The King in Exile
"Land ahead!"
Startled, Eldacar started. He had not expected to find land, not when so many others had sailed west, only to return, claiming that their ships had been turned back by a mysterious force. This force was said to be the Valar's way of preventing a second invasion against Aman. The world had been bent when Aman fell and this new force was in place ever since Eldacar's forefather, Elendil sailed from Numenor with the remnants of the Faithful.
Not daring to hope that he would succeed, he asked, "We still sail west?"
The ship's captain, Nenrandir, answered, "We do."
"Nenrandir, mellon-nin, do you know if the Ban has been lifted? Do we sail to the Undying Lands?"
Nenrandir shook his head, "Eldacar, Aman is no longer part of Arda, you know that. Iluvatar set it apart when he cast down Numenor. Only the Firstborn are permitted to follow the Straight Road that leads to the Undying Lands." He gazed ahead, "We sail to a new land, one I know not."
"Then we sail for help against the usurpers. I should not have doubted Lady Galadriel's advice, her foresight is famed, even among your brethren."
"Did Lady Galadriel tell you anything of the land?"
A chuckle, "No, she was as mysterious as always. I am gladdened that Cirdan allowed me to sail forth with you."
"You understand that I cannot return you to Ennor? From here, I sail for Aman with my kin."
"I do, I wish you well in your journey, though I do not understand why so many of you leave Middle Earth in its time of need."
Nenrandir sighed, "It is difficult for us who cannot die to live in a land of death. We grow weary and in the Undying Lands we can enjoy our long lives. Do not misunderstand me, our souls are ever calling us to cross the sea and return to Valinor. We do not leave at the merest feeling of discomfort."
"I would not believe it of you. I have met enough Elves to know how the sea-longing affects your people." Eldacar gestured to a point on the shore. "I can see a city, leave me there."
Nenrandir nodded, setting course for the city. "Eldacar, remind me once more: Why did you not bring any of your men with you? Surely they would be willing to accompany you."
"This is something I must do myself. My men must care for my people. My sons, Aldamir and Minardil, will lead them in my absence,"
"Are you certain this is a safe venture? Could you not have brought even a few men to guard you?"
"Nay, this is my duty and mine alone. I believe it as much as I believe anything else."
The ship was docking and Eldacar gave his farewells, "Nenrandir. I leave you now. Go to the Undying Lands and, if you can, ask the Valar to help us or at least explain. We have never been so lost."
Eldacar set foot on shore and noted that many of the people were staring at him in wonder. He supposed it was indeed a strange sight to these strangers, a man a foot taller than them disembarking from a ship in the shape of a swan. For ones not accustomed to the Men of Westernesse or the Elves, the tale of his arrival would be a thing of curiosity.
Eldacar was quickly approached by man, likely a guard, dressed in mail, with a shield emblazoned with blue eyes atop a blue sea with white waves. Eldacar looked into the man's eyes, and through them his heart and mind. The man felt like an outcast, in need of a friend, and more importantly he had an honest heart.
The guard spoke and Eldacar braced himself for a new tongue which he would need to learn, "Who are you? Where do you come from?" A pause, then hesitantly, "Surely not the Summer Islands?"
The Valar had at least granted that both peoples spoke the same tongue. He let out a small prayer of thanks and responded, "Call me Thorongil." Even as far away from Castamir as he was, he would not risk the recognition of his name. Castamir did have control of several Palantiri. "I come from Middle Earth, known also as Endor or Ennor. I am not familiar with these Summer Islands. What is your name?"
The guard shook his head, murmuring something about swan ships. "I am Rodrick Snow."
"Snow? Forgive me, where I come from, most only go by a single name." Eldacar paused, "Or we go by the name of our father."
Rodrick smiled softly, "Only a single name? That'd be like the wildings up North, beyond the Wall. Those of us that go by Snow..." He shook his head, "Most of us. don't know our fathers."
"You have my condolences for your loss."
Rodrick looked bewildered, "Ah..." He shook his head. "Nevermind that. I must ask, why have you come? Not many come this far north."
"I was told to sail west to find help."
"Help with what?"
Eldacar rubbed a hand across his chin. "I fear the matter is not one I can discuss openly"
"In any case, I believe you should speak to the Lady Lyessa."
"Lady Lyessa? Who is she?"
"She's the head of House Flint of Widow's Watch."
Eldacar gestured to the city, "I take it that this is Widow's Watch."
"Aye, follow me."
As they walked, Eldacar asked Rodrick of this new land, learning of the Seven Kingdoms. When they arrived at the keep, Rodrick spoke to Lady Lyessa, telling her about the 'giant from the swan' as the crowd was calling him.
Eldacar bowed before Lady Lyessa, "Rodrick tells me you are a great leader for the people of Widow's Peak."
"What is it that you need? By your arms and armor, you are no common knight."
"I must apologize, it is a matter of which I do not feel comfortable discussing in the open."
She tilted her head, "Follow me, we shall discuss your predicament away from prying eyes."
If anyone thought it strange that these people were so readily accepting the word of a stranger, they were unfamiliar with a Dunedain's ability to influence the minds of weaker men.
Once they were alone, Eldacar spoke. "Lady Lyessa, my words will be difficult to believe, but I urge you to consider them."
"My true name is Eldacar, son of Valacar, heir to throne of Gondor."
Lady Lyessa raised an eyebrow, "Oh? You are a prince?"
Eldacar ignored the disbelief that emanated from her, "No, I was a king, but my rule was overthrown by my cousin, Castamir."
"Ah, I see. You are like Viserys, a Beggar King, fighting to reclaim his home. Only...his story is known to world. Why is yours not known?"
"As I said, I come from Gondor, which was previously kept apart from your world."
"Gondor is the Lost Land?"
"It may be, I am not yet familiar with the geography of this part of the world. I have come to seek aid for my people. Castamir may hurt them grievously."
"I thought your cousin took your throne, why would he attack his own people?"
"Not his own people. He usurped my throne because he claimed I was a half-breed, as my father took a woman of Rhovanion as his wife, and the Gondorians consider them lesser people."
"Lesser people?"
"Yes, the people of Rhovanion are not as long-lived, nor as tall as the Dunedain. They believed that I was lesser than them, although I have lived one hundred and ninety years as healthily as any Dunedain."
The disbelief was apparent, "One hundred and ninety years? You mean to tell me that you lived before the dragons died? This is surely a mummer's farce."
Now Eldacar was confused, "No, the dragons still live, far in the north of Middle Earth, in the Withered Heath." Granted, the great dragons were dying out, but some still lived,
"Your stories are difficult to believe: a near two hundred year old man who looks to be no more than forty, dragons living, and a kingdom usurped." Eldacar imposed a bit of his will on the woman, only enough to make her ignore the fantastical things he had divulged.
She sighed, "Southerners would claim you tell tales of grumpkins and snarks, but in North, we know of other great dangers. Go to Winterfell, Rodrick will show you the way. Lord Stark may be able to help you where I cannot. Lord Stark will be able to introduce you to the King. The King is visiting Winterfell soon, and it is a month's journey from here to there."
"Thank you my lady."
"Do not thank me, I cannot help you. Rodrick!"
"Yes m'lady."
"Escort Thorongil to Winterfell. Teach him what you know of our lands and customs."
"Yes Lady Lyessa."
As Eldacar left, Lady Lyessa rubbed her head, feeling light-headed.