Chapter 2: New world Cities
Gandalf the grey-between T.A.3001 and T.A. 3017-Cannon timeline(reference) Gandalf is in Minas Tirith.
Gandalf was currently studying the records held within Minas Tirith, the city of kings. The search for Gollum was taking a long time...years in fact. (Gandalf is informed of Gollum's capture after leaving here) Still, perhaps the most important thing was to...
"there we are..."-Gandalf quietly exclaimed to himself, finding something useful.
The scroll of Isildur
He spent the rest of the afternoon reading and finally peiced together the missing history of the One Ring.
(Simply going to refer to it as the *Ring*)
Having found the information he'd been looking for, he began to get ready to leave and head back towards the Shire when a strange procession was making it's way ever higher among the cramped and narrow, zig-zag of streets towards the top.
They appeared to be men from lands he'd not known of before. *Who are they?*-Gandalf wondered, suddenly curious of the foreigners. Perhaps he should introduce himself...
After seventeen days of travel and a few skirmishes, Rand had finally reached Minas Tirith. It was unlike any city he'd ever seen. It was all, well mostly, white, like the White Tower in Tar Valon is. It looked to have been carved directly out of the side of a huge mountain. Towering spires, walled fortifications at multiple levels, and a great rock ledge left untouched, seemingly, in the middle and at the top of the impressive city.
All that said it did seem that the folks here were rather depressed, he wondered why...but as they made their way ever higher he began to see a foreboding sight in the distance, where the mountains of Mordor lay.
When he turned back around he noticed an old grey-bearded man making his way towards them, looking thoughtful, as his rhythmic clap of his staff struck the cobblestones on his way towards him.
"Greetings Strangers!" the old man hollered towards Rand's group.
"Hello...sir?"-Rand replied not sure what to say in return. He was, after all, a foreigner and didn't know the customs...if these people have any for greetings he was unaware but he didn't want to just ignore the old man.
"My name is Gandalf, also known as Gandalf the Grey, Mithrandir, well...lots of names i suppose!"-the old man said with an easy smile and cheerful attitude, keeping pace at the edge of Rand's group.
"My name is Rand...Al Thor, pardon, and i mean no offense but, can i help you?"-Rand asked, confused as to why the old man was wanting to engage in conversation with his group. Nearly all the locals had stayed clear of them till now.
"Honestly...I just never seen people quite of your like before, and trust me, that's odd that i haven't heard of a people around these parts"-old man said easily, obviously inspecting their garb and insignia, armor and weapons, even their looks with an uncomfortable stare...
"I can also sense a strange aura about you too..."-Gandalf said quietly before he concentrated inwardly, appearing to go into deep thought while walking.
"My lord, if this old man is a being a bother to you..."-Marcolin began
"N-no, it's okay, it's actually kind of nice to converse when there's not really much else to do at the moment, Captain"-Rand interjected before Demetre did something bad to the poor old man for 'bothering' him.
"Is that so...lord Rand al Thor?" "Where is it that you come from, if i may ask?"-old man inquired.
"That is partially the reason we are here, We came from...far, far, far away"-Rand didn't want to admit to this old man they were from another world and had nearly slip. Well, he did say 'far' a little too much he supposed by the stranger looks he was getting from the old man.
"Well, specifically i suppose we'd be from the northern shores of the Sea of Storms, though that is not where we have come here from..."-Rand said, not really sure how to explain it without sounding insane.
"We are here to see the...Steward? of this land...Gondor was it?"- Rand half-asked.
"Indeed, both of those are true."-The old man said, bowing his head, affirming that Rand was correct.
Making their way through one last arch Rand noted that the rock ledge he'd seen was actually a ceremonial like place with a withered old white tree in the center of geen grass and paths. It seems to be special but doesn't look like a sapling of Avendasora either.
*I wish it were so i could enjoy its calming and relaxing aura*-Rand thought to himself as he looked at it on his way to meet the Steward.
The old man continued to follow him and his entourage, the guards didn't stop him so he must have some kind of status, or perhaps anyone could meet with the Ruling Steward of Gondor?
Entering the hall, Rand could see an older and frowning man sitting at the end. Walking past statues to his left and right, the Stewards guards halted his own, causing him to stop momentarily.
*So i'll have to come alone towards you huh?* -Rand thought, formalities and a caution of danger perhaps?
Having a quick and hushed talk with his two Captains. Ending it with a stern look, and a flicker of his sight to the old man-Gandalf- for his men to catch on and to focus their attentions on him, Rand turned around with a neutral look and strode forth towards Gondor's ruler.
