Chapter 1

The winds were favorable today and the sun shone brightly over the City. Autumn had not yet fallen over the white stone carved from the mountain. The uproarious cries and voices floated up from the stone streets below. The fields were fairly green, but the slow brown patches were growing daily and would soon fester through the entirety of the lands. Just off in the distance, the small river city still stood though crumbling under its constant pressure from the East. Just beyond, the darkness swirled over the black, sharp mountains and angry red light, some otherworldly fire raged behind the dangerous rigid mountain slopes.

"Careful, you may fall to a much too early death and what a shame that would be," a deep male voice said from behind. I jumped and whirled around to find a tall man with long auburn hair grinning at me from behind his equally auburn facial hair.

"One would suppose having lived in this city my whole life, if I was to fall it would've happened long before now," I returned, smirking.

He chuckled and rested his thumbs on his belt where his sword dangled off his hip, sheathed in its scabbard. It was quite the impressive blade when free from its holdings, a large and powerful blade, perfectly suited for its owner. He was dressed in dark leather and chainmail, fitting for the Captain of Gondor. "I know better than most of your clumsiness and uncanny ability to put yourself in danger." He stepped forward and leaned against the white stone ledge.

"And yet I tend to adequately navigate myself to safety once more," I countered. The wind picked up for a moment, ruffling the long skirt of my navy gown. I shuddered at the sudden cold wind and the young captain's eyebrows furrowed in concern.

"That may be true, but you will catch your death of cold if you remain out here much longer," he said straightening. "Come along."

With a small roll of my eyes, I followed after him, through the Courtyard of the King. We passed by the White Tree and my footsteps stuttered momentarily to glance at it a bit longer. Someday it would blossom again. I still hoped as much. Someone had to. The guards opened the grand black doors of the Palace as we approached. I nodded to them as we passed and they returned the gesture, as best they could with the ornate winged helms they wore.

What with my few extra seconds near the Tree and nod to the guards, the young captain was now several steps ahead of me. "Boromir," I called, causing him to halt and turn back to me. "You must remember that three of my steps equal one of yours." He chuckled once more and waited for me to join him before continuing on. Sunlight filtered into the hall through the rectangular windows just behind the marble statues of Kings Past. I had often marveled at the statues in my childhood, wondering what these kings had possibly been like during their reign.

"One would think after twenty-five years you'd be taller than that of a dwarf," Boromir returned, smirking.

I playfully hit his chainmail arm. "I am taller than a dwarf, thank you. And if you remember, Mother was quite petite as well." Boromir stiffened at my words, as did I. I had not thought before speaking. It had been many years since her death. "Forgive me."

"You meant nothing by it, Mira," Boromir replied quietly as we approached the small black throne just below the lavish Throne of the King.

Lord Denethor sat with a table in front of him, littered with parchments. His hair was quickly growing gray as the days passed. The wrinkles etched in firmly along his face were only deepening. His fur-lined cloak seemed to swallow him, as if he were drowning in the depth of his duties as Steward of Gondor. He looked up with a grim frown as Boromir and I reached him.

We both bowed quickly. "Good afternoon, Father," Boromir greeted the Steward. I remained silent. I'd found that Lord Denethor preferred me that way. I only spoke when it was necessary.

"It is good that you have arrived, I have news," Denethor replied, putting down the parchment in his hand. Boromir and I exchanged a look. What sort of news could he have for us? "As you know, we've long kept relations with King Théoden of Rohan but due to the uproar of creatures attacking our people on the Road, there has been little communication between our two countries. I am in need of a messenger to be able to converse with the King directly on my behalf. I've selected Ilimira for this task."

I froze at his words. "Me, my lord?"

"Yes, you," he repeated, growing irritated. Perhaps, he thought I should be thanking him for this opportunity. "You've been involved in many matters of the city and the surrounding villages, keeping the peace and carrying out my will."

"Father, it is too dangerous. Send me in her stead," Boromir begged, fear coating his pale blue eyes.

Denethor's dark eyes narrowed. "No, I need you here. Osgiliath is to be retaken completely, I will not leave it in the hands of the orcs!"

"But that is Faramir's duty, not mine," Boromir argued earnestly.

The Steward stood slowly, his face a grim mask of contained fury. "And see what has befallen the city because of him. You will do as you are ordered. And Ilimira will go to Rohan and negotiate with Théoden."

