Disclaimer: I do not own anything.
King Elessar's Office
"What do you think?" King Elessar asked looking at Éomer, Imrahil and Faramir after two days of trade negotiations.
"I think we should trade with them," Éomer answered.
"So do I," Faramir said. "They have an abundance of resources and who would've thought all that was in the Northern Waste."
"Another reason they're prosperous is because they trade with everyone in the Far East and have done so for a very long time. The trade routes in the Far East are extensive and I was surprised to learn it extends to an Isle in the East Sea (Japan) where the different pearls are caught in the fishing nets by the people who live there. Those gems are spread out all over the Far East and there's an abundance of gold in the Far East than can be found in all of Middle-Earth," Prince Imrahil told them.
"We know the dwarves are a dying race," Faramir said to his liege. "We're eventually going to have to find more gold and gems elsewhere."
"My Queen and sister both like the light weight cloth and silks from the Far East," Éomer said.
"The white shirts and pants King Adair wears in warm weather are also made from the same cloth," Imrahil said. "As we heard, that cloth, those silks, gems, tea and spices are in high demand in the North."
"They'll also be in high demand in Gondor," Faramir replied.
"Also Rohan," Éomer said.
King Elessar nodded his head. "I too think we can do business with the North," Elessar told them.
"Lord Khan is his people's Ambassador to King Adair's Court. They guard the Eastern borders of His Majesty's realm; and that means they're also protecting us from any invasion from the Far East. We now know how vast those Eastern lands are and I think we should send someone to live in Annúminas permanently," Prince Imrahil told his liege.
"Who do you have in mind?" King Elessar asked his friend.
"Erchirion," Imrahil answered. "King Elendil had a house built for each of his sons and Erchirion and his family can live in one of them. He can also be the Commander of Arnor in the your absence. There's a seat below the King's throne and that's where Erchirion will sit when you're not in residence and he'll be the Steward of Annúminas. Erchirion can also be our unofficial Ambassador to the North and the River Lune divides Arnor from the North. If we sign a Trade Agreement with the North, I think it'll be best for Amrothos to be our Trade Ambassador and he'll travel from Gondor to Lond Daer and to the North and back," Imrahil answered.
"Lond Daer is in Enedwaith and it's not part of Reunited Kingdom," Elessar said.
"Lond Daer is in need of repair and we can do that," Imrahil replied. "Lond Daer is the perfect place to trade because it's half-way between the North and the South."
"Enedwaith is West of the Gap of Rohan," Éomer said.
"Don't forget about the gap Wind lead everyone through to Dol Amroth in Southern Gondor," Faramir said smiling.
"I think we're meant to trade with them," Elessar told them.
xxx
Lord Mercer spoke to Elan after she returned from her meeting.
xxx
King Elessar lead the slow procession of the three Kings, their Queens, Courts and guards from the 6th level of Minas Tirith. All the King's subjects bowed to the Royal Couples and their Courts as they rode by. When they reached the first level the gates were opened and after everyone passed through, their horses galloped across the Pelennor Fields. The farmers and town folk on the Fields were in awe of the sight before them and seeing the many Royal banners flapping in the wind. They told their children and grandchildren about the day the three Kings rode side-by-side on their way to an Inn on the Pelennor Fields.
Lilith rode in a carriage with Lord's Mercer and Huor.
xxx
The proprietor welcomed his King and Queen and the others with a bow and escorted everyone to the feast area. When they arrived they saw a High Table and many other long wooden tables already set.
"The ones from the North prepared the entire feast King Elessar," the proprietor said to his liege.
"I know," he replied smiling at the Inn Keeper.
The proprietor asked for permission to leave to oversee the feast and bowed to his liege after he was given permission to leave.
"Where's the ale?" Gimli asked looking around.
King Adair nodded to one of his men a short distance away.
The man bowed to his King and turned and said something in the language of the North to the men standing behind him.
Just then many barrels of ale were carried by said men and sat on an empty table.
