It has been told elsewhere how at the end of the Third Age the Dark Lord Sauron was vanquished and the kingdoms of the Faithful were brought back together under King Elessar. In this newly reunited realm, in a region known as Lamedon, Thelron was born in the ninth year of the Fourth Age. And having lost his mother early on, he grew up with his father, Caranor, in a humble dwelling on the outskirts of a town named Calembel.

Now on a particular night shortly after his twentieth birthday, Thelron got into a fight and almost beat a man to death. The authorities told him that if he wanted to avoid severe punishment, he had the option of joining a company of soldiers from Lamedon that was to take part in the campaign to eradicate the remaining orc gangs that lurked in the Mountains of Shadow. The young man reluctantly accepted the option, not knowning that his chosen course would one day take him to found a city that over the centuries would become the great bastion of Gondor in the South.

When Thelron arrived home on the following morning, he went to his father and told him what had happened, and Caranor, who had often shown contempt for the kingdom's political and military leaders, was displeased. They engaged in a heated argument, and at one point the young man said to his father with disdain, "I won't end up like you. I'll have a purpose in my life."

"One day," replied Caranor in a harsh tone, "you will learn the true purpose of the House of Haeron" and walked away.

Thelron was astounded by his father's statement. For he knew not of the sacred treasure that his family guarded, nor could he have imagined the solemn vow that his ancient ancestor had made to a monarch in days of turmoil beyond reckoning.

A few weeks later the soldiers from Lamedon arrived in Osgiliath, where they were joined by five other companies from various regions of Gondor. The units were told to gather at the Amphitheater of Menelmacar on the eve of the winter's solstice. There they were welcome by the Prince of Ithilien and told of their initial assignments by Hérion of Cair Andros, who had been chosen to lead the campaign against the orcs.

The company of Lamedon was paired up with a group from Lebennin under the command of Captain Horngîl. They were given responsibility for the southern region and told to establish a base of operations to the east of the Elf Forest, about midway between Emyn Arnen and the river Poros.

From the start Thelron demonstrated uncommon strength and great ability with the sword. And one day Captain Horngîl of Lebennin, who had been keeping an eye on the magnificent young soldier from Lamedon, asked Thelron to come to his table for lunch. "Where did you learn to fight like that?" asked the captain.

"Here at camp, sir," replied the Lamedonian.

"That kind of skill cannot be taught, here or anywhere else." said the captain.

The corners of Thelron's lips curled up slightly, as he was evidently pleased by the captain's comment.

Horngîl then sat back and looked thoughtfully at Lamedonian for a few seconds. "Something tells me." he said, "that you are meant for something more important than chasing orcs."

As the campaign against the orcs intensified, Thelron's skills became apparent to his peers. They began to take notice of the tall young man who 'killed orcs by the dozens' and would often turn up at a critical moment to save a companion in need. And after a few months the young man was promoted to troop leader.

Now seven years into the campaign, the company of Lamedon was ordered to track a group of marauding orcs that had been seen heading east near the river Poros. As a result, they marched south and into the mountains, looking for a trace of the orcs. But the creatures had seen them coming, and as the men entered a ravine, they were caught in an ambush and forced to retreat. The captain of the company, however, did not make it to safety.

The death of the captain left the company without a commander, and they immediately began to look for a replacement. After a couple of weeks, following the advice of Captain Horngîl, the committee chose Thelron to be the new captain of the company of Lamedon.

Over the next two and a half years the men of Lamedon pushed deep into the mountains and destroyed several orc bases, after which things began to quiet down considerably in the south. The speed and effectiveness of the campaign led by the new captain impressed commander Hérion, who asked the young man to come to Osgiliath. "We are extremely pleased with your work captain, even the Prince has said as much," said the commander. "I want you to know that your record has been cleared and you are now free to do as you like. But I would like to encourage you to stay with us. There is still important work to be done, and we could certainly use someone with your skills."

On the way back to the base, Thelron considered his options. He could remain with Hérion for a while and see what the commander had in store for him, he could offer his services to a feudal lord, or he could seek opportunities in the North. He decided to postpone the decision and ask for leave to go see his father.