The young captain's jaw locked. "Yes, my lord."

"We shall discuss the specifics of your negotiations later. We shall send a small guard to accompany you to Rohan. And you will remain there until everything is decided."

As Lord Denethor spoke I simply held his dark gaze stiffly. I bowed my head. "Yes, my lord. May I take my leave?"

He waved me off and I left the room through the door on my right. As soon as I was alone, I leaned against the cold stone wall and allowed my racing heart to return to a normal pace and my breathing to slow. I was to go to Rohan for an unknown amount of time. I was to leave my family, my home for a much longer stay than I had ever ventured before. Could I do it? Could I accomplish this task set to me? If this was what was best for the kingdom I would do it.

Boromir walked in suddenly, the wooden door slamming against the wall with a resounding thud. I hardly flinched. Always overprotective. "You should have more care, this place is quite old, you might break something," I advised.

"This task is too dangerous for you," he declared, arms crossing over his leather covered chest.

I pushed off against the wall, standing up straight. "And not for you? I am trained in warfare just as you and Faramir are, I just prefer to use my wits rather than my strength. Besides, neither you nor Faramir have sat in on many of Lord Denethor's council meetings. Nor have either of you truly communed with the people beyond ridding their villages of orcs and other foul creatures. As much as I am loathe to the idea, I am the most equipped for this task. And I shall do it, not for him, but for our people. Relations with Rohan will be better for us all, especially with the enemy growing by the day."

Boromir was silent for several moments, seemingly at a loss for words. Eventually, he sighed and placed a firm hand on my shoulder. "Sometimes I despise quarreling with you. I can never hope to achieve victory."

I grinned, "Never," and embraced him tightly.

"Promise me, you will keep yourself safe," Boromir demanded.

"I promise," I replied. "But you must watch over Faramir while I'm gone. Denethor will never allow him to do his duty to Denethor's standards."

Boromir released me. "I know, and I swear to you I shall."

"Good, now I have some preparations of my own. I expect Lord Denethor will wish me to leave as soon as possible." I kissed his cheek. "Until dinner, brother."

"Until dinner, sister. But you are to tell Faramir about your venture," Boromir called as I rushed down the corridor.

I groaned when I reached my destination, the West Gardens. It was always a place of serenity, of peace so I could process my own thoughts. I stood beneath one of the maple trees, seeking solace from its smooth bark. Telling Faramir would be most difficult. Though Boromir was exceedingly protective of me since childhood, Faramir was perhaps even more so even though he was younger than I. Perhaps, it would be best to seek him out and tell him soon before he was to overhear it from any other source, particularly Lord Denethor. And I knew just where I would find him.

With newfound determination I strode from the gardens, intent on finding my younger brother. He was indeed where I thought he would be: planning the next course of action against the orcs who threatened to invade Osgiliath. He was in the North Tower most days or in Osgiliath or out ranging for weeks at a time, whatever kept him furthest from Lord Denethor. By some good fortune he was in the North Tower.

"And then we shall cut them off at this wall and draw their fire here," the younger man in the room told the elder, his second-in-command. Faramir was dressed similarly to Boromir, leather and chainmail, belt with sword sheathed. He even had similar hair and was growing out his beard like Boromir, ever the picture of the younger brother and future Captain of Gondor once Boromir took over as Steward.

"Ever the diligent warrior, little brother," I greeted, announcing my presence and drawing the attention of both men.

Faramir grinned as he looked up. "I doubt that term bears any weight since you are much smaller."

"Am I to ever be tormented by both of my brothers for my lack of stature?" I questioned as I drew closer to the table where the maps were spread out.

"Excuse me." Faramir's commander left us alone.

"To what do I owe the pleasure, Mira?" my little brother asked as he poured us each a goblet of sweet wine.

I accepted my drink with a small smile. "Can an elder sister not wish to check in on her baby brother?"

His pale blue eyes gazed at me quizzically. "You never have before."

"All right, I suppose I've been caught red handed." I set down the goblet. A sigh escaped me. "Lord Denethor has tasked me with a mission of great importance. What with the increasing attacks on the Road, news is difficult to pass from country to country." I paused, watching as Faramir began to put the pieces together. "And so, he needs someone to go directly to King Théoden to discuss the states of our lands. I do not know how long I shall be gone."