"Lord Denethor the second, I am Rand Al Thor-The king of Illian and a High Lord of Tear."-Rand greeted.
"Who, from where?" Denethor spat.
"It would seem my lands were suddenly transported to lands you formerly called Harondor, or that of South Gondor, by magical means when we were attacked by enemies."-Rand told him out-right, he got the strong feeling that he'd never get along with this man and wanted to be as quick as possible.
"So, you were attacked, the result of which is being transported south of here...from where?"-Denethor said, unbelieving in the extreme.
"Well...i'm guessing from another world honestly."-Rand said though he knew what would likely come from this meeting...nothing.
"Uh-huh...and why'd you come here?"-Denethor asked the younger red-head.
"To inform you of this. We'd like to open up trade with you. We could possibly help you in times of war as well if we enter into an alliance...At the very least we'd act as a southern buffer from what i hear is 'Umbar'..."-Rand informed him. Though that last he was unsure of.
"Really, and what would you want in return?"-Denethor asked, half mocking, half curious.
"The official recognition of my lands that now reside south of the Anduin and Poros rivers." Rand held up a second finger...
"An official trade agreement or pact between our two lands for open-commerce with little taxation, first draft of which i have brought with me." Rand held a third finger up...
"Have a non-aggression pact between our military's to avoid hostilities, and if, if only in dire need, support each other in times of war."
Basically Rand just stated the same thing he'd already said, though more detailed.
Seeing the man would likely deny him just for humor of spiting him, Rand tried a trick, one only a Ta'veren could do.
Rand willed Denethor to accept his reasonable request and proposed alliance of sorts, to get the 'pattern' to conform to his will.
*Wait, am i still even Ta'veren?*-Rand asked himself.
"Hmmm, very well, however, a better explanation for your being here is needed. Also, considering-"-Denethor was compromising!
*Well, regardless, he's gonna grudgingly accept reason it would seem*-Rand thought as he listened to the near-demands of the 'Steward' of Gondor.
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-Gandalf was fascinated by the turn of events. This Rand al'Thor exuded a strange yet familiar aura. Then there was the whole thing about transported lands?!
It was a troubling development indeed, unfortunately, he needed to return to the Shire. He suspected that the One Ring was the one that Bilbo had and he meant to return there and find out for true. Though, if this had happened at another time, if the shadow of Mordor was not being cast upon the world again-he would have followed Rand al'Thor to his lands.
Sighing in irritation and frustration, he began to make ready his long journey back to the land of Hobbits...after speaking to the young Rand al'thor again so he could find him at a later time.
-Rand was fairly pleased with the turn of events in Minas Tirith, which ultimately comes down to:
A) Good for Diplomacy and inter-national relations.
B) Official Trading routes for his people which would be paramount to their future.
C) A and B basicaly paid for with military strength, which was the only real thing of value they could offer at the time.
He still wasn't sure if he'd affected the pattern of this world to his will or not. There was also the old man asking all those rather tedious and sometimes dangerous to answer questions after the meeting with Denethor II. Gandalf was asking about directions to where he'd just come from to get here...
"Ummm, follow the Harad road south and once over the Crossings of Poros, turn right and follow the river Poros till you see Tear. The city is called Tear and-(Rand chuckled at Faenoryes first impression)-the Mountain as some have called it is actually called the Stone of Tear or just the Stone"-Rand said.
Rand couldn't help but feel that Gandalf was not...quite as he seemed to be. He didn't know why but he felt a little curious about the old man...
"If you'd like to come with us back there i'm sure we could arrange-"-Rand was saying
"Alas lad, i cannot, for there is something i must do in the lands to the West and i probably should've left days ago when you had first arrived."-Gandalf said sadly.
Marcolin, who was nearby and evidently listening in said "Lord Rand could bring you there and back in a single day i bet"-he said with a grin.
Rand gave Marcolin a long-suffering stare, saying with his eyes-'why'd you go and say that?'
Gandalf was not believing in the slightest. "How, lad, could you possibly get to the Poros river within a day?"
"I find that a bit hard to believe..."-Gandalf continued.
Giving one last pointed look at his First-Captain of the Companions, Rand opened a Gateway right then and there. Gandalf's eyes seemed ready to pop, astounded at the strange portal suddenly appearing...
"I'll be back in a few Marcolin...don't move an inch"-Rand said as he grabbed Gandalf and carefully pushed him through to the other side.
"What, where are we?"-Gandalf said, unable to fully cope with the reality of looking at the river in front of him, the river Poros...
"Tear, and to your right is the Stone"-Rand said.
Gandalf looked to his right and was amazed at the sheer size of the fortress. It was indeed the size of a mountain as it would likely block early morning sunlight for the vast city stretching to the west and south.
