Rise of the Dark Lords - an Elder Scrolls and Middle-earth tale

Chapter 2 - The White City

THE JOURNEY TO MINAS TIRITH HAD TAKEN THEM THREE DAYS HARD RIDE. Minas Tirith was unlike anything Brianna or Tal had ever seen. Although it's wounds had long since been repaired from the War of the Ring, scars of the fight were seen in Osgiliath. That ancient city was still being rebuilt. Tal however, seemed unimpressed by the White City of Gondor - completely uninterested as if she had been here before. Brianna had never questioned Tal about her past and made a mental note to ask her later. As they four rode the streets toward the palace, Eldarion couldn't help but notice people and soldiers staring at the foreigners. Very few from Tamriel had ever been to Gondor and even fewer to Minas Tirith. Many men were visibly awestruck by Brianna's beauty and toned body. Elboron had mentioned to Eldarion that she was the daughter of someone called 'Dovahkiin' and neither had ever heard of a Nord being named Dovahkiin. They reached the palace and were greeted by an Elf and Tal was visibly shocked.

"Mae Govannen Eldarion and Elboron. I see you have brought travelers."

"Hello mother" Eldarion replied kissing her on the cheek. "This is my mother, Queen Arwen."

"You're royalty" Brianna could only say shocked.

"Oh a thousand pardons. Mother, this is Brianna. Daughter of Dovahkiin and this . . ."

Arwen took a step back her eyes wide "you're the daughter of the Dragonborn?"

"Yes. The Dragonborn is my father. My full name is Brianna Dovahkiir."

"When Gondor received word that your father destroyed Alduin there was a great celebration across MIddle-earth" another voice called.

"Brianna this is my father Aragorn, King of Gondor."

Brianna respectfully lowered her head "It is honor to meet the heir of Isildur, wielder of Anduril and a Dunedain."

"Welcome to Gondor and Middle-earth Brianna, daughter of the Dovahkiin."

"And why does your companion not remove their mask. No harm will come to her" Eldarion said.

Tal shifted uncomfortably and said something to Brianna in a tongue that neither Aragorn and Arwen understood.

"What do you mean the queen knows you" Brianna asked.

Tal removed her mask and both Aragorn and Arwen and stood in disbelief as they recognized the face of Tauriel.

"Tauriel! It was said that you had perished" Arwen cried wrapping her arms around her old friend. "It gives me great pleasure to see you alive and well."

"What language was that you spoke" Elboron asked.

"That is the dragon tongue" Tauriel answered.

"And why are you dressed in the armor of a Nightingale" Eldarion questioned.

"After I arrived in Tamriel I was still consumed with grief over KIli's death. I met someone who gave me purpose and I pledged myself to Nocturnal."

"Yet you speak the dragon tongue" said Aragorn "should we assume that you and Brianna know the way of the Voice?"

"No" Brianna answered quickly "Only the Greybeards and my father have mastered the Thu'um."

"Well, what brings you to Gondor and how did you meet Eldarion and Elboron" Aragorn wanted to know.

Brianna began her tale "My father received word of an Elder Scroll in MIddle-earth and we tracked it to Angband. We didn't expect to encounter agents of the Mythic Dawn or daedra warriors. When the Elder Scroll was recovered, the black speech of Mordor was inscribed on it. It was forged of a material that is not of Tamriel. We were hoping one of you could identify the ore and translate the runes."