Hi all! I apologize for another too long delay in posting! However, I wrote an extra long update for you and I hope you love it. I really enjoyed writing this chapter and portions even brought me to tears. I hope it does the same for you. Enjoy!
Chapter Fifty-Nine (Adnan)
5 Years Later
In the summer of Fourth Age 16, my grandfather died. I had been in Harad, under his tutelage for a decade and still it felt as though the weight of the entire Realm and my responsibilities to it would crush me with his passing. All of the training in the world could not have prepared me for the day that it all became mine.
In the early fall, my family traveled from Minas Tirith to join me for Jidd's celebration of life as well as my own coronation.
While I wanted my mother with me, I needed Strider. There were many to support me in Harad including my uncle and Jadda, but they did not know from experience what it was to rule. Already I felt as though I could not shake the heavy mantle of duty and obligation from my shoulders and I had not yet been crowned.
I waited anxiously for the arrival of my family and their retinue from Gondor.
Finally, when I was alerted that my family was within the city walls, I hurried from my study, that had only a few weeks ago been Jidd's, and met them on the landing.
It was hard to remain still and regal as I watched them dismount. It had not been long since I had seen my mother and brothers as they had visited for my birthday in the spring, but I had not seen Strider since Yule. My eyes sought him and he gave me a warm smile as they approached.
"Your Majesty."
I turned my gaze to my mother, who had sunk into a deep curtsy. I hated it, but I knew she had to do it in front of those who had gathered. Never before had the word "Majesty" applied to me coming from her lips. It had always been Strider or Jidd who she referenced; me being "Your Highness" or "Your Grace" until very recently.
I took her hands and raised her back to her full height, which was barely to my shoulder. "I am sorry you had to return so soon, enduring those travels, Mother," I said.
"This is all quite unexpected," she replied.
Jidd had been in fine health at my twentieth birthday celebrations and soon after when Mother and the boys had left.
"King Adnan," Strider said, inclining his head slightly.
I went to bow to him, but he shook his head imperceptibly and I realized for the first time that we were then of the same status. He reached out and clasped my forearm, pulling me in for a tight hug.
I had always admired the way he was able to be so affectionate with the men in his life. Perhaps it was his Elvish upbringing, but it was rare to find it with anyone else.
My body nearly sagged against his, but I knew I could not relax just then. Many had gathered to watch our public reunion in that sad, and for me, frightening time. I did not want my people to see my weakness so early on in my reign.
In addition to my own family, the Steward of Gondor was in attendance with his family, as were Vanya and Beinion and their daughters. Before I turned back to my family, already tired of the bowing and obeisances, I caught a glimpse of a beautiful girl with golden hair and fair skin. When she straightened I had to do a double take. It was not the child I remembered.
While I had been in Minas Tirith most years for Yule, my mother had fought to keep me to herself and with our family. On the rare occasions that there had been a more public to-do, as my influence had grown, I had been overwhelmed by the Gondoran nobleman and Strider's councilors, unable to spend as much time as I had liked with those who I had grown up with.
"Mother," I turned as my mother went to hers, taking her hands and going into the dark palace.
"King Adnan," Shuk bowed, as did the twins, but when those imps rose they were both rolling their eyes and making faces at me, though no one else saw.
Unsuccessfully, I tried not to laugh and ended up spluttering instead. "Rascals," I muttered, gesturing for them to join me in the palace.
Once we were out of sight, they were climbing all over me, nearly pulling me down.
"Boys!" Strider exclaimed, trying to pry them off.
"They are fine," I laughed, glad to have some lightness after months of grief and despair.
Strider shook his head. "Shuk, take your brothers to your mother. Your grandmother will want to see you all."
The twins groaned, but then took off racing through the cool corridors.
"You do not look well, Adnan," Strider said, removing my formal title, which brought immense comfort. "Your mother will worry all the more if you are not eating and sleeping."
"It has been difficult," I conceded.
Strider nodded. "I am not sure after the War was over and before my own coronation that I ate or slept at all." He rested a hand on my shoulder. "But you must try. If only so you do not have to add your mother's nagging to your stressors."
"And how is she?" I asked, as we strolled slowly through the palace, not heading directly to the rooms that my family would share.
