"Land of Light and Shadows"
by Thundera Tiger
Chapter 1: The Invitation
The
morning was surprisingly brisk given the summer season. Fog streamed in
from Anduin, veiling the land in a cloud of cool moisture. The sky grew
light as the sun prepared to rise above the grim peaks of the Ephel Duath.
Green grass heavy with dew perfumed the coming day with a fresh scent.
Trumpets sounded once, heralding the changing of the watch in a towering
white city built into the side of a the white-capped mountain Mindolluin,
and then the morning fell still again. The soft murmur of Anduin was barely
noticeable through the thick fog. Light colors of pink and orange began
to touch the few clouds lingering in the sky as the sun grew closer to
making an appearance.
The
silence was interrupted again by the sound of horses. Thundering over the
resting land, a group of riders galloped toward the shining city. They
did not hurry, but neither did they tarry. With skills born of long years
in battle, they paced their horses so that they would arrive at the city
in good time and in good strength should a longer journey present itself
afterward.
Initially
obscured by the fog, a wall suddenly loomed before them and as one the
company of riders turned and rode parallel to it, seeking the gates that
would give them passage to the fertile fields within the Rammas Echor.
Before long, they found what they sought. The sentinels on guard immediately
stood aside for their passage, and as they journeyed on, the sound of trumpets
rose into the air behind them. Their coming had been announced.
Answering
trumpets echoed out from the white city and in the distance, a great gate
was being opened for them. The first rays of the sun shot over the Ephel
Duath peaks and the city’s highest tower caught the light and reflected
it back to the plain, twinkling like a star in the early morning. The lowing
of cattle greeted the ears of the riders as they continued toward the Minas
Tirith across the Pelennor Fields. When they were halfway across the vast
fields, the trumpets sounded again, marking their progress and hailing
their presence. A chorus of neighs arose in the morning air from a collection
of proud horses corralled without the city walls. The standard of a white
horse set against a field of green flapped lazily in the slight breeze,
and the two foremost riders in the approaching company exchanged curious
looks.
"The
summons said nothing of Rohan," one said, his deep voice carrying clearly
in the brisk air.
"But
to me it felt as though the King Elessar meant more than what he wrote,"
the other replied. Shaking back his hair, he shaded farseeing eyes and
looked toward the city. "He awaits us in the top of the citadel. I can
see him at the window, and King Eomer is there as well. And I think…I believe
I can see Gimli’s helm."
"Gimli
must have come with Eomer, then. Can you see ought else, Legolas?"
The
elf shook his head. "Nay, Faramir. If there be any others with them, they
await us within."
"Then
let us not keep them waiting," Faramir said, spurring his horse forward.
Legolas urged his own mount after him, and the riders behind quickly picked
up the pace as well.
It
was not long before they passed beneath the towering arch of the City-gate
and the clatter of hooves was soon heard on stone walks. Winding their
way through the city’s many levels, they soon came nigh unto the citadel
and dismounted. Here, grooms came forth to lead away the horses, though
there was some trouble with Faensul, Legolas’s white elven stallion. The
horse was loathe to leave its master and uneasy in the city of stone despite
the elf’s soothing words, and Legolas eventually had to take the horse
away himself, promising that he would join Faramir and the others soon.
With
his own soldiers following close behind, the Steward of Gondor marched
into the courtyard where the guards smartly saluted him and directed him
to the tower where of old the stewards would keep watch over the land.
Dismissing his own guard and directing them to find food and lodgings,
Faramir made his way to the spiraling stairs and began the ascent.
Several
minutes later, Faramir walked into a room where Aragorn, Arwen, and Eomer
sat. Faramir bowed low before them and then dove forward as he sensed motion
above. Rolling out of his dive, he caught sight of Aragorn shaking his
head, Eomer shaking with ill-concealed mirth, and Arwen trying not to smile.
"Where
is Legolas?!"
