper. How could that be? Ryce and I both got up simultaneously.
'I apologize for the confusion. I meant her,' he said. Had he forgotten my name already? Shocked I started moving forward and he didn't need more incentive to start walking. I quickly looked back and shot Ryce a look of despair, but he just stood there. I felt my heart beating rapidly, all the while thinking I had done something wrong. I should have gone and introduced myself, I scolded myself, Elladan warned you of your rude attitude and their pride! I tried to clear my head of every single thought as I followed Elladan to see the Elven Lord.
/ / /
Elladan had taken me higher up the valley to a stone paved courtyard. A man (or elf?) was sitting on a bench with his back towards me, but as soon as he heard us arrive he stood up and turned towards us. The moment I saw his face I realized this must have been Lord Elrond, and I swallowed. Lord Elrond said something in Elvish and Elladan left. I felt very exposed, standing in front of him alone.
'What are your intentions in coming here?' Lord Elrond started right away. Dear Gods it felt like I was talking to Theoden King but Lord Elrond's air of regalness was much more intense than that of my King. As soon as he made eye-contact I felt like he could see into my very soul and being. I had not even thought of lying but knew he would have been able to see way past that.
'I- I overheard Boromir talk of his dream when his journey took him through Edoras, where I hail from. His dream sounded familiar, and I felt a strong urge to follow him,' I swallowed again, 'because I felt like whatever was to happen after, it would impact Rohan, too. I wanted Rohan to be a part of whatever is to happen next,' as soon as I said it, I realised I had not explained it well. Lord Elrond's silence only confirmed that for me. I saw some light-grey smoke drift through the air behind a stone pillar behind the Lord and thought this might be a shrine of sorts. I had focussed on the dancing fumes so I did not have to look Lord Elrond in his eyes. I was too scared to. It was impossible for me to recognize his tone of voice nor did his face give anything away of his emotions.
'There is some truth to your words,' He then said, 'but I must admit, I have lied to you earlier. Indirectly. I told Ryce and Boromir I was yet to make a decision because I am waiting for another man, but that man has long since arrived. In fact, he is not a man, but a wizard,' I felt genuine fear coursing through my body now. What was he going to do to me? I closed my eyes as I felt a shiver go over my back and opened them again only to look at the floor. Just as I was only beginning to get used to Elves I was going to meet a wizard?
'There is no need to be that afraid, child. We just wish to clear some matters up,' another voice spoke. Oh Gods, the wizard.
/ / /
I mustered up all my courage and looked up at where Lord Elrond had stood just before. Next to him was standing an even taller "man", with grey hair and a grey beard. His robes were also grey and he was holding onto a brown staff. His eyes were twinkling, which made the fear in me subdue bit by bit. He looked… friendly.
'We believe you genuinely care for the fate of Middle-Earth. However, you have lied about something else. You do not hail from Rohan,' the wizard spoke. I was positive my heart had stopped beating and I could no longer breathe.
'But if you wish to be included in what is going to be decided on the morrow, we urge you to make everyone believe you are,' the wizard went on. Now my heart was beating so fast it felt like it was making up for the beats it missed. I was utterly confused.
'What?' I said, forgetting all manners. What was going on? What had Ryce told them? And when?
'What is your name, child?' The wizard asked. Well. No point in lying now.
'Saoirse,' I said softly. Lord Elrond nodded knowingly and the wizard's eyes sparkled even more now.
'Just to clarify, Saoirse, daughter of…' the wizard started.
'Denethor, Steward of Gondor,' I finished for him. It was not like I interrupted him; he had let the silence linger. To my horror, the wizard started to chuckle.
'Forgive me, my old friend, but it seems I was right once again,' the wizard said to Lord Elrond with a smile.
'Or so it seems,' Lord Elrond said, smiling back. I wanted to sit down, my head was spinning. What was going on here?
'Right about what?' I heard myself ask before I realized it. I hurriedly looked away from them. This felt like one of those speak-when-you're-spoken-to situations.
'That you did not die in your sleep. That your mother was able to take you to safety before Denethor could have caused a war,' the wizard answered. Caused a war?
'My mother told me he wanted me married to the Haradrim prince so he would be the one to bring peace between the two nations,' I said. The wizards eyes grew soft, but Lord Elrond spoke.
'In his arrogance he made himself and everyone else believe that. But the Haradrim were not after peace, they were after vengeance. Long ago, Gondor took something of theirs and ever since the Haradrim are trying to take something back of equal importance. Once you married the prince, he would lay claim to Gondor and seize it,' Lord Elrond said.
