Chapter 19: Ungraceful host... Her voice

*This is her fighting outfit for the rest of the book! Long Chapter ahead!*

As they neared Minas Tirth, Asteria could feel darkness close; it was overpowering, she hoped whatever strength she had that it would help them. They gallop through the city until they reach the topmost level. They stopped in front of a huge white hall. As they walked towards the door to meet with the steward, they passed a dead white tree. Pippin calls out "It's the tree! Asteria! Gandalf!" he said as he ran to catch up to Asteria's side. "Yes the white tree of Gondor. The tree of the King. Lord Denethor however, is not the King. He is a steward only, a caretaker of the throne." Gandalf stated at he stopped the door turning to face them "Now listen carefully. Lord Denethor is Boromir's father. To give him news of his beloved son's death would be most unwise. And do not mention Frodo or the Ring. And say nothing of Aragorn either. In fact, it's better if you don't speak at all Peregrin Took." He said to the hobbit as his attention turned to Asteria "Put on your hood and do not speak as well. He will not take kindly to elves especially an elf maiden" Gandalf said to Asteria who nodded in understanding as she did as she was told.

As the doors opened, they walked through the massive hall approaching the throne where a man sits in a seat at the base of the steps of the throne. "Hail Denethor son of Ecthelion, Lord and Steward of Gondor" the man was hunched over an object in his hands; sad, Asteria could sense the turmoil in this man's heart, it was darkening. "I come with tidings in this dark hour and with counsel" Gandalf continued as the man looked up with a sad scowl on his face "Perhaps you come to explain this.." he says as he raised a broken horn; Asteria's realization hit and saw it was Boromir's horn. Her heart lurched in pain remembering that the last time she saw him, he was defending them and Aragorn telling her that he passed.

"Perhaps you have come to tell me why my son is dead!" Denethor said in anger as Pippin pushed past Asteria and Gandalf with Asteria trying to stop him "Boromir died to save us my kinsman, a fellow companion and me. He fell defending us from many foes" he says as he approaches the throne and kneels down "Pippin.." she said softly as it drew Denethor's attention "Would that companion be a woman... who hides herself in my presence" he said spitefully as Asteria looked at Gandalf who nodded at her. She stepped forward a bit taking her hood off; Denethor scowled seeing that she was an elf and a woman before Pippin spoke again "I offer you my service, such as it is in payment of this debt."

"This is my first command to you. How did you escape and my son did not? So mighty as man as he was" Denethor replied as Pippin spoke again "The mightiest man may be slain by one arrow and Boromir was pierced by many" Denethor became visibly upset as his features darkened. Asteria spoke "He fought valiantly, I fought alongside him, sadly my fellow companions and myself were taken by the Uruk-Hai that we were fighting." Her voice carried through the halls with grace and confidence it halted Denethor for a moment before Gandalf stepped forward using his staff to push Pippin out of the way. He took a spot behind Asteria "My lord, there will be a time to grieve for Boromir but it is not now. War is coming. The enemy is on your doorstep. As steward, you are charged with the defense of this city. Where are Gondor's armies? You still have friends. You are not alone in this fight. Send word to Théoden of Rohan. Light the beacons" he said to Denethor.

The steward looked at Gandalf in anger before replying "You think you are wise Mithrandir. Yet for all your subtleties you have not wisdom. Do you think the eyes of the White Tower are blind? I have seen more than you know. With your left hand you would use me as a shield against Mordor and with your right you would seek to supplant me. I know who rides with Théoden of Rohan. Oh yes, word has reached my ears of this Aragorn, son of Arathorn. And I tell you now. I will not bow to this Ranger from the North. Last of a ragged house long bereft of Lordship" Asteria was angry for what he spoke "Authority is not given to you to deny the return of the King, steward" She spoke with her voice laced with anger as Gandalf placed a hand on her shoulder as Denethor stood up from his seat in anger "The rule of Gondor is mine and no others!"

Pippin looks between Asteria, Gandalf and Denethor as they stared at each other angrily. Gandalf turns with Asteria in tow "Come Pippin.." She said softly as Pippin follows As they made it outside to the front of the hall, they stared over the land of Gondor "All had turned to vain ambition. He would use even his grief as a cloak! A thousand years this city has stood and now at the whim of a madman it will fall! And the white tree, the tree of the King will never bloom again" he said as Asteria looked down then looked back at the white tree "We must save this city... if not for men but for Aragorn.. He must take up the mantel of the king.." she said as if she was in deep thought. Pippin spoke "Why are they still guarding it?"

Asteria looked at him with a sad smile "They guard it because they have hope. A faint and fading hope that one day it will flower. That a king will come and this city will be as it once was before it fell into decay." She said sadly looking back out to the scene of the land as Gandalf spoke "The old wisdom born out of the west was forsaken. Kings made tombs more splendid than the houses of the living and counted the old names of their descent dearer than the names of their sons" Asteria looked over and could see Mordor in the distance, the fires burning menacingly "Childless lords sat in aged halls musing on heraldry or in high, cold towers asking questions of the stars. And so, the people of Gondor fell into ruin. The line of kings failed... The white tree withered, and the rule of Gondor was given over to lesser men..." she said softly as her face contorted as if she was in pain, the thought of the people dying hurt her deeply, Aragorn was like a brother to her, for his people to fall so far; it broke her heart.

