This is a multi-chaptered, semi-AU story.
The One Ring remains lost, perhaps even forever. Sauron lies dormant, unable to return whilst his Ring of Power is hidden from him, although the whisper of his formless malice creeps across Middle-earth like an insidious shadow. There is discord and suspicion among the different folk of the land, and through the passage of time, they have grown apart instead of being united. The races of Elves and Men have long been sundered, and have had no dealings with each other for many years.
Minas Tirith is the capital of the lands of Anórien, of the divided realm of Gondor; it is a flourishing city, wealthy and of much profitable yield; but its people have fallen into greed and selfishness, forsaking the nobler ways their forefathers had lived by. Decadence, rivalry, pride and covetousness; sexuality is about rough passions and obsessive power plays. But yet, amidst corrupting desire there still lives in some the rare, pure spirit of the elder days.
Central Characters:
Boromir has claimed the title of King of Anórien, ever since the kingdom of Gondor had disintegrated into several smaller states due to internal strife and civil conflict.
Faramir, his younger brother, is Prince of the city.
Aragorn, born of true yet forsaken royalty, has returned to Minas Tirith after his wanderings in the wild; he now serves as chief steward of Boromir’s household. *
Gandalf, Aragorn’s trusted friend and counsellor; he is the only other who knows that Aragorn is the true royal heir, biding his time to reclaim his birthright and reunite the scattered peoples of Gondor to their former glory.
Legolas, an Elf of Mirkwood; a prize of great value, as this story shall tell.
* The premise in this story that Aragorn lives in Minas Tirith serving as steward of the house is based on the canon fact in The Lord of the Rings, Appendix A: 'The Stewards' — that Aragorn did indeed return to Gondor, although his true identity remained concealed; he went under the name of Thorongil, and served as a great captain of Ecthelion II.