Category: The Family Line

Part 140 – To Ered Luin

Morning came, bright and early. It was four days since the revelry of the nighttime party. Business went back to normal in the cool dawn of Annuminas. The small number of wardens remained on Tinnudir to finish cleaning the party grounds, mugs, empty barrels of ale, food thrown on the ground were all removed from the island as a new dawn began for the men of Eriador.

Gandalf had left just as quickly as he appeared. Business he said he needed to attend to back in Bree. So, even before the dawning of the next day, he was off again. Magla said Gandalf just did not want to be bogged down with the clean up of the party. Theomin felt it was not the case but then he knew not as he knew not about the comings and goings of wizards. He was just glad to finally speak with the famed wizard.

At long last, the Warriors of Eriador departed south toward the lands of The Ered Luin. Estonethiel led the way as Sergee was right by her side. Theomin followed along with Eleswith and between the two was Lily. Magla stayed back in Tinnudir. He had urgent business to attend to in Breeland and needed to travel eastward later that morning.

The path was long, down south from the the Colossus up the hill just south of the bridge over the Brandywine and over toward the high hills in the southern part of Evendim. At the peak, they headed south along the winding road just west of the sandy land known as the Barandalf. On they road as the time approached noon as they finally reached Dwaling.

Damaged and abandoned the homes seemed to be. It was as if the small hobbit village was ravaged by some kind of fight. There, on the road facing the village of Dwaling, the dwarf Krovrin and his friend Toby stood.

“What happened here?” Sergee asked.

The hobbit looked at Krovrin as Krovrin began to speak for the hobbit. “It would appear brigands have ravaged the lands of the Shire. For a long time they have been in the Shire and for a long time they have imprisoned the small creatures. Toby and I spoke with one of the hobbits near the village of Oatbartin. He said there may be an uprising coming from Hobbiton.”

“Is there anything we can do to help?” Sergee asked as he pulled his sword from its sheath.

Toby shook his head. “Toby here cares not for any help from men or elves. He says this is hobbit business.”

“Are you sure you care not to receive any aid from us?” Theomin asked. “You know we are well prepared for any assult. We are battle hardened and ready to help.”

Krovrin looked at his hobbit friend and still he shook his head. “No thank you, kind sirs. But we hear the safest path through the Shire is to stay on the outskirts. That way you will run into no brigands.” The dwarf then rubbed his beard as if he had a new thought. “By the way, why are you traveling through these parts anyway?”

Sergee looked at Estonethiel before he spoke, “We are on our way to the Grey Havens.”

“Ahh,” said the dwarf with sadness. “Then you shall never return.”

“Yes, they will not return,” said Eleswith.

“Then take this token of my affection,” the dwarf said. He handed to Estonethiel a fine coat of mithril mail. “It was given to me from Dwalin in Thorin’s Hall. I need it not as I already have some fine armor. This is a token of my good will toward my good friends the elves. Though the relationship between the dwarves and elves have not been kind, I have never felt any animosity toward my elf friends. You have remained a true friend to me and my people.”

“Thank you, kind dwarf,” Estonethiel said. “Nor have I held any anger toward you, my dwarf friend. May the light of the Valar always look kindly upon you.” She held out her hand and grasped the dwarf’s. The shook and smiled one last long smile as they looked at each other with kindness.

“Shall we continue?” Sergee said. “We have quite a long road to go.”

“So we shall,” Theomin said.

“Good bye, fare elves,” Krovrin said as he also shook Lily’s hand as she passed him by. “I am sorry I have not to give to you, fare elf.”

“I have no need to receive a gift as I am not leaving,” Lily said.

“I will return and explain to you all the reasons I have lost my place on the last ships to the west,” she said as they continued on south toward Oatbarten.

Through the rest of the afternoon and on through the evening, the five continued south past Oatbarten and toward Brockenborings and turned west. They skirted the towns of Overhill and continued into the forest, hoping to avoid all signs of the hobbit towns. They continued until the hills began to rise and they stayed at the foothills and on south toward Rushock Bog. The horses found it a little more difficult to keep their pace with the bog being so thick and the muck of the bog being so sticky.

As evening approached, the five travelers had already dismounted from their horses and reached Needlehole, a very small hobbit hamlet just on the western side of the Shire. It boardered the lands of Ered Luin but they cared not. It was a glad tiding to find the small hamlet still intact, though abandoned.

