Pelennor Field, Denethor POV

Arriving at his destination, he looks ahead at the black stone wall of the first level. In the distance, the wood of the temporary gate greets him. On top of the wood and below the stone of the old gate, the sun's rays trickle through. It promises to be a beautiful day for the feast later today. And more importantly, it promises a bright future for Gondor with the king's return. He tilts his head. He can already see Gondor returning to its former glory and all its enemies defeated. Peace will reign once more.

He shakes his head. He can think about the future and the king's return all he wants later. Now, he needs to finish the final preparations. He looks around at the gathering. The lords stand in the first line. Behind them, he can see the guards and behind them the citizens. Though…he narrows his head. Yes, he saw it right. In the last line of guards, some citizens have managed to squeeze in. He looks around. He needs to be sure everyone is here who needs to be. It takes him some time before he sees everyone. Having assured himself of this, he turns to the next item on the small list in his head.

He once more looks around. The banners fly on top of buildings and throughout the city. He knows this based on what he can see from the first and second levels. The streets are clean. Well, actually…the only areas of the streets which are clean are those they will be walking through or are in their sight when passing by. Having noticed this, he looks for the chest with the crown. He finds it not too far away and quickly opens it. He clenches his eyes shut at the glittering of the crown. He lifts it out. The jewels shine brightly in his eyes just like the gold. There's no sign of the damages or the repairs done. He smiles as he puts it back in the chest.

His head moves up without him noticing. He puts a hand over his eyes as the sun stings in his eyes. He does not want anything to go wrong now with Gil's crowning. Nevertheless, he worries about the people's reactions. He needs their permission. He doesn't expect problems with that but with some undercurrents. Things that won't be spoken about today but later will rear its head. Hopefully not today but still sooner rather than later. It needs to be dealt with one way or the other.

A hush goes through the air. What happened? Is Gil Coming? He looks around. In the distance, the banner of the king is visible for all to see. He smiles. Gil is finally coming. Thankfully now and not when he still needed to check a few things. Now, it will not be long before the ceremony will commence and Gondor will have a king again. Gil also changes from an unidentifiable form into a recognizable form. He is accompanied by the sons of Elrond, Legolas, Gimli, Mithrandir, and the hobbits. Also accompanying him is Halon. No surprise there. At this time, he cannot see what Gil is wearing but most likely the clothing he sent to him. Nevertheless, he can see the glimmering of armor in the sunlight. It creates a sphere of light around him. Like the coming of the king returned.

A few minutes later, Gil and his escort reach the gate. He nods to Gil before turning back to the city and all those attending. He feels the eyes of the city burning into him. He knows what he needs to do now.

"People of Gondor! Before us comes Aragorn, son of Arathorn, the Heir of Isildur, who once came here under the guise of Thorongil to aid us, seeking to claim the crown. What say you; does this man have the right to be our king?"

He waits for the response of the people. The seconds tick by so slowly in his mind. He feels his heart beating loudly in his throat. It feels like a very long time before cheering echoes through the city. He smiles. It is as if a great burden is lifted from his shoulders. He lifts the crown out of the chest and hands it to Gil for him to put on his head. Gil takes it but strangely enough, doesn't put it on his head as he expects. No, instead he hands it to Frodo. He looks at Gil with a frown. One he's sure everyone else shares with him.

"Aragorn?"

"We would not have been here were it not for your brave actions, Frodo. As such I find it only right for you to do this honor."

Frodo nods as Gil kneels before him. The wind blows loudly in his ears. He is unable to hear any spoken words. All around him, silence reigns. Frodo carefully puts the crown on Gil's head. As Gil stands up, cheering comes from behind him once more. It grows in volume as time passes.

He watches Gil while he waits for the cheering to end. Gil is looking quite pleased and if he sees it right, relieved. He knows what he needs to do now. With a king returned a ruling steward is no longer needed. Once the cheering dies down, he knows it cannot wait any longer. He takes a deep breath before kneeling on the ground before Gil.

"The steward of Gondor returns the rule of Gondor to its rightful ruler and bids to be relieved of his duty."

He holds out the white rod to Gil and waits for the response he will be receiving. He knows what he expects. At the same time, he knows he can never be sure his expectations will become reality. He hopes to be reinstated because he knows Gil and he will work well together. Gil's earlier reaction gives him some hope he will be able to hold some high office. He does not know what he would do if he has to leave Minas Tirith. It has been his home for his entire life. So to be forced to leave is not something he looks forward to.

A short while later, he has not yet received an answer. He frowns and feels his heart beating faster. The longer it takes Gil to respond the harder his heart beats. He struggles to keep the stress off his face and from his body. He needs to think of something else. Anything. Like the steward of Arnor. His existence gives him hope the office of steward will remain. Just like the pressure of the Council if Gil were to abolish the office. At the same time, he hopes at least a good person will be placed in the office. Someone who will look after Gondor's interests. Someone who can assist Gil. He already has a few names in mind. Names, he expects Gil to approve of if he does not have them in his mind already.

But the lords, how will they react? He is not sure. Some will be upset were he to be reinstated while others will be upset if he will not be. Gil cannot make everyone happy. Not even he could. As for those who might fight against his reinstatement, they most likely hope to gain some sort of influence over Gil. Futile hope but hope nonetheless. He suspects Girls will be known as eccentric before long much to their displeasure. A voice sounding near him pulls him from his musing at the same time as the white rod is presented to him.