"This ale is from the North and so is the wine," King Adair told them.
"I hope it's good," Gimli said and walked over to the table followed by the Hobbits and others.
After Gimli took a gulp of his ale he told everyone the ale is strong and then proceeded to drink every drop from his cup.
Servants carried a tray of ale to the three Kings and their Courts. Queen Arwen and the elves were handed a glass of white wine from the North.
Éothain walked up to his liege and whispered something in his ear. He told his King that the Northmen have also prepared a feast for his guards and they were given barrels of ale from the North.
Éomer smiled and turned and raised his cup to the King of the North and thanked him.
King Adair nodded his head and then turned and said something to Khan, who walked away after a nod to his liege.
When Khan returned he had Boris, Anton, Ivan and Vlad with him, who bowed to their King and Queen.
King Adair introduced his friends to the other two Kings, their Queens, Queen Amie's mother and brother. They did their obedience to the other Royal couples.
"You're going to be seeing a lot of my Kings friends mother," Amie said laughing.
"Why Your Grace?" her brother asked.
"We have dinner together once a month when they're not in the East with Lord Uri," she answered.
"At least you have your mother and your friends with you," King Elessar said to King Adair.
"I'm very grateful for that," he replied.
xxx
When it was time for dinner the three Kings and their Queens were escorted to the High Table by the proprietor. After everyone took their seats King Adair stood up and gave a toast to the King and Queen of Gondor and thanked them for their hospitality. Then the meal was served. They dined on meats; roasted pigs; rabbits; vegetables; baked bread; cheese; fruit and for dessert they had a rich sweet pudding that melted in their mouths. White wine was served with dinner and after dinner many had tea from the North. Not everyone liked the spices from the North, but most did and complimented the cooks who prepared their food.
Merry and Pippin started singing and dancing on the table where they had their meal after the table was cleared. Everyone clapped and cheered after they finished. After the Royal musicians from the North started the music, King Adair, Lord's Balar, Uri and Khan, along with Anton, Vlad, Boris and Ivan got up and danced in a circle with their arms on each others shoulders and sang the songs of the North, while everyone from the North clapped. After they finished Queen Amie did the same with her Court, Elan and a few of the female guards, while their men clapped, including the King of the North.
After watching the ones from the North singing and dancing, King's Elessar and Éomer, their Queens, Courts, the elves, Lord's Mercer and Huor, Lilith and her son knew why the Northmen didn't know any Gondorian dances.
"They dance and sing differently than we do Madam Lilith," Lord Mercer said standing next to her.
"We'll have to learn their ways my Lord," she replied.
"I don't think my granddaughter will have any difficulty," Lord Huor said smiling looking at his granddaughter standing next to her betrothed clapping along with a smile on her face while the women danced. Lord Huor is happy to see his granddaughter enjoying herself and knows she'll be happy in the North.
After the women finished singing and dancing three King's Guards from the North stood back to back, then got down and became kicking their legs out with their arms folded across their chests and danced around in a circle while their King and Queen and others from the North sang and clapped. No one from the South have seen anything like that before, and Gimli, Merry and Pippin stood in front of Elan and watched the three guards. After they finished everyone clapped.
"That was different lass," Gimli looked up and said to Elan.
"That's the way we sing and dance in the North," she replied laughing.
"I liked that," Pippin turned and said happily to Merry.
"So did I," he replied smiling, still clapping.
They walked off with Elan and Gimli to get more ale. Elan held Gimli's hand.
"Amie has become a Northerner," Lothíriel said to her husband.
"She's their Queen and their ways are now her ways," Éomer replied looking at his Queen. He remembers how difficult it was for his wife to adjust to her new life in Rohan, but knew that was to be expected. However, Amie adjusted to the ways of the North with her husband's help before she became their Queen, Éomer thought.
"The Northmen are like the Rohirrim," one member of King Elessar's Court said in a snide tone to his friend standing next to him.
