Page 9 of 13 FirstFirst 12345678910111213 LastLast
Results 161 to 180 of 248

Thread: To earn a Kingdom: A Northern Dúnedain Narrative - Divide and Conquer V2.1 [UPDATE - 13/12/2020]

  1. #161
    Turkafinwë's Avatar The Sick Baby Jester
    Content Emeritus

    Join Date
    Nov 2013
    Location
    Belgium
    Posts
    3,802

    Default Re: To earn a Kingdom: A Northern Dúnedain Narrative - Divide and Conquer V2.1 [UPDATE - 08/03/2019]

    Quote Originally Posted by NorseThing View Post
    I just do not like Orcs and this simply confirms my bias. A very good tale all on it's own. A great update to the 2nd book of your AAR.
    Thank you NorseThing! It is true they aren't very likable characters the Orcs. Still their tale is, as many things in Tolkien's works, a sad one, though it depends on which origin story you follow.

    Quote Originally Posted by Alwyn View Post
    That certainly is a glorious charge, and a timely one! I wonder if we'll see more of Arfandil.
    Thanks very much Alwyn! I can tell with utmost certainty that we will see more of Arfandil and the rest of the "younger" generation of the Dúnedain of the North.

  2. #162
    Swaeft's Avatar Drama King
    Content Emeritus

    Join Date
    Nov 2012
    Posts
    2,307
    Blog Entries
    8

    Default Re: To earn a Kingdom: A Northern Dúnedain Narrative - Divide and Conquer V2.1 [UPDATE - 08/03/2019]

    Great battle descriptions! I like the attention to detail, like when Arfandil blocked the orc's attack but knew his arm would still hurt from the exertion. Personally I feel your descriptive writing is improving, I enjoy reading your chapters more and more, and the screenshots are great as well, those shiny Dunedain knights about to smash into the trolls could be a POTW submission if you ever thought of entering that competition Glad to hear that we'll be seeing more of Arfandil as well.

    Very nice job, Turkafinwe

    Swaeft's Scribblings (Library)| Swaeft's Snaps (Gallery)| My Blog (The Lensation)

  3. #163
    Turkafinwë's Avatar The Sick Baby Jester
    Content Emeritus

    Join Date
    Nov 2013
    Location
    Belgium
    Posts
    3,802

    Default Re: To earn a Kingdom: A Northern Dúnedain Narrative - Divide and Conquer V2.1 [UPDATE - 08/03/2019]

    Quote Originally Posted by Swaeft View Post
    Great battle descriptions! I like the attention to detail, like when Arfandil blocked the orc's attack but knew his arm would still hurt from the exertion. Personally I feel your descriptive writing is improving, I enjoy reading your chapters more and more, and the screenshots are great as well, those shiny Dunedain knights about to smash into the trolls could be a POTW submission if you ever thought of entering that competition Glad to hear that we'll be seeing more of Arfandil as well.

    Very nice job, Turkafinwe
    Thanks very much Swaeft! I've really started working on those little details and making my descriptions a bit more vivid. Glad to see it is noticed and appreciated. I can only say I think it's the highest praise a screenshot can receive is to be considered worthy for a POTW competition. So thank you!

  4. #164
    Turkafinwë's Avatar The Sick Baby Jester
    Content Emeritus

    Join Date
    Nov 2013
    Location
    Belgium
    Posts
    3,802

    Default Re: To earn a Kingdom: A Northern Dúnedain Narrative - Divide and Conquer V2.1 [UPDATE - 22/03/2019]

    This week, the 19th of March specifically, marks the day I started posting my AAR in the Writers' Study. How time flies by eh.
    I hope you enjoy chapter 10 of book 2 of To Earn a Kingdom to celebrate this!

    Book II, Chapter X: The Prince-Regent
    June 3023 T.A. - Fornost, Northern Downs

    While the King prepared to force his way into Mordor, Eldarion, Prince of Arnor and appointed Prince-Regent in the king's absence, sat with his wife in his room in the Palace of Kings at Fornost. Effectively he was now the ruler of the Kingdom of Arnor with the king and most of the higher nobles off to fight in the war. Though this office of power didn't please Eldarion as much as one might have thought. Eldarion had wanted to go with his father and fight against Sauron nor had rulership been as exciting as everyone had mad it out to be. He was still young, only 42 years of age, brave and had skill in commanding men, none could deny that. Sitting comfortably in a lovely leather sofa he rubbed his weary eyes, while smoking his pipe, as he thought back on how it had come to this horrible situation.

