Silweyn rubbed her fingers against her temples and groaned. "So we have a bad harvest, a disease that is slowly getting rid of our livestock, and more orcs coming this way." She fixed her councillers with a pleading look in her eyes. "Does anyone have any good news?" she pleaded.She could see the councillers racking their brains.

"Oh, My Lady," said Hagerth one of the Senior Councillers, "We have finally got rid of the threat of Orcs from the East." Silweyn smiled.

"That at least is good news. You have given some light to my day. Meeting is adjourned gentleman, while I think about our plan of action." Silweyn watched them all leave. Silweyn stepped to the window. 'Father, hurry back soon.' She thought. Her father and her brother had gone to a council with the High Elves of the North. Orcs now attacked their lands in the direction of the South and the West. Thankfully, the dragon Smaug, which had always been a threat of the North, had been defeated. Unfortunately leaving their allies, in the city of Dale, completely ruined. Though the War of the Ring was over, they had not been much involved in it. Too busy protecting their own lands. Silweyn wondered how long she could hold the role of leader for the people of Arianon. Ever since she had taken over the throne temporarily, things had gone downhill. Their capital city, Mandthain was now plagued with a disease that was destroying their cattle and….

"My Lady." It was Hagerth. "Riders approach."

"Riders? Who are they? Whom do they serve?"

"I'm not sure my Lady. Perhaps you had better come and take a look"

Silweyn followed him outside. She could see from the battlements the dust they were throwing up.

"Well my lady?"

Silweyn thought for a second. "Ready the archers. But do not let them shoot till I give my word." Hagerth nodded. "The longbows or the short bows?" he asked. "Short bows."

Silweyn stood centre of all of them. Watching them come closer. Silweyn had lost the amount of confidence she had this morning. She could feel herself growing more and more shy. Felt herself retreating into her old self. Then she heard her father's voice echoing in her head:

"Remember Silweyn. Chin up. Shoulders straight. Always look the threat of oncoming danger straight in the eye. See it as something new and exciting."

Silweyn squared her shoulders and looked straight ahead, trying to work out who the the flags that were flying belonged to. She turned away as they approached. Making her way towards Hagerth, She said: "Tell the maids to prepare the spare bedrooms. They look as if they're staying." As the mysterious riders crossed the threshold of the city, Silweyn was in deep conversation with one of her councillors who had informed her of the growing situation of the livestock. She stopped when she heard:

"Hark now, maiden of Arianon, who is your leader?" Silweyn turned.

"I am." The riders looked around in surprise. Silweyn felt confidence grow in her. "My fine gentlemen, who is your leader, and whom do you serve?"

"I do." Silweyn turned and her eyes met a kindly face. The face of a man with kingly features.

I did not know that Arianon was ruled by a Queen."

"It is not. I am merely ruling why my father and brother are away in Council with the High Elves of the North. But whom are you sir?"

"I am Aragorn. Future King of Gondor. I come to verify that this land is not under the influence of Sauron."

"I tell you my lord, it is certainly not." Silweyn replied, felling the anger bubbling up inside her. Ruled by Sauron! The mere thought of it.

"Then why," said Aragorn slowly, "were you not involved in the wars of the Ring?"

"Because, my lord, we were dealing with problems in our own lands. We would have if we had the strength and force to fight. But our lands still need protecting form nearly constant invading orcs." Aragorn once again studied her face. Silweyn realised that they were still standing out in the cold. "Come my lords, let us hasten to the main hall. Pray, follow me."

They all followed. The Riders of Gondor talking quietly among themselves. Silweyn was wrapped up in her own thoughts. When they had reached the main hall, the riders were given food and water and Silweyn and Aragorn held a private meeting in the council chambers. However there were no councillors present. Silweyn knew what her councillors were like. They would try and get Aragorn to give funds to support their lands. Once they were seated, Aragorn began to talk:

"Now that we have cleared them matter of Sauron out of the way, I also come to ask you a question."

"Oh, yes?" said Silweyn wondering what on earth it could be.

"I come to ask whether you would come to my coronation. I would like representatives of all the peoples and realmsof Middle Earth to attend."

"My Lord, I am honoured, but I cannot accept."

"Why?"

"I have problems with my own lands. There is a disease killing our livestock and we have had a bad harvest. Not to mention the threat of raiding orcs."

"How old are you Silweyn?"

"I have just seen 21 years, my lord."

"How long have you been ruling?"

"12 months?"

Aragorn smiled at you. "You are too young to have the weight of these worries resting upon your shoulders, Silweyn." You stared at him in disbelief.

"But my Lord, if I cannot sort out these problems of my lands, then who can I turn to?"

"Me."

"My Lord, I couldn't-"

"We have recently solved the threat of orcs. As for your harvest, there is nothing you can do about it. That's just the way the land works sometimes. As for your livestock, let us go and have a look at this disease they have."

You led him down to the cattle sheds. As soon as you saw what the conditions the cattle were in. You saw the problems.

"For goodness sake Marfhod," you said to the carer of the cattle. "No wonder these cattle have a disease eating at their feet. They're standing in cold, muddy water! Get them up to dry lands immediately!" Silweyn shook her ehad. Why had her councillors not informed her of the conditions of the cattle? The matter could have been quickly cleared up. Were her councillors plotting against her? She shook the thought of paranoia out of her mind.

"Yes my lady."

Silweyn turned to Aragorn.

"I think now, I can accept your invitation to Gondor, my Lord." Silweyn said smiling.

"Excellent. How say you that we live in 3 days?"

"Perfect. That gives me enough time to get my affairs in order."

"Who will rule while you are gone?"

"Hagerth."

"You don't need time to think?"

"No my Lord. I am certain."

As Silweyn rode out of Arianon, accompanied by some of her riders she turned back and looked at her land. It was the first she had left these lands for 7 years.

"It will be fine." Said Aragorn who had ridden up beside her. "Come the White City is 3 days away." Silweyn turned her horse away from Arianon and towards Gondor.

A/N: Thanks all for reading! I would appreciate any comments or advice on my story. This chapter may seem a bit boring, but it was just to get all introductions out of the way and the current situation of Silweyn. The next chapter will be alot more interesting I promise.