Lord Of The Rings Fan Fiction ❯ Days of the King ❯ Rai Dathik-Nessa ( Chapter 26 )

Chapter 26 - Rai Dathik-Nessa

 

The tiered city of Minas Tirith was constructed so that an enemy who gained entrance to the firstlevel must travel to the end of the main road to the next gate for the streets of the tier above. Merchants and citizens have grumbled about this arrangement for thousands of years, but it was an unparalled form of architectural defense. The enemy could be picked off one by one by hundreds of archers in dozens of protected positions, and a score of foot soldiers with swords and pikes could halt hundreds of invaders at half a dozen places where the road narrowed.

The visiting Haradrim seemed to have come prepared to traverse the distance with grace and style.The potentate had mounted a splendid snow white stallion sporting gold and maroon tassels on bridle and saddle, and rode surrounded by 12 of his female soldiers. These appeared to be his personal guard and were all were more lavishly and gorgeously armored and adorned than the rest. Troupes of musicians, both before and behind, maintained the festive music that heralded their arrival.

The citizenry seemed curious, but cautious. These people, after all, hailed from the same lands as thosewho rode with Sauron. But somehow, at such close range and in such small numbers, they did not seem fearsome, just exotic. Gawking and persistent whispering began to give way to cheering and clapping when showers of little trinkets and shining coin were scattered along the route by some of the retinue from a huge basket carried on poles by four foot soldiers at the rear of the procession.

They proceeded at a leisurely pace, the women replying roundly to the sometimes rude but good natured jibes of the Gondorians as they approached the uppermost tier and the palace.

"It will take him close to an hour at this pace," grumbled Aragorn.

"I wonder what he wants?" murmured Faramir.

"We had refused his envoy quite brusquely on three occasions. It looks as if the man himself decided to bring his concerns to us in person. A very brave strategy." said Aragorn.

"Or a very foolish one." Faramir replied.

Aragorn was in formal armor, accompanied by Faramir similarly dressed. Arms in conference were not considered inappropriate if part of a state ceremonial welcome, but formal or no, neither man would feel comfortable meeting a Harad prince weaponless. Memory was long, and foolish assumptions could shorten one's life considerably. Just because they looked like a carnival didn't mean that they wouldn't or couldn't shed blood, if given the opportunity. The soldiery were women, but they were still soldiers.

Aragorn had decided it would be a show of strength to have Gimli, Legolas, and Pippin attend. Although he would not state outright that he had alliances with their various peoples, it should impress.

 

Finally, the Harad was shown to Aragorn's audience chamber. He was attended by only two of his soldiers; their weapons had been confiscated by the palace guards.

Aragorn was a good judge of men, and he now carefully examined the highly unexpected visitors standing before him.

Rai Dathik-Nessa was a man well into middle age; robust; almost rotund. He was quite tall, slightly taller than Faramir, with a ruddy reddish brown complexion and a curly black beard liberally sprinkled with grey. He mopped at his brow with a brocade hankercheif, and smiled at the assembly. He was dressed in ornate robes of maroon and saffron, and wore a jewel encrusted maroon headdress. Two of his entourage accompanied him, both women of above average height. Their bronze helms had lush plumes of scarlet dyed horsehair that reached almost to their waists. In addition to the anatomically precise breastplates, the soldiers wore black leggings beneath chain mail skirts, and leather boots reinforced with bronze strips across the shin and toe. Their arms were bare but for broad bracelet-like bands of bronze around the upper arms and forearms. Leather gloves covered with overlapping plates of bronze completed their warrior's ensemble. They were a strikingly handsome pair, although the helms covered most of their faces. They stood at attention on either side of their lord.

"Ah! At last we meet face to face, King of Gondor. My emissaries had reported how grand your city and how stately your palace, but they obviously failed to convey my deepest desire to open negotiations for peaceful conference and profitable trade between our peoples. No matter! Sometimes, only the principals can come to an understanding after all of the various...misunderstandings that have occurred between our peoples."

The Harad had a deep, rich voice, powerful but mellifluous.

"I would like to compliment you on your splendid entourage. It was a delight for my people. A most unusual royal procession!" said the King.

While Aragorn examined them, he and his company in turn were under scrutiny. Although his face wore an affable expression, Aragorn perceived that the Rai overlooked nothing. His twinkling dark brown eyes were sharp as a hawks'. The Harad's easy smile and surface jollility was to disarm the unwary, not a sign of a careless or libertine character.

"We are humbled by your praise, great King. If I may trouble you, we have been traveling for some weeks, and would appreciate the comforts of your city for a night before we must return southward, if it please your majesty, I have much to discuss with you this day. We would then depart tomorrow morning. Does this meet with your approval?"

"Gondor greets you as a friend. The hospitality of my city is yours, sir. Please… stay as long as you wish. I will have rooms in the palace made ready for you and your attendants, and lodging and food made available to your retinue. I would consider it an honor for you to join me for a repast."

 

Aragorn gestured to his companions. "I would like to introduce you to my friend and Regent, Lord Faramir. The gentlemen with me are Legolas of the Woodland Realm; Gimli, son of Gloin: and Master Peregrin Took of the Shire, all heroes of the Great War."

Rai Dathik Nessa gave a small courtly bow.

