Chapter 1 Untimely Parting

When the plague first began to show signs of it's presence in Northern Lordaeron many families where unaware of what would be fail them. This is the story of one family whose struggle was more than that of war with the spreading calamity. The family of the Hammerhands was well known and respected in Northern Lordaeron. Helm Hammerhand being the head of the family was a well respected paladin hero of the first and second war. Helm was the father of three son's and husband to priestess Jenna who died giving birth to their third son. His first two boy's where twins Eothain and Eowyrn and his third was Koramir born two years after his older brothers. Helm Hammerhand was strict father and fanatically devoted in his service to the light he also always wished for all of his sons to follow in his footsteps and serve the light. His two oldest boys Eothain and Eowyrn had done as there father wished and taken the oath to serve the light and become paladins of the Alliance. However when Koramir came of age he didn't wish to take that path. It wasn't that he detested the order of the paladins but he just couldn't take it seriously. He wasn't at all like his brothers, sure he loved a good fight and trained hard in his skill at arms, but he was a more of a jovial spirit who didn't care for the restrictions that came with being a paladin. So when he turned sixteen his father had expected him to begin his training towards the ways of being a paladin. He refused his fathers request. At this Helm became infuriated and cursing his youngest son, he turned in anger to strike Koramir, however Eowyrn stepped in and stopped his father from striking his little brother.

"Father!!!" he screamed "This is not the way of light, you must calm your anger!!" commanded Eowyrn as held his fathers strike in place.

His father pulled away from him in shame "You are right my son…" Helm turned toward Koramir "However you are no longer my son and I command you leave this place!" Helm said with a look of disgust on his face.

"But......" Koramir tried to speak but was interrupted by his brother Eowyrn "Father is this really necessary. I mean... I can't believe you would do this your own son… our brother!"

"If this is what Father wishes then it is for the best." Interjected Eothain "Koramir has chosen this path and he must walk it." He stated smugly as he went to stand but his father.

"He did not choose to be abandoned buy us!!" roared Eowyrn frowning at his brother. Turning to his father he reached out to place his hand on his father shoulder. Helm shoved his arm aside and turned away from his son. "Father..."

"STOP!!" shouted Koramir as he turned toward Eowyrn "I thank you brother, but perhaps it is for the best, I have always wished to leave home... I just didn't imagine it would be in this manner" he sighed lowering his head. Straightening up he turned toward his father he stood firmly and proud and stated "If this is truly what you wish then as a gift to you father I will obey, I hope that someday father you will think better of me."

Helm didn't even turn to regard his youngest son as he headed up to his room to collect what thing he could carry with him.

Eothain smirked as he watched his brother walk away. "He brought this on himself" he said as he turned towards Eowyrn. "He had the choice… he knows what father's wishes are and what they have always been. To turn away from the order..." he shook his head "Father speaks the truth he is no kin of ours...Serving the light is in our blood!!" he said firmly to Eowyrn.

Sighing Eowyrn turned to see to his younger brother. "This is madness..." he mumbled as he walked upstairs. Entering the room that the three brother shared he saw Koramir sitting on his bed preparing things to make his own way in the world. Eowyrn remembered when they where young and how it was a happier time. That time seemed so long ago. Ever since Eowyrn and Eothain left to take the trails to be permitted in the Order of the Silver Hand they had begun to grow apart from there younger brother. Than again he was always different then them never really taking interested in things that he deemed "to serious". To him fighting and battle wasn't a severe matter it was fun... if something wasn't fun Koramir would soon grow tired of it and stop paying attention. Something there father had always reprimanded him for. Even so Eowyrn loved his brother and he knew that deep down his father still did as well. As for Eothain he was the complete opposite of his younger brother always demanding that everything be taken with the utmost seriousness. There Father was very proud of Eothain and believed that he would one day achieve great things. There father even boasted at times that he would even rival Uther the Lightbringer in greatness amongst paladins. Eowyrn shook off the thoughts of there past and approached his little brother.

"Are you sure about this?" Eowyrn said sitting down next to his brother.

"Meh... maybe some good will come it." Koramir said cracking a smile as he stood a flung a pack on his back.

"You can even smile at a time like this." Eowyrn shook his head as he looked up at his brother. "I could come with you" he offered

Koramir hesitated as he walked towards the door he turned with a big smile on his face "Nah...I don't think you'd be much fun Bro... You know being all holy and all that"

Eowyrn chuckled "Not much fun ehhh?" He strode over and punched his brother in the arm. Then putting his hand on his brother's shoulder he looked down at him. "Are you sure you will be alright?" Eowyrn struggled to say as he found himself getting choked up.

"I've got my sword and you and father have taught me well in that. I'm not totally helpless you know" he stated as he jabbed his brother in the chest.

"Heh" he gasped as struggled to hold back tears. "You always where the strongest of us, I could never quite best you in a duel" he sighed. "Come on at least let me see you to your Horse" he said as he slapped his brother on the back.

They strode down the stairs and turned towards the front entrance. Koramir passed where his father was sitting and looked back over his shoulder at his home where he had so many memories. He thought to himself. "Will I ever see this place again, my father, my brothers." He shook his head and whispered to himself "Someday father I will make you proud... In my own way"

"What was that?" Eowyrn looked at his brother

"Oh nothing, Lets get out to the stable" he smirked "before you start crying again"

"I never..." Eowyrn was interrupted

"Come on" beckoned his little brother

Eowyrn looked up at his little brother sitting proudly on his horse. He wasn't so little anymore he thought to himself. "So where will you go little brother?" he said as he regarded his brother with respect.

"Hmmmm...Well" He pondered "I haven't quite though of that" he scratched his head.

"Perhaps you should head south. I've heard rumors... some strange rumors coming from the north. People falling ill unexplained" He shrugged his shoulders "No doubt the Order will be putting something together to go and investigate." he stated "Anyways you need to find someone to continue your training. You may be strong little brother but, you still have a lot to learn about being a warrior." He began to lecture.

"Humph" grunted Koramir as he shifted uncomfortably in his saddle "Not a Lecture... please brother" he pleaded

"No brother…think of it as a suggestion. I have heard of Dwarf who lives in the Hinterlands to south of here. He's supposed to be a skilled warrior you should seek him out" said Eowyrn

"A Dwarf....Humph I don't think I've ever meet a dwarf... I have heard they are skilled warriors" Koramir nodded "Very well brother what's this dwarf's name?" he questioned

"Bwalin Fireforge I believe. Lives somewhere in Aerie Peak." he replied and was pleased his brother was taking his advice.

"Fireforge, Aerie Peak, Hinterlands...got it." Koramir turned his horse in the direction of the setting sun, raised his hand up and waved back over his shoulder at his brother "See ya around" he said and with that he dug in his spurs and rode of.

"Farewell brother" Eowyrn said to himself "I do believe we will see each other again" with that he turned to return to the house.