    The years leading up to Aragorn's war in the south, the King had groomed his heir in rulership, politics and diplomacy. Eldarion was a intelligent man but his interests lied more in war and action and soon he had found himself extremely bored being lectured by eldery men droning on about taxes and hypothetical social disputes that needed solving. Eldarion had been fairly new to governing even though he had been Lord of Tharbad for a considerable amount of time. His priority as Lord of Tharbad had been rebuilding the ruin that was Tharbad. Another part of his governship of the ancient city had been the defence of it against the Dunlendings. These two things hadn't been very difficult to deal with and they were the only things they had needed to worry about at the time. The rebuilding had gone slow, it had just been the population doing the rebuilding. In the years in which Eldarion did not go to war he had helped rebuild wherever he could. There hadn't been a kingdom back then, just people who had banded together to stand united against evil, each settlement mostly left to its own devices. He hadn't been the Prince of Arnor, just Eldarion, son of Aragorn, another Dúnedain amongst the rest, able and eager to help. After Arnor's reinstating King Elessar had created several guilds, of which the Builders' Guild was one. After the wars they had been given the responsibility for the restoration of Tharbad, Fornost and Annúminas. The Dunlending problem Eldarion had taken upon himself because if there was anything he had been good at, it had been dealing with unwashed hordes of barbarians. After the decisive victory at Carn Dûm and the massacre at Dun Larach, the wars of the North had officially ended and Eldarion had not been permitted to wage offensive wars against the Dunlendings nor had he had any desire to do so. To further distance himself from the Dunlendings, Eldarion had moved his family to Fornost and had left Tharbad in the care of his eldest son Cuven. The boy that had gone to Halbarad to be taught in the ways of the Dúnedain, returned a man and had needed the responsibilities of a man to complement that. Eldarion had appointed him commander of Tharbad's garrison and charged him with the city's defence from external threats. Cuven had recently shown to be of the same ilk as his father. Strong of body, hateful towards the Wildmen and with a lust for battle that was more than what could be attributed to his tutelage under Halbarad. A couple of months ago a large host of Dunlendings had assaulted the strong walls of the city. Cuven, had ordered the troops to abandon the walls and defend the two bridges leading into the city proper. The soldiers had been reluctant to give up the walls uncontested but such had been the confidence in Cuven's voice and eyes, that they obeyed. Cuven had defeated the Dunlending horde with minimal losses among the Dúnedain. The Dunlendings that had climbed the walls were easily cut down by the Dúnedain archers. Those who had breached the gates did not meet a better fate. Tharbad's specialised troops were pikemen and the barbarian clansmen had been skewered on their steel tips when they had charged the line. The assault had ceased as fast as it had begun.





    Cuven had not allowed any of the Dunlendings to escape nor to be taken prisoner. It had been a total slaughter. Only a couple of men made it back to Dunland to tell of the failure at Tharbad. Because of this Cuven had forged himself the reputation of being a ruthless commander and it had sent a ripple throughout the kingdom. It had caused a fierce debate within the inner circles of the Dúnedain elite with the proud and arrogant ones praising Cuven's methods on one side and a majority on the other side, condemning his actions with very few remaining in the middle. In the Wildmen territories it had raised the tensions even higher. The departure of the tolerant King had been a first hit, the ascencion of Eldarion, Bane of the Wildmen, as Regent had been the second and now this young prince showing ill will against the Wildmen was almost enough to send them in a frenzy. Eldarion had known he had to solve this issue quickly before they faced open rebellion. Start small his tutors had told him. Show them your goodwill and hope for the best, perhaps with time they'll come to tolerate your rule. With most of the realm opposed to Cuven's brutal treatment of surrendered soldiers, Eldarion being one of them, the Prince-Regent had decided to denounce his son's actions and summon him to Fornost to explain himself before the Assembly. Cuven had been absolutely livid with the summons but had done nothing but sit quietly and take his father's reprimand which, to him, sounded a bit hypocritical. The man who had massacred an entire town, man, woman and child alike telling him that it was wrong and dishonourable to slaughter fleeing and surrendering soldiers. Eldarion did not see it that way. What he had done was something entirely different. What he had done was way worse and he still paid for it with many nightmares. What Cuven had done was break the unwritten rules of battle. Men who surrendered were to be captured and then either ransomed, set to work or released. Only Orcs deserved to be slaughtered like the animals they were. Eldarion might've thought like his son when he had been his age but as he grew older he had changed his opinion on the matter. The Dunlendings were humans, though still lesser in his eyes, but still human which meant they deserved a minimal amount of respect and decency in treating with them. Also a new thought had sprung to Eladrions mind. Perhaps better treatment of the Dunlendings could lead to a peaceful conclusion to this decades-long conflict in which only Dúnedain died and nothing was gained. Eldarion saw two options to solve the issue, either to broker peace with the Dunnish clans or to conquer them and add them to the Kingdom and pacify them that way. Since war was out of the question with the ban on offensive wars against the Wildmen still in effect, a peaceful solution needed to be found. This massacre couldn't have been any less helpful.

    Eldarion rubbed his eyes once more as he remembered his son visibly contain his anger as he walked out of the Hûd. What am I to do with this impetious child, he thought. Was I wrong to entrust him with the command on the border. Perhaps this could've been avoided if I had stayed. What if... A soft knock on the door disturbed his contemplation. His brow furrowed as he tried to think who would disturb him at such a late hour. Perhaps Cuven to talk? Probably not, the boy was too proud to admit his faults. Then who? Eldarion took his pipe from his mouth and blew out a ring of blue smoke.

    “Enter!” the Prince-Regent said.

    The door swung open and he was surprised to see, what looked like a child with behind him a tall elderly man clad in grey.

