OoOoO

All roads eventually led back to the council. At least, that was how the state of things felt to Aragorn at this point in his life. There had been a time when once he had kept only the council of a few trusted companions, making decisions on the turn of a moment. Now it seemed his every move must be debated on, deliberated over and given an official seal of approval. Briefly Aragorn wondered what would happen if he were to simply saddle Brego and ride for Harad with the dawning.

Far be it from him to rob the Great Council of Gondor of its fun though. Trying not to rub the growing tension between his brows, the king repeated himself for the third time in the past half hour.

"I understand your hesitance to trust the integrity of the Haradrim, Lord Duinhir, truly I do. The fact remains that I personally accepted the chieftains' invitation to visit their settlement in Harmindon. Regardless of whether any choose to accompany me, I at least must make the journey south."

The lord of Blackroot Vale huffed before taking his seat at the council table. Tensions were running high in the Dome of the Sun. The wounds of the War of the Ring may have healed in the four decades since the fall of Sauron, but that did not mean scars did not linger. So many in Gondor had lost kin and kindred spirits to the Haradrim and their war beasts. Aragorn had known that this step forward would not come easily. Still, the council was proving remarkably reluctant to approve a diplomatic mission into Harad. That was to say nothing of the demands the chieftains had made in their terms for peace. South Gondor, once known as Harondor, was an enormous territory, not so easily signed over to the Haradrim on a hope.

"Lord Aragorn, your desire to bury the enmity between west and east is admirable to be sure." Queen Lothíriel was speaking. "But at what cost? Surely the people of Ithilien do not wish to live a mere crossing away from our ancestral enemies, to say nothing of allowing the Haradrim to pass freely through Lebennin and Dol Amroth. What if they were to betray the peace? Dol Amroth and the port at Pelargir would be under attack before Minas Tirith could possibly mount a resistance."

Seated next to his wife, Éomer nodded in solid agreement. The king and queen of Rohan's sentiments appeared to be well supported by many, if the murmur of approval was any indication.

The soft voice of Legolas somehow managed to cut across the dozens of murmuring mortals in the hall. The elf had been quietly listening to the council debate for some time, and Aragorn was relieved to hear his dear friend finally speak.

"Your consideration is appreciated, Lady Lothíriel. However, I daresay as the representative of Ithilien, it is the Lady Éowyn's opinion on the subject that ought to be marked."

"As should yours, Prince Legolas." Éowyn replied with a wry smile in Legolas's direction. "Your colony of elves is as much a part of Ithilien now as we are." When Legolas demurred, she continued. "I think I speak for both my husband and myself when I say that we do not fear the Haradrim. Harondor, as Chief Tufayl pointed out, did at one time belong to Harad, and our two nations managed to share borders without destroying one another. I am sure that we are more than capable of doing so again, and this time as allies. It would be a transition, to be sure, but we can see to the people of Ithilien well enough."

"My people have no quarrel with the Haradrim, beyond their involvement in the War of the Ring." Legolas said. Then with a quick, daring smile he added "We are already surrounded by mortals to the east, west and north. What could one more neighbor to the south hurt?"

A handful of lords and ladies grumbled indignantly at the elf in their midst comparing Gondorians to Haradrim. Aragorn saw Gimli smothering an amused chortle in his beard.

Éomer stood, his emerald green cloak rustling softly. Next to his blue clad queen, the royal pair appeared like the sea beside a grassy shore. It was an apt impression given the rolling hills of Rohan and the seaside towers of Dol Amroth.

"You are all brave and gracious, lords and lady of Ithilien, to be so open to the Haradrim's demands." He addressed his sister and Legolas, as well as Faramir where he stood at Aragorn's shoulder. "Rohan perhaps stands to lose less in this matter than Gondor. That does not in any way lessen our concern for you, our oldest and closest allies. If you are threatened, Rohan will consider that threat as though it were an affront to our own borders. For that reason I urge caution in dealing with the men of the east. As they proved at the Sea of Rhûn, the Haradrim are not above betraying their allies. I am sure the Easterlings were not expecting to be abandoned in their final hour, and yet so it was."

"Your words are true, King Éomer, and I promise you that I do not consider the terms without reservation." Aragorn said. "As to the matter of the invitation to Harmindon though, as far as I am concerned there is nothing to discuss on my part. I gave my word as king that I would come by summer's end, and I will honor that agreement."

