As dawn finally pierced the heavy shadows of Mordor to the east, Minas Tirith, the White City of Gondor, stood majestically upon Middle-earth, like a giant awakening from slumber.
This miracle, meticulously carved from pure white marble and hard bedrock, had seven inner city walls coiling up the mountain, layer upon layer, like solidified white waves on the earth, pushed by an invisible giant hand, surging directly towards the unattainable high heavens.
Each city wall was breathtakingly high, its surface smooth as a mirror, reflecting a soft, mother-of-pearl luster in the rising sun, as if covered by a layer of sacred, pure, and awe-inspiring snow that had not melted for a thousand years.
Between the city gates, wide stone paths coiled upwards like giant pythons, their surfaces polished smooth as mirrors by the footsteps of countless generations, reflecting the towering battlements and sturdy ramparts on either side.
And from the highest point of Minas Tirith, looking outside the city, one could see the vast Pelennor Fields stretching out, with the Anduin River winding in the distance like a silver ribbon, nourishing the fertile green land.
However, this magnificent vitality was mercilessly swallowed by the turbid, surging darkness to the east, as Mordor spread like a festering wound on the edge of Middle-earth.
And three figures were galloping from the direction of Mordor, rushing towards Minas Tirith.
"Who goes there!"
The guards on the first city wall had long noticed Arthur and the two others approaching from Mordor. The newly rotated officer personally rode out with a troop of Gondor soldiers to the city gate, taking a defensive stance towards the three riders and asking in a loud, stern voice.
At the same time, the soldiers behind the officer fanned out, protecting the pedestrians entering and exiting Minas Tirith in the early morning.
Before Arthur could respond, Di Hai'er raised the token his father, Talion, had given him, and loudly replied, "I am Di Hai'er, Ranger from the Black Gate, son of Talion! The two beside me are the Erdtree Lord and his confidant. We have important intelligence to report to His Highness, the Regent of Gondor!"
Just as Di Hai'er was responding to the city guard officer's question, Arthur turned and exchanged a knowing glance with Melina.
Melina immediately understood Arthur's meaning. She clasped her hands together in a prayer-like gesture before her chest, and behind her, a golden phantom of the Erdtree appeared. When the golden light shone upon the officer and the pedestrians, all the physical fatigue brought on by waking early vanished.
Seeing this situation, the responsible Gondor officer did not obstruct them further. Instead, he immediately mounted his horse, arranged for his subordinate to temporarily take over his duties, and galloped to follow Arthur and his companions as they passed him.
"Are you the wizard Lord Gandalf mentioned? I've heard much about you, but I never expected to meet you today. I will accompany you into the city; it will save you from many interrogations along the way," the Gondor officer said.
Arthur looked curiously at the Gondor officer riding alongside him and asked, "You trust my identity just like that?"
The Gondor officer chuckled in response, "My family once sent retainers to the Golden Tree Territory. After they returned, the retainers kept telling us about the wonders of the Erdtree. Therefore, the sorcery that the lady behind you just displayed is enough to prove both of your identities. Even if you are not the Erdtree Lord, you must be someone closely related to him. And thanks to you, the miraculous fruits the retainers brought back from the Golden Tree Territory saved my son's life."
The Gondor officer then sighed, "My son was as strong and healthy as I was since birth, and he even said he would serve Gondor with me when he grew up. But a few months ago, for some unknown reason, he contracted a strange illness. His body grew weaker by the day, and he was confined to bed. I searched for countless physicians, but none could cure his illness. I had originally given up hope, thinking this was how his life would be, but unexpectedly, after eating a fruit from your territory, he became much more energetic."
Arthur said, "Those fruits contain trace amounts of the Erdtree's blessings, and eating them can indeed cure some simple illnesses. But from your description, I don't feel like your son has some difficult and complicated disease; it seems more like he's under some kind of curse?"
The Gondor officer scratched his head in confusion, "Well, Lord Saruman, the White, heard about my son's situation from somewhere and visited our family. He said that my son was suffering from a very rare disease, not a curse."
Saruman, huh? Gandalf mentioned him and admired him as a wizard, which means his strength is still considerable.
Maybe I'm overthinking it; it's just a rare disease, not a curse.
Arthur nodded thoughtfully and said to the Gondor officer, "In that case, to thank you for guiding us, after we arrive at the hall where His Excellency the Regent resides, I will give you a jade pendant for your son to wear."
The Gondor officer was overjoyed and quickly thanked Arthur, then reined in his smile and ended the casual conversation.
He just wanted to say a few words to Arthur, so that this popular and influential wizard, who had been making headlines in recent months, would have an impression of him. Receiving a jade pendant from him was already an unexpected bonus.
However, he did not forget his duty and asked Di Hai'er, "Ranger of the Black Gate, why didn't your father come personally this time? What exactly happened?"
Di Hai'er was about to mention Sauron's appearance in Mordor, but the words caught in his throat. He immediately realized that this news could not be casually revealed, and he stammered.
The officer frowned slightly. Arthur saw Di Hai'er's hesitation, sighed softly, and took the initiative to explain, "When I went to Mordor this time, I happened to encounter rampaging orcs, and there were also Ringwraiths leading them to attack the Black Gate. I think the orc uprising in Mordor might have some slight connection to the dwarves reclaiming the Lonely Mountain earlier. Therefore, I suggested to His Excellency Talion that he report this matter to the Regent, hoping to gain your country's attention."
Indeed, as soon as Arthur spoke, the officer's frown eased.
The Gondor officer said, "orc uprisings happen several times a year. Those filthy wretches are like ants in the ground; you can't kill them all. But this is the first time in so many years that Ringwraiths have actively led them to attack the Black Gate. This matter is indeed serious. Upon arrival, I will report it as quickly as possible and ask Lord Regent to grant you an immediate audience."
Arthur nodded slightly, said no more, and rode Torrent, following behind the officer, galloping through the streets of Minas Tirith.
Their galloping figures also attracted the attention of many people on the streets. Pedestrians turned their heads to watch, and only began discussing among themselves after Arthur and his companions had ridden far away.