Here's the second installation. Right now I am sort of struggling with how to write Aragorn. He's very complex and I may have bitten off more than I can chew with him. So please let me know of any character traits or anything else that should be woven into this story as far as he is concerned. Enjoy!

Chapter Two (Aragorn)

I woke before the sun. For a moment, I was able to pretend that I was not lying on the plush, feather mattress in the spacious chambers in Minas Tirith that Kings had occupied for ages. I could have been anywhere, but I wished to be waking up alone on a ranging trip in the cold North. That idea was more plausible than waking up anywhere else not alone.

If I moved or made too much noise, my attendants would be aware that I was awake and I would not have another peaceful moment until the very end of my day. I kept my eyes closed and rolled onto my side, though I was unable to fall back to sleep. Often, what I saw in my dreams was not conducive to sleeping.

As the sun began to peek through the curtains, a ray of light fell on the pendent I still wore around my neck. It glimmered and I slowly moved to wrap my hand around it. I should have put it away long before, but I could not bring myself to take it off.

Tears pricked my eyes as they so often did. It seemed the ache in my heart would never go away. Every day, I woke up and went through the motions, trying to numb myself, but constantly thinking of what it might have been like to rule Gondor with Arwen by my side.

The worst part was, I could not blame her for leaving Arda. The outcome of the world itself had been so uncertain and her people were not accustomed to dealing with such darkness as would have enveloped Middle-Earth, if good had not triumphed in the end. It was better for her to sail with her father to Valinor where she would know, with a certainty, peace and comfort for the rest of eternity. It was something that I could not have guaranteed her, though now that I was living in the peaceful world I had striven to build, the thought of her sailing was more than bitter.

I looked once more at the delicate jewel that I kept around my neck, before sitting up, signaling to my attendants that I was awake and as ready as I ever would be to start my day.

"The King is awake!" The young man who slept on a cot in my room exclaimed, alerting the other attendants that it was time to prepare me for my day.

I had tried to fight the customs that I found so silly, but my advisors had insisted upon them. I had been a ranger of the Dunedain, I did not need help dressing myself or protecting myself in the middle of the night.

"You have a council meeting in an hour, Your Grace," the young man said to me as he poured hot water into a basin and handed me a washcloth so that I might wipe the sleep from my face.

I nodded. All of my life consisted of was council meetings it seemed like. It had been a little over a year since I had been coronated and still there was much to settle and establish.

"What can I have sent for for your breakfast?" The young man, Damrod asked me.

I found his incessant concern to be very annoying. "Just some fruit." I splashed the warm water on my face, rubbed the back of my neck, and ran my damp fingers through my hair that seemed to be graying at an alarming rate. Along with the gray hairs, there were wrinkles on my face that had not been there five years ago. Some were very deep, while new, delicate ones appeared nearly on a daily basis.

"Sire, you have a very long day ahead of you. Perhaps you would like some toast? Or cheese?"

"Just the fruit, Damrod," I said sternly.

"Of course, Your Grace."

Other attendants and noblemen who thought it was a privilege to serve their king in such an intimate manner began to flood into my chambers as soon as I woke. They acted as though I was incapable of movement, handing me my clothes, watching as I prepared for the day. In the beginning, they had tried to dress me with their own hands, but I had put my foot down, though I was still irritated with the fact that they felt the need to hand me my clothes and other things.

I sat down at a small table in another room, being followed by the horde of men. No one sat down to join them. They talked quietly amongst themselves as I ate. I had learned to lose the self-consciousness that came with eating alone in front of so many. There had been no energy left in me to prevent them from watching me.

Though I detested my morning routine, more than that I was not looking forward to the council meeting. It would drag on for hours and at the end, nothing would be decided. It would be another waste of a day. However, most of the noblemen who were in my room in the mornings were not included in the council meetings and that was a small relief.

I kept a very small council as I found it was easier to manage. There were fewer arguments that I had to listen to and I did not have to include every foolish nobleman who wished to serve me in such an important capacity. Many had been quite disgruntled when I had whittled my council down and some important families had been excluded. I took some pleasure in the fact that some were angry. I was angry and, selfishly, did not want to be the only one feeling such a way.