Turning
his attention to the dwarf who had dropped from the rafters, Faramir started
to laugh. "And hail to you, Gimli," the steward answered. "All goes well
in Ithilien, and Eowyn sends her greetings, thank you for asking. How are
your own people and your own work in the Glittering Caves?"
The
dwarf glared at the steward and folded his arms across his barrel-like
chest. "The summons was for both you and Legolas. Where is that elf?"
"His
horse would not be led away by the Gondor’s men and he was forced to take
the stallion himself. He will join us shortly," Faramir answered.
"Arod
has never given him trouble before," Eomer said with a slight frown.
"Arod
died two months ago," Aragorn explained. "Legolas now rides an elven horse.
A present from his father, I believe."
Arwen
nodded, resting her hand lightly on Aragorn’s forearm. "Thraunduil sent
the horse along with his praise for Legolas’s accomplishments in Ithilien.
And if I am not mistaken, something was said of Gimli in the message,"
she added, glancing at the dwarf.
"Legolas’s
father does not appreciate the value of dwarves as his son so wisely does,"
Gimli grumbled. He eyed the rafters above him, wondering how he had managed
to get up there in the first place and whether or not he could do it again
before Legolas arrived. "Eomer, I need your chair again."
"You
will never do it in time," the king of Rohan said, though he stood and
slid his chair toward the dwarf.
"We
shall see," Gimli grunted, clambering up on the chair and leaping, using
his sturdy legs to propel himself high into the air. His hand caught hold
of one beam and he swung there for a while before securing a hold with
the other hand.
"Why
can’t they greet one another as normal people?" Faramir asked, watching
the dwarf’s struggles with bemusement.
"Because
neither one is normal," Eomer answered.
"I
hope that is not a slight against elves," Arwen said with mock indignation,
smiling slightly to take the sting from her words.
"Nothing
of the sort, my lady," Eomer replied, wincing as Gimli almost lost his
grip while trying to get his legs over the beams. "Say rather that it is
a comment on two very strange personalities, one of which happens to be
an elf and other of which happens to be a dwarf."
By
now, Gimli had managed to get a leg over a thick section of wood and was
inches away from pulling himself completely on top of the beams when the
rafters shuddered. The dwarf froze for a moment and then turned his head.
"This
is a most unusual wait to meet. Would you permit to ask what you are doing
and why?"
Gimli
glared daggers at the newly arrived Legolas who now hung beside him. "What
business is that of yours?"
With
a quick laugh, the elf swung easily up onto the top of the rafters and
looked down at the dwarf. "My curiosity could not be contained," the prince
answered. "And I thought you believed that high perches were not suited
for sane beings. Have the Glittering Caves finally driven you to madness
or do you seek to be more like the elves?"
"Master
Elf, I will have you know that—"
"May
we begin?" Aragorn asked from the table, attempting to look stern despite
the upward twitching of his lips. "There was a reason for the summons other
than to watch the two of you caper about over our heads."
Legolas
dropped lightly to the floor while Gimli hit the ground behind him with
a hard thud. The dwarf murmured something too low to be heard and Legolas
laughed as he took a seat. "You have much to learn, Gimli, if you truly
seek to travel as light as the elves."
"And
you, Legolas, have much to learn if you wish to keep that fair face intact,"
Gimli threatened with a menacing glower, sitting beside him.
"Thank
you," Aragorn said, deciding to ignore the last two comments and be grateful
for the simple fact that they had come down on the first request. "I have
summoned you all here today to hear your counsel and, if you are willing,
your companionship."
Gimli
was sorely tempted to state that Legolas could provide neither of these
but decided to hold his tongue. Almost as if guessing his thoughts, Aragorn
directed a stern glare at the dwarf and then continued.
"Prince
Imrahil of Dol Amroth has reported that denizens of Harad have contacted
him. They have asked him to pass on a message. Gondor and Rohan are invited
to take part in the Gathering of Harad’s tribes. If we choose to accept
the proposition, we are to meet with the tribal representatives at Dol
Amroth in four days time. After that, we will be escorted to Haradhur where
the Gathering will take place."
"What
is a Gathering?" Faramir asked.