"My lord Denethor. Stand up and do your duty as steward of Gondor for as long as our lines prevail."

His eyes widen at these words. He seeks out Gil's eyes for confirmation because he never expected this. Even if he hopes for it. Gil smiles and nods. He smiles in return. This is the confirmation he seeks. And despite the unexpectedness of it, he is happy. More than happy, he is ecstatic. He knows most of the lords will be happier with this than when someone new would be appointed. They will deem it as an assurance of fewer imminent changes and a chance to know how far they can go. As for himself, it allows him to keep a close eye on a few troublemakers; one in particular. However, these are not all the repercussions this has. Faramir will most likely retain his position as captain-general. A position which he has held since Boromir's death but was never confirmed into. Something which needs to (and most likely will) happen soon.

"From this day forth the oldest living son of the steward will be the Captain-General of Gondor in whom I entrust the everyday leadership of our army."

He nods. Just as he expected. It also means the army will not be facing too many changes in the imminent future. The same cannot be said about the hierarchy in Gondor; his change in position already means a change in hierarchy. And he suspects more will come in the future but hopefully not many. Yet, only time will tell if he is right. He stands up and moves to the side.

"I bid you to enter the city, your majesty, and enjoy the feast in honor of your return."

"An offer I gladly accept."

Gil smiles and walks into the city. He falls into step slightly behind him.


Citadel, Minas Tirith

Walking through the city, he sees feasting around every corner. Some are more elaborate than others. Those often involve people sharing drinks and food. At other times, they are dancing. Some of the lords are quickly dragged into the feasts as they go up in the city. He sees Gil smiling at these antics. He is amazed at the speed with which the feast started. He expected the people to need some time before they'd be ready to feast after everything. Nevertheless, he enjoys seeing his people happy enough to feast.

"It is good to see the people enjoying the feast."

"Indeed, Gil. Shall we make our way to the citadel? I had the servants prepare a feast for the nobles there as well as your friends."

"Why Thor? I would like to join my people in their celebrations."

"Aye, I suspected as much. You can join them later if you so desire but as King you have a duty towards all your people. That includes the nobles and they will insist on a feast just for them. Also later, you will have multiple feasts with only the nobles in the future."

"Alright, alright. This is one aspect I barely thought about."

"You know how it was with my adar, right?"

He glances at Gil who looks at him with a grin. He narrows his eyes. Is Gil messing with him? It certainly looks like it. He shakes his head. This is the kind of response he would not have been bothered with in the past when their friendship was strong. It means there is a good chance their friendship will recover. Just like he thought earlier.

"I know that, I just did not think about it but let us make our way there. Just do not exclude citizens who wish to join the feast there."

"Of course, you did not. And if that is your wish, I will see it done."

He refuses to voice his confusion. For Gil to keep insisting on allowing them to mingle in the presence of nobles will cause some confusion. But then…well, Gil will be seen as eccentric by the nobles before long anyway. With this, he is already giving an example of how his rule will be. It may be a good thing. While these thoughts go through his head, they slowly make their way to the citadel. And along the way, they see even more feasting.

When they reach the citadel, a smile grows on his face as he looks around. Banners fly in the wind on top of the buildings and on standards which stand around the yard. Multiple tables are set with food richly laid out. Musicians have set up on the side on a small dais. A slow song rings through the air as if they are preparing themselves and their instruments.

As they step further into the citadel, the music changes. It takes on a more festive turn. At the same time, servants step toward them with drinks. He gladly accepts a goblet as does everyone else. Some of the lords wander off toward the musicians and begin to dance. Others wander to the other side toward the food just like Gil who moves there with his friends. He stays behind for a moment to look at how the feast is taking shape. He smiles at what he sees. The organizing has been done well by the staff. Everything is done to his orders. The music suits the occasion. And the food? He tilts his head. From the distance, it looks good. People seem to be enjoying it. Now, he needs to make sure he enjoys it too.

He steps forward toward the food table and is greeted enthusiastically by those who linger there. He looks around for something to eat. His eyes go over the sliced meat, tarts, cheese, and multiple kinds of fruit. His eyes remain on the fruit. He picks some of each and eats them. As he eats, he listens to the conversations going on around him. Good food and great conversations make the feast enjoyable. It allows him to hear things which would normally be hidden from him. He is just about to pick up another piece of fruit when he hears Gil's voice.

"Thor, thank you for organizing this. The lords are enjoying themselves."

"Indeed, this feast is slightly more extravagant than normal but the occasion calls for it."

"More than normal? Aye, I can see that. To be honest, it is also a bit too extravagant for me. It would have been fine with me had this feast been less extravagant."

"Maybe you would think so, Gil, but the lords would have been sorely offended if that were the case. They expect a feast for such an occasion as this to be like this or even more extravagant. Appearances have to be upheld after all."

Gil frowns and shakes his head. He chuckles. He should have expected nothing less from his friend. Also, it is a good reminder of Gil's future.

"Appearances? Really?"

"Yes, truly but let us now return to the feast. As the king you have a right to enjoy this time…"

"Because tomorrow the work starts."

"Aye, indeed."

"However as the steward, you also have the right to enjoy this feast. And as King, I do have the authority to order you to enjoy yourself."

"Aye, both are true. So in that case, let us both enjoy the feast in honor of your return."

"That is a good idea, Thor."

So said, they join the feast which lasts until deep in the night when the last person finally leaves.