    “It has been awhile last we saw each other my boy.” the old man rumbled, a smile on his face. With one hand on his brown staff, he moved the other to point at the tiny fellow in front of him.

    “May I introduce to you, Mister Frodo Baggins.”
    Last edited by Turkafinwë; March 19, 2020 at 04:57 AM. Reason: minor changes/Fixed some spelling mistakes

  5. #165
    Alwyn's Avatar Frothy Goodness
    Content Director Patrician Citizen

    Join Date
    Feb 2014
    Location
    United Kingdom
    Posts
    12,242

    Default Re: To earn a Kingdom: A Northern Dúnedain Narrative - Divide and Conquer V2.1 [UPDATE - 22/03/2019]

    Happy anniversary of the start of your AAR - and it looks like you'll have 20,000 views to celebrate too, soon. It seems like history is repeating itself - like Eldarion, Cuven was willing to behave brutally when younger. I wonder if Cuven will also become less ruthless as he gets older. I'm by the arrival of the old man in grey and the stranger who looks like a child - probably they're some sort of wandering tourists, not important characters in the events of Middle-earth.

  6. #166
    Swaeft's Avatar Drama King
    Content Emeritus

    Join Date
    Nov 2012
    Posts
    2,307
    Blog Entries
    8

    Default Re: To earn a Kingdom: A Northern Dúnedain Narrative - Divide and Conquer V2.1 [UPDATE - 22/03/2019]

    Great stuff again, I do need to refill my stock of popcorn if the battles keep coming like this Happy anniversary! And seeing as I missed congratulating you on 10k views I guess I can make an even bigger one for 20k, just 800 more to go hah.

    Old man in grey? Hmm...starting to sound like a wizard we all know and love...

    Swaeft's Scribblings (Library)| Swaeft's Snaps (Gallery)| My Blog (The Lensation)

  7. #167
    NorseThing's Avatar Primicerius
    Join Date
    Jul 2017
    Location
    western usa
    Posts
    3,041

    Default Re: To earn a Kingdom: A Northern Dúnedain Narrative - Divide and Conquer V2.1 [UPDATE - 22/03/2019]

    lectured by eldery men droning on about taxes and hypothetical social disputes that needed solving

    Sounds like modern times in this world, eh? Congratulations on hitting an anniversary. I suppose we should all chip in for some fancy paper gift or something to mark this august occasion.

  8. #168
    Swaeft's Avatar Drama King
    Content Emeritus

    Join Date
    Nov 2012
    Posts
    2,307
    Blog Entries
    8

    Default Re: To earn a Kingdom: A Northern Dúnedain Narrative - Divide and Conquer V2.1 [UPDATE - 22/03/2019]

    @NorseThing How about a...ring...*evil grin*

    Swaeft's Scribblings (Library)| Swaeft's Snaps (Gallery)| My Blog (The Lensation)

  9. #169

    Default Re: To earn a Kingdom: A Northern Dúnedain Narrative - Divide and Conquer V2.1 [UPDATE - 22/03/2019]

    A good read. I think it's very interesting the shift now that Dunedain have become a civilized Kingdom, and it seems that though Eldarion is willing to participate in it he still yearns for the older days. I wonder if Cuven's ferocity can be tamed, or if he will mess up his Father's plans for peace with his violent attitude.

    Definitely an interesting twist too with the arrival of whoever these new tourists could be...

  10. #170
    Turkafinwë's Avatar The Sick Baby Jester
    Content Emeritus

    Join Date
    Nov 2013
    Location
    Belgium
    Posts
    3,802

    Default Re: To earn a Kingdom: A Northern Dúnedain Narrative - Divide and Conquer V2.1 [UPDATE - 22/03/2019]

    Quote Originally Posted by Alwyn View Post
    Happy anniversary of the start of your AAR - and it looks like you'll have 20,000 views to celebrate too, soon. It seems like history is repeating itself - like Eldarion, Cuven was willing to behave brutally when younger. I wonder if Cuven will also become less ruthless as he gets older. I'm by the arrival of the old man in grey and the stranger who looks like a child - probably they're some sort of wandering tourists, not important characters in the events of Middle-earth.
    Thanks very much Alwyn! You are right, not important characters at all. Probably some beggar who has come to ask something trivial from our Prince.

    Quote Originally Posted by Swaeft View Post
    Great stuff again, I do need to refill my stock of popcorn if the battles keep coming like this Happy anniversary! And seeing as I missed congratulating you on 10k views I guess I can make an even bigger one for 20k, just 800 more to go hah.

    Old man in grey? Hmm...starting to sound like a wizard we all know and love...
    Thank you once more Swaeft! Wizard? I don't know any wizards. Just an old wise man with some tricks up his sleeve

    Quote Originally Posted by NorseThing View Post
    Sounds like modern times in this world, eh? Congratulations on hitting an anniversary. I suppose we should all chip in for some fancy paper gift or something to mark this august occasion.
    Indeed it does. It reminds me of all the useless wonderful lectures I had to follow.

    Quote Originally Posted by Swaeft View Post
    @NorseThing How about a...ring...*evil grin*
    Oooh precioussss!