“Should we find shelter in one of these hobbit houses?” Eleswith asked.

“Perhaps we should not,” Theomin said, “just to show respect for the hobbits. I think it would be wise to also set up a night watch, just incase any brigands decide to come around.”

“That would be wise,” Sergee said. “I’ll be first with Estonethiel. Then Eleswith and Lily can be next. We’ll let Eleswith sleep for the night.”

“No thank you,” Eleswith said. “I will contribute as much as you contribute. That way, you have smaller watching shifts. I’ll take the last watch.”

So they all had a quick meal with some leftover rations they had from Tinnudir. They then found some comfortable hay to sleep on nearby some abandoned stables. There, they stayed the night. A quiet peaceful night it was. Not one sound came from anyplace. They were so used to the sounds of bustling from all the places they went to, Bree, Esteldin, Annuminas, Combe, that they nearly forgot the sounds of peace and quiet.

It was midnight when Sergee and Estonethiel woke Theomin and Lily. They were finished with their night watch and went to sleep where Theomin and Lily sat. The two stood up and walked to the center of Needlehole and sat, each facing two separate ways.

It was a chilly night as a slight breeze came from the way of Ered Luin. The small pass pushed the wind through the village, which made the two even colder. They sat on the ground, both leaning their backs up against each other as Theomin wished he could feel warmth of an embrace.

“Would you mind if we hold each other?” Theomin finally asked. “I need to feel the warmth of another.”

“I don’t mind at all,” Lily said happily.

They two embraced as they continued their night time watch. He had not felt any feeling for Lily up until then. The warmth of her body filled his body with affection but he had not the thought of whether she felt the same.

“Have you ever seen the moon that clearly?” Lily whispered to Theomin.

He looked up and softly said, “I have seen the moon many times that large and that clear in Rohan. Sometimes it is as large as the nearby hills.”

“So lovely it is,” she said. “I have not looked up into the sky for a terrible long while. The night I was hurt terribly by that staff, I remember the celebration of light my family and my kin were at. I cared not that the stars that night were so wonderous. I only cared about what was at the shore infront of me.” She looked at Theomin as a sudden thought came to her mind, “Can I travel back with you to Rohan? It sounds like a wonderous place.”

“I…” he paused as he was unsure what to say to her. He nodded and said, “Yes, you can.”

She smiled a happy smile. Theomin could see she was no longer that tortured soul he remembered back in Bree. She seemed like a warmer elf as she said, “Perfect.”

They stayed there the rest of the night until the late watches when Theomin woke Eleswith from her sleep. Theomin and Lily then occupied the patch of hay Eleswith was lying on and very quickly fell into a deep sleep.

Morning came early and Eleswith had already packed the packs for the horses and had them ready for the travelers to mount. She gave each of the travelers rations and allowed everybody to mount their horses and be off.

Another beautiful day it was as they traveled through hill country off toward Ered Luin. As they approached the lands, they noticed the sky becoming pinker and the smell of the air was becoming sweeter as the beautiful pink leaves of cheery blossoms filled the hills surrounding them. Then, at the very beginning of the border of Ered Luin, a flowing structure of elves could be seen strattling the nearby hill. Before it, was a dark bridge of dwarf-make joining the far shore and the lands of Ered Luin.

“That is the elf city of Duilond,” Estonethiel said. “It is a favorate stop for many elves as they travel to Mithlond.”

Beautiful it was. Giant bowl-like platforms led up to high spires of the buildings of the elves. A tan and baige color they were, almost like the autom leaves of trees before they begin to fall. It gave it an almost sad mournful feeling as the buildings would soon be abandoned by the elves before they sail into the undying lands. Beautiful and grand they were, but also sad as they would soon lose their inhabitants. Once proud and joyful were the buildings. Sad it would soon be as the elves finally depart from Middle Earth.

So the five travelers passed Duilond and Lily looked back up at Duilond. She wanted to travel there when they returned and spend some time there. She had decided to do that as they finally continued to depart from Duilond and on west toward the path that would lead toward the last leg of the journey to the Grey Havens.

It took not too long for them to find the path to the Grey Havens. Through rocky, treacherous lands they had to travel. A stark difference to the lively and happy lands where the elves dwelled. It was as if it was occupied by orcs or goblins for a long while. Though there were none there, it was as if it was ravaged by the servents of the enemy.

