The Eagle and the Star

Thorongil and Elerína returned to Minas Tirith in the company of not only Eddil and his companions but also the rangers they had rescued.  They reached The White City after dusk and Captain Miller wanted Thorongil to come with him to see his commanders and possibly the King. Thorongil refused, insisting on going back to the inn at which they were staying and getting a night's sleep.  Miller could not force him to go - ignoring the fact that he owed him his life, he had witnessed Thorongil's power first-hand and had no interest in trying to compel him to do anything under threat of force.

Thorongil and Elerína retired to their room almost immediately after they returned to the inn.  Once away from prying eyes she unwrapped Thorongil's arm and put forth her power. Soon not a mark remained of his wounds.

Eddil went with Caranel to the Houses of Healing and stayed with her that night.  Aldamir and Gram spent a few hours telling Timothy the tale of their adventure. Timothy was especially interested in their encounter with Shelob.  He was well versed in history and knew that Shelob was no beast - she was an ancient spirit of malice and hunger in spider form. Many great warriors had faced her and few lived to tell of it.  That Shelob had traded words with Thorongil and seemed to fear a direct confrontation intrigued the scholar to no end.

"I was robbed of the chance to kill your mother," he mused.  "I don't suppose either of you know this, but Shelob's mother was Ungoliant.  I hope that name means something to you."

Aldamir nodded but Gram looked clueless.

"She helped Morgoth destroy the two trees," said Aldamir.

"That doesn't help much," muttered Gram.

"Did the horses eat all the books in Rohan?" exclaimed Timothy.  "Ungoliant was so powerful that at her greatest not even Morgoth could defeat her.  It took an army of Balrogs to drive her from the north."

"Even if it was a great boast, Shelob didn't mock him for it," he continued.  "Who would dare to tell Shelob that they wished they could have faced her mother in battle?"

Neither Aldamir nor Gram had anything to add, so all three retired to their rooms to sleep.

It was after sunrise when Thorongil and Elerína came to the common room for breakfast.  Before they even started their meal two Guards of the Citadel in full armor came into the inn and stood at attention on either side of the door.  After them came a tall man richly dressed. He was Elboron, son of Faramir the Steward, and he was on business of the king. He and his guard walked up to Thorongil's table.

"The King wishes to meet you," he said.

"And I wish to have breakfast," Thorongil replied, half a biscuit in his mouth.

"The King wishes to see you now," Elboron responded after a moment's shock.

"And we would be honored to meet him," said Elerína standing up.

"The King had better be providing breakfast," moaned Thorongil, rising as well.  "I ate almost nothing on that trip to Mordor I took to rescue your rangers."

"I am sure that can be arranged," replied Elboron, unsure how serious Thorongil was.

Elboron and his guard led Thorongil and Elerína up through the city.  It was a long walk and the sun was high in the sky when they reached the seventh level.  Elerína and Thorongil paused hand in hand as they passed the White Tree. As they gazed upon it their home in Valinor did not seem so far away.

They entered the throne room of Minas Tirith.  Aragorn sat upon the great stone seat with several of his counselors at his sides.  Captain Miller of the rangers was present as well.