2988 TA: Somewhere in Eryn Vorn
Eldarion had seen many things over the last couple of years in the company of Gandalf the Grey. They had travelled across the lands that were once called Cardolan for a while now. They had been met with some fierce resistance at first but slowly the people were turning towards the Dúnedain leanings. By the end of the year 2988, a mere two years after the departure of his father, the regions of the Lone-lands and Faerdor had joined the Dúnedain against Angmar. This was, as Eldarion justly thought, because of the loose groups of Dúnedain who were still roaming in those regions. Also the populace living in the cities was of mixed descent, namely a mix of Númenórean and Northmen. It was further south and west where troubles arose.
In the south due to the mass migration of Wildmen from Dunland to the north. These were hostile towards the Dúnedain and least not against Gandalf himself. Even now the Dunlendings had put a military force in the old city of Tharbad. Here words would be to no avail, Eldarion knew, and a solution had to be found quickly. Especially Gandalf's words, as the Dunlendings had allied themselves to Saruman, who was rumored to be in the north of Rhovanion to participate in the so called 'invasion of Dale'. Some said it was to prove his loyalty to Sauron, but Gandalf knew better. "He went there personally because he does not want Sauron to have a strong base in the north." Gandalf said to Eldarion. "Sauron already has Dol Guldur and if Saruman ever hopes to replace Sauron, then he will need all the help he can get." Eldarion was a bit surprised as it seemed Gandalf still had some pity for Saruman, even after his betrayal.
To the west, several towns had sworn allegiance to a Wildmen stronghold south of the Gwathló. They called it 'Alcfud'. These 'Enedwaithians', as they called themselves, had found a confederation of clans stretching from the forest of Eryn Vorn in the north all the way to Andrast in the south, west of Gondor. They hated the Orcs as much as anyone, however, they did not like the Dúnedain either and were not inclined to help them. They wished to stay neutral in this great conflict and only thought for themselves. "Fools!" Gandalf called them. For they would not see that without the Dúnedain and its allies, their lives would have already been over, their forests burnt and their rivers run dry. Yet fuming with anger at their folly, Gandalf never forced anyone into this alliance, even if it was in their best of interests.
Eldarion found this very interesting and asked many questions. "Why will they not see that we have their best interests at heart? Why do we not just force them into doing our bidding?" he asked. On which Gandalf replied. "The clans of these regions have always been suspicious of outsiders and have a long history of hate towards the Dúnedain. I trust you know the history of Númenor and the felling of the woods in Enedwaith and Minhiriath?"Eldarion nodded, looking a bit ashamed of himself. "Don't take it personally my boy, it happened many centuries ago and it has nothing to do with who the Dúnedain are now today." Gandalf said with a smile. "Do not let the actions of your forebearers make you feel ashamed, for you have nothing to do with them." Eldarion looked at Gandalf with a furrowed brow and spoke. "But don't we all look back to our forebearers with pride at their achievements. If I have nothing to do with their failures, surely I won't have anything to do with their successes?" "This is also true boy, yet we must not distance ourselves too much from it." Gandalf explained. "For we must learn from our ancestors' mistakes and also from their triumphs. It is true that you are not destined to become something just because you are descended from someone." Gandalf went still for a moment before he continued. "For instance take a look at your father." he said. "Is he not Isildur's Heir? Must he therefore, and in extension you, have the same weakness that Isildur himself possessed? Some people believe that to be true, but I do not. Isildur was a fine man in every aspect, except that he could not resist the power of the Ring." Eldarion frowned at what he perceived as an insult to his ancestor. "Don't get me wrong Isildur never wanted to use the ring to rule the world or use it for any other evil intention. In fact, it were his good intentions that withheld him from destorying the Ring. He saw the potential to remedy the hurts that had been caused by the War of the Last Alliance. You must not forget, he had just lost his brother and father." Gandalf sighed and stared blankly in the distance for a moment, as if lost in thoughts of times long gone.
With a shake of his head he continued in his booming voice. "To return to your question about forcing people into something for their own good. Saruman has the same philosophy. He would have us, the Wise ones, rule the world. How would you feel when you knew that someone high above you decided for you what you should do? Even if it was for your own good? Would you like that?" "No" Eldarion said reluctantly "but it would only be for a little while, until Sauron is defeated. After that, they can do whatever they please even if it is cower in their forests." "It's not that simply my dear boy," Gandalf added "although it infuriates me that they do not heed my warnings, there is nothing we can do about it." "We could lead them to so much more than their simple fishermen lives." Eldarion blurted in anger. "They are but ants compared to us" "Be that as it may, if they do not want to change then so be it. It is true that the Dúnedain exceed the Wildmen in almost every aspect, but that does not give you the right to decide how they should live their lives." Gandalf said with a rising temper. The tone in his voice implied that the discussion was over.
"Pack your stuff, we are moving tonight." Gandalf said lighting his pipe. As if nothing had happenend Eldarion's face lighted up."Where are we going this time?" he asked eagerly. "We go east" Gandalf said, looking at his protégé from under his heavy eyebrows "back to your homeland. We must make preparations for the inevitable strife against the Dunlendings."
With his pipe lit, they both readied themselves for the long journey through the dark, back to the Angle. |