THE WEDDING OF ZAMINBALAK AND ALDARION
May 20, 2232, Second Age

Zaminbalak portrayed by Madurz
Narrator and Aldarion portrayed by Angmar

Narrator: He awoke long before the first fingers of dawn touched the clouds the east, and arising from his bed, he picked up the robe from the chair where he had cast it off the night before. He fishes his belt out from the pile of clothing on the chair and takes a key from the ring. He walks across the floor to an antechamber, and after unlocking the door, he walks into the room and closes the door behind him.
Narrator: He goes to a table at the side of the room and picks up a scroll lying there, an astrological chart. He looks at the diagrams and symbols and begins tracing patterns with his fingers in the air. Putting the scroll back on the table, he walks to the bookcase along the side of the room and takes out a thick volume.
Zaminbalak: Zaminbalak found sleep was hard to come by the during the night and in the middle of racing thoughts of this and that of her life and of Aldarion, sleep had claimed her. Now, some hours later, but not many, her eyes fluttered open and her stomach was introduced once again to the butterflies and her skin with the tingles she had felt the night before. Nervous anticipation...but more than anything... supreme excitement for the day ahead. The time had finally come and before she got up to start any preparations to herself, she would lay there a while, smile adorning her face and thinking...thinking so many wonderful thoughts. Against any oppostion and caring not of any...this day belonged to them.
Narrator: Returning to the table, he opens the book and turns to a page and reads the runes inscribed there. A low chant begins deep in his throat as he reads the words on the pages, chanting and intoning as he begins uttering spells of protection and blessing. Satisfied that his incantations were adequate, he stands there a short while and then closes the book.
Narrator: From a small cabinet nearby, he takes out a black basin and a small steel knife and returns to the table. A small box is close by on the table and he opens it and takes out a mithril ring set with small diamonds, a larger one in the center.
Narrator: He holds the knife in his right hand and the ring in his left and begins to chant. With one swift motion, he makes a gash across his left arm. He lays the small knife down, and turns his left arm over, letting the drops of blood run over the ring through his fingers into the basin.
Narrator: He brings the ring up to his lips and kisses it, then puts it back in the box. He then begins intoning another chant slowly, and passes his right hand over his left arm, and as his fingers go across the wound, the lips of the gash seal over and the skin becomes whole again.
Narrator: Turning aside from his table, he walks to the center of the room, where a circle inscribed with runes rests in the perfect center. He walks to it and stands on the edge. His hand goes to the chain holding his ring around his neck. As he steps into the circle, he unclasps the chain and slips the ring on his finger and disappears. The Ring on his finger glows slightly, and then he can feel it begin to throb and soon its rhythm has matched the beat of his own heart. "I await your word, O Annatar.... Master."
Narrator: Silence. And then he detects a faint whisper. The voice he hears in his mind has become so familiar over the years that it now seems to be part of his very soul. "O, Chosen One," he hears, "this day is one of happiness for you, and have I not given you everything for which you desired? Have I not given you this woman that you craved? And you, Aldarion, Lord of Umbar, I will take and make greater than even your hopes would aspire."
Narrator: Aldarion stands there, his eyes shut tightly, as he listens to the words. "Great Lord.... Master.... You have approved this union.... will You also bless it?"
Narrator: "My blessings I give to you with both hands, nothing held back as it has always been, for are you not the one for whom I have searched, the one who has proved most worthy to embrace the power, the strength, the will of all I will make you to be?"
Narrator: Aldarion replies, "Thank You, my gratitude, Great One..... always have You been generous to me." He stands there in the center of the circle until the Ring no longer speaks to him, but he remains there yet, standing, his eyes tightly closed, intoning a soft chant for well over the space of an hour.
Narrator: Leaving the circle, he returns the ring to the chain about his neck, and then goes out of the door of the room, locking it behind him. A moment of weakness falls upon him, and he passes his forearm across his forehead and then sinks to a chair. He notices that his forehead is damp with perspiration, and his breath comes in gasps and pants. Perhaps he fell asleep, for when he opened his eyes again, the dawn was past and he could hear birds singing in his garden outside.
Zaminbalak: Zaminbalak floated through the morning on a cushion of air in happiness. Her cares few. Servants knocked on her door and dryly requested to be let in with their trays of food and beverage and the materials she had requested the night before to wash with. They passed a look between themselves and then Zaminbalak dismissed them. These servants were women who she has known for quite some time. Not friends, mere aquaintences, if that, for she did not even remember many names of the others who she had passed in halls and busied herself with in duties for many months.
Zaminbalak: People she had to engage in conversation with as she kept up her ruse. Kind but indifferent to them and mostly aggitated by the gossip and words spoken about other servants, envy spilling from them as they bickered who was more favored. So many were false in loyalties and friendship as she detected when they all spoke so nicely of the previous queen now after her "tragedy," when she remembered well in the short time she worked along side of them while the queen was alive how their feelings of the lady were quite different.
Zaminbalak: She ate slowly, savoring each delicious bite but unable to eat too much for she was too excited to put much in her stomach. She washed and dressed in a light robe, knowing that she had not much to do this day but tend to herself and she didn't want to leave her room until it was time for the ceremony. She did not even ask for her gown for that night to be brought to her, for she might be tempted to wear it, thus losing its crispness and wrinkling it...and she wanted it and herself to be perfect.
