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Boromir’s nurse used to say that when the gods were making his sister, they forgot to breathe life into her.
He didn’t really understand what she meant until he grew older and more aware of the world. He realized his old nurse was not entirely wrong.
Kazimir was only one year older than him, but already perfected skills he struggled at and possessed the same cunning as their father.
Yet she never laughed, smiled, or so much as shifted out of place. She despised their soft-hearted brother, Faramir, and only just tolerated Boromir when he approached her for advice on their shared lessons.
The only “flaw” about Kazimir is her first instinct to write her letters reversed when using her left hand. Only when held before a mirror, could her words make sense. She kept her journals and personal letters in this strange script. In serious matters, she used her right hand and wrote properly.
Boromir thought it was the only sign his sister was human, and their tutor reported her peculiar note-taking to their father. When Denethor questioned Kazimir about the matter, she said she would only use her right hand in her lessons from now on if their tutor thought it such an important matter as to speak with the Steward on it.
Denethor fired the tutor and Kazimir kept using her strange calligraphy.
-
“My dear daughter, you requested a game, but neglected to tell me the stakes.” Denethor prevaricated, as he set the chess piece up.
Kazimir gracefully sat down across from her father, “You plan to send Boromir to answer the summons of Lord Elrond. If I win, you will send me instead of him.”
Denethor did not bother to ask how his clever daughter knew such privy information, a wry smile flashed across his severe face. “And why should I agree to such terms? Boromir is my loyal son and heir.”
“He would make noble decisions or succumb to the pressure of the majority,” Kazimir disdained, “While I would make the necessary ones to our advantage until all yield.”
Denethor mulled the choice over in his head. “Very well, should you win, I will send you to Rivendell as my representative. However, if I win, then you will choose a husband from a list I will provide you with.”
“I accept.” Was all Kazimir said.
It was a close and intense match as always, yet Denethor had to concede the game.
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“You, Wizard, are a helper of man. Not a king nor an advisor to one. Do not sit there and attempt to lead the courses of events. That is not your place. You may caution against my decision to gather an army, but that is all. You knew of the ring’s location for years, yet never informed anyone, nor planned for its destruction while it remained, as you say, safely hidden. You have wasted precious time.”
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“And you Lord Elrond, this matter of destroying the ring could have been avoided entirely had you simply kicked your brother into the pits of Doom. Your decision to spare him has allowed for our enemy to bid his time amassing his armies, while conveniently your people have left the world of man for your immortal one instead of working with others sooner to better destroy the ring and its master.
You also seek to supplant your own ruler in the realm of Man. How do you propose you will do this? Simply proclaim this man’s alleged heritage? As if that will be enough. Would you then give him an army of your remaining elves? That should go over very well with all kingdoms on Middle-Earth. All a man needs to do to become king is usurp a throne with a foreign army of elves.”
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“Correct me if I am mistaken, but are you not the only prince and only heir of Mirkwood? Why on Middle-Earth would you wish to travel with four inexperienced halflings, a dwarf, a wizard known mostly for his fireworks, and a normal man with more longevity than is usual? Are you not trained in the ways of court just as I am? You must know that your words and actions are a reflection of your king, yet you pledge yourself to a tentative fellowship without speaking to your Lord Father? It would have been better for you to have said nothing, now you are committed without arguing the terms or conditions. You could have even tried to rally your kingdom’s army.”
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“You are the representative of your people as well Master Dwarf, though perhaps with the recent history of the arkenstone, it is for the best that few dwarves are committed or pledged. Especially since news of your people’s continued efforts to rebuild your homes in the mountains and mines.”
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“Right now, you are nothing more than a fable, one that I, the daughter of Gondor’s most prosperous Steward, will proclaim a falsehood. None shall believe you and those that do will not be enough to grant you that crown you seek. However, I will proclaim you king, give you command over our armies, and even light the beacon myself to rally more men for this cause, if you marry me.”
Aragorn outcried at this. “I cannot. My heart loves another.”
“Love? Marriage between rulers has little to do with love. I do not even like you, but your alleged heritage will grant my family its rightful titles. A union between the Stewardship of Gondor and its prophesied king is the most beneficial for all of us. I care little whether the halflings succeed or fail, but I will pledge the armies of Gondor and Rohan to fight against the dark forces of Sauron, something that may give them a better chance. While your Fellowship attempts to journey into Mordor, I shall return to Gondor and rally our forces. I estimate seven thousands Gondorians and four thousand Rohan riders. More if Prince Legolas intercedes for us with his King father and the same if the master dwarf speaks with his king. I shall have my father draft letters to both kings as well, which I expect shall lend much credence to their pleas. The Last Alliance come again.” Kazimir sat back against her chair, “Only if my family is given its due from the promised king.”
