The Edge of Dawn

[Aragorn's Latest Lay]

The Edge of Dawn.

It is the year IV 121._ The fourth age of Middle Earth._ King Aragorn II Ellesar, late ruler of the Reunited Kingdoms of Gondor and Arnor, has passed to the halls of his forefathers._ Arwen Undomiel mother of the new King, Eldarion I is fading and has chosen to live out her final days in Lorien. It is said that the last of the Fellowship have departed Middle Earth for the Undying Lands of Valinor for none have laid eyes on Legolas Greenleaf or Gimli Elf-friend for many months._ Eldarion has not yet accepted the crown and fears the future._ His people cry out for leadership but he knows not where to take them._ If the world of men is to move forward they must lay their past to rest.

Chapter 1 - The Reluctant King

Cold air stole through the windows of the tower of Minas Tirith beneath Mount Mindolluin in Anorien._ The city far below was awash with its people. Banners were raised and great barges were moored to the western shores of the Anduin._ The jetties, new- built for some grand occasion, strained and groaned under the weight of the cargo and passengers from the barges and hordes of revellers wound around the great walls of the city to Pelennor Fields._ Eldarion surveyed them with dismay._ The celebrations were for his coronation._ The jubilation, however, was theirs._ Not his.

"No," he whispered to himself._ "Not mine."

"Your majesty?"

"Do not burden my brow with its crown too soon, Denethor._ I shall not wear it."

"Your father spoke aliken to this when the elves offered him Isildur's sword._ Their answer was much as mine is to you now._ There is no other who can._ The future of the race of men is founded on its unification._ A unification paid for with the blood of many races and sustained by the freedom of its people and the virtue of its rulers. Would you leave them without a king?”

“I would leave the Royal Household without its fool.”

“The son of Aragorn Ellesar is no fool. But he is still young and bears the weight of many upon shoulders as yet unable to bear his own. Your strength will come in time. Your father was, by your years, an old man when he was blessed with an heir. The gathering of the peoples of Middle earth and the rebirth of the Reunited Kingdoms distracted your father for more years than you have yet known. He had not the time to prepare you for your future. Even the long life granted to Isildur’s lineage could not give him that. That much was left to the King’s Council and to your mother, Queen Arwen. You should not be troubled for we remain here to counsel you still.”

“My mother fades with every day that passes. I fear that her counsel may soon be lost to me. I shall be glad of that day. For then she will not see me fail, she will not again witness the lands that my father united, fall assunder!” There was silence. Denethor could not console his ward for, in his mind, he feared that Eldarion spoke truth.

“Lord, the Council awaits your decision.” Eldarion did not answer.

“Lord?” Nothing. Eldarion simply raised his hand to silence Denethor and walked back to the window to look out over the city.


__________________________________________________ ____


“But we must have his instruction! We are powerless to act without his consent!” The Great Hall erupted in a swathe of cries of anger.

“We need our King! Without him the Kingdoms will not, can not stand united.”

“My Lords,” Denethor raised his hand and walked slowly to the centre of the hall. Around him were gathered every member of the Council, representatives from each of the lands and wards of the Reunited Kingdoms, from the reclaimed realms of Arnor in the North to the borders of the Sutherland to the south. “Ithelien, more than most, recalls the days of division and warfare before the fall of Sauron and the return of the line of Kings. Lord Faramir, my father and first of the Princes of Ithilien, sufferred greatly at the hands of the Dark Lord and of those men who were enslaved by him. As Prince of Ithelien, I shall swear to you here that no such fate shall await us ere the End of Days. The line of Kings will not be broken so readily for, though King Aragorn was blinded to the truth that his son was not ready for kingship, though we may await his coming a little longer, I, just as all of you, must see it done. Forget not that the Lord Aragorn, when my father, then rightful Steward of Gondor, offered him Gondor’s crown, Aragorn refused it for he had not yet perceived the sign that Gondor would arise. He feared the future for he knew not the greatness of the past. He awaited the rebirth of the White Tree on the slopes of Mount Mindolluin and his mind was laid at rest. So must it be for his son. The Heir awaits his White Tree, a sign of the past and the oracle of hope. We shall be his guide and counsel in this and the throne of Gondor shall not gather dust. I beg you, grant him this and we shall see it done.”

