Meanwhile, in Dol Amroth Princess Finduilas was about to have her world turned upside down. At 24 years of age, her status consisted of being the eldest daughter of the ruling Prince Adrahil. Her beloved city was located near the sea, and she constantly walked its shores; as a spinster, her days were her own to do as she chose so long as no one else needed her, which they usually did not. Painting was a particular hobby she enjoyed and consisted mostly of seascapes. As a Gondorian, she was dark; however, being outside and soaking in the ocean mists had reddened her hair from black to dark rust, as well as tanned her skin to a lovely shade. On occasion she would leave her paints behind and simply walk barefoot in the sand and look for seashells and thus spent much time in the sun and ocean breezes. Times such as these were peaceful and relaxing. Introverted like Denethor, she preferred her own company over that of others and contentedly kept to herself. In fact, she also had no desire to ever wed, although she longed for someone, anyone, to need her.
Unfortunately, Finduilas’s world would soon be uprooted. Her father received the letter from Steward Ecthelion, and without asking her the prince offered his own daughter’s hand in marriage. Thus Denethor and Finduilas were thrust together, neither desiring this union.
Adrahil had his wife break the news to their beloved child, now a lovely young woman, because he knew she could present it with a woman’s touch and not hurt Finduilas as much as he would.
“Finni,” –this was a nickname only her family and closest friends called her–“Steward Ecthelion in Minas Tirith has been searching for a bride for his son Denethor, and we have offered your hand to him in marriage. You have two weeks to pack up and prepare to leave. I’m sorry you have to leave Dol Amroth, yet I think you will enjoy the lovely city of Minas Tirith.” Her mother though it best to present the new to her straight up due to the fact she hated surprises.
“Mother! I do not want to leave! What will I do? I will never see you or my friends again! My life is here by the sea.” Finduilas expressed her emotions with passion, upset because her parents did not even ask her what she wanted. Arranged marriages really were not uncommon and she knew of many couples who had such a union and were perfectly happy. However, if she ever wed she wanted it to be for love and no other reason.
“Sweetheart, it cannot be helped. Your father and I do not wish to anger the Steward; so far our relationship has been quite peaceable and those in Gondor must be united to each other. Backing out of this agreement will lead only to trouble. Please, do this for us. Perhaps they will let you visit from time to time, and when you have children we will be sure to come see you.”
Finduilas softly cried on her mother’s shoulder, a great grief upon her because she knew she had no choice and had to go on with the arranged marriage. “May I take my new kitten with me? Minuette is so sweet.” Who knows, her cat might be her only friend and ally in Minas Tirith, a reminder of home.
“Yes, I am sure that would be fine. They need cats in Minas Tirith the same as we do here.”
Thus Finni spent the next two weeks preparing for her new life. A huge party was held in her honour, both to celebrate her betrothal and to give her one last fun time with her friends. Unfortunately, the fortnight passed much too quickly for her liking and the day of her departure arrived.
The finest carriage had been prepared for the long journey. Finduilas hugged her parents and siblings for the last time.
“I’ll miss you all so much!” Finduilas tried to stop herself from crying but was unable to contain her tears. She held little hope that Denethor would love her and dreaded leaving her family and beloved sea. Doubts about visiting Dol Amroth fleeted through her mind as well; she felt she might never see home again.
“There, there, dearie.” Her mother soothed her, hating for her daughter to leave so heartbroken. “You shall see us all again soon at your wedding. Just think of this as an adventure and picture all the new paintings you can do! Being closer to the mountains will give you different scenery that you may enjoy capturing even more than you do the sea.”
“I’ll try, Mother.” With that, she was ushered into the carriage upon giving the rest of her family one last hug, and Minuette settled onto her lap for the long journey to Minas Tirith. She would have preferred to ride a horse, yet she could not enter the city looking like a commoner; it would be quite unseemly for a woman to ride in that way, not to mention all her belongings had to be transported in way or another. Thankfully long ago someone had carved a passage through the mountains, which saved several days on their journey; the rest of the path was relatively flat. Two maids attended her and kept her company; the tears she shed along the way were most embarrassing, yet she could not help it. They tried to comfort her but to no avail. Thankfully for Finduilas the journey would take several weeks, which would give her plenty of time to compose herself.
