"And my sons, what happened to them?" Aramir asked the messenger, Isaiah and Ondoher standing beside him.

"My lord, as good as I heard, your son Minardil and your son Benjen, my lord," he turned to Ondoher "defeated the leader of the band."

Aramir was perplexed. Isaiah widened his eyes, and so did Ondoher.

"Benjen?" Ondoher asked. Benjen wasn't considered a very...strong or...capable, young man.

"Benjen and Minardil?" Isaiah also asked. "They are just five and ten, both."

"Well, everyone gave them credit my lord." the messenger said. Aramir nodded his head, quite in unbelief.

"Thank you." he said. Queen Elsa was there present too, along with her aunt, queen Arianna of Corona, her uncle, prince Adan, High Priest Joram, princess Mari of Vesterland, Francisco Flores, emissary of queen Elena Castillo of Avalor and prince John Westergaard of Southern Isles.

"It seems like he wasn't joking." prince Adan said, scratching his beard.

"Where did he found such good weapons like these?" Ondoher said, holding a well-made dagger that the messenger brought with himself. "Pirates do not have such weapons to trade with."

"He was far off for ten years." Joram said. "That lying snake found a way."

"Well, we heard what the messenger said? His men lost the fight." Dannel spoke up.

"That is what troubles me." Aramir told everyone. "Why did he threatened us if it was obvious he will lose the first fight?"

"You think it was set?" queen Elsa said. Aramir just shook his head lightly.

"I don't think anything." he took the dagger and looked at it. "I am just suspicious."

The dagger was made of steel that had a color of silver. It was of average length and it had a hilt that was little awry at the top and was ornate with little bronze. The dagger itself had one special thing-it was crooked. It also had a symbol on the hilt-the head of a rhino.

"I know where is this dagger from." he said. "It's from Agrabah." and gave it to prince Adan.

"It really is." Adan confirmed.

"He took a dagger from Agrabah?" queen Elsa was surprised, and rightly so. Aron was banished into the west, and Agrabah was on the far east. Sultan of Agrabah wouldn't have allowed him to pass into his territory. Aron's behaviour spread even into the far east, but no one knew what is in the unknown west-except of Aron, as it seemed.

"When he left, how many people went with him?" Aramir asked them all, not remembering.

"He went alone." queen Elsa told him. "There was no one with him. If I remember well."

"You do, your majesty." Joram assured them. "Aron went alone, not even with a servant. Just a small bag of coins."

"And yet he returned with an army." Ondoher commented. "How so?"

"It doesn't matter right now." Aramir said. "The fact is that he came and we have to it seriously. That man is capable of everything."

"You don't even know." Arianna said, with darkness in her eyes. Aramir tried to imagine what all Aron did when he and his brothers and sisters were children. He felt pity for house of Arlic of Arendelle. Then he walked to queen Elsa.

"Queen Elsa, I am sorry, but I have to leave before time. My people need me..."

"It's alright, lord Aramir." queen Elsa said, raising her hands. "There is nothing to forgive. Everyone among the guests will leave because of this." and all others nodded. Aramir nodded. Queen Elsa was clearly a wise woman, it seemed. Then he came before the High Priest, the Lord's servant and bowed his head.

"My father." that's how priests were most addressed to, besides the more common-like "holy man". "I know the celebration is not over, but I have to leave. I hope that I am forgiven." The holy man smiled.

"Don't worry, my lord." he said. "In the times of trouble we go where we are needed the most." and he placed hand on Aramir's shoulder. Aramir looked and smiled.

"Thank you, my father." Aramir said with great respect. The priests always had respect of highborns and lowborns alike. They were almost always good people...though, there were, of course, exceptions, as with everyone else.

"Queen Elsa." he began. "Queen Arianna. Your highnesses. Forgive us. We must leave." and they nodded back to him. "Let's go." he said to Ondoher, Isaiah and the messenger.

As they walked out of the castle, Aramir asked the messenger, out of curiosity: "What is your name, again?"

"Ethil, my lord." the blue eyed, smooth-faced, eagle-nosed, yellowish-skinned, around five feet and eleven inches tall, and around something and twenty years old messenger answered.

"How good are you with a sword?" Aramir asked him. Ethil seemed caught by question.

"My commander says I am one of the best swordsmen he ever saw, my lord." he answered. "But I am better with a bow and an arrow. I trained with them since I was a boy. My uncle taught me." Aramir nodded to him.

"You will stay with me, Ethil." Aramir told him. "You will not go back to my son in Minas Hîr, but stay here with your bow and arrow. I will need your services."

