Chapter Thirty Six

"As per usual most noble families have their residencies within the sixth circles, those of lower birth being in the fifth. Your father, of course, was stripped of his titles, his lands and his houses…" it seemed to give the Steward of Boromir and Faramir's household great delight in reminding me and my brother that our father was a traitor. As we made our way down to the sixth circle the talk had been pleasant enough, but as we came across our family home, guarded by a stone made wall designed with arching designs and diamond shaped holes cut into the wall, his little jibes and quips were becoming increasingly noticeable. The smooth stone made up the house and a leafy green garden lay at the front, dusty cream pebbles created a path leading up to the house. From the outside the house looked quite small, but stretched further back as those on either side did.

It felt strange knowing the war had been won, I almost expected things to have changed, though I was not sure how they would have changed. Perhaps the energy to have shifted slightly, as though the air would hum with promise. The darkness of the Shadow had gone, the air was lighter and easier to breathe, the sun shone brighter. Yet it did not feel…was I expecting trumpets to herald the dawn each day, that Elven choirs would praise Aragorn's victory? Dòmhnall had expressed something similar to me.
"It is good that it is over, yet it does not feel as though it ought to be over. We have battled so long and hard. I feel like there should be something more to it all."

And so now we found ourselves, under the decree of Boromir, finding our old family home. A man waiting for us under the archway of the door. He who looked so like my father it nearly made me falter on the pathway. He was slighter and did not have a beard growing on his face, his features were perhaps more similar to those of Boromir's uncle, Prince Imrahil, but with less grace in his movements. Our own uncle smiled at us in greeting and strode down the steps to meet us. He wore the looser clothing of the court, not a soldier's armour, but favoured dark grey and green colours. His style was similar to the Rohirrim, than the southern fashions or even those of the city of Minas Tirith. The sigil of the ram was sewn onto the cloth near his shoulder.
"Welcome to you both, brother-son and brother-daughter."

It was an unusual place to meet a relative certainly, but my brother had found himself battling near our uncle and it was only when the battle was done did they turn to look at one another. Blood spoke to blood among the carnage of war. Dòmhnall had later told me how they merely stood staring at one another for a long time. Before his Uncle had finally said it was as though he were looking at his older brother once more, though a brother he knew from years ago.
"This is my sister, Melusida, sir." Dòmhnall said to our uncle.
"I am glad we are met. You look like your mother." our Uncle said.
"Thank you, sir." I smiled.
"Enough of that, we are family. You may call me Edgard or uncle, whichever you prefer." He turned to the Steward, "Hammond you may return to your master." The steward gave a ridiculous bow and swiftly turned on heel. Edgard chuckled and rolled his eyes.
"Northern manners, even the servants think themselves better than the noble men from the South. I have not been here a long time, but I found someone to air the place, light the fires and prepare us some food in the study."

He offered his arm to me and guided us inside to the atrium, the cool place open to the air above and a fountain trickling cold water into a basin in the centre. The small patch of surrounding earth was filled with weeds and snaking ivy over the basin's column.
"After my brother's defeat I disliked coming back to the City…I closed this place up, it was not as though Lord Denethor welcomed me back. So I took my lordship of your father's lands in Anfalas."
"It is beautiful." I said, without thinking.
"I am glad you think so. There has been little reason for joy in this house, but perhaps there will be now." Our uncle said, "I am curious though, what brought you back to Minas Tirith?"
He guided us through the atrium and into the corridor of the house, it stretched away either side and on the left a flight of stairs curled upwards towards the second floor of the house. The walls were unadorned, though a small dark green banner ran along the midsection of the stone wall.
"Honour and duty," my brother replied, "Both Hamnet and I sought better skills and knowledge, though we had been well trained with the Elves, we wished to put it to the test and to gain redemption."
Edgard smiled, "You sound a lot like Hanel, when you say 'honour and duty', he would've probably said something similar. Alas that we had to fall into darker days."

Edgard led us into a study, it was clean and the window had been thrown open to allow a stream of sunlight and clear air into the room. But apart from a desk and three chairs, the room was empty. No books or scrolls lined the shelves, the walls bore no hangings and tapestries. On the table however a light lunch had been prepared for us all, consisting of bread, cheese, several apples, some cold chicken and a canter of wine. Our uncle poured us both a goblet, before pouring himself one and sitting behind the desk. He seemed as interested as I did in taking in all of the room.
"Your father and I grew up in Anfalas, your father left for Minas Tirith before I did, he was in his twelfth year. As is the custom he grew up in another lord's household."
I nibbled my bottom lip, thinking that if I ever had a son it would cause me unbearable pain to send him away to an unknown city. Edgard took a gulp of wine.
"So, I have heard what brought you here, Dòmhnall. But not what brought you here, Melusida. Why did you come, when you must have heard of the Shadow in the East and the encroaching darkness?"

