Year 219 of the Fourth Age of the Sun
As Anor's last rays of light fell down on the high ramparts of Annuminas, painting the lake of Evendim golden, Cemendur and Amandil the sons of High King Aldarion returned to the great city, Seat of the High King of the Dunedain and Jewel of the North.
The City lay next to the lake Evendim, the waters of the lake supplying both the deep moat, the Aqueduct and the wide fields of crops outside. The city's three layers of walls were made of the same black stone as the famed Othram of Minas Anor and the Tower of Orthanc and stood at at a hundred and fifty feet tall and it seemed that no foe, strong as he might be could overcome them.
Cemendur and Amandil came in from the Dock of the city, overlooked by the Lake-Walls and headed for the citadel. Such was the nature of the Citadel of Annuminas that it lay across two hills that were connected by a great Bridge of stone, and the Tower of Elendil was set on the peak, shining like a glinting spearpoint.
The doors of the Tower of Elendil opened for the High King's sons, but Cemendur noticed a look of worry in the eyes of the young Doorward.
I need to ask father on the matter thought Cemendur
but then again, I am like to hear of it soon.
He and his brother saw their father sitting on the Throne, engaged in deep thought. He only noticed their presence after a while.
''My Sons" said King Aldarion, called by some the Sickly in the loudest tone he could manage. Though sickness came rarely to the Dunedain, Aldarion had always had a weak constitution, and he did not fully inherit any of his father's traits, except perhaps his wisdom. ''I have received very worrying news. Umbar, our chief holding in the lands of Harad, has fallen."
Cemendur was shocked beyond words. ''Father, where did you receive these news from?
''Captain of Ships Ciryaher. He sent a messenger by ship."
''What did the letter say?"
''There was not much detail on the event, but this is clear Cemendur: The apartments of the garrison were lit on fire; then there was an assault on the Governor's Palace. The men guarding Umbar were slaughtered like sheep. The men of our fleet saved those they could, but yet more were taken by the fire or by the sword than they could save."
''Father, my King" Amandil who had remained silent thus far; spoke. ''It is truly as Herumor your old Councillor predicted. He said that Harad would be lost if his warnings were ignored." Amandil was known to be friendly to the resigned counselor, occasionally meeting and consulting with him.
''It is more like that the revolt in Umbar was engineered by him, Amandil than that he predicted it."
Amandil glared at his brother. ''Herumor did more for the Realm in the ten years since his coming than your friend Barahir did in seventy."
It was Cemendur's turn to glare. ''Your words are not courteous brother. You do a great disservice to a worthier man than any of your friends will ever be. Had Herumor stayed as long as Barahir to consult the King, there would be no Realm to speak of."
Aldarion finally spoke up. ''My sons. Stop your quarreling. Every angry word spoken between us brings laughter to the lips of the Haradrim. I give to you this task: Fortify Harondor and Gondor so that no Raids will come to our shores in the future. Now that the Haradrim have Umbar, they will surely take up the swords of their forefathers and come after us. I will give you 12.000 men for this task. Make me proud."