Next to the head of the table Faramir looked up from his notes, his quill hanging in midair. "It should be taken into consideration that the Haradrim are notoriously protective of the locations of their settlements. At least, that has been my experience as a ranger. To invite outsiders, much less an enemy king into their midst strikes me as even more of a gesture of good faith than turning on the Easterlings was." Faramir frowned slightly, the wisdom lines around his eyes deepening. "Still, it is very much a leap of faith to venture so far into what has for generations been hostile territory."

Lord Elphir stood, placing his fingertips on the polished tabletop. His might have been mistaken for the smooth, soft hands of a nobleman, were it not for the tell-tale thumb calluses of a pikeman. "I will accompany you to Harad, my king. Given Dol Amroth's proximity to that arid land, I have accumulated some knowledge of their customs over the years. You will have need of a full bodyguard as well, of course."

Seated at Aragorn's right hand, Arwen could practically hear the quiet protests reverberating off her husband. For a man who once traveled hither and yon with nothing but his sword and his wits, a bodyguard was more than a little chafing. She knew exactly how to both soothe Aragorn's frustrations and lend support to his politics however.

"You said that Chief Na'Man extended the invitation not only to yourself, but to your family as well." She could feel the eyes of the entire council on her. Mortals for some reason never ceased to find elvish voices worth listening to. "I suggest you bring Túrien with you to Harmindon."

Scattered gasps when up along the hall. Some of the nobles looked at Arwen as if she had suggested they send the young princess to carry the One Ring into Mordor alone. Completely unruffled, Arwen met Lothíriel's astonished gaze.

"The risk is great enough that King Aragorn should go to Harmindon, into the heart of Haradrim lands. Forgive me Queen Arwen, but you would risk your second daughter as well? For pity's sake, why not Prince Eldarion, or your eldest daughter? Surely Princess Eruthiawen would be better suited for such a..." Lothíriel searched for the best way to put the obvious delicately "...diplomatic endeavor."

Arwen laughed, well aware of the calming effect that it would have on the mortal members of the council. "I know my children well, Queen Lothíriel. Harad will suit Túrien far better than it would Eruthiawen. Or rather, Túrien will suit Harad and its people better than her elder sister would." Turning her piercing grey gaze on Éomer, Arwen added "Trust must be offered on both sides for there to be any hope of peace."

The gauntlet had been thrown. In the face of their queen's willingness to send her own daughter into Harad, how could the council of Gondor do anything other than respect this attempt at reconciliation? Éomer did an admirable job of not squirming under Arwen's scrutiny, formidable king of Rohan that he was. Finally however he relented, frowning into his beard.

"Very well; if Gondor will seek to make peace with Harad, then Rohan will follow your lead. I will accompany you, your daughter and Lord Elphir to Harmindon, Aragorn. In my stead, Queen Lothíriel and my son Prince Elfwine will return to Edoras. The people of Rohan have been too long without their royal house as it is."

Lothíriel nodded in acquiescence, a small smile of relief playing on her shell-pink mouth. No doubt she was happy to be bringing Elfwine home to the Golden Hall with her, Arwen surmised, especially after the young Third Marshal's exploits at the Sea of Rhûn. Remembering her conversation from the parapets of Gondor with Éowyn, Arwen could hardly blame Lothíriel.

With the matter of the visit to Harmindon at least settled, Aragorn rose and dismissed all assembled. Everyone rose with muted sighs of relief; they had been debating for a long time since sunrise. Arwen turned to Aragorn with a small smile. He returned the smile with an added measure of grimacing.

"A cave troll couldn't be any harder to bend to my will than this council." He whispered, as there were still others lingering nearby on their way out into the Sixth Circle.

Arwen chuckled and patted his wrist. "At least the troll would be sweeter tempered." Then she thought for a minute, considering Lothíriel's previous words. "However, you ought to bring Eldarion with you to Harad along with Túrien. If this alliance succeeds, he will need to have a working experience and personal knowledge of the Haradrim to build upon as king someday." She lowered her voice, speaking so that only Aragorn could hear. "And even if it does not, it is best to know one's enemy, both for the sake of strategy and humility."

"I agree, meleth-nin.

The matter settled, Arwen stood from her own place at the council table. "Then all that remains is to deliver the news to Túrien. Would you like to do the honors, or shall I?"

An exaggeratedly loud scratching from Faramir's quill on parchment nearby reminded the king of his steward's presence. They could practically see Faramir raising an eyebrow at the back of Aragorn's royal seat. Aragorn rolled his eyes and sighed.

"It appears I have some matters of state to attend to yet before breakfast. Why don't you tell her? I will just have to hear the retelling of her reaction from you later," he said.

