2221
Often couriers were riding between the White Tower and the harbor at Tatyalonde. The brought messages from the people stationed at the tower to their loved ones in Numenor and of course also the other way. Supplies on the other hand was send by riverboats on the White River.
People living close to the river welcomed the Numenoreans and gave them shelter when they became weary of their travel. The Numenoreans often gave them lembas bread in return.
One such courier was starting his last part of journey towards the sea. The winter was coming and it was still dark when the courier departed his last resting place.
He rode at a great pace, looking forward to see his kinsmen in Tatyalonde. He did not notice the two dark figures following him from a hilltop.
One of them fired an arrow at him. The arrow hit the wooden handle to support the riders back, but the rider did not notice it.
"You have been a great teacher, Uvatha;" Murazor said.
Uvatha smiled as he saw the courier riding towards the sea.
In a dark room in the King's house Atanamir lay. He was surrounded be several maids, who would assist him if needed. A messenger came seeking for the king.
The messenger entered the room; surprised that he had to meet the king here. He slowly approached the bad and looked at the old man in the bed. His eyes were open but unfocused.
"Is he awake?" He asked the maids.
One of them answered; "Awake or not. It hardly matters. Please speak you message, and you would have done your duty."
The messenger found this very odd, but he followed the advice and stated; "I bring new from Middle earth. Often our courier has travelled between the sea and the White Tower. The last courier found an arrow attached to his saddle when arriving at Tatyalonde. It could have been enemies from Middle earth, but the odd thing is that attached to the arrow was a little bag."
The messenger looked around the room. No one seems to take much interest in his story. The king was still looking aiming less at the ceiling.
The messenger then continued; "the odd thing is that the bag contained dried Nessamelda flowers. The scent was very clear. We wonder how these came to Middle Earth as the tree does not grow there."
The messenger said nothing for a while. Atanamir eyes started to be focused. The maidsaround him noticed it and got closer to the bed.
Tar-Atanamir, the longest living king of Numenor since Elros Tar-Minyatur, liftet his head from the pillow.
His eyes became wide open.
"Murazor;" he shouted at the ceiling.
Then his head fell back.
The maids rushed to the bed, but king Tar-Atanamir was dead.
The messenger was in shock, and did not know what to say.
One of the maids said; "The king is dead."
The messenger then said; "What do you think he meant?"
However no one in the room new.
The message of the king death was delivered to his son Ancalimon in Umbar.
Ancalimon said; "I have spent much of my life in Middle Earth. I wish never to return here. My father held on to the power much longer than previous King's. It is due time for me to govern Numenor.