The travelers continued through the strange place, not straying from the path. Each felt that if they strayed from the path, they would be attacked or lost to the history of the place. So each stayed quiet and stedfast to the path as it turned south. The last leg to the Grey Havens.

By afternoon, the cliffs fell and they gave way to a great harbor, flanked by two very large towers on either side of the harbor. Much like Duilond, the old buildings of the elves were tan and beige, also the sad feel of the sea filled the hearts of each of the travelers.

“Here lies the harbor of Mithlond,” Estonethiel said to the travelers, “The Grey Havens.”

“It’s so beautiful,” Lily said in awe. “I have not expected it to be such a beautiful place. I remember nothing like it since I was a child.”

Lily led the other four as they continued down the small pathways toward the ships docked. The sun reflected on the ocean as the sun began to set on the western horizon. The red glow of the sun reflected on the harbor and the hills about them in a redish shade as the last light of the day shown on the lands about.

“This is where we part,” Sergee said. Lily looked at Estonethiel but soon realized that they all looked at Lily.

“What is this?” Lily asked as she looked on with shock. “What is happening?”

“I want you to take this,” Estonethiel handed the dwarven mail shirt to Lily. “This was not ment for me. So long ago, I gave my life to Sergee and with that, the light of the Valar left me. Because I did that, I lost my place on the last ships to Valinor. But my seat will not go unfilled. You, Lily, will take my place to the Undying lands.”

“I…” she said as she gasped for air as her throat closed tight and she could not speak. She hugged Estonethiel tightly as she looked upon the harbor. She then grasped Sergee in a hug and then Eleswith. She finally came to Theomin. She then held on tight to him and held him for a long while. For so long she held him tightly and wept. “Thank you.” She released her grip and stepped back. “Thank you for giving an elvish girl another chance. Such terrible things I did. Why are they allowing me to go with them?”

“Because you were given another chance and you proved your worth,” Theomin said. “You will go and you will go in peace.” Theomin kissed her forehead, “Now go in peace and remember not the horrors of your past. Only the peace and love that are in your heart right now that will always remain with you.”

Lily smiled and then turned to look at the last ship she will ever take. She walked slowly in wonder and sadness as she reached the plank that led from the dock to the ship. She crossed it and looked back at her friends from afar. She smiled with tears pooling in her eyes as she finally stepped off the plank and into the boat. She looked around in wonder as she found her place to sit.

On the shore, Sergee, Estonethiel, Eleswith and Theomin watched as the ropes of the boats were removed from the dock and thrown onto the boat, the plank was pulled back from the boat, and the ship was free to move. It began sailing into the open waters of the ocean and continued off into western horizon as the light of the setting sun engulfed the ship and no more of the ship could be seen.

It was then, at last, the last four remaining friends departed from the shores of Mithlond and never again looked back.

Part 139 – Revelry

Sunset came on the land of Evendim. The lake reflected the burning fire of the sky as all the land was tinted in a red-orange color. The trees of the lands, though green, also gave off an orange color as did the grasses. The clouds reflected the bright color of the setting sun as they painted the sky with an orange topaz look.

Evening was coming soon as Theomin and Sergee stood at the memorial site of Athegdir, their father. To the left, supported by the memorial just beside it, sat a single stone; a remembrance of Teryndir. It leaned on his father’s memorial and remained just as Teryndir did, leaning on and being supported by the memory of his father.

Theomin, back in his brown outfit from Rohan looked upon the grave sight of his father and brother. He did not weap, as he had the good feeling that all was okay. He smiled knowing that his brother was finally at peace.

“I know not if father would have been proud of him,” Sergee said quietly to Theomin, back in his colorful outfit he had back in the Lone Lands. “Such a troubled life he had after father died.” Theomin remained quiet as Sergee continued. “But I want to say that he found just a moment of peace while he traveled with us. I really wish to say that he found his real self before he was taken from us in Bree.”

“I do wish you are right,” Theomin said, “But he seemed to succumb to hatred before you took his life.”

“I wish not to think of taking his life,” Sergee said. “I feel not proud of that fact. I only wished that he had not given me that task but I had not the choice.” Sergee stayed quiet for a while before he spoke again, “Did I tell you what Teryndir said before he died?” Theomin shook his head. “He said that I would have to live with his death.”