"Very well," Arwen chuckled. On her way out of the Dome of the Sun she paused to call back over her shoulder. "You are lucky I am not a jealous wife, Faramir, else wise I might begrudge your constant stealing of my husband!"

"Will it smooth over my offense if I promise to see that the king eats before midday?" Faramir called back even as he swept a pile of scrolls onto the table before Aragorn. Aragorn openly groaned.

Arwen winked at the Prince of Ithilien. "It might be a start."

OoOoO

She found her daughters at their lessons, even Túrien. The three princesses brightened to see their mother appear in the study doorway, causing their tutor to turn and investigate their distraction. When the old scribe recognized Arwen he immediately released the girls from their morning lecture on Second Age geography. Túrien and Almárëa both left their notebooks and papers in a jumble on the table, while only Eruthiawen took the time to organize her work before going to greet her mother. Arwen smiled inwardly, knowing she had chosen wisely earlier before the council.

"My girls," she said, pausing to return Almárëa's quick embrace. "I have news for you...for Túrien in particular."

"News? What is it Naneth?!" Almárëa interrupted. "Is Túrien getting betrothed?"

Arwen's eyebrows shot up even as Eruthiawen let out a scandalized cry. "Almárëa! You've been listening to the kitchen gossip again! Don't be foolish, no one is getting betrothed." Still, Eruthiawen felt she needed to add a tentative "Are they?"

Shaking her head, Arwen wondered at just what exactly the kitchen staff was gossiping about these days. "Of course not. I promise you, your ada and I would never betroth any of you to anyone without your complete and heartfelt approval, no matter what the Gondorian custom has been in the past. But that is entirely beside the point which I came here to tell you."

It was hard not to give in to the temptation to draw things out a little longer than necessary for the sake of amusement. All three girls were crowded around, watching her with such large, impatient eyes. Arwen was reminded of when they were much smaller, similarly gathered underfoot to beg for a bedtime story. With a laugh, she laid a hand on Túrien's shoulder, nearly even in height with her own.

Finally Arwen took pity on her daughters though. "The council has approved your ada's visit to Harmindon this summer. He along with King Éomer and Lord Elphir will accept the Haradrim chieftains' invitation. I recommended that Túrien and Eldarion also go, as both a gesture of our good faith and to learn of the Haradrim in person."

Almost instantly Túrien's face lit up with delight. Letting out a very un-princess-like whoop, she jumped for joy, her excitement threatening to shake her thick black hair free of its pins.

"You mean it Naneth?! I'm to go to Harad?"

Arwen laughed. Túrien's happiness at the news was everything she had expected it to be. "Yes, you and Eldarion both." She sobered then, loathe to rein in her daughter but needing to say more. "Túrien, promise me that you will exercise caution. The Haradrim have been enemies of Gondor for centuries, and there are no doubt some there who will not agree with their chieftains' desire to make peace. As tempting as it may be, you must not stray far from your ada's side. Do I have your word?"

"I..." Túrien hesitated, no doubt remembering how Aragorn had lectured her not two weeks past on making promises she did not expect to keep.

"Túrien." Arwen's voice held no reproach, only gentle warning. "If I cannot have your word that you will act wisely and safely while in Harad, then I will not hesitate to take back my offer that you go on this journey."

Eruthiawen and Almárëa hung back and held their tongues as they watched their sister deliberate. Asking Túrien to exercise caution was like asking a storm to be still, and they all knew it. Still, Arwen knew her middle daughter, and that was why she needed this from her.

Finally Túrien nodded. "I promise, Naneth. I will be careful."

"Good." Now Arwen could smile again. "Then I suggest you begin packing your things; it will be a long ride to Harmindon."

Túrien's glee could be heard all the way down the hall as she ran off to her room. Almárëa wasn't far behind, already trying to extract promises of souvenirs from that strange and distant land. Eruthiawen lingered behind in the study, watching her sisters disappear at her mother's side.

"She will surely be alright," Eruthiawen said. "From what Eldarion has told us of the Haradrim chieftains, they sound like honorable men in their own way. No doubt they will have their own measures put in place to protect their guests."

Arwen let out a small huff that might have been a laugh. She looked fondly at her eldest daughter. Now doubt Eruthiawen would have conducted herself in a manner befitting a princess of Gondor if she had gone to Harmindon with Aragorn and the others. Somehow Arwen suspected that a princess of Gondor was not what the people of Harad needed nor wanted to see from their oft-maligned neighbors. Taking Eruthiawen's offered hand, she shook her head.

"I am reassured enough that Túrien is ready for Harad. The question is whether or not Harad is ready for Túrien..."

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