"At your will, my lord." Ethil obeyed him.

"Good." Aramir said. "Now, tell me what you more know about what my son and nephew did."

"I would like to know too." Ondoher interfered.

"Especially about Benjen." Isaiah said, and then he turned to Ondoher. "Forgive me uncle..."

"It's alright, Isaiah." Ondoher said. "It's a matter of fact that Benjen isn't very...strong or...capable."

Aramir didn't think of it that way. Benjen is a good lad, he will be a great soldier, he thought, he is strong, he just needs a little more encouragement.

"I guess he is skillful." Aramir said. "How did he defeated the leader?" Aramir smiled to his brother. Ondoher just breathed. Then the smile appeared on his face.

"Yes, it seems he is." he said. Aramir smiled.

"So?" he asked Ethil. Ethil started to remember.

"Well, my lords, they were left behind as no one wanted them in the army to fight. They told me they noticed that the ship was empty and that only the captain was there with one of his guards. Then they fought the guard single-handedly and knocked out the captain, who from the decks fell to the water."

Aramir could only imagine if this was possible at all, just like Isaiah and Ondoher.

"Single-handedly? That's impossible." Aramir thought aloud.

"Where they completely alone or someone older helped them?" Isaiah asked.

"No, they were alone, my lord." Ethil answered. And they all stopped walking for a moment. Three Gondors looked into one another in unbelief.

"I will talk with Minardil when we come back." Aramir said.

"And I with Benjen." his brother said.

"And I with both." Isaiah said. Aramir looked at his son.

"What? I would like them to teach me how they did that." and all three laughed, while Ethil just smiled, and they continued walking.

When they came out of the castle, Isaiah went away to walk with Eradan and Gad for a little. Aramir stood beside one well that was in the city square. He watched into the distance, thinking about what happened. He didn't notice that Ondoher stood beside him.

"The greatest holiday in our history." Ondoher began. "The day on which we gather to remember when we were freed. When we were saved. The day on which we all end our wars just to celebrate it together." then Aramir looked at him. "On that day, he had to come." he ended. Aramir sighed deeply.

"I hoped that the Western sea claimed him." Aramir said.

"You know what I thought?" Ondoher asked, and Aramir raised his head. "I thought that the storm caught him just few miles as he passed." Aramir smirked. This unfortunately didn't happen.

"Yet it didn't." he said. Ondoher sighed too.

"No it didn't." Ondoher said. The maddest man that Israel ever saw was alive. This wasn't good at all.

"How?" Aramir thought out loud. "How did he survive? With just a small bag and a clothing on himself? I told Agnarr to execute him when he had the chance. Yet he exiled him instead."

"It was a brotherly weakness." Ondoher said. "You wouldn't do it?"

Aramir looked in his brother and then he turned his head to all directions and waved with his hand.

"Ondoher, don't ask me that." Aramir said, half-angry. "You are not a mad-man and a kinslayer. I am not gonna answer that." Ondoher chuckled.

"Sorry." Ondoher told him. "I just like to anger you. But that isn't helpful at all."

"No, it isn't." Aramir said. Then both of them went silent for a little.

"This queen is wise." Aramir broke the silence. "Everything you told me of her was true I suppose."

"Yes, it is." Ondoher said. "I was also surprised when I first came. The queen is not like people talk about her."

"I hope she is ready for leading her kingdom." Aramir said.

"She seems absolutely capable of it." Ondoher said. "The question is: is she capable of fighting this war. I mean, she is young and..." Aramir looked at him, knowing exactly what Ondoher is going to say "...a woman." Aramir looked away.

"That doesn't mean she cannot fight a war." Aramir said.

"Of course it doesn't." Ondoher said. "But does she seems capable of fighting a war."

Aramir thought a little. Queen Elsa really didn't look as if she can pick up a sword. Aramir tried to find some possibility that she can fight. He found none.

"You're right, she can't fight." he told his brother.

"I told you." Ondoher said.

"But there are those around her who can fight." Aramir said. "And she can easily make alies. Everyone would rather choose her than the Red Snake."

"Are you sure?" Ondoher asked. Aramir looked at him. "Think for a little. She is a woman who has powers that were unheard of for long time. She almost froze their entire lands forever. Some still consider her a witch, a monster that can stab them in the back when they are not looking. Everyone thought that the Black Queen is not dangerous. Then she killed her husband, her brother and her eldest son and daughter. She burned the High Priest himself alive. If it weren't for our grandfather Rickard and Magnus of Arendelle, all of Israel would have entered into a war. Why do you think none of them thinks that will happen to her?"