    Quote Originally Posted by Rabbit55821 View Post
    A good read. I think it's very interesting the shift now that Dunedain have become a civilized Kingdom, and it seems that though Eldarion is willing to participate in it he still yearns for the older days. I wonder if Cuven's ferocity can be tamed, or if he will mess up his Father's plans for peace with his violent attitude.

    Definitely an interesting twist too with the arrival of whoever these new tourists could be...
    Thank you Rabbit55821, appreciate it! I thought it interesting not only to reform the Kingdom of Arnor but also imagine how this Kingdom would work. It could've been a natural endpoint for an AAR but I have many more things to tell. I can relate to Eldarion on that one, wishing to be back in the more simpler days, yet the world changes and is what it is and we must comply or suffer the consequences. Cuven has not got the freedom his father had in his youth, therefore he must be more careful in what he does. Yet the more careful you need to plan, the more chance you need deceit and guile to achieve it. With his father as Regent he'll be considerably pacified for the time being though. Perhaps this mystery guest will rock Middle-Earth to its foundations? Who will tell.

  11. #171
    Turkafinwë's Avatar The Sick Baby Jester
    Content Emeritus

    Join Date
    Nov 2013
    Location
    Belgium
    Posts
    3,802

    Default Re: To earn a Kingdom: A Northern Dúnedain Narrative - Divide and Conquer V2.1 [UPDATE - 12/04/2019]

    Book II, Chapter XI: Gandalf's Query
    June 3023 T.A. - Fornost, Northern Downs

    Eldarion rose from his sofa and a smile started to form on his face. The old man wore dirt-covered grey robes, a blue hat, and silver scarf tucked around his neck. His bushy eyebrows stuck out beyond the brim of his hat and the eyes underneath it now looked kindly on him. Eldarion knew they could be set aflame if the man grew wroth. The Prince-Regent rushed forward and greeted the old man heartily because he was none other than Gandalf the Grey. After greeting his old mentor he turned his gaze downward at the child. He quickly had to change his assessment as before him stood not a child but a hobbit from the Shire. Eldarion had seen them only briefly on his tour throughout the kingdom of Arnor years ago but there were quite distinct differences between the children of Man and hobbits. Hobbits had pointy ears, like the elves did, and no mannish child would have quite so much hair on his feet a hobbit would have. Nor did hobbits wear any kind of shoe, the bottom of their feet hard like boiled leather. Though they looked no older than a boy of 10 and their behaviour sometimes could be attributed to Man thinking they were a child, in their eyes you could glimpse that they were older than they looked. A remarkable race they were and their origin was a mystery to Elves, Men and Dwarves alike. Then again elves have always been way too much interested in themselves rather than in others, same with Men and Durin's Folk. Though it could be said they were possibly most related to Man. Eldarion greeted the hobbit introduced as Frodo Baggins and beckoned both him and Gandalf to come in when he was disturbed by clamour from behind the wizard. “And what about us!” a high-pitched voice squealed as three more hobbits rushed past. Gandalf's eyes shot up to the sky and he let out a great sigh as if he had suffered a great deal from their company, but a smile remained on his face. “May I introduce Master Samwise Gamgee, Master Meriadoc Brandybuck” Gandalf paused and pointed at the youngest looking of them all. “and lest we forget the noisy one, Master Peregrin Took.” Eldarion eyed the pack of them and they suddenly stood there shy and abruptly silent. “I welcome all of you.” the Prince-Regent exclaimed. “Please sit.” Eldarion returned to his seat, his wife Elenien next to him. Gandalf greeted her and took the seat opposite Eldarion. The hobbits, smaller of stature, were given cushions to sit on, forming a semi-circle facing the Prince-Regent.

