R&R Chapter 10: Clash of Arrogance and Madness
Essenia; Illian:
The rebuilding of Illian, or at least it's southwestern half of the city, was coming along better than expected. Though now most buildings were constructed from brick or stone as there was a severe shortage of lumber. 'Old Illian' for the mostly untouched half of the city would likely become a parallel of what Old Caemlyn's Inner city in Andor from his world had been, in the coming years, minus the wall and the beautiful Ogier crafted stone-worked buildings. 'New Illian' like that of the 'New City' of Caemlyn, at least what it had once been like till the whole city burned to the ground during the Last Battle.
Another parallel between Old Caemlyn and the New Illian was the wall that was being constructed around the city. The Western side of the Wall had a pier-like protrusion that extended out into the Bay of Belfalas, as it was called, to help mitigate another possible naval invasion in the future. There were plans in place to have a more fortified outpost and smaller pier on the south side of the bay as well. It would act as an inspection and tax/fee collections station for ships entering and leaving Illian.
Turning to view eastwards, his gaze followed the river Harnen and the (Harad)Border-road that was too distant to see. The reports, of the furthest scouting of the road that lead southeast, mentioned another road that seemed to run perpendicular to it, as well as a large town or small city. The settlement there was noted as being heavily fortified too. Though, he supposed, that he'd want a settlement that sat on the crossroads, of what was assumed to be, the largest or longest roads in the region, possibly the entire continent.
Scouts were sent out weeks ago to investigate the road that went northeast, as he wanted to use it for travelling into Khand. There was also the need to verify the alleged 'slave-farms' that Lukas Zarench had told him about, before leaving a couple days after their talk. The man was certainly brave to make such a journey, alone, as he did. No evil could be sensed from the man, so deception was not likely the case, though true enough that a person need not be evil to lie.
Looking up into the cloud-filled sky, Rand was hoping for some much needed rain, though he sensed that Essenia would not get much, if any, of it. At least the climate was cooling down as it seemed to be Fall here, though the northwestern nations were in the middle of winter as January 3018 proceeded. He'd been warned by Faenoyes that; while the temperature did not get cold enough to freeze water at night, the harsh winds that would sweep through could be compared to a gale out on the sea's. So instead of snow, they'd get wind instead. A very harsh wind that would be whipping sand around in a stinging maelstrom.
At least it would no longer be as hot as the Aiel Waste anymore. Winters here would be cool, if not cold, and very windy.
Perhaps he should Travel to the outpost where the Border-road crossed the Harnen river? He was getting anxious to get the report from the scouts that went northeast...Well, mainly east, as they would have to travel the length of Essenia at least before being able to go north as the Mountains of Shadow as they were called formed a formidable barrier.
Sighing, he knew they could not have possibly have returned yet, if they had even started back yet in any case.
After Rand had looked at some maps of Mordor, thanks to Faenoryes for sending some with his reply, he had to admit that it was the perfect geographical area to defend from.
Mordor had it's own small sea, the Sea of Nurn, multiple rivers that ran through it's central and southern plains that were also called Nurn. All of which were surrounded by jagged mountains with very few traversalable paths through them. The eastern edge of Mordor was still a mystery however.
The northlands and wetlands, Rand chuckled at his quip of the known nations, had no idea what lay to the east or south. Well, no idea except that there were enemies in those places so did not often venture into those area's. Still, he thought of how ignorant they were of there own world...then again, in his own world, they had been ignorant of Shara and Seanchan too. He'd learned from that and was wary of what may lay beyond what was presently known. Who knows, this world could have their own version of Aiel, somewhere out in that vast desert to the south and east.
Most of the Rulers and the like, that he spent the last 2 weeks meeting with, seemed...not quite hostile...but, unwanting and depressed? Something was happening behind the scenes, he was sure of it. The sense of Shadow upon them was unmistakable. He needed, as much as he dreaded to say it, to speak with Gandalf about it. For if the enemy influenced the leaders of the nations, they would likely fall to ruin under such influence.
He just didn't know what to do about it.
He also had no idea where Gandalf and the others were either.
"Might as well visit Ballin Alamri in Gondor for his report...and maybe see what i can do about the Steward of Gondor"-Rand said aloud to himself as he turned away from the balcony, at the Royal Palace overlooking Illian.
