Chapter Thirteen - Hail King Of Gondor

** this is a short chapter,,. just warning you..
Aragorn stopped short, glimpsing legolas sullen face he figured something was wrong, scanning the room, he met gimli's stare, then gandalfs but nowhere did he see Isilme who had begun to join them in the nights in front of the fire, to small talk.

He missed her silent challenges, ones that only legolas met with frequency.

Funny, how they had disliked each other on sight, but he had sensed something underlying in her, he was not sure what, but something. He sighed for what must have been the 5th time in that hour. He looked at the door, sure that she would arrive at some point.

And arrive she did. She stood in the doorway, surveyed the room. And noted silently where everyone was. Aragorn by the fire sitting, although not to comfortable. Legolas, standing, on guard to her left, his stance meant he was not pleased he had been left behind. And Gandalf, the old man puffing on his pipe, in deep thought.

Did he know she was in the room?

"I know you're here child". His deep voice came through the silence. She smiled.

"you never did master that old man". She replied. He cocked an bushy eyebrow at her. She turned her eyes back to Aragorn, for a moment ignoring legolas.

"I know you are here beloved". she told him linking to him for an instant.

She walked over to Aragorn. "are you ready to take the crown Aragorn?"

Aragorn stood up to face her. "I am ready maiden". So much protocol, Gandalf amused himself thinking.

Gondor was his by right of birth but for some reason that he could understand, Isilme seemed to hesitate handing her over. She was unsure if this was what her father had wanted. She was unsure if this was what Isildur had wanted.

She shrugged mentally. So be it, I cannot stay in this city forever, the time has come for a decision and I have made it. "gondor is yours Aragorn, please do not make me regret giving her to you, your people await you in the morning for an audience".

"you will not be there maiden?" he asked.

"no, I have something to do that I have put off for far to long". She did not look at legolas, but they all knew what she meant.

"and I have the immortal life to lead aragorn, you will have your queen, she will not abandon you". She told him. He smiled.

"thank you for your insight maiden, it gladdens my heart to hear your words".

She knelt in front of him and handed him the crown. She had chosen to do this in private. Just the four of them.

"I, Isilme, daughter of Gilgalad, who had been given the task of protecting and guiding Gondor for these long years, hereby give her, to you Aragorn, son of arathorn, to protect and guide, with Queen Arwen, together you shall see her to the light, as the elves have foreseen". She added words in elvish, then rose to her feet.

"hail king of gondor, Aragorn king". She said softly.

Legolas repeated her hail as did Gandalf. Aragorn was a little embarrassed by it, and mumbled his thanks. As she was about to leave. Aragorn called to her.

"maiden".

She looked at him, stopping at the open door.

"I thank you for everything you have done for my father people, I vow to you I will not see her fall". She nodded and a small smile curved her lips.

She bowed her head in respect then left as silently as she had come.