Sitting in the council room once more, he looks around the gathered counselors. Nearly everyone has arrived. Of those, most look around calmly, a few seem thoughtful, and a group seems anxious. Among the anxious is lord Pedwegon. It tells him these are the lords who have joined lord Pedwegon. It is now waiting for the last to arrive. He hopes the tempers which showed earlier have calmed down by now. He looks around once more. He sees how some are glaring at either lord Pedwegon or one of his allies. He bites his lips. He knows their group has not stayed silent. Or so Faramir told him. This confirms Faramir's suspicion. Not just before today have they been busy.
His mind moves back to their arrival. He remembers clearly how he was able to overhear their latest discussion of rejecting the claim. As well as the opposition it faced. Both stopped the moment he entered the council room. Those arguing for it looked incredibly uncomfortable. He did not like it then and still does not like it.
Footsteps echo through the room. He looks up. The last few remaining lords walk into the room. They share a look with Lord Pedwegon and some of his allies. He presses his lips together. He knows the feeling behind this look. It means nothing good. Denethor catches the eyes of those lords and directs them to sit. He takes a deep breath. He has been hiding the papers on his lap for now. Some have seen them and give him curious looks. Others were just confused. He is just not ready to share them yet. One thing is for sure, they ensure Gil's claim is accepted.
"Now that everyone has arrived I suggest we continue our previous discussion; what we will do with this claim. And for that, I ask you, lord Pedwegon, to share with everyone what you've been suggesting to some of us so far. I would like to know."
Lord Pedwegon bites his lips and looks to his allies. As if he is looking for support. Or is afraid to speak about his actions. Well, he should have known this could happen the minute it started. But then he has not been as smart as lord Lathron. Where is he even? He looks around the room and finds him grinning. He shakes his head mentally. He should have known Lathron was involved in this. He is most likely one of the instigators. Lord Lathron is always looking to cause trouble but is way too good at hiding his crimes. Denethor's eyes turn back to lord Pedwegon who is biting his lips.
"Well, I am waiting."
"My lord…I…I sa…I say we reject the claim. Gaining a king will mean a change for all of Gondor. A change we do not need nor should want. You and your family, my lord, have ruled Gondor well for centuries. Why would we change this?"
"Because our lord steward is a steward. He holds rule in trust for the king's return and returns the king did. So, we need to accept it."
"What does he even know about Gondor? He will only be concerned with his own land, with the North. He will not care at all for Gondor."
"My lord Pedwegon, my lord cousin cares deeply for Gondor and knows its way."
"Aye, how does he know this?"
"I will not say. That is for my lord cousin to share with you."
Denethor shares a look with lord Halbarad. He knows exactly what he is referring to speak about and feels no need to elaborate on it himself. The expiration he feels now though is reflected in lord Halbarad's eyes too.
"Why? Because you are lying."
"I would not say, Lord Halbarad is lying. There are just some things that people can better explain on their own, Lord Lathron. I have to say, my lord, I am surprised you stayed silent so long."
"Well, your highness, I prefer for my allies to have a chance to speak."
"So you agree with lord Pedwegon's words?"
"Oh, fully, your highness."
Denethor stays silent for a while as the arguing starts. He knows he can share the papers he has with him but prefers to wait. It allows him to hear all their arguments and for them to work their feelings out first. Once that has been done, he will insert himself into it. Nevertheless, he listens to what they are saying.
Thirty minutes later, Denethor decides he has had enough. They have had more than enough time to work out their feelings. It is time to do what he has been planning ever since his meeting with Faramir and even before that.
"Silence!"
Within moments, an eerie silence falls over the room. All eyes turn to him. He looks over the group meeting the eyes of everyone. Some look relieved and others are startled. Others still have a look in their eyes which is something in between.
"Now that I have your attention, you all have had enough time to voice your complaints or argue your point and there are some things I wish to apprise you about and I deem that you have."
"And what would that be? Some kind of …"
"Do not finish that sentence, Lord Lathron."
He recognizes the tone in Lord Lathron's voice; he does not like it. Lord Lathron glares at him but thankfully stays silent. It allows him time to put the papers on the table.
"What are those papers, if I may ask, my lord?"
"Some papers I have copied in Rivendell years ago. They contain the entire family tree of the kings of Arnor."
"A likely story. They will have given it to you. Who knows if they are accurate?"
"And who are you to say our lord steward would not have been able to do as he said?"
"Can you prove the contrary? It's a claim he cannot prove or disprove so it works for the Northerner lord's benefit."
"I could tell you the same thing. I have known our lord for a long time so I can tell what he has written himself or was written by someone else."
Denethor nods in gratitude and holds up his hand. It stops any further protests. He places his hand on the papers before speaking up.