"Devastated," Strider replied. "Your grandfather meant a great deal to her. And she is worried about you and your Jadda."
"As am I," I replied, a little more raw than I had intended.
Aragorn looked over to me, concern etched on his features.
"I would like to speak with you when we have more time. Perhaps after the celebration of life and before the coronation."
"Of course," Strider said, as we came upon the rooms.
"I have asked for a meal to be served in my chambers for the adults tonight. A small affair," I said, as I held the door to his own rooms open.
"We will be there."
ooooOoooo
Half an hour before everyone was supposed to arrive in my chambers, my mother entered. I glanced up from where I had been sitting on the sofa and attempting, in vain, to catch up on some of my work.
My mother gave a low curtsy and I shook my head, rising and walking towards her. "I have hated that since I became the Crown Prince," I said, taking her hands and pulling her up to her full height.
"Be that as it may, you are the King now," she replied quietly and I winced.
Silently, she looked up at me and placed her hands on my cheeks. "You are better prepared for this than you believe," she said.
Taking my hands in hers, she led me back to the sofa and sat me down next to her. "How is your Jadda? I only saw her briefly when we arrived."
I shook my head. "I believe she has her good days and bad. They loved each other a great deal."
My mother nodded. "Yes. We were both lucky to have grown up around such a relationship. They did not know each other very well before they were married, but they grew to love one another."
"Like you and Strider?"
My mother laughed. "Aragorn and I took a little longer to grow accustomed to one another, but yes, eventually, like Strider and I."
I gave her a gentle smile. "Where is Strider?"
"I charged him with settling the twins with Lady Belethiel."
"Poor man," I chuckled.
"You have no idea," my mother replied. "Soon our family will have little need for Lady Belethiel. The twins have been with their tutors for years now and it is only the rare occasion when they need looked after in such a way."
"That will be a sad day indeed," I said, thinking back on Lady Belethiel's kindness to me from the very start when all in Minas Tirith had seemed very overwhelming. I had had to spend much more time away from my mother than I was used to in Harad, but Lady Belethiel had always been more than an adequate replacement.
"Yes well I cannot subject the poor woman to those hellions forever, though they do need constant supervision."
After a few more moments together, the door opened once more and Vanya, Beinion, and Marilla entered my rooms. When I stood, they all sank in obeisance. I tried to wave away the formality, but knew it would be fruitless
"There are refreshments over here," I said, guiding the guests to the dining table where goblets of wine, ale, and Haradrim honey liquor were sitting.
"Wine for me," Beinion said.
A servant stepped forward, but I sent them away.
"For me as well, Your Majesty," Vanya said.
I poured the goblets and handed them over. "For you, my lady?" I asked Marilla.
Beinion had gone to greet Strider as he entered and Vanya had gone to my mother. Marilla looked around uncertainly.
"Why not?" she finally replied, with a small smile.
I poured a small goblet and handed it to her, our fingers brushing.
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
I shook my head. "Adnan will do just fine. We have known each other since we were children."
"It seems an age ago that you lived in Minas Tirith," she said.
Nodding my agreement, I poured myself a small glass of honey liquor. "Many things are different now." I turned back to face her and was struck with how beautiful she had grown. Her eyes popped against the pale blue dress she wore and her long, fair hair fell in waves about her shoulders.
"I am sorry for your loss," Marilla said. "It all must be very overwhelming."
"You have no idea." I offered her my arm and walked toward the outdoor courtyard that housed my private pool.
"This is lovely."
"It is my respite," I agreed. "I shall probably not see it very often when the weight of Harad is fully settled on my shoulders."
"It seems as though you are quite capable of leading your Realm," Marilla said.
I glanced down at her golden countenance. "Whatever would give you that impression?"
"The way the King and Queen speak about you after you all have been together," she said. "And you just seem to have everything under control."
Her cheeks flushed and I had to suppress a grin. "That is kind of you to say, though I can assure you everything feels unwieldy right now."
"It will not always, surely."
"One can hope."
We stood at the edge of the pool. Marilla's grip tightened on my arm as she stood on one foot and slipped out of her shoe, dipping pale toes into the cool water.
