Under the Gondorian officer's guidance, Tarnes's group encountered no significant obstacles beyond routine inspections and were swiftly brought to the entrance of the great hall where the Steward held court.
Dirhael was politely stopped by Gondorian guards outside the towering doors, and he cooperatively dismounted, handing his horse's reins to the waiting attendants.
When a Gondorian guard approached Tarnes, intending to lead Torrent to the stables, the spirit steed disdainfully sidestepped away from him, leaving the guard visibly embarrassed by the rejection.
After helping Melina dismount, Tarnes offered the flustered guard a reassuring smile. "Oh, don't trouble yourself with my mount. It's quite different from ordinary horses."
He raised his whistle to his lips and blew a clear note. Under the guard's astonished gaze, Torrent dissolved into shimmering golden particles and vanished completely, leaving the man staring at Tarnes with newfound reverence.
"Don't think too much of it," Tarnes said with a casual wave. "Just a small wizard's trick."
At that moment, the Gondorian officer hurried over and exchanged a few quick words with the guard before turning to address the three visitors. "His Lordship the Steward has heard that the Lord of the Golden Tree brings detailed intelligence regarding Mordor and awaits your presence within."
Tarnes nodded and retrieved a smooth stone radiating gentle golden warmth from his dimensional storage, offering it to the officer. "Thank you for your assistance throughout our journey. This is a Warmth Stone. Place it near someone who needs healing, and it will provide beneficial effects. It should help your son's condition considerably."
The officer's eyes flashed with barely contained excitement, though his breeding forced him to restrain such obvious emotion. Instead, he accepted Tarnes's gratitude with respectful dignity. "No, I merely performed my duty as any loyal servant of Gondor should. Rather, I should thank you for your mercy and generosity."
He carefully accepted the Warmth Stone with both hands, securing it safely within his breastplate before gesturing formally toward the great doors. "Please, honored guests."
The Gondorian officer escorted them to the second set of doors before taking his respectful leave. As the guards stationed there stepped forward, preparing to begin their security protocols, a commanding voice resonated from within the hall.
"There's no need to check them for concealed weapons. Tarnes is Gandalf's friend and, like him, a wizard of considerable power. If he intended harm, your precautions would prove ineffective regardless."
The guards immediately stepped back to their original positions and opened the massive doors for Tarnes's group to enter.
Above the doorframe, the intertwined emblems of successive Stewards merged with the now-dimmed royal arms, speaking silently of inherited power in the uncertain light filtering through tall windows.
Stepping across the threshold, the illumination suddenly brightened dramatically. The vast space reminded Tarnes of the magnificent halls forged by Dwarven craftsmen, with a soaring dome suspended high above in brilliant radiance that revealed every intricate pattern carved by master artisans across the centuries.
Supporting this immense architectural achievement stood rows of massive pillars, each requiring several men to embrace their circumference. Their surfaces weren't smoothly polished but rather roughly hewn with detailed reliefs depicting Gondor's founding kings and legendary heroes throughout the ages.
Those majestic faces and scenes of ancient conquest seemed to gain life under the illumination, as if history itself were whispering forgotten tales of glory and sacrifice.
The throne itself had been carved from a single block of deep-colored stone resembling black jade, elevated upon several broad steps of gleaming marble.
Massive and imposing, with harsh angular lines and a backrest straight as a sword's spine, it dominated the hall's far end like a monument to authority itself.
Yet the seat that should have belonged to a rightful king now stood tragically empty, covered only by a dark velvet cloth symbolizing the Steward's temporary authority.
This great vacant throne hung like a silent wound over the hall's solemn atmosphere, a constant reminder of Gondor's missing crown.
The Steward's actual seat occupied a position to the right of the throne's steps below, a practical wooden chair designed to accommodate exactly one occupant.
Ecthelion II, the current Steward of Gondor, appeared as a smiling middle-aged man, though years of wielding power had left their inevitable mark upon his features, lending him an air of quiet authority and wisdom earned through experience.
He spread his arms wide in genuine welcome as the three visitors entered. "I have long heard tales that the Lord of the Golden Tree cuts an impressive figure among men. Gandalf has described your appearance to me in his reports, but only upon seeing you in person can I understand how inadequate words truly are. His descriptions simply cannot capture your presence adequately. If I had a daughter of marriageable age, I would surely seek to arrange a union between you."
Starting the conversation with such effusive praise caught Tarnes somewhat off guard, while Melina behind him couldn't suppress a slight smile at hearing Ecthelion II's flattering words.
However, when the final sentence registered, Melina's smile faded completely. Instead, Tarnes felt a distinct hint of killing intent emanating from his companion's direction.
The Steward clapped his hands twice, and male attendants positioned on either side immediately brought forward a stone table perfectly sized for four people, along with four chairs of obvious value, inlaid with various precious gems that caught the light beautifully.
After the attendants completed their arrangements, female servants methodically carried in silver platters, arranging fresh dishes, fine wines, and exotic fruits upon the table with practiced efficiency.
Ecthelion II clapped again, and both attendants and servants respectfully withdrew from the hall with his dismissal. The great doors closed with a resonant boom, leaving the palace suddenly quiet except for the sound of four people breathing.
The Steward broke the contemplative silence, settling into his chair and beckoning his three guests warmly. "Please, make yourselves comfortable. I find that sharing food while conducting business helps clarify one's thoughts considerably."
Tarnes and Melina felt no psychological burden about accepting hospitality and immediately followed their host's lead, taking their assigned seats without ceremony.
Dirhael, however, nervously dropped to one knee before Ecthelion II in a formal gesture of gratitude before tremblingly accepting his place at the table.
Noticing the young ranger's obvious anxiety, Ecthelion II raised a cup filled with amber wine and smiled warmly at him. "Please, don't be nervous in my presence. I know who you are, Talion's son. Your father has spent years resisting Mordor's forces at the Black Gate, winning Gondor precious time and breathing room. I keep all his sacrifices and merits close to my heart."
He paused to drink from his cup before shifting his attention to Tarnes with obvious curiosity. "I confess myself puzzled as to why the renowned Lord of the Golden Tree would suddenly journey to Gondor in the company of a Black Gate ranger?"
Tarnes had no intention of engaging in prolonged pleasantries and delivered his news with characteristic directness. "Sauron has appeared in Mordor. I want to know Gondor's plans for dealing with this development."
Clang!
The golden goblet slipped from Ecthelion II's suddenly nerveless fingers, striking the stone table with a sharp metallic ring as precious wine spilled across his magnificent robes. The Steward stared at Tarnes in shock before collecting himself and frowning deeply at his loss of composure.
"Forgive me. I have lost my dignity."
Ecthelion II spoke in carefully controlled tones, then clapped his hands twice once more.
Responding to his summons, female servants entered respectfully with fresh clothing, quickly and efficiently helping the Steward change his wine-stained garments.
Meanwhile, male attendants simply brought in an entirely new stone table to replace the previous one, swiftly refilling it with an even more elaborate spread of delicacies.