"Noble Lord Kael, Lady, welcome to Minas Tirith! The Steward ordered us to await your arrival. Please follow me," the leading attendant said respectfully.
Kael wasn't surprised that Gondor's Steward knew of his arrival. After all, Pelargir's naval commander, as the Steward's confidant, would have informed him immediately.
Not to mention, Minas Tirith housed a palantír that could observe situations throughout Gondor.
The carriage followed the attendants' guidance into the city.
Minas Tirith was built into the mountain in seven tiers, backed against the White Mountains.
Moreover, each level had independent walls and entrances, with extremely sturdy bronze gates. The city had never been breached since its establishment, making it Gondor's spiritual symbol.
Following the winding upward road, the carriage passed through each gate, finally arriving at the seventh level's royal city.
Here stood important buildings like the Tower of Ecthelion, Gondor's royal palace, and the feast hall.
In the fountain courtyard before the palace gates stood a White Tree that had long withered.
When the carriage reached the White Tree, Kael descended, helping his wife Arwen down.
Because Weathertop also had a White Tree, Kael and Arwen both looked at this withered one with interest.
The White Tree had withered long ago. Yet, there was no trace of decay. It remained white as jade.
"This is Gondor's third White Tree. When Gondor suffered the Great Plague, the second White Tree died. The twenty-seventh king Tarondor, replanted a new sapling. When the twenty-first Ruling Steward Belecthor II died, this White Tree also withered. It has remained here ever since."
Steward Prince Denethor II, who had attended Kael and Arwen's wedding, descended the palace steps with a smile.
"I didn't expect we'd meet again so soon, Wizard Kael, Lady Arwen. Welcome to Minas Tirith!"
Kael and Arwen exchanged pleasantries with Denethor II, then followed his guidance to the palace's Steward's Hall.
They met Ruling Steward Ecthelion II sitting on a black stone chair.
Behind and above him hung a canopy of white marble shaped like the kingdom's crown. Carved into the wall behind was the flowering White Tree of Gondor, inlaid with jewels.
Hundreds of years ago, the last king disappeared without leaving an heir. Royal infighting made it impossible to find a successor of pure royal bloodline to inherit the throne.
Thus, Gondor began to be governed by Stewards, entering a regency that would last for centuries. Gondor's royal rule had ended.
The first Ruling Steward vowed to guard the throne until the king's return. To demonstrate this loyalty, he established a new seat of office below the king's throne to show his devotion to Gondor's absent king.
Successive Stewards chose to sit below the throne, becoming "uncrowned kings" who wielded royal power but bore no royal title, and in this manner, they ruled Gondor.
"Welcome to Gondor, Wizard Kael. Long have I heard your great name. Seeing you today proves the tales true!" Steward Ecthelion said.
Over sixty years old, Ecthelion II still appeared physically robust, with a deep, rich voice.
His attitude was friendly, welcoming Kael and Arwen's arrival.
Seeing Arwen, he showed amazement and respect.
As Gondor's Steward and a descendant of Númenor, he naturally knew that Númenor's founder, Elros, and this elf lady's father, Elrond, were twin brothers.
In a sense, this elf lady before him had historical connections with Gondor's kingdom and royalty. She could be called an "ancestor."
If Kael earned Ecthelion II's regard through his formidable power, then Arwen earned his respect through her lineage and grace.
"Lord Steward, long have I heard of your guardianship of Gondor. Today, my wife and I travel through your realm. If our presence causes you any inconvenience, please forgive us," Kael said with a respectful nod.
Arwen also elegantly greeted him, then stood quietly beside Kael.
"No need for such courtesy, Wizard Kael. Gandalf is also my friend. He praises you highly. We'd simply never met before. Now that you've come to Gondor, we naturally welcome you most warmly!" Ecthelion II descended from his throne with a smile.
Then he turned to his son Denethor II. "Today, honored guests have arrived. Have preparations made for tonight's banquet to welcome them."
Denethor II nodded, turning to arrange servants.
Ecthelion continued, "Since you've come to Minas Tirith, please stay several days. I wish to fulfill my duties as host."
"Then many thanks, Lord Steward!" Kael accepted Ecthelion's goodwill with gratitude.
Ecthelion led them to the banquet hall together to feast.
At the banquet, laughter and conversation flowed freely. The atmosphere was warm.
When the meal reached its height, Steward Ecthelion's expression became somewhat solemn.
"Wizard Kael, you must have seen the withered White Tree in the fountain courtyard. The White Tree symbolizes Gondor's royal authority. Since it withered, successive ancestors have all tried to find a new White Tree but have found nothing.
Your Hogwarts Castle possesses a living White Tree, so I have a request. I wish to obtain a White Tree fruit to replant in the courtyard, replacing this withered tree."
Kael did not refuse, but he reminded Ecthelion, "Lord Steward, I can give White Tree fruit. But its growth conditions are extremely harsh. You must prepare for the possibility that it may never sprout."
Ecthelion nodded, sighing. "I know. I only wish to fulfill my ancestors' wish. If it doesn't sprout, I'll accept fate."
Seeing this, Kael said no more. He took a silver fruit from his spatial pocket and gave it to Ecthelion.
The White Tree served as a living barometer, its fate mystically bound to the nation's fortunes. In Gondor's case, when the kingdom prospered, the White Tree flourished, but when the realm declined, the White Tree withered.
Gondor was undeniably in decline. Kael sensed that even planting White Tree seeds would struggle to take root and sprout.
Only when the kingdom regained vitality could the seeds finally awaken and take root.
[Hogwarts Sign-in System: Located at Gondor-Minas Tirith, sign in?]
The system reacted at this moment.
Kael mentally confirmed. "Sign in."
[Sign-in successful. Congratulations on obtaining Blood Magic!]
Blood Magic? Kael was momentarily stunned, but after receiving the knowledge and memories, joy surged through him.