Gondor; Minus Tirith:
Ballin Alamri, emmisary of Essenia to Gondor, was organizing his reports for his King that should be arriving today. He grimaced, if he even showed up that is. In retrospect, he thought to himself-'In light of everything else that has happened, it should no be a surprise that i do be low on his majesty's priority list'.
In one of his reports, was that of the battle for Osgiliath:
Enemy reinforcements arrived a few days ago, defenders are holding for now with the Gondorian's, but may need reinforcements themselves soon. Our Casualties as of yesterday-209, Wounded-907. A formal request for more arrows and replacement armor and weapons. An additional catapult is also requested by Gondor's side, as well as for pur own. Another request detailing how any available naval vessels would help in the defense of Osgiliath, if they could be spared(which was highly unlikely and marked as such).
His quarterly report for finances and business endeavors:
Lucrative business ventures: Metals and smithy-products, Oils, produce *not from this world*, literature-mostly history and some others such as; The Adventures of Jain Farstrider.
Total profits, after expenses: 200 Gold Crowns(or it's equivalent) in the past month. More traders and merchants with more goods to sell to come here is advised.
New business's opened: Ballin's Book store, Essenia's Gardens(*Exotic* Produce), Ballin's Weaver's(Fabric and clothing fashions).
Ballin smiled, business was good and would only get better once he was supplied and re-supplied.
Looking up at the clock...
"Blood and Ashes! I do be late!"-Ballin exclaimed, startling those around him, while others who were natives of this place simply quirked their eyebrows at his 'strange' cursing.
Gondor; Near Osgiliath:
Stepping through his Gateway, Rand noticed 2 things:
First, that Ballin was not waiting for him...
Second, that there was smoke rising from Osgiliath in the distance.
"That's not a good sign"-Rand said aloud.
Making a Skimming portal, Rand stepped onto his platform -made to look like the anceint Aes Sedai symbol- and stepped off it and into Osgiliath's outskirts a couple seconds later.
This close Rand could here sounds of battle
Rand see's a large boulder launch into the air from the eastern side of the river towards the western side, where he knew his people would be defending from.
Seizing, pure, untainted Saidin, Rand wove Fire and Air, just-so, to make the boulder explode as it was still arcing over the enemies' heads, raining fire down below.
With his Saidin-enhanced vision, Rand could just make out the confused actions of the enemy as they looked up and into the sky in disbelief.
It was understandable, the next thing to happen was not-so-much for the forces of Sauron, as their catapults began to explode followed soon after by the Ballista's and Trebuchet's.
Weaving a dome of Air around himself and tying-off the weave for the moment to ward against physical dangers, Rand moved towards where his Defenders should be.
Gondor; Osgiliath; Allies:
Faramir was at a loss for words as the explosions rocked the enemy shortly after an explosion in the sky. None-the-less, it was great as a morale boost.
Faramir looked towards the Defender in charge of his allies here and saw that the man was smiling.
"What is happening Dairian?"-Faramir asked the man in the nearby ruins of a building, much like his own.
"I dare say that the Lord Dragon has come to aid us"-the man replied, ducking low as another arrow passed by.
'The king of Essenia? Why not just say king and not dragon? These people are strange'-Faramir thought. The ruler of Essenia seemed to be known by many titles and names in addition to being, close to, if not, adored by his people. Ballin Alamri, the emissary from Essenia to Gondor and the first friend he'd made in recent years, thought highly of Rand Al'Thor. Even going so far as to claim that...
"Halt! Who go's there!"-A nearby Gondor guard said from behind Faramir.
"My Lord! We thank you for the assist!"-Dairian said bowing.
"Rand Al'Thor, King of Essenia, what brings you here?"-Faramir asked.
The guard who said 'halt' had widening eyes and looked on the verge of apologizing when Rand held up his hand, saying it's fine, that he did right.
"I came to get Ballin Alamri's weekly report on how business and relations with Gondor are going when i seen that he was absent and smoke was rising from Osgiliath here. I've come to investigate."-Rand said while looking around.
Almost under his breathe but still loud enough to be heard, -"This place must have been a sight to behold before it fell to ruin..."-Rand said offhandedly.
