Hi! Ready for the next installment? A few shout-outs first….
NESSAANCALIME6913 – Thanks for your support. I promise I'm writing as fast as I can! :D
lilly042004 – Thank you so much! I hope this chapter does not disappoint!
katnor – I know, I know but I'm a teacher and as any teacher can tell you, the final weeks of school (and usually the week after) are murder! Theoretically, I should be able to write more now that it's summertime! So….. look for more updates soon!
BrightWatcher – I know! I didn't expect it either when I first started! It's like each chapter has a mind of its own. I can never plan exactly how they will end. I've tried and been wrong almost every time!
CrazyMarshmallow :D Mushy, I know!
ZabuzasGirl - Your wish is my command!
The morning sun slowly embraced the air, creating small currents of wind that circled them with the perfume of spring blossoms as they stood. She had been grateful for the warmth. Though she was getting used to it, Rohan's climate was in no way like the balmy days she was accustomed to. It had been the first time she'd been able to stand outside without feeling a chill, and she reveled in it.
The excitement of the mute crowd seemed deafening as they waited and Enzi took a moment to adjust her garment. It was a simple pale blue color, the material gathering in some places and loosely folding in others with only gold and silver-braided rope tying it at the waist. It had been kind of Aragorn to have this made for her.
She had not seen him since she arrived with the Rohan but knew his handiwork when she saw it. She would have to thank him after the ceremony. He had known how uncomfortable she had been before leaving for Rohan to finish her recuperation after the sickness. Perhaps he was extending the olive branch on behalf of his people. Not that it was necessary. Old hatred was something that would take time for many of the people. She did not expect a month of separation to extinguish it, nor did she blame the people for it. They would accept her in time.
She was still amazed that the Rohan had been so different. When she was recovering, Éowyn and Éomer had offered her sanctuary, which she accepted gratefully. Théoden had honored her, called her sister even, but she never expected it to be more than a ceremonial acceptance. When she came back with the brother and sister, broken and weak, the people opened their hearts and hands to aide her as if she were one of their people. She was given the best care and food, women tending to her until the wee hours of the night. They massaged her limbs with salves and helped her slowly gain back her mobility and rejoiced with her when her strength finally returned. Even now, they regarded her as "Lady Enzi," as if this were her official title (none but Éowyn and Éomer knew of her parentage) and cared for her as they did Éowyn. She doubted her own people would have been so warm and loving if the positions were reversed.
Éomer adjusted his arm slightly, calling her attention quietly. "If you continue to daydream you will miss the crowning," he said quietly. She jumped slightly and looked up at him, noting the slight twinkle of green of his eyes in the sunlight. The two shared a quiet chuckle and Enzi turned her attention back to the ceremony. By now, Aragorn was slowly walking through the assemblage. He was dressed completely in armor and covered with a heavy cloak, the clank of iron and chainmail announcing each of his steps.
He continued walking until he neared the top of the stairway, kneeling quietly. Mchawi stood quietly in front the gates, smiling as his eyes twinkled. He turned to Gimli, who was carrying the gold and silver crown, representation of Gondor's leadership. He handed it to Mchawi, which held it up to the sun as a sort of blessing, then slowly, purposefully, placed it on Aragorn's head.
"Now come the days of the king," he announced to the crowd. He then regarded Aragorn a moment, smiling. "May they be blessed."
The crowd erupted into a fit of joy, cheering and clapping for their new king. Enzi removed her hand from Éomer's arm and applauded as well, sharing a glance with the young king beside her. She was slowly adjusting to Éomer's kingship, as she assumed he was. Éomer was clothed in red and green, his robes intricately stitched with gold at the border and neckline in a manner worthy of a king. He wore very little armor, though you could scarcely tell, and his golden tresses were carried by the wind, unencumbered by a helmet. He offered no smile but nodded at Aragorn with respect.
She turned back to Aragorn in time to see him raise his hands, calmly requesting silence from the crowd. "This day does not belong to one man but to all," he said quietly. Even on the day of his crowning, his gentle demeanor showed through. "Let us together rebuild this world… that we may share in the days of peace."
The crowd erupted again only to hastily quiet themselves as Aragorn began singing a Gondorian chant. "Et Eärello Endorenna utúlien. Sinome maruvan ar Hildinyar tenn' Ambar-metta." This was a language she had been taught to recognize and translated as much as she could in her mind. He was promising to stay with his people, he and his heirs until the end of time. She supposed this was a promise his forefathers had made and he was reminding them that he was determined to keep this promise for the good of the people from here on. And though the sentiment was lovely, what impressed her most was his voice! She had traveled with him for so long and yet could not remember hearing him sing before.