[Nala Greenleaf]

An exellent piece of work in my opinion though it is quite strong for a young mind of my own

Aragorn tomorrow is soon and an answer know may be too late but do not be alarmed i wish to ask you to join me tomorrow at five o clock outside the Gamesworkshop near woolworths on clayton road look out for a girl with black hair a black jacket wearing O Neil gear with an O Neil string backpack on

[Bess the Bard]

Really an interesting beginning. I'd like to see what you do with it. Keep it up.

[Aragorn's Latest Lay]

Thanks Bess.

I have a few ideas buzzing round in my head about where I'm going to take this. I'll just have to get it all down and then sort it all out before posting it. Hope to have the next bit up soon.

A.L.L.

[Lalaith]

Captivating beginning - the characters are very realistic and the scene has been well set for what may come.
Look forward to more, as soon as you've thought it out!
Great job!
:thumbs:

[Aaliyah Baggins]

It was great, buT what do thy mean when the last of the Fellowship went over the sea??

[Aragorn's Latest Lay]

Well, the fellowship were as follows (sure you know this already but what the hey!)(oh and I am open to correction on any of what follows if anyone else knows differently. I won't change the story as I have my accepted understandin and had to choose a version of the history to use as my base, but it would be interesting to know I think.


Boromir - fell at Amon Hen.

Aragorn - passed away in the 120th year of the fourth age (a little under a year before this story is set.

Sam Gamgee (later Gardner) - after the death of Rose, his wife, it is said that he left the Shire to follow Frodo into the West.

Merry and Pippin - died at ripe old ages in Middle Earth.

Frodo - passed into the West in the last year of the Third age (or the first year of the Fourth Age whichever way you look at it) and was healed at Valinor.

Gandalf also departed at that time.

This only leaves Legolas and Gimli who, as I said, by some accounts travelled together over the sea to the Undying Lands of Valinor, Gimli Elf-Friend becoming the first of Dwarven kind to enter the Undying Lands. Dwarves, as you may know were not created by the same forces which created the Elves, the immortals, but were created by Melkor, one of the Anuir, later Morgoth, the first Dark Lord because he was jealous of the perfection of the elves. Much like the jealousy of the Archangel Lucifer for God's creation in the Bible and Paradise Lost.

Hope that explains what I meant by "the last of the fellowship went over the sea" They passed into the West being the last of the fellowship not to either die or travel to Valinor. :thumbs:

A.L.L.

[Bess the Bard]

A.L.L.--Aule created the dwarves, according to the Silmarillion, although they had no independent thought or will until Iluvatar took a hand in their creation. Aule, also one of the Ainur, wanted beings of his own to love and teach his skills of mining, and smithing. So the dwarves were not created by a being that later became evil.

The first few chapters of the Sil tell more about the creation of the dwarves and their special relationship with Aule.

BTW, eagerly looking forward to the continuation of both your stories. You're very talented.

[Aragorn's Latest Lay]

Thanks for that Bess. You're absolutely right aboiut the dwarves thing (just as well I didn't include it in the chapter in my final draft). :notworthy:

I was getting mixed up. Yes Aule wanted to create his own beings but Iluvatar chastised him for it and decreed that from that day to the End of Days, the races of dwarves and elves would not get along. or something along those lines. Although i believe that Melkor used this emnity to his advantage on more than one occasion. is this right (just as a matter of interest)? I cannot find my copy of Sil, it is in the loft (attic) somewhere to protect it from the major building works going on here so I have to rely on my memory (not good) and the accuracy of others on the net who have written on the subject. Thanks again. i hope to have the next chapter of this up later on today. The Swings may take a little longer depending on whether I actually do some work at work today.

A.L.L.

[Bess the Bard]

Looking forward to more in both stories.

You are right about Iluvatar saying that the Elves and Dwarves would have trouble getting along. So Gimli and Legolas had the odds stacked against their friendship, didn't they?

And Morgoth did use the enmity to his advantage several times. Like when the Dwarves killed Thingol in Doriath for the Nauglimere (sp?). Celeborn had his reasons to be hostile to Gimli.

Sorry for rambling on. I'm in the middle of re-reading the Silmarillion so all this is fresh in my mind.

Take your time. Your fans will be waiting when you can post.

[Aragorn's Latest Lay]

I must find my copy of the Sil the re-read it too. It would solve a lot of problems.

Thanks for that Bess.