    There they sat for a while exchanging pleasantries, mostly between Gandalf and the Dúnedain couple, while the hobbits sat in silence gawking at the splendour of the Prince's chambers. When they had caught up on the most recent events Eldarion openend the real conversation. “I must confess I am most curious as to the reason of your visit. I doubt it is solely to check on your old ward and his wife?” he asked smiling. Gandalf's smile disappeared and he looked weary and old and a dark shadow of fear fell over Eldarion's old master. Eldarion's brow furrowed. He had seen Gandalf display various emotions but fear had never been one of them and it unnerved the young Dúnadan to a great degree. The wizard seemed to hesitate, perhaps unsure on how to begin. Finally he sighed and openend his mouth. “I have succeeded in my search. The weapon of the Enemy has been found.” The words hit Eldarion like a Orc's warhammer would've done. Had he not sat down he would've needed to. He stared wide-eyed at the wizard. “You mean Isildur's Bane has been found?” Gandalf nodded. Eldarion swallowed heavily, lowering his gaze in contemplation. Isildur's Bane, his inner voice whispered. He broke his reverie and turned his gaze on Gandalf once more. A multitude of questions flooded his mind. How, when, where. Eldarion calmed himself and decided it best to start his questioning with one question at a time. Starting with possibly the most important of them all. “Is it somewhere safe?” he whispered as if the servants of Sauron were hiding under the carpet. “As safe as can be, for no place shall remain safe while the Ring resides there.” Gandalf replied. “In fact” he continued “it is currently right here, in this very room. Frodo show it to the Prince will you?” He lit his pipe, the embers illuminating his weathered face. Eldarion's face drained of blood and he nervously licked his lips while Frodo rummaged through his pockets. The hobbit stepped forward and openend his hand. In it lay a simple golden ring, the light from the candles reflecting in it. Eldarion hunched over to get a better look at it. Strange he thought, he would've expected something more menacing or at least impressive but before him he only saw the golden band. He looked at Gandalf a bit puzzled. “Not what you expected?” the wizard asked suddenly chuckling. Eldarion nodded. “It's like nothing any of us expected, but I assure you, this is the One Ring.” Eldarion's face retained its skeptic look and Gandalf turned to Frodo and asked him to toss the ring in the hearth. Frodo reluctantly did so and Eldarion grew even more confused. After a short while Gandalf requested the ring to be taken out again and be placed on the small table standing between them. “Look again”. Eldarion hunched even further forward and stared at the Ring. It seemed untouched by the fire, still only a simple golden band. He noticed no warmth emanated from the ring and thought it very strange. He narrowed his eyes, trying to descry something he couldn't see. He was about to ask Gandalf if this was a trick when he saw something changing. It appeared slowly and looked like a vague thin red line. As it became clearer and clearer he was able to descry them as markings. Eldarion recognized them as Tengwar letters, the alphabet of the Elves, yet it was written in a tongue he could not make sense of. It was definitely not Sindarin, the most common of Elven tongues and also not Quenya, the language of the High Elves of Valinor. Nor was it written in any of the tongues of Men that he knew of. The flowing text now burned bright like a hot flame and the Prince turned his questioning gaze towards the wizard. "You have seen the Elven letters but correctly assessed that the words are not Elvish.” Gandalf said guessing the young man's thoughts. “It is in fact the Black Speech of Mordor. In Westron it says: One ring to rule them all, One ring to find them, One ring to bring them all and in the darkness bind them.” The room seemed to have darkened, the light from the hearth seemingly diminished while the wizard spoke and all fell silent, overcome by some unnatural dread. The hobbits looked frightened and Eldarion couldn't blame them, he had been pretty shaken himself, gripping tight to Elenien's hand. He looked at her fair face and the fear in his heart was replaced with joy. She too was afraid but showed it not. One can only be brave when one knows fear, Gandalf had once said to him when he had been but a boy. Eldarion looked upon the Ring and felt his feeling of dread increase once again. If the appearance of the letters or Gandalf's words had not already convinced him then this did. This 'ring' was clearly something evil and no small amount of it. Eldarion came to the same conclusion the wizard had already given him. “This is the One Ring.” he whispered. Gandalf only nodded as a response, sucking at his pipe.

    “How did you find it after it has been lost for centuries?” Gandalf blew out a couple of blue rings of smoke before answering. “I did not find it, a certain Master Bilbo Baggins did, many many years ago and before him someone else found it on the bottom of Anduin the Great.” Eldarion was enthralled by Gandalf's story as he told about the search for Gollum, his capture and the lengthy conversation they had had. After Gollum revealed that a cerain Bilbo Baggins had stolen his birthday present, the wizard had made haste towards the Shire remembering the hobbit had acquired a magical ring during the Quest of Erebor. The pieces of the puzzle had started to fall into place at Bag End with the hobbit still retaining to his magical ring. Nothing noteworthy could be said about the hobbit's ring, it certainly didn't look like anyhting special. Still, Gandalf continued his research for looks can be deceiving. Then Gandalf spoke of his journey to Gondor to look at Isildur's last accounts, perhaps revealing something about the Ring's features. Indeed it had done. Among the many scrolls a small forgotten paper had lain, possibly hastily written down as an account on the Ring's appearance. It stated: 'a small golden band, simple and with no ornaments. A writing could be discerned on the band when touched by flame, but faded completely when cold. Fire seemed not to damage it and only the fiercest burning furnaces could warm it.' It had been the final piece to the puzzle.

    “After reading the account of Isildur I made my way back to the Shire as fast as I could and tested the ring the same way I did now. And here we are now.” Gandalf concluded, noticed his pipe was empty and started cleaning it. The scraping was the only sound while everyone let the wizard's words sink in. Eldarion had one more question though. “That does not explain why you have come here with this mighty artifact and why you are accompanied by such a strange company?” Gandalf tucked his pipe away into his robe and turned his eyes on his former ward. “We are on our way to Rivendell, to take council with Elrond and this was the safest road by far. Furthermore” Gandalf added, “we needed beds and a good night's rest before we journey through the rugged landscape of the Lone-lands. As for the hobbits, Frodo is the current owner, as is such, of the Ring and rather than letting him go alone his friends decided to join him on his quest to Rivendell.” Gandalf smiled for he forsaw this was a fortunate thing although he did not know in what way yet but it gladdened his heart nonetheless. “Finally, my friend, I have come to ask you to join me on this quest for this will shape the fate of all of Middle-Earth. We'll need the blood of Elendil in this endeavor.” Eldarion's heart jumped for joy. This was his way out, away from the politics of the North, away from the boring council meetings and back into the wild doing something that mattered. Yet his sense of duty commanded him remain here and this much he told Gandalf. “My father entrusted me with ruling the North while he is gone.” Gandalf came closer to the Dúnadan to speak words meant only for his ears. “I understand your reluctance but I urge you to reconsider. The North is safe, it is in the South that our doom lies. Furthermore, Aragorn knows of my errand and its importance. He would go with me if he wasn't already fighting Sauron. In your heart you know this is something that needs to be done.” The Prince let these words sink in, he was both excited and frightened at the prospect of leaving Fornost and following Gandalf once more. Was this his destiny? To guide the Ring to whatever end? He supposed so. “Very well, I shall join you.” Gandalf smiled and gripped his shoulder.“Very good my boy, yes very good.” Gandalf said rising from his chair and beckoned the hobbits to do the same.

