"Sometimes, what we think is a failure, is, in fact, a beginning of the road to success"
Now, as I stand on the peak of Meneltarma, I see this land, given to us by Valars, named Numenor. I see its plains, its harbours, its forests and its cities. But many ruthless kings defiled it.
They have forbiden Quenya, and severed our ties with Elves in the Middle-Earth. They ruined everything our ancestors fought for. They sully the work of Elros and his kin. I beg you, Valar, have mercy on us in this time of danger. Forgo those who named you tyrants. Help us resist evil in these lands, and spread the word of beauties of Aman and Elven cities.
"What book is that, master Elesar?", elderly dwarf asked King of Gondor. "Thinking upon Meneltarma, written by Tar-Palantir, my dear Gloin.", Aragorn answered the question. "Ah, nothing like high thoughts of kings who ruled thousands of years ago to spice up the dinner. Ha, ha, ha!", Gloin laughed at his own joke, and took a big sip of wine. The table looked marvelous indeed, with hundreds of dishes, gallons of Thranduil's wine and highborn guests of all races and kingdoms.
One could see Faramir and Eowyn, Gimli, Legolas, King Brand of Dale and even Lord Celeborn seated around a large marble plate in the Great Hall of Erebor. The Kingdom under the Mountain was at its peak, and Smaug was only remembered through braziers shaped like dragon heads. "I must admit, Lord Gloin, that not even our King of Gondor made a better feast!", Lord Celeborn said, raising his cup. Gloin, although far in his 230s, stood up and made a deep bow, saying: "Oh, no, no. I must thank Legolas for bringing this fabled wine." The feast continued, with dwarves playing merry music, Gloin telling a tale of reclaiming the Erebor, King Elesar talking about battles in Harad, and Legolas singing the poem of Gil-Galad. And just as he finished the last verse of Gil-Galad's journey to Mordor, two guards ran in the hall. "Lord Gloin, some man is at the gate.", one of them said, breathing heavily. "Who is he? A Gondor man, or a man of Rhun? Man from Rhovanion or from Harad?", Gloin asked. "None he said, but 'Let me talk to King of Gondor', my lord.", the other guard replied. "After you, King Elesar.", Gloin said, picking up his axe. When they left the hall, twelve men of Gondor followed their king, while twelve dwarves followed lord Gloin. As they passed the Throne room and grave of Thorin Oakenshield, Aragorn asked: "You still have no King under the Mountain?" "Alas, no. After Dain fell at the gates of Erebor, no dwarf was found worthy enough to claim the throne. Aye, we had even Lord of Ered Luin, Oldor the Blue, here to claim the throne. But, as you recal, only someone from the bloodline of Durin may rule over Durin's folk.", Gloin said, entering the giant square behind massive gates made of stone and wood. There, in a guard room, a man in blue robes lay on one of the beds. He was covered with blood and sword cuts, even on his face. When Gloin saw that, he shouted at one of the guards: "Bring Legolas Greenleaf, now!" The guard bowed, and ran away. Aragorn kneeled next to the man, and examined him. His face was worried, as he asked Gloin: "Have you got Athelas here?" "Some, in our medicine vaults. But they were brought in over two months ago.", Gloin said, looking around and waiting for Legolas to come. But Aragorn shook his head: "I know how good dwarven vaults are. But not even in them could Athelas stay fresh longer than twenty days." In that moment, Legolas ran in, bringing his bag with him. He immediately took some medicinal herbs from the bag, and started making bandages and potions. As he put the bandages on the man, and poured potions down his throat, the man started to breathe normally. Finally, he opened his light blue eyes. Aragorn asked softly: "What is your name?" The man's answer was barely hearable: "Palando."