“What’s to stop us from requesting aid from the elves and dwarrows without your father’s assistance?” Aragorn countered.
For the first time since arriving at Rivendell, Kazimir smiled, a stunning sight with her elegant features, but it was like she had won already, “Prince Legolas, correct me if I am mistaken, but your father, King Thranduil, does not have an amicable relationship with Lord Elrond, and I suspect when he learns our host planned to send his only son and heir on a quest to Mordor rather than the famed Lord Glorfindel because his son is less accomplished when compared, he will not be further persuaded to relent to Lord Elrond’s requests. An insult has been made against him and his house whether it was intended or not. Yet, I have in my keeping three uncut gems of adamant” Gimli gasped while the rest of the group looked stunned, “that I am willing to part with in exchange for King Thranduil’s aid. Tell me, Prince, would that be enough to sway your father?”
Kazimir did not pause long enough for an answer before turning to the dwarf,
“Master Gimli, the Battle of the Five armies must rest heavily on the dwarrow’s minds. Your kingdom is still recovering and rebuilding. I expect your king will not eagerly lend his forces to this cause at the behest of an elf and the word of an unknown man. Meanwhile, my Lord father has always worked with dwarves, keeping to trade agreements and honored contracts even when your kindred were exiled from their ancestral lands by that accursed beast. He also granted shelter, guest rites, and resources to all who dwelled within our city. I will ask that my Lord Father include in his letter a promise of a break from tariffs for 7 years to further aid your nations recovery. A letter stating my father will commit his forces to this fellowship, and requesting your king do the same or send quality weapons will more than likely get the desired results than whatever plan you can contrive alone.”
Aragorn now knew why Kazimir smiled. She had won the moment the question was posed. Neither Legolas nor Gimli could refuse or ignore such offers that could greatly benefit their people. Both look towards Aragorn now.
“Wicked woman,” Aragorn muttered, “Fine. I shall only marry you when you have done all that you have promised.”
Kazimir accepted her victory with grace, her face back to its doll-like lifelessness, “Very well. A betrothal for the moment. I shall draft the agreement tonight. Prince Legolas, Master Gimli, I should like for both of you to sign as witnesses too, since I have made promises for your nations as well. I will leave once both copies have been signed and sealed. Should you lot continue with your planned quest of a fellowship while I gather our forces, my youngest brother, Lord Faramir, is currently on a campaign to protect our borders in Northern Ithilien at a place called Henneth Annûn. I shall also write letters of introduction so that you may restock your supplies or rest safely before entering Mordor.”
After that Kazimir left. Leaving the men to mutter and sulk amongst themselves.
-
Kazimir scoffed at Lord Elrond’s introduction of Aragorn. A prophesied savior was a lie to control the masses.
“And? I see only a haggard looking man that smells like the horse he rode here on. With what army do you propose he shall vanquish the coming darkness? When I last stayed here, there were four patrols every quarter of an hour, now there is that same patrol every half hour. I can only conclude your people are sailing for their Undying Lands. All he has is a broken sword and a lost ring.”
“He is Aragorn, son of Aragoth!”
“Who else but you knows this to be true? He walked amongst Man under various names. Strider. Thorongil. No one knows him as Aragorn.”
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“My dear daughter, I had sent you to Rivendell to only answer Lord Elrond’s summons for a council, and you return to tell me you have secured a betrothal between yourself and the king of Gondor. Tell me, do you seek to supplant your brother, my heir?”
“No, Lord Father, I thought only of claiming the title and respect our family is owed. We are Stewards of Gondor only in name and tradition, now we may finally be recognized as the true ruling family of this kingdom. Faithfully and dutifully, you and our forefathers have governed Gondor in the absence of its wayward king. I sought only that which we are owed.”
“By seizing power from your brother?”
“No, Lord Father, Gondor will still need Stewards as Aragorn will have to travel throughout our prosperous lands to reaffirm his claim and reassert his identity amongst the courtiers. Yourself or Boromir will continue stewarding Gondor while we travel abroad for some years.”
“What then have you promised to secure this marriage?”
Kazimir smiled where she knelt, “A seven year tax break for the dwarves.”
