Thread: LoTR Second Age: The Downfall of Men (darkangel76/BennyQ)

The House of Orod was without a doubt a magnificent Hall. Sakalkhr spent much of his time admiring the skill put into the masonry and the high-vaulted ceilings. The Nmenreans had come a long way in the past eighteen hundred years, since the days of Tar-Minyatur when most dwellings were made of wood and lumber. Now the men of the west lived in tall mansions of stone, built upon the seaside like the villas of the Elves. Together the two families sat and mingled with one another, chatting happily with each other. Well at least Orod and Amrod did, switching between Sindarian and Quenyan as they saw fit. It seemed as if they had forgotten why they were here in the first place, with Orod explaining to Amrod of a new model of yachts he was crafting. Sleek and slender with a single mast, it was excellent for riding the waves close to the shore. But in the eyes of the ladies present, there was another question in them where was Mriel? They had been sitting for what seemed like a hour to Sakalkhr and he had yet to see his bride. He had barely said more than a few words, and much of those were simple, one-word answers. So my boy! Orod suddenly exclaimed, slapping one of his large, bear-like hands on his knee and causing the younger man to jerk with the pain. Did all Nmenrean men grow this strong in their old age? We've spoken enough of strange lands to the south and east, where no elf or civilized man had walked, now we wish to know of the north and west. I have seldom traveled there and neither has my friend, your father. Tell us about your adventures in Eriador and don't hold back on the detail! Was the plight of the Elves really that bad? How terrible and frightening were the orcs of the Dark Lord? Did you get to see him for yourself? He added, casting a shadowy glance at the others to draw a reaction. He turned his big smile back to Sakalkhr, and all others joined him. Sakalkhr clenched his jaw slightly and lowered his eyes, but soon he folded his hands in his lap and looked back up with a smile. If they wanted to know about the Elves and their plight, then he would tell them. But first he had to remember how to speak Sindarian properly if he didn't want to make a fool out of himself first. Well as you know, the War of the Elves and Orcs had been waging for some time before we stepped in. I remembered sitting in the camp in Orrostar and listening to some grey-beards talking about how the Elves and Men of the North were barely holding the Lhn against the foul servants of Sauron. Personally, I thought the Elves brought it on themselves by whatever their smiths were doing in- Out of sight of the others, Amrod suddenly nudged Sakalkhr 's foot harshly, causing the younger man to cease his current line of topic. Our King, Tar-Minastir and Admiral Ciryatur resolved to split the fleet when we departed. The King went north to join Gil-Galad personally while my company was sent with Ciryatur to Vinyalond that Tar-Aldarion built. The Haven there is strong and the forests are dense and it could scarcely contain all our ships as we disembarked on both sides of the Gwathl, though we were only a fraction of the total fleet. At the same time, the two Kings had drove back the dark host towards us and the Dark Lord had no idea we were waiting for him. We sprang out of the trees near the crossing that men there call Tharbad. And woe to the dark, for when we sprang up out of the south, from the north came a great host of grey-clad Elves, led by the Lady of the Wood... At that moment, the front door was heard opening and soft footsteps padded across the floor. All eyes turned upwards from Sakalkhr, who paused mid-story to crane his head around as well, to the figure who had just strode in. Before his face was flushed with pride and nostalgia as he recounted the deeds of his early youth, now it drained considerably upon seeing the woman who entered. Dressed in a flowing dress of blue, dotted with yellow flowers that also crowned her forehead, with bright blue eyes that gleamed even in the light. Sakalkhr felt all control and feeling leave him, and his mouth worked silently as he wordlessly finished his sentence, ...herself. He said ever so quietly, though he was now referring to Mriel. There she was in the flesh, tall and slender, with an upright bearing and proud eyes full of wisdom. Her words were soft yet musical and seductive. Yet her shoes were held loosely in her hands and not upon her feet. Why? It was only in the nature of Elves to walk thusly and Sakalkhr had to restrain a sigh of annoyance as he realized the elder sister was exactly like the younger a staunch admirer of Elven culture. Orod quickly rose with a smile. My friends and family, I invite you to meet my daughter, the lady Mriel. Amrod rose first to greet her, waving off her apology with a