Chapter Text
It was midsummer in Gondor, The Season for rain had long passed, yet large grey clouds covered the blue skies of the land in shadow. Minas Tirith, the great white city of the west shimmered under the great face of the misty mountains. From across the great plain of grass, to the cool waters of the Anduin, two figures splashed around in the waters. “Enough, we are due to studies in not 5 minutes!” A tall slender elven boy called, one of the last of his kind still roaming Middle earth. His long blonde hair was bound in a low ponytail and his bright cerulean eyes shimmered with frustration. This was Megildur Son of Haldir of Lorien. At his side stood Aranduriel the Eldest daughter of Aragorn King & Lady Arwen, her arms were crossed at her chest. “He is right, brother…Carandol out of the river now” She called sternly her sea foam blue eyes were furious, and her dark brown hair fell around her shoulders gracefully. Her face held the freckles tied to the race of men, yet she was as fair as the elves. Eldarion Looked up his grey blue eyes confused “last I checked” He stated “I was the eldest” He added with a smile before splashing Carandol with the cold river water. Carandol yelped as the water hit him in the face, his green eyes shimmered with amusement as he wiped his face away of water, and laughed. “Sadly they are right Eldarion….my father will have my head if I miss studies…” He said with a half hearted smile. There was a loud rumble from Mordor. Megildur and Aranduriel looked up was smoke arose from the mountain pass of Mordor. Megildur frowned is great disturbance “come” He called simply walking off to the City gates. Silently Aranduriel followed “wait, you can’t just leave us!” Carandol called running out from the river waters after his brother and friend. “Come on Eldarion!” He called out to the young prince, Eldarion sighed before following after the group.
Aelinaras stood at the head of a large group of children, ranging from ages 12 to 18 in front of the white tree. “Can anyone tell me the Elvish word for Blossom?” She asked with a gentle smile pointing to the flowers on the three. Many of the kid’s hands shot into the air. Aelinaras laughed at her classes enthusiasm and smiled “how about we say it together…ready” The she elf said opening her mouth to say the word as her class answered before her “Loth” they called Aelinaras nodded “very good” She praised. Turning her eyes upward she could see her son Carandol with his friends running into the courtyard, He and the Young Prince Eldarion were soaked from head to toe. Aelinaras frowned slightly “so kind of you to join us” she said with disapproval. Megildur shook his head “sorry…I couldn’t get them out of the river” He said softly glancing to the side. “That’s when you leave them to be on time on your own…but Loyalty is not to be frowned upon” Aelinaras said easing up on him. Aranduriel sat down next to her twin sister Eleniel “what happened?” Eleniel asked in a hushed tone “Aelinaras is not pleased, you’ve missed half of the lesson….that docks off 20 marks off of your ranking” She said lightly Aranduriel sighed “Brother and Carandol were pretending again…they lose themselves in stories of the last great battle, pretending to Be father and Lord Boromir” Aranduriel sighed, “If it wasn’t for Megildur, we wouldn’t be her at all” She added taking a quick glance ahead of the class at Megildur whom was focusing intently on the lesson. Eleniel giggled and rolled her eyes at her sister “Oh so Megildur saves the day yet again” She mocked.
“One, two, step, watch your footing!” Boromir called as he sparred with his son Haldir II whom had been named after the Late Lothlorien Archer. Haldir II had nearly dropped his sword under the might of his father’s swing. “I’m not strong enough for melee…maybe range” Haldir II called frustration in his russet eyes. Boromir laughed at his son. “My son, you are strong, you just need a bit more effort, you can do it” Boromir said readying his sword “now again” He called; Haldir II lifted his sword with a sigh but followed his father’s instructions. “One, two, nice!” Boromir called as Haldir II blocked all of his attacks “Four, Parry!” Boromir instructed, Haldir II did as told. Clapping came from behind them “very nice” Faramir called walking in with Elboron his son behind him; he was only a few years younger than Haldir II whom would be celebrating his 19th Birthday within a mere few months. Boromir stopped slightly out of breath “your age is catching up to you old man” Faramir said with amusement at his brother, Haldir smirked and looked up at him. “That may just be so!” Boromir laughed His brown almost auburn hair had now, silvery streaks in it, and his beard was littered with grey as well. He looked wiser as he had aged. “your boy Carandol, has gotten in trouble yet again, with his mother…late to studies for the sixth time this week” Faramir sighed. Elboron frowned “Carandol is irresponsible…he needs his studies, it respects his bloodline…a rather interesting bloodline at that…” He muttered. Elboron was a smart boy and good character and was almost the model son. Haldir II put away his sword “Brother isn’t ready to be his age that is all….” He sighed. “You came here for?” Boromir asked Faramir as his brother seemed to be in deep thought. “That’s right, Aragorn King has called Counsel” Faramir said in a uneasy tone. Boromir stood up straight “what’s happened?” He asked Faramir looked down at their sons and shook his head “not here, follow me” He said leading Boromir to the Kings Hall.
In the Kings Hall everyone had been gathered, Eowyn and Aelinaras stood side by side, with very grave looks on their face, Arwen and Aragorn sat upon the throne, As Faramir and Boromir entered, the Shield Maiden & She elf smiled at their husbands, yet heir smiles were faded. “There is unrest in Mordor” Aragorn said slowly. “Of what kind…I cannot say” He added. “Aelinaras has had vision of fire, the Cities of Rohan burning, the Shire in ruin…and” Aragorn said stopping he looked bothered, almost frightened. The room fell silent “The great eye” Aelinaras said seeing the king could not finish “We defeated Sauron long ago, this cannot be” Boromir spoke up. “Oh it Be, for I have seen it too” Arwen said gently resting her hand over Aragorn’s trying to comfort him. “then let what is to come, come, let us send an army into Mordor, if there is anything there we shall stop it before it grows” Faramir called out. “It is too risky, for we don’t know what lies out there…those lands have been untouched sense the great battle…no man among us would dare step foot there” Aragon said. “Then send me…I fear not Mordor…I fear not the cracks of doom” Aelinaras stated simply. “No you are not to go, not alone” Boromir cut it. “Well it must be done? Whom then shall do such a task?” Aelinaras added slightly perturbed. “Why not send Ionwe, Irolas’ Boy” Arwen asked “He has been knighted for some time…he is able send him with Handion the Gate man…they are brave enough and have scouted out Mordor before” She added. Aragorn pondered the thought for a moment before nodded “so it should be done” He said.
In the Market, Megildur stood with Ionwe, He was a tall man of 28 years, He had long wavy hair that had already started to grey at an early age, he had a soft well defined face that held much youth. Built with broad shoulders and that stature of a Gondorian warrior, his brown eyes were sharp and noble. He towered over the still going Megildur, whom resembled a masculine white flower. He was slender and lanky having not grown into his full height. The two boys where browsing the smithy for new weapons. “How long before you are knighted my friend” Ionwe asked The young elf boy “Not long…But I’m a better archer…so that is where I should be placed..I am well ahead of my class” He said in his usual monotone away. Ionwe nodded looking to the horizon he could see Haldir II running down the stone streets. “Ionwe! Master Ionwe!” He called as he stopped in front of the two out of breath “brother?” Megildur asked raising a brow. “Aragorn King wishes you to go with Lord Handion, to scout out the lands of Mordor” Haldir II said catching his breath. “is that so…Then I take my leave” Ionwe said quickly brushing past Haldir II. Megildur looked down at his brother “we’ve not sent a Man into Mordor in years…why now” He thought, casting his eyes for the Peeks circling Mordor.