I entered the council chambers like a man walking to his execution. There was no pleasure in deciding the fate of Gondor. All pleasure had exited my life.

All of the men gathered stood until I had taken my seat at the head of the table.

"What is the first matter of business?" I asked.

"Well Sire, it is the matter of your marriage," one of the elder advisors said after a moment or two of silence.

My story was not a secret. Everyone in Gondor and probably in Arda itself, knew that I had had a lover; more than a lover. I had had someone who would have made me a proactive King, who would have helped me to enjoy the peace I had helped to bring about. I could not hide the pain that even going through my days brought about. The pain was too strong. It had not lessened as time had passed. It might have even gotten worse.

My council had talked several times about who I might marry now that I was available. Every time they were timid to bring the subject to my attention as the prospect was unpleasant to me. No decision was ever made as I never said who I wished to marry, even when the most suitable women in Middle Earth were brought to my attention. Several had even been brought to my court to see how they might please me and strengthen my Realm, but I had paid them little attention, much to my council's chagrin.

"I see. Well pray continue," I said, disinterestedly.

"We have had a new proposal," a younger advisor said. "One that we have not been made aware of before. It is quite interesting."

They all looked at me expectantly, but I did not say anything, just waited for them to get on with it.

"The King of Harad has written to express interest in a marriage involving you and his daughter."

My interest was piqued a little bit, but not enough for me to say anything.

"Obviously, it would not be an unsuitable match," an older advisor piped up. "But it had to be brought to your attention."

"I would not say it is an unsuitable match," the young advisor retorted. "Quite the opposite actually. It might be the most advantageous match Gondor could make."

My advisors were always phrasing my potential marriages as though it would be Gondor doing the deed, but it would not. I would have to have to suffer through the long years with the woman who was deemed most suitable. My feelings would have to be suppressed for the rest of my life, not Gondor's. If I were to make a splendid match, Gondor would thrive while I withered, thinking of my love across the sea.

The young man continued, "By marrying this princess of Hard, we could avoid two military situations. The Haradrim would be less inclined to rise against us if we could prove to them that this is a beneficial match for all involved and we would not have to send our soldiers on another campaign to conquer and claim and Hard by force if we wanted to expand our territory. They would be our allies instead."

What he said was well thought out, I had to agree. I nodded at him.

The older advisor stood, indignant. "The Haradrim have proven themselves to be our enemies!" He exclaimed. "This proposal of marriage could be some ploy to throw our Realm into chaos without having to challenge us with their military."

"It is the dawning of a new age," the young advisor snapped. "They have nothing to gain from challenging Gondor at all. They have no allies. They stand alone after the defeat of Sauron. Harad needs Gondor and the rest of Middle Earth. There is much to be gained from them. They have resources that we cannot even begin to dream of."

"For instance?" The old man asked skeptically.

The younger man was ready for the question. "Salt, sand for building, minerals and plants that we do not have anywhere in our Realm that could be used for a variety of things from medicine to currency to fertilizer." He looked at the other man, a challenge in his eyes. "To list a few."

"Then perhaps we should address another issue," the older man continued. "The princess has already been married before and has a child from that union. Those are disqualifying factors for someone wishing to be the Queen of Gondor."

"Why must it be that way?" The young man demanded. "As I said, this is the dawning of a new age. We should be able to look past such things for the good of the Realm. If anything we should take her proof of fertility as a good omen, for we do have much time to waste in providing Gondor with an air."

Again, I mused about the 'we.' It was true that Gondor needed an heir, but I was the one who would have to lie with a stranger to procure said heir.

"The people will not stand for such a union," the old man protested.

"It is not for the people to decide. How are they to know what is best for them? It is up to the King!"

All eyes were on me once more.

"I can see the benefits and drawbacks to this match with Harad. I will think on it and in three days time provide an answer."

Everyone nodded. I knew that both the supporters and opponents of this match would seek me out incessantly in those three days to tell me exactly why I should or should not marry this woman.