“Despite what he might have thought of himself,” Theomin said, “He deceived us all. I saw what he was planning. I saw that he conspired with that creature. He knew that moroval creature, the one I knew as Azagod. And they both used us to summon Morgoth. I wonder if Kronog, or Gerald, had any idea what was happening. Teryndir was behind all of it. We were right to not trust him.”

“I know what you are saying,” Sergee said, “and I understand. But I know there was still some part of him that was still good. That there was some part of him that was not angry and manipulative.”

“Though there might have been, we will never know,” Theomin said. Theomin looked out at the beautiful view of Evendim and gave a long sigh and with it wanted to change the subject. “I will miss this view. Of all the sites and smells and sounds I have taken in through my journey, this is the one that will always remain with me.”

“Does this mean you will regret leaving?” Sergee asked.

“Do not be silly,” Theomin quipped, “It is time for me to leave. I have done all I could have done.”

“Mostly,” Sergee said. He looked down at the small island of Tinnudir and gave a knowing smile. “There are but a few more that you must do.”

The two left the gravesite out at the cliff of Tyl Annun in Annuminas. They took a quiet and long journey through the empty way of Annuminas. The throughfare and all the sights had not one person, even though it was a bustling city only a few hours earlier. They walked through the main way down to the first level and toward the stables that housed their horses.

Theomin patted Bragga and gave her neck a tight hug. “Are you ready for our coming journey home?” he patted her head and rubbed it. “We have but a few more tasks we must do before we head home.” He mounted his horse and rode through Men Erain with Sergee riding alongside him. They still were quiet as they made their way though Men Erain and up past he Colossus and up the small hills towards the ruins of old estates that sat at the summits of the two sides of the hills. Then down toward the four watchmen of the Canadiach that marked the crossroads of Parth Aduial. They continued west around the hills and soon heard loud booms coming from the island of Tinnudir. If it was only a week earlier, they would have thought something terrible was happening. But they knew better. It was the sounds of celebrations.

They rounded the hill and among the starlit night sky, large explosions could be seen. Fireworks of all colors were exploding in the sky as the men, elves and dwarves of all lands of Eriador gathered together on the island for festivities. The celebration was marking the uniting of all the lands of Eriador together and stopping the evil being of Morgoth from coming again. It was indeed a time to celebrate with loud and boisterious festivities.

The two crossed the bridge and into the celebrating members of all the lands. The Dunlandings, the Eglain of the Lone-Lands, the Breelanders, the Dunedian Rangers all came together to celebrate together. The dwarves and elves there were also, celebrating alongside the men from all across Eriador. All were conversing with each other, telling of tales of their battles in Annuminas, reminiscing of the fight to free the city of the enemy. Some of the fight in courtyards, the first level, up in Tyl Annun or the Ariant. All had their own stories to tell. All were harrowing and yet powerful stories.

Theomin and Sergee left their horses at the stables as Eleswith walked up to them with a smile. She was clothed in a dress, beautiful and elegant it was as Theomin and Sergee were impressed. “I have not seen you clothed in,” he paused and looked her up and down, “in such a way,” Theomin said.

“Thank you,” Eleswith said in a shy way. “To tell you the truth, I’m not used to wearing such a garment. I would rather be in my own loose and comfortable clothes.”

“Well, tonight is a night to celebrate,” Sergee said. “You look stunning.”

“Thank you,” Eleswith said. “I’m sure glad you two dressed up,” she laughed.

“Had we known this was going to be a formal event we would have dressed more appropriately,” Theomin said.

“I’m teasing,” Eleswith said. “Come, the others are waiting.”

So the remainder of the evening was spent drinking in merriment and laughing with good friends. Sergee and Estonethiel together laughed the night away as they mingled with all men, elves, and dwarves. Magla remained with the men of Bree as they continued to talk first about the battle, and then about what needed to be done in Bree to plan for the future. Though they were talking business, there still was lightheartedness in their conversations.

Lily remained alone on the side as she watched the partying. She looked out of place as Theomin came to her side. “What is the matter?” he asked her. “Why are you not apart of the merriment?”

“I feel out of place,” she said. “I have not been included in such revelry since I was a child. Even then it was so long ago, I forget most of what it was like when I was but a child. I know not how to conduct myself here.”

“I have been apart of many parties,” Theomin said. “Though I have been apart of them, I still have yet to know how to conduct myself at parties. Many times, I stay on the side alone. Other times I find one person to talk with. Many of those times it was Eotheron I spoke with. I know much of what you are talking about. I have never been good at parties. Not large ones anyway.”

