Merethrond - The Feasting Hall

It sits in the 7th Circle, within the Citadel itself, and is called the Hall of Feasts.

Wide marble steps lead up to the massive two-leaved doors where statues of Manwe and Varda guard the entrance. As you pass into the Grand Hall, the huge banner displaying the Tree crowned by Seven Stars hanging from the ceiling catches your eye. There are other
smaller banners hanging above your head also, displaying the symbol of various important Gondorians families throughout the realm.
All those you see around you are of Gondorian blood, and you immediately recognize many old friends and relatives. The wine flows freely and the tables are ladened with food. Perhaps it is a victory feast after a great battle or maybe just a wedding joining two ancient houses together or a Council Meeting. Whatever the occasion, all those of importance in Minas Tirith are gathered together beneath this roof. But is this place just for feasting and for merriment ? Perhaps that is its official purpose but like all other places, many things occurr under its ornate roof. Friendships are formed and enemies can be made, the search for Power is not confined just to the Council Chambers of the Citadel. Those that are, and those that want to be, indulge in all kinds of, shall we say, underhand moves to increase their standing and even to destroy other peoples standing in the pyramids of Power.

But the Great hall is just the showcase, the jewel on the surface.To support and run it takes people, and the hall helps with the employment of many of Minas Tiriths folk. From cooks to cleaners, waiters to waifs. Their numbers are untold, a vast unnoticed army of people who work
behind the scenes, if you are one of them dear visitor, we thank you kindly.

Let us see what goes on underneath the hall.

Ever wondered what Le Bob looks like when he is in the kitchen ? Well here he is helping to prepare food for an up and comming banquet. I wonder who... er sorry what is in the pot ?

As you can imagine, the amount of food consumed at one of these feast, is vast. So is the organisation and preparitory work needed to support it. Cooks are up very early on feast day I can assure you. However the real work for the feast can have started many weeks before Feast day. Produce has to be bought and brought into the hall.It is thanks to Gondors fine rivermen and seamen that work hard from its ports, ferrying goods from afar.Spices herbs wines and ales all brought in for the consumtion of the favoured guests.

Simple tasks like making the goats milk cheeses, have to be well prepared in advance of the great day.
No wonder these events are not held everyday of the week.

So my friend if you are one of the simpler folk that work behind the scenes, no matter how small or meanial the task, the city of Minas Tirith thanks you. YOU are what makes our city great, you allow Minas Tirith to be seen by friends and neighbours throughout Middle Earth as the fine City that it is.