Before anyone could say another word, an arrow seemed to have hit an invisible wall, roughly 3ft from Rand Al'Thor. While the Essenian's who saw this were not perturbed, everyone else was.
"I could lay waste to the other side of the river in short order, or i could simply get some reinforcements here if you want to keep damage to a minimum"-Rand offered the Gondorian.
****Time-Skip****
Gondor; Minus Tirith:
"You dare to bring an army into my lands?!"- An angry Denethor rages at Rand.
"As per agreement, i will aid you in times of need, and the battle of Osgiliath was in need"-Rand said with a calm and patient manner.
"30,000 soldiers is more like a conquering force than one of aid!"-Denethor yelled, his knuckles turning white from his grip on the arm-rest of his throne.
Rand very nearly groaned. He'd already assured Denethor that those troops had returned to Essenia and that Faramir had requested the aid himself. Yet he still raged on about it...
He was going to explode soon, he kept a good leash on his anger, but this man before him...
"Then it's a good thing i did not send 100,000 soldiers"-Rand quipped sarcastically while noticing the momentary shock on the elder man's face.
While true that there weren't quite that many within Essenia, a draft could draw up that number and more besides. Before the Last Battle, Tear and Illian could have fielded twice that number...each.
"Madness! There is no such army in the world!"-Denethor scoffed at the younger red-haired man before him.
Rand merely quirked his brow and adopted a look of 'Really?' towards him.
Denethor, upon seeing Al'Thor's reaction, began to fidget and sweat.
'Impossible! Even if we called in all our soldiers, combined with all of Rohan and nearby allies, we'd still come up short of such a number and yet he's serious?!'-Denethor thought in shocked amazement and disbelief.
Rand Al'Thor suddenly sighed and looked down, mumbling to himself, then looked up at him and asked something that he was ill prepared for...
Denethor was so taken back by the thought of 100,000 soldiers that the silence began to stretch, making him think of something that needed taking care of.
"I suppose now's as good a time as any"-Rand muttered to himself.
"I wonder sometimes Denethor, Are you mad or just simply corrupted by Sauron?"-Rand asked with a look of open curiosity as he tilted his head to the side.
Guards around the room tensed, some looked to their lord nervously, those that were behind him did at least.
Silence reigned for a few tense moments.
"Or both?"-Rand said, tilting his head to the other side.
...
"YOU DARE!"-Denethor very nearly screamed, standing up from his throne.
"What? Ask a question?"-Rand quipped sarcastically with a small smile forming on his face.
Denethor was livid, if his trembling was any indicator. Though his eyes stared murder at Rand.
"GUARDS!"-Denethor yelled, making those mentioned, jump.
"I'm a KING, Denethor"-Rand said with dangerous calm, placing emphasis on 'King'.
Rand could nearly see the internal struggle behind the irate man's eyes. Moments earlier the man he wanted killed or imprisoned on the spot had claimed to be able to bring 100,000 soldiers to the field. An army that would surely march against him if he were to do as he wanted with their King...
"Since you did not answer my question, i'll assume that one, or both, is true."-Rand said as Denethor fought within himself.
"Your mad for even asking such a thing!"-Denethor yelled back.
"Of course! I should have known better than to ask a crazy person if he is crazy"-Rand replied to Denethor, noticing a twitch of the lips on several guards behind the man.
His last remark may have been a little too much for Denethor to handle...
"SEIZE HIM!"-Denethor yelled, pointing a finger at the offending person.
"So quick to anger...you only prove it true..."-Rand said, shaking his head in disappointment, whether at himself or the fool in front of him, he wasn't sure.
Maybe both.
Looking up, he saw a few guards move towards him to do as commanded by their lord.
"You should know that you can't touch me..."-Rand said first to Denethor and then with a pointed look at those nervously approaching him.
"Your sorcery will not save you!"-Denethor said with cold fury, looking like the realization that Rand could use magic, had just dawned on him.
"I am;
"Master of the lightnings, Rider on the storm,
Wearer of the Crown of Swords, Spinner out of fate,"
"And he shall shall break the world again by his coming,
Tearing apart all ties that bind,"
"For he shall come like the breaking dawn,
And shatter the world again with his coming, and make it anew."
