River Voyage
It was late evening and Jamie sorted through her clothes and packed her backpack with a couple of gowns instead of her modern clothes. In the morning she'd be leaving and she wanted to be sure to dress appropriately to meet a king. How'd she get roped into that anyway? Jamie sighed and dressed for bed. She just got settled in when there was a knock at the door. Jamie pulled the blanket up to her chin and answered.
"Come in," she said.
Silivren entered and smiled. "Settled in, I see," she said with a smile.
"Yes, thank you," Jamie said. "I really must thank you and your family for taking me in like this. I don't think I could ever repay you for your kindness."
"There is no need to concern yourself about that. We were pleased to be able to help. Elves are very giving people," Silivren said.
Jamie smiled and then ventured a question. "You aren't an elf…"
"No, I am human like you," Silivren said.
"Is it common for elves and humans to marry?" she asked.
"No, such alliances are quite rare, though there have been several such marriages since the fall of Mordor. During the war of the Ring the alliances between men and Elves grew quite strong. For some, friendships became the beginning of love," Siliven said.
Jamie pondered that a moment, but was quickly distracted by a more pressing concern. "What am I going to say to your king?" Jamie asked.
"Just be polite and be yourself, Jamie. King Elessar is a very kind hearted King. He loved my husband's mother very much, and she came from the same world as you. I think it will please him to meet you."
Jamie blushed. "What was she like? Everyone speaks of her like she was a celebrity."
"Lady Miranda was a powerful seer and a wise and loving mother," Silivren said.
"Well, if they are expecting me to be like that, they are going to be disappointed," Jamie said flatly.
"No one expects anything of you," Silivren assured her. "Miranda was gifted, and she was originally from here. Her travels were devised by a wizard. You arrived on your own. I believe there is more to you than you may think," Silivren said with a twinkle in her eye. "Now, get some rest. My father will be here early. The journey to Minas Tirith can be made in a day, but you will depart before sunrise."
Jamie gave her a smile, "Goodnight, Silivren."
"Rest well," Silivren said and then left.
Jamie snuggled down and went right to sleep. She felt a little better about meeting a King, but she was still nervous. Every day brought something new and she was always at a loss for what to do.
Silivren was headed to her room when she saw Thelyn seated at the table frowning over a glass of wine. She smirked at him.
"Come now, brother, the wine isn't that bad," she said.
Thelyn looked up and smiled at her. "The wine is just fine. I was lost in thought."
"The hour is late, and you will be leaving early. You should get some rest."
"True enough," Thelyn said lightly as he took another drink.
"Your answers are not in your wine, Thelyn," Silivren said.
Thelyn sighed and stood up. "Goodnight, Silivren," he said and went to his room. His family meant well, but Thelyn was tired of their concern. He was old enough to make his own choices.
Faramir and Polodrin were down at the docks getting the horses loaded. It was near dawn, the stars were fading and the distant horizon shone gold and blue. By the time everything was loaded, the rest of their party approached. Thelyn, Alcon, Jamie and Legolas rode down to the dock where the Gondorian ship was moored.
"Good morning," Faramir said as they halted.
"Greetings Lord Faramir," Legolas said. "I thought I might go with you. I need to speak to Aragorn, and I thought I'd visit with Jamie on the voyage down river."
"Very good," Faramir said with a smile. "Let's get your horses and luggage loaded. I'd like to get there in time for dinner."
Everyone dismounted and Polodrin was quickly at Jamie's side to assist her from the saddle. He gave her a slight bow and held out his hand, "Allow me to help you, Lady Jamie."
Jamie blushed and timidly accepted his help. Once on the ground, Polodrin gave her a warm smile. "I look forward to a quiet voyage in your company."
Jamie's blush darkened and she just backed away. She was thankful when Alcon interrupted to take her horse.
"I'll take care of your luggage, Jamie, if you'd like to get aboard," he said, and then turned to Polodrin. "Your father wanted to speak to you."
Polodrin bowed to Jamie, "Excuse me," and boarded the ship.
Jamie just stared at the ship and went pale. They were going by ship? How far? God, she hated ships, and boats, and canoes, and… any reminders of her father's shipwreck. She didn't know if she could handle this.
"You go ahead, I'll be along in a minute," she said with a weak smile.
Alcon gave her a nod and led Tempest away. In a few minutes, everything was ready, but she hadn't moved an inch closer to the gang plank. Thelyn was going to call to her but fell silent when he saw her face. He left the deck to get her.
"What's wrong, Jamie?" he asked her softly.
"I-I don't like boats," she said with a quiver in her voice. "Do we have to go on a boat?"