"A grand gathering indeed, your Grace! Very impressive! May I present my companions?" With a small wave of his hand, the Rai indicated the woman to his right.

She stepped forward and removed her helmet.

She was tall, and was of a similar cinnamon complexion to the Harad lord, with brilliant black eyes, sharp cheekbones, and a high, aristocratic nose. She was slender, with an athletic physique. Her waist length hair was coal black and smooth as silk. She executed an elegant bow. Her supplicant's stance was at odds with her expression, however. She held her chin high and eyed all the men of the Kings court with a cool reserve.

"My first daughter, the Princess Ilnara. In my land, royal daughters are charged with the defense of home and hearth. Ilnara is an accomplished swordswoman and tactician."

The second soldier stepped forward and removed her helmet also.

"Another of my daughters, the Princess Neftah, also accomplished in the arts of combat."

She was paler, a sunkissed copper complexion with large, soft hazel eyes and a curly chestnut colored mane of hair. She was shorter and younger than Ilnara and although clearly as physically capable as her sister, she was of a softer and more voluptuous build. She smiled charmingly at the King, and then bowed with lowered eyes.

"It is also the custom of my land, that when two lords who have had, shall we say, significant differences of opinion in the past, they show good faith when opening any sincere parley by bringing members of their family to the negotiations. My daughters are here not only to accompany me with their troops to provide protection during our travels, but as your collateral to insure that I speak in earnest, with no deceit."

The beginning murmurs of protest began to rise from Aragorn, but the Rai raised one beringed hand.

"Please, your grace, I have come to speak to you of matters of grave import. I need you to trust thatmy intentions are noble and that I speak only the truth. To that end, the Royal Diamond and the Royal Ruby of my house - for the most favored and accomplished daughters are the jewels of our Realm - are in your keeping for as long as you see fit. I have told them to prepare to spend a year in Gondor, learning your speech, history and culture, and introducing you to our ways. Only thus can our two peoples overcome centuries of suspicion and separation."

 

Aragorn was silent for a bit.

"You humble me with your courage and forthrightness, my lord. Such a foray into the stronghold of those who have ungraciously dismissed your equerries on more than one occasion requires admirable resolve. I am prepared to hear all that you have to say, sir." He bowed slightly to the Rai.

Aragorn had been keenly taking the measure of the man before him, and perceived no disception, just an urgent need masked by elegant manners and pleasant words.

With a lower bow, Dathik-Nessa replied "I am in your debt, my Lord..."

Aragorn gestured to one of the handmaids waiting in the alcoves. "Have chambers prepared. The Queen and I will dine with our guests."

Turning to Rai Dathik-Nessa, he said, "Please...let us sit in the gardens while all is made ready. Would the ladies like to accompany us?" Aragorn wanted to speak to the Harad lord alone, but extended the invitation to discern if the undertone of urgency was also one of secrecy.

"If it please your majesty, my daughters would like to properly prepare themselves for the occasion. If they can be escorted to their rooms as soon as possible...?"

With a wave of his hand, Aragorn summoned two of the palace guards. "They will escort you to your quarters, Lady Ilnara; Lady Neftah. Handmaids will be at your disposal. Command them as you will. And again, welcome to Minas Tirith."

_________________________________________________________________ ____________________

Legolas' visit had destroyed the illusion of tranquility Arwen had sought in the gardens. The past two days had become a blurred nightmare of pain, confusion, and doubt about the most fundamental aspects of her life.

She was not at ease anywhere in Gondor, and since the night of her ritual, her husband's presence caused her more distress than comfort. She could not sleep, and had barely eaten. The revelation that Aragorn has a child, and with Eowyn! - she could not yet control her storm of emotions sufficiently to begin to think rationally about the impact that might have on their lives. And now Aragorn was going into grave danger. Again.

Arwen wrung her hands. At best - should his party prevail against this mage -he would discover Legolas' new talents - it might open another area of misery that she was unprepared to defend against. Legolas had asked her to keep his newfound skills from Aragorn, fearing he would not understand. She had tried her best to dissuade Gimil from speaking about the incident in the woods while tracking the murderers of his kin, but the dwarf was too amazed to have not mentioned it to Aragorn. Only the confusion of the past days had kept Aragorn from discussing it with her.

 

Would he ask if she knew about his new talents? Would he want to know if he had come to see her? How would she answer? Legolas' amorous pursuit put the secrecy of their meetings in a new and most unflattering light. They now would be seen as clandestine, and her lack of disclosure regarding his visits could be perceived as concealing several rendezvous. Perhaps Legolas would hint at his visits to her, to further stress her relationship with Aragorn. His new-found powers seemed to go hand and hand with his newly revealed desire for her.

And now he implies that she must leave Aragorn or suffer even graver consequences than the inability to let him touch her or give him a child. What could be worse than that?

'The loss of his kingdom. He might do it. I know he loves me enough to risk anything...but do I want him to? How will he see me if he loses lands and lordship because of his love for me? Can I live with that? Can he?' Arwen fretted.

Suddenly, Arwen thought of the only one who might be able to help her with her dilemmas. 'Augra...' she murmured to herself. Imbued with at least a faint hope, Arwen sprang from the garden bench. She could not go the lower city dressed like the Queen.