"I gladly pass these papers around for you all to convince yourself of their legitimacy through expect to get back in good order."
Lord Lathron, Pedwegon, and their allies feebly protest this. Nevertheless, the majority seem interested in reading the papers. Even lord Halbarad seems interested. As such, he gives them first to prince Imrahil who sits on his right side. Prince Imrahil reads through them before moving them to the next person.
Denethor leans back in his chair as he waits for someone to say something. Anything. To him at least because they start talking among each other almost immediately. He listens in on their conversation and from what he hears everything is moving in his desired direction. If only until Lord Pedwegon has finished reading the papers. If it can be called reading because he skims through it and immediately begins a fight with the others over their legitimacy without passing the papers to the next person.
He sighs and turns his head toward the window. He looks out into the light and hears birds singing. He ignores the fighting for a while. He should have known. They will be fighting it till the last possible moment. Futile but in their minds necessary.
Rustling papers near him pulls him out of his musing. He looks in front of him and sees the papers have been returned. He nods to lord Halbarad who must have returned them; he was the last to receive them. Everyone falls silent and turns to him. All except a few arguing lords. Prominently among them are Lord Pedwegon, Hwínor, and Lathron. His eyes narrow. He scrapes his throat a few times before everyone is finally silent. He looks them over and sees scowls on the faces of those troublemakers. It causes him to struggle to suppress a satisfying smile before he can speak up.
"So does anyone feel the need to discuss something?"
"I do; is lord Aragorn married."
"For as far as I know he is not. Lord Halbarad might know more."
"Lord Denethor's words are correct. My cousin is not married though he is engaged. I expect the marriage to be conducted soon."
"Ah, that is good to know. How soon?"
"I am not sure. Within a few months if I'm assuming right."
"Anything else?"
He waits for anyone else to speak up. He expects a few to voice their complaints once more. But no matter how long he waits no one speaks up. His eyebrow raises.
"Well, as no one has anything left to say, I suggest we vote. All those in agreement with accepting the claim raise your hands."
All hands go up even those who complained even if they are hesitant in raising them. Though they seem to be reluctant.
"Now that we have concluded the reason for our meeting, I will dismiss the council. If no one has anything they would like to discuss?"
"My lord Denethor, I have been wondering something. I…"
"Please elaborate, my lord. I feel what you have to say is more for me to answer than anyone else."
"Indeed, my lord Halbarad. I have been wondering; you said the king will marry soon but what can you tell us of his bride? Who is she? And who is her family?"
"I prefer to keep her name close for now. I want it to be a surprise for everyone. However, I can even ease your worries; she is of a respected family."
"Respected by the Dúnedain in the north?"
"No, respected throughout Endor and maybe even further."
"Mhh."
He waits a moment for him or anyone else to speak up. His eyes narrow as they turn to lord Halbarad. He can already identify those families which are respected throughout Arnor; it is not many. He only knows a few. A realization everyone will have made if they think clearly. After a while when no one has said anything, he has had enough.
"As no one has anything left to mention I will close this meeting."
He stands up and walks out of the room. Footsteps follow him through the hallway but he ignores them for now. Only once he has moved a considerable distance away from the council room does he stop and turn around. Behind him walks lord Halbarad. His eyes narrow as he waits for lord Halbarad to watch up on him.
"Is there something you wish to discuss with me, my lord?"
"Yes, there is. You seemed to have an idea who I was speaking about."
"Her family, yes. There are not many who meet the criteria you provided us with. However, I suspect it is not the only reason why you came."
Lord Halbarad scratches the back of his head and looks at him sheepishly. It tells him enough. The next words only confirm it.
"Indeed. I have been wondering how you came into possession of those papers. I know the originals from which they must have been copied; there were no discrepancies in it in regards to the original. However, I cannot imagine how you managed to copy them. They are stored carefully and not within easy reach for many people."
"I am aware. All I will say is that it took me some effort to find them and be able to copy them. Lord Elrond's household certainly did not make it easy."
"And that truly is all you will say?"
"Indeed."
Lord Halbarad looks at him questionably. As if he's searching for something. He frowns and tilts his head. What's lord Halbarad looking for? He's got some ideas but isn't sure. He sighs in relief when Lord Halbarad speaks up again.
"Mhh, in that case, I would ask you to inform Lord Elrond about how you did it. If not him, then I ask you to at least inform my cousin. They both will be highly interested in your tale."
"I will consider it."
"That is all I can ask. I bid you a good day, my lord Denethor."
"You as well, Lord Halbarad."