Narrator: Rising from his chair, he goes out to his balcony and stands leaning against the balustrade. He looks down into the pool beneath the balcony and then across to a pair of peacocks, wedding gifts from Tar-Ancalimon, the King of Numenor. The birds drink from a fountain which splashes playfully in the morning sun, and as they raise their graceful necks up, Aldarion can see the male peacock fan out his feathers, displaying brilliant blue feathers crowned with a black circle at the arch. "A worthy gift, and a beautiful one too," he thinks as he looks at the pair. His sense of hearing, which seems ever to be more acutely attuned to the least sound, hears the knock at the door to his chambers.
Narrator: "The servant comes with my breakfast," he thinks, and giving the peacocks one last look, he turns and goes back inside and walks to his breakfast table. The meats, cheeses and fruits that comprise his breakfast seem to taste especially good this morning. "But isn't that as it should be," he thinks. "This is, after all, to be a good day, the day of my wedding to Zaminbalak, treasure of my heart."
Narrator: After finishing his morning meal, other servants come in and help him dress for the day. Often the days can be tedious with endless officials to meet, advisors who mumble advice that he usually ignores, or emissaries from other lands, who ask him of the possibilities of forging alliances with their countries or joining him in another war or making trade agreements.
Narrator: Growing impatient of the worthless advice of his old advisors, he had dismissed them all several months ago, and in their place he named as his chief advisor his cousin, Aranzir, recently arrived from Numenor.
Narrator: "He is young," Aldarion thinks, "Or at least he is to me," and he chuckles, his first mirth of the day as he thinks of Aranzir's "tender years" of only 150, tender anyway compared to Aldarion's nearly 500. "Long years of life... a gift of the Elvish blood that courses through my veins."
Narrator: During the rest of the morning, he reads well wishings delivered by couriers and instructs his scribes to answer them. A late wedding gift has just arrived, a tapestry from a kinsman in Numenor. The tapestry is almost magical in its beauty and it is embrodiered with threads of silver and gold. It is a scene of Meneltarma and the harbor of Romena below. He smiles as he looks at it, and thinks of the wedding trip that he and Zaminbalak will be making in just a week.
Zaminbalak: Zaminbalak straightened the sheets on her bed and fluffed the pillows and smiled, thinking this among many other tasks was one she did not have to attend to anymore. She could not yet fathom the idea of numerous servants bending to her every wish and command. She sat at the edge of her bed and closed her eyes and allowed these thoughts to slowly sink in. In her mind she saw heads bowed....but she hoped she had also found some respect...some feeling that she was not some joke among servants...that she was indeed chosen by Aldarion for pure love..for once in his life. Smiling but her eyes grew dark as she told herself not to bother with the thoughts and ideas of others. So long as no one became a threat to them, it should not be a concern to her.
Zaminbalak ran her hands over her face, with her eyes still closed, she thought of Aldarion, then her lids pressed together tightly and she began focusing more on Annatar...and thanked Him, for each day she understood a little more of His power and graces and appreciated them. Remembering..focussing on the feel of Aldarion's ring as she was trusted to hold it in her hand...filling up as she thought of His power and Aldarion's constant increasing power..her heart began to beat faster and she thought deeply and long upon this.
Narrator: Preparations for the wedding had all been left to Aranzir and his wife, and Aldarion was more than glad to relinquish that responsibility to them. Knowing that he has little to fear there, Aldarion turns his attentions to a brief meeting with one of his generals, who has come to congratulate him and to discuss plans for the war which will soon be unleashed against "lesser men" to Umbar's north, who will fall easy prey to the ships and warriors of Umbar.
Narrator: "More gifts for my King, Tar-Ancalimon. He had been greatly pleased with the tribute sent to him last fall, the gold and the silver, the mithril, the slaves, the tributes that are extracted from the lesser ones. Soon all of the coastal area and far inland would be under the control of Numenor. My King should again be pleased with me," Aldarion thinks.
Narrator: After the meeting, Aldarion ordered that his horse be saddled and brought to him. He enjoyed a good horse, and this one, a large bay stallion, bore him swiftly to his orchards, his vineyards, his fields and pastures where his flocks and his herds grazed peacefully. "Life is sweet," he thinks, "and becomes sweeter every day, and tonight, the lovely Zaminbalak shall become my bride! Many happy days lie before us."
Narrator: He rode through the rest of the afternoon, exhilerated in the feel of the horse beneath him as it galloped. Two hours before the wedding, he returned, to make his preparations.
Zaminbalak: The time had come now and the knock Zaminbalak was expecting finally came and she was met with the eyeballing faces of the two servant women again. She could only imagine their discussion on the way to her door. Zaminbalak knew she wasn't all that well liked anymore among the other servants. That they were all too curious, gossiping and envious. Though she had been surprised and appreciated how the one who held in her hands the gown she was to wear carried it so delicately . The other carried a tray with various accessories and a bottle of perfume.
Zaminbalak: Zamnibalak, on this day would not let even their nudging elbows or eyeing glances bother her. She stared at the gown long and smiled, filling with so much inside and ordinarily she would have turned them away, and dressed herself as she had always done, as servants do, but today she had them come in and treat her as the higher to them that she always was, though they didnt know, and officially would be today and have them help her with every detail. And Zamnibalak smirked at this very thought and raised her head high as they looked upon her glowing face and body with silent hate and with an air of jealousy as they dressed her and adjusted the beautiful soft cream colored gown on her trimmed with gold and blue and lined with a lighter blue silk.