"Yes they are," his friend replied with his nose in the air.
"The King and Queen of the North are our guests and their laws and customs are different from ours," Queen Arwen said when she silently walked up behind them.
They bowed to their Queen and apologized and told her they meant no disrespect, but were only making an observation.
Queen Arwen didn't respond and made an elegant turn on her heel and walked away.
xxx
"You enjoyed yourself this evening," Faramir said smiling tat his wife.
"It reminded me of Rohan," she replied returning the smiling.
xxx
"How did my guards enjoy their meal?" Éomer asked Éothain when he walked up to him.
"I was told they ate heartily and drank all the ale," he answered laughing.
Éomer nodded his head and was glad to hear that.
"The meal was delicious and the entertainment was wonderful," Elessar said standing next to Adair.
"I agree," Éomer replied when he walked up to them.
The three Kings raised their cups and drank the rest of their ale.
An hour later everyone rode back to Minas Tirith.
xxx
Elan had breakfast with the three Kings, Faramir and the Princesses of Dol Amroth the next morning and they came to an agreement, which will be signed at a later date. If they were surprised to learn that Elan is a seer-witch and King Adair's Chief Adviser, they didn't show it.
"Now we know why Madam Elan doesn't have a title," Faramir said laughing after King Adair and Elan left the King's private dining room.
"She does have a title Faramir, she's King Adair's Chief Advisor and a seer-witch," Prince Imrahil replied.
xxx
"This is beautiful," King Elessar said looking at the ceremonial jeweled dagger made of Mithril that King Adair presented to him as a parting gift.
"I'm glad you like it Your Majesty," Adair replied and watched King Elessar put the dagger back into it's sheath.
"Thank you Your Grace," Queen Arwen said with a radiant smile looking at the beautiful delicate pearl necklace with Mithril strands.
"You're welcome Queen Arwen," Amie replied.
The Royal Couple from the North and their Courts then said their good-byes to the elves, the Princesses from Dol Amroth and Lady Éowyn. They bowed to the King and Queen of Gondor.
Prince Faramir escorted them out, including his brother-in-law and his Queen. When they reached the 6th level they mounted their horses for the ride to Rohan.
"Thank you Prince Faramir," King Adair said after he got on his horse.
"You're welcome Your Majesty," he replied with a smile.
"Let's move out," Éomer shouted.
The Royal Parties slowly descended the levels of Minas Tirith with Amrothos leading the way. Lord Huor said good-bye to his granddaughter and told her he'll see her soon. Lord Mercer and Madam Lilith said good-bye to their daughters before they departed with Damon and a contingent of Swan Knights and Royal Guards from the North, with the majority of the King and Queen of the North and their Courts trunks, which they were escorting back to the ships anchored in Dol Amroth. Lord Mercer and Damon rode their horses and Lilith rode with Lord Huor in a carriage to Osgiliath.
Faramir saw his liege and Queen, the elves, his wife and cousins looking down on the Pelennor Fields when he returned to the 7th level of the city and walked over and stood next to his wife. They watched the two Kings, their Courts and Royal Guards ride across the Fields heading North. Faramir smiled when he saw Amrothos give way to his brother-in-law and King Adair, who rode together in front with their Queens by their sides and their banner-men behind them.
Gimli and the Hobbits rode with the Royal Parties on their way home.
"We'll see them again," Queen Arwen turned and said to her King and husband with a loving smile.
King Elessar's heart was glad.
xxx
South Gondor
Haldar thought it appalling that a Lord would live in such a place when they arrived at Lord Mercer's small cottage.
For the next few hours Damon helped his Lord pack the items he wanted to take with him to the North.
"Lord Mercer," Lilith said when she saw the look on his face.
"I just remembered I have one of my father's trunks he left me before he died," he answered.
Damon helped his Lord retrieve the trunk and put it into the carriage.
When they rode off Lord Mercer never looked back at the cottage he'd call home for many years.