    “It is time for us to retire and I would not want to rob you of your last night with your wife, for tomorrow we shall begin our journey East.”
    Last edited by Turkafinwë; March 19, 2020 at 05:16 AM. Reason: minor changes/Fixed some spelling mistakes

  12. #172
    NorseThing's Avatar Primicerius
    Join Date
    Jul 2017
    Location
    western usa
    Posts
    3,041

    Default Re: To earn a Kingdom: A Northern Dúnedain Narrative - Divide and Conquer V2.1 [UPDATE - 12/04/2019]

    Wow! I do wonder how long it took you to do this update. Well written. I do so love the story about the ring that rules all others. No matter how varied, this is great.

  13. #173
    Alwyn's Avatar Frothy Goodness
    Content Director Patrician Citizen

    Join Date
    Feb 2014
    Location
    United Kingdom
    Posts
    12,242

    Default Re: To earn a Kingdom: A Northern Dúnedain Narrative - Divide and Conquer V2.1 [UPDATE - 12/04/2019]

    That's a big decision for Eldarion (I guess he wasn't likely to say no, considering who was asking and what's at stake). I'm enjoying this!

  14. #174
    Swaeft's Avatar Drama King
    Content Emeritus

    Join Date
    Nov 2012
    Posts
    2,307
    Blog Entries
    8

    Default Re: To earn a Kingdom: A Northern Dúnedain Narrative - Divide and Conquer V2.1 [UPDATE - 12/04/2019]

    I too am curious to see how this will turn out. Loving how the atmosphere turns from mild curiosity to that of incredulity. Gandalf really cements his place as a major player in this story. I also love these two lines:

    This was his way out, away from the politics of the North, away from the boring council meetings and back into the wild doing something that mattered.
    “It is time for us to retire and I would not want to rob you of your last night with your wife, for tomorrow we shall begin our journey East.”



    One last thing...

    “My father entrusted me with ruling the North while he is gone.”

    There sits the only King I mean to bend my knee to...

    Swaeft's Scribblings (Library)| Swaeft's Snaps (Gallery)| My Blog (The Lensation)

  15. #175
    Turkafinwë's Avatar The Sick Baby Jester
    Content Emeritus

    Join Date
    Nov 2013
    Location
    Belgium
    Posts
    3,802

    Default Re: To earn a Kingdom: A Northern Dúnedain Narrative - Divide and Conquer V2.1 [UPDATE - 12/04/2019]

    Quote Originally Posted by NorseThing View Post
    Wow! I do wonder how long it took you to do this update. Well written. I do so love the story about the ring that rules all others. No matter how varied, this is great.
    Thank you very much NorseThing! It did take me a considerable while to get the chapter just like I wanted it. In the end I gave up and ended up with this, so I'm glad it is appreciated this much. Really means a lot!

    Quote Originally Posted by Alwyn View Post
    That's a big decision for Eldarion (I guess he wasn't likely to say no, considering who was asking and what's at stake). I'm enjoying this!
    Thanks Alwyn! Indeed it is a big decision. Like the books Gandalf will need someone he can confide in. If not Aragorn this time, why not his son? At least that was my thinking behind it. Indeed, only the truly foolish does not heed the Grey Wizard's advice.

    Quote Originally Posted by Swaeft View Post
    I too am curious to see how this will turn out. Loving how the atmosphere turns from mild curiosity to that of incredulity. Gandalf really cements his place as a major player in this story. I also love these two lines:

    This was his way out, away from the politics of the North, away from the boring council meetings and back into the wild doing something that mattered.
    “It is time for us to retire and I would not want to rob you of your last night with your wife, for tomorrow we shall begin our journey East.”
    Thank you Swaeft, as always, for the support. Glad you enjoyed this one! Gandalf does deserve some spotlight from time to time because I think he get overshadowed by everyone's exploits when it is truly him that is the great power that is fighting Sauron. Of course that was Tolkien's intent, it is written from the perspective of the hobbits.

    Quote Originally Posted by Swaeft View Post
    One last thing...

    “My father entrusted me with ruling the North while he is gone.”

    There sits the only King I mean to bend my knee to...
    THE KING IN THE NORTH!!

