A Matter of Succession
"I came here often as a child," Boromir says and as we walk on he reaches down
and picks a small white flower. He smells it before he turns to me and with
laughter in his eyes places it in the hair band I wear so not to have my long
hair fall into my eyes. I allow the flower to stay where he has placed it and
with a smile I draw him into a quick kiss.
"I shall give you flowers more often if I'm thanked like that every time,"
Boromir teases. I laugh as we walk on. We reach a stone bench and I sit down.
Boromir sits beside me.
"This is life," I say happily as I leads back and lifts my head to the heavens
and enjoys the warm sunlight on my face. The sounds of spring, the birds and
insects, make me feel dozy.
"Come," Boromir asks and pulls my hand. I let him pull me up and allow myself to
be dragged to the grass nearby which is surrounded by flowerbeds. He sits down
on the warm grass and pulls me down with him. With a gleam in his eyes Boromir
leans back, placing his head in my lap and closes his eyes, letting the sun warm
his face.
"Now, this is life," he says and I smile. He's right; this is perfect. It's not
often we have a whole day to ourselves. Matters of state must come first and in
the beginning we barely saw each other during the day. Now, five years since we
first met and four years since the war ended, things have calmed down somewhat.
Most of the rearrangements I wanted to make regarding the law, our politics and
crime and punishment, I have already made. The trouble now is making people
follow it. In the beginning I sensed a great reluctance against me from the
nobles and it didn't help that I reduced their power and gave more power to the
state and to me. For example the nobles used to be able to punish their own
people for crimes and not let their verdict go through the state. As this
practise resulted in many unfair convictions I revoked that law and said all
trials are to go through one central justice system.
The first law I revoked was the law forbidding Boromir and me to be together.
Over the years the nobles have turned their distaste for me into distaste for
Boromir. He's an easy target for them because they'll be able to draw on support
from the church though I know they'll find no support from the common people.
Boromir is well loved by the people for his bravado in battle, his love for his
country and his concern for the common man and woman. Unlike most nobles,
Boromir talks with the servants. When I was looking for him the other day I
found him in the kitchen talking with the women there about their children, the
coming harvest and that the palace had way too many stairs.
When I first met him I thought him too proud to do any of that. But I quickly
found that his pride wasn't in himself or him being a nobleman. His pride was in
his country, the common men and women who lived, worked and died there.
Boromir always says that I'm a loner and he's right. That's what makes us so
perfect together in every way. He's my connection to the people, he sees and
hears everything. The nobles may dislike him but the people adore him and well
they should for he cares for them; their troubles are his. It is through him
that I hear what the common man thinks of my decisions and rule. It is through
him I learn all what the nobles do not wish me to know.
"Your Highness. Your Highness," I hear one of my aids call for me. I look toward
him as he approaches and he stops at a respectful distance from where Boromir
and I sit. Boromir still has his head in my lap, his eyes closed and he looks
like he's sleeping but I can see the corners of his mouth turn up in a smile. He
has had to endure much because he's my partner and lover but he has also found a
sense of humour in it all for he, like I, finds their intolerance of our
relationship annoying and stupid. At first the nobles' distaste made him
depressed and sad but quickly he began to enjoy baiting them, teasing them. To
survive all the feasts and banquets I unfortunately have to hold for them, I
think that humour is the only way to look at things and look upon them.
"This better be important, aid. I said I didn't want to be disturbed," my tone
has just enough of steel in it to make the young man seem nervous. Boromir
smiles at me though he still enjoys the warm sunlight and his eyes remain
closed.
"Lord Kalimal is here, Your Highness. It is about the matter of succession," the
aid says, his voice sounding insecure and his eyes are lowered to the ground.
"Not again," Boromir growls and reluctantly opens his eyes and looks at me. Lord
Kalimal is one of the biggest advisories we have at court. He believes himself
to be a very righteous and Godly man and is therefore against my relationship
with Boromir. Every time we see him he'll ask me how Arwen is, and when I'll
marry and have children, reminding me the kingdom needs an heir. His rudeness
towards Boromir has several times almost made me sign his death warrant but
unfortunately I can't. He hasn't done anything illegal and if I want to rule
fairly I can't remove, ban or kill people who don't like my choices or me.
Though at moments like these I'm tempted to rethink that philosophy.
"We have to see him," I reluctantly say to Boromir and bend down and kiss him on
the lips.
"Can't we say we aren't here?" Boromir complains as he stands up and offers me a
hand up. I smile at him as I let him help me to my feet.
"I'm afraid not," I say and caress his cheek. I know this must be hard for him,
he's a proud man and if I wish to kill Kalimal every time he insults Boromir
with his hidden meanings and words, I know Boromir wants it several times more.
"This way if you please, Your Highness, my Lord," the aid says and with Boromir
by my side we walk towards one of the big halls. The doors to the Red Room, one
of the rooms used for receiving guests are opened for us and the aid introduces
us;
"His Royal Highness, Aragorn, King of Gondor and Boromir, Lord Of Gondor,
Captain-General of the Royal army. Lord Kalimal."
Kalimal bows for us and I give as small a nod of my head as possible. Boromir
refuses to acknowledge his bow at all.
"Your Highness," Lord Kalimal says, his voice like a snake's and his eyes
likewise.
"What brings you here, Lord Kalimal? I have important business to attend to," I
say as I go and sit behind my desk, Boromir stands behind me with one hand
resting on my stool. Lord Kalimal remains standing, as I haven't given him
permission to sit.