(a few different lines quoted here that are from the books, the rest is just me again)
For i am the Creator's Champion, Mankind's Salvation,
Lord of the Morning, the Dragon Reborn."-Rand finished saying quietly, as he looked up in pity on Denethor and those coming closer to him.
"The True Source that drives the wheel of time and spins the pattern of the ages, even without it, i doubt you could stop me."-Rand said levelly.
Some of those who had moved towards him were likely wondering if he was any saner than Denethor after he recited a few lines of prophecy about himself. The last line was clearly taken as a threat by them, but he just stated facts as he knew them.
For he was like a storm.
Rand reached out to touch the pattern and felt a resistance to it, though he was still able to reach it. As he did, he willed it so that those in the room would forsake Denethor and cast him down from the throne.
Though, as he did after confronting the Dark One, he had experimented with his new 'ability'.
Being able to effect the pattern to a degree. If it was possible, it could happen, therefore he could make it happen. Something that was impossible to happen, would not happen.
The guards knew that their liege was going mad, and the chance of them turning against him was a possibility, however unlikely it was to happen at this moment.
"My will is enough"-Rand said, still staring at the enraged madman, watched as everyone in the hall moved to take Denethor off the throne.
Denethor's eyes widened as everyone in the room began moving towards him.
"What sorcery is this!"-Denethor yelled as he began to panick.
"None, i have done nothing but force my will upon the pattern of the world, a world where you do not rule."-Rand said dispassionately.
'He speaks nonsense! What is this pattern that he keeps speaking of? Some sorcery most likely'-Denethor thought as he began to draw his blade to defend himself from his subject's. Though as he began to draw it, a guard grabbed his arm from behind him, effectively restraining him as other's began to take hold of him.
"Fools! What to you think you are doing! Unhand me!"-Denethor called out, struggling to free himself from their grasp.
"Can't you see that he's used some kind of 'Trickery' to make you do his bidding?!"-Denethor said, clearly panicking.
"I'm sorry sire, but we've known for a while that you've been going mad. We do not want to be ruled by a madman.."-a guard said sadly.
"Traitors! All of you are traitors!"-Denethor yelled as some of the guards took him away, kicking and screaming at those dragging him towards what Rand assumed would be the dungeons.
"You should contact Faramir, i assume he's the next in line for the throne?"-Rand said to a nearby guard.
The guard looked at him in a strange way...
"I almost thought that...-the man shook his head-...no, no, lord Faramir is not next in line, that would be his elder brother, lord Boromir, who is currently away at the time. He went to a council in Rivedell."
"Hmm. So what happens now?"-Rand asked the man that looked depressed and starting to look a little surprised at what had just happened.
"I... i do not know..."-he said gravely, giving Rand a side-long look.
Rand shook his head at the man, knowing he was likely wondering if he'd been victim to some sort of 'magic' that made him turn on Denethor.
"Still, Faramir should be told of this and can hopefully hold things together until his brother arrives."-Rand suggested.
The guard merely nodded, mumbling to himself.
"I do have a request..."-Rand said.
"That would be?"-the man said, clearly not thinking of it as a request.
"Somewhere, in a nearby tower i think, is something i've heard described as a crystal ball of some sort. It is incredibly dangerous, perhaps one of the main reasons for Denethor's madness. I'd like to see it and confirm something."-Rand explained to the guard.
"And that would be?"-the guard said, curious.
"That Sauron is using it in some way to influence, talk, or misinform Denethor.
A/N: So there you have it. Osgiliath is attacked and then Denethor dethroned. I hope you liked it.
2nd chapter this week! I bet ya'll are excited about that!
I want to point out that things are progressing fairly close to cannon with the largest difference being that its all taking place 6 months early. Then again i did state that its an Alt-timeline didn't i?
So what did you think of Rand forcing the pattern to his will? Seems like forever ago since i hinted that Rand may do something with this. Since AMOL's ending, around the time that it's revealed that Rand can now force what he wants to happen(willing the pattern to light his pipe), i do not know(nor anyone i suspect) what the limitations of this are.
-"A Ta'veren in full control of their fate and their effect on the pattern, is a very scary idea indeed"-Unknown Author, Fourth Age of Middle-Earth