Chapter 29: Diplomacy - Arc rise of the light kingdom
While in the Light Kingdom Talion and his generals work tirelessly to prepare for war, the first diplomats from the Light Kingdom, sent under Talion's orders, reach Gondor.
A group of 10 people and 30 guards arrive at the gate of Minas Tirth.
Traveling in a carriage quickly designed by the architect of the kingdom, Ilbar, it is pulled by a few horses.
Although horses are in very short supply in the region of Nurn, some groups are present, which made it possible for the carriage to travel very quickly.
It is thanks to Idril's power that the guards and the diplomats have been teleported as close as possible to Gondor, cutting off a large part of the journey and allowing them to reach their destination much faster.
Having passed through the city of Cair Andros, north of Osgiliath which is the ancient capital of Gondor, it was easier for them to travel to Minas Tirith.
As soon as they arrived in Minas Tirith, they were stopped by Gondorian guards at the entrance of the city.
Presenting themselves as diplomats from a new kingdom, the guards don't know how to handle the situation and call their superiors.
The latter then welcome the diplomats of the kingdom and ask for an audience with the king, as the procedure requires.
...
Throne room
At the top of the white city, Denethor on his throne reads the last reports delivered by the scouts.
In front of him, Boromir, his eldest son, and Faramir, the youngest, are patiently waiting for their father's orders.
They can observe the serious expression on Denethor's face. The longer he reads the report, the more he frowns. His face grows older and older as he reads the document.
Looking serious, his eyes tired and his hands trembling, having finished the report he puts it delicately on a table next to the throne.
Then, he looks carefully at Boromir, his eldest son, valiant, brave, helpful, he is his favorite son, he considers him as a gem and it is for him inevitably the jewel of the kingdom.
Then, his eyes turn to Faramir, his youngest son, not as talented as his elder, he considers him as a failure, and does not appreciate him.
Staring at him attentively, his eyebrows frown, and in anger he hits his throne and screams
"But what is happening in Mordor? Can't anyone explain to me what's going on in this damn region!"
Mad with rage, he seizes the report and tears it up before resuming.
" How can we lose Minas Ithil, and a few months after thousands of enemy armies march with impunity into our territory!"
"Father, I-" as Faramir tries to formulate a response, Denethor becomes even more angry.
"Shut up! ungrateful son! I gave you everything, I put you in a position in the east to give you responsibilities, and you are not even able to give me a proper report! you are not able to defend the east of Gondor!"
"Father, Faramir is not wrong, there is something very strange happening in Mordor that we can't explain, these enemy armies are not even interested in us and they are going straight to the black gate" Boromir tries to reason with him
Hearing his favorite son, he calms down a bit.
Sitting back on his throne, he takes a deep breath of air, his hands still shaking before continuing "Thousands, no, tens of thousands of orcs and men are going to Mordor, I do not know if they are preparing an attack against us, but it is very likely, Faramir, you will intercept as many enemies as possible with your troops, if you have to put your life at risk you will do it" he finished with a determined look.
Then, his expression calming down, he looks at his son and in a soft voice says "Boromir, I want you to travel to Rivendell, the capital of the high elves, according to Faramir's prophetic dream, I think you are the best person to go there, Faramir will correct his mistake in the meantime"
"But father, if Faramir had a prophetic dream about going to Rivendell, It's his right to go there, not mine!" interjected Boromir.
"Enough, it will be done as I say, you don't mind" he said turning to Faramir
The latter wishing to make a good impression in front of his father answers "No father, I will follow your orders".
"Well, that's done".
And while Denethor was about to send them to do their tasks, a guard enters the hall by the main entrance.
Without speaking and respecting the protocol, he kneels in front of Denethor and hands him a scroll.
Somewhat annoyed by the extra workload, Denethor opens the scroll.
And it is while reading it that his eyes brighten up, filled with joy.
"ahahah, here is the answer to our questions, so bring these diplomats as soon as possible!" says Denethor.
...
Ten minutes later, the diplomats of the kingdom of light, guided by the famous Allen, a former Gondorian diplomat from Minas Ithil entered the room.