"I'm here regarding the matter of succession," Lord Kalimal says and completely
ignores the fact that Boromir is even in the room.
"As I've said before I'll tend to this matter when I see fit. Is that all?" my
voice is hard and dismissive.
"I've allowed myself to look into the matter and according to the old law, the
King shall name his successor within a year after his coronation and as Your
Highness knows it has been four years now," Kalimal says, a hint of triumph in
his voice.
"That law holds no power anymore. It was made because in the old days war was
common and if the King didn't fall in battle, the nobles weren't late to try and
make up for that to gain personal power and influence," Boromir says, his voice
hard and his right hand rests on his sword handle, itching to use it.
"I know of this law you speak and it is hardly a law but more a tradition. I'm
under no obligation to name a successor within a given time just as long as it's
done before my death and I don't intend to die for many years yet," I say
coldly. Kalimal's attempts are getting more and more annoying each day.
"Then I'm sure Your Highness knows that your heir must have your blood in his
veins," Kalimal says smoothly. My eyes shoot daggers at him. The nerve of that
man!
"I'm aware of this. You'll take your leave. NOW," I order harshly and wave him
dismissively away. With a bow and a smile of triumph he leaves.
"One of these days...." Boromir says hatefully.
"I know but unfortunately he has a point. I should name my successor," I lean
back in my chair and sigh deeply.
"Is it true your successor must have your blood in his veins?" Boromir asks
softly and I can hear his doubt and fear of losing me in his voice.
"Yes, I'm afraid so," I admit as I take his left hand and kiss it in an attempt
to reassure him all will be right.
"What will you do?" he asks softly.
"I'm not sure but we'll do it together," I say and draw him down and into a
kiss.
"What have you found out?" I ask Boromir when we later that day sit in the
library, tons of books spread out before us. Boromir slams his book shut in
despair.
"Nothing! That coward is right. It seems a Royal heir has to have Royal blood in
his veins," Boromir says frustrated. I shake my head. There has got to be a way
out. There has to be. I can't lose Boromir now. Not after all we have been
through. Not after only four years together. Think, I just have to think....
"Wait a minute. Did you say that my heir had to have Royal blood in his veins?"
I ask, a plan forming in my mind.
"Yes," Boromir confirms, looking puzzled at the smile that spreads over my lips.
"That's the exact words?"
"Yes. 'A Royal heir to the throne of Gondor has to have Royal blood in his veins
to rule the land'," Boromir reads from the book.
"Then it doesn't say what line of royalty, now does it?" I ask with a smile.
Boromir smiles widely.
"No, it doesn't," he confirms, knowing where I'm going.
"Which royal houses do we know that we can trust to take over Gondor after my
death?" I ask, a gleam in my eye.
"I shall send for Legolas," Boromir says and stands to go to the door to do just
that.
"Wait a moment," I ask and he stops.
"What is it? We both trust Legolas and he's an Elf. The people and the nobles
will like him. He'll be perfect to lead Gondor," Boromir says and I can hear the
eagerness in his voice to get this matter settled for if we can't find an heir
to Gondor....
"Legolas is heir to Mirkwood. He already has a Kingdom to inherit. He cannot
rule two Kingdoms unless Gondor and Mirkwood are ruled as one and we want Gondor
to keep its independence," I say, thinking about our options.
"What about Arwen?" Boromir thinks out loud, slowly going back towards me. "She
is of The Royal House of Fingolfin."
"Women can't inherit Kingdoms," I dismiss the idea, leaving no room for
argument. Boromir and I have spoken of this matter several times. He thinks it
unfair that women can't inherit Kingdoms. As he sees it a woman can be just as
great a warrior and statesman as a man; sometimes maybe even better. I'm not
saying I can't see his reasons but it is a thought I can't agree on.
"No, not her. One of her sons," Boromir says. I look puzzled at him. Sure, I
know she and Legolas are good friends now and I have my suspicions that they may
be more but...
"Arwen sent a message for us today. In the confusion I forgot to mention it, I
am sorry," Boromir says apologetically.
"Nothing to forgive, Meleth nin [Elvish for 'Beloved']," I say softly and give
him a quick kiss, happy for Arwen and Legolas. I love them both deeply and I can
imagine no better wife for Legolas than her and no better husband for her than
him.
"She has let me know that her and Legolas have indeed got close over the last
year. She says they plan to wed next year. Legolas will naturally want his first
born son to rule Mirkwood but the second son...his second son we can give Gondor,"
Boromir explains, sounding happy at his plan and the prospect.
"It is a good plan. If Legolas agrees on it," I say.
"He will. We're offering his second born son a Kingdom to rule," Boromir says,
sure of this fact and I have to agree with him. Which man doesn't want his sons
to do well?
"There is only one problem. The future rulers of Gondor will then all be Elves,
the Kingdom will be ruled like an Elvish country though it is not," I warn him.
"Not necessarily. We make a law that says Legolas' son has to marry a human
woman and their son will marry a human woman as well. That way as the line grows
it will be human rulers though all will have a link to the Elves and their
wisdom and powers," Boromir explained.
"Maybe...maybe this could be done," I say softly. Boromir kneels down besides
me.
"I know it can," he says and kisses me on the lips. I smile.
"Then it shall be so."
The End
by Nadja Lee
've been here often yet I'm always stunned by the beauty of this place," I say
as I walk through one of my palace's many gardens. It is a beautiful spring day,
the sun is shining, birds are singing and the smell of fresh flowers and grass
reaches my nose.
