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The North
"How was your trip Lord Caldor?" King Adair asked sitting on his Throne.
"Very educational your Majesty," he answered.
Lord Casmir took the parchment from Lord Caldor and handed it to the King.
"Call a meeting of the Council Lord Casmir," the King said after reading the parchment.
"Yes your Majesty," he replied with a nod and walked out of the Throne Room.
xxx
"King Elessar has granted us permission to enter Gondor to visit your family and has invited us for a State visit while we're there. He's sending Prince Amrothos North, along with a contingent of Swan Knights to escort us to Gondor," Adair told Amie later that evening and handed her the parchment.
"We'll be staying at Dol Amroth," she said nodding her head and knows it's the only place large enough to house a Royal Party, and continued reading. "Lothíriel is Queen of Rohan and she and the King have a son," she said surprised.
"You told me she was a Princess and we both knew she'll marry someone from the Nobility," he replied.
"Éomer King wants us to visit Rohan before we return home," she said smiling. "I've heard of Rohan, but I've never been there."
"What have you heard about Rohan?" he asked.
She told him.
"We'll except his invitation," he said.
Later that evening the King and Queen had dinner with Lord Caldor in the King's private dining room.
xxx
For many months messages were sent back and forth from the North and Gondor until everything was agreed upon. Amie sent her mother another letter telling her when they should arrive. She also told her that King Elessar was kind enough to send his Royal Fleet to ferry them to Lond Daer because their Fleet is to small for a Royal Party. When they reach Lond Daer they're ride the rest of the way to Dol Amroth and Prince Amrothos, who'll travel to the North with the Royal Fleet, will escort them for the duration while they'll in the South.
Lilith informed her son when the King and Queen of the North should arrive and what she expected of him.
xxx
Edoras
"His Majesty, King Adair and her Grace, Queen Amie have excepted our invitation to come to Edoras before they return North," Éomer told his Court. Éomer also told them what he knew about the Northmen, and they too fought in the the Ring War in the North. He also told them King Adair is of mixed-race and what he knew about his great grandmother and great grandfather.
Lothíriel Queen told them the clothes, languages and cultures from the Far East are very different than there's.
"We never knew anyone lived that far away," Gambling said.
"Nor that females can fight as well or better than any man," Éothain replied.
xxx
A year later a massive Royal Fleet set sail from Gondor for the North and their first stop was Lond Daer. When they arrived two Northern ships were waiting and Amrothos had never seen the animal on the King of the North's banner. They followed the two ships and continued their journey Northward. When they arrived and King Elessar's ship sailed into the harbour, Amrothos realized by the architecture that these were once elven lands. After he and his personal guard disembarked with their horses, Amrothos saw Members of the King's Guard waiting for them.
"Prince Amrothos," the Guard said with a nod when he rode up to him after the Prince and others got on their horses. "My name is Donat and I'm the Second-in-Command of the King's Guard and I'll be escorting you and your personal escort to the castle, which is a few days ride," he told him.
Amrothos noticed the horses in the North are different just as Amie wrote. Their legs and hooves are larger. They're also larger in the chest and hind and their tails and manes were longer "Thank you Donat," he replied and they followed him after their luggage was unloaded and put onto wagons, which four Swan Knights and Members of the King's Guard guarded.
While they were riding further North, Amrothos looked around and saw how beautiful the lands are and the people live on farms or in small villages, which he thought were lovely. When he looked West he saw the sea and fishermen's boats in the water. Amrothos noticed they were riding on the East side of the river and saw a very large forest was on his right. They stopped at a rustic inn after the sun went down. The next morning they rode further North and stopped again at another inn before nightfall – and continued their journey the next morning.
On the third day Amrothos saw the castle and guard towers in the distance. He also saw a large village when they neared the castle grounds. He and his personal escort followed Donat into a large forest and rode until they reached an elevated stone bridge and rode across, which was well guarded on both sides. They continued riding through the forest until they reached the front door of the castle. Amrothos and his guards belongings were taken to their rooms and their horses were taken to the stables.
"This way your Highness," Donat said when the castle door opened.