“You promised them something you had already convinced me of doing?” Denethor sits up from where he leaned against his fist.
“They did not know that.”
“Hmm. What else?”
“The three uncut gems of adamant I won from you when I was a child to the elves.”
Denethor straightened where he sat on the throne now, “I had thought you sent those away already to commission some bauble. Stop kneeling already and stand.”
“No, Lord Father,” She stood up, “I had kept them safe all this time until an ideal opportunity arose.”
“And you believe this marriage and alliance is it?”
“Yes. I feel that we are on the precipice of something. Now is not the time to continue to hoard resources, but use and exploit them.”
“Continue, what else does this contract entail?”
“We must pledge our army to fight against the forces of Sauron, rally Rohan to our cause, and you must write letters to both King Thranduil and King Dain Ironfoot, asking for them to also send their armies and resources. Dwarfish weapons and mail would not go amiss since their armies are depleted given recent history, but not their craftsmanship. Your letters will detail what I have promised to their nations.”
“Rohan? Their fool of a king has grown more disrespectful in his old age. You know as well as I that he stopped paying obeisance three years ago. Our spies report a rapid decline in health because of his age.”
“I have spoken to the wizard and Lord Elrond about King Theoden. Both men confirmed that it sounds like the work of sorcery, likely Saruman the White. Orcs with white war paint have been reported in our lands, perhaps showing their affiliation to this wizard.”
Denethor scoffed at the mentioning of wizards. Kazimir knew her father would disdain any talk of their kind, which is what she hoped for.
“Send me to their court, if I ascertain King Theoden’s infirmity as a product of his age, I will do what is necessary. If it is magical in nature, I shall send letters to Lord Elrond and Lady Galadriel, and further investigate the cause. You need only light the beacons should Aragorn arrive in Minas Tirith or after I send word of Aragorn’s arrival in Edoras. I’ll make sure their soldiers will be ready to meet ours in the coming months.”
“And if those horse-lovers ask for something in return? Last I heard Prince Theodred is unmarried.”
“May I propose a betrothal between Faramir and the lady Eowyn?“
“You are asking this time? Why not Boromir?”
“She is only the niece of the king. A second line to a second line.”
“Theoden would never accept it. What would be your counter proposal?”
“Theoden’s grandchildren would be related to the Queen and Steward of Gondor, are you certain he would refuse this?”
“You are not married yet. What else would you offer?”
“A renewed oath of Cirion and Eorl. One given by you, another by Aragorn after he is coronated. Rohan will still retain its independence and alliance with Gondor.”
“A lofty promise, indeed.” Denethor then did something he rarely ever does: he smiled. “My dear daughter, you have exceeded my expectations. You will be Queen of Gondor, my eldest son, Steward after me, and all it has cost me is the time it will take to write letters. Well done. Well done, indeed. Go rest, afterwards, prepare for your gems to be sent away. I’ll finish your letters to Theoden King first, and while you are away, I will send the letters to the elven and dwarven kings.”
“Thank you…attô.” Kazimir returned, it was as close to returning her father’s sincerity.
With his nod, Kazimir leaves.
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Boromir stood in the stables, dressed in travel clothes.
Kazimir continued past him to her horse.
“I am coming with you.” He stated.
“Then I shall promise your hand to Lady Eowyn instead of Faramir’s.”
“Wretched woman. Orcs are known to prowl those lands. I want to keep you safe.”
“Lord Father has given me permission to promise a betrothal between Faramir and Lady Eowyn. He cares little for Faramir, so it was an easy thing to convince him of. How do you propose to reject King Theoden’s demand for you to marry his niece as you would be there, with no betrothals to speak of, and the next Steward of Gondor? Lord Father would be furious to have a Rohan woman as his favorite son and heir’s wife. He would sooner name Faramir his heir than see you wed to a Rohan. It would be easier for me to lie that you are already promised to another without you there.”
“I shall never understand you, nor your animosity towards our brother. Either way, let me escort you to our borders.”
“I care little what you do within our borders, so long as you follow me no further.”
Boromir sighed, it was as close to: ‘I would love for you to come with me as far as you can, Brother,’ as Kazimir got.
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“Why Faramir?” Boromir asked part way through their journey.
“Why Faramir what?”
“Why do you plan to betrothal Faramir to Theoden’s niece?”
Kazimir was silent for a moment before replying, “Reports and rumors say that Lady Eowyn is headstrong with foolish notions of valor. Faramir’s agreeable nature would complement her willful one.”