“Yet you seemed to do well here at this one,” Lily said.

“Yes, I have,” Theomin admitted. “but that was because people come up to me to talk and jest. I am more than happy to find one friend alone and have a chat. Much like what I am doing with you.”

“Is that what I am?” Lily had to ask. “Am I a friend?”

Theomin stayed quiet for a while. He knew not what to say to her but had to say something, “I feel you are more of a friend than any of these fine folk here. Yes, you are a friend to me and I hope you feel the same.”

“I have not had a friend,” Lily admitted.

“How do you feel,” Theomin asked, “now that you have a friend to talk with?”

“I feel…” she tried to assess the feeling as she paused, “I feel warm. It is a feeling I have not yet had.”

A sudden commotion came over the crowd nearby the bridge to Tinnudir. It was the sounds of awe and loud cheering. Theomin and Lily, curious of what it was, came to the small bridge. There, among the croud of men and women was a man dressed all in white. He bore a long white beard and carried with him a long staff.

“Could it be?” Theomin asked with surprise. “Could that be Gandalf the Grey?”

“I believe it could be,” Lily said. “Though I thought him to be a little more grey.”

Magla came to him and walked him through the crowd. Gandalf looked at Theomin and then looked back down at those nearby him and the crowd parted to let Magla and Gandalf though as they continued to gawk at him. “Enedion, Son of Athegdir,” he greeted Theomin in a grand fashion. “It has been too long since I have lied eyes on you.”

Theomin was speechless as Lily spoke, “You are Gandalf the Grey,” she said in awe.

“I am Gandalf the White,” Gandalf said smiling.

“White?” Theomin finally said. “You were promoted?”

“No I…” Gandalf stopped himself, “well I suppose you could be right. Some could say I worked to death to get it.” He waited for a laugh from Theomin and Lily, but the laugh never came. “Well I suppose you had to be there to get it.” He looked at Theomin and then at Lily. “I have come in the presence of four young hobbits on their journey home. I stopped in Bree and heard of the events that happened here in the ancient city of Annuminas. So, with that news, I decided to make my journey here to meet up with the sons of Athegdir.”

Theomin, out of his stupor of awe, had to speak up, “I am sorry to say there are only two of us,” Theomin said. “Teryndir lost his life.”

“I am sorry to hear that,” Gandalf said. “He was always such a troubled individual. That was why I wanted him to stay with his father. I had always wondered what came of Enedion, though. After not hearing of you in Gondor, I wondered where you and your mother had gone.”

Theomin smiled. He knew his story. He knew his past, his history, where he came from and where he had been. So Theomin told Gandalf the tale of how he came to be in Rohan. He told him how he found out he was adopted and how he came to find out he was from Eriador. He told the tale of his journey and what happened in Dunland. He told of his path to Bree, what happened with Gerald and what happened when he came to Esteldin. He told of his adventures in Evendim and the Lone Lands and all the good people he met and forged friendships with. And he told of the many strange creatures he encountered on his adventures north of the North Downs and under the lonely hill of Aman Sul.

“Your days have not been restless ones, Enedion,” Gandalf said. “Though I know that you had not always kept the same name as you had when you were in Rohan. What manner of name did you have while living amongst the horse lords?”

“I was called, Theomin,” he said.

“Theomin,” Gandalf said with gladness and surprise, “That name is close to that of the former King of Rohan, Theodin.”

“Former king?” Theomin said in surprise. “What happened to the Theodin King?”

The wizard gave a slight chuckle as he knew it was a long story to tell. But he tried to give only a small summary of it, “While you were away, there have been many battles. Many events that would change the shape of Middle Earth itself. In one of those battles, outside the fields of Pelennor in Gondor, Theodin King lost his life to a creature called a Nazgul.”

“The Nazgul,” Lily said as she shivered.

“Yes, I know you have heard of such a creatures, Glanfinel of Edhellond,” Gandalf said as Lily raised in eyebrow in shock. “Yes, even you I know, yet your story I am not sure of. After you left Rivendell in secrecy, I have not heard your tale either.”

“I suppose both Theomin and I are cut from almost the same cloth,” Lily said. “Both he and I have been lost only to show up years later with our own stories to tell.” She went on to tell Gandalf of her story after she left Imladres and her years with Amarthiel. She told of the years she spent working for her and then what she did after her sudden death. She told of Kronog and Teryndir and all the horrible things she did on behalf of Amarthiel, Kronog and Teryndir. Gandalf seemed sad for Lily and for Theomin knowing that his brother had been taken into such a dark place. But he seemed to be optimistic for the future of Middle Earth.

