Chapter 50 History of Gondor pt.1

A few weeks after meeting Arwen, Aragorn decided that he wanted to know more about Gondor and the kingdom he may someday rule, so he asked for permission away from training for a few days, which was granted by Lord Elrond for he knew his foster son was full of questions.

Aragorn had always loved the library, not so much when he was younger because of all the seeming meaningless lessons he had to endure, but he loved the smell of the books. Many of the books in Imladris' library were millennia older than he and most gave off the fragrance of musty parchment and leather.

Aragorn just decided to wander around and see where it led him. As he walked, occasionally fingering the books, he mused about all of those lessons, maybe some of them weren't so bad.

Finally, he thought that he found the one book he was looking for. It was a rather large book with black leather and silver writing. Most of the writing had faded, but one could still see the title, A Short History of the Kingdoms of Arnor and Gondor by The Lords of Numenor.

Aragorn had to laugh at the title. It had probably been added to since it had been originally written, but this was by no means a short book. He took the book off of the shelf and found a comfy overstuffed chair near the back of the room. Aragorn knew he would not be disturbed this far back.

Aragorn carefully opened the book to the beginning and started to read:

"I, Elendil and my sons Isildur and Anárion have fled our home in Numenor. We brought nine ships from the island where many others have preceded us to the lands that are known as Eriador. The people of Numenor have become corrupted by Sauron; whom I believe to be a great deceiver. Before we fled, Sauron ordered the White Tree of the Kings to be sacrificed to Melkor as many humans have been as well. My son, Isildur saved a fruit from the sacred tree and hopefully we can continue the line of the King's Tree here in Middle Earth."

"The year is 3320 of the Second Age and we have received word that many of our kin have perished. Sauron convinced the armies of the King of Numenor to make war on the Valar and try to sail to the Undying Lands. All mortals of Numenor know this is prohibited. Even here in Middle Earth, we felt many rumblings of the sea. We know now that Numenor is lost forever to the sea. There is no going back now."

"This is a fair land with many trees and growing things. We have come across a few settlements, but none as advanced as what we once knew. I decided to stay here and settle the lands into a proper kingdom. Isildur and Anárion headed south to see what lands they could claim. I have decided to call these lands Arnor, 'The Land of the King.' I have placed the capital city near a lake called Evendim; the city shall be called Annuminas."

"The year 3325, Arnor is flourishing. I have received word from my sons that they too are successful and have founded twin cities named Osgilith and Minas Anor near the sea to the South."

"I have now seen the fair city. My sons had Osgilith, the main city, built into two parts over the river Anduin. It is a fair city of light and beauty that is very populated in such a short while. The other city Minas Anor is about half a day's ride from Osgilith. It is a marvel to behold for it is carved from the mountain itself. It has seven levels and is made of the same white marble as the city of Osgilith. I have enjoyed my time here, but feel that I must return to my own people soon, the shadow of Mordor and the Dark Lord's servant Sauron is rising."

Aragorn had to take a break from his reading. The light was becoming poor and some of the writing had become quite faint and hard to read over the years. Aragorn tried to picture this city in his head, but he had no point of reference, someday he would see it, someday. Aragorn knew that he could skip the next parts of the story for he knew them well: the defeat of Elendil and his sons was legend in Rivendell.

He decided to mark where he was at and pick up again over the next few days for right now; he was hungry and needed something to eat desperately.