They were broken out of their trance as a guard came up to them "Forgive me. My lord wishes to speak to the woman.." he said gesturing to Asteria as Gandalf stepped in front of her "She is the lady of Lothlorien and is to be treated as such... you will address her as 'My lady' " Gandalf's face shown anger as Asteria stepped forward placing a hand on his that was holding his staff "What does your lord need of me?" The guard looked at her in awe; it was not often they see an elf; let alone an elf maiden of such beauty; he snapped out of his trance as he spoke again "Forgive me my lady..." he said with a bow as he continued "He wishes to speak with you, I am unsure why" Asteria nodded and looked at Gandalf "I will return... it will be alright Mithrandir..." she smiled placing a hand on his cheek as she turned to follow the guard.

They entered back into the hall as she could see Denethor sitting in the same spot as before holding the horn. She stopped a few feet away, clasping her hands to the front as she tried to hold back her anger for this man. He finally spoke after a few moments "Why are you here in Gondor? An elf of all things.." he said with venom laced in his throat as he looked up at her with cold eyes. She thought deeply before speaking; her voice was regal and carried through the darken halls "I joined the fellowship that started out from Rivendell. I followed nine other companions through many trials. I do not see what concern it is of yours" Denethor's face contorted with anger before he stood up "Did my son join because of you? He would not throw his life away so easily" he said as he took steps towards her.

Asteria looked at him as if he grew two more heads "Your son joined by his own accord, not by me. I followed as my path as Boromir followed his" she could see Denethor circling her like a vulture circling to eat his prey "You had no relations with my son?" Asteria scoffed a bit as Denethor's demeanor "I assure you; your son did not hold my heart. It belongs to another that joined the fellowship along with us" she said as her voice held her confidence. Denethor stopped in front of her "Good... I do not want some low elf mixing with my son" he said with such malice that she could sense the darkness in his heart. She grew tired of this as she spoke; a soft glow emitted from her as her voice grew "I do not think you should underestimate who I am Steward... If our worlds were the same, I would be in a higher class than you. I am a princess in my home of Lothlorien, among my kin and you will regard me as such. If you disrespect me or the relationships between me and my fellow companions; you will regret it" Denethor stepped back a bit as he could see her eyes go from a beautiful brown color to an ice blue color. And in a swift moment she walked away, walking through the doors.

Time Skip to Evening

Asteria and Gandalf were looking out of the balcony they sat in, she told him what had transpired between her and Denethor and he advised her to stay close to him. Gandalf was smoking his pipe as Asteria was fiddling with her ring that Legolas had given her as she looked over the land. Pippin was laying out a small uniform that was given to him "So I imagine this is just a ceremonial position ... I mean, they don't actually expect me to do any fighting ... do they?" he said as Gandalf spoke "You're in the service of the Steward now - You're going to have to do as you're told, Peregrin Took... " Asteria smiled a little as she stared up at the vast night sky; not paying attention to their conversation as she was deep in her thoughts. She missed Legolas; her heart yearned to be near him again. Gandalf could sense the turmoil in her heart as he placed a hand on her shoulder "Do not fret my dear. He is safe.." She smiled at him; he always knew how to cheer her up "Thank you Mithrandir..."

Pippin steps forward and stood by Asteria "It's so quiet..." she took a deep breath as she looks over the land as her eyes landed on Mordor in the distance "It's the deep breath before the plunge..." Pippin looked at her "I don't want to be in a battle ... but waiting on the edge of one I can't escape is even worse" he said softly as she smiled at him "Do not fear Pippin... I will look after you dear one" she said softly placing a hand on his shoulder in reassurance before his attention turned to Gandalf "Is there any hope, Gandalf - for Frodo and Sam?" Gandalf joins them as they look towards the distant, jagged mountains of Mordor "There was never much hope.." he said softly as Asteria looked at Gandalf sadly as Pippin followed looking at the White Wizard "Just a fool's hope.."

Asteria turned away looking at the fiery sky over Mordor with a grim look "Our enemy is almost ready, his full strength gathered. Not only Orcs, but men as well." She sighed as she spoke of a vision she has already told Gandalf who knew what they were up against "Legions of Haradrim from the South.... Mercenaries from the coast... all will answer to Mordor's call" Gandalf looked at her as he could see her eyes watered a bit as she continued "This will be the end of the Gondor as we know it. Here the hammer stroke will fall the hardest..." She turned to the direction of Osgiliath as she continued "If the river is taken, if the garrison of Osgiliath falls, the last defense of this city will be gone" She looked at Pippin sadly and then to Gandalf who shared a sad smile.