"We are now on the south shore of the river Poros"-Rand informed him.
"Lord Dragon?"-a soldier asked walking up
"Okay, enough sight-seeing, time to go"Rand said opening another Gateway to Travel back to Minas Tirith.
"Wait a min-"Gandalf began to say in a nearly strangled voice as Rand pushed him through a portal back to Minas Tirith and following after before closing the Gateway and closing off the sounds of a soldier saying something...
No one had moved, thankfully, as the Companions had actually believed Rand would only be gone for a very short time, so no one was hurt as the Gateway opened and an old man followed by the Dragon Reborn stepped through and out of thin-air.
"Now you know what to look for"-Rand said with a smirk to the confused old man.
Now Gandalf knew he had to return from the Shire with all haste he could muster. That city had never been there before! And the question of how this man could travel, instantly from one city to another was something he had to learn!
Though he was a little irritated at having been pushed around...
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The entire journey had taken, roughly, a little over a month to complete. 'Being put on the map' so to speak and opening trade with a...friendly neighbor nation was good news indeed.
Instead of returning to the Stone of Tear, Rand left the Harad Road for Illian. The Defenders reluctantly went back to the Stone because they simply didn't have the supplies for them all to make the journey through the center of Rand's lands.
Rand wanted to get a better feel for how the countryside and interior of the territory was like. He expected something like the Aeil Waste, but with a fertile 'sprinkle' on top...it was noticeably cooler than the wastes at least. Imagine 120*F to...105*F and dry with intermittent breezes.
He also wanted to check on the irrigation projects he had started. He'd thought of creating an artificial river system from the sea of Belfalas in a large U-shape through the center of the land, circling the desert that was covering a large portion of the interior of the area the two countries occupied. After that, simple diverging trenches could be branched out to wherever the water was needed.
Those digging would dig a path and at the end of the day slosh away the mound of dirt blocking the river from filling it in as they went. They would continue like this for however long it took. Leave a stretch of dirt to stop the water from filling in their trench as they dug a ways before removing the water-blocking stretch at the end of the day.
"Start small, We can always expand and deepen it later as needed."-the Lord Dragon had said.
It was a project on a massive scale and likely wouldn't be completed for a long time, if ever. Still, the current irrigation channels to the cities' farming communities had to be dug in order for their long-term survival. They were, in all practicality, digging a trench for an artificial river to make the desert an oasis filled land. Though that wasn't quite the case for around the cities but beyond into harsh countryside.
Illian and Tear happened to be separated in the middle of the land by a large swath of desert, for now at least. He was struck by the thought to call it the Madred Desert-For it was a dreadful wasteland to most of the people and for it's reddish tinge in places. He also thought they should probably unite under a single banner given their circumstances. The only thing he could think of was that they both came from the same world...
*How am i going to make two countries make peace and unite after generations upon generations of hostilities and rivalries with each other?*-Rand thought, trying to come up with a name to unite them under for the future.
Tear had two cities and the fortress known as the Stone. While Illian only had one city and a comparibly similar sized population.
When asked about what name to put on the map, Rand had simply pointed out the two main cities and noted Godan. Saying that he had to discuss it with the nobility of his nation first before setting anything down in ink on paper.
The scribe, he forgot the actual designation the man had, was so much easier to deal with than Denethor II.
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Rand had made his way into the city of Illian with his Companions yesterday and was discussing plans for crossing the river Harnen. The idea was to make contact with the south-eastern lands...
From the map he'd gotten in Gondor, he could see that the City of Corsairs was roughly the same distance from Illian; that Tear was from Minas Tirith, therefore would likely be in for another month-long journey.
He was contemplating how much he actually missed the Aes Sedai of the Grey Ajah for their diplomacy skills. Even after the great war there were very few he'd actually trust with important matters. Most of which were those who normally stayed near him when he was within a days walk from.
First and foremost, were the First-Captains and second were those he would give stewardship to when away from his nations...
*Weren't Illian and Tear formerly called Essenia before the Trolloc Wars?*-Rand asked the relative question to those on the Council of Nine for their thoughts on the matter.
"I've been thinking on this for some time now and would like all of you to as well: I would like to rename Tear and Illian into a single nation"-Rand said
The council was not pleased. After all, would two nations; who've been at war off and on with each other for centuries, really like to be formed into a single nation?
It was laughable if one could ignore the now screaming nobles. Their king had just said the last thing they'd ever think of and had also asked them to think about it.
Rand offered some reasons for it to settle them down.
"I know, i know, but just listen to me, please, i'm your king, listen to what i have to say first."