Zaminbalak: They made 2 braids in her long hair and wrapped them and fixed her hair in place with silver pins.. "How do i look?" she asked as she twirled once when she was finally ready. She smiled even wider as their eyes narrowed on her but spoke false words of kindness "You look....wonderful." With that Zaminbalak dismissed them and finished the finer details of dabbing the flowery perfume on her neck and wrists. Not all who resided here felt about her as the two maidens, but no one here was really understanding at all to her and the situation. She preferred it that way. Her heart filled with joy and love as she caught her reflection..she radiated and she spoke to herself "Aldarion my ziran...forever i shall be with you. I am so happy today."
Narrator: For the wedding, he will wear his state robes - his crown, a simple diadem with one brilliant diamond set in the center, his state robe of blue with patterns and runes embroidered in gold around the hem and edges of the sleeves, and his signature seal ring upon his right hand.
Narrator: His advisor Aranzir greeted him when he had finished dressing. "While indeed Your Majesty is not a young bridegroom, it can be said that the marks of age have been kind upon his features."
Narrator: Aldarion had always liked his younger kinsman, and found that his jesting and good natured way had been far more bearable than the dour and solemn imprecations of his other kinsmen who still held to the Elvish ways.
Narrator: The King arrived early in his great hall, flanked by Aranzir. He walked with dignity to his throne and seated himself as his nobles greeted him with jests and humor that he was not sure that his bride-to-be would appreciate, had she heard them. A hush, though, fell upon them, and they stopped their drinking and ribald jests when they saw Zaminbalak, escorted by her father, Gimilkhad, walk through the door to the great hall.
Zaminbalak: Zaminbalak held onto her father's arm as she made her way into the great hall. She blushed slightly, which was something she did rarely, but she was not used to this type of attention. So many eyes upon her. Though as she hesitated a moment and looked over them all a new wave came over her and instinctively her shoulders aligned and her eyes surveyed with confidence. Her father gave off warmth for he beamed with delight. His smile was wide and made his cheeks full and his eyes squinty. She looked over to her gentle father and smiled. Then she focused her eyes on what they would be lost on for the rest of the night. For the rest of her life. Aldarion. Her husband-to-be. The warmest and most thrilling sensation rolled through her as she looked at him.
Narrator: The King rises to his feet and his nobles follow his suit. His advisor, Aranzir, stands beside him on the dias. She walks up the aisle between the tables. He looks at her and her eyes catch his. "At last!" he thinks. "We will be wed," and he thought to himself that he could scarcely bear to endure the interminable time between the ceremony and the feast until he could take her into his arms now finally as his wife.
Zaminbalak: *Her eyes momentarily look upon the thones behind Aldarion and she fills with pride as she looks at hers. She walks up to meet him on the dias and her father stands at her side*
Narrator: *A small lad bearing a pillow upon which rests a mirthril ring adorned with diamonds and a small diadem set with a diamond*
Narrator: *The boy hands the pillow to Aranzir, then steps back and bows. Aranzir, smiling, then turns to Aldarion, who takes the Ring off the pillow*
Aldarion: Zaminbalak, daughter of Gimilkhad, do you accept me as your husband, to honor me, respect me in love and combine our fates together forever?
Zaminbalak: *his words echo in her ears and fill her heart as she looks into his eyes* I, Zaminbalak do accept you Aldarion, Lord of Umbar as my husband whom I promise to honor, repect and love and commit myself to for all time...our fates combining forever.
Aldarion: *He reaches for her hand, takes it and holds it* I, Aldarion, Lord of Umbar, do accept you, Zaminbalak, as my wife, and pledge to respect, honor and love you, until the unmaking of the world
Aldarion: *He puts the ring upon her finger*
Aldarion: And with this ring, I do make you my wife
Zaminbalak: *she feels the cool precious element slip upon her finger as she looks to it and gasps at it's beauty and then to him and her expression is laden with complete love and her eyes well slightly wit tears of pure joy*
Aldarion: *He releases her hand and smiles at her*
Aldarion: *Then he turns back to Aranzir and takes the crown from the pillow. Then he turns back to Zaminbalak* Now kneel before me, Zaminbalak, my wife
Zaminbalak: *she lowers herself slowly and lightly to one knee before him and places her hand gently on her heart and bows her head slightly*
Aldarion: *He holds the crown high in the air and says* With this crown, I make you my queen
Aldarion: *Then he places it upon her head* Arise, Zaminbalak, queen!
Aldarion: Give me your hand, now, and stand beside me
Zaminbalak: *the words seem so surreal to her and she feels as if her whole body is lit with some kind of white light and she rises and places her hand gently in his waiting hand and moves to his side..connected by hand, heart and soul*
Aldarion: *He stands there, holding her hand, and says to the assembled nobles* Hail your new queen!
Narrator: *They all shout lustily* Hail to the Queen! May she reign long!