My hand covered her pale fingers on my arm as I watched her, chuckling.
"You do not see my father, do you?" she asked.
I glanced over my shoulder to see Beinion in deep conversation with Faramir. "You are safe for now."
"I cannot get over this place, I must tell you," Marilla said as she slipped her foot back into her shoe. "I never thought to see anything like it. While everyone was resting this afternoon, I snuck out of our rooms and wandered the palace."
"Next time you do such a thing, send for me and I will give you a tour myself." I smiled down at her as we continued to walk around the pool. "Are you afraid of heights?"
"Not at all," Marilla replied.
"Wonderful. I shall arrange a mumak ride for you."
"Only if you will be going," Marilla said, lingering as we approached the door back inside. She seemed to realize how bold she had been. "You have plenty to tend to without showing me around, Your Majesty."
"Adnan," I reminded her. "And I will make the time." I smiled down at her once more.
"Marilla," Vanya called to her daughter, beckoning her to join her and my mother.
Briefly, I met my mother's eyes and there was something there I could not read, but I was soon distracted by Faramir.
ooooOoooo
Two days later, I was up before the sun. It was the day of Jidd's celebration of life and funeral. Carrying my sandals, I walked out of my garden and into the desert. The sand was still cool on my feet as I looked out over the dunes, the horizon a dusty pink.
"Adnan?"
I turned to see my mother coming towards me and it was as though time had rolled back. She was wearing the gauzy garments of Haradrim women, though not the revealing outfits she had worn when she was younger. But as the desert breeze blew her curls away from her face, I felt like the little boy who had departed Harad with her almost twenty years before.
I felt tears well in my eyes and as she got closer, I crumbled, reaching for her.
"Oh my boy," she murmured, pulling me tight into her body. I buried my face in her neck, trying to ground myself in the scent of her sandalwood perfume. Through little boy accidents, adolescent upsets, and now adult matters that would seemingly bring me to my knees, the scent of my mother had been a constant comfort.
One of her gentle hands went to the back of my head and ran through the curls that matched her own.
"Sshh, sshh," she whispered. "You are alright, habibi."
It was a name she had only ever used with me, her fully Haradrim son and it brought me to my senses a little bit. I was the only one who could fulfill the role of King of Harad. It was in my blood to lead my people, to ensure that the Realm carried on peacefully. My father had been a great general and leader of my men and I had watched my mother become a wise and compassionate ruler in Gondor, not to mention the many others who had surrounded me and imparted their lessons. I had the knowledge and skill set requisite for the job, but I still felt adrift and frightened.
I sniffled and pulled away from my mother, straightening so that I towered over her. Without a word, she reached up and brushed the back of her fingers along my cheek.
"I know I must say goodbye to him," I whispered. "Truthfully, I have already done that. I worry for what comes after my own coronation."
"What comes are the same council meetings you have been attending, the same work you have been doing at your Jidd's side for years, and your future," my mother replied. "It is alright to be frightened, Adnan. It does not make you less capable. It is only a symbol of how much you care, of how much good you want to do for your Realm. If you were calm and collected, I would worry that you did not care enough or realize how important a role you play here."
I nodded down at her, taking some heart in her words.
"Let this anxiety drive you to be the best king you can be. Do not let it freeze you in place so you cannot move forward."
She took my arm and guided me back into my rooms, sending a servant for the black tea she and I both favored.
"Are you prepared for today?" my mother asked, sitting next to me on a low sofa.
"Are you?" I returned. "I have been here since his passing and have made my peace with his death."
"I do not know," she replied, taking the cup of tea the servant offered her.
We sat in silence for a while before my mother rose. "I should tend to your brothers. I will see you in a bit."
She bent and pressed a kiss to my forehead. "I love you, habibi."
ooooOoooo
I stood at the doorway of our feasting hall as people entered, ready to celebrate the life of my grandfather. The tedium accompanied by such a task was mind-numbing and I felt completely alone.
My family entered, but they could not stay with me. Strider gave my shoulder a reassuring squeeze and a smile, but he had to continue on so that I might greet the remaining guests.
Vanya and Beinion entered, trailed by Brennil and I could only look at the three of them briefly before Marilla came through, curtseying and flashing me a brief but lovely smile.