Five armed guards travelled with them as well; they were well protected and did not have any trouble the entire way.
~
All too soon Minas Tirith was within view. The driver turned to his passengers and pointed to the great city. “Up there is Minas Tirith, our destination. We should be there within a few hours.”
“Thank you!” replied one of the maids, for Finduilas was now in a panic, her eyes wide with fear and her heartbeat so rapid she thought the guards outside the carriage could likely hear her. The maid noticed and patted her hand. “It will be fine, dearie. Look how lovely this place is! Surely you could paint a beautiful portrait from all this lovely scenery!”
“I suppose so,” the princess sighed dejectedly. Minuette meowed at her owner, tired of travelling and sensing her mistress’s discomfort. “I know, kitty, I don’t want to go either, but we must.”
Finni tried to regain her composure and think about the mountains and the gorgeous tiered city; painting was definitely an option and could provide a mental escape if things were as bad as she expected them to be. However, her nerves did not allow her to admire its beauty to the full extent; she was too busy dreading what would come when she entered her new home. Before she knew it, they entered the gates of her new home.
Some of Ecthelion’s guards greeted the travellers and escorted them all the way up to the Tower of Ecthelion. The Steward and his family stepped out to greet their new guests.
“Good day! I am Steward Ecthelion, and this is my wife and our son Denethor. Welcome to Minas Tirith.” His greeting came out quite friendly and he appeared genuinely happy that she had arrived.
The carriage driver helped Finni out of the cart, Minuette held close in her arms, as her soon-to-be father-in-law spoke.
“Thank you!” She tried to smile as she shook hands with each of the family and pretend she was happy to be there, but she knew they could all see through her façade. However, she noticed Denethor was rather dejected as well, which somehow gave her comfort.
Ecthelion’s wife ushered Finduilas towards their home, knowing she needed a mother’s touch. “Come with me to your new room. I’m sure you are tired and would like to freshen up and rest a bit from your long journey. Did you have a nice trip?”
“Honestly it was rather long, although I did see some nice scenery that shall inspire some paintings once I am settled in here.”
“Oh, you like to paint? I have always wanted a portrait of our fair city to hang at home but have never found anyone to do it for me. Perhaps you will be the one! Denethor can take you out to look at the citadel once you are all rested up in a few days.”
“That sounds lovely!” Finni liked her future mother-in-law immensely; she found her to be a kind and compassionate woman and a good hostess. She knew she had a new friend and confidante and appreciated how her future mother-in-law tried to help her forget her homesickness and see the good in the situation. Then she recalled her kitten had not been mentioned, although surely they noticed her. “I hope you do not mind that I brought my cat, Minuette. She is house trained and likes to stay with me most of the time.”
“We do not mind at all! We do not have nearly enough cats in the city. I used to have one when I was your age, named Daisy. Now we just keep a few cats in the stables. But you are welcome to keep your cat here and I will let everyone know she is to be allowed to roam wherever she wishes!” Seeing the adorable kitten reminded her how shy and scared she had been as a young adult when she first became known as the wife of the steward; it was rather nerve-racking at first to be in such a high position. As the sentiment grew in her thoughts, they approached Finduilas’s new room. “Here we are! This is where you shall stay.”
“I think it is lovely! Thank you so much!” Finduilas’s room was decorated in pale blue and silver, her favourite colour combination. It also overlooked Minas Tirith, so she could see everything. It certainly was nothing like her room at home, yet she enjoyed the scenery and expressed her gratitude for getting the best room in the house. Denethor’s mother made sure she was settled here before taking her leave, telling her to rest as long as she needed and to send for someone if she needed anything.
*
Denethor was still unhappy about having to take a bride. However, he noticed Finduilas was a lovely lady, although he found her tan and bleached hair a bit strange, in a good sort of way. His mother told him about her love of painting and suggested that in a few days’ time he take her out to paint their fair citadel, and he hoped taking the princess to see the view would not be as awkward as it sounded. He was not in a hurry to marry and had decided that no matter what his parents said, he would allow his wife-to-be all the time she needed. After all, his parents were both in good health and he expected them to be around several more years.