Chapter XIII

Norui 3rd 3002 T.A

The stories of Minas Tirith did the city no justice. Three and a half days of riding Eliel had passed through Rammas Echor and had reached Pelennor Fields. Across the vast grassland was standing the grand Minas Tirith which was enclosed by its third line of defense. Eliel had followed Anduin, the Great River, and north and reached the south gate, once she entered she brought Daeroch halt and got off. They begin to walk and reached the main gate just under an hour, before the gate was the paved gateway that led into Minas Tirith. The Great Gate was remarkable, constructed from iron and steel and stood guarded by stone towers and mainstays.

Eliel took a hold on Daeroch's reins and led him through the gate, if she thought she looked small now nothing was compared to how minuscule she looked compared to the stone walls and columns that extended far towards the sky. The marketplace was like one she had never seen before, sure Pelargir was astounding but nothing compared to the City of Kings. The first level seemed to be the largest and swarming with merchants, peddlers, customers and travelers.

"Beautiful baubles and gemstones sold here"

"Protect yourself right. Buy armor from Alvor"

"If anything pleases the eye, don't hesitate to make an offer"

"Vegetables as crisp as the coming winter"

All of them pushing harder than the next to sell their wares. Eliel was so overwhelmed at the beautiful and new trinkets she had completely lost her way and was confused to where she was. She approached some children playing in the street. "How do you ride such a big horse?" A girl questioned and rest had stopped and turned to look at her "What are you?"

"I think she is an elf"

"No stupid, elves are tall and beautiful"

"Look at her ears then, they are pointed like an elf." Eliel had let the children bicker between themselves and continued walking without answering any of their questions.

"What unpleasant children. I guess the bigotry is the same everywhere" Eliel spoke to Daeroch as she patted his head and put her hood up. "We need to find someplace to sleep hey?" Her stomach grumbled notifying her that it had been a day since she had something to eat. "And some food, but where to go" She scanned the area seeing no inn insight. At that point she continued walking along the path until she could see any sign to approachable person that would help her.

Her feet were wearing out and she needed a proper bed to stay in tonight, without asking for any help she thought she should probably get use to not having a comfortable bed to sleep in. Until she had reached the third or fourth level of Minas Tirith, she had not really been counting or understanding where she was. A man was selling breads and alchemy ingredients a rather unusual combination. He saw the hidden face in the hood assumed she was nothing more than a thief

"Do not even think about stealing, I will have your hands cut of right here right now." Eliel was shocked and removed her hood. Do people actually treat strangers like this? She remained in an innocent position "Sorry I was just looking."

"Are you going to stare all day or buy something?" Eliel looked apologetic and was about to move on before a younger version of the man walked up, presumably his son. "Father, let me take over the stall for a while."

The older man walked away into the alleyway. "Sorry about that, he does not like people who do not spend coin here. Were you looking for something in particular?" He smiled and Eliel was relieved that he did not threaten her

"This morning flower what is it mixed with?" She saw the dried leaves and recognized only one. "Oh that is mixed with juniper and corn flowers, it is a tea good for reviving one in the morning. Can be used as pain relief, healthy too"

"Are you just telling me this so I will buy it?" She was skeptical.

"Well you seem like a smart girl, so it would be useless lying to you." She thought it might be helpful on her journey so she brought a pouch from the boy. "You're not from around here?"

"No." The man was nice but she was not in the mood for idle chatter.

"Can I buy a loaf of bread too?" she handed him the coin in exchange for the bread. "How old are you anyway?" she found herself asking.

"I am 20 years old, I am just helping my parents until I can get enough coin to join the guard. What about you?"

"59" she laughed as his face came over with confusion. "Mother was an elf." She began to pack away the food and tea into her knapsack.

"My name is Wilhelm." he smiled after he noticed that she was preparing to continue walking.

"Now then Wilhelm, do you know of any places my horse and I could stay?" it was not the answer he was looking for but continued anyway. "If you go back down the road, there is a place called Four Shield's Tavern. It has stables and plenty of beds, just be wary not a nice place for young girls."

"Why would you send me into a place like that anyway?

"Oh, um. It's alright I think. I just, um I do not know. But it is alright, I think I might wanted to scare you but that did not work."

"Right, well goodbye." Eliel raised her eyebrows and parted with stranger until she reached an alley with a sign pointing towards the inn. She placed Daeroch in the stables reassuring him that they will be gone in the next couple of days, Eliel then walked into the inn hoping for it to have a cozy bed and edible food.