The Citadel

The summons have come, and you are truly honored, visitors, for the way into the Citadel has opened for you. Be sure to stay on the designated path throughout the tour. We don’t want anyone seeing something they should not have and then having to be summarily executed, lest they reveal a national secret.

Come with me as we enter the tunnel that cuts through the bastion of rock rising from the Great Gate. The way is long and winding, and would be completely dark, if not for the lamps hung at intervals along the rock walls. But, at last, we have reached the end, and there stands two of the Tower Guard dressed in black and silver. Gwaihir and Farimer are their names. They stand with spears crossed over the entrance, but as we draw near, the spears part and we are free to enter.

This is the Wishing Well courtyard. Once upon a time in Minas Tirith’s history, a wishing well used to be here. However, it was very irritating as far as wishing wells go, especially since Eru saw fit to give it an actual voice. After long nights and days of hearing its caustic voice ring throughout the city, the King finally gave into the pressure from his citizens and had it removed. The name, however, remains. In the middle of the courtyard stands the famed White Tree of Minas Tirith. Nay, do not get too close! On our last tour someone decided to steal it and led the Rangers on a merry chase across the countryside. The man you see sitting beneath the beautiful white boughs, playing a lute is our bard. He lives within the palace since the King and Queen have a fondness for songs of lore, especially when such songs praise their own many virtues. Of course, it is also well known that he wields a stable broom with such expertise that the King will allow no one else but him to clean the royal stables.

Off to your right is Merethrond, the Hall of Feasts. Here is where the great events of Minas Tirith take place. Do you hear the wedding bells? It seems that Arteris and Flynniel are finally tying the knot. What was that? Why, yes, it is customary for the bride to wear white on her wedding day. What? Oh, that figure in pink is not the bride. That’s the groom. Arteris, for some strange reason, simply adores pink.

The large building you see before you is the King’s palace. Perhaps, if you have time later, you can approach the nice lady standing at the door. That is Anna Greenleaf. She will be your tour guide within the palace.

And last, but certainly not least, is the Tower of Ecthelion, rising like a spike of pearl from the city heights in direct defiance and open challenge of the Black Gates of Mordor. Nowhere else is the presence of the Tower Guard felt as keenly as there, for it is from the Tower that they can look across the fair green fields of Ithilien and see the stirrings of evil within the Land of Shadows. Ever vigilant are the Tower Guard, so fear not!

Now, if you have time, feel free to take the rest of the tour of the palace, or just wander through the streets of the city. Adventure will be awaiting you wherever you go…