June 25th
King Elessar finds the sapling of the White Tree.
While tales of traveling have been told of late, we now drift back to a momentous event in Gondor. Others have returned to their homeland to set their lands in order and the remaining members of the Fellowship (Frodo, Sam, Merry, Pippin, Gimli, Legolas, and Gandalf) spent time talking amongst each other and exploring the great city.
One morning Gandlaf was no where to be found, he had taken Aragorn to a path only the Kings of old had crossed. There on Mount Mindolluin they stood surveying the land before them.
“And Gandalf said: ‘This is your realm, and the heart of the greater realm that shall be. The Third Age of the world is ended, and the new age is begun; and it is your task to order its beginning and to preserve what may be preserved. For though much has been saved, much must now pass away; and the power of the Three Rings also is ended. And all the lands that you see, and those that lie round about them, shall be dwellings of Men. For the time comes of the Dominion of Men, and the Elder Kindred shall fade or depart.’”
Aragorn looked for a sign that the Tree of Gondor would be restored, for the Tree in the Court of the Fountain was still withered. If the tree were to grow and blossom the line of Kings would endure.
“‘Turn your face from the green world, and look where all seems barren and cold!’ said Gandalf.”
There, in the waste of snow and stones, Aragorn found a sapling tree no more than 3 feet high already growing leaves.
“And Gandalf coming looked at it, and said: ‘Verily this is a sapling of the line of Nimloth the fair; and that was a seedling of Galathilion, and that a fruit of Telperion of many names, Eldest of Trees. Who shall say how it comes here in the appointed hour? But this is an ancient hallow, and ere the kings failed or the Tree withered in the court, a fruit must have been set here. For it is said that, though the fruit of the Tree comes seldom to ripeness, yet the life within may then lie sleeping through many long years, and none can foretell the time in which it will awake. Remember this. For if ever a fruit ripens, it should be planted, lest the line die out of the world. Here it has lain hidden on the mountain, even as the race of Elendil lay hidden in the wastes of the North. Yet the line of Nimloth is older far than your line, King Elessar.’”
A beautiful sentiment indeed, the richness and glory of your Kingdom lies within how well you treat the nature around you. Take care of the three, plant and grow it’s fruits, that is your duty as King.
Aragorn gently removed the sapling, without hurting the tree, and carried it back to the city. They removed the withered tree, with reverence, and laid it to rest in Rath Dínen, they did not burn it. Aragorn then planted the new tree.
“‘The sign has been given,’ said Aragorn, ‘and the day is not far off.’ And he set watchmen upon the walls.”
A seemingly small event can sometimes have the greatest importance. Aragorn finding the sapling was further proof that his rule was the rightful one and that a new age was to begin.
Thank you for your time, and remember, the old that is strong does not wither.
– The Wandering One
Of Blades and Kings 