    *clears throat* Excuse me it seems I've lost my way into the wrong franchise. Could you perhaps help me find my way back. *looks at the relative peaceful lands of Middle-Earth, remembers the harsh lands of Westeros* Uhm, perhaps I can stay here, just for a while, pretty please

  16. #176
    Turkafinwë's Avatar The Sick Baby Jester
    Content Emeritus

    Join Date
    Nov 2013
    Location
    Belgium
    Posts
    3,802

    Default Re: To earn a Kingdom: A Northern Dúnedain Narrative - Divide and Conquer V2.1 [UPDATE - 04/05/2019]

    Book II, Chapter XII: The Road Goes Ever On
    June 3023 T.A. - Somewhere in the Northern Downs

    The Great North-South road goes from Fornost, on the Northern Downs, all the way to Tharbad on the Gwathló. In the days of old this road would even go further south, through Dunland where it would connect to the West road, at the crossing of the Isen, continuing through Calenardhon, Rohan of old when it still was a province within the Kingdom of Gondor, to pass into Anorien where it would arc south towards Osgiliath. From the ancient capital of Gondor it would snake its way further south all the way to the port city of Pelargir where it finally would end, connecting the far North with the South with one Great Road. These Great Roads, collectively known as the Royal Road, had been build with the purpose to connect the kingdoms of Gondor and Arnor and ease the passage between the two Dúnedain kingdoms in Exile. With the decline of Arnor, the North-South road was neglected and in Dunland it completely vanished, where it was reclaimed by nature. The Great Bridge of Tharbad was destroyed in a great flood and with no Kingdom to maintain it, it remained broken until Elessar rebuilt it in his restoration period of the newly formed Northern Kingdom. Though the bridge was repaired and traffic between Tharbad and Fornost had increased significantly the road leading south through Dunland was still overgrown and in disuse, making passage south difficult. Trade from outside Arnor mostly came by ship over the river Gwathló, giving prominence to the port-city of Lond Daer at the river's mouth.

    The Greenway, as the Great North-South Road was known in Bree, crossed at that town another great road, the Great East-West Road. This road ran of old from the Dwarven Halls in Ered Luin to Imladris after which it continued over the Misty Mountains, following the High Pass, into the Vale of Anduin. Crossing the Great River at the Carrock, it traversed through the Forest of Mirkwood to Lake-Town. From Lake-town it would arc north towards Erebor from where it turned east once more to end in the Iron Hills. This road was originally built by the Dwarves during the First Age to connect their many mansions across Middle-Earth, Khazad-Dûm in particular, which lay at its center. The Firebeard and Broadbeam clans had extended this road further west to traverse to the Halls of Menegroth, where King Thingol of Doriath had dwelt, with whom they had traded ere the actions took place that sundered the kindreds forever. With the sinking of Beleriand this part of the road vanished from Middle-Earth and the destruction of the Dwarven Mansions in the Ered Luin after the War of Wrath led to the focus shifting to the East, to the traffic between Khazad-Dûm and the Iron Hills. Parts of the Great East Road, west of the Misty Mountains, would be maintained by the Kings of Arnor specifically the road between the Shire and Imladris, with the roads going further west to the Grey Havens and the Blue Mountains being ignored. The Dúnedain of the North built many fortresses along this road with Amon Sûl being the chiefest among them. After the fall of the Northern Kingdom it fell in disuse, though not as much as the Greenway, considering Dwarves still travelled between Erebor and the remaining colonies in the Blue Mountains. With the reinstating of Arnor it flourished once again, with merchant caravans rising in number as trade between the different cities within the Kingdom increased. It was for this reason that Gandalf chose not to travel on the Great Roads to avoid unwanted attention to his party and instead chose to take the less travelled way through the devoid Northern Downs into the equally empty Lone-lands, towards Imladris.


    The Great Roads of Middle-Earth

    Gandalf and the hobbits had departed Fornost through one of the lesser gates just before sunrise, the cool morning breeze blowing through their light cloaks, while Eldarion departed through the main gate for all to see. Eldarion's official statement for his departure was that he had been summoned by his father, Aragorn, to travel south and join him in the struggle against Sauron. Only Elenien knew of the true nature of his departure and Eldarion wrote a writ proclaiming her to be Regent in his absence. She was intelligent, well-loved, strong-willed and above all else he could trust her blindly, something he could not say for his eldest son Cuven. None would object Elenien as the protector of the kingdom. With her in charge, Eldarion could leave the Northern Kingdom behind without a worry in his mind. Once out of sight of Fornost, the Prince left the Greenway and changed his attire. Eldarion wore his ranger garb once again, trading his wonderfully crafted leather jerkin for his old plain one and his magnificent embroidered cloak for his tattered brown-green one. The Prince donned a mask that covererd his face save for his grey eyes, and with his hood up, casting his face in the shadows, none would recognize him as the Prince. Gandalf had pressed on him the importance of secrecy and that none could know his involvement in this endeavor. He looked like any old Ranger of the Wilds, a man of insignificance. Some of the Dúnedain did still roam the vast lands of the North not wanting to adapt to an urban lifestyle so it was the perfect disguise. The rest of the morning he travelled north-east to rendez-vous with Gandalf. He quickly found their trail and near midday he had found them. Gandalf didn't waste any time with pleasantries and had immediatly spurred the company into action. They made great time in the dry hills of the Northern Downs, keeping low in the small valleys created by the hilly landscape.