“I am glad you trust in our future,” Theomin said.

“How can I not, Ened…Theomin,” Gandalf said. “The dark powers are done. Sauron is destroyed. With your work here in Eriador, Morgoth is not likely to return. Men will inherit Middle Earth and the elves will sail west to the undying lands.”

“Yes,” Lily said. “but not all of us have a place on the last ships to Valanor.”

“I would not be so certain of that,” Gandalf said as a ceremony began on the other end of the island of Tinnudir. “Come,” he said. “We would not want to be late for the ceremony.”

The three continued toward Tinnudir keep, the one large structure that was part of the island of Tinnudir. There, on the top of the steps of the great building, Sergee and Estonethiel stood together as Magla came just before them.

“We stand together at the steps of the Keep of Tinnudir to join Neleghil and Estonethiel to be joined together in matrimony. I have been given this privilege as mayor of Bree as it is not only a civic duty, but an honor to join these two in such an honorable commitment.” He looked at Sergee with a smile, “Do you promise to hold Estonethiel in the highest esteem, to cherish her and to hold her close as long as you both shall live?”

“I do,” Sergee said.

“And do you, Estonethiel, honor your commitment to hold Sergee in the highest esteem, to cherish your bond and hold him close to your heart for as long as you both shall live?” Magla repeated to Estonethiel.

“I do,” Estonethiel smiled.

“Then as mayor of Bree, and the power vested in me as mayor, I now pronounce you man and wife,” Magla said, “You may now kiss the bride.”

Both Sergee and Estonethiel, before all the masses of men, dwarves and elves, held her tight to him and kissed her for a very long time. The crowd cheered, Eleswith cried with happiness, and Theomin and Lily clapped loudly for their friends who had shown such affection for each other for a very long time. Gandalf’s eyes and face was beaming with happiness as he too clapped and laughed happily for it seemed he already knew the union was going to happen.

The festivities continued on long after the union of Sergee and Estonethiel. They continued on all the way to the dawn of the next day, loudly playing music and drinking through the night. The dwarves, of course, brought all the ale and drank most of it. The men had a good amount of ale too, as did the elves. By the end of the night, a thousand barrels of ale were brought, and a thousand barrels of ale were consumed. All seemed right with the world.

Part 138 – The Missing Lynx

Through the remainder of the afternoon, Theomin resumed his search for his lynx friend. The last he saw the lynx he was up in the cliff of Tyl Annun as he attacked Kronog along with the rest of animals that followed along. But the animals that came to Theomin’s aid all were scattered as the drake spewed fire on them. So where did all the animals go? More importantly, where was Aches?

Theomin looked down from the cliff as he wondered just that question. He began, much like he began the search earlier that day. He started from the cliff where Aches attacked Kronog. “If this was the last I saw him, and he was attacked by fire, where would he go from there?” he wondered to himself. He thought of the other animals and where they went as well. “Could the birds have aided in their escape from the cliff?” he wondered. Theomin looked down from the cliff. It was a very long drop from there as a voice came from the side.

“Quite a drop, is it not?” the voice said. Theomin looked over to see the girl, Ariel, who faught with Eleswith’s army. “Quite a long one.”

“What are you doing here?” Theomin had to ask.

“I have been looking out from this place for the past day,” she said, “since we gathered in silence after the fighting was over.”

“But why here?” he asked. He came in closer to the girl who looked lost in deep thought. Her eyes were red and dry. They were swollen as if she had been crying for too long as she also looked sleep deprived. “Why indeed,” she said as her own words trailed off into nothingness. “This is the last place I saw the man I was hoping to wed. The last place I gazed upon his eyes as he looked down at me before I plunged into the waters below.”

“He was one of the many wardens who was killed was he?” Theomin asked. “Was he thrown from the cliff?”

