The Citadel of Guard

[Envin]

"Well, for that am I flattered, Saeros," answered Aragorn. "But at the moment there is naught that may be done save to wait and watch for any evil encroaching upon our lands. Mayhap thou shalt do this simplest by returning to Imladris and keeping a watchful eye upon thy northern borders. Send me warning if aught thou see."

[Saeros]

Saeros nodded. "I will take my leave than. My Lord, my Lady. I really enjoyed my stay in Minas Tirith. Call me whenever you need me." He bowed and turned to leave the citadel and depart for Imladris.

[Morsereg Dîndaedel]

(Afterwards...)

A warrior of Carn Dum, having his appearance changed by Morsereg to resemble a wild man from Enedwaith, burst into the room, looking for the king Elessar. "My Lord!" He ran up to him, fear shaking his eyes, "Enedwaith has been sieged, by none other then Morsereg Dindaedel of Angmar himself!"

[Envin]

Aragorn rose in heated wrath, his eyes burning at the utter lawlessness of Morsereg, to asault such a defenseless realm, his cowardice revealed in the absence of a Lord to defend.

"Then Gondor shall ride to her aid! Go thou for me, goodman, and ride to Isengard! Call upon Megloren, and tell her that if she values our alliance, she will come with all speed to Enedwaith!"

He sent the man away and turned to his wife.

"Vanimelda, too soon hath the evil of Morsereg, which we have long feared, come nigh unto our realm. Forgive me for leaving thee so, but I must be away. Our allies require the succour of Gondor, and I go to take it to them Kiss me then, dear one, and I shall be off."

[Morsereg Dîndaedel]

The warrior nodded, and sped from the halls, out from the levels to the city, and mounting his horse. Concealed, on the edges of Gondor's borders, he would wait and watch for the departure of Aragorn and his host, and through his eyes, his master would know to march towards Gondor.

[vanya]

Arwen embraced him and kissed him deeply. She looked into his eyes and said: "I will melamin. And I know you must go. But come back to me as swift as you may."

[Envin]

"Of course I shall return, vanimelda," Aragorn responded as their lips parted. "Time shall not have waned long ere my form thou see again. Farewell, sweet love! Namarie!"

So saying he strode from the Hall, loosening Anduril in his sheath, and he took his ways to the stable, for to ride Roheryn down to the Pelennor.

[Saeros]

.... later

A bird came with a message from Imladris to King Aragorn and settled down on his shoulder. Lord Saeros wrote:

"Lord Aragorn, as promised I send you the informations I got from my steward. It seems Lord Garland came with a force twice as much to Enedwaith and threatened the whimp called my steward. He said to him: "Lay down your sword and bow before me. Instruct your men to leave this place with haste, and they and you shall live another day. Your men may keep their weapons, though nothing will be taken from Enedwaith, including siege weapons. You will agree to this I am sure." And even the host of Rivendell on her way to Gondor was near at hand my former steward agreed and retreated to Rivendell. So we still don't know what was the reason for the assault. I never got even in contact to him, nor may I have offended him in any way. It still remains a miracle. My steward is on his way to Gondor to give proof of what I write. You may keep him in Gondor or send him back to me, he wount be longer in charge. But since he is a poor creature, punished and tortured once by Ilmare, he shouldn't be punished more.

Lord Saeros"

[Envin]

Aragorn and Arwen had come into the Citadel the day following the greivous duel with Morsereg, and read together the missive of Saeros. He looked at her with his eyes full of wonder.

"This is inexplicable, to my mind. Garland was deep in our counsels, and I know not why he would have turned against us. I trust Saeros, but it shall be good to hear a report from his steward's own mouth. But, as to Garland, perhaps I should write to him, what think thee?"

[vanya]

"We need Garlands word to that. It hopefully explains why he assaulted Enedwaith. But after all traitories lately, we should be carefull about his words. I remember Ilmares surprise when he said he is Garland. Do you remember when she came into the citadel, upset against Megloren and all of her allies? She was a snake, but I don't know, her surprise seemed to be real and she said the Garland she knows would be somebody else. Well and after all we know about Ilmare, she often was later with Garland in battle. Think about Mithlond. These all doesn't speak very comfortable for Lord Garland at all. To many things are hidden, to many things are not quite right. But we can't really put a finger on it."

[Envin]

"Aye, thou'rt correct, dearest," Aragorn mused thoughtfully. "There is much that does not sum to the whole in this business. And now I begin to think that if Garland would assail an allied realm, then his word alone will not satisfy. Ilmare was surprised indeed, and though she hid it swiftly, she could not disguise her face soon enough. There is much going on Moria, that much is plain. Garland's word will not assuage me - what if I was to go and investigate in Moria unannounced?"

[vanya]

Arwen looked concerned. "You don't think about it with a broken arm, do you? But you are right, somebody should have a look into the mines. Who knows whatelse is burried there as stone and metall."

[Envin]

Aragorn laughed. "Nay, I shall permit it to mend ere I go - the Healers said it will not be long ere it is well again. And when it is, then I shall go and find the truth of this matter."

[vanya]

Arwen kissed him. "Just be carefull, my dear."

[Envin]

"Of course I shall," he said as he kissed her in return. "And I shall wait until I am well again first. So, come, let us not speak of this more until the time draws nigh! Let us turn our thoughts to happier things."