Seeds of the White Tree

Chapter 20 - White Tree, Red Snake

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The return of the kings was heralded by silver trumpets from the Tower of Ecthelion ere the leaves began to fall in the White City. At Faramir's order, the Warden of the Keys had the Great Gates of Minas Tirith thrown wide, their steel and mithril arms opening to welcome Aragorn's party home. To everyone's surprise as the king's banner passed into the city, the lords of the West were not alone. Open gasps could be heard when the red serpent of Harad crossed under the gate beside the white tree of Gondor and the running horse of Rohan.

Na'Man and Sufyan sat straight-backed and unflinching on their horses, their dark eyes focused not on the Gondorian crowd but on the street ahead as they rode upward through the city. As Aragorn led the way from circle to circle, the expressions of pleasure on the faces of the people quickly turned to shock and uncertainty when the Haradrim passed by. The people of Minas Tirith had been informed that the king was pursuing peace with their southern neighbors, but now came the real test of a nation's power to forgive.

Seeing the reception that they were garnering, Eldarion and Túrien exchanged a look. When the streets of the Fifth Circle began to narrow, by unspoken agreement they fell back to ride side-by-side with Na'Man and Sufyan. The people of Minas Tirith loved their prince and princesses, and fretful stares came less freely with Eldarion and Túrien nearby. Eldarion remembered the caution in the eyes of the Haradrim when they first arrived in Harmindon, and how it had made him feel even more a stranger. He hoped that Na'Man and Sufyan would not be unduly troubled by what would be an inevitable adjustment period for all involved.

It was with a quiet sigh of relief that they reached the citadel of Minas Tirith without incident. The nobility was of course gathered to greet their return, and more importantly so were Arwen and the others. Eruthiawen and Almárëa's long tresses shone bronze and glossy brown in the autumn sun. Éowyn, Faramir, and Elboron stood nearby, Faramir with the white Wand of the Stewards resting comfortably across his arms and Éowyn craning her neck to better see the black flag of Harad. Arwen was resplendent in the crown of Gondor's queen and a gown of blue velvet, her raven hair twisted up in a regal style that highlighted the frost at her temples. There had been rain in the air yesterday, and today a faint mist clung to the leaves of the White Tree, slicking its bark and making it gleam silver. Soon the first frosts of winter would come to the world, and beyond the walls of the city farmers had begun to reap their harvests.

Aragorn slid down from the saddle, and Brego whickered softly before permitting the citadel grooms to lead him away. Éomer, Elphir, Eldarion, and Túrien followed him across the citadel yard, there to be reunited with friends and family after their sun-lit adventure.

"Ada, you're home!" Almárëa, ever with her heart on her sleeve, called out. She rushed to meet Aragorn at the bottom of the steps, throwing her arms around his waist and embracing him for all she was worth.

"Did you ever doubt that I would be, dear one?" Aragorn chuckled as he kissed the top of his daughter's head.

Éomer was greeted with great cheer by Éowyn while Faramir officially discharged the care of Minas Tirith back to Aragorn. Arwen and Eruthiawen embraced first Aragorn then Túrien while Eldarion grinned over his mother's shoulder at Elboron. Elphir's wife was also present to welcome her husband safely home, and all around there was much happiness at all being together again at last. Meanwhile Na'Man and Sufyan stood patiently waiting, their wine red jackets and black scarves stark against the whiteness of the citadel courtyard. Both had carefully combed and oiled their hair and Na'Man's beard was meticulously trimmed (Sufyan, still young, went clean-shaven). The two Haradrim men cut a fine if foreign picture when Aragorn officially introduced them to Arwen and the others.