"Do you think that will happen to her?" Aramir asked him.

"Of course I don't..." Ondoher was interrupted by Aramir.

"Then there is nothing to worry about." Aramir said. "If she doesn't go mad then people will realize she isn't a monster. Then no one will try to fight her."

"Aramir, how do you know she won't go mad?" Ondoher asked. Aramir looked down.

"I don't know, brother." he said. "Something simply tells me that she is not mad, nor that she will be. Something is...special about her." Ondoher smirked.

"Something?" Ondoher said. "Well, I thought being able to bring an eternal winter is every Bran's ability." he said sarcastically. Aramir was little irritated.

"I wasn't talking about that, Ondoher." he said. "I thought about...her personality."

"Hey, hey, hold on there, big brother." Ondoher said. "We know her just for few days, I little more, but still, and you are making judgements about her personality? Aramir, I thought you are more...careful than that."

"I am more careful than that." Aramir defended himself. "I just...this is my first impression so far." Ondoher looked around himself.

"You are sure it is right?" Ondoher asked him.

"I believe it is." Aramir said. "That queen seems very careful and good towards those around her...and wise. That will give her allies easily."

"Alright, let's just hope that your first impression is right." Ondoher sighed.

"She will need some help." Aramir said. "She is young after all, although promising. Her uncle, aunts and councilors will help her, I am sure. Especially queen Arianna. She is a great politician and advisor."

"Yes, that is true." Ondoher said. "I also hope that young woman will be a good politician enough."

"And I hope," Aramir said, "that she will be wiser than her father." Ondoher raised his head.

"You think he was weak because he didn't execute Aron, do you not?" his brother asked him.

"Yes I do." Aramir said. Ondoher seemed a little confused.

"Aramir..." he said. "Why are you afraid of Aron so much?"

Aramir didn't know how to answer. He could talk for hours and days and weeks about what is so dangerous about the Red Snake, about why he hates him, about his fear, about his madness, about his crimes he heard of...and he still wouldn't give an answer. In all truth, Aramir himself couldn't say why. When a man who killed his own brother in cold blood and is able to make alies quickly is your enemy, you are always insecure.

"Ondoher, he was capable of killing his own brother." Aramir answered. "Younger brother.

"There were other kinslayers before him that you were not afraid of." Ondoher said, putting a hand on his shoulder. "Why is he specially terrifying?"

"You don't know what I saw, Ondoher." it slipped from his tongue. Aramir never wanted to say it, but he did. Ondoher widened his eyes.

"What?" Ondoher asked. "What did you saw?"

Aramir didn't want for someone to know this, not even his own brother. It was something he swore not to tell anyone, never!

"Forget what I said." he said quickly. Ondoher was astonished by this.

"Aramir, what did you..."

"Forget what I said." he said again. Ondoher again placed a hand on him.

"Brother, you can tell me any..."

"I said forget it!" Aramir got rid of Ondoher's hand on his shoulder. Aramir was wrathful at his brother. "Do not ever again ask me about that! Never! I will never speak about it!" Ondoher was terrified.

"Alright, as you wish. Forgive me." Ondoher said. "Just...don't be angry." Aramir immediately regretted this. Ondoher did nothing to deserve this. Ondoher didn't mean anything bad. His brother just asked him a question everyone would. Then he put his right hand on his forehead and his left hand on Ondoher's shoulder.

"No, you forgive me brother." Aramir regretted it. "I...I swore I will never tell anyone. I didn't even told Yelena."

"Alright then." Ondoher said. "If you didn't tell Yelena, then don't tell me neither." and he placed a hand on Aramir's shoulder again. "It's alright, brother."

They smiled to one another, like brothers.

"My lord!" Ethil appeared. They were both surprised he came.

"What is it?" Aramir asked him.

"Lord Isaiah sent me!" Ethil said, through bard breath"Follow me!" and they followed him. Ethil led them to one forge that was in the center of the city. The blacksmith was a very huge man, around six feet and five inches in height, very muscled and with full brown beard. Princess Mari of Vesterland was also there, standing beside Isaiah. Aramir jumped at his son.

"Isaiah, what is it?" Aramir asked, thinking something happened.

"Oh, I just called you to see something." Isaiah answered easily. Aramir and Ondoher were confused.

"You called us to show us something? That was something important?" Aramir asked.

"You wouldn't have come instead." Isaiah said smiling, holding a sword in his hand. Aramir then looked at Ethil.

"And you?" Aramir asked him. "Why did you breathe hardly when you came? As if someone was killed?"

