Three days later they were finally allowed out of
bed, though still confined to the nursery where they
passed the time building the city the boys had dreamed
about out of their toys and the furniture.

   A blue bedcovering, folded and laid in a curve
across the floor became the river and they spent some
time sailing their model boats along it, though Amin
complained they didn't look quite right and the sails
were white instead of black.

   "There was a low wall around fields and farms,
that's where we fought the battle." Estel remembered,
after they tired of playing with the boats.

   And the city had seven circles like Cardol," said
Hallam, "but it can't have been Cardol because it had
mountains behind it." *1

    So they built a wall out of toy blocks enclosing a
large swath of the nursery floor and put the girl's
dollhouse and all their model animals inside it to
represent the farms. Then they stacked a footstool,
two small tables and a candle stand to make the city
but didn't have enough blocks for seven circuit walls
and had to settle for four instead. Boxes and bottles,
cups and bowls became buildings and a long white
candle the city's topmost tower. Estel stepped back to
take in the total picture.

   "Not bad." he decided. "But there really should be
seven walls."

   "I know!" Berya jumped up and ran into her own
room, returning a moment later with her hands full of
ribbons. "We can wind these around the table legs and
pretend they're the other three walls."

   They were doing this, carefully because the stacked
furniture was a little unsteady, when Uncle came in
with Grandmother and of course they had to explain
what they were doing and why.

   Uncle was very interested in the dreams, especially
the boys', and insisted on hearing all about them in
as much detail as the children could remember.

   "Your city sounds like Minas Tirith," he said when
they'd finished, looking significantly at Grandmother
for some reason, "that was once Minas Anor, seat of
your ancestor Anarion the younger son of Elendil. Now
the chief city and fortress of Gondor."

   "But they don't want us in Gondor." Hallam reminded
him.

   "Perhaps that will change." Uncle said
enigmatically. Now it was Grandmother's turn to give
him a very pointed look and he cleared his throat.
"But Berya is right, doubtless this seeing is very far
in the future indeed and it is unwise to speculate
about what it might mean. In due time we will know." *2

   Then Uncle checked pulses, looked at their tongues,
felt their foreheads and announced they would be
allowed to play outside again in another day or two,
which was very welcome news. But he also decided they
were well enough to resume their lessons which was
rather less welcome.
   
   "You mean *now*?" Amin demanded incredulously.

   Uncle's eyebrow rose. "Why not?"

   The children could think of several reasons, but
none that grown-ups would accept. Resignedly they
settled themselves on stools and cushions at their
Uncle's feet.

   "Perhaps it is time we discussed your kingdom of
Gondor, its history and its relations with the Heirs
of Isildur." Uncle began. Berya, who happened to be
looking at her Grandmother, could have sworn she saw
Ellemir roll her eyes.

   Of course the children already knew Gondor had been
formed at the same time as Arnor and ruled jointly by
the brothers Isildur and Anarion until the War of the
Last Alliance in which Elendil and Anarion fell.
Isildur thus became High King and made his nephew
Meneldil, son of Anarion, his viceregent in the south.
But Isildur too was killed, at the Gladden Field, and
Meneldil refused to recognize the overlordship of
Isildur's Heir, Valandil, declaring Gondor independent
of the High Kingdom.

   King Valandil and his heirs, reluctant to shed
kinsmen's blood, tolerated this state of affairs which
inevitably led to an estrangement between the two
Realms in Exile. Left to themselves the Line of
Anarion had turned to conquest, winning themselves an
empire stretching far into the South and East, and
growing rich on booty and tribute. In fact Imperial
Gondor sounded uncomfortably like Numenor in the days
of its pride before the Downfall.

   Gondor's downfall was the Kinstrife, when the
Princes of the Anarioni had turned on their rightful
King because his mother had been born of the 'Lesser
Men' of Middle Earth. After that Gondor's fortunes had
declined steadily, her empire torn away, her people
decimated by wars and plague until the Line of Anarion
failed. Now hereditary Stewards ruled the land for
Gondor still refused to accept the Heirs of Isildur as
their Kings.

   "Maybe it's just as well." Meleth ventured. "They
don't sound like very nice people."

   Uncle frowned disapprovingly, clearly this was not
the reaction he'd hoped for.

   "Overproud certainly." Grandmother said calmly.
"And stubborn with it," her eyes glinted amusement,
"but then the same might be said of their Northern
kin."

   "Stubborn certainly." Uncle agreed drily. "But not
proud."

   "That depends on what you mean by pride."
Grandmother retorted.

   "The pride of the Dunedain of the North lies in
keeping their oaths, regardless of the cost to
themselves." said Uncle grimly. "The pride of the
Dunedain of Gondor caused the death of the Last King*3
and the failure of both Realms. It is because of
Gondor's pride the Heirs of Isildur and their
followers must live in hiding."
 
   "I said they weren't nice people." Meleth turned to
her brother. "Why'd you want to save their old city
anyway?"

   Estel opened his mouth, but Grandmother answered
for him. "Because they are still our kin and our
responsibility," she said firmly, "and whatever their
errors they have been valiant enemies of our Enemy for
many long years."

   She gave Elrond a warning look and he quickly
agreed. "Yes, that is true."
   ************************************************

1. Cardol, the ancient capital of Cardolan, was built
on an artificial hill raised by Elendil where the the
South road forks to go North to Fornost and West to
Dunhirion and the Havens.

2. Elrond is understandably excited, the children's
dreams suggest Estel will succeed in reuniting and
rebuilding the kingdoms of the Dunedain as prophecied.
But Ellemir is silently reminding him they've agreed
not to burden Estel with his destiny until he is
*much* older.

3. Arvedui, last High King of Arthedain, died TA 1975.
According to the prophecy of Malbeth had Gondor
accepted Arvedui, (husband of the only surviving child
of the last king but two of Gondor) as their ruler he
would, with the resources of both kingdoms behind him,
have been able to defeat Sauron and restore the
fortunes of the Dunedain. Isildur's defeat of Sauron
was the Dunedain's first chance, Arvedui the second,
Aragorn will be their third and last. If he fails, for
whatever reason, the Dunedain and perhaps the whole
Race of Men will be lost for good.