Aragorn
frowned. "It is difficult to explain as we have no equivalant for it here,
but I will try. The Gathering is more or less a large trade negotiation
among the tribes. Every tribe meets at Haradhur and discusses problems
of the last year along with creating agreements for the year to come. Were
Gondor and Rohan to attend, we could broker deals and establish a presence
among our southern neighbors." Aragorn paused to judge the reactions of
the others at this point. Gimli looked bored, Legolas appeared interested
but puzzled, Faramir was nodding thoughtfully, and Eomer seemed undecided.
Arwen had already heard the news and, like Aragorn, was merely waiting
for the reactions of the others.
"What
are the drawbacks?" Eomer asked.
Aragorn
and Arwen exchanged glances. "According to Harad tradition, the leaders
of the tribes must be present at a Gathering," Aragorn answered. "This
means that you, Eomer, and I have to attend. We will leave both our kingdoms
without a king and that is a danger. Moreover, such an invitation has never
been made before despite our overtures in the past years and I fear some
treachery may be involved."
"Yet
such an opportunity is a rare thing," Arwen spoke up. "We cannot overlook
it, though it is true we must proceed with caution."
"I
have decided to go," Aragorn stated. "Whether Eomer chooses to accompany
me or not is his decision. In my absence, Faramir will govern Minas Tirith
and Arwen shall aid him."
"I
know little of the customs of Harad," Faramir admitted, "but already my
heart warns me to take care. Is this invitation in keeping with their normal
traditions?"
There
was a pause as Aragorn considered the question. "Yes and no," he eventually
said. "Long ago I lived among them for a time, and I remember the Gathering
at Haradhur. Haradhur is one of the few permanent settlements in Harad’s
desert, and any dealings with foreign kingdoms are usually done there.
In this, all is customary for the Haradrim. It is the timing that is unusual.
Under normal circumstances, if the Harad tribes wished to broker deals
with foreign kingdoms, a few delegates from each of the most powerful tribes
would be called to meet with foreign dignitaries at Haradhur during the
winter months when the desert is not so treacherous. I cannot recall a
single instance in which a foreign power has been invited to a Gathering.
Yet here they have invited two!"
"Why
do they hold the Gathering in the summer?" Gimli wondered curiously.
"So
that all dealings may be done at one time," Aragorn explained. "During
the summer, activity is nigh impossible during the day and everything is
done at night. This prevents, to an extent, secret trades and treaties.
Also, it is seen as a sign of commitment for the tribes to meet when conditions
are most difficult."
"Do
you counsel me to accompany you?" Eomer asked.
Aragorn
shook his head. "I am unsure of my own counsel. How then shall I advise
you? This opportunity gives us a chance to be seen by most of the tribes
in Harad and also a chance to make our power felt. We may be able to acquire
a promise from some of the desert’s northern tribes that they will cease
to attack the southern fields of Lebannin. And there are valuable commodities
to be had in the desert, as well. Fine linens are spun there, and precious
metals are to be found. Key trade agreements would be very profitable for
Rohan, and it would bolster Gondor’s position to be accompanied by a key
ally. But I will not deceive you. Like Faramir, I am also wary. The invitation,
though it appears sincere, may be a trap for something else."
"You
suspect an attempt on our lives?" Eomer wondered.
"It
is a possibility," Aragorn answered. "More likely they will seek to gain
leverage over us in some way and so force us into a dangerous agreement."
"Those
that would seek to do so would be unwise," Arwen said firmly. "The power
and might of Gondor cannot be contested in such a way."
"My
liege, you have decreed that I am to stay behind and I bow before your
wisdom, but may I ask who is to accompany you?" Faramir broke in.
"A
force of perhaps twenty mounted guards."
"Twenty?"
Faramir blinked in astonishment. "Surely you would take far more for your
own protection."
"The
politics of the Haradrim are…different from our own," Aragorn attempted
to explain. "If I were to arrive alone and without escort, I would be seen
as weak. However, should I take an army with me, the other tribes would
see me as either threatening or attempting to hide something. It must be
a small force of able men. And Eomer, should you decide to come, I would
counsel you to do the same."
