Author's note: I own nothing, I make nothing.
Chapter Six. Brethren Forever
Frodo watched as Arwen slowly withdrew from them, the days had passed four since the new fellowship had vanished across the fields after the Nazgul.
"Mr. Frodo... perhaps we should stay with her for awhile?" Samwise sat beside the other hobbit, passing him an apple. "I know what your thinking Mr. Frodo, you get the saddest look when you thin about her. Eowyn is exhausted, I do fear for the both of them..." Samwise looked back to the white tree, never would he understand Frodo's fascination with such a poor tree.
"This is more important Sam... it is special, I know it."
A chuckle sounded behind them. Gandalf stood and gazed at the tree, he smiled down at them. "Yes, it is special Frodo... the elves only brought one white tree, and they gave it to men."
Frodo looked over surprised, "The Elves brought it?! I thought it was said the Valar..."
Gandalf laughed and sat beside them, "Not all great things must come from the Valar Frodo, we have the power in our hands to do the amazing as well. For good, or in many cases... for other causes.
This tree is very young, do you know that? Barely more than a seedling."
Sam shook his head, "But Gandalf! It's too big to be just a wee tree! It looks as if it has stood there forever!"
The Wizard smiled, "Yes, it has a proud history to live up to. Its forefather stood for many generations, but when the royal line departed, and the stewards were given control of Gondor, it began to die..." Frodo nodded, his hand straying to the trunk. "So when Aragorn assumed the throne, a new seed was planted, and in an evening grew into a white tree of which the city can be proud. Much like her king, actually."
Gandalf placed his hand over Frodo's, dull warmth spread from the Wizards fingers and into Frodo's hand.
"Gandalf... is there more to this tree than it seems?"
The wizard shook his head, "No Frodo, the tree is but a symbol, for both the city, and the king. It is the city that hides a secret... and that is not mine to tell."
Aragorn's Struggle
A long hallway stretched out before him, there was a smell to the air... it smelled, the sea?
"Murazor! Slow yourself! Where are you running to?!"
Aragorn whirled in confusion, and came nearly face to face with a very sharp blade. "Khamul, you will be the death of me..."
The other shook his head, putting his sword back into the sheath. "Never that, never that my friend, where do you hurry to? Your distance from your people breeds fear threw out your kingdom. They whisper about you, do you know?"
A feeling of anger spread through out the King. "What right have they to whisper? All that is in my power I have done for them! What more would they have me give!"
The Easterling drew back stunned, "Murazor... listen to yourself... what has bewitched you? Never have we raised voices to each other..."
Aragorn sighed, frustrated. "Khamul, I meant no offense, I am... distracted..."
Khamul nodded, turning thoughtful, "Has this anything to do with the one calling himself, Annatar?"
The king drew back, "What would make you say such thing?"
The easterling smiled, holding out a hand that boasted a ring of power.
"He approached me, and offered me a great gift. Tell me Murazor, were you offered as well, did you accept? Say something to me."
Aragorn felt himself chuckling, and held out his own hand. "Yes, do you think me a fool? He was more than generous, I could not refuse such a gift, it would have shamed me!"
Khamul laughed, "Ah so it shall be! Brethren forever, eh Murazor?"
The Witch king nodded, "Yes my friend, brethren forever."
"Forever... how were we to know that forever was a long time...
Wait... what we?... I'm... ... I... ...
... I'm... ... ... Who am I...?"
Author's note: I am now aware that my original research was faulty where the finding and planting of the 2nd white tree is concerned, so please forgive the mistake and just go with it. :)