Warrior of Gondor – Corsairs of Umbar
A/N
Mae govannen! (Well met)
I'm back with a new fresh story. I've had a very good review on my other Lord of the Rings story, and decided to write more in that category. This is a more detailed story, unlike my first Lord of the Rings story. The event in the story is the event of Captain Thorongil – read 'Information of the story' for more information – who attacks the corsairs of Umbar under service of Steward Ecthelion. Unlike other stories about this event in Middle-Earth, Thorongil isn't the main character. I've chosen that the main character will be a normal boy in Gondor. I still hope you will give this story a chance, for I love the plot and the characters in it.
One more thing: The main character has elven blood in his family, that's why he has an elven name.
Information of the story
Before I start the story, you might want to know a few things. Thorongil is also Estel, Strider, Aragorn and King Elessar. Thorongil is Lord Elrond's foster son and the heir of Isildur. After his father Arathorn was killed, his mother Gilraen took him to Imladris – also known as The last Homely House and Rivendell – for his safety. All the heirs of Isildur had been there, since Eros was also part of that line. Eros is Lord Elrond's brother, who had chosen the path of the mortals.
Since it was too dangerous at that time to let anyone know about Isildur's heir and future king, Aragorn had gotten other names. Estel is his elvish name, it means Hope. Strider is his ranger name; He was called that in the film. Thorongil he was called when he went to Rohan and Gondor, were this story takes place. Notice that his identity wasn't revealed yet! He was in service of King Thengel of Rohan and Steward Ecthelion. His name means Eagle of the Star. Aragorn might be more familiar to readers. Aragorn is his real name, given by his parents. King Elessar is his name as king of Minas Tirith.
In this story he is Thorongil, in the service of Steward Ecthelion.
Chapter 1: Corsairs of Umbar
Silevon's POV
When he went to the White City, he intended to be in the service of the Steward Ecthelion. He had gotten a place, but in a completely different area than he had hoped. Instead of becoming a glorious warrior of Gondor, he became a worker in the underground storerooms of the city. It certainly wasn't what he wanted.
Boxes were everywhere, stacked or shattered through the room. Some held warriors equipment, others dirty laundry of deceased. Minas Tirith's underground storerooms were on big mess. Only very unlucky people worked there; Including seventeen year old Silevon Celonhaelion. The boy knew how to fight, but the Steward and his councillors had mistaken him for his innocent looks. The boy had brown semi-curly hair and brown eyes. Curly hair was very rare in Middle-Earth, it made all the living beings on Middle-Earth very confused. In Silevon's case, it made him look too innocent and too weak to become a warrior. Even when Silevon's would've loved to become a warrior of the White City, he wouldn't destroy his beautiful curls. Besides that, so worse weren't the storerooms of the city, were they? Who did he fool? It was an awful place to be!
Months flew by in utter boredom for the almost of age boy. How he would've loved to be able to fight in the open air! How much he would've loved to come home after a victory! But alas; He was stuck in the storerooms. The only relief the boy had, was the old library. How he came in, he did not know. Most people thought him too inexperienced or too young to read about the 'horrors' of the world. For Silevon, they were stories he could only dream of. He loved the story of Lúthien and Beren, the tale of Nimrodel and many more of the books in the library. The books about Elves were his favourite, he even had elven blood in his veins! How his family managed that, is a tale for another time.
After another midday in the dusty library, the boy walked out of the room. The hallway was relative empty, it was almost time for dinner to be served. When the boy was heading to the servant rooms, he passed the glorious and heroic captain Thorongil. Captain Thorongil was known for his battles, he had even served directly under King Thengel of Rohan! How much Silevon looked up to the captain! Many even said the captain was a son of the Steward Ecthelion! Silevon shook his head. If captain Thorongil was indeed the Steward's son, why would he or the Steward hide it? Captain Thorongil was a son were a father would be proud of. If he had a son like him, he wouldn't hide it.
Before Silevon had registered what had happened, Captain Thorongil turned around to face the boy. Valinor, he had bumped in him! He was about to mutter an apologise, when the captain silenced him with his hand. "You do not have to apologise, young one. I did not pay attention either. It was a fault from both sides; Not only from you. Now, I need to see to my warriors. Please excuse me." With those words said, the captain disappeared around the corner. Silevon still stood in the empty hallway, gaping awkward in the direction the captain had left.
Two days later, news had announced about the corsairs of Umbar. Captain Thorongil would lead an army of warriors to Umbar to fight the corsairs, who had been guilty of pirating. Only there was one problem: Most of the warriors had left with Lord Denethor, son of Steward Ecthelion. This left the Captain Thorongil with a too small army of men.
Silevon had heard of it, but had not thought of it more than he normal did. Even in his biggest dreams he would not dream of what was about to happen. Captain Thorongil, a legend for many and favourite captain of the soldiers, had chosen him to take part of the journey to Umbar! How Silevon was shocked when he heard the news from one of the announcers in the Citadel! He had been chosen, out of all the people in the White City! He wouldn't let the captain down, he would prove himself. Yes, he was ready. Ready to face the real life of a soldier of Gondor. With one last smirk towards the storerooms, Silevon left the underground halls of Minas Tirith to pack his equipment.
Ten days later the company of Captain Thorongil left the White City. Since most of the horses left with the Lord Denethor, the company marched to Umbar by foot. The first day turned out to be not as easy as the boy had thought; Orcs attacked them by afternoon. Silevon was scared when it happened, for he had not expected that the enemy would be so near the city.
It happened all very fast. Orcs ambushed them near the woods, when the sun shone in their eyes. Captain Thorongil divided the group in two. Together the two would surround the orcs. Silevon was on the left flank, which would be faster one of the two. They would stop the orcs from escaping by forming a circle around the back of the group. When they would be in position, group two would attack them and draw them in.
After a short amount of seconds after they formed a circle, swords were drawn and blood dripped from the men's swords. Screams were heard from both sides; The orcs were a good match. Slowly a small group of orcs started to retreat into their direction.
Suddenly an orc ran towards Silevon sword drawn. The boy's eyes widened at the sigh of the orc and drew his own sword. It shone brightly in the afternoon sun, victory written all over it. When the orc came closer, he slashed the sword through the orc's body. The orc gave one ugly screech before crippling to the ground, black blood dripping all over the grass.
When Silevon was sure the orc was dead, he sighed in relief. His first orc! He survived it. He closed his eyes briefly before opening them again. He glanced around the battlefield and saw that victory was on their side. Battle one they would survive.
The night was calm, no enemy approached the group of soldiers. The stars shone brightly, lulling the warriors in a resting sleep. Silevon watched the stars intensely, naming the ones he knew, before falling in a peaceful sleep. Tomorrow he would worry again, but not tonight.
A/N
Please comment. If you have any tips or want to know something about the story, please do so. I'm still very unsure about my main character's name, but I haven't found a better one yet. In the first place I wanted to call him George, but I wasn't sure if that would been an right name for a boy in Middle-Earth. Since he has elven blood in his family, I decided to name him Silevon. It means Shining White Crystal. If you have a suggestion, let me know.