"One, We are in an entirely different world we know nothing about."
"Two, I am basically the king of both nations."
"Three, Since we are in a new world, we should rename the two into a single name for the benefit of other nations of this world, as well as for ourselves as we could then rally to a single banner".
"Four, Tear and Illian were once part of a nation called Essenia i think it was, before the Trolloc Wars. So renaming ourselves Essenia would essentially be a return to former glory".
"And Five, The shadow-as far as we know it-is not here, so there isn't a viable excuse for letting animosity to continue to grow between the two nations. Only the stubbornness of men. We are both human, much of this world is not..."
He let that sink in, to think about it. If the majority of this world wasn't human, it would be best to set aside their differences and join together as their king had said. After all, what good would rivalry gain them when the entire world wanted to kill or devour them both?
"Now, while you think on that, i would like to know who will come with me to the south, to this City of Corsairs..."-Rand was asking again who would join him for this trip south. From one port city to another if the name indicated the function of the city.
From the city of Illian to the City of Corsairs.
Spiron Narettin would join Rand Al'Thor south with him and his Companions while bringing a few thousand of his own banner-men. Spiron had a mind for battle, especially after Rand had sent him to secure Illian's eastern side from any hostile forces before the Last Battle began in earnest.
So if things went south he'd likely be best to bring along. Gregorin den Lushenos could have come but he would steward in Rand's absence and could be trusted to inform Tear about what Rand was doing.
Rand had heard that Gondor and Umber were often at war with each other. He hoped that he could become a mediator of sorts between the two. He wanted to trade with them too...
His impression before meeting them was not unlike the Atha'an Miere. A mostly sea-fairing nation, often said to be nothing but pirates-Rand knew better than take rumors like that as truth, and had a 'haven' for their ships.
Rand was of a mind to consider them like the Sharans. Serving evil powers under misguidance and threat of force. He would have to educate them that serving evil was never an option.
Therefore, rode with Callandor-the crystal sword, a sword made only for him three thousand years before his birth. That wasn't to say another of similar talent couldn't use it, just that he was the only male meant to use it.
If these Umbar served the powerful, then they would serve him, and the light of the good. Not the shadow of evil.
After crossing the Harnen, the contingent of Rand al'Thor traveled mostly along the coastline of the sea. Now and then ships could be seen in the distance but would never stay in sight of them for long.
Upon reaching the base of, what was a peninsula according to their map, they turned south towards what should eventually be the City of Corsairs.
They were met halfway there by a large force blocking their way.
"Halt!"-a Haradrim soldier shouted "State your business!"
"We come to talk of trade and politics!"Rand shouted back
"With an army?! We are not fools!"-a now angry man yelled back
Rand looked around him...*An army? what army?*
*!*
"This is not an army, merely my honor-guard and my fellow's banner-men coming with us for protection! We know not what to expect!"-Rand shouted back.
The Numenorean descendant didn't know what to say to that as he looked upon, what was obviously, a war host arrayed in front of him...
"From where do you hail!"
"I am High lord of Tear, King of Illian! We occupy what was once called South Gondor or that of Harondor to the north!".-Rand answered the man. An uncomfortable silence followed...
"We cannot let a foreign army stay within our borders, turn back!"-the man shouted eventually.
Rand quickly discussed with his confidants and higher ranking of those around him...
"May we enter with only a mere 200?!"-Rand tried bargaining.
Please, please let me talk with you all, Rand hoped.
"Very well! But the rest must leave!"-the man yelled
Selecting the elite of the elite from the assembled troops, Rand and his now considerably smaller group approached the possibly enemy army, for sure an enemy army of his new 'allies'.
Rand made sure they would stay very close, and assuring those who were not going with, so that he'd be able to make a Gateway for them all to escape quickly in case the worst were to happen.
"I would like to talk to your leaders, could you all escort me to them?"-Rand asked.
The commander of the Haraden forces seemed to struggle inwardly for a moment before saying; "Very well, but be warned, any...funny business and your head will be on a pike!"
That was the wrong thing to say, as Rand's Companions, The elite shock troops and personell guard of the king of Illian began drawing weapons...
"You dare threaten our King, the light's chosen and savior of man-kind!"-that was the jist of what they began yelling as the haradens also drew their daggers and prepared their bows.
"Stop!"
"All of you!"-Rand quickly shouted before things could escalate too far. Some didn't listen and moved to kill each other.
The crystal sword began to glow as Rand chanelled and wove threads of air to restrain those who didn't listen...
The Haraden's eyes widened as the sword the supposed 'king' in front of him began glowing. The men about to engage in combat suddenly halted as if frozen. Was this man a sorcerer or wizard of some kind?!
