The Glorious and Majestic Citadel of Guard

[Envin]

The Citadel of Guard

Here within the topmost spire of the fair city of Gondor resides the audience chamber of the King and the Queen of the Stoningland. Within these walls sit in state noble Lord Envinyatar and beautiful Lady Arwen, upon high seats on a raised dais. The throne of the Lord is damasked in sable and in silver and laid atop are the signs of Elendil that no lord before him had borne for years beyond count: the seven bright stones and the high crown, and above all the White Tree of Gondor. The throne of the Lady is broidered with azure and silver, and upon it are seen the bright stars of Varda, and the bright horses of Gondor, of which she is the Captain.

This is the Hall of Lights, the hall of council and the hall of petition for Gondor. All they that would have aught to say to the realm's King and its Queen are to come hither and present themselves. Here may ye plead for alliance, and here may ye put forward requests to be heard. All they who are friendly or would be friendly to the Realm of Gondor are welcome beyond measure: let thy cause be known, and with haste shalt thou be answered.

[Anwyn]

It had been many days journey, but her travels had come to an end here upon the steps of the chamber containing the one person who could help keep her country free of enemies or just as easily deny her with a single word. Anwyn stood still as stone staring at the wooden doors, reluctant to enter them just yet. Visibly nearvous she took a long deep breath. It had been her decesion to personally seek an audience with Lord Envinyatar on behalf of her countrymen. It would seem rude and indifferent to simply send a messanger for such a task.

Raising her head she entered the hall and strode with a confiendce that she did not feel towards the throne. Once a respectful distance away she lowered her golden head to the Lord and Lady and curtseyed "My Lord Envinyatar and Lady Arwen." she raised her head to look upon them "I am Anwyn, Queen of Rohan. I come before you this day seeking an alliance between the great countries of Rohan and Gondor. I am aware of the history and quarrels that have occured in the past of our nations, but in these times a dark shadow casts itself over the enterity of Middle Earth, I know that united our two nations will stand strong and tall against this gathering threat. What say you of my proposistion?" she stood silently awaiting the answear that she sought.

[Envin]

Aragorn had received word of Anwyn's travels as she neared the White City, and his guards from the first knew her as the Lady of Rohan, and with all of the dark tidings that had of late been abroad, he knew all too well that like as not she sought alliance with his realm. But he was not blind and feeble, and would not blindly assume that what once was fair was still fair indeed. Again, however, he had always known the folk of Rohan to be true and upright, and these days heard little to alter his mind. He would await the Lady's entrance and ask of her his answers.

When Anwyn entered the Hall of Lights, the High King rose to welcome her, and bowed deeply.

"My fair Lady Anwyn, glad is my heart to welcome thee into my City this day. Thy bright countenance uplifts even the gladsome lanes of Minas Tirith. Please, do thou sit here upon this seat, and let us talk."

He motioned her to a comfortably lined seat, and paced about in his thoughts.

"I have indeed heard tales of gathering darkness in the recesses of the world, and forsooth I fear for the Free Peoples of this land. it would place my heart at ease to know that Gondor hath a staunch ally against the ills of Middle-earth, and I am ready to accept thy proposal, but first let me ask thee to thy face: I have heard naught to dissuade me from the thought that thou art a good and just ruler, but wouldst thou look me in my eyes and swear to me that thou have no purpose else but to serve and protect the peoples of Rohan and her allies? To honor the Free Peoples of Arda and to do them justice - by peace if thou canst, but by war if thou must? I have been led astray too many times for comfort by seemingly honorable allies. Answer me this, and I shall take thy hand in alliance."

And he sat down upon a seat near her and transfixed her with his eyes, awaiting her answer.

[Anwyn]

Anwyn feeling as though a great weight had been lifted from her smiled and took the seat that Aragorn had motioned too and lightly sat upon it folding her lands into her lap and listening quietly. When he was done speaking, she was quiet for a moment as though lost deep in though. Rising her gaze, ice blue eyes met grey "I promise thee lord Aragorn, King of Gondor. That I shall do all that is in my power to uphold the alliance between our two countries. I am a young ruler, and have much to learn. Yet I promise you that in times of peace I shall rejoice with you, and in times of war and darkness I shalll draw swords with you"

[Envin]

"I am and older ruler, and I still have much to learn, my lady," Aragorn replied. "But my heart soars this day to learn that our pact together is sealed. I offer my hand to thee in token of friendship, for now our realms are allied, and we are allied in comradeship, for as such shall I ever think of thee."

And he rose in his turn, and bowed to Anwyn, and met her piercing eyes with a smile, and offered to her his hand.

[Anwyn]

Anwyn smiled gently "Then let us both learn together, for most blessed are the tasks that are taken in fellowship" Standing she accepted his hand and grasped it tightly. Anwyn returned his smile easily, for now she truely had something to be overjoyed about "May this day be the first in very many where our countries live in peace and friendship"

[Orrë the Wise]

From the east flew a hoard of thousends bats from Moria, heading towards Minas Tirith. They scavenged the skies, but slowly began to decend....