"Your Highness," the man said with a bow when the Prince of Dol Amroth walked into the foyer. "I'm Lord Casmir, King Adair's Secretary and I'll escort you to the Throne Room."
"Thank you Lord Casmir," he replied and a servant took his cloak.
When Amrothos entered the small, yet elegant Throne Room, he saw King Adair sitting on his Throne. He studied the King while he walked up to him. The King of the North has light brown skin and short black hair and he's very handsome. He elegant clothing is different and he has a long dagger on both sides of his short coat. Amrothos saw the ruby ring on the King's finger and noticed his jeweled crown is different from his King's crown. Amrothos bowed to the King of the North when he approached his Throne. "Your Majesty," he said.
"Welcome to the North Prince Amrothos," Adair replied. "The hour is late, but there will be a feast held in your honor tomorrow evening."
"Thank you your Majesty," he replied.
Amrothos bowed again to King Adair before he was escorted out of the Throne Room.
While Lord Casmir was escorting Prince Amrothos to his suite, he informed the Prince that all guests in the castle have breakfast in their rooms in the morning, which Amrothos thought was unusual. When he entered his suite he saw his squire helping the servants with his luggage. One servant told him he'd drawn his Highness a hot bath and ordered him a light supper. His suite has a sitting room with a desk and chair, a small dining room, a separate bedroom and bath. After the Prince ate his supper and took his bath and went to bed.
xxx
The next morning after breakfast Donat gave Amrothos and his personal guard a tour of the castle grounds, which they thought was spectacular and the forest is much larger than they though. They were guards everywhere and Amrothos knew they're more they didn't see.
While they were walking to the King's Hall for lunch Donat explained to the Prince and his guards the eating arrangements (buffet style). When they entered the King's Hall they followed Donat's lead and saw some of the females they've heard about, and what the others from the Far East looked like.
xxx
The King, Queen and his Court were in the King's private dining room when Amrothos entered that evening.
"Your Majesty, Your Grace," he said bowing to the Royal Couple. Amrothos noticed the King's dining table sat fourteen and a chair at both ends of the table. There's also a large lounge area at the other end of the room with plenty of seating.
"Prince Amrothos," the King said.
"Hello Prince Amrothos," the Queen replied with a bright smile.
Amrothos saw Queen Amie dressed in a lovely gown and thought her circlet is stunning. The little girl he once knew had grown into a beautiful woman and a regal queen.
"Let me introduce you to my Court Prince Amrothos," King Adair said to the taller man. "This is Lord Balar and his wife Lady Jaya; Lord Raj and his wife Lady Amara; Lord Khan and his wife Lady Ming; Lord Mir and his wife Lady Galinda; Lord Caldor and his wife Lady Estella; Lord Uri, the Lord of the East; Lord Erik, the Lord of the West; Lord Casmir my Secretary and Elan my Chief Advisor.
They all nodded to the Prince of Dol Amroth when they were being introduced.
Amrothos didn't show his surprise when he was introduced to Lord Caldor. Lord Caldor never told him he's a Lord and part of the King of the North's Court when they met in Belfalas. He thought he was just the Royal Messenger.
When King Adair rang a bell the servants appeared with trays in their hands. Everyone took a glass of wine or ale from one of the trays and the servants quietly departed the room.
Everyone took a seat in the lounge area and Amrothos thought the formal attire the females wore from the Far East were very different than any dresses he'd seen before.
"How's my mother Prince Amrothos?" Amie asked after taking a sip of her wine.
"She's very well Your Grace," he answered smiling at the Queen.
King Adair studied the Prince while he was talking to his Queen and his Court.
"It's time for dinner," King Adair said when his mother entered the room and gave a nod to her son.
The King and Queen followed Lord Casmir and behind them were Prince Amrothos and the rest of his Court.
"His Majesty the King, and her Grace the Queen," Lord Casmir announced when they walked into the King's Hall.
Everyone in the Hall stood and either bowed or curtsied when the Royal Couple entered. The Royal Couple followed Lord Casmir to the High Table and he showed Prince Amrothos to his seat – next to the Queen. A few minutes later the first course was served (a creamy mushroom soup). The second course was a glazed goose with stuffing and vegetables, and dessert was a fruit dumpling pudding that was baked in sweet dough. Wine, cheese and bread were served during the meal. During dinner the Queen and Amrothos talked about her former home.