Zaminbalak: *her father clasps his hands together tightly as his smile widens still and bows his head and almost sqeaks in delight*
Zaminbalak: *her eyes look over them as she goes through so many emotions and it overwhelms her*
Zaminbalak: *she feels that her and Aldarion float among them all...so high..so powerful*
Aldarion: *He turns her around to him, takes her in his arms, holds her around the waist and kisses her*
Aldarion: *At which the crowd cheers again*
Zaminbalak: *the roar melts into their kiss and she in his arms as she wraps her arms around his neck and months of time past slips by in her mind...she kisses him back with so much passion and feeling and it is transferred into him and he knows exactly what she knows...feels exactly what she feels and it is exchanged in a timeless kiss...the roar now fading away as they embrace which seems like forever and all that is heard is the beating of their hearts and intense warmth felt between their pressed chests from his Ring*
Aldarion: *he pulls back from her slightly, and over her head, he proclaims* Now let the feasting begin!
Narrator: *The nobles cheer even louder this time and take their seats. Soon servants bring in platters of food and drink and the room is engulfed in noisy feasting and revelry*
Narrator: *He takes her by the arm and leads her to a seat at the table. She is beside of him, her father to her right, and Aranzir to the king's left*
Aldarion: *He looks to her* I do not think they are paying too much attention to us now *he laughs*
Zaminbalak: *she laughs with him and look to him, leaning in closer so he can hear her over the crowd* no love. They are finally endulging in what they really came for
Narrator: *Nobles propose endless toasts to their health, their happiness, the prosperity of the kingdom, and with each toast, the noise in the hall becomes louder.*
Aldarion: *The king eats little and drinks less and repeatedly looks to her.*
Zaminbalak: *she had her fill of food but it still on such a high from the events that she cannot eat much more of the food that is lavished upon them.. she still sips on her wine though and looks over the crowd who should at this point be filling to the seams but will push their limit all they can at this bestowed feast and she shakes her head and chuckles to herself. She feels the heat of his stare and meets his frequent glances*
Narrator: *He turns to her, puts his right hand on hers, and whispers in her ear* Shall we retire? *he smiles*
Zaminbalak: *she angles her head up to meet his eyes* i have had my fill...of food *smiles back to him*
Aldarion: As have I *he whispers* and wish now to taste something much sweeter than any honey upon this table
Zaminbalak: *her eyes close slightly as she feels his breath upon her face* Your kisses are more pleasing than the finest food or wine love
Aldarion: *He turns from her and rises to his feet, touching her on the shoulder as he gets up*
Zaminbalak: *she places her hand on his and clasps it and looks to her father and leans into him and kisses him on the cheek and nuzzles him.* Thank you father. It was so good to see you. I have missed you....
Zaminbalak: *Gimilkhad touches her face and smiles warmly* Your mother would be proud. You look as beautiful as she did on our wedding day. He kisses her again. Zaminbalak stands and by Aldarion and Gimilkhad
Zaminbalak: pushes his chair back and rises and bows his head to Aldarion and extends his hand to him*
Aldarion: *He takes Gimilkhad's hand and shakes it vigorously, then he turns back to the crowd* Let the feasting continue!
Aldarion: *He turns back to Gimilkhand* Consider this your home. It is yours, as long as you wish it
Zaminbalak: *a small sound of pleasure escapes her father's mouth at Aldarion's kind words and Gimilkhad is overtaken and pleasantly surprised by this most unexpected event* I am more honored and overjoyed at this union and your having my daughter as your bride and your kind words my Lord
Zaminbalak: *Gimilkhad smiles and finally realeases Aldarion's hand. He says* her mother would be so happy....*trails off*
Zaminbalak: *she looks to her father's eyes*
Zaminbalak: *her heart stings a moment as she feels and remembers the sadness and how he grieved*
Zaminbalak: *Gimilkhad* oh brother! joyous day! *he beams again*
Aldarion: *He turns back to Gimilkhad* In honor of your daughter, you shall be named one of my counselors
Aldarion: And as befits the father of the queen, I shall bestow upon you a house and servants and a title
Zaminbalak: *her father's eyes light up and he takes Zaminbalak's face in her hands and kisses it and shakes Aldarion's hand again* Thank you! Thank you my Lord
Aldarion: *He shakes his hand again and slaps him on the back* And now good Gimilkhad, if you will return my queen to me.....
Zaminbalak: *he laughs* ah! yes yes! new love...yes must flourish *he releases her*
Aldarion: *He smiles to him and releases his hand* Now, my lady *he says as he looks at her* I will show you to your new lodgings
Zaminbalak: *Zaminbalak's eyes fill with emotion and joy as she looks to her father again who sits down and has more joy in him than she has seen in years*
Zaminbalak: yes my love. i would like nothing more
Aldarion: *he takes her by the arm* And now my lady queen, let us have our own celebration!