The thousends of small batlings flooded through the city on all levels, from above like a black cloud. These bats caused havoc in the suprised city, driving all into their homes.

[Envin]

"Indeed so, m'lady," answered Aragorn. "A happy day is this for the kingdoms of Rohan and Gondor. We shall stand united against the threat of evil in this Middle-earth."

He paused, hearing the cries of woe from out the streets of Minas Tirith, and rushed out of doors to observe the flight of evil bats throughout his City. The archers upon the walls had already felled many, and thousands more archers now rushed to add their aid, and soon many thousands of arrows filled the sky.

{OOC: This thread is only for people wanting to talk with Aragorn - maybe next time make a separate thread, if that's cool. }

[Orrë the Wise]

(Oh, sorry about that. Ill just finish it here)

A thousend or so bat were felled total, yet even some unfortunate souls of Gondor were pierced from a stray arrow.

The remaining few thousend left the city, happy with their pillage and made way for Rohan

[Anwyn]

Anwyn moved behind Aragorn at the doors of the hall, her expression serious as she watched the foul black cloud depart the city "I beg your pardon M'lord, but I fear that it is time that I depart and make haste back to Rohan, for with such dark creatures on the wing tonight, I must attend to my people" she bowed low, long blonde hair falling over her features "Peace be with you, I shall return again. Sooner if I am summonded to your aide" Standing again she moved to collect her horse.

[Orrë the Wise]

It was recently after, however, that a note was dropped at the King's front step if the Citadel-

King Elessar of Gondor,

I, Cile Dindaedel of Moria request aid from thee in my time of need. Moria will be assailed by Mordor, Angmar, and perhaps Enedwaith as scouts of mine have reported. If Moria falls, then Morsereg Dindaedel, my father and ruler of Angmar, will be inn control of a strategic point in Middle-Earth. We must not let this happen, as you will agree. I am not like my father.... At least not anymore. Please reply soon.

Cile Dindaedel.

[Envin]

"I shall begrudge thy kingdom thy presence," Aragorn smiled as he helped her to the door and embraced her in farewell, "For though hast brightened mine with it. Fare thee well, Lady of Rohan!" he cried as she rode down the City's streets. He stretched himself, and contemplated a jaunt to the Seven Stars and Crown, but sighed, and was reminded of the slough of paperwork that still lay upon his desk. He turned and walked back to the door, and stopped suddenly when he saw a piece of parchment lying upon the steps. He snatched it up and read it, and with purposeful step returned to his desk, and caught up a piece of sable parchment of his own, embossed with his seal. Taking a pen with silver ink, he composed this missive:

Envinyatar Telcontar,
Elfstone Elessar
Heir of Isildur
High King of Gondor

to

Cile Dindaedel,
son of
Morsereg of that name,
Lord of Moria,


Greeting. In response to the message composed by thy hand, the which having only just passed my eyes, I must inquire of thee as to why thou'rt seeking my aid and that of my realm. I am no friend to Morsereg thy father, and Gondor has historically been no friend to Moria. Furthermore, I have it from reliable sources that the assault of bat-kind upon my City only recently seen originated from Moria, and this but little convinces me that thou hold no ill-will toward my realm. Therefore, until further clarification may be obtained, I shall abstain from taking part in this conflict. I have no ties to thy realm or any of they attacking thee, wherefore any aid to either side rendered by Gondor would be superfluous and not appreciated. My people shall thank me, my army shall thank me, and I shall thank myself for not aiding a realm which from all appearances is not friendly to mine own.

Envinyatar Telcontar,
Elfstone Elessar
Heir of Isildur
High King of Gondor

Reading over his handiwork, Aragorn swiftly took the parchment up to the swiftest of his messenger-eagles, who departed forthwith for Moria, the parchment clutched in his beak; Aragorn returned to the Hall of Lights.

[Orrë the Wise]

In repliance to his letter, Cile sent this-


Then you have just doomed Middle-Earth, King of Gondor. Very well.

[Envin]

Aragorn snorted when he read young Dindaedel's reply, and crumpled the paper, tossing it into the fireplace across the hall. It was plain enough to him that Moria was no ally of his, to attack him without cause, and to then turn and beg his aid when the knife was laid to the throat. He did not give the subject much thought else, but turned his attention to other pressing matters.

[Anwyn]

Anwyn once again found herself in a very familiar scenerio, It would seem that no sooner that she had arrived back in Edoras that she had turned back riding again for Gondor. With her came Arathorn of Arnor, who to her knowledge sought an alliance with the Kingdom of Gondor. Anwyn had also returned with reasons of her own as something very foul had been afoot in Rohan.