"That was a delicious meal," Amrothos said. "What was it?"
The Queen told him.
After dinner everyone walked to the ballroom and danced.
"I see Prince Amrothos have never seen the way we dance," Elan said to her King with a smile.
"They're a lot of things he'll have to learn about the North," he replied.
Elan nodded her head in agreement.
xxx
"What did you think of Prince Amrothos?" Amie asked her husband while they were lying in bed.
"He's a bit stiff," he answered. "Are they all like that in the South?"
"He grew up in a Noble Household where everyone knew their place," she answered.
"Of course they did," he replied.
When Amie heard the sound in her husband's voice she reached out and laid his head on her breast.
xxx
A few hours before sunrise the next morning the King, Queen and the Royal Parties luggage were loaded into wagons and escorted off the castle grounds and taken to the harbour.
Amrothos met Princess Ana and Prince Doran after breakfast and had lunch with the Queen. Later that evening he had dinner with the King, Queen and their Court in the King's private dining room and he told them about the remaining Eldar in Middle-Earth and their history.
xxx
"I've never tasted anything like that before. The tea is also different, but very good," Delgar, Amrothos' Captain said to Donat.
"Some of the spices and the tea come from the Far East," Donat told him.
"The fish was also very good," another Swan Knight said.
"The fish in the North is very different from the fish in the South," Donat replied.
During their stay at the castle the Swan Knights met the King's Guards who spoke Westron and had lunch and dinner with them in the King's Hall, including a few females.
One evening Donat took the Swan Knights to the village near the castle and they had dinner at one of the restaurants. They were surprised at the reception they received from the locals who wanted to know everything about them.
xxx
Belfalas – Home of Lord Mercer
"You wanted to see me father?" Lindra asked sitting in the chair across from her father.
"We've received an invitation from King Elessar to a State Dinner he's giving for a foreign King," he told her.
"When is the State Dinner father?" she asked.
He told her.
Lindra is a very attractive 25 year old woman with long black and beautiful brown eyes; but her family is the poorest of all the noble families in Gondor and she has no dowry – that's why she's still single. The last time she was in Minas Tirith was after the war when her father and the other Gondorian Lord's and their single daughters were invited to meet the King of Rohan. Éomer King danced with all the Ladies, but chose Princess Lothíriel of Dol Amroth to be his Queen.
"I have nothing to wear father," she told him.
"Just wear what you wore the last time," he said.
Lindra nodded her head and left his study. She went to her bedroom and looked at the worn dresses and shoes in her closet and wept.
xxx
The North
Amrothos watched as the King and Queen kissed their children good-bye and told them they loved them before they handed them back to their nurses.
"Let's ride," King Adair said.
Three days later they arrived at the harbour
"Your Majesty, Your Grace," Lord Caldor said with a bow when they arrived.
"Lord Caldor," he replied. "Is everything ready for our departure?"
"Yes your Majesty, right this way" he answered.
King Adair saw King Elessar's Flagship waiting for him and his Queen in the harbour. When they boarded they were greeted by the Captain who escorted them to their stateroom. Many hours later the Gondorian Fleet set sail for Lond Daer. King Adair, his Queen and Court had dinner in the dining room with Prince Amrothos. After dinner they went on deck and looked up at the night sky. Lord Uri smiled when he saw a bright star in the sky and knew it'll be a good trip.
During their journey to Lond Daer they went over the map for their journey South to Dol Amroth. Amrothos didn't know why the King wanted to journey to Dol Amroth on horseback from Enedwaith and didn't ask. Three days later they arrived at Lond Daer and after everyone had disembarked with their horses they spent the night in the great harbour. The next morning the Gondorian Fleet continued their journey South to Dol Amroth.
When the Royal Party rode out of Lond Daer Amrothos saw more King's Guard and realized they'd been there for some time waiting for their liege. They rode across the desolate waste of Enedwaith for a few days until they crossed a stone bridge across the Angren River and continued their journey to South Gondor. While they were riding through Enedwaith, Amrothos saw what his ancestors did to those lands and knew why no one lives there anymore.