After that, I drifted away in my mind though I was still saying the appropriate words to guests.
For the previous two days, I had made sure that at any gathering, Marilla was seated next to me as was appropriate so that I might speak with her and bask in her laughter, which she gave surprisingly freely for a young woman who had grown up in Minas Tirith. I thought she was witty and smart and of course lovely with her fair hair and blue eyes.
Shaking myself from my reverie, I was once more met with my mother's gaze, still as unreadable as it had been the day she had arrived.
Throughout the long afternoon, trays of my grandfather's favorite food and beverages were passed around to the guests as they mingled. The event was truly meant to be a celebration and the somberness was kept at bay for the most part.
"Oh no you do not," I said, coming up behind the twins a little later in the afternoon. They had each stolen a little cup of the honey liquor and were laughing to themselves before taking their first drink. I plucked the golden cups out of their hands.
"Adnan!" They looked up at me with indignation in their gray eyes.
"King Adnan," Rainion reminded his brother with a jab in the ribs.
"Oh yes, I forgot, King Adnan."
They both gave me mock bows and turned their noses in the air.
I laughed and handed the cups to a passing servant.
At eleven years old, Rainion and Rilien were only growing more into their mischief.
"I would have thought you two might be a little more cunning," I said, looking down at the rogues.
"Perhaps they are having to get their bearings straight here in Harad, Your Majesty."
I glanced down to find Marilla at my side and had to smile.
"In Minas Tirith, there has not been a single occasion in years that has not been marked by your brothers' tricks."
"Is that so?" I asked, turning my attention to the young woman.
"Marilla, I thought you liked us better than this," Rainion said. "No need to go tattling on us to Adnan."
"King Adnan," Rilien said again in his pretentious voice and they went to bowing once more.
Marilla tried to stifle her laughter, but was unsuccessful.
"This is a problem," I said to Marilla. "I thought I liked you very much and was enjoying our time together, but if you support these scamps, I am not sure we can continue our friendship."
"Friendship," Rainion scoffed. "You might lie to yourself, brother, but we can all see that you've been mooning over her since she arrived."
Rilien laughed. "Oh yes, you may make a fine King, but you are a terrible actor."
The twins turned to each other and batted their eyelashes at each other, wringing their hands in front of themselves.
My face flamed, but I did not turn to show Marilla that. Instead, I landed a heavy hand on both of the back of their necks, gripping tightly and steering them toward Strider and Mother.
"Excuse me, my lady, I shall be right back."
"My lady."
"I adore you, my lady."
"You are beautiful, my lady."
"I want to kiss you, my lady."
The twins taunted me all the way across the floor until I was standing before Strider, Mother, Eowyn, and Faramir.
"I believe these belong to you," I said, pushing them towards their parents. "I caught them trying to dip into the honey liquor."
They looked up at me, astounded that I would tell on them, but fair was fair. I stuck my tongue out at them both as Strider took them by their shoulders and guided them away for a scolding.
Marilla was right where I had left her. I rubbed the back of my neck as I approached her, hoping my face had resumed its normal shade, but knowing it had not.
"I apologize for them, but perhaps that is not necessary as you are clearly used to their antics."
"Do you really want to kiss me, Your Majesty?" Marilla asked, looking directly at me.
I stuttered, not very kingly, and tried to formulate an answer.
"I suppose I do," I finally said.
"Perhaps on that mumak tour," she replied.
"Perhaps,"I agreed, heart pounding a little harder in my chest.
There was a light touch on my arm. "Adnan?"
I looked down to see my mother. "Are you ready to give your remarks? The sun is setting."
I nodded and followed her to the dais, glancing once more back at Marilla.
After the humiliating encounter with my brothers and what followed with Marilla, I was not sure what I got up and said to those gathered. I had memorized a brief speech and I could only hope that it came out of my mouth in a coherent fashion.
Everyone clapped when I was through, but they had no choice as I was to soon become officially their King.
The crowd began to walk towards the desert when I stepped down from the dais. I went to join my family as Strider was handing the twins to Lady Belethiel, but Shuk was adamantly shaking his head.
"I do not think it wise for you to attend this portion, my love," my mother said to him.