"Rand al'Thor, what have you done?"-The Haraden asked.
"Nothing, just prevented some fools from spilling blood before the talks begin with a neighboring country is all"-Rand said.
The commander noted the change in his voice: it was cold, emotionless...
The frozen troops suddenly collapsed forward, surprised.
"Get back in line, furthest file!"-Rand yelled at his men, now looking somewhat disgruntled and abashed somehow...
Tensions were high as they proceeded to the city of Corsairs and into its palace.
A mere dozen or so followed Rand into the structure, under heavy guard, outnumbered three to one, not included were the guard already inside.
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"We have been at war with Gondor for many generations! We will not associate ourselves with those who treat them as allies!"-Some important, council-like figure yelled at Rand.
"Should not all the forces of men unite against anything that would want to harm them?"-Rand asked.
"You talk fanciful philosophy and wishful thinking! Besides, what can you offer us anyways?"
"From the way you talk i doubt you have slaves to offer us in trade!"
-Rand became pissed at the last statement the fool just made.
"You would dare treat a sentient being, a human, as a slave?!"-Rand exploded
"Begone before you find yourself as one of them!"-the council-like member who currently governed the city shouted.
"No..."-Rand
"What was that?! Guards! Put this fool in chains!"-now red-faced man said.
Wrong move, as Rand once again began thinking of his beatings and time in the box before the events at Dumai Wells.
The power surged through him, bringing color and life to what now had seemed a drab and lifeless world before. Rand wrapped the would-be captors in threads of air as he walked, dangerously, towards the man who had dared threaten to enslave him.
The man, no, tyrannical barbarian's eyes widened not knowing how or why his men stopped moving and the red-haired 'fool' approached him with ill intent. He began to turn and flee as Rand sprinted to him to grab him by the shoulder.
Rand twisted and threw the man back and down to the floor, "You are not worthy to be in-charge of men. Of those you would torture, cage, and treat as animals or property!"-Rand yelled to his face.
Rand suddenly thought of the Seanchan and their 'property', his mood darkened a bit further.
Rand forced his arms behind his back with flows of air and to his knees. He tied the knots and began walking away. "What have you done to me!"-the man cried out.
"Nothing that's not deserved, but i would get used to that position if i were you"-Rand said quietly, knowing that knot would not unravel for days if not weeks or months, surely within a year though...
He was inclined to leave the despicable man as he was for the rest of his life. Hands behind his back and on his knees, rotten to the core and in need of repentance.
"How does one come to rule here anyway?"-Rand asked to no one in particular.
"Through force of arms, lineage, or some other means?" "Why is he the...governor of this place?"-Rand couldn't call the man a ruler...maybe a ruler of slaves.
"The powerful always rule the weak..."-a random guard said from nearby.
"I will face anything for my people, anything to protect them. But slaver's aren't people, they're predatory animals that must be put down!"-Rand said so that all present could hear.
Inwardly however, Rand did not like killing, though had learned harsh lessons about not doing so.
Rand's men beamed at their ruler: though for the speech or how he seemed to be taking the place over was unknown.
"What kind of wizard are you anyway!"-a guard frozen in air asked with venom.
Things said here would likely reach the people, might as well make it a bit pompous...
"I'm a channeler, yes...adversary to the shadow, the hope of the light. Born again and again, through every age, for all time. To fight for man-kind and his continued survival. I am the chosen champion of the creator and i'm displeased with what you...people do to others!"-Rand said
"All hail Rand al'Thor! All hail light's Champion! All hail the king! All hail the Dragon Reborn!" -Rand's men said in unison...
Rand just looked at them, *great they added to their 'all hails' with light's champion, i may have been a tiny bit pompous with that but i don't think its technically wrong either*.
Rand left the palace interior and to the outside, standing on a balcony over-looking the city:
"Listen up, people of Corsair!"-Rand was saying, voice amplified by untainted Saiden.
"I do NOT condone slavery!"
"Every person is free by right!"
"I hold the power to lay waste to any adversary!"
"Stop your slaving days here and now, become my ally, or, be conquered!"
Rand simply couldn't allow a nation so close to his own that took slaves. He knew that they would eventually take his people as slaves...
For added affect, Rand used all his talent in the power to put on a show: he rained fire from the sky and into an area of the bay where there were no ships present.
It was mostly a form of the Seanchan's 'Sky Lights', but as it was used with saidar, he hadn't actually seen the weaves used, so he improvised.
A great voice was heard in the city of Corsairs that day as fire rained from the sky. It had demanded the end of slavery...and ultimately, their sovereignty.