Boromir saw through her guarded words, and with his surprise apparent on his face, he stated, “You are being considerate towards Faramir. You have thought about him and his feelings enough to believe this union will give him a modicum of happiness. That’s why you did not ask father to marry me to her!”
After all, a political marriage was expected for all of Denethor’s children. Love and happiness were something they could only hope for with time in their marriages.
“Stop speaking nonsense. I already told you that Lord Father would never marry you to a Rohan.” She guided her horse further ahead.
Boromir smiled after her.
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Aragorn was wandering the castle when he accidentally encountered Kazimir setting up a chess board.
“Lord Father,” Kazimir murmured, still focused on the chessboard before her. “Tonight’s stakes must be different, as I am at last betrothed—of my own accord. Perhaps the name for your grandchild is worth wagering. Though, if you should entertain the thought, I would suggest consulting my brothers. They may have already claimed the honor for their sons, and one must be careful when too many bear the same name. It would be quite the sight—Denethor three, four, and five crossing blades in the courtyard.” She lightly joked.
Only when she turned did the game piece slip from her grasp, startled not by her father, but by the unexpected presence of Aragorn.
Aragorn was equally at a loss of words. Whether the shock came from hearing his aloof betrothal make a joke or that she was gambling away the right to name his future child as well, he did not know.
“Aragorn.” She said, having recovered from her own surprise much faster than he, “Is something the matter?” Her guard raised once more as she remained standing, not once looking away to pick up the elegant piece she had dropped.
“No,” he murmured, “I was just looking for a place to smoke. Forgive me for disturbing you.”
Kazimir’s shoulders relaxed just a little, an action Aragorn noticed but doubted she did, “That is quite alright. If you are still in search of a quiet place, perhaps you might try the terrace. Take the stairs at the end of the hall one floor up, and out the glass doors on the left.” With that said, she gracefully picked up the piece, and returned it to the board on the table.
Aragorn took the dismissal for what it was and left without another word.
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Boromir found Aragorn smoking his pipe on the balcony overlooking the palace gardens. It was a spot he also frequented for a quiet moment to think.
“Am I disturbing you?” He asked the man. His future king.
“No, no, please join me. My thoughts are not the company I wish for.”
“I, too, come here to think. Please forgive my father’s behavior at dinner this evening. He was not always so callous or disagreeable. I think Kazimir is the only person who has the patience to withstand him after our mother’s passing. Right now, if you were looking for either of them, I bet you would find them in father’s study playing a game of chess. They often gamble over these games too. It is why she went to Lord Elrond’s council instead of me.”
“I wished it had been you.” Aragorn muttered.
Boromir sighed, understanding the man’s frustration towards his sister, “I am sorry if she has offended you.”
“Forgive me, I should not speak ill of your sister with you.”
“I understand that she appears as heartless or callous as our father, but she truly loves our family and Gondor. Even if she does not openly show it as we do.”
Aragorn fully turned towards Boromir now, listening with interest.
“She is known throughout Gondor for her public services. Using her own treasury, she funded the reconstructions for Gondor’s ports and harbor. The fishmongers and merchantmen are said to include her name in their prayers for smooth and prosperous sailing. She makes monthly visits to local orphanages within Minas Tirith while sending alms every year to all the orphanages within a three day horse ride in every direction. I overheard her speaking with her attendants and the treasurer about contacting the further cities’ lords to do the same and estimating how much it would cost them, and a setting up a tax break that would equal the amount.”
“She has done this?”
“And more,” Boromir adopted a proud grin, “She does not suffer fools, as I am sure you are aware, and has ousted lords for various things: immorality, theft, stupidity—though that one she worded differently.”
“What did she say?” Aragorn asked, amusement at the idea of Kazimir’s elegant composure removing a fuming courtier from his position lighting up his eyes.
Boromir laughed, “That his wits were as dull as lead and twice as heavy upon the realm, and that he must be cast from his courtly post with all due haste, lest his incompetence sink the realm further.”
Aragorn laughs loudly, throwing his head back. Boromir joining him. When they had calmed down, the Gondorian continued,
“Right now, she has hired what seems like an army of scribes to create copies of our palace’s medical texts. Each city-state shall receive two copies, one for their healing house, and another for their libraries. She hopes that those city states will make more copies or send revisions in new volume. Truly, she should be heir. I am raised to be a leader, a commander of soldiers, but Kazimir? She is ambitious. Her ideas will shape the world of Man for years to come.”