[Lalaith]

Ah yes, Sil is the answer to all problems!! The Dwarf-ELf thing is very interesting - don't forget the petty-Dwarf (Mim?) who had a definite grudge against Beleg Cuthalion...
Looking forward to more - this new Age of Middle Earth is a good time to set a story - so many possibilities!!! (cue manic laughter!)

[Aragorn's Latest Lay]

Chapter 2 – The King’s Decree


The haze from the Anduin arose and descended over the city of Minas Tirith as dusk set in. The crowds in the Pelennor Fields were growing restless. The hour of the coronation had passed and yet they had seen no sign of their king. The Royal Banners swung limply from their masts as the wind dropped and all was still. The great platform which had been erected near the North Gate of the city was empty. Even the steady stream of Courtiers which had flowed back and forth from the palace since dawn had trickled and disbursed some time shortly after the mid-afternoon entertainments.

Whispers spread amongst the waiting crowd and the murmurs grew until all the land between the protective walls was awash with rumours and angry cries. A few of the weary were beginning to make their way towards the harbour to return to their barges when a great horn sounded from the highest tower.

From the North Gate there emerged a small wooden cart. It’s two occupants sat hunched at the reins. The cart was otherwise empty. The fanfare from the tower had ceased and an uneasy silence gripped those who had remained to watch.

A silhouette stirred by a window in the tower. The occupant of the room witnessed the scene with interest.

“Our king will not hold and we will all suffer. Our villages, towns and cities will rise up against US! His life is protected by the love of his people for his father. But ours? What is there here for us but revolt and dissension?”

Other voices within the room muttered their agreement. One, however, spoke above the murmuring.

“Do not trouble yourselves with this boy.” The owner of the voice stepped into the centre of the chamber.

“This is ‘boy’ is our king!” Again the murmuring began.

“No.” This time the cries were greater and a number of those present leapt to their feet with exclamations of ‘treachery’ and ‘blasphemy’. But a hand was raised and the cries ebbed and faded.

“Remember my Lords. This boy is not YET our king. His father was blinded by his love of the mother and would not see the old weaknesses inherent in the issue. In his deepest consciousness, the boy knows his duty and would carry it out. But he his half-elven. He fears the world of men and despises our inheritance of Middle-Earth. This Fourth Age, though yet in its infancy, will see the downfall of the race of men. Not through death and enslavement as before. We see before us our destroyer.” The hand gestured towards the window and the crowd below. “This will be our doom should we fail to protect our world. It will crumble from within, infected by the self-loathing of our future king.”

“What must we do?”

“He will give his decree and depart Minas Tirith. We are to rule in his place until he has found himself and returned to his people.”

The silence beyond the walls of the city was excruciating as the cart pulled hesitantly onwards towards the now empty platform. As it neared the steps, one of its occupants pulled the reins gently and the steeds halted. Both now stood and cautiously descended from the cart and mounted the steps to face the crowd. The first figure walked to a large oak table at the side of the stage where the Council were to have sat. Plans had changed. The figure placed upon the table a casket of walnut embossed with silver and gold leaf. On its face was inlayed the emblem of a tree in white and gold. The emblem of Gondor and Arnor combined. The figure turned to face the awaiting people. It was Denethor, Prince of Ithelien and honoured member of the Kings Council.

The figure in the centre of the stage turned then to the people and a gasp issued forth from the crowd. He was dressed in the cloak of a traveller, unkempt and dishevelled. But this was no traveller. It was Eldarion, son of Aragorn Ellesar, and future king of the Reunited Kingdoms. Word spread through the fields and a great roar erupted from the now jubilant masses. Music struck up from the many travelling musicians scattered around but this celebration was short lived. Eldarion raised his hand as Denethor brought the casket to him and the silence returned. Eldarion placed his hand in the box and drew from it a tall, winged crown, the Crown of Gondor. The crown was passed to Denethor who, instead of placing the crown on the head of Eldarion, returned it to the casket and closed the lid. No-one moved. Confusion had stunned the crowd.

“You will hear my words though you may not yet understand them. I am not yet ready to serve you as your king. I must leave this city tonight. You will not be left ungoverned. I decree that the King’s Council shall rule in my stead until my return.” With that, Eldarion and Denethor descended the stairs, mounted the cart and rode out of the city of Minas Tirith.

The Council watched from the chamber high above.

“And if he rejects our counsel on his return?”

“He will not return.”

[Aragorn's Latest Lay]

This chapter is quite short but I wanted to keep setting the scene to a minimum so the chapters will be longer and more detailed from here on in.