Aldarion: *He moves away from the table, turns and begins to walk slowly out of the great hall to the cheers of the crowd*
Zaminbalak: *she places her hand lightly on his arm and looks adoring at him as they make their way to part from the crowd*
Aldarion: *as he walks with her, he whispers* We should be glad that they don't follow us and continue their celebrating in our chambers
Zaminbalak: *she laughs and sqeeezes his arm* love that would be most unwanted
Aldarion: *At the entryway to the hall, they are met by servants who bow to them and then follow them*
Aldarion: *He whispers to her again* Be accustomed to the srevants, my love. They fall over themselves in their efforts to serve us
Zaminbalak: *she raises her head and smirks* i think love i shall rather enjoy it *she looks to the servants*
Aldarion: And yes my love *he continues* there will be three handmaidens to wait upon you now. When you are through with their attentions, wanted or unwanted, simply dismiss them
Aldarion: you are queen here now
Zaminbalak: *she swells*i am still getting used to the title love
Aldarion: The title is yours now my love. You have the power to command
Zaminbalak: something i never thought i would want in my life. And now..now it feels so necessary
Aldarion: *They walk on until they reach the queen's chambers* I will leave you here, my love *he whispers to her* I will go to my own quarters. The rooms connect *he smiles*
Zaminbalak: The doors to her quarters are opened and Zaminbalak steps inside, followed by her 3 handmaidens, inhales and smiles brightly as she scans the impressive room that was brightly lit with many candles. In front of her raised up on two steps, which were strewn with petals from various colored flowers from the gardens, was a luxurios bed draped in fine sheets and thick spread. Hanging from the ceiling, left half opened and falling over the bed was a sheer canopy. To her right is large wardrobe and table consisting of combs, hair pins, perfumes and jewelry case. To her left are cabinets and surfaces holding trays of breads, deserts, fruit and wine. So beautiful was everything far beyond her room among the servants when she arrived here over a year ago as handmaiden to queen, and far beyond that of her rooms she was stepped up to as time went on.
Zaminbalak: She turned now to her handmaidens. Three fresh faces of women she had never seen before who looked to her with a sincere expression of loyalty and eagerness of approval of the room. Their awaiting faces with lips that smiles as she does fills her with that new feeling...that realization once again as the bowing and crowd chanting "Hail to the Queen" did.
Zaminbalak: "My ladies....this room is maginificent...and the decorating is remarkable. I am so very pleased." They bow and thank her.
Zaminbalak: She knew right away that these women were new. No doubt Aldarion saw to it that she receive the best care and servants without preconceived ideas and jealousy. Ones who would not giggle, glare or gossip only do all they can to see that her every need was met. With the combination of this most pleasant feeling, marriage and excitement, Zaminbalak clasped her hands, raised to her toes and twirled and laughed. The girls shared her joy and awed at her beauty and laughed with her. Zaminbalak spun over to them and placed her hands on the outter two women's shoulders and her expression turned more serious. "My ladies...we are to be close at all times. I shall treat you with total kindness and favor you most among all my servants. I only ask you of a few simple things. Always treat Lord Aldarion and I with complete respect. Be loyal and true no matter what circulates here. Keep your hearts and your words good-natured. You, although serve me, can be friends to me...trusted and given a listening ear and even spoiled if you are sincere to me. You will walk with me and be as a compliment to me" She smiles tenderly and squeezes their shoulder. "Now ladies...what are your names." Soft and happy voices encouraged by Zamnibalak's words are heard as they speak their names....Zadnumik, Izrezarkil and Taneherbas. "My ladies...it is a pleasure to have you with me..speak freely to me as you wish."
Zaminbalak: With an excited step she moves away from them and over to a cabinet and takes out three more goblets and brings them over to the tray with her elaborate goblet and bottle of wine. She pours each one full and calls to them and waves her hand. "Zadnumik, Izrezarkil...Taneherbas...come! join me in a goblet of wine and a toast." They hurry over to her and take up the goblets and raise them with her, overflowing with joy at Zaminbalak's behavior. "To this wonderful day...this union of Lord Aldarion and I and to my wonderful, loyal maidens!"
Zaminbalak: They join their goblets and drink and the maidens throw constant words of praise at her beauty and they all together gawk and squeel over her gorgeous dress, skin and ring. Zaminbalak cant help but stare at it for long moments and feel her heart pound. They fuss over her and one take out a soft light blue nightgown. They help undress her and place the soft blue, silk goen over her...adjusting every ruffled edge with care, dabbing her with sweet smelling perfume and combing her hair out. She requested it down loose, about her shoulders and back as she knew Aldarion loved it. Girlish laughter filled the room and she felt warmed by this, having not had something of this nature in her life for a long time. An only child and always wanting a sister..friends long forgotten..this was nice. Above all she was happy to be appriciated...even if it was by servants. But the one of most importance....of the greatest love...was lying just beyond the door she now stared at. Her heart beat faster and she looked to the women and kindly dismissed them for the night and told them to join the feast and drink and dance to their heart's content for their service was not needed tomorrow.
Aldarion: *The two servants go before him and open the door to his chambers for him. They go into the room with him and then close the door behind them*
Aldarion: *The room is filled with flowers and their exotic scents fill the room. The tapestry given as a wedding gift from a kinsman adorns the western wall*
Aldarion: *He takes the diadem from his head and hands it to one of his servants, who takes it from his hands and places it in a laquered box*
Aldarion: *Emblazoned by the seal of Umbar*
Aldarion: *He takes off his state robe and hands it to one of his servants, who takes it and hangs it in a wardrobe*
Aldarion: *he informs the servants to bring him a lightweight dark robe. Then he orders the other to bring him a bottle of wine, two goblets, place them on the table and fill them*
Aldarion: *After one of the servants goes and fetches the bottle and the goblets, he dismisses them and tells them if he needs them, he will call*
Aldarion: *He then takes a seat at the table, picks up a goblet, drinks from it and waits for his bride*
Zaminbalak: *Her handmaidens had left and she looked around once again and placed crossed hands on her chest and sighed and blew out the candles around her room and felt warmth as she stood at the door and turned the knob, opening the joining door*
Aldarion: *He hears the knob turn and arises and goes to meet her*
Aldarion: My love!