"It is a very quiet voyage down a calm river," Thelyn said reassuringly. "The weather is clear, and we'll be there before you know it."
Jamie bit her lip and let him lead her aboard. She didn't like it, but she didn't want to embarrass herself. She calmly stepped onto the deck and looked for a place to stay out of the way.
Legolas walked over to Thelyn, "Well?"
"She doesn't like boats," he said flatly.
Legolas glanced over at her and she looked ill. "I wonder why."
"Her father died at sea," Thelyn said and then went to help with the lines.
Legolas sighed. It was a short voyage, but he had a feeling that today it would feel much longer than usual. He hoped Jamie would be alright.
A few hours into the voyage, Jamie was starting to relax. She was leaning on the railing at the bow watching the shore slowly pass. It wasn't as bad as she'd expected. She could smell the perfume of the pink and white flowers that lined the shore and she closed her eyes and inhaled deeply. She smiled to herself just as a voice behind her interrupted her daydreams.
"Would you care for some company?" Polodrin asked.
Jamie opened her eyes and turned to him. "Why not?"
Polodrin stood at the railing beside her and smiled. "Is it much different here than your home?"
"Very," Jamie said. "Nothing is the same. You dress different, speak different, and… well, we don't have Elves where I'm from."
Polodrin chuckled. "And what about dwarves?"
"Um, no," Jamie said. "Any other interesting things I should be aware of?"
"None that you are likely to see on this voyage," Polodrin said.
Jamie nodded thoughtfully and then asked a question of her own. "So, you just returned from a trip?" she asked, remembering the reunion.
"I was training with the Rangers of the North," he said. "I was gone for several years."
Jamie just nodded and watched the shore. She didn't know how to hold a conversation here. There was no frame of reference in common.
"Our ways confuse you," Polodrin said. "Perhaps I would understand you better if you tell me about yourself."
"Like what do you want to know?" Jamie asked, caught off guard by a personal question.
"What do you like to do? Do you like to cook or sew? Perhaps you have other skills?"
"Well, I like the outdoors, and I like to read. Truthfully, I'm really quite boring," she admitted.
"I do not believe that you are at all boring, Jamie," Polodrin said with a charming smile. "I am quite intrigued by you."
Jamie looked at him and was struck by how handsome he was. He had shoulder length golden brown hair and strikingly clear blue eyes. He had a beard, kept rather neat, and a very pleasant smile. His eyes were mesmerizing and she suddenly blushed and turned away.
"What secrets are you keeping hidden behind your lovely eyes, Lady Jamie?" Polodrin asked softly.
Jamie was immensely grateful when Thelyn decided to join them just then.
"Feel any better, Jamie?" Thelyn asked.
"Yes, thank you… Thelyn?" she asked.
"Yes, I'm Thelyn," he said with a smile, standing beside her.
Polodrin flashed him an annoyed look but said nothing.
"I was merely guessing…" Jamie admitted. "You should dress a little differently or something. You two are impossible to tell apart."
"Really? I always thought I was much better looking…" Thelyn started to say but was interrupted by a call from the watch.
"The tower is in sight," one of the sailors called. "The walls of the Pelennor are ahead."
Jamie watched the shore expectantly and gasped in awe when she saw the city. It was absolutely spectacular, like something out of a dream. It was all white and seemed to shine in the sun. At its center was a great tower that seemed to touch the sky. The gates were bright and shiny like glass… or diamonds.
"It's… beautiful," she whispered.
Legolas had walked up behind her just in time to hear her whispered praise. He smiled. "Welcome to Minas Tirith, Jamie. It is the home of my best friend," Legolas said.
"I'm sure Uncle Aragorn will be happy to see you, Legolas," Thelyn said with a smile.
"Isn't that the King's name?" Jamie asked.
"Our King has many names," Polodrin said. "And that is the one his family uses."
"Oh," Jamie said, feeling a bit foolish and a lot more nervous. She felt very common and completely out of place.
"Why don't you two help with the mooring lines, I'd like to talk to Jamie," Legolas said.
Thelyn and Polodrin left and Legolas leaned on the railing beside Jamie.
"There are moment when you seem much older than sixteen," Legolas said.
"I am almost seventeen," Jamie admitted. "My birthday is in the summer."
Legolas was thoughtful for a moment. "Have you any brothers or sisters?"
"No," Jamie said.
"What about… a suitor?" Legolas asked.
"Oh, no," Jamie said with a smirk and a blush. "Absolutely not."
Legolas laughed. At that moment, she still sounded like she was sixteen. "What is there for you to go home to?"
Jamie could see where this was leading. She didn't know how to answer that question and sound like she had it good where she was from, because she didn't. She didn't feel like she missed it at all, except for the Redwoods.
"My forest," she said. "I cannot explain it, but I miss it."
Legolas nodded. This he could understand.
There was a sudden bump as the ship came to rest at the docks. The mooring lines were secured, and the horses and luggage were unloaded. Jamie watched the whole process and was amazed at how easy they made it look. Thelyn came over to her and offered her his arm.
"May I escort you ashore?" he asked with a charming smile.
Jamie took his arm and let him lead her down the gang plank. It was a good mile ride to the gates and Thelyn helped her mount up. They rode at a light pace up the road with Faramir and Legolas at the head of the group. Jamie found herself riding between Thelyn and Polodrin with Alcon, and Faramir's knights falling in behind them.
Alcon frowned at the brazen display Thelyn and Polodrin were making. They were both trying to gain Jamie's attention and he found it pathetic. She was obviously completely oblivious to it. It was rather annoying watching them falling all over themselves like that. When Alcon looked at Jamie, he was reminded of his sister Lalaith. There was a similar innocence in her eyes. He smiled at the analogy. He could easily adopt Jamie as a sister, but Thelyn needed a good talking to. He would have to remind Thelyn again that Jamie was too young. He wished his brother had better sense.
As they approached the gates, they were greeted by the guards. "Hail, Lord Steward! It has been too long since you have entered these gates," an older guard said. "What is your business in the city?"
"I have come to speak with the King," Faramir said formally.
"Enter and Welcome," the guard said.
Faramir led them through the gates and down the main street. They passed curious onlookers who paused from their daily business to see who was riding up to the King's hall. Jamie just looked around trying to take it all in. She felt like she'd wandered into one of her stories… Like the Chronicles of Narnia. This city could easily pass for Cair Paravel, the fabled castle in The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. But the more she looked around, Jamie realized this was much more grand than her imagination could have dreamed. Up ahead was a great arched gate that led into a courtyard. Faramir halted and everyone dismounted. A couple of stable hands came to tend to the horses. Thelyn grabbed her pack off of her horse and carried it with his.
"Jamie?" Faramir called back to her.
Jamie walked over to him and he looked down at her with a smile as he offered her his arm.
"Walk with me," he said. "It is my privilege as Steward to present you to the King."
Jamie looked down at her riding clothes nervously. "Now?" she asked.
Faramir laughed. "We are all dressed for travel," he said with a smile. "We will meet him now, and then retire to our rooms until dinner."
He escorted her up the stairs and into the courtyard. Polodrin, Legolas and the twins fell into step behind them. Jamie was struck by the beauty of a large white tree that grew at the center of the large formal patio. But there was no time for questions, or to admire it as Faramir headed straight for the door. A guard opened for them to enter, and they followed a long hall to a large open room. There were long tables set up, and nearly a dozen servants preparing for the coming meal. Just beyond there was a dais, and a throne that was conspicuously empty. Jamie looked around and saw no one overly regal.
"Ah, there he is," Faramir said lightly.
Jamie looked across the room to where a casually dressed man stood talking to one of the guards. He looked rather ordinary, though handsome. Faramir patted her hand that rested in the crook of his arm.
"Let's go meet him," Faramir said, and led her across the room to where the king stood. The guard bowed and departed as they approached, and the King turned around and smiled.
"Faramir," Aragorn said with a smile. "What a pleasant surprise… and Polodrin! I received word that you had returned. You are the very image of Lord Boromir."
"I have marked the resemblance," Faramir admitted with a proud smile.
"Legolas, my heart sings to see thee, my friend!" Aragorn said with a smile as he embraced him.
"Then our hearts sing together," Legolas said. "It has been too long."
Aragorn noticed the twins and chuckled. "And what of you, nephews of my heart? Are you staying out of trouble?"
Faramir answered for them, "Actually, your nephews are heroes. They rescued this lovely lady from drowning not two days ago."
Aragorn's attention went to Jamie who was already blushing. He gave her a warm smile, "Indeed? It appears they have drawn a treasure from the water."
"Allow me to present Lady Jamie of Scotts Valley, California," Faramir said.
Aragorn cocked a brow at the strange name but merely bowed. "Welcome to Minas Tirith, Lady Jamie. You are a most welcome guest." He paused and looked at the twins a moment before continuing. "Dinner will be in about an hour. I'll have someone show you to your rooms so you can rest until then."
Everyone split up to their respective quarters. Jamie was led to a large well furnished room and her luggage was brought in and unpacked for her. The maid that showed her the way offered her assistance dressing.
"Uh, no thanks," Jamie said.
"Very well, my lady," she said and departed.
Jamie plopped down on the bed and sighed. Well, she thought, just another day in fantasyland.