"So
be it then," Eomer answered. "I will ride with you, Aragorn, and with me
shall come twenty of my best riders."
"Aragorn,
what is my involvement in this?" Gimli spoke up, voicing Legolas’s question
as well.
The
king of Gondor shifted and appeared rather uncomfortable. "I would ask
you to accompany me as well, but…for different reasons."
"We
do not need reasons," the dwarf stated. "I think I speak for both of us
when I say that we would gladly join you on this journey." Legolas nodded
in agreement.
"I
thank you for your willingness," Aragorn said slowly, "but I feel you must
understand the logic behind my request. You see…the Haradrim are highly
superstitious. They fear what they cannot understand and a tribe who possesses
and controls something beyond their comprehension is seen as…powerful."
"Ah,"
Legolas said with a slow smile. "In other words, the possession and control
of an elf and dwarf would be a sign of power for Gondor and Rohan."
"This
suggestion was actually mine," Arwen spoke up for her uncomfortable husband.
"I assured him that the two of you would not take offense at the idea,
but he hesitated before including Legolas in Faramir’s summons and Gimli
in Eomer’s."
"Let
me see if I understand this," Gimli said. "The Haradrim would see that
you had two very unusual things under their control and so would be more
willing to favor Gondor and Rohan in negotiations. Do I have it aright?"
"You
do," Aragorn sighed. "And I do not mean to say that the elves of Ithilien
and the dwarves of the Glittering Caves are possessed or controlled in
any way, but—"
"It
is as Gimli said before," Legolas interrupted with a laugh. "We will gladly
join you on this journey. The reasons matter not, for in your friendship
the matters of possession and control are laid to rest. If it furthers
political ends to think otherwise, so be it."
"I
would ask, though, that you control Legolas more than you control me,"
Gimli said, skillfully ducking the elven elbow that flew his way. "In a
strange land among strange men, the elves are not to be trusted."
"And
the dwarves are?" Legolas shot back.
Sensing
the meeting was close to an end, Aragorn sighed. "You are certain, both
of you? For in this choice resides danger. It is a difficult land. There
are no trees and no caves. It is a sea of sand and the days are hot beyond
imagining."
"If
a man shall endure it, so shall a dwarf," Gimli declared. "But in light
of this, I think Legolas may want to reconsider."
"Nay,
I must travel to support the aging dwarf with the strength of the elves,"
Legolas answered, rolling out of his seat and neatly avoiding Gimli’s swinging
arm.
"This
meeting is adjourned, then," Aragorn announced, standing up and stepping
out of the way of Gimli’s lunge. "Eomer, you and your men can find provisions
in the storehouse if you have need of them. Gimli and Legolas, your usual
quarters are well stocked should you need to rest before we leave and I
will see that you are also supplied with sufficient provender. I hope to
depart late this afternoon and so arrive at Dol Amroth in the morning four
days from now. Tents and other traveling goods are already waiting for
us. Are there any preparations that need to be made in which Gondor could
aid you?"
"A
dwarf is always ready for travel," Gimli said proudly.
"But
no more so than an elf," Legolas said.
"My
riders will need to stock their saddlebags, but we will be ready to leave
at the appointed time," Eomer said.
Aragorn
nodded. "Good. We will gather at the gate ere the trumpets sound for the
evening watch. And my thanks again for your willingness to come. It is
appreciated."
"Where
Gondor goes, so goes Rohan," Eomer said with a bow to Aragorn and Arwen.
"Have no fear for him, my lady," he said to the queen when he rose. "The
swords of Gondor will be ready in his defense as well as the lances of
Rohan. And when we return, we shall bear the riches of the south."
*****
Gimli
narrowed his eyes, cocked his head, and tapped his foot. The object of
his scrutiny studied the dwarf in return, blinking large, dark eyes and
eventually snorting, unimpressed with what it saw. Legolas fought down
a laugh and ran his hand along the smooth arch of the stallion’s white
neck.