Zaminbalak: *she laughs with delight and rushes to his arms and touches his face* Oh Aldarion!
Aldarion: *he takes her in his arms and kisses her*
Zaminbalak: *she tightens her embrace and kisses him with passion and love*
Aldarion: *his hands play up and down her back for a moment, and then he says* At last, all pretense is over!
Zaminbalak: *her fingertips stroke his back and she nuzzles her face in his neck* all this time love...finally our time has come
Aldarion: *he kisses her again and then moves away from her, slips his hand around her waist and leads her towards the table*
Aldarion: A goblet of wine, my love? Let us toast our marriage
Zaminbalak: yes! of course, let's! *she smiles as she stands next to him*
Aldarion: *he takes her to the table, moves away from it, pulls out a chair and helps her be seated*
Zaminbalak: *she sits down and look to him and around the room* Your quarters look wonderful
Aldarion: They are our quarters now, my love
Aldarion: *he pushes the seat in for her, bends down and kisses her on the back of the neck*
Zaminbalak: *pleasant chills run through her*
Aldarion: *He sits down at the table* My lady, your wine awaits you
Aldarion: *In the center of the table where he sits is a silver candleholder, wrought in the shape of a tree with long branches that trail almost down to the top of the table. Many small candles rest in tiny holes in the twining limbs of the candleholder.*
Aldarion: *he passes a hand over the top of the candleholder and all the candles blaze into brilliant light, like a shimmering silver tree*
Aldarion: One of my wedding gifts to you, Zaminbalak, my queen
Aldarion: There are other gifts. *he says as he raises his wine goblet* We drink to us, our union!
Zaminbalak: *her eyes are wide with and she exhales deeply and looks to him as the flames arise and she places her hand over his free, resting hand
Zaminbalak: *she meets her goblet with his* To our union!
Zaminbalak: To us my love
Aldarion: To our union! *he exclaims* And let nothing or no one come between us!
Zaminbalak: never my ziran
Zaminbalak: *her eyes lock onto his*
Aldarion: *he drinks from his wine goblet and looks into her face*
Aldarion: My queen *he teases* do you not wish to see what other gifts I have for you? Where is the famed curiosity of women? *he chuckles*
Zaminbalak: *her eyes remain on his over the rim of the goblet as she drinks and she then smiles and places it back on the table and jolts in her chair excitedly*
Zaminbalak: yes of course!
Aldarion: *he puts his goblet back on the table, then pushes his chair back and gets up*
Aldarion: Close your eyes. I will be but a moment
Zaminbalak: *she turns slightly in her chair and places her hands on her lap and closes her eyes*
Aldarion: *He walks across the room and opens a small cabinet and takes out a jewel encrusted box*
Aldarion: *He walks back to the table and places the box on it, then opens it and takes out a silver necklace of diamonds to match her ring. They sparkle in the light cast by the candleholder and the torches*
Aldarion: *he walks behind her and unclasps the necklace, then places it around her neck*
Aldarion: You can open your eyes now *he whispers into her ear*
Zaminbalak: *she feels the cool heavy strand around her neck and his warm breath on her ear and gasps and opens her eyes*
Aldarion: A gift, my queen, to match your ring, but never to match your beauty
Zaminbalak: *she angles her chin down and looks to it and place her hand upon it *oh love!
Zaminbalak: *runs her fingers over it and then looks to him and sighs* my dear love..it is amazing
Aldarion: *he bends down and puts his hand briefly over hers*
Zaminbalak: *she tilts her head to the side and looks to him with such love*
Aldarion: *The full moon casts light through the open doors to the balcony*
Zaminbalak: it is so beautiful. And this ring! oh love
Aldarion: *The smell of jasmine and hybiscus wafts in from the garden*
Aldarion: *He takes his seat again and picks up his goblet, drinks from it, and looks at her*
Aldarion: you are pleased, my queen?
Zaminbalak: *she places her hand to her heart then to her lips and kisses her fingertip and places them to his lips*
Zaminbalak: Aldarion...so pleased...so happy..so in love with you
Aldarion: *He kisses her fingertips lightly*
Aldarion: *Then he takes her hand in his and looks into her eyes*
Zaminbalak: *love is exchanged in their gaze*
Aldarion: *The nightingales in the garden begin their nightly serenade*
Aldarion: *he looks down to the ring on the chain around his neck and his mood begins to change slightly*
Aldarion: My love... *he brings her hand back to his lips and kisses the palm*
Zaminbalak: *her eyes which look to his features notice something* yes dearest?
Aldarion: *He puts his goblet down and passes his hand over his eyes, as though a mist were before them*
Zaminbalak: *her eyes move down and look to his Ring*
Zaminbalak: *she looks away from his face and down into the wine in her goblet*
Aldarion: *then he touches the ring around his neck, then he looks to her and his eyes seem to stare into space, through her*
Aldarion: Darling... *he says softly* Let us go to the balcony
Aldarion: They..... They call...........