Petals of white flowers were released through the air, raining down on them as Aragorn walked through the crowd again, this time as the newly crowned king. He paused to each side, bowing to each set of dignitaries as they bowed respectfully back. When he came near, she took to her knees, her hands forming a circle and coming together knuckles touching, as she kneeled. When she glanced back up, she found him smiling at her, his hand outstretched to assist her. She took it and, once she was standing, he walked to greet the next party.
"He will make a majestic Mfalme," she whispered to Éomer but found his attention was now beginning to wane as hers had before. She looked in the direction of his gaze and saw Faramir and Éowyn bowing to the new king. She looked back at the young king, watching his face sour a bit. Well, not his face, exactly. The muscles in his face were almost motionless, but his eyes told the entire tale. They were honest eyes, like a child's . Whatever emotions he intended be secret, they held it within their murky greenish-brown hue, announcing what he refused to the rest of the world.
Enzi smiled a bit, looking up at him through her eyelashes. "You could at least try, barbarian," she whispered. Out of respect, she'd stopped using the old insult on him. Afterall, he was an Mfalme himself now and though she did not know all of the customs of his people, she knew that all kings need be shown respect by their people, especially visitors they had given amnesty to. A few days of goading and taunting on the king's part however had brought it back, at least in private. "For the sake of Éowyn, at least."
He tore his eyes from his sister and Faramir, who had taken to gazing at each other as Aragorn continued to greet his guests. One could not ignore the love shown in their eyes. Faramir grasped Éowyn's hand, cradling it as she held onto his arm. "He is not noble born," Éomer muttered quietly.
"His father served the people as steward, just as he serves now…." Enzi offered softly, patting his arm as she held onto it.
"He rides to Edoras unannounced..."
"-Acting under the command of Aragorn to escort our party safety to the White City as a sign of respect."
"Then he monopolizes her time. She has barely spoken a word to you since we left Edoras. It's not like her."
"Since when are you so concerned for my feelings?"
"He has nothing to offer her."
Enzi moved a bit closer to him, leaning in to whisper in his ear. "If you believe that, you are duller than I have given you recognition for. Can you not see it, Éomer? He is offering the one thing she wants." Éomer was silent, and she wasted no time in continuing. "Faramir is a good man who loves your sister intensely and whom she loves intensely. And all the while, you've been nothing but brusque with him. Can you not at least give him a chance? An opportunity to prove his worth?"
By now, Aragorn had been greeted by the elves, sharing a friendly gesture with Legolas. Legolas stepped aside, allowing an elf woman to reveal herself from behind an elvish banner. She was the most beautiful elf Enzi had seen, raven hair and large blue eyes. She was clothed in green silk and seemed timid, too uncertain to know what to do next. Enzi had recognized her from Rivendell and watched as Elrond whispered something to her. She looked so much like the elf king. Was she his kin?
The woman began walking toward Aragorn and he met her near the White Tree. She bowed respectfully, but Aragorn stopped her, lifting her face to meet his. The shared a long, soft glance. Then, unexpectantly, Aragorn grabbed her, pulling her face to his in a long, heartfelt kiss. This must have been the woman Aragorn had been so worried about. The love Sauron tormented him with. And now she was here, and his forever.
The crowd erupted again, laughing and cheering as the two were reunited but Éomer was still glancing hard at his sister's pursuer.
"If a man cannot handle a bit of brusqueness for the hand of a maiden, perhaps he does not deserve her," Éomer said pouting a bit, motioning to Aragorn to prove his point. It was clear he was unwilling to allow her to win the argument. His heels were firmly planted in the rocks and he would not leave his position.
Enzi shook her head, resigning herself to losing the argument (or at least a short respite until she could think of another tactic) as she watched Aragorn and the elvish woman finally reach the Hobbits. They were dressed as they had been so long ago, but they seemed different now…. weathered and wiser. They fumbled to bow at Aragorn but he quickly rebuked them.
"My friends!," he said quietly, " You bow to no one." And with one sweeping motion, Aragorn respectfully prostrated himself, leading the entire assemblage, including the Fellowship and their allies, to do the same. Afterall, it had been Frodo and Sam who'd seen to the end of the Ring and the tyranny of Sauron. If not for their willingness to undertake this mission, none of this would have happened. All of the people owed the hobbits an insurmountable debt of gratitude. And yet here the shirefolk stood, uncomfortably fidgeting at the great sign of respect and honor they were being shown. Enzi wondered if they truly understood what they had done for the world.
