When the lands of Harad were united as one, there was a Princess in the midst of the darkest jungle, who didn't care to inherit the throne. She was said to be a great beauty and very wise. The King of the land of Harad made the decree that anyone who should find her would become the next ruler of the land. All the lords and knights of the world wished her as their own bride and searched for her, but none successful. The Princess had hidden herself well between the trees. One hint only did she lend to the people:

Far above the tops of the Kapoks, over the strangler figs; Evade the velvet bean and seek instead the orchid.

Many wondered at the names mentioned. A velvet bean plant wasn't to be found in the jungle, how could they evade it? Strangler figs could grow on any Kapok tree, and orchid flowers were plentiful, but which ones were they to seek?

Almost a decade after the search for the Princess began, a young woman of the Dogri clan fancied that she might like a kingdom to rule one day, and endeavored to take up the search.

The people laughed.

"A maiden? This quest is for knights."

"The king wouldn't bestow his kingdom on a mere girl from the jungles."

"How can she hope to succeed when the greatest lords have failed?"

The maiden didn't deter. She was Kuliaz of the Dogri clan. She knew the jungles as well as any seasoned scout or hunter. If anyone could could find the Princess, it was her. Accepting all jests towards her as a challenge, she set out, unbothered by the taunts of those who saw her.

Guided by the hint, she sought the strangler figs. Planted by birds, they take hold, wrapping slender arms around the trees, snaking their way to the forest floor to take root. To find a bridge of strangler vines that far over the tops of the Kapoks seemed simple. It was to find the velvet beans where the search would be challenging.

Kuliaz knew the jungles well having grown up and spent her whole life there. As she went deeper and deeper, she scanned with careful eyes for any sign and climbed many trees that grew above the others. The search stretched on and she was tempted to despair many times, but imagining the taunts and scolds she would receive should she return home fruitless, she kept with her search. The apes and great cats of the jungle posed her no harm. She ate of the fruit on the trees and bush, the fish were plentiful in the streams. The maiden lived well during her search.

She searched for a year, and then two. Those who came across her claimed she was foolish to continue when so many others have failed. At that Kuliaz laughed and said "They failed their quest. By the gods of sky and water, earth and fire, I will prevail in mine."

It happened that when Kuliaz reached very near the heart of the forest, there was a storm. The rain was very strong and breached even the thick leaf cover above. Kuliaz sought the largest kapok tree she had yet seen as shelter. Nestled in the crook of the trees' roots, she felt fast asleep. In the morning, she woke to see a strangler vine, cascading down beside her. The branches of it were splayed, rooted in the ground so as to appear very much like a bridge.

Finding this a good way to begin her day, Kuliaz took hold and began to climb. The tree was very tall, and slippery from the torrential rain, but the woman was strong from from climbing and swinging between many trees. There were orchids to be seen, not beans. The top of it is a far ways yet, she thought, there's always a chance. It took the better part of the morning to reach the top, so great was it's height, and it's breadth she couldn't imagine.

After resting in the branches, Kuliaz gazed around her. The great trunk was beginning to thin, and she was as high as the rest of the trees in the forest, but though she had climbed higher than she ever had before, the leaves above her did not thin, nor could she see any trace of the sky at the top. She was greatly wearied after the arduous climb, and worn down from long searches proving unfruitful. Thinking back to her home, the taunts and baits seemed less and less threatening.

Clearing her head of such thoughts, she looked up again, and in the brightly lit green light from the noontide sun through the leaves, she saw a bunch of the dark purple blossoms and pods of a velvet bean. Strength and resolve renewed, she scaled the last few yards to get a closer look. From the place of the beans, the could see what looked like a winding path around the trunk. Before she went on her way, the verse came to mind, avoid the velvet bean, seek instead the orchid. The other way Kuliaz saw was almost a column of orchids, looking as a way marker. The way it marked was tangled, and difficult looking, and Kuliaz was weary from the long climb, but it was the only way, and she wanted the quest over before the sun set.

Through the twisting way she went, round and round the trunk. How high she was now, she couldn't guess. The tree seemed endless. Hunger panged and thirst parched her throat, but still she went on. Recalling her words, she hadn't failed yet, and she didn't intend to now.

Afternoon set the leaves of the trees below to shimmer like gold before she reached the thickest layer of tightly woven branches. There seemed no way through it, the leaves were so thick. It would have seemed a dead end, but for the fact that trees didn't naturally grow this way. Perhaps this was it. Above this could be the Princess. Between branches, she searched all around the trunk. At last, the speckled pink of an orchid met her sight. Eagerly, she made her way to it, weariness falling from her muscles as she got closer. There was a break in the leaves above the orchid, and light could be seen.

Trembling, Kuliaz parted the leaves and lifted herself through the opening to see what could be seen. Her hands found rest on a smooth wooden platform, beautifully decorated with shallow carvings. There was only a thin canopy of leaves, and as Kuliaz hoisted herself through and stood up, she found that aside from an equally beautiful railing that seemed to be of living wood, nothing obstructed her view of the forest stretched out beneath her, bathed in golden afternoon glow.

So breathtaking was the sight, it was a moment before she noticed the figure sitting at the far side of the platform, seated on the ground, a slender chisel and mallet in her hands, studying Kuliaz intently.

When Kuliaz at last turned, she saw a woman, seated with legs crossed, looking back at her. She looked every bit a Princess. Her garb was well made, rich in colors and embroidery, yet there was nothing extravagant about it. Her hair was long and braided back tightly to her head, a few glints of precious metals peeking from the dark braids. Her face was pleasant. Not at all great beauty with smooth skin and slender jaw, full lips and large eyes, but delightful to look at in it's individuality. Creases around her mouth and eyes bore witness of many smiles, her hands were strong as they grasped their tools. Her dark skin seemed to glow. Wisdom and understanding shone bright in her eyes.

Kuliaz fell to her knees, and bowed low before the Princess. "Oh great lady, if I may speak first, the King has set out his decree that whoever should find the Princess, be they great or small, shall inherit the kingdom. I am but a humble maid of the Dogri clan, but this was a cause I could devote myself to. If you deem me worthy, may I rule well." She let her words fade to silence as she awaited the Princess' judgement.

She waited a moment. Then the sound of clothes rustling and footsteps alerted Kuliaz to movement.

"Arise, future queen." The Princess' voice was soft but bearing great power. "For that is the title I give you. You have found me, and earned what you sought."

Kuliaz looked up and the Princess was before her, offering her hand. Her legs felt like water as she accepted the hand and got to her feet.

The Princess smiled. "I am glad it is you to complete the quest," said she.

Kuliaz stayed a while with the Princess in her tree. Many things the Princess taught her. How to manage the people, how to interact and respond to other territories. When to laugh, and when to grieve. When Kuliaz had learned all that the Princess could teach her, they returned together to the city, to the surprise of all. The King was true to his word, and Kuliaz was declared the heir to the throne, and crowned Queen when the time came.

Queen Kuliaz had a long and prosperous reign. The Princess remained in her beloved jungle, offering advice and to the Queen whenever she could. The land of Harad had never seen a better ruler, and the other lands and kingdoms to the north and east of Harad bore her respect.

THE END

1606 words.

Extremely fun to write Harad as a lovely place and not just "The Bad Guys". Some nice times before Numenorean colonization. Hoped it summoned pleasant imagery and was a nice read :)

-GadSul