Aragorn was silent as he processed Boromir’s words. It certainly changed something about the way Aragorn viewed his betrothed. He wouldn’t call Kazimir kind, but he no longer saw her as cold either. “And Lord Denethor simply allows his daughter to do all these wondrous things, even at his own expense?”
Boromir sobers up a bit, his previous mirth gone, “I know my father is not as he once was, but he is not a horrible leader or as unsympathetic as he seems. Were he king, I have little doubt the scribes would call this the beginning of Gondor’s next Golden Age. Yet, you are right to assume that some of Kazimir’s costly endeavors require more than just asking. For some, Kazimir must present a detailed plan, including an estimated timeframe and cost analysis. It is something she has learned to do since she was five-and-ten summers, although do not ask me to further explain, for I do not understand much more than that. Other times, she won one of their chess matches, and asked for her prize to be father’s willingness to fund one of her projects or something similar. I’m not privy to all the details, but I am included in learning the scope of Kazimir’s plans should she win her games afterwards.”
“You’ve mentioned these chess games before. Your Lord Father and Kazimir gamble to decide such matters? Has she ever lost?” What happens when she loses? Is the question Aragorn really was asking.
“Yes. While the rewards are great, so are the risks on her part,” Boromir sighed heavily, gazing out at the garden, “What I say to you now, I say in confidence and because you are to marry her.”
Aragorn nodded.
“Father sent my sister to a city-state near Dol Amroth. They were not responding to our letters and refused entry to our messengers. I was the one supposed to go and investigate. It would have been a grueling journey to make, especially in the summer heat. Kazimir lost their little game and was sent in my stead. Something, at the time, I happily handed over to her.”
Boromir slammed a fist down against the banister, “Fie! I should have gone instead. All the signs were there. The lord had stopped responding and paying tithes, and we sent my one-and-twenty summers sister there with only five guards. It should have been me with a squadron.”
Aragorn could sense where this was going and prompted his tentative friend, “What happened?”
“The lord welcomed her into his court, all sincere and apologetic, making promises to rectify his mistakes. That everything was a misunderstanding or miscommunication. Kazimir later told us that she felt something was wrong, but with no evidence and under the protection of guest rites, she could not openly challenge the lord. He held a feast, a show of hospitality. Kazimir’s guards were sent away, but she had the prudence to ask one to wait for her in her quarters. That action saved her life.
“The lord poisoned her drink, when she felt the effects, she tried to run, but couldn’t get far in that state. That coward bound her to a tree—a reference to our mother’s namesake, and left her to slowly die. The guard stationed in her room heard the commotion and realized something terrible was happening, snuck away to gather the other men—whom we would later learn were trapped in their barracks. They fought to free my sister, one managed to help her onto a horse and together they escaped. They rode for Dol Amroth, where Kazimir would spend the next month recovering from whatever poisoned was used. When news of the events—the poison and disrespect show towards Father and his late wife—he gave one word of warning to the common folk: Leave. Before sending a thousand soldiers to raze the city to the ground. As an apology, he gifted Kazimir three gems of adamant, uncut and unused on the king’s crown, from the royal treasury.”
Aragorn gasped, “The gems she promised Legolas’ father.”
“Aye, so I’m told. What happened that week still haunts her, even if she never speaks about it or shows it. I only know because she refuses to drink anything other than water most days, going as far as to send away elfish wine, and won’t drink anything unless it has been poured in front of her. She won’t touch it otherwise. To those who do not know her or what happened, it must seem unspeakably rude or insulting to demand a new pitcher be brought forth or to refuse to touch her drink,”
Aragorn winced, as he remembered thinking much the same during her visit to Rivendell. An action Boromir noticed but politely said nothing in response,
“Neither she, nor my father, have ever forgotten what happened. Father no longer sets as his gamble stakes that send Kazimir more than a three day journey nor without ten guards at least. Her trip to Rivendell had fifteen, though not wanting to appear mistrusting of Lord Elrond and his hospitality, she ordered for twelve of them to remain in an inn nearby in a city of Man.
“I don’t know the details about how Kazimir secured your betrothal, but I can imagine it was as ruthless and efficient as she plays chess. Yet, I hope you won’t let that first impression prevent you from seeing beyond her… cold disposition. She just expresses her emotions differently than us.”
Boromir left Aragorn after that, once more leaving that man with his thoughts.
Aragorn spent the night trying to reconcile the new information he learnt about Kazimir with their shared time at Rivendell. He smoked his pipe, finally feeling his years.
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