The Citadel of Guard

[Saeros]

"I am honoured about the invitation for dinner, but I fear I wount stay many days in Minas Tirith, my Lady. But a bed for the night and a stable for my steed would be heartly apreciated," he said with a warm tone in his voice and smiled glad at her.

[Envin]

Aragorn darted a glance back at Saeros, an eyebrow raised.

"Supper we shall have in a moment. For now, however, this is the work of Dindaedel - curse him! Methought our talk in the Pub would have turned him about, but it seems to have worsened him! Ithilien!"

"M'lord," continued the Guard, "She whispered that a great monster was come, a winged scaly beast that spouted flame. She said a dragon was come, with...with Morsereg riding atop him. What can this mean, good my liege?"

Aragorn's face paled, but his mouth was stauch.

"It means that darkness breeds ever stronger in this Middle-earth, and soon we must face it or be destroyed."

[Saeros]

Saeros catched words like monster and turned interested towards Aragorn. "May I help?"

[Envin]

"Nay, I think there is little that may be done now," Aragorn answered ruefully. "Dindaedel will have been gone many hours by now. Now I must consider. I must lose myself in thought. Forgive me, but I must be alone with my thoughts. Arwen and I shall come down to supper shortly."

[Saeros]

Saeros bowed. "I take my mount into the stables. I see you soon than. " he said and left the hall.

[Envin]

"My dearest," sighed Aragorn as he turned back to Arwen, "I fear that e'en our fair city may be in danger. If Morsereg stoppeth not to attack Ithilien, what would stand in the way of an attack upon Minas Tirith?"

[vanya]

Arwen looked thoughtfully. "Morsereg has a dragon? But isn't that impossible? The last dragon who lived was Smaugh and he fell in Esgaroth." She shoke her head. "But anyway, he fell once and he will fall again. I am certain you will find a way to fight the wurm and its rider and I do not fear them, neither Morsereg nor his dark creature."

[Envin]

"Aye, neither do I fear him. But this raging tempest of evil shall not halt ere long, but continue until it is checked, and until that time I fear for our people. Gondor is a beacon of hope for Middle-earth, and I do not doubt that we shall not have long to wait ere he turn his eye to Minas Tirith."

[vanya]

She nodded. "There is no doubt about that." she said and laid her hand upon his arm. "Morsereg certainly will come to the White City. But we must stand him with all we have."

[Envin]

"Gondor shall not allow him to destroy her people. If it becomes neccessary, I shall offer myself to him in combat, though I fear that I alone shall not slake his lust. But, for now, let us speak no more of this, and adjourn to our meal with Saeros. After, we shall take repose in sleep, and wake refreshed for the morrow."

[vanya]

Arwen agreed and took Aragorns arm for leaving the council hall. Saeros had already brought his steed to the stables and returned and waited under the white tree to be guided by a servant to the dining hall.

[Envin]

The following morning, Aragorn and Arwen entered the Citadel of Guard again, refreshed from their nightly rest, and took up their seats in the Hall of Lights. Aragorn met with many people bearing messages or with needs from Minas Tirith, and spent the morning easing the burthens of his subjects.

[Saeros]

Saeros arrived into the council hall again after a good night sleep as well and greeted King and Queen with a bow.

[Envin]

Aragorn rose and returned Saeros' bow, and offered him a seat nearby his throne.

"Saeros, to what do we ows this honour - I thought thou had departed our City. What wouldst thou here? Is there aught that I amy do to aid thee?"

[Saeros]

"I actually came to ask you the same, my Lord." He said. "I heared yesterday about problems in this halls and I like to offer you my aid."