"Lord Isaiah told me it was extremely important." Ethil defended himself. Aramir looked at his son.

"Don't ever joke like that again." he said to his son.

"Don't worry, father." then he presented the blacksmith. "Meet Ragnar Olafson, the best blacksmith I ever met."

"My lords." the huge man bowed his head.

"The best blacksmith?" Ondoher asked. "What about Kinnar? He is gonna be mad." Aramir agreed with him. No one was a better blacksmith than Kinnar, he made weapons for entire armies. Aramir then remembered the princess.

"Princess Mari, forgive me, I forgot you where here." Aramir said, remembering his manners. The princess returned the manners.

"Don't worry, lord Aramir, I am usually unnoticeable." the princess smiled. Aramir nodded. Then he looked at his trickster son.

"And now, what did you wanted to show us." he asked Isaiah, coming to him.

"This!" Isaiah answered, offering him a sword. The sword was big. It was made of steel of color of silver and the hilt, although made of wood, seemed as if it was made of grey iron. It was very sharp and it would cut through the wood easily, at first glance. Aramir didn't believe his own eyes. This common blacksmith's sword was very good.

"You made this." Aramir asked this Ragnar.

"With my own hands, my lord." the blacksmith bowed his head. Aramir nodded, staring a little longer at the sword.

"And this..." Isaiah said, offering a spear "...is for you, uncle." Ondoher approached Isaiah and took the spear. Aramir and Ondoher were both surprised. It was wholly made of steel.

"Iron spear?" Ondoher asked.

"Well, you always wanted one, didn't you?" Isaiah asked him, smiling.

Aramir and Ondoher both glanced at the spear for a little. It was shorter than an average would be, but still seemed as a masterwork...even better than Kinnar. It would kill someone bi piercing him just by once. "Well, I did, but..." Ondoher said, while looking at the sword, but then looked at the blacksmith ,,...where do you find this much iron, my friend."

"Well," the blacksmith scratched his hair "besides that I am a blacksmith, I am also a miner, my lord. For one day in the week I go into the mine and mine there with others. I give them a portion that is theirs, but they also give me quite a big one. So I make weapons from it, though it is not like every day highborn lords come to me for me and ask me to make something for them."

"And tools for mining?" Aramir asked him. "Where do you get tool for so much mining?"

"Oh, I inherited them from my father's and my mother's side." the blacksmith answered. "They were both from great families of miners. My great-great-great-great-great-great-great and...great-grandfather was ancestor of both, Harlon the Redfaced."

"Harlon the Redfaced?" Ondoher asked. "He was the greatest miner and smith in Arendelle in last five hundred years."

"Yes, he really was." the blacksmith Ragnar scratched his mustache proudly.

Aramir noticed that these were all too well-made weapons. He wanted to give back the sword, it must have had a great cost.

"Who knows how much they are expensive..."

"Don't worry about that father." Isaiah said and gave a bag of coins to the blacksmith.

"You know that is technically my money?" Aramir told his son.

"Does it count as your money in the law?" Isaiah smiled, and Aramir just shook his head.

"He has a good sense of humor." Ondoher said.

"Ahha, very good." Aramir said sarcastically.

"And this..." Isaiah showed a dagger made of iron too. "...is for uncle Calen." and he put the dagger into the bag around his neck.

"And this would be mine." princess Mari said, taking something, though Aramir didn't see what. Isaiah also took another, shorter sword.

"And who would this be for." Aramir then looked into Dannel and in Ethil behind him. Isaiah noticed it, and smiled to his father.

"Ethil!" Isaiah called, at what Ethil immediately turned. "Take this!" and Isaiah threw the sword to him, and the young soldier caught it quickly.

"Thank you, my lord, I will keep it forever." the young soldier said.

"This for Bran, this for Min, this for Arah, this for Túrin, and this for mother..." Isaiah said, taking some weapons, placing some of them in the bag and giving some of them to the soldiers with him to keep it.

"My lord..." Ragnar said.

"Oh yes, give me those arrows." then Ragnar handed over a quiver that was full of arrows to Isaiah. Aramir knew what this is and then stood in Dannel's way.

"And for who would that be?" Aramir asked him. Isaiah just smiled and then started laughing. Aramir had a small smile on his face too and shaked his head. He waved his hand. "Get out of my sight, boy." and Isaiah walked away, while Aramir continued shaking his head. Then he sighed and said to Ondoher: "Children."

Ondoher smiled and nodded. "Especially yours."

"Shut up." he answered him.