"Let us move on."

ooooOoooo

On the third day, I had somehow arranged to have a private lunch in my chambers. Only Legolas and Gimli were with me as I had forbade any attendants, assuring them that Gimli and Legolas would be more than enough protection.

Though the War had brought so many challenges and hardships, it had brought about new and stronger friendships than I had ever known. Legolas and Gimli had both stayed for my coronation and had promised to stay until the matter of my marriage was decided upon and carried out. They were a great comfort to me as they had known me before I was a King and understood me better than most.

"I must go to my council with a decision on the Haradrim marriage tonight," I said quietly, pushing food around on my plate as though I were a child.

They both looked at me sympathetically.

"And what are you thinking?" Gimli asked.

"I am thinking that I will find none of the propositions I receive to be favorable so then what distinguishes one from another? How am I supposed to choose when I am truly apathetic to all possible outcomes?"

"Then I suppose you must think of your people," Legolas said quietly from where he stood looking out the window over my stone city.

I hated to ask his advice in such a matter. To the Elves, the thought of an arranged marriage was terribly unwelcome. They believed in one person who would complete them, whom they should never be separated from. So had I.

"Harad then is the most beneficial. It is an ally we did not have before the War who has many different resources than our own or our current allies to offer. The offer quells any uprising or unrest that would have to be taken care of with our depleted military."

Gimli nodded. "That seems to make sense. Everyone else who put their name in the basket for was already an ally. They would not take their support away from Gondor because they were not chosen for the marriage. After the War, no Realm could afford to do that."

"That is so," I nodded.

"Are you worried about what the people might think?" Legolas asked. "There are so many things to go against this Princess of Harad. She is the daughter of an enemy, the widow of a late general who led his men against us, and she already has a child from that union. Surely they expect someone a little...less experienced in life."

"I have given up much already for the people of Gondor. It is my job to make decisions that benefit the Realm as a whole. If that means that we must be a little open-minded for the benefit of our economy and military, then that cannot hurt."

Eventually, Gimli and Legolas went to leave. I would have a few miraculous hours to myself before I had to show myself to the council and deliver my decision.

"I know this is difficult, Aragorn and I would not wish my worst enemy to be in your position, but this might bring some good. It may yet turn out to be alright," Legolas said as he clapped my shoulder on his way out the door.

The optimism of the Elves was astounding after all they had seen in their very long lives, but perhaps there was something to it, though I could not see it then. If any good was to come of the marriage it would be for Gondor and not her King.

It was a rare afternoon where I thought I might indulge in a nap. I never slept well at night.

I drew the blinds and bid Damrod to sit outside of my bedroom. I wanted complete privacy.

The plush, feather mattress enveloped me after I had kicked my boots off and laid down. My body relaxed and I could feel most of the tension leave me.

The sun was setting when I woke again. It had been a deep sleep, the type of sleep where no dreams come. However, as I woke, my attention was still drawn to the jewel around my neck. It had fallen out of my tunic and was laying on the linen sheets, glittering in the dying rays of light.

I would have to take it off at some point. The Evenstar only brought me painful memories. Nothing good could come of that jewel as it was supposed to. Arwen and I had had such grand plans for the world that we would build when everything was over, when we could have lived together in peace for many long years.

As I stood, I tucked the gem back into my tunic. It mattered not if it only brought back painful memories. The future was not looking pleasant either.

I made my way to the council chambers once more. I would not be entertaining them long. There would be no debate. All of the advisors had made their points during the last meeting and many, as I had predicted, had sought me out to continue to give their opinions after the meeting.

"What have you decided regarding the Haradrim marriage?" The elder, outspoken advisor asked as soon as we had all taken our seats.

I took a deep breath. "As far as I can tell, it is the best match that could be made out of all the offers that have been extended." I looked around. The younger set had triumphant looks on their faces. "I will accept the King of Harad's offer and marry his daughter." I did not even know what the woman's name was, though of course that did not matter.

"Sire!" One of the elder men began to protest.