Zaminbalak: *she nods and looks up to him* The..nightingales? yes
Aldarion: Yes... *he says automatically* they sing so sweetly. We must go listen to their song
Zaminbalak: *she smiles lightly and extends her hand to his and stands slowly*
Aldarion: *He pushes his chair back, stands, and reaches down and he pulls her by the hand, almost roughly*
Aldarion: Come. We cannot deny Them!
Zaminbalak: *her arm is yanked and her motions are hastened by his pulling and she moves with him*
Aldarion: *He takes her to a bench built along the side of the balcony. He then walks away from her to the center of the balcony, and stands, facing west.*
Zaminbalak: *she watches him...feels the cool air on her skin and through her hair and smells the sweet, floral scents and hears the song of the nightingales, she delights in them but is more intent on him*
Aldarion: Stay there *He says in a grim commanding voice*
Aldarion: *He begins to chant a spell in Aduniac, calling forth the spirits of the air. A gentle breeze begins to pick up and close-lying clouds begin to race across the sky.*
Aldarion: *His chant becomes louder, more potent, as he intones, and then the breeze comes down and touches upon the balcony, and a small, whirling pool of mist moves across the balcony.*
Zaminbalak: *her mouth parts as she witnesses this. She always loved displays of his power but he seemed concerned..so now so was she*
Aldarion: *The chant becomes lower now, the words spoken in hushed tones, and the winds die down, and then, coming down out of one of the lowering clouds, a dark shape appears, and alights on his right arm.*
Aldarion: *Its small, fierce eyes glow in the pale light. The light of the moon is dimmed for a moment as the black clouds overhead pass in front of it, but the light shines once again when they are gone.*
Aldarion: *Zaminbalak looks and sees a gleaming ebony form perched upon his arm, a raven. The bird turns to him, and his mouth moves and he says words unheard to her.*
Zaminbalak: *she keeps silent but sits forward and watches in wonder*
Aldarion: *With a rush of its wings, the raven takes flight, then circles until it disappears into the dark clouds above.*
Aldarion: *He watches as the bird moves into the air, chanting slowly and softly, and then the chant ends, and the clouds rush away on a sudden gust of air.*
Aldarion: *He looks over to Zaminbalak and smiles* A friend *he says.*
Zaminbalak: *she manages a breathy smile*
Aldarion: *his voice becomes more solemn* .....A spirit.... a spirit of power...
Aldarion: That takes the shape of a raven.... do not be afraid of him....
Zaminbalak: *she shakes her head* no love..i am not afraid at all
Aldarion: *Then he turns and faces the south. Again, he intones. Every tiny drop of moisture in the air near him seems to coalesce into his outspread hands. The droplets twist and turn and begin to take shape.*
Aldarion: *Soon they take form and now he holds in his hand a goblet formed of pure liquid, then slowly the liquid merges and begins to form solids before her eyes.*
Aldarion: *As he chants softly, she can see a chalice of blue water which slowly begins to freeze into ice.*
Zaminbalak: *at this display of power...wonder...she gasps and smiles and her heart pounds and she begins to understand what is happening*
Aldarion: *His voice, now a singsong motonous rhythm, rises and falls as the chalice turns into crystal, and then as he lifts his arms upward, it rises into the air and disappears into the south.*
Aldarion: *He falls silent and then turns around and faces north.* O Great One! *he intones.* You who were before all that is, hear me, and cast Your favor upon me!
Aldarion: *He stands there silent, as though waiting. Then he says in a louder voice* Let Your power, which You have dispersed into the earth, be present, be shown in me! Show my bride that You are pleased with me!
Zaminbalak: *she sits at the edge of the bench more now as she angles her head and then to him...she hears the pounding in her ears..as she feels in her deepy the power that starts to surround her.*
Aldarion: *He reaches his arms out again in supplication, and begins to intone words of obesiance. A small silver glow begins to shine between his outstretched hands, and as it spreads, it begins to take form of a sword of mithril silver.*
Zaminbalak: *her body tenses and she breathes heavily...slowy she begins to chill and her heart fills with icy heat and it spread over her body as she watches*
Aldarion: *Then he raises the sword in his right hand and fire leaps across its blade. Lost now in a trance, Aldarion chants* To You Melkor, I pledge this sword. May its blade claim the blood of Your enemies and hasten the day of Your appearing!
Aldarion: Take my blood as proof of my dedication!
Zaminbalak: *her eyes, not having blinked, stare and her head rises and she feels wrapped up in his words and shudder*
Aldarion: *Blood begins to appear slowly on the blade of the sword and runs down its hilt and drips down the hand of the King and soaking through his garments. It runs down and puddles at the floor near his feet.*
Aldarion: *Aldarion stands there a while longer, lost in the deep world of his trance, his face contorted as though in agony.*
Zaminbalak: *her fingernails grip the stone bench she sits upon almost breaking, her breathing erratic now and she grins before worry starts to consume her and show on her face as she sees his blood flow from him and if not held by some other force she might have lept from the bench and over to him but she was held by steady, deliberate hands of power and stroked by those hands for trust and she just watched as she and her body feels sensations throughout it.*
Aldarion: *Breathing heavily now, he turns and faces the east* Annatar! *she can hear him chant*
Aldarion: Lord of the Fire and the Forge, hear me! Show your power that flows into me. Bless me with Your fire.