'What did Gondor take?' I heard myself ask. I was not afraid anymore, but I clung to every word they said.
'Before we tell you, you must make a promise to us first. You cannot tell Boromir you are his sister, nor can you tell Faramir if you are to meet him. It is of utmost importance that you promise this, even though you can only fully understand the reason why after tomorrow. What will be revealed tomorrow is the true reason you set out after Boromir, and if your intentions are still true then you will agree that the future of Middle Earth and all its lands and races are more important than the family of one. Do you understand?' Lord Elrond answered. I had chills over the whole of my body. Of course I understood. Prejudiced I may be, a hypocrite even, but I was not selfish.
'I understand. I promise. Neither Boromir nor Faramir will know I am their sister,' I said. Silence followed.
'How is it so easy for you to make this promise?' Lord Elrond asked. I searched for the fumes I had focussed on earlier, but they were gone. So instead I looked at the wizard's staff as I spoke.
'With all due respect, Lord Elrond, it is not that easy. But I understand that whatever it is that will become clear tomorrow, it is bigger than me, and bigger than Boromir and Faramir,' I inhaled deeply, 'my mother told me about them when I was sixteen and ever since I have known I would never meet them. It would only complicate everyone's lives and after she died it would only tarnish her memory and her wishes. I made peace with it. I have now met Boromir and I am grateful for that. I do not even think they remember the short time I had with them before we were separated,' my last words hung heavily in the air as silence followed. I could not read either of their expressions, so I waited for their response. Lord Elrond said something in Elvish and the wizard responded.
'One last thing. We are not certain yet that you will be a part of whatever comes to pass after tomorrow, nor is it certain for Ryce or Boromir. But that is all up to yourselves,' and with that, the wizard turned to leave.
'Wait!' I called after him. He turned back towards me, 'yes?' he asked.
'What is your name?' the twinkle in his eyes returned.
'Gandalf. They call me Gandalf the Grey,'
/ / /
When I returned to the guest chambers I was glad to find them empty. Before Boromir or Ryce could arrive I hurried to my room and closed the door behind me. I needed some time to process what just happened and I needed to do that alone.
I realized I needed to tell Ryce that no one was to know of my true identity. I was thankful that I had told him before any of this had happened, that at least someone knew the truth. I decided I would tell him once we had a moment with just the two of us.
It dawned on me that both Gandalf and Lord Elrond knew about me before I even knew about them, and I guessed even before they knew that our paths would eventually cross. Or maybe they had known that all along, too. There was no way for me to know.
I had felt a strange rush of relief after I had left them two. After thinking about it for a while, I thought it had to do with what was decided for me. I hadn't found a way or the words to tell Boromir about me and now it was decided that I would never have to. Or at least, until Middle-Earth was at peace again. I could live with that. It was not going to be easy, but I felt certain I could manage.
After Gandalf had left, Lord Elrond told me what it was Gondor had taken from the Haradrim and it had taken place so far away in our history that it was no wonder no one knew about it at the present day. That, and I perfectly understood why Gondor did not include it in their history books.
'What is now known as deserted South Gondor used to be a thriving nation of the Haradrim and Gondorians combined while also being an important trade haven for the Corsairs. The rulers of the land would always marry one another - Gondorian to Haradrim and vice versa. An heir had just been born to a Haradrim Prince and Gondorian Princess when Gondor decided they wanted the land for themselves. A terrible war ensued, killing every last Haradrim in South Gondor. It was the start of a terrible unrest between the nations, and it lay the groundwork for the hostility each nation has for each other now. The Haradrim value their customs more than anything else. Most of their customs come down to equality. All things have equal value to them. There is no money, but everything is traded. A ship is worth thirteen wagons, a flock of sheep is traded for a cluster of goat, jewelry is equal to minerals, and so forth and so further. Gondor had taken their Prince and heir, and if you were to have been sent to Harad, they would have made sure the Gondorian debt was paid in equal,'
I could only imagine just how precise they would claim their revenge. I wondered if my mother knew about this and if this was the real reason she had faked our deaths, to save me from such a terrible death. I would never know.
Slowly another thought creeped back from the back of my head to my awareness. Before I was summoned to see Lord Elrond, Ryce and Boromir were talking about Boromir's dream and reciting it. It felt like the last puzzle pieces fell into place now that I had heard it over and over again. I had had that dream, too. It made sense: they were brothers, I was their sister: we shared the same bloodline. Numenorean blood.
So maybe I was meant to be here, after all.