"Let him go if he wishes," Strider said in response. My mother looked up at him for a long moment, but then nodded her acquiescence.
The twins, along with Brennil, and Faramir's children all made their way back inside the palace.
To watch a bier burn was not for the young or the faint of heart.
When the crowd had settled, I took a torch from a servant and looked at the gauze wrapped body of my grandfather lying on the wooden frame. I paused for only a moment before reaching out and lighting the bier, the flames leaping quickly to consume the man who had taught me so much about my Realm and how to rule it.
I turned back to join my family and saw my mother leaning heavily into Strider, while Jadda clung to her. Shuk was holding Strider's other hand. Baran stood in the back, as did those others who had gathered.
Once more I stood by myself, watching the flames devour all in their way.
A hand slipped into mine and I looked down to see Marilla. She did not look up, but only gave my dark hand a comforting squeeze. I could not think about how bold a move it was, could only be grateful for the support.
Later I would think of how mortified her family might have been, how brazen a declaration it was for her to take up a post by my side. In that moment, though, I could only think of how grateful I was to not be alone.
ooooOoooo
We waited only a day for my coronation and it was much the same as Jidd's funeral. The same people were in attendance, I gave a brief speech, and Jadda laid a crown on my brow. That was it. I was the King of Harad, officially.
The ceremony was the easy part. Once the merrymaking was over, the council met for the first time since my grandfather had died. The morning before I was to lead them on my own, I sought out Strider.
"Adnan," the older man said warmly as I entered the chambers he shared with the rest of my family. "Boys, could you leave us, please?"
Shuk, who had been reading at the dining table, made his way outside without fuss, but the twins, who had been wrestling on the rug, either did not hear their father or blatantly ignored him.
Strider rose and reached into the melee, dragging Rainion and Rilien up by the scruff of their necks. "The torture chambers in Harad are famous for being unthinkably cruel and unusual. Do not think I will hesitate to string both of you wretches up by your toes!"
The boys yelped and went tearing outside, with Strider only shaking his head. "They get more unruly by the day if you can believe it."
"I certainly can," I laughed.
"Did they get you in a bit of a spot with Marilla the other night?" Strider asked, all-knowing.
"They may have, but that is a conversation for another day, when Mother is present."
"It is serious then?" Strider raised an eyebrow.
"Perhaps, but I was hoping to speak to you about leading my first council this afternoon," I said, changing the subject.
"What of it?" Strider asked, settling back at the dining table and gesturing for me to do the same.
"I am nervous. I have only ever been a participant," I said. "Jidd led them up until his death."
"You are the King now, Adnan. What do you have to fear?"
"That I will make a mess of ruling in every way I possibly could," I said, exasperatedly tossing my hands in the hair and then running them through my hair.
To my great annoyance, Strider chuckled. I looked up at him grimly.
"Of course your fears are valid," he said, softening his countenance. "But you must forge ahead anyway. If it is making mistakes you fear, rest assured you will make them. Every ruler does. It is part of it."
"That is not very helpful."
"Yes it is. If you learn from those mistakes and move forward with new wisdom every chance you get, then you will be fine."
"I do not want this responsibility, Strider," I sighed.
"Not many do, but I have learned that to not want the responsibility serves the Realm and people better. You and I do not rule for selfish reasons, but because it was our fate. We do not aim for personal gain, but for peace and prosperity for all. Take pride in that, Adnan."
I was silent for a moment.
"And take pride in who you already are. You are wise beyond your years, steady and true, and much loved by your people. You are competent, but now you must be confident."
"Could you come with me this afternoon?" I asked, slightly desperate.
"You know I cannot. For if I come with you, it will be said that you are a puppet king here having your strings pulled by Gondor."
I knew he was right and still I hated it.
"You will get through this one and the rest will be easier. There should be no big issues today. You would already know of them. This is just to establish yourself as the new King. It should be brief."
I sighed and nodded.
"And then we shall have this other conversation of which you speak."
ooooOoooo
Strider was right, of course. The council meeting was smooth and lasted less than an hour. I had known the members for years, had sat amongst them at my grandfather's side. The men were warm and welcoming of my ascension and there were only small matters to discuss in the wake of Jidd's funeral.