She only shook her head in silence but never broke her stare out into nothingness. “No,” she finally said. “I was dropped from this place. I was dropped as he watched me plunge down into the waters below.” Theomin was silent. He had nothing to say as she continued, “Before I was dropped into the waters below, they placed me into a cage. A terrible metal cage with metal bars. The same as the ones the other wardens were placed into before they too were dropped into the lake. They placed me into that cage and forced him to tell them where someone was. They forced him to tell them where Theomin was. But when the last of the wardens was dropped into the waters and only I remained, he told them. But that was not enough. They pushed me over the cliff but the last I saw of him was when he grabbed the cage and tried to save me from the horrible fall into the water below. The last I saw of him…” she began to sob again but continued as she sobbed, “was a troll beating him lifeless. The last I saw of him was his dead eyes as I fell into the lake.” She looked down and began to moan as she cried.

Theomin came to her and wrapped his arms around her. He knew not what to say as too wrapped her arms around him. She continued as she regained her composure, “That was the last I saw of him. I have not told my story to anyone. Not even to Eleswith, the leader our group. She has not a clue as to how I ended up on the shores of Tinnudir. She only knew I was a survivor.”

“I am so sorry,” Theomin whispered to her as he rubbed her back. “Who was he? Who was the warden who was to be your husband?”

“I hate to say his name,” she said. “He was too precious to me and I fear I will break down and cry if I am to say his name.”

“Do you know who I am?” Theomin asked as he was not sure if she knew who he was and why he was significant to her sad story. “I am sorry to say that I am the vary man they were searching for. I am Theomin.”

“I know who you are,” she said. “I had seen you around many times. You aided us in hunting for our food. Her…” she paused as she was about to say his name but stopped herself. “He knew you and had great respect for you. That was why he could not talk. That was why he could not tell them where you were.”

“Then have you anger for me?” he asked.

“How could I?” Ariel asked. “I could not be angry with you. You had not a part to play in killing my love.” She was silent for a while before she had to ask, “Why did he want to look for you? Why did Kronog go to such lengths to find you?”

Theomin quieted down for the thought held a certain amount of pain for himself. But amazingly, the pain was not as terrible as it once was. “Long ago, when I came here from Rohan to search for my family, I was framed for a murder in Bree. A murder in which I played no part.” He was silent for a while before he continued, “For a long while, I was beaten by the same man who hurt you. But then he went by a different name. He was Gerald Tenderlach. The son of Mayor Tenderlach of Bree. I was framed for killing his brother.”

“Then who killed him if it was not you?” Ariel asked.

He had not the hear to tell Ariel that Eleswith was the one who murdered the mayor’s son. “Gerald, who you know as Kronog, killed his brother. He was hungry for power. He wanted to be mayor of Bree after his brother died. After a while, his dream was finally realized when he murdered his own father. When we took back Bree from Gerald, we found the lifeless body of the mayor in the mayor’s office.” Theomin shook his head as he could not believe what had happened. “There were so many evil men who were behind the retaking of Annuminas. And they all came together to summon a terrible creature. That was why we needed to come here. That was why we needed to come back and fight. I cared not for revenge of what Kronog did to me. We needed to fight for the future of Middle Earth.”

“Then we succeeded,” Ariel said. “At a terrible cost.”

“Yes,” Theomin said as he remembered his friends and his brother. “At a terrible cost.” He gave a sigh as he remembered what Ariel told him about the part he played as a hunter for the city. He looked at Ariel, “It was Herion, was it not? It was he who was your beloved.” Ariel only looked down with sadness. He remembered the last time he saw Herion, strung up by the neck at the gate of Bree. He had not the heart to tell her of what he saw. “He was a great man and an excellent hunter. He aided me through much.” He gave a slight laugh as a memory came to him, “The first time I met Herion was in Esteldin. It was just before we came here to retake the city. He and I trained together just before we came here. Our friend, Taidir was one of the two that I trained with. Taidir too was lost long before we lost Herion.”

“I know of Taidir,” Ariel said. “He was my cousin. He was always a little spunky,” she laughed. “But a noble one he was. And a great fighter.” Theomin nodded as he remembered the friends he had lost. “Thank you, Theomin,” she finally said.

“What are you thanking me for?” he asked.

“I was so broken after losing Herion,” she said as life came back into her cold face. “I was so lost. Because I kept all of the pain and loss to myself, I felt so alone.” She looked at Theomin with care and respect, “You let me talk to you. You opened my heart and I let loose all that I had lost. Now I know that I need to open up about my losses. Only then can I finally find acceptance in Herion’s death.”

“I am glad I could help,” he said as he embraced her as she squeezed Theomin tightly.