I'll try to have some more chapters ready over the next day or so. I have an overview of the story in my mind's eye now so it is a matter of filling in the blanks and building motifs etc. hope you enjoy it anyway.

A.L.L.

[Bess the Bard]

Ah, Gondorian court politics and royal intrigue...Goody. I love stuff like this. I like how you are setting up Eldarion to go out to prove himself worthy to be king.

Looking forward to more.

[Aragorn's Latest Lay]

I'm glad you like it Bess. I like hearing about that kind of thing too aswell as the action and adventure. I'm aiming to put a bit of everything into this one if it will fit the story so hope you'll keep reading.

A.L.L.

[Lalaith]

Excellent continuation A.L.L. - it's fascinating the way that the biggest threat to men is now seen to be man himself. The mythical days of the Third Age seem to be fading. Very well written and interesting POV - the thought of Aragorn being blinded by his love of Arwen is one that hadn't occurred to me before! I do like the characterisation of Eldarion as humble yet noble...
Good work!!

[Aragorn's Latest Lay]

Thanks Lalaith,

I chose the 4th age to set this piece because of the wholey unknown nature of the period so thought I could experiment with the characterisation a little. The 1975 edition of LOTR from which I work includes an excerpt from the story of Aragorn and Arwen (I assume other editions include the same) and the love for Arwen appears undaunted by the death and mortality that surrounds the couple. This seemed a natural progression to the 'blindness' against the failings of his son, perhaps I don't mean failings, perhaps I mean feelings, of his son. After all it is Eldarion's feelings and his inability to compare with the history of his father, at least in my story, which prevent him from taking up the crown for now. With his father to live up to I can see it being no other way. Particularly given that the magical forces of Middle-Earth are departing and we are left with the physical world .. . I shall say no more on that point for the moment. But thanks for the feedback. It is always appreciated. :)

A.L.L.

[Aaliyah Baggins]

I just had a brain storm!
why don't you bring back the Fellowship that remains in the Grey Havens and they travel with the young king?
the remaining members are:
Frodo
Sam
Merry
Pippin
Gandalf
Legolas
Gimli
:thumbs:
:elfqueen:
:wicked:!!

[Aragorn's Latest Lay]

I may yet bring Legolas and Gimli into the story. There are many feats which still need accomplishing to cleanse Middle-Earth of Sauron's minions. However, the rest have either died or gone to Valinor, from which there is no return. There is only rumour to suggest that Leggie and Gimli followed them there and so it is logical that they should be in this story at some stage.

Thanks for the input though. :thumbs:

[Eärendil]

Can mortals die in the un-dying lands (Valinor) ?

[Aragorn's Latest Lay]

not sure what you mean Earendil?

The ones I referred to who died, died on Middle-Earth not in Valinor or the Undying Lands. As far as I know there is no death in the Undying Lands (all corrections and put-downs welcome on this point). Actually I think I did make a slight error with the above as I don't think Valinor and the Undying Lands are necessarily the same place. I think I read somewhere that Valinor was for the faithful and the Valar whilst the Undying Lands were for the fallen but redeamed elves etc and these lands were closer to Middle-Earth as Valinor was forever unreachable again to fallen beings.

Of course I could just be making this up. Consult an expert if you like. *subtle hint - I am no expert*

[Lalaith]

As far as I know mortals do die in the Undying Land.

Frodo and Bilbo (and possibly Sam) had been granted special grace but they would have died eventually, albeit more content than had they lived out their lives in Middle Earth. I assume the same can be said of Gimli, ie he would die eventually.

In Unfinished Tales (I think) it is said that mortals could not live long in the Undying Land. It seems to suggest that they would in fact wither and die sooner, rather like a moth drawn to a bright flame. Mortals are simply designed to die, and even the Valar cannot withdraw Iluvatar's gift of death (the exception being Tuor. There always seems to be an exception!)

[Aragorn's Latest Lay]

Thanks Lalaith. I haven't read the Unifinished tales. I don't recall this being mentioned in the small part of the lost tales that I read or in the Sil (but it has been a while since I read it).
A.L.L.

[Gatsby]

Great story A.L.L... completely different from lord of the swings... i love that it's about Eldarion !! he's my RPG character's husband actually(and has a bro named denethor... guess who her dad is :grin: ) , so yeah i have a feeling i'm going to love this story... any way great stuff!
out
gatsby