Lord Huor was waiting from them when they arrived at their destination.
xxx
Rohan
The Northmen didn't miss the stares they received from the people who lived on the farms and in the villages of Rohan and bowed to their King when he rode by. They stopped at a few inns during their journey to Edoras so they could bathe, eat and rest for the night. Éomer saw His Majesty smiling as they rode across the plains of Rohan and knows he misses living on the plains. He asked the King and Queen of the North how they met during dinner at an inn one evening.
"Your friend was never in any danger Your Grace. I was there waiting for her, along with my friends," Adair told the Queen of the Mark after seeing the look on her face.
"I saw them lying on the ground with arrows in them when I turned around," Amie said.
"They got what they deserved," Éomer replied and took another sip of his ale.
xxx
They continued their journey along the Great West Road to Edoras the next morning. The day before, Éomer sent a messenger to Edoras to notify Gambling when he'll arrive.
"Lothíriel told me the Meduseld was changed after the war Your Majesty," Amie said to Éomer during dinner that evening over bowls of stew.
Éomer described the Meduseld before the war. "We got the white stone for the exterior from Dol Amroth and they helped us build the new Golden Hall. The inside is wood and the rooms that were once separate are now part of the Meduseld. The King's Hall extends the full length of the Meduseld and my throne has five steps instead of three," Éomer told them.
"Amie told me that the King's Castle in the North is also made of stone on the outside, but wood on the inside and it's in a forest," Lothíriel told her husband.
"A forest?" Éomer asked with a raised eyebrow.
"Yes, and it's built high above the trees overlooking the great sea," Adair answered.
"The castle and grounds are beautiful and a river runs through it and Members of our Courts live in their own homes on the castle grounds with their families and have their own servants. Lord Uri and Elan have their own suites in the castle," Amie said.
"Lord Uri won't live in the castle for long," Éomer said looking at Lord Uri and Lady Lindra.
Adair and Amie laughed and Lothíriel smiled.
"Where will your mother live Amie?" Lothíriel asked.
"She'll have her own suite of rooms in the castle so she can be near her grandchildren," she answered.
"Lord Mercer will also have his own suite of rooms in the castle," Adair told them.
"We should arrive at Edoras...," Éomer told them.
xxx
Edoras
Everyone from the North saw the large white stone building in the distance. They also saw a large tent city of the King's Guard outside the gates of Edoras.
"Here they come," Gambling said when he saw his liege and Queen, along with King Adair and his Queen riding in front of everyone else.
A few minutes later a horn blew announcing the arrival of the King of the Mark. When the gates opened King Adair and Queen Amie followed Éomer King and Lothíriel Queen up the hill to white stone steps. Stable boys took their horses after they dismounted. The King and Queen of the North and their Courts followed the Rohan Royal Couple up the steps. When they reached the top they noticed a bench where the doormen sat.
Gambling bowed to the Royal Couples and Éomer introduced him to King Adair and Queen Amie. He then opened the massive doors to the Meduseld. When they entered the Royal Couples and their Courts, along with Prince Amrothos were taken to their rooms for a hot bathe and a change of clothes. After they bathed and changed the Royal Couple and their Court were escorted to the King's Hall where Éomer greeted them with Prince Elfwine in his arms.
"The King's Hall is beautiful Your Majesty," Adair told Éomer when he entered looking around, after meeting the little Prince. King Adair saw the Hall is made of wood. They're long wooden tables and benches on the left and right side of the Hall near the walls. It appeared the ceiling is open to the sunlight and the King's banners hung around the entire Hall. King Adair saw Éomer King's Throne at the other end of the long Hall. They're also two long tables on the left and right beneath the King's throne and those tables have chairs instead of benches and face each other. The King can see the entire Hall from his Throne with nothing blocking his view, Adair thought.
"The Lord's Halls in the East are similar to your Hall, Your Majesty," Lord Uri said.
Éomer smiled and then told them the history of the Rohirrim.