After the ceremony was concluded, most of the assembly was escorted to the city's Great Hall, where they were seated and offered more food than Enzi believed would feed the entire kingdom! And once the barrels of ale were brought into the hall, the celebration only increased in its clatter. Gimli challenged Legolas to another drinking game. Men took to smoking their pipes and couples danced in the center of the hall. Merry and Pippin took to dancing on a table when they found no room on the floor (not that they preferred dancing on the floor anyway). Enzi took this time to visit with Aragorn. But she found that when she stood, the crowd hushed to tribute him. She thankfully took a mug of cider as Faramir offered a toast to his new ruler. "To King Elessar," he announced. "May he long reign over these lands."
"Hail!" the crowd cheered before each of them downed their mugs.
She eased herself to the table where Aragorn and the beautiful elvish woman sat and bowed her head, deciding to not fully prostrate herself again. "Hongera, Mfalme Elessar. Mei wewe kutawala watu wako kama busara kama wewe kuongozwa nasi. (Congratulations, King Elessar. May you rule your people as wisely as you led us.)"
Aragorn offered a smile and slight nod, and turned to the elvish woman, who was also smiling. "This is ArwenUndómiel, daughter of Elrond, lord or Rivendell, and soon, my bride."
Enzi smiled a bit broader. "I am honored, my lady."
Enzi moved to bow once again, but Arwen stopped her. "It is I that should bow to you," she woman spoke melodiously. "Aragorn has told me of the sacrifice you have made for the sake of us all. It is I that am honored in this meeting."
It was meant as a compliment but it drew Enzi's thoughts to a dark place. She masked it quickly, however, and continued. "Then is it you I must thank for the creation of this?" she gestured to the dress. "I had no idea the elves could create such beauty in simple cloth."
The woman's brows knotted a bit and she shared a glance with Aragorn. "The gown is quite beautiful but was not seamed by elvish hands."
Enzi now turned her attention to Aragorn. "You did not have to do this, Aragorn. I was quite happy wearing my tunic and trousers. This is much too grand a gesture to offer me." She offered him a sly smile "Almost as grand as hearing your voice raised in song."
Aragorn only laughed. "I'm sure that would be debatable, but you owe me no thanks."
Enzi was insistent. Why was he being so modest? "Of course I do, Aragorn. You did not have to do this. It will take your people a while to accept me, this I knew long before we arrived here in battle. You had no need to offer me this. I-"
"I did not have the gown made for you, Enzi."
She stopped mid-statement. "What?"
He shook his head, still smiling a bit. "I did not have it made for you. Though I agree that whoever made it has offered you a grand gift."
She gave him a side-glance. "You knew nothing of this?"
Aragorn shook his head quietly. She had been sure that it had come from Aragorn. She'd found it on her bed that morning and had assumed that it must have come from him. She searched the crowd. Legolas and Gimli were still drinking, the latter beginning to feel the effects of many pints of ale. No. It couldn't have been these two. Arwen said that it wasn't made by elvish hands and I'm sure that Gimli has not taken up the art of sewing. She searched the couples dancing to find Faramir spinning a giggling Éowyn around in the center of the hall. Perhaps Éowyn hid it during the journey…. No… I sat with Éowyn while she went through all of her gowns before leaving the Golden Hall and the night before. If there had been a hidden gown, I would have seen it. "But-" Aragorn's voice brought her back and her eyes darted in his direction. He bore a slight smile as he had before, but this time it carried something else. It had been similar to the look Legolas had given him before the presentation of Arwen. He knew something she didn't. "If you search hard enough," he continued, "perhaps you will find your admirer."
Enzi pursed her lips together. She detested surprises and secrets even more so, at least when she was ignorant of them. Arwen now bore the same knowing smile and Enzi grew tired of their lack of information. Perhaps Mchawi- Yes! Mchawi! She searched the hall and could not find him. Turning again to bow to her old friend and his bride once more, she walked through the hall, pushing the large gates open, leading to the outer courtyard. But it was not the wizard that caught her attention.
