Disclaimer: I, sadly, can claim nothing other than the creativity that I put
into this and any original characters that may emerge. The rest of
Middle-earth and its inhabitants belong to J. R. R. Tolkien and associates.
Summary: AU. In a world where elves are hunted by men and taken as slaves,
one man must learn to overcome what he has been taught and see things as they
truly are, with the help of two extraordinary people.
Companions
Prologue
The elven people came to Middle-earth and accepted it as their home. However,
when the race of man entered into being, they grew to fear the power, grace,
and beauty of the elves. They thought that the elves held themselves high
above the other inhabitants of the world, and men felt that they should be
shown the error of their ways. Men thought themselves to be the superior
race, and that elves, with their immortal-like life, should serve not only
Middle-earth, but men as well. With careful planning, the high lords in the
lands of Gondor, Rohan, and many others started deepening the hatred their
people felt. For some it took little convincing, while some never agreed to
take part. A large army was forged within the land of men, and with a cry
akin to that of the thunder of the gods they rode forth.
They fell upon the elven cities like a great wave, destroying all that lay in
their path. Those that were not killed and who failed to escape were taken
prisoner. At the end of their rampage only a fourth of all elves were free.
Some fled across the countryside and over the Misty Mountains, while others
took shelter in the forests of the north, hoping to at last find peace.
Sadly, their prayers were not yet to be answered, for the men continued to
come for them, just not in the same force. Small groups scoured the world
over searching for the focus of their hatred.
The prisoners were taken back to the lands of men and treated horribly. They
were clothed in rags, sold as slaves, and forced to work under terrible
conditions. If they failed to rise to the wishes of their master, the men
were allowed by law to punish them as they saw fit, unto the point of death.
Luckily for the elves, many saw it better to sell their old slaves in order
to purchase new ones, therefore sparing the lives of many.
This continued on for centuries, with few changes in the attitudes of men.
They still, after nearly two thousand years, hated the elven race, but at
this point in time many knew not how this had come to pass. They knew only
that this was how it had "always" been, and many considered it foolish to
break such traditions.
There were some, though, who did not see things in this manner. They knew the
elves as they truly, a people of the earth who wanted nothing more than to
live in peace and celebrate the wonders of life. These people helped the
elves in what ways they could. Some were helped to escape their masters,
others placed in more comfortable environments.
Those that managed to leave the land of men raced to what remained of their
people. As time passed, the number of free elves grew as did their power and
strength. They planned their revenge over the course of centuries, gathering
their forces in hopes of one day releasing their people from the cages they
were forced into.
That is where this tale begins...
A/N: Yes, I know, there are MANY differences and MANY holes in the history of
Middle-earth. I have not read most of The Silmarillion, only bits and pieces,
but I know that things were very different than what I described. However, I
ask that you let that slide. This is, after all, a story created only for
enjoyment, and how can one enjoy something when constantly searching for
flaws?
I would really like to know what people think. It's a strange idea, I
realize, but I feel that it has potential, though it may not be realized in
full while in my hands. But please, just a few words is all I'm asking. Tell
me if you think I should continue or leave it to collect dust as so many
others have been.
Nathronoelei
"Weaver of Dreams"
March 18, 2002
into this and any original characters that may emerge. The rest of
Middle-earth and its inhabitants belong to J. R. R. Tolkien and associates.
Summary: AU. In a world where elves are hunted by men and taken as slaves,
one man must learn to overcome what he has been taught and see things as they
truly are, with the help of two extraordinary people.
Companions
Prologue
The elven people came to Middle-earth and accepted it as their home. However,
when the race of man entered into being, they grew to fear the power, grace,
and beauty of the elves. They thought that the elves held themselves high
above the other inhabitants of the world, and men felt that they should be
shown the error of their ways. Men thought themselves to be the superior
race, and that elves, with their immortal-like life, should serve not only
Middle-earth, but men as well. With careful planning, the high lords in the
lands of Gondor, Rohan, and many others started deepening the hatred their
people felt. For some it took little convincing, while some never agreed to
take part. A large army was forged within the land of men, and with a cry
akin to that of the thunder of the gods they rode forth.
They fell upon the elven cities like a great wave, destroying all that lay in
their path. Those that were not killed and who failed to escape were taken
prisoner. At the end of their rampage only a fourth of all elves were free.
Some fled across the countryside and over the Misty Mountains, while others
took shelter in the forests of the north, hoping to at last find peace.
Sadly, their prayers were not yet to be answered, for the men continued to
come for them, just not in the same force. Small groups scoured the world
over searching for the focus of their hatred.
The prisoners were taken back to the lands of men and treated horribly. They
were clothed in rags, sold as slaves, and forced to work under terrible
conditions. If they failed to rise to the wishes of their master, the men
were allowed by law to punish them as they saw fit, unto the point of death.
Luckily for the elves, many saw it better to sell their old slaves in order
to purchase new ones, therefore sparing the lives of many.
This continued on for centuries, with few changes in the attitudes of men.
They still, after nearly two thousand years, hated the elven race, but at
this point in time many knew not how this had come to pass. They knew only
that this was how it had "always" been, and many considered it foolish to
break such traditions.
There were some, though, who did not see things in this manner. They knew the
elves as they truly, a people of the earth who wanted nothing more than to
live in peace and celebrate the wonders of life. These people helped the
elves in what ways they could. Some were helped to escape their masters,
others placed in more comfortable environments.
Those that managed to leave the land of men raced to what remained of their
people. As time passed, the number of free elves grew as did their power and
strength. They planned their revenge over the course of centuries, gathering
their forces in hopes of one day releasing their people from the cages they
were forced into.
That is where this tale begins...
A/N: Yes, I know, there are MANY differences and MANY holes in the history of
Middle-earth. I have not read most of The Silmarillion, only bits and pieces,
but I know that things were very different than what I described. However, I
ask that you let that slide. This is, after all, a story created only for
enjoyment, and how can one enjoy something when constantly searching for
flaws?
I would really like to know what people think. It's a strange idea, I
realize, but I feel that it has potential, though it may not be realized in
full while in my hands. But please, just a few words is all I'm asking. Tell
me if you think I should continue or leave it to collect dust as so many
others have been.
Nathronoelei
"Weaver of Dreams"
March 18, 2002