That evening, after another private meal with those guests who had traveled, I asked if Strider and my mother would stay in my dining room for a moment.
"Strider and the twins have already caught onto this, I believe," I said, taking a sip of honey liquor. "But I want to ask Marilla to marry me."
My mother's dark eyes shot to mine and I saw Strider shift to take her hand under the table.
"You have got on quite well while she has been here," he agreed. "You know your own mind."
"You barely know the girl," my mother said.
I arched an eyebrow, looking between her and Strider.
"That was different," she insisted. "We had no choice."
"I had a choice," Aragorn said with a chuckle. "And I chose you out of all the rest."
Mother huffed. "Still it is not the same."
"I believe she would make a kind and competent queen," I continued. "I am twenty, Mother. I must marry and provide an heir. Because of Strider and Jidd, I am not in a position to marry for political alliances, although this would tie us closer to Gondor. Marilla is old nobility there."
"I see no issue aside from convincing her parents to let her live all the way in Harad," Strider said.
"They should certainly see the honor being bestowed if she were to become Queen," Mother said heatedly.
Strider pressed a kiss to her temple. "Peace," he murmured. "It is a long way to send a child. You of all people know that."
"What is the rush?" Mother tried again.
"You were younger than I am now when I was born," I said.
"Your father was not."
"My father was not a King. He did not need a son for political purposes, more for vanity's sake. And when I was born, you did not know I would be the heir, that your son would someday sit the throne." I sighed and looked at her. "I must have an heir. If something were to happen to me-"
"Do not say such things," Mother interrupted.
"If something were to happen to me without having a son, there would be unrest and potentially war. Harad cannot handle that. I would not wish that on my people," I continued.
Tears welled in my mother's eyes and I softened, not wanting to argue with her any longer.
"We shall speak with Beinion first thing in the morning," Strider said, standing. He helped Mother to her feet.
"Mother," I said. "Wait a moment."
"I will be right outside the door," Strider murmured, kissing her forehead.
I watched him leave and only turned to Mother when the door had shut soundly behind him. I felt emotion welling within me as well. As a child, she had been the only constant for me. We had endured so much together.
Even after I had returned to Harad, I looked forward to our visits more than anything. As a grown man, she continued to comfort with her soothing presence as she always had.
"You know I love you," I said quietly, taking her upper arms in my hands. "I will always love you."
She nodded, wiping her dark eyes.
"I must do this. If not with Marilla, then with someone else."
"Where did my little boy go?" she whispered, choking up. "Where is the boy who used to hide behind my skirts and cling to my legs?"
"You made him brave," I said, a tear slipping down my own cheek. "You prepared him for the world and all that would come his way."
Abruptly, she wrapped her arms around my middle and pressed her face to my chest.
"I must forge my own path now, Mother."
She sighed against me. "I know, but I do not like it. I do not like how quickly time slipped between my fingers. "
"Nor do I, but know that this will not change anything between us."
Mother pulled away and reached to brush a tear from my cheek. "Oh my sweet son. How could it not?"
ooooOoooo
"You honor my daughter and the rest of my family, King Adan. I have noticed that my daughter is quite fond of you. But Marilla will not be wed until she is twenty," Beinion said firmly, the next morning as he, Strider, and I sat in my study.
"That is four years!" I exclaimed.
Beinion shrugged. "I will support your proposal and match, if she agrees, but she will not marry immediately. She is too young and there is no great political demand for this match."
I sighed and ran my hands through my unruly curls, looking to Strider.
"You cannot send her here in four years and expect her to immediately become Queen of Harad. If she will not be married until then, at the very least, you should send her early so that she might learn what will be expected of her when the time comes," Strider said.
"Could she not spend time with Queen Mareke in Minas Tirith?" Beinion asked.
"Of course, but there is only so much she can learn from leagues and leagues away," Strider responded. "There are things she should learn here, at Dowager Queen Khatun's side."
Beinion mulled this information over silently.
Finally he said, "At eighteen, she may take up residence in Harad if that suits Your Majesty." He looked to me.
"I shall think it over," I said, standing to indicate that the meeting had come to an end.