"We
could eat him if circumstances forced us," was Gimli’s final opinion on
the horse. Faensul laid his ears back, tossed his head, and stamped one
white hoof.
"E
gara um caul a u-broniaa aglaredh, Faensul," Legolas told his mount
with a laugh. The horse pricked his ears up, studied Gimli again with renewed
interest, and then turned his attention to Legolas, rubbing his head against
the elf’s tunic.
"What
did you tell him?" the dwarf demanded, having understood only some of the
words.
"Nothing
of great importance," the elf answered.
The
two stood before Minas Tirith’s towering gate, waiting for the signal to
mount and ride. As was his habit when journeying with the elf, Gimli would
be riding behind Legolas. But the new horse was beginning to give him second
thoughts.
"Perhaps
I should ask Eomer about that pony," the dwarf murmured, unaware that he
was speaking aloud.
Legolas
laughed and shook his head. "Faensul will not permit you to fall once I
command him to bear you. In many ways, you are safer upon his back than
you were upon Arod’s. Had I been forced off, Arod would have been beyond
your control. Faensul will listen to your commands."
"Will
he?" Gimli eyed the horse skeptically.
"If
you have the sense to stay in his good graces," Legolas qualified with
a mischievous smile that immediately put Gimli on his guard. The elf seemed
about to say more, but motion to the side caught his attention and he turned
as a large, gray horse rode up.
"Aragorn
sends word that we are ready to move out," Eomer told them, pulling his
horse Shade to a stop. "Do you have need of anything before we depart?"
"Does
the offer of a pony still stand?" Gimli asked with a sidelong glance at
Faensul.
The
king of Rohan smiled and shook his head. "You would slow us down, Master
Dwarf, and so I fear you must seek another mount. If you desire it, Shade
will bear us both."
"Come,
Gimli," Legolas laughed. "Let Faensul show you his paces for the first
part of the journey at least. And then if you still have doubts, you may
burden Eomer with your bulk."
"If
I am such a burden, Master Elf, perhaps you would see me stay in Minas
Tirith," Gimli retorted. "But then who would watch your back and warn you
of the obvious things your elven eyes miss should I remain here?"
"You
speak truly, my friend. I know of no one else who has your power to state
the obvious," Legolas smiled.
Before
Gimli could think of an appropriate retort to that, a horn sounded loud
from the gate, and Aragorn rode forth accompanied by twenty of his guard
on horseback. Eomer turned his horse and spurred Shade toward the waiting
Rohirrim who would be journeying with them. Legolas shot Gimli a questioning
look and the dwarf nodded reluctantly, moving to Faesul’s side.
"I
shall hold you responsible for every bruise I endure because of this horse,"
the dwarf warned as Legolas helped him mount.
"Am
I then allowed to hold you responsible for every affront I will endure
because of your presence?" Legolas asked, springing onto Faesul’s back
in front Gimli.
"My
presence is a blessing for which you should be grateful," Gimli responded.
Faensul tossed his head and snorted as if in response to the dwarf’s words.
"Others would do well to learn that lesson, too," Gimli said to the horse.
"Alas,
I fear it is a difficult lesson to learn," Legolas said, urging Faensul
toward Aragorn’s side.
Surveying
his guards and the Rohirrim who now waited to ride, Aragorn nodded as Legolas
and Gimli joined him at the head of the company. "All is in readiness,
I trust?" he asked the elf and dwarf.
"We
await your word, lord," Legolas answered.
"Then
let us be on our way," Aragorn said, feeling the eagerness of Arnor, his
mount, to be off. Glancing back at their company, the king raised his hand
and cried aloud. "Forward!"
As
one, they sprang forward, thundering across the Pelennor Fields, skillfully
drawing together to exit the gate in the great wall that encircled the
fertile lands, and passing swiftly southward as the sun began to set.
Faensul—White Wind
E gara um caul a u-broniaa aglaredh, Faensul—He has an affliction and cannot endure your glory, Faensul.