In front of the delegation was Denethor on his throne, smiling and watching the delegation with joy, while Faramir and Boromir were on the side of the throne trying to understand the rapid change in their fathers' behavior.
Entering the room, Allen approaches the throne, leans his chest a little in greeting and speaks
"I greet you, Denethor son of Ecthelion, steward of Gondor, if I come today in front of you in behalf of my king, Talion, and I want to announce you something important"
"Well, speak" answers the concerned
"I announce you the creation of the kingdom of light in Mordor, we are a new kingdom centered on the cohabitation between men and orcs, we also want to inform you that we possess a sufficient military force to crush Sauron his armies, thus we claim the possession of Mordor and all its regions" he finishes by looking straight in the eyes of Denethor, confident in himself.
Every move he makes is mastered to perfection, having graduated from the administrative school of Minas Ithil, he has been trained by the best in the domain, and this man knows perfectly what he is doing.
"A new kingdom you say, I'm interested in what you have to say, especially about the cohabitation of men and orcs, and when it comes to Mordor, I know perfectly well their powers, and I know that you will not last long in front of these armies" he said with an amused tone before continuing.
"You didn't come all the way here to tell me such nonsense, I hope".
"It is not nonsense, steward, if I came here, it is for several things, as I told you, my King is claiming the whole of Mordor, and that includes the Black Gate as well as Minas Ithil of course, the second is to inform you of our presence, therefore we ask you to stay away from our war, and as for our internal politics, I can't tell you anything more" said Allen still looking at Denethor
Hearing these words Denethor is somewhat angry, but remembering the situation they are in, he can not help but laugh a little before saying.
"Ahah, I'm afraid you can't claim anything, you just don't have the ability, besides, my armies travel as they please, in all amity I could respect your requests if you manage to defeat Sauron, but you are capable of that."
"We have come in all amity, and we wish to establish peaceful relations between our countries, that is why I wanted to talk to you about our situation first, we would not want to confuse one of your armies with our enemy " Allen then replies.
"You are quite bold for a diplomat, our armies are not like those of the men of the south or the men of the Rhûn, I don't think you would want to break all relations with us when you have just declared yourself to the world "
"Of course, steward, this is only for information purposes," Allen said with a slight smile on his face.
"I have heard enough, I take note of the information you have transmitted to me, you can go " says then Denethor impatient.
...
Following this diplomatic discussion, the group of Allen leaves directly Minas Tirith, satisfied of their performances.
Indeed, the main objective was to create doubt in Denethor's mind, not wanting him to intervene and Gondor to enter the conflict, it was necessary that Denethor sees the kingdom of light as an arrogant faction.
Knowing the power of Sauron, one of Denethor's likely reactions will be to let them be destroyed by him and at the same time weaken him.
This is of course what they are looking for, he will surely try to strike quickly after their hypothetical defeat.
This way they are sur to not face the gondor army as well as the armies of Sauron at the same time, otherwise it would be catastrophic.
...
On Denethor's side, as soon as the group of diplomats left, he ordered his sons
"Boromir, you will go to Rivendell as planned, as for you Faramir, watch our borders and prepare a huge army, we will let this so-called kingdom of light be destroyed, if I understood correctly they already own part of Mordor, this means that Sauron will be weakened and we will be able to defeat him and take back our territories"
"Shouldn't we help them? After all, they stand against Sauron alone, even if they don't want us to intervene, we would be stronger together" asks Faramir.
"No, as they said, they claim the land of Mordor, that means they do not want us to help them, because in another age most of Mordor belonged to us, and this until recently, these lands are ours by right and we will not help a kingdom that stands as a rival!" Denethor said, displeased that his son questioned his order.
Faramir understanding the words of his father but still thinking otherwise accept the order of his father.
...
Meanwhile, thousands of men of the Harad are near the black gate, with their numakills, they are fearsome, and under the orders of Sauron they have only one destination in mind, the fortress of Nurn.
---
These past few days I only post one chap a week.
I'm sorry for this release schedule but I don't have the time to write anymore, I'm taking times for you guys.
read chapters ahead on my pa*treon at pa*treo..com/I_am_Baal
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