Part 18 – A Burden Lifted A bitter gust of cold air blew from the east. It was the dead of night, cold, harsh, unforgiving. The bleak sky gave nothing but drops of light speckled upon the empty black background. It was the darkest of darkness as the survivors of the orc camp came at last to the ruined outpost of Flodgeheld, west of the accursed orc camp. The...

Part 17 – The Old Veteran The falling sun in the western horizon shown brightly across the planes of the Stonedeans in Rohan. The rays of the sun, in their failing light, lit all of the land in beams of light as mist from the nearby waterfall released tiny droplets of water into the atmosphere. The rays passed over the three hunters in the ruined outpost of...

Part 16 – The Hunters Three Theomin, Keymel, and Eashae reached the gate of Helm’s Dike. As they approached it they could already see the deep black smoke of the razed town of Marton. The ominous look was more frightening than Theomin had remembered. It was not but one day he passed safely around the ruined town and there he was, riding with all speed toward it...

The Family Line Part 15 – For the Family Theomin fell to his back. As he looked back up at the man who punched him as chaos erupted in the crowd. Keymel took the man and dragged him away. The little girl followed her father, grabbing at the guards and crying, “Stop! Stop!” Her tears were streaming down her dirty face, leaving trails of her clean face...

The Family Line Part 14 – A Bitter Arrival Sniffing and movement close to Theomin woke him. As he came to consciousness he could hear birds singing and the wind rustling the leaves above. A feeling peacefulness engulfed him as he opened his eyes. It was morning on the dreaded overlook of Marton. Sadness and despair then flooded through him like hot water...

  The Family Line Part 13 – What Lies Below Theomin started down south along the path that led out of the quarry. Through the morning he continued south, hugging the Misty Mountains, following the winding path, making sure he was not heading out into the open plains of the Stonedeans. He looked to the east. The long covered bridge of Brockbridge was visible...

The Family Line Part 12 – Shadow’s Coup For what felt like a very long while, the band of riders circled the windmill, taunting and teasing Theomin. Their calls and threats were not being met by Theomin as he knew they would be met with death. So he just stayed inside, not buying into their taunts. All he could do was wait at the door of the windmill and be...

Part 11 – West to Ruin Theomin woke early. His night was the most comfortable night he has had since being out on his quest, though this was only day three. The bed was not too soft, just the way he liked it. The temperature in the little house was perfect. If this was the way he could stay nightly, this was the perfect way. With his strength renewed, he pulled...

Dear Readers, Before we get to the next leg of our journey, I just wanted to express my gratitude for all the readers of my series. It has been a privilege to bring this series to you through the beautiful world of Turbine’s rendition of J.R.R. Tolkein’s Middle Earth.  It would not have been possible, of course, without the powers that be at LOTRO...

  Part 9 – To the Tower Rain came very quickly that day. Soon, Theomin and Bragga were drenched. The rain made the road difficult as it made the slog through the mud very tough for his horse. In the distance, the Gondorian tower had disappeared through the thick fog laden rain that covered his surroundings like a blanket. Not too far from the Elthengels was a...

Part 8 – The Elthengels Dawn came too fast. Theomin must have been sleeping on a rock because his back was in pain. He sat up in the bed of weeds. His muscles ached and his mouth was dry. He stood up and made his way to the front of the tavern. It must have been pretty early as nobody was in the market place. He took the short hike to the stables to fetch his...

  Part 7 – Out of the Wold Passing Langhold and seeing Harwick coming in the near distance pulled at Theomin’s sense of longing for home. He had never before traveled out of the Wold. All of his travels had taken him just as far south as the memorial of Eorl on the hill not too far from the boarder of the Norcrofts where he used to gaze upon the green...

  Part 6 – The Departing It was midnight by the time Theomin arrived back at his farm. Not a soul was awake. He quickly went to the house and slept an unrestful sleep, dreaming of Easterlings, his coming journey, and most importantly his family. His thoughts, for some brief moments turned to the dark breast and its rider. What was it and why did it fill him...

  Part 5 – A Warrior of Great Renown Eotheron was a good friend to Theomin and his family. He and Theomin grew up together. They practiced swordplay and lore while studying in Langhold. Theomin did not find swordplay to his interest. He took to scholarly pursuits, lore, and words of power, though he had no way of channeling them without some type of staff....

    Part 4 – The Lady of the Elthengels Theomin’s ride up to Langhold was free of events. He stood at the gate of the burned city, wondering what was inside. He stepped inside the remains of Langhold as smoke still rose from the town. Some houses were completely burned away leaving only the bones of the structure still weakly standing. Other homes were charred...

  Part 3 – Refugees Theomin rode fast to Harwich filled with anticipation. Thoughts were racing through his head as to who his parents really were. Most likely his mother was the lady from Langhold. Or perhaps he was really a Gondorian. He then thought the worst. “I hope I am not a Dunlanding,” he said under his breath. Approaching the gate of Harwick felt...

Part 2 – Wisdom of a Child Dawn came and Ealyn, Theomin’s sister, left the house, still covered in dirt. She stumbled to the well half asleep rubbing her eyes and yawning. She pulled up a bucket of water and without regard to her clothes, she dumped the bucket of water over herself and gasped as the water felt frozen over her body. As she acclimated to the...

The Family Line Part 1 – In the Wake of the Razing The clang of swords and deathly foul screams filled the night air. The horrifying noises were coming from Langhold, a small town in the Wold. Theomin and his family could not help but watch from a distance, terrified by the noises. Theomin felt sudden fear by the peculiar screams and a momentary glimpse of a...