He watches as Lord Halbarad walks away and waits for a moment. He looks around to see if there is anyone else who feels the need to disturb him right now. Once he has made sure no one is waiting to speak with him he turns around and storms to his office. Along the way, no one stops him though he keeps an eye on what he sees. Servants are hurrying around working and looking spooked at seeing him. Guards are moving between posts as their duty ends.
Once he reaches his office, he slams the door shut, leans against the door, and slides to the floor. All while he sighs in relief and exhaustion. He leans his head against the wood and closes his eyes. His mind turns to the outcome of the meeting. He got the outcome he wanted. It eases a lot of worries pressing on his heart. Especially since the fighting stopped quite easily. Well once the papers were shown there was some opposition but it ended without too much commotion. It shows the power of those papers.
At the same time, he needs to move forward with those opposing lords. Something which will not be easy. They are already a bit alienated from him. It will serve no one if it increases in any way. He needs to find something to decrease them and hopefully get them on his side once more. It will ensure none will create problems for Gil. Or at least no problems he does not want Gil to have. And those mainly serve to expose their questionable actions to Gil. He's been unable to find anything on them but with them creating problems for Gil, they might have a chance of finally dealing with them. He smiles grimly. It is something he is already looking forward to.
Nevertheless, he is happy with the outcome. It is the outcome he wanted. At this time, he needs to move forward. There is still a lot to do. The preparations for the coronation need to be finished. As well as the renovation of the King's house and the rebuilding of the city. But first things first, Gil needs to know about the decision. He expects Lord Halabarad to inform Gil but he will still write a letter. Only he knows some of the preparations Gil needs to be informed of. So, he stands up and walks to his desk. With one thing in mind; writing Gil a letter.
Minas Tirith
Hwínor, Lord of Lamedon POV
Hwínor steps into the room. It is the same room as the one they met in before. He looks around and sees everyone has already gathered here. Except for Angbor. He hopes they will not be waiting for him. He also hopes lord Angbor stays away. He has no interest in speaking with him for at least the coming months. Ever since he left them to fight the battle on their own. More importantly a battle they lost. He walks to the table where everyone sits and sits down.
"Lord Hwínor, good of you to join us."
"I am glad to be here, Lord Pedwegon. Are we still awaiting someone?"
"No, Lord Angbor decided not to come. He seemed to have some other matters to attend to. Whatever they may be."
"Aye, whatever they may be. I have some suggestions."
He ignores Lord Lathorn's words as everyone else also seems to be doing. Those would certainly prove to be entirely useless. His eyes remain on lord Pedwegon as he waits for the meeting to start.
"Now that everyone is here, I would like to discuss something."
"Aye, our failure I assume."
"Indeed, it is disappointing we will now gain a king - despite our reservations - and that we were unable to convince our lord."
"Maybe we should have fought more."
"I disagree, Lord Lathron. After those papers, it was clear we would not be able to change the course of the council in any way. Admitting defeat was the better part of valor."
"Even so, we should have fought more. There were arguments we could have made to invalidate those papers."
"And what would those be?"
Hwínor looks lord Lathron deep in his eyes. He only receives an unperturbed look in return. Does nothing ever upset this man? Is there no way to get him out of his calmness? Not for lord Lathron who immediately speaks up.
"For one, making everyone aware that the authenticity of those papers cannot be proven. Who knows what was written in Imladris in the originals? If they even exist."
"Did you read the notice on the first page written by the late Steward Ecthelion?"
"There was not any, Lord Pedwegon."
"There was a notice."
"I agree with Lord Pwedwegon, Lord Lathron. There was a notice. It is the reason why invalidating those papers would not have worked."
"Indeed lord Hwínor, it is the reason. We can remember the writings of lord Ecthelion. He would not have written such a notice if he was not certain about its authenticity."
Hwínor sees the response these words have for everyone. Everyone begins to talk with each other or gets lost in their thoughts. He shares a look with lord Pedwegon as his mind begins to wander back to what he knows of lord Ecthelion. And everything tells him the same as what lord Pedwegon told them recently. Nothing would have gotten a notice from lord Ecthelion if he was not sure of its authenticity. It tells him something else. He groans and puts his head in his hands.
"Lord Hwínor, what's wrong?"
"Nothing, I just made a realization I did not like."
"Mhh, and that is?"
"The same thing lord Pedwegon said, we could not have won."
"So what do you suggest? Give up?"
"Yes, lord Lathron, that is exactly what I am suggesting."
"I…"
"Lord Lathron, we do agree with lord Pedwegon and Hwínor. We need to give up. Fighting has no use whatsoever anymore. I just wonder what changes will be coming toward us."
"Aye, I am wondering the same thing."
This releases a flood of speculation from all sides of the room. Everyone mentions whatever change they can think of. No matter how ludicrous. Hwínor joins in but after some time stops. It gets too exhausting for him.