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6 Fourth Age: The White Tree; [ Open ]
Topic Started: 24 Aug 2008, 02:22 PM (750 Views)
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Aragorn smiled at the young lady’s enthusiasm. Not just any courtier was welcome to join the King’s retinue, although many would be given permission if they had asked. Seldom were any invited by the King, save the Princes of Ithilien and Dol Amroth. Gwenneth’s elation seemed to evaporate some, however, as she added her next phrase.

“Truly, you shall join me, Gwenneth.”

The King repeated his offer in a new way as the smallest of hints that a royal invitation might be extended, and as such, could hardly be refused without great personal insult. Even while saying this, Aragorn was aware how scandalous this gesture would be if it came from him. Perhaps Arwen would do the favor of asking for Gwenneth as a lady-in-waiting.

The Chamberlain’s sudden approach did not unsettle the King, but neither did it please him. These abrupt intrusions into his conversations had not happened when he was a Ranger. Privacy, however, was not granted to Kings.

“Indeed, Sadorannant. I’ve had the pleasure of conversing with your daughter for many minutes now and find her most pleasant.”

The King frowned slightly as the Chamberlain inquired about his daughter’s behavior. A young woman such as Gwenneth, able to speak to a King without a tremble, surely could be trusted to comport herself well.

He did not understand the rigid control Gondorians exerted over their women. Elves and Dwarves knew freedom bred love and respect. Even some men, like the Rohirrim and Dunedain, knew this to be true.

“I have extended to Gwenneth an offer of joining my retinue the next time I travel from Minas Tirith to meet with my friends Merry and Pippin when they arrive in Edoras or Emyn Arnen. She has indicated your approval will be required.”

Aragorn waited, not ready to pose the question bluntly, but watching the man closely for any sign of stubborn refusal.
 
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There was a twinge of satisfaction felt with Aragorn's words. His insistence that she would join his retinue brought about a glimmer of hope that maybe the King was correct. It would be a great insult for even her father to refuse him, and Sadorannant had always been a cautious man or maybe a wise one that knew staying in favor was crucial and often demanded sacrifices to be made. In this case, Gwenneth would throw herself at the Kings feet and be a welcomed sacrifice of the Chamberlains if it meant, at long last, escaping her gilded cage for even but a day.

"Ah," Sadorannant gave a tight cant of his head while his eyes skimmed a little more attentively over his daughter. The hot fire in his belly, growing fervent with annoyance that Gwenneth had put him in such an awkward and troublesome position. It would do no one any good to see her in the King's retinue. Least of all Sadorannant. He needed her close, kept safe and out of the spotlight.

But he could not risk openly refusing the King. No, that would be Gwenneth's charge since she was the one to start this whole problem in the first place.

"Of course, My king; and how could I not approve such an honorable request? By the light in my daughters eyes, I see she is eager to accept as well. So it shall be."

He didn't smile. It wasn't his way and it would've proven far too fake to have been received as sincere. Instead he simply nodded his head once more and allowed his stare to slide back to Gwenneth. It became evident, in his eyes alone, that this scene would play out later on further when the King was no longer in attendance and his words were for his child's ears alone. Their cool gaze baring down with a tactful and subtle distaste.

Never the less, Gwenneth turned back to the King and smiled pleasantly despite the looming presence of her father's prowess. If nothing more, she would be allowed her dreams and no one would take those from her. They were her's, as they always had been and would forever be. Her escape from Gondor, though she loved it truly, had always been her dreams.

"Perhaps we should not delay any further, Majesty. The celebration awaits. May we walk with you to the gates?"

Gwenneth moves to one side, allowing the King the road and the lead, while attempting to keep his company awhile longer. Her silent confession, that his has been one of the most enriched and pleasurable conversations she has had in a long time.

 
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The King could not bring himself to accept the Chamberlain’s acquiescence as the end of the discussion. Instinct told him to expect something else and something more before this was over. Now was not the time to pursue the conversation.

“Then she shall join us soon.”

The crowd was thick with denizens of Minas Tirith and even from outlying areas. The poor Officer of Protocol had broken into a fervent sweat. Aragorn could not torture him any longer. It was time for the King to return to the citadel.

“Yes, now is the time to enter Merethrond,” Aragorn said to Gwenneth.

Thandir was beckoned over. The plump man sighed so deeply one might have assumed Gwenneth had been holding a dagger to her King’s heart. With the Officer of Protocol at his side, Aragorn led the way to the main doors of the Hall of Feasts. Along the way, he subtly signaled to his attendant. The boy appeared silently on his other side.

“Tonight will see you seated at my table,” Aragorn announced to Gwenneth.

At the word, the boy disappeared again to order the butlers to furnish two more place settings close to the King. Another took his place in an instant. The eagerness of these young men to serve had always unsettled Aragorn. It was ingrained into their class, however, and all he could do was treat them well. This made them only want to serve more, which was something counter to what the King had intended.

“Here I will say farewell for a brief time. Olerion will see you seated.”

As the King made his way into the citadel by a side door so that he might enter with the grandeur the Gondorains expected, the young servant boy bowed to the Chamberlain and his daughter before showing them the way into the Merethrond and to the King’s table.



OOC: Continued in ‘Six Years of Peace’ in Merethrond
 
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