Aldarion: *Zaminbalak can see that his face is now drenched in perspiration and his breathing is quick and shallow.*
Aldarion: Master, grant me this petition. Make me powerful from Your fires which are kindled from the darkness!
Zaminbalak: *scattered breaths escapeher as her eyes lock on Aldarion and her her stomach, heart, throat and spine tense up and the top of her head feels warm*
Aldarion: *Aldarion's voice now rises to a fevered pitch and his eyes seem to be unseeing, dazed, as he looks towards the east. Suddenly, all around him, are eight circles of fire, blazing brightly and shooting skyward.*
Aldarion: *Eight rings of fire encircle him and he stands in the center, the circles dancing around him. He seems to turn into a great, giant, towering pillar of fire at the center.*
Zaminbalak: *beyond wonder now....she is totally lost in this and feels disconnected from her body*
Aldarion: *Now she can see, glowing more brightly than all the nine circles, the circle of fire about his neck.*
Aldarion: *She begins to hear words that seem to come from the Ring itself.* Zaminbalak, look upon him. I show you the future. He is to be the Lord of the Nine.
Zaminbalak: *she moves involuntarily from the bench to her knees..his voice like a swirling red vapor in her mind in her ears...her chin angled down...her eyes gaze, peering up at him* Undying worship..unending love and loyalty
Zaminbalak: Lord of the Nine....worship You...Annatar...Your servant for all time Great Giver of Gifts *her voice is low, rapsy breath*
Zaminbalak: *perspiration breaks on her brow*
Zaminbalak: *she rocks slightly as she praises Him*
Aldarion: *All nine circles of flame burst into greater brightness and form into flaming columns, rising into the air.*
Aldarion: *The words slowly begin to fade, and as they do, so do the circles and flames around the king. She sees him standing, unharmed.*
Zaminbalak: *the sounds of the night start to fade back in as the others fade out and she finally blinks and looks to him*
Aldarion: *His eyes slowly open, and he turns to her*
Aldarion: Do not come near me yet, Zaminbalak
Zaminbalak: *she rises slowly from her knees and sits, keeping her distance from him*
Aldarion: *He sways unsteadily and almost falls, and then stands there and shudders. Then, drawing a deep, shaky breath, he walks towards her and sinks down heavily on the seat beside her. He leans against her, as though for support.*
Aldarion: *In the center of the balcony, where he had stood, she can see a scorched spot in the tiles with whitish smoke rising from it, encircling a pool of blood.*
Aldarion: *She notices his right hand is bleeding from many gashes, but as he passes his left hand over it, the wound seals over and the skin rejoins once again.*
Aldarion: *The smoke slowly begins to evaporate and with it, the burn marks on the tile and the pool of blood slowly disappear.*
Zaminbalak: *she wraps one arm behind his back and the other hand runs over his face as she kisses his temple and cheek over and over and and rests her hand on his heart and her head on his*
Aldarion: *He looks over to her and his eyes seem sad but yet triumphant. There is an air of transparency about him, and she can almost see through him.*
Aldarion: *He says to her in a low voice* I have gained Their approval, and Their favor, and with that, They will grant me what I desire: power
Zaminbalak: *the feeling of intense power has subsided in her and now she processes the happenings and his words and clutches him tighter to her*
Aldarion: Let me rest but a while, Zaminbalak. I am weary. I must lose my puny strength and skill to gain the greater of Theirs
Aldarion: *He puts his left arm about her waist and his right hand about her shoulder, and turns her to face him.*
Zaminbalak: *her eyes fall upon his as she holds him and becomes concerned as she sees his transparency*
Aldarion: What you saw..... was not a vision.... it was nothing I conjured. It was real as your warm lips.
Zaminbalak: *she has noticed this of him before but tonight it was more than usual...she feels a mix of sadness, honor, power, joy and conern*
Aldarion: And there are others..... Eight chosen..... like me....
Zaminbalak: i am understanding more and more love
Zaminbalak: and you are to be Their Lord
Aldarion: Aye, it was as you saw
Aldarion: And He...... has other names...... not only Annatar.....
Aldarion: Artano, he was known by this once
Zaminbalak: *her fingers rub his temples and forehead and through his hair as he speaks to her*
Aldarion: He is the one, the one who gives me power
Aldarion: By this you have seen, His favor shown to you
Zaminbalak: yes love...i know. And His favor..*she closes her eyes a moment*I am filled with much honor..so much..being part of this..sharing this
Zaminbalak: but honor is among many of the feelings i experience
Aldarion: *The perspiration begins to dry on his brow in the cool night air and his breathing slowly returns to normal*
Aldarion: My strength returns to me now
Zaminbalak: *she places her cheek on his forehead...her voice low and a seeming far off whisper as she almost speaks to herself* Having His favor is among the greatest gifts..along side of having you love
Aldarion: But my love... *he chuckles* Our wine is waiting for us
Aldarion: *He pulls her to him then and kisses her, his lips moving over hers. He pulls her to her feet, slips his arm around her waist and leads towards his chambers.*
Zaminbalak: *the light of the moon streams it's brilliance in the room, the breeze from outside blows the fallen petals from the flowers across the floor to their feet, they face each other and embrace as their lips find each other again...and whether by the whispering wind or by act of Aldarion, the tiny flames of the candles gripped by the branches of her gift flicker and blow out*

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