hand. There is nothing to forgive child. You are as beautiful as any flower, endless like the rolling sea. He took her hands gently and kissed both her cheeks. Mithrellas rose as well and did the same, heaping praise on her. She was invited to sit across from Sakalkhr, whose eyes still regarded her intently as his chest heaved with a heavy heart. She was gorgeous, more so than Sakalkhr could ever dream. He might have thought her an elf on first sight, like her sister, had she not been born of this mortal family. Lost in his thoughts, Orod had to prod Sakalkhr twice to get his attention. Oh! Excuse me. He suddenly blurted out in Adnaic, losing himself. He feared he might have erred greatly by resorting to that tongue but it seemed of little account to the others. Mithrellas gave him the briefest of glares as he returned to his story, somewhat less enthusiastic now that his betrothed was right in front of him. He tried to keep his eyes on Orod as he spoke. The river Gwathl is a fast moving current and its banks are steep and heavily forded. T-the orcs were driven into it with great loss and only the coming...the coming of the Dark Lord was enough to keep us from completely annihilating his host utterly. His servants fought on with renewed vigor, as if there was a fire to their very backsides. Twice I was wounded and twice I forced myself to return, not wanting to be left out because of a minor injury, but the Shadow was very great. It was like a icy hand had gripped our hearts and even our boldest men quailed for a moment, but as the Shadow came, so did a great White light spring up from the north. The hand around our hearts dissipated and we felt a great urge to drive forward, but it was too late. He had fled over the waters and our trap hadn't closed in time. We slew a great many of his foul orcs, but their damage had already been done. Eregion was in ruins and all to the sea was laid waste. Many were in a mind to follow him, but He was already beyond the mountains of mist when the King arrived. High King Gil-Galad? You saw and met him? Ask Orod. No, he went north to rescue some of his people still besieged. The Elves did not have the strength to continue this fight. Our King came and he was eager to pursue, but our Captains talked him out of it. We did not know much of the land beyond the coasts and even now we were in strange territory. One would not have even thought Elves had dwelt here after the Dark Lord had his way. So many beautiful sights and lands were totally devastated by him. He did not mention the devastation wrought by their own people upon the forests of that region as well. Had we not intervened, the Elves would have lost their precious havens and forced to build anew. They would have been stuck in Middle-Earth, like us. Sakalkhr explained, and though it seemed that he spoke with sorrow, he was in fact mocking the Elves. Where else would anyone want to be other than Middle-Earth? I heard that the Elves of the north, on the hither side of the Mountains of Mist, often journey down the Great River, past Pelargir, and into the sea beyond. Elenw asked, much of this being new to her as well. She never got to participate in the serious discussions that the men had. Some do, but since the Dark Lord took the domains beyond the shadowy mountains there for his own, it has become a lot more dangerous. Sakalkhr replied, but rather than looking at his sister, he was looking at Mriel. Sakalkhr seemed very nervous about his Sindarian. He was about to add something more until Elanor clapped her hands three times and stood. Very good Falahr, very good. It's because of brave men like yourself that the shadow is kept fenced and held back. But shall we adjourn to the dining hall my friends? The day grows late and the sun ever higher, before She sinks at last into the far west. A fresh meal and refreshment would do us some good, before we can revel in the stars and see what the Lady Elbereth has for us tonight. She looked from Sakalkhr to Mriel and back again, beaming proudly at the two newlyweds. They had yet to say a word to each other, though Sakalkhr was repeating the oath of marriage he had been forced to recite and remember by his father. Such traditions and customs were important and suddenly he found himself trying to conceive ways of impressing her. Perhaps he should have learned Quenyan properly, for that seemed to impress any number of ladies wherever one went. O stars that in the Sunless Year, With shining hand by her were sown, In Windy fields now bright and clear, We see your silver blossom blown. Sakalkhr suddenly said in Quenyan as everyone rose, drawing a brief round of applause. Excellent delivery, my boy. Orod said, patting him on the back, quite harshly. Thank you. Sakalkhr said with a dip of his head, though his eyes shot to Mriel once more as she walked with her sister and his own.