Minas Tirith: Inside the Great Gate
Risen here in the shadow of the Great Wall, the becobbled path levels out into a large courtyard. The large crest that runs from the outstretched Embrasure atop the seventh tier of Minas Tirith stands clifflike across the court from the Great Gate. Day and night the spur of the thrusting rock, encompass the view here. Even the mighty wall, raising a hundred feet in the air, or the Doortowers, large and oval constructed almost it seems from one block of stone, can't drawn attention from the cliff. A part of the city and the mountain, it leaves no wonder why the city is called the "City of Stone." Beautiful, powerful stone.

During this time of the day people are frolocking in and out of the city while the gates remain open to travelers bearing goods. Guards stop those entering and leaving the city, peaceknotting weapons, confiscating them or returning them to those that venture back out of the protective walls. No one wears a weapon inside the city, that is the job of the Watch. Horses and carriages are also not allowed in the city unless the steeds of the army, the smell of the stables outside tells you that a home for them is not far.

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Weather:            Cloudy
Time:                Early Afternoon <about 2 PM >
Season:              Winter
Date:               Highday - January 25, 3015

Real Time:          Mon Aug 03 13:30:09 1998
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Though it is only early afternoon, the clouds drifting above and covering the sky give the day a bit darker appearance. All is quiet on the watch today, or so it seems, for there are no black-clad Guardsmen running about before the Gates hurrying to be at their posts on time or for any other reason. An amused look adorns the face of an officer nearby, whose cloak is held close against the cold winter winds. As he watches the almost calm afternoon, Analdin continues to glance eastward almost worriedly, but the familiar noises about the Gates draw him back each time he makes to take a small step in that direction.

Meldar walks from Lampwright Street, his dark-blue cloak fluttering behind him. Indeed, he seems as if he were walking on a cloud. But by the heavy sound of his metal-shod boots you deem that he is fully on the ground, and walking tall. He keeps his gauntleted hand on the hilt of the longsword by his side, and moves his eyes left and right as he strides, not moving his head, but taking in his surroundings. He reaches the inside of the gates, and stands to the alert by a Private who imitates him and salutes smartly. Meldar, the Corporal of the White Tree Company, salutes back and says "Thank you, Argond," and the Private walks away briskly, a relieved look on his face. Meldar moves to take his position in the same place, and he nods politely to the Lieutenant, before saluting him.

This cloudy, cold day sends many a man, woman, and child flurrying about to find some place warm even in the middle of the afternoon. Few beside the guards seem to be up to the effort of sitting and watching the passers by, and, indeed, there are few to watch. Still one man seems willing to brave the weather. Japhin, a lieutenant of the guard, off duty apparently, ambles in the gate from outside, a smile upon his face and a jump in his step. As he comes to stand directly under the gates, he looks up high above... Nodding sharply he casually walks over towards where Analdin stands with his men.

The sound of heavy bootfalls approaching from behind him causes the young Lieutenant to turn swiftly on a heal, as if startled. As he does so, the slush on the ground, all that remains of the week's snowfalls and bits of rain and other rather miserable weather, causes him to nearly slip. As he catches his balance, he also catches sight of Meldar, a hint of a relieved smile touches his face. He returns the salute almost lazily, "Good afternoon, Corporal." Though his face gives no appearance of it, his tone betrays a bit of unease. "How goes the watch this afternoon?" However, as Japhin approaches, he returns the sharp nod while awaiting the Corporal's reply.

Meldar looks to Analdin for a brief moment, before saluting sharply to Japhin, and nodding politely. He turns to Analdin, and says: "Sir, I have not been on watch yet - my duty but begins. However, I hear that it goes without trouble." He looks out through the gate, into the Fields of Pelennor.

Analdin nods quietly, eyes skimming over the scene before the Gates, "Such quiet gives me a bad feeling. So far today, from the reports I have heard, nothing of importance has happened. Everything has been quiet..." Turning his gaze back to Meldar, that small bit of a smile once more playing on his face, he continues, "Which means 'tis only a matter of time before someone overtips a wagon in the slush here and causes half the city to fall into panic." Glancing to Japhin, he tilts his head, "What do you think on it, Lieutenant?"

Japhin smiles as he is addressed by his long time friend. Spreading his arms apart, palms upward, he shrugs, "Despite my years on you, you have stood at this gate as long as I. I claim no wisdom over you in this area." He glances around again, mostly upward, "Still, despite any misgivings you have and I might otherwise have, this day causes me no concern." He looks back at Analdin and grips his shoulder firmly, "I think it be just the weather myself."

Meldar has disconnected.
Meldar merges into the shadows and becomes one with Middle Earth.

Analdin's smile widens, if only slightly, until the corners of his mouth actually turn upwards. His dark eyes, however, are sparkling brightly as they haven't in some time, "Miserable weather it is, I agree. Or perhaps some weighty merchant shall lose his footing on a slippery cobblestone and come up wet and cold, blaming the Guard for it? I remember this past winter, something of the same sort happened. No officer was on the watch," a touch of annoyance hints in his voice at this, "and the poor boys at the Gate could do no more than stand there laughing. By the time I arrived, the man was a pretty shade of purple."

Japhin's hand falls from the shoulder of his friend to his knee as he laughs full heartedly, bowled over some even. He begins to recover slowly, "Aye... some merchant trying to carry more than his share of the wealth, eh? I was always willing enough to share with you, and will be again soon enough." The laughter fades from him a bit along with the smile, "You've heard, of course?"

The smile fades from Analdin's face, and he shakes his head, "How do you mean? I can't say I have heard... though I've been off and about with Lord Boromir of late. Just returned to the city a weekor so ago, with too much work to catch up on to hear anything." He looks intently at the other Lieutenant, "What do you speak of?"

Japhin slowly takes a seat near his friend. He glances around the gates again, "I'll be leaving all of this," he gestures, "entirely to you soon, my friend. I'll be retiring from the guard some time in the next week or two. It's already been approved." He looks back at Analdin to gauge the reaction.

Analdin folds his arms over his chest, a single brow rising slowly, "Retiring from the Guard?" is all he says, quietly, as if unable to comprehend such an idea. However, glancing over the man who does have many years on himself, the younger Leiutenant nods slowly, "Returning to the merchant's guild, then?" Disaproval shines as brightly in his voice as it could on his face.

Japhin smiles slightly despite the look and voice. Nodding slowly, he says, "Not exactly... not exactly," he stands from where he has sat down and paces a bit before turning back to his friend, "Arax and Chrysalis will handle the merchants. They have done so well and kept illegal activity as low as it has been in a long time... However, there are things that do concern me that I will keep my eye on..." He looks off into the sky for a moment, "No, I will be returning to my wine business. It needs my attention again else the Lieutenant's of the Guard will not be able to get good deals on wine any longer." His smile quirks a bit, "But my interests in what's best for Gondor will still be a long way from exhausted."

Analdin shakes his head quietly, "Retiring from the Guard!" he mumbles to himself, still incredulous. "Though I suppose if this is what you wish to do, do it. It has been nearly four years, has it not?" he falls into silence, as if lacking anything to say. Glancing upwards, though the sun is invisible behind the masking clouds, his expression takes a resigned look, "I have a number of reports yet to finish for Captain Elbarad before the change of watch.. Though I trust, if you are taking care of final affairs in the Guard I shall see you soon enough." A touch of a smile hints on his face, and he strides off quickly down the cobbled - and rather slippery - street.