I awoke with a start. The sun was coming through the open window and I heard the sounds of life below. I leapt out of bed, through on a gown that had been laid out for me that morning.
"Disgusting," I thought, "not the pink one again."
I quickly ran a brush through my long brown hair and raced down the stairs towards the dining room. I nearly ran smack into Femiel, who was coming out of the kitchens, I yelled out an apology as I ran into the dining room. The doors swung open and there before me were mother and father, mother looking shocked as usual, and father looking somewhat amused.
"I am so sorry, I some how did not wake when I was supposed to. I over slept."
Mother rose from the table. "Siraviel! That's the fourth time this week."
I blushed as I took my seat. I looked over and saw my brother, Filith, grinning at me from across the table. I gave him a quick smirk then pretended to concentrate on my breakfast.
At that moment a messenger burst through the door. It was common etiquette to knock on the door before entering a room in which the royal family was sitting. Something most serious must have happened.
"Queen Eowyn, King Faramir, I bring grave news from Gondor."
My mother and father rose from the table.
"King Aragorn, son of Arathorn, heir of Isilidor, has gone from this world."
My mother sat down abruptly. I myself could hardly believe it. Aragorn had been like a second father to me. We had only gone to Gondor once of course, that was to tell him we were returning to Rohan after Eomer passed away with out an heir. Mother and father returned to Rohan to take up the throne. Mother became Eowyn, Queen of Rohan, and my father King Faramir, Steward of Gondor. I was only a child at the time, but Aragorn had traveled to Rohan many times. He was a great man.
"His son, Aronyth, is now King."
My father took of his hat showing his head of now gray hair.
"We must go to Gondor."
We were to leave the next day, to give us time to prepare for the journey. I went down to the stables to visit by stallion Celebreth. She was in her stall pawing at the door. I had not been riding in at least a fortnight and she was anxious to stretch. I led her out of her stall so that I could saddle her up. Once that was completed I led her outside and mounted. I steered her towards the jump. We bounded towards the gate then… Celebreth stopped with a whine.
Seleth walked up behind me grinning.
"I see you haven't mastered the jump yet Sira."
I gave him the dirtiest look I could muster but it quickly turned into a laugh. I could never stay mad at Seleth.
"I will be traveling with you to Gondor, with my father." Seleth said.
Seleth's father, Koenil, was a councilman on my father's court. Koenil was a very wise and gifted man. And Seleth was, well, Seleth.
"Well they have to bring someone along so things don't go perfectly. You know how father loves an adventure."
"Yes well," Seleth grinned, "I like to keep things interesting."
Then a voice called to us from the castle.