2 June, 66 F.A.

  The entire court was in an uproar. Since dawn, messengers, maids, and stable boys had rushed through Meduseld as if a state visit were imminent. Yet it was only a single sentence that had changed the world:

  “The queen is with child.”

  I ran my hand over my belly — still flat, still unremarkable, and yet everything was different. Théodred had immediately summoned the Crown Council. Today they would swear fealty to me and my unborn child.

  I walked through the Golden Hall, two of my mother’s maids behind me. The hall was still empty. Above the throne hung my personal banner: the silver star of Arnor above the golden horse of Rohan, on a dark blue field. A sign of the alliance my father and mother had once forged.

  Arnor remains free, I thought. And Rohan at its side.

  I turned to Beywyn. “The nobles in Gondor will rage once they hear of it. A princess of Arnor who holds the throne of Rohan — and soon an heir.”

  Beywyn lowered her gaze. “Majesty, you should not speak like that.”

  “We are among ourselves,” I replied softly. “And it is no secret.”

  Yet even in my joy, a residue of caution remained. I was not overconfident. Only relieved. And grateful.

  The doors opened. Théodred entered — and with him the healer. She bowed deeply.

  “My lady, I have examined your values. It is very early, but unmistakable. You carry a child. The pulse is clearly felt.”

  I exhaled as if I had been holding my breath for hours. Théodred stepped closer, took my hand, and lifted it to his lips. His gaze was warm, proud — and full of reverence. Then his expression grew serious.

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  “By tradition, I will not visit your bed again until the birth. And I will watch over you both.”

  I nodded. I knew the tradition. And I knew he did not invoke it lightly.

  Only after the healer had gone did Théodred summon the Crown Council. The six men entered, bowed deeply, and waited until I had taken my place on the throne. Théodred stood at my right.

  Lord Ruthven, the treasurer, knelt first.

  “I swear by Eru the Almighty to be faithful to the Crown of Rohan, to protect the rights and freedom of the people, and to honour and safeguard the future heir of the queen. May God help me to fulfil these duties.”

  The others repeated the oath. I listened, and yet my thoughts wandered.

  An heir. A child of Arnor and Rohan. A child Gondor could not control.

  Sienna was not yet of age, not married. And rumours said she had fallen from her father’s favour. Some even claimed Eldarion had sent her to Dol Amroth.

  If Gondor was occupied with itself, it could not risk a war.

  My rule is safe, I thought. For now.

  That evening I dined with the council. Théodred had already departed; at dawn he would meet the Eorlingas.

  “Lord Darnley?” I asked, as the older man to my left set down his cup.

  “Your Majesty?”

  I considered briefly phrasing the question in Rohirric, but I wanted to understand the answer precisely.

  “You are a man learned in law. I wish to ask you something. At my wedding, the Queen of Gondor asked me to grant her descendants noble titles in Rohan. Why was that so important to her? Sienna will be the heir to the throne — provided no son is born.”

  Lord Darnley’s expression grew grave.

  “You are right, my lady. But a female heir is not customary in Gondor. And…”

  He hesitated.

  “Queen Tariél is the sister of your late father. She and her daughter have — though distantly — a claim to your throne. I believe she wished to remind the world of that claim.”

  Nausea hit me like a blow. The room swayed. I braced myself on the table, breathing shallowly, and waited until the dizziness passed.

  How could I have been so blind?

  I knew our family tree. I knew Tariél was Elfwine’s sister. But I had never considered what that meant if I were to die. I was with child, yes. But I also knew that many women did not survive childbirth. And if both I and my child were to die…

  Then Gondor would have a claim. A real one.

  When I had composed myself again, I raised my head. Lord Darnley had gone pale. I did not let him speak.

  “So that is why our realms are at odds despite the old alliance,” I said quietly. “If I die, Gondor will annex Rohan. And if Rohan falls… Arnor falls with it.”

  The thought tightened around my throat.

  My life is not mine alone.

  And for the first time, I truly felt the weight of the crown.