    It was around tea-time when one of the hobbits started to moan. “Gandalf can we please stop, my feet are hurting and I'm starving.” It was Pippin, Eldarion thought. The wizard turned around to look at the hobbit for a moment, then bend his head to observe the position of the sun. “Very well, a short break to eat and drink something, then we must press on. We already lost much of the precious daylight and we still have many miles ahead of us.” The hobbits groaned, whether out of relief or disappointment Eldarion did not know, as they sat themselves and started distributing food and water, flexing their feet. Gandalf remained upright and scanned the horizon as if he was on guard duty. Eldarion joined him removing his mask to ease his breathing. The wizard had a stern expression on his face as he watched the wavy hills. Eldarion thought he looked worried, worried someone might be following them. “You look troubled my friend.” he asked the old man. Gandalf gave no response so Eldarion tried to approach the wizard from another angle. "You make it seem as if the Dark Lord himself is right behind us the way you're rushing us forward.” he said with a tiny grin on his face. Gandalf said, his eyes never leaving their surroundings, “It might be that he actually is.” The dark and sullen tone of his old mentor wiped the smile right of his face. Eldarion swallowed and looked around him trying to find something out of the ordinary. The hills could be hiding anything in them. Eldarion cocked his head focusing on the sounds of his surroundings. All was quiet for the blowing of the wind, the movement of grass and its many four-legged small inhabitants, nothing out of place. He turned back to Gandalf when he was sure nothing was there. “Are you sensing something?” Gandalf simply nodded and turned towards the hobbits. “On your feet my friends we must be off.” The Little Folk groaned and sighed as they rose. “I could also leave you here in the wilds if you preffered it that way” the old wizard added with a halfsmile. The hobbits were shocked and vigour rose anew in them, just as the wizard had intended Eldarion knew. With a smile on his face he looked to each of his new companions. Gandalf was grimfaced while the hobbits had a mixture of weariness and painful expressions on their faces.

    The Dúnadan chuckled to himself, it seems I'm the only one who really wants to be here. He shrugged while their little company slowly started to resume their trek east. Gandalf the Grey was at their head while the hobbits scuttled behind him in the middle leaving Eldarion to take the rear. He took a deep breath of air and exhaled in contentment. Whatever Gandalf sensed it did not reach the young man, if anything Eldarion felt at peace for the first time in years. He noticed their tiny fellowship had already taken off without him. With a smile on his face and gladness in his heart Eldarion re-equipped his mask and took his first long stride to catch up to his new friends.
    Last edited by Turkafinwë; March 23, 2020 at 06:33 AM. Reason: minor changes/fixed spelling mistakes

  17. #177
    Swaeft's Avatar Drama King
    Content Emeritus

    Join Date
    Nov 2012
    Posts
    2,307
    Blog Entries
    8

    Default Re: To earn a Kingdom: A Northern Dúnedain Narrative - Divide and Conquer V2.1 [UPDATE - 04/05/2019]

    This is a wonderful change of pace, Turkafinwe! The map, as usual, is great, and once again I must ask if this is your doing In this chapter especially I found myself referring to the map a lot because of the terms you used. But I must say I am getting more familiar with the world of middle earth (about as familiar as playing third age years ago can get me). Onward, and more of this new fellowship

    Swaeft's Scribblings (Library)| Swaeft's Snaps (Gallery)| My Blog (The Lensation)

  18. #178
    Alwyn's Avatar Frothy Goodness
    Content Director Patrician Citizen

    Join Date
    Feb 2014
    Location
    United Kingdom
    Posts
    12,242

    Default Re: To earn a Kingdom: A Northern Dúnedain Narrative - Divide and Conquer V2.1 [UPDATE - 04/05/2019]

    It sounds like Eldarion's ranger disguise is liberating for him, as he has left behind the worries of kingship and can focus instead on the needs of this small fellowship. I wonder if others will join them and what encounters they'l have on their journey.

  19. #179
    NorseThing's Avatar Primicerius
    Join Date
    Jul 2017
    Location
    western usa
    Posts
    3,041

    Default Re: To earn a Kingdom: A Northern Dúnedain Narrative - Divide and Conquer V2.1 [UPDATE - 04/05/2019]

    As others have noted - The map is worth it all on it's own merit. A well done update. I really liked the Hobbits complaining to stop for a snack and to rest their feet. Just like in the original. A good touch.

  20. #180
    The Wandering Storyteller's Avatar Protector Domesticus
    Join Date
    Dec 2010
    Location
    I wash my hands of this weirdness!
    Posts
    4,509

    Default Re: To earn a Kingdom: A Northern Dúnedain Narrative - Divide and Conquer V2.1 [UPDATE - 04/05/2019]

    Thank you for taking the time to comment on my thread.

    I will do so from here





















































Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •