Until the Stars Are All Alight
Notes: Haldir's Heart and Soul- I did try getting anonymous reviews once but it just didn't work out so well. But I'll give that a shot. Thanks for giving me that hint...and thanks for reviewing, again!
Chapter 3: Iffy
It had been a hard ride to the White City. They had followed a path that had been formed out before hand and, all in all, it was smooth. But hard. Elowyn didn't wish to see the Plains of Rohan escape from her line of sight, but kept going with the rest of the party. Her blue-green eyes were averted for most of the ride, ignoring the Captain Striker's gaze. He scared her. Really.
It wasn't until the sounds of others watching something ahead that made her look up. Her jaw dropped. The White City was ahead of them. It looked, as if it were carved into the mountain that was behind the grand city of men. The sun's first light caught in a glimmer of white. It was magnificent. Though it wasn't the only thing that had caught their attention. A ride was closing in fast upon the party. They could not get a real good look at who it was for a few moments- the race of men were not as gifted with far sight as the race of elves. Though it was, as the rider drew closer, that they saw who it was.
Saddled upon a steed of pure white was a female. A navy cloaked billowed around her while she rode towards them. Her skin was a fair shade of pale while a mane of ebony toned hair flowed a ways past her shoulders. Her eyes of blue seemed to watch Elowyn as she slowed her pace.
"Greetings." She said, speaking in a soft and yet audible tone. "I am Merenwen, daughter to Aragorn, sister of the King." Her lips of rose were turned down slightly, though she did not look unhappy. "I was sent to greet you and to escort the party into the gates of Minas Anor."
"Hail princess Merenwen." Spoke a guard from the back. "Thank you for your curtsey. We are all wearied from our journey from the Golden hall to the grand city of Men."
"Then follow me, for warm beds and a nice meal await the weary." She said with a light laugh. She turned her steed and, whispering words in elvish, she lead the way back from hence she had come from.
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She was not happy with Eldarion at that present time. Merenwen hadn't asked to become some sort of escort for this princess from Rohan. She had wanted to do all she did when she wanted. But she was eldest, and being the eldest sister came with responsibility that she needed to take- through good and bad.
They came upon the gates of Minas Tirith in only a half an hour. It normally took twice as quick, but Merenwen had slowed so the group wouldn't tire their horses even more so. The folk of Rohan took care of their steeds, though long journeys made all horses tired. Even the very best from Rohan.
The gates opened slowly, letting them inside the city. Her brother was there, ready to greet the guests to the White City. Their eyes met- storm blue again deep blue- though Merenwen broke the contact, showing that she was a bit angry with him. He knew why. Swiftly, she dismounted from Anduialmir, glad to be back within the city walls. Her cloak hem swept along the city streets as she patted the mare's nose.
"Welcome, my friends from Rohan, to Minas Tirith." Eldarion was speaking as the Princess from Rohan dismounted from her own golden steed. "We are most pleased that you have come to stay with us for the time being, Lady Elowyn."
"I send thanks from my father for letting me stay." Elowyn spoke, inclining her head to both the King and, surprisingly enough, to Merenwen herself. "I am glad to be within the walls of the wonderful city." It was slightly odd for a woman of her statue to be dressed in riding clothing- though Merenwen did borrow the riding gown that her mother had worn many times before while riding. Yet, the two princesses were contrasts to one another in many ways. Her hair was like a river of gold, flowing almost to her waist. Yet, her eyes held flecks of blue and green.
"Come," Eldarion broke the silence that had stood for a few moments, making Merenwen break from her trance. "Let me show you to your quarters."
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Elowyn couldn't stop goggling at the sight the grand city was. The walls were purest of white, like the outside had suggested, shining a bit when the sunlight hit them. It was of great contrast to the Golden Hall, which was made from wood, standing atop a small hill. It was all so grand...But there were so many tiers to climb in order to reach her quarters.
Now, standing atop the tallest tier, she watched the city come to life. She didn't feel like resting much anymore, for there was too much to see. She couldn't stop drinking in the sights that were all around her.
High noon was upon the city and, abandoning where she had stood for quite a while, drinking in the sights, Elowyn chose to wander around a bit. Her feet moved across the marble of the topmost tier, walking away towards a few of the buildings. That's when it caught her eye.
What as it? The White Tree, settled in the middle of the courtyard up there, settled in all its glory. It was marvelous. Elowyn stopped her trek as she started towards the tree that had forever been a part of the line of kings, showing how their kingdom fared. Gingerly, she reached out to touch the bark...
"What are you doing?" The voice startled Elowyn as she flinched her hand back, turning around. There, decked in a gown of violet, stood Merenwen. Her blue eyes were narrowed slightly, watching the Rohirric Princess for a few moments.
"I was looking at the White Tree." Elowyn said smoothly, "Is that a crime?"
"No," Merenwen matched her tone as both paired of eyes from each seemed to watch one another, "I was just surprised to still see you up here."
"Just trying to find something to do, for now."
"Be careful around the tree." Turning on her heel, Merenwen walked away. It was no wonder she hadn't heard her come up. The Princess of Gondor walked with little sound. Wondering why she had been so icy, Elowyn turned on her own heel, intending on looking through some of the buildings.
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She had gone and touched the White Tree! Merenwen didn't know why she was so angry at something so trivial, but it was anger she was feeling. Who did this Elowyn think she was, going off and touching the tree that had been there since her father had replanted it after the War?
Having turned the corner, away from the Princess, she waited until Elowyn had left before going to see it. The tree had always been there and was something beautiful. Merenwen loved to sit by the tree and, every now and then, she would let her fingers go up against the bark. She remembered when she had first been told of the tree and the story behind it. How it would always be there as long as Gondor had a king at the throne, keeping the people safe.
A small tear blinked down her pale cheek as, closing her eyes, her forehead rested against the bark for a few moments. How she missed both Ammie and Addie.
Unknown to her, the Princess from Rohan, having wanted one last peek, caught this brief breaking of the Gondorian Princess. But, in silence, she had swiftly made her leave.
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Ammie: Mama
Addie: Papa