I glanced at my brother, unsure how much he had told our new uncle and whether he had been believed. My uncle took out his knife and began to cut the cheese.
"I suppose I followed them both, we were all taught by Lord Elrond of our past and how we had been banished from our home. Following the death of our father we hoped to beg for forgiveness."
He handed me a plate with bread and cheese, "There were tales throughout the city. I heard you did not arrive with your brothers with the Rohirrim, but instead were found in the Anduin and that the Lord Faramir brought you here."
I had no desire to lie to my uncle, so I nodded, "That is true."
He folded his hands together, "There have been many stories, many strange tales throughout the city, it is hard to know what is truth and what is lie. But I knew your mother's family, they believed they possessed an elven gift, one of Sight."
I took a sip of my wine, "They did believe that."
"And do you?"
I glanced at Dòmhnall again, but he gave away nothing with his eyes and so I turned back to my uncle.
"Yes."
Edgard leant back in his chair and gave a low chuckle, "It seemed strange, when my brother fell in love with your mother. Our house believed in nothing but the cold, strong steel of war, the steady figures on a page, ensuring the wellbeing of the folks who lived on our land; but nothing beyond that." He gently drummed his fingers on the table. "Then comes your mother's house and it is all dreams, the whispering of the rivers, legends and myths. I had to confess my bemusement when my brother brought her before our father and asked if he had his permission to marry her. I'd always seen my brother as more the type who would marry out of duty rather than love. After the fight he had with Elwen's father, I thought he would give up his claim."

"What were they like?" Dòmhnall asked.
"Together?" our uncle said.
"Yes."
Edgard looked downwards, smiled and placed a bite of chicken in his mouth. He swallowed and then continued speaking, "You wouldn't have guessed they were courting by any means, Hanel was not one for great shows of affection and Elwen, for all she was bright and charming in the court, disliked false flattery. I once saw your mother and father in the gardens of Minas Tirith, I was going to tease them for their secrecy, but Hanel took your mother's hand and it was the way they looked at one another that made me stop. It was a moment that was…as indescribable as the elves." Edgard gave a smile, "The words of men are not fitting for it."

We finished our meal and as Edgard wiped his hands on a clean towel, he concluded our business.
"I will gladly offer you this place, but my family's home is one I claimed long ago. You have kin there and the good, honest folk of that land. It would sadden me, having met you two, if quarrels came between our families. Consider my offer, let me keep Calealad, you will have this house for the rest of your days to pass onto your children. I have a daughter, Merweyn, your cousin and kin, let me give her Calealad as her inheritance. I shall happily return your father's wealth. But it is my old home, as it is my daughter's."
I looked at my brother, worried he would demand more from our new found uncle, that he would claim his right as older son of the family.
"I will accept your offer, and I hope my sister will do the same." Dòmhnall said. I smiled and Edgard's strongly featured face flooded with relief. He got up from his side of the desk and clasped my brother by the shoulder. My brother stood and embraced our uncle. He seemed a little surprised, but still pleased and I took hold of his hand.

"Will we see our new cousin soon?" I asked.
Edgard frowned, his shoulders slumped slightly, "Alas she is ill, perhaps with the passing of the shadow, she will recover. But she has been unwell for many moons."
"Our mother was a great healer and she gave us her books, perhaps we can journey with you and help Merweyn? I would like to see the old home of our father's family." Dòmhnall said.
Uncle Edgard smiled and offered his hand to Dòmhnall, as though striking a bargain.
"Then we shall see it done. There are papers to be signed in the Steward's hall, but we shall ready ourselves for our journey after that."
Dòmhnall and Edgard were about to leave the room, when I called them back, "Wait. What of our mother's family? You made no mention of them."
Edgard clenched his hands tightly together and looked down at his boots, then solemnly back at me, "Your mother's family were destroyed. After your father's rebellion, Lord Denethor had them tried for witchcraft and found guilty in plotting his family's murder and assisting with the rebellion through unnatural means." His voice became hoarse and dry, though it sounded as though he had read these notes in a court.
"Unnatural means?" I whispered, all power and strength gone from my voice, and a strange, sickening feeling in my gut.
"Sorcery, unlawful knowledge." Edgard approached me and placed his hands either side of my shoulder. "It is done now, the past must rest in the past. He allowed your mother to escape and lived…it was known he loved her."

A/N: Sorry, sorry, sorry. Literally had the most busiest and craziest week, not only with vast amounts of uni work, but also my friend going to hospital (she's fine now, nothing to worry about)...so you know, haven't had much time just for my little fanfics! Ever since I've got back on my Creative writing course, all my energy and writing power has just sort of dried up for fanfics :( I don't know if I'll ever get my steam back until the holidays, but I will try to keep updating (even if not regularly, I can't bare leaving stuff unfinished - especially as I am aware of how annoying that is on fanfic sites).

Anyway, thanks to my lovely readers and reviewers for doing just that and being so patient. Muchos love xx