Wind lead them through a gap in the mountains West of South Gondor, which Amrothos didn't know existed, and they continued riding until nightfall. After breaking camp early the next morning they finally arrived in South Gondor.
xxx
Edoras
Éomer King and Lothíriel Queen rode out of Edoras to Gondor three days before the King and Queen of the North arrived in South Gondor. Gambling was left in charge of the city and 3 year old Elfwine was left at home.
xxx
Dol Amroth
"They've arrived father and they should be here in a few days," Elphir said.
His father handed Elphir two parchments and his son walked out of his study and handed the parchments to the messengers that were waiting.
xxx
"Belfalas
"I've received word that the King and Queen of the North have arrived in South Gondor," Lilith told her son and when they'll arrive.
Haldar nodded his head. He dreaded the thought of meeting this barbarian King from a place he'd never heard before until his sister sent a letter to their mother.
xxx
"Where are we staying father?" Lindra asked while they were sailing to Osgiliath.
"The Old Guest-house," he answered.
Lindra knew that's the only place they can afford.
xxx
Dol Amroth
Prince Amrothos lead the King, Queen and the Royal Party into the harbour town and onto the castle grounds. Many people watched as the King and Queen rode by.
Prince Imrahil welcomed the Royal Couple and their Court to Dol Amroth when they arrived and introduced his heir, Prince Elphir, and his wife Princess Marë. Delgar escorted the King's Guard to the barracks. They walked into the castle and were taken to their rooms where their luggage was waiting for them, along with their squires and maids. Everyone took a hot bath, changed and then escorted to the dining room for lunch.
xxx
"There's a gap in the mountains North of South Gondor," Amrothos told his father and brother during lunch.
"Wind knew that gap was there and lead us through it," Elan said smiling.
"Wind?" Marë asked with a confused look on her face.
"Wind is King Adair's horse your Highness," Lord Uri answered.
Marë looked at the King who was smiling at her.
"Where does that gap lead Amrothos?" Prince Imrahil asked his son.
Amrothos told him, and about the bridge over the River Angren and it's location to the Gap of Rohan and Enedwaith.
xxx
Prince Imrahil studied the young King during lunch and knew he's a natural born leader of men – the same as his liege. He wore boots, black pants and a long white shirt with an open collar and had a belt around his shirt. He could see the material is very fine and fit for a King.
The little girl he once knew has also changed and has a glow around her. She now has holes in her ears and wears jewels in them like Lady Jaya. Her clothing is also different and resembles the clothing of Lady Jaya and Lady Ming – and her jeweled circlet of a single emerald and diamonds is beautiful and different from his daughter's.
He thought Lady Jaya's dress is very colorful and knew the fabric is very fine. She also wore pants under her dress. Her gold rope circlet had a jewel at the center, which hung on her forehead, and small diamonds were spaced around the rest of her circlet. Her features were like his and her long beautiful black hair was like the Eldar's; but her skin is darker and he thought she's very beautiful.
Prince Imrahil thought Lady Ming's mannerism's were like the Eldar's and her long black hair was like Lady Jaya's. She's short, but nonetheless very lovely, and her eyes are different from the men and women in the West. Her beautiful white dress had a collar he'd never seen before with pearls extending down on the right side of her collar. The long fine dress has slits on both sides and she too wore pants under her dress. Her circlet has a jewel (jade) he'd never seen before, which is surrounded by diamonds. The pearls on both sides of the strange jewel are also surround by diamonds.
Lord Balar's short white hair (platinum blond) is also the color of some of the Eldar. He and Lord Khan are also dressed in a relaxed manner. Lord Balar has hard cold blue eyes, whereas Lord Khan has soft brown eyes and his long black hair is tied down his back. Lord Uri also has short black hair and hard brown eyes, and he too is dressed in a relaxed manner.
Elan is older than the rest, but she doesn't have a title, and yet, there's something very different about her. The others had a great deal of respect for her, including the King and Queen, and he wondered why.
xxx
After lunch, Marë took the King and Queen of the North and their Court on the tour of the city.
During that time Amrothos told his father and brother where the King and Queen of the North live. He also answered their questions.