I raised a hand. "I have already heard everyone's opinion and counsel. I have taken them into careful consideration and I have made my decision." Everyone stood abruptly as I did. "There is to be no more discussion on the matter. Write to the King of Harad and see how soon he and his courtiers can be here for a wedding."

I turned on my heel and exited the room as quickly as I could, wanting to hear no more about my marriage to a stranger from a strange land. I had put off making a decision regarding my marriage, but that was becoming impossible. My advisors were right. There needed to be an alliance through marriage and an heir produced as quickly as possible.

The thought of lying with another woman continuously put a bad taste in my mouth. To the smallest details, the rest of my life would not be what I had thought it was going to be.

I went into the gardens, where it was easier to find some solitude. The sun was no longer out and so I could wander deep into the reaches of the garden and be left alone for a while to ponder what was to become of myself and my Realm, the one that I had never asked for.

ooooOoooo

A month or so later, Damrod came to my study whilst I was in the midst of drafting an official treaty with Rohan. It laid out what Gondor could offer Rohan in the time of rebuilding and what I hoped to gain for Gondor when Eomer and his people were in a position to trade.

"Your Grace, gifts have been sent from the King of Harad," he said quietly, knowing that it was sometimes difficult for me to concentrate on matters of state.

"Gifts?" I glanced up and then signed my name with a flourish, rolling the parchment and sealing it with wax and a stamp of the White Tree of Gondor.

"He has sent a painting of his daughter."

"I have already agreed to the marriage without having seen her," I replied. Her looks truly did not matter to me. There was no one that would be able to replace what had once been mine, but had slipped away. All I dreamed of was the milky complexion of Arwen and her raven hair. The worst dreams involved the softness of her body against mine, how it would give under mine.

This woman who was to be my wife could be the most beautiful in Arda or she could be the most homely. It did not matter to me.

"Perhaps you might like to see anyway. It cannot hurt."

I sighed and held my hand out. The King of Harad had sent a small oil painting of his daughter, standing against a marble backdrop.

She was not beautiful. She was plain, but different than any woman I had ever seen. Her skin was a shade of mahogany and her curls seemed to form a dark nest around her face. The only thing striking about her countenance were the black eyes that peered out at me.

I was intrigued by her clothes as well. I had never seen a woman so scantily clad in an official royal portrait. Her outfit of dark blue consisted of what seemed to be a lightweight skirt, with a slit up her thigh and a top in the same shade that did not cover her arms at all and only reached the bottom of her ribs, leaving her midriff exposed.

Tattoos covered some of the exposed parts of her skin. There was a snake wrapped around her right bicep and a spiral on her hip. These intrigued me if only because I had never seen anything like them before.

"What is her name?" I asked Damrod.

He skimmed a letter that must have been sent from the King of Harad. "Mareke, I believe, though I am sure I am botching the pronunciation." He sighed. "The people will surely struggle with the foreign names."

"They cannot struggle if they do not try, which I can assume they will not."

I reached out to take the letter from my young attendant. In the letter the King had detailed what he was sending. It was a small sampling of what we would receive upon the marriage. He was most interested, he said, in us seeing what the fertilizing minerals would do in our already much more hospitable environment.

"Well this seems promising," I said, looking at the picture of the woman who was to be my wife in less than a year.

Damrod nodded. "I think so as well. I am having the fertilizer sent to some of our more open-minded farmers who will soon be ready to plant."

I nodded. "Very good."

Damrod hesitated before leaving my study. "Sire, have you given any thought to the Princess' son?"

I looked up at him curiously. "What do you mean?"

"Will you require that he stay in Harad? The older section of your council is hoping that that will be your course of action."

My father died when I was a toddler. If I had not had my mother for as long as I did, my life would have been very different. I could not imagine what might have happened to me without her guidance, love and support throughout my life.

"Absolutely not. He will accompany his mother and he will be welcomed here."

I hope you loved it! I would love to know what you think of this story so far. I also love when people give me ideas of what they'd like to see in the coming chapters. It really helps spark my creativity.

Happy reading,

Avonmora