Pippin desperately seeking reassurance from his companions "But we have the White Wizard and the Lady of Starlight... that's go to count for something" Asteria gave him a kind smile at his innocence as she looked into the distance towards Mordor; Gandalf followed her actions as Pippin watched them "Gandalf? Asteria?" She took a deep breath before she spoke "Sauron has yet to release his deadliest servant ... The one who will lead Mordor's armies in war, the one they say no living man can kill" The two stared intently towards Mordor as Pippin listened; Gandalf spoke "The Witch King of Angmar..." He looked to Pippin "You met him before... He stabbed Frodo on Weathertop..." Pippin shudders at the memory as Asteria continued to watch Mordor before she spoke "He is the Lord of the Nazgûl – the greatest of the nine... and.. Minas Morgul is his lair.." She spoke of a land that was a massive dead city, set upon a rocky knee at the head of the Morgul valley. Corrupt and loathsome, it glows with a sickly luminous light- like a corpse candle. She shuddered at the thought and image.

Time Skip

Gandalf and Asteria strode through the back streets of the city... so determined and purposeful that Pippin had to run to keep up with them. They suddenly stop as Pippin ran into Asteria who grabbed him to balance him as Gandalf looked down at Pippin "Peregrin Took, my lad, there is a task now to be done. Another opportunity for one of the Shire-folk to prove their great worth!" Gandalf kneels down and looks at Pippin earnestly, his hand on his shoulder "You must not fail me.." Pippin looked at him then Asteria who gave him a warm reassuring smile "Go... do not be seen dear one.." He nodded as he hurried away; his mission was to light the beacon so help may come. Gandalf sighs as he looks to Asteria "You have a task as well my dear... Your light will be needed..." She looked at him confused as she nodded. They waited for Pippin to light the beacon.

After a while Pippin is just arriving at the top of the cliff and climbs onto the beacon itself. He climbs up the beacon and reaches up to try to reach a burning lamp. Gandalf and Asteria watch from below. As Pippin pulls on the oil container to try to reach up, the rope breaks and oil pours down onto the dry straw. Pippin reaches the lamp and drops it onto the beacon. Asteria and Gandalf smile with satisfaction when they sees it. They runs out over a parapet and looks out into the distance. They watch at the beacon blaze forth from the mountains "Amon Din.." She said softly as Gandalf placed a hand on her shoulder "Hope...is kindled" She looked at him and smiled "Now we pray Rohan will answer..."

Asteria stops a moment before taking off with Gandalf following her; she looked into the distance towards Osgiliath as she could see a black shadow over the fortress "Gandalf.... It's the Nazgul..." She looked to him as he nodded "Go... take Shadowfax, you will need his light" She nodded at as she took off to the stables and mounted Shadowfax. She was not wearing her cloak; her white armor could be seen. As she drew closer, she could see the soldiers trying to retreat overt the plain to Minas Tirith. The Nazgul harassed them from the air as she watched he Nazgul swoop down and their beasts take soldiers in their claws, fly up with them and drop them to their deaths.

*Pretend this is her instead of Gandalf and Pippin is not with her..*

She gallops towards the stricken men as the Nazgul continue to harass and attack them. Asteria sends forth a bright light from herself which drives off the Nazgul. The light was extremely bright almost like the sun itself. The Nazgul retreat due to the light as she joins and leads the soldiers back to Minas Tirith and they all gallop back to Minas Tirith together. The massive gates open as she met up with Gandalf "Are you alright my dear" he said to her as she dismounted looking tired "Yes... I'll be alright" He comforted her as a solider shouted to Gandalf "Mithrandir!" They turned and Asteria's breath hitched; this man looked so much like Boromir.. It was his brother Faramir; Boromir spoke of him often to her "They broke through our defenses. They've taken the bridge and the West bank. Battalions of Orcs are crossing the river."

"It is as the Lord Denethor predicted! Long has he foreseen this doom!" a solider by the name of Irolas spoke towards them as Asteria turned to them taking her hood off "Foreseen and done nothing!" she shouted as Faramir looked at her in awe, he had never seen an elf like her before; most elf maidens he had seen were blonde and not normally in a warrior garb.

He noticed Pippin taking a place near her; Gandalf noticed this "Faramir? This is not the first Halfling to have crossed your path" Gandalf said to Faramir as she turned to him; her eyes had blue in them with swirls of brown "No" he replied to Gandalf as she spoke up with happiness in her heart "You've seen Frodo and Sam" He looked to her nodding as Gandalf spoke "Where? When?"

Faramir catching his breath "In Ithilien. Not two days ago. Gandalf, they're taking the road to the Morgul vale" Asteria's breath hitched again as Pippin noticed, he reached for her hand "And then the pass of Cirith Ungol.." she said softly as Faramir looked at her nodding as Pippin spoke "What does that mean? What's wrong?" he says looking at Asteria then Gandalf. "Faramir tell me everything. Tell me all you know please"

3300 words

*I will posting another chapter today for this story! Surprise!*