She whispered again in his ear, “Thank you,” as the let go of their embrace. She wiped her face of tears that had newly run down her face as she asked. “Why have you come up here anyway? I know it was not to speak with me.”

“I actually came to find my lost lynx, Aches,” he said. “I have been searching for him since the fighting was over.”

“That little ball of fur that came and attacked Kronog?” Ariel asked. “The one that looked like a big cat?”

“Yes,” Theomin said with a little excitement. “Have you seen him?”

She looked around as she seemed to remember what had happened. “After that dragon spit fire, I saw the eagles carry some of the animals away. I know not what happened to them after that.”

“Thank you,” Thoemin said until he realized, “but they could be anywhere now.”

“Wouldn’t you check near the water?” Ariel asked. “If they were set on fire, they could have been dropped near it.”

“Of course,” he said as he felt stupid for not think of that, “The water would be the perfect place to look. Thank you,” he said as he hugged her one last time and ran to the nearest place.

He ran down the steps toward the Arient and crossed it as quickly as possible as those rangers around him hailed Theomin as he passed by. He crossed up the hill and around Clorhir as the men and women from Bree and Trestlebridge shouted a hail to Theomin. He slowed and gave a hail back at the them but could not stop himself from continuing. He ran down the slope and up toward Echad Garthadir as those from Dunland gave Theomin a hearty praise with their fists up in the air in honor of him. Theomin did the same as he put his up in honor of them. He passed Echad Garthadir and ran down the slope toward the closest bit of shore. Though he was not told outright nor was it the best bit of shore that bordered Annuminas, he was somehow pulled to that very small bit of water at the small inlet on the western portion of the city.

Among the small pebbles and small crashing waves of the lake, there was the small lynx. He layed there, not moving, dead. Theomin ran to him, tears gathered in his eyes as he could not fathom his small friend had already died but the terrible wounds told a different tale. His fir was singed off and his skin had melted from the drake’s aweful fire. Not a breathe could Theomin find in his small friend.

Theomin fell back, devastated by the loss of his beloved lynx. He picked up the lifeless body of Aches and held it in his arms. He held him tightly and pictured him in his mind as remembered his lynx. The last of his family in Eregion, he would have most likely died either at the hands of the half-orcs or by starving to death. He remembered his companion remaining with his for a long way, from Eregion until the the foot of Bree. He remembered finding his small friend in the land of the North Downs as he persued his friend of Rohan, and that was when it suddenly hit him. He substituted his friend from Rohan with the small lynx. He missed Aches, but more importantly, he missed Eotheron.

He felt horrible pain as he knew he would never see his good friend from Rohan. He placed Aches on the ground and doubled over in pain of the loss of his friend. He was the only friend he knew all his life. To never see him was a terrible reality he would need to face. “How can I return?” he asked himself as he fell to the ground, heartbroken by the loss of his friend. “How can I live without him? How could I have lost him? Why has he left me?” he asked. Tears filled his eyes as he cried and a single tear grew from his eye. It rose from the lid of his eye and formed a drop. Theomin wanted to wipe it away but cared not to move. The tear-drop formed and released from his eye and onto the small lynx. Only a moment passed as he cried more for the loss of his friend when a single jerk of Aches starteled Theomin from his sorrow. He sat back and waited for something to happen. But nothing came from it. He stood and stepped back.

A sudden memory harkened him back to his dream back in the cave. A memory of the one who aided him through the whole journey of rediscovery of who his lost skills. A memory that he had somehow lost as he battled through the cave, Bree, and into Annuminas. It was a skill of life. It was a skill that could aid those who were almost dead back to life.

With haste, Theomin grabbed his staff in both hands and raised it high above him and then struck it down on the ground. A light of a green hue grew from the waters of the lake and surrounded the small lynx. As it surrouneded him, it grew in intensity and spun around the tiny lynx and lifted it from the ground as light engulfed it and then softly allowed the lynx to descend onto the ground. It then layed there much like it did before. Dead it seemed until Theomin could see something new. The rising and falling of the Lynxe’s chest. It was alive!

Theomin placed his hand softly on the lynx’s coat as it woke. It looked at Theomin and jumped up to greet Theomin as if nothing had happened. As best it could, it wrapped its paws around Theomin as Theomin held the small lynx as tightly as he could. He hugged Aches as if it was Eotheron who had returned. Tears flowed from his eyes as he could hear himself say to the lynx, “Welome back!”