The North Tower was dead silent save for the birds that nested in the rafters. Faramir's face was void of any emotion and unreadable by even those who knew him best. It seemed as though days, perhaps even weeks, had passed before Faramir finally spoke. "If this is Father's wish, there is nothing for me to do, is there?"

I smiled sadly. "I'm afraid not. I shall be careful, I promise."

"You had better," Faramir agreed. "Minas Tirith will surely be darker with you gone."

That managed to make me chuckle. "Thank you, Faramir, but with all the parties for your and Boromir's victories, I doubt you will even notice my absence."

"Mira, you're just as instrumental in this city as we are," Faramir disagreed.

"Regardless, I have a duty to my country and who knows, this could be quite the adventure." I avoided his presumption. I knew Minas Tirith could run well enough without me. Boromir and Faramir were capable to keep it from crumbling under Denethor's command. Before Faramir could reply, the city bell sounded in the distance. "I suppose it's time for supper, I best go dress." I gently kissed his cheek before leaving the North Tower.

Once in my room I was able to relax as I dressed for dinner. I had to be strong for my brothers and for my people. This is my duty, I reminded myself repeatedly. I quickly stripped out of my navy gown and changed into a nicer silver gown with a fitted bodice and a white belt. Satisfied with my appearance I journeyed down to the Dining Hall.

Both of my brothers and Lord Denethor were already seated. The former two rising when I entered and resuming their seats once I too was seated. Supper was a quiet affair, though tense. Each of us kept our eyes on our own food and our minds on our own thoughts. My thoughts wandered to what could possibly await me in Rohan. I knew I would be traveling to the capital city, Edoras. I had never met King Théoden, but I had heard of his deeds and generosity. He had had a brother who had died in battle and Théoden had inherited his brother's children. I knew not their names nor their ages, but I supposed I would meet them during my time there. And, of course, Théoden had a son, Theodred I believed. Rohan was home of the horselords and so horses were an essential part of their kingdom. That did pique my interest as I had a great affection for horses, particularly my own, a mare named Este after the Vala of Healing and Rest.

I was jarred out of my thoughts when Lord Denethor cleared his throat. "Both of you may take your leave. I wish to see Ilimira alone in the study to discuss her departure tomorrow."

"Tomorrow?" both of my brothers repeated, surprised. I was not shocked by this news. The Steward would want me in Rohan as soon as possible.

"Yes, at dawn, now leave us," Denethor ordered. I offered both an encouraging smile as they rose from the table and left the hall. The Steward then turned his gaze to me. "Come with me." I stood and did so into his study. "Sit." I occupied the nearest wooden carved chair furthest from his slightly more ornate chair. "If you have any objections to this task speak of them now."

I kept my expression neutral. "I have none, my lord."

He nodded stiffly. "Good, now onto business." I will admit my thoughts wandered as Denethor and one of his advisors droned on about which topics to discuss with King Théoden. What they did not realize was that I already knew all that which they wished me to negotiate. I would not have been doing my job if I did not. Still I allowed them to talk and assume they had my full attention. In all honesty, I was looking forward to the three-day journey to Edoras for I could spend much time with Este.

I was brought back from my thoughts once more when Denethor dismissed his advisor. "There is one last part of your task. Our kingdom is deteriorating as our enemy grows stronger. We have an alliance with Rohan, but we cannot fully trust they will come to our aid should we be completely overwhelmed. However, a union of marriage between our countries would instill more incentive."

My jaw dropped. "Marriage?"

"Yes, as you know King Théoden has a son near your age, his heir. I want you to get him to court you, to ensure the survival of our kingdom," Denethor continued.

I swallowed thickly. "You mean my position in Rohan to eventually become permanent." Why this? Why now? Gondor was my home. I had spent my whole life in Minas Tirith. I had no desire to marry for political gain, but that was not what Lord Denethor desired.

"Yes."

I was silent for several moments before I stood up. "Is that all you require, my lord?"

"Yes, you will leave at dawn tomorrow with a small company. They will return once you have arrived in Edoras," Denethor replied, observing me with his dark eyes.

"I will wish to say farewell to my brothers," I added.

"Very well." I bowed quickly and left the room. I raced to my chambers and locked the wooden door behind me. I felt the wetness on my cheeks before I realized I was crying. Quickly I wiped them on the sleeve of my gown. Tears would do me no good. I quickly set to work, packing my bags with what I needed for my journey. Finally, after all my bags were packed, exhaustion overtook me, and I found sleep.