When he had left, I looked once more to Strider. "So now I weigh my need to produce an heir with the desire to marry a woman of my choosing."
"Four years is not all that long," Strider said. "You are young and in good health."
"And if I have to go on campaign in that time?"
"Work for peace," Strider replied. "There are those in your bloodline that could be named temporary heir if you truly want to marry Marilla and wait the four years."
"Shuk is your heir," I said to which Strider shook his head. "You want me to leave Harad to one of my hellion brothers?" I asked incredulously.
Strider laughed. "It would be a solution."
"They are too young. You and I both know that Baran would not help them as he did me."
"Your grandmother would."
I sighed.
"Adnan," Strider said gently. "Your mother and I love each other very much now, but you were a witness to how much we struggled in the early years. Marriage is work and it can take much from you. If you think that Marilla would make a good wife and queen, if you have strong feelings for her you should wait for her. Take it from me."
"Perhaps Mother is right, though. Perhaps I do not know Marilla well enough for marriage."
Strider shrugged. "I believe in love at first sight."
Over the years, I had learned of Strider's first love, the Elf maiden who had sailed, but he had never told me of her himself.
"I will take some heart in that, I suppose."
ooooOoooo
"I was afraid that I might have had to return to Minas Tirith before I received my promised mumak tour," Marilla said, two days before she was to leave. Fearlessly, she had climbed the ladder of the huge animal and was seated next to me as I guided us out of the paddock and towards the desert as the sun was setting.
"I am a man of my word, but it turns out being King is a huge demand on your time," I chuckled.
"I have been grateful for the time we have spent together," Marilla said with a huge smile, taking everything in around her.
Her chaperone, one of her ladies maids, was not doing so well behind us, but we both found her rather easy to ignore.
"Do you think your visits to Minas Tirith will continue at Yule?" she asked, trying to sound too hopeful it seemed.
"I hope so," I replied. "I will make sure I am not locked away in my mother's rooms or in meetings with Strider if that is the case so that we might spend some time together."
"I would like that very much."
As we rode, I shared facts and history of Harad, hoping to endear my people and land to her.
"I have been reading quite a lot while here from your library. It is a fascinating place."
"Indeed. Quite different from Minas Tirith."
"Different is not always a negative," Marilla replied.
As we got further from the city, there was an oasis amongst the dunes. No one could quite explain it, but it was believed that there was a spring under the desert there.
"This is beautiful," Marilla said. "Can we go down?"
"I was hoping so, but perhaps your companion might like to stay up here so she does not have to climb up again?"
Marilla nodded and had a quick and quiet exchange with her companion before she was ready to descend.
I went over the side of the enclosure first and began going down the ladder. Gently, I grasped her ankle and placed it on the first rung when she began to follow me.
Once we were down, I offered her my arm and we walked to the edge of the water. Following Marilla's lead, I took my sandals off and waded into the cool pool.
I stopped her from going further and held her hand. My stomach began to churn nervously and the words I had rehearsed flew right out of my head.
"Marilla?"
She looked up at me with her clear blue eyes.
"It has been such a pleasure having you here and getting reacquainted with you. I have found that we have much in common and that you have been a light during a very dark time for me."
Her eyebrows knitted together in confusion.
"I have asked your father, who has given his conditional blessing, but I must ask you as well." I squeezed her hand. "Would you do me the honor of becoming my wife and queen?"
Marilla's eyes went wide and then she launched herself at my chest, wrapping her arms around my neck tightly. "Of course!"
When she finally pulled away, I bent slowly and kissed her full, pink lips. It took all the measured restraint I possessed to not deepen our first kiss inappropriately. My hands lingered on her waist and I fought against myself to keep them there.
When we separated, Marilla looked up at me, confusion on her features once more. "I do not mean to sound superficial, but is there no ring or jewel?"
I laughed. "Oh no. As the future Queen you will get a tattoo quite like the one my mother has on her finger from my father. So you must be quite sure about this, for that is a permanent symbol."
"I have never been more sure."
There you have it! There is lots happening for our favorite family! I can't wait to hear what you think. Per usual, please send anything you'd like to see for this family in the future. I have some really exciting plot points planned, but I'm always open to other ideas big and small!
Happy reading,
Avonmora