She walked slowly to the wall of the courtyard. Before, it had been so full of people, she could scarcely see a few feet in front of her. Now it was almost vacant and the entire landscape was in her view. She had not seen the borders since the BattleofMorannon, and she only remembered bits and pieces thanks to the sickness. Her final memory before being racked with pain was the very land opening up and swallowing the gates, separating the land of Gondor from Mordor. She had avoided looking at the landscape as they had taken the North-South road. She wouldn't have been able to see much anyway. But now…. now that she was so close to the border, the destruction was unavoidable. The skies were dark and the gleam of fire and sulfur still shown in the land, even at this distance. The Plateau of Golgoroth was certainly filled with molten rock and fire. The mountains were dark, darker than they had ever seemed to be. She saw no little snow on their tops, only what appeared to be smoke and ash. The Sea of Núrnen would have certainly vanished by now. Though not suitable for drinking, its land had provided food for the entire hordes of Sauron. There would have been no escape through Mordor. Her eyes inadvertently found the Harad Road, the path many of her people traveled to gain an advantage over the North but saw no signs that it had been traveled. They wouldn't have been able to get to it, even to escape the destruction of the Nchi ya Bwana Giza (Land of the Dark Lord), even if they wanted to. If what had happened to her was an indication, the sickness had found them almost as soon as the Dark Lord fell. This was something none of them could run from, and no one in Harad had the benefit of the aide of Mfalme or the elves. She felt her eyes sting with tears at the realization that there would be few Harad to save. Most were already dead.
An even harder fate awaited those cursed with survival. Quiet realization hit the Haradress. Only the eastern Sea of Rhûn and the Harnen River were all that was left to supply the needs of the Houses excluding the great ocean. More importantly, the Vita Mkataba (War Truce), the only thing that kept the Great Houses and tribes from tearing each other apart ended when the Dark Lord fell as well. Desperation over food, water and security would destroy what little peace her people had. And as the cheers of the Men of the North and West celebrating their victory vented from the large gates, Enzi slumped down to the green grass, envying even this small trinket. There would be nothing green in her land for some time. Badala ya uhuru, nimekuwa aliwasema kwa vita vya kiraia (Instead of freedom, I've condemned them to civil war)," she sobbed quietly as a warm hand found her shoulders. She didn't bother to look behind her. "Nimefanya nini, Mchawi (What have I done, Mchawi)?
"Shhh….." the wizard whispered, lifting her to her feet and cradling her as one would a child. "What you have done is what you had to do," he said finally. "You know this."
She thought of Asana, barely thirteen now. She had been protected from war and was a gentle soul. She would not be strong enough to fight the illness. Dingane was strong, yet there was no guarantee he even made it through the Mountains of Shadow, and if he did, he would have been alone when the sickness started! "They did not have your aide, Mchawi. They had no one to heal their bodies as the Dark Lord's essence diminished." There was a pause and she felt her throat catch. "The elves….."
"Are leaving this land, child, and the awful few that have not already left can offer little aide to an entire people. Even assuming your people would allow it."
"But I didn't expect this," she softly mourned. "They will not be able to survive this, and those that do…." She looked up at him, a fresh tear sliding down her face. "Mchawi! You can go to Mordor! You can help them!"
The wizard's eyes saddened as he shook his head. "I was sent to help the people of Middle Earth, to unite them against Sauron. Now that he is gone…."
"You'll aide these men and women but leave my people to die!" She stepped back from his grip, disbelieving of the statement even as he spoke it. "I do not believe you capable of such cruelty."
Mchawi gazed into her eyes, still saddened. "I'm sorry, my dear. But I am not the salvation of your people. I can do nothing to aid the Harad."
Ok, so I've really been struggling with this chapter. I had to revise the first version of it because it just didn't feel right and I expected to get so much further with her journey than just Minas Tirith, but, as I'm sure you all know, when the muse tells you to end a chapter, you must end it, whether you like it or not. I know many of you hate cliff-hangers and I promise you, it wasn't my intention to create one. I'm not even sure I like the situation Enzi's been put in. I wanted her to at least have a couple of chapters that gave her a break! Poor Enzi! Even the girl writing her can't help her!
Once again, thank you for been such faithful readers! I couldn't fathom how far I would take this story when I started and never imagined it would get such a great response! From what I've seen, many stories get a higher response during or directly after the film or tv series has been broadcasted. I never expected so many followers a film based on a book not recently made. I am humbled by the thought that you found something worth reading and I will continue to do my best to create a meaningful and enjoyable story even if you (or I for that matter) don't like everything that happens! Reviews are not only welcomed, they are appreciated! THANKS AGAIN FOR READING! :D