Prologue
Dorwinion was a land that lay quite forgotten. It lay to the south of the Iron Hills and to the east of the great forests of the Greenwood. The region itself lay next to the Sea of Rhûn and this was where the elementals had made their home. In the curve of the river that fed in to the Sea of Rhûn was Ffairfach, a small city of limestone and white marble. This was the elementals' home; the home that no outsider, save the Valar, had seen before.

(*)

The main square was buzzing with noise as the elementals of the city gathered before the Council's balcony. Rumours had been washing through the city for days; rumours that all elementals were being called home; rumours that evil was starting to poison the land; rumours that the elementals would go to war. The Rhyfelwyr o Ffairfach stood at the edges, keeping a watchful eye over the square, lest any altercations broke out.

Inside the Council Chambers, the Council were beginning to walk out to address their people. Aeddan, Captain of the Rhyfelwyr, and his two Lieutenants, Eiros and Heulwen, walked behind them. They had been discussing the growing threat the Seers had Seen. It could not be ignored any longer – the evil that had fallen before had somehow re-emerged. Unchecked, it would destroy Arda and the elementals would not, could not, ignore it any longer.

The Council emerged on to their balcony and the people below immediately quieted, anticipation and slight worry seeping in to the air. It was quite rare for the Council to address the entire population like this and the people felt uneasy. There was silence for a moment, and then Meriel, Elder of Ulmo's Children, stepped forward. As with all of Ulmo's children, she had deep blue eyes that sparkled when the sun hit them. All the Elders had white hair, due to their age, but had a different sheen to it. Meriel's hair had a blueish-green tint to it, reminiscent of the sea when slightly stormy. Her skin was pale and the tattoos on her palms and up her arms were of swirling waters, and great waves. Her affinity for water was the strongest amongst the elementals and, coupled with her fair but just manner, she had been chosen as the Elder of Ulmo's Children. Meriel spoke in to the still air, her voice carrying so all could hear.

"Children of the Valar. We have called you together today to address the news the Seers have given us. The rumours that have been circulating…they are true. Evil has returned to Arda."

A buzz rippled through the people as they reacted to the news. Mothers automatically held their children closer as husbands pressed tighter to their family. The Rhyfelwyr remained impassive, but Aeddan could sense the unease in his army. He wanted to stand with them, to reassure them, but knew that he needed to stay with the Council for now. Meriel called for quiet and then motioned Briallen, Elder of Yavanna's Children, to speak. Her eyes were a bright, meadow green and her hair had a muddy brown sheen. Her skin was darker, almost tan, and her tattoos were made up flowering symbols and outlines of great trees. Briallen had a strong connection with Yavanna and the earth, and her reputation for being gentle with those that needed it, and firm with those that would cause trouble, had earned her the right to be the Elder of Yavanna's Children.

"There is no need to panic, however. The evil has not spread far as of yet. We remain safe; they do not know of us. Our lives will go on as normal – all trading will continue. The Seers have merely alerted us and we are beginning our preparations."

Briallen smiled down at the people, and they seemed to calm a little at the lack of urgency in her tone. Suddenly, a voice called from the crowd, anxiety and a little anger coating their words.

"There are some of our people scattered through Arda. Have they been called? When will they return? And are our Rhyfelwyr ready for this evil?"

Murmurs spread through the crowd at the person's words, and yells of agreement surged upwards in to the air. Aeddan tensed and the Rhyfelwyr stood straighter, ready to jump in to action, but Auryn, Elder of Arien's Children, held up his hand and they relaxed. Auryn was the most imposing of the Elders. With his brilliant golden eyes and the fiery sheen to his hair, it seemed as if he was permanently aflame. The golden shimmer to his skin made him seem ethereal, but the bold, tribal flame tattoos gave him a fierce look. Arien had gifted him with an unusually strong affinity for fire, and he had been the greatest Warrior amongst the elementals in his youth. His sharp mind and sense of morality set him above the others in his band and he had been chosen as Elder. Auryn waited until the crowd had settled down a little and then answered the person's questions, voice clear and strong.

"The Caneuon o Alw have begun. Already, Yavanna's Children have been Called home. The last of them are returning and soon, Ulmo's Children will be Called. As for our Rhyfelwyr, they are more than ready. As you all know, they are the finest Warriors of our people and have been trained to protect us and Arda should the time come. They are prepared for this evil and will keep us all safe. For now, that is all we can say. Go about your business. May the Valar bless you all."

The people seemed to breathe a collective sigh of relief. Aeddan breathed deeply for a moment, pleased that a riot had been averted. His thoughts churned over all the information and they suddenly turned to one of his errant Warriors – Eirian. He remembered when he had found her, travelling with the Dwarves. He frowned as he wondered how she would take being separated with her Dwarf. Already, she had formed a strong bond with the young one. Aeddan had a feeling that she would try to stay with him as long as possible but she could not ignore her Calling – it was physically impossible.

"Captain. The Council have dismissed us."

Eiros interrupted Aeddan's musings and he nodded, turning away. He began to follow the Council back inside when a woman's voice rang out, making the Council stop.

"And what of our missing Singer? Is there any news of her?"

All eyes turned to Tarrant, Elder of Manwe's Children. He turned and walked back to the balcony, looking down to the woman who stood below it, looking up with beseeching eyes. Tarrant was the oldest of the Elders. His hair was pure white, matching his eyes. His dark grey skin was starting to wrinkle and show the passage of time. The swirling filigree tattoos had not faded, however; neither had his strong will or caring nature.

Tarrant looked down at the woman, feeling sympathy for her. It was Cordelia – sister to the currently way-ward Singer of the Air. The Daughter of Ulmo looked up at Tarrant, blue eyes pleading, and the Elder could feel her desperation and hope.

"She is alive and well, child. Aeddan found her travelling with a company. She will return when she is Called."

The look of utter relief that passed across Cordelia's face made Tarrant smile faintly. The woman thanked the Elder, and with a little curtsey, hurried away to her husband and children waiting at the edge of the square. Tarrant turned back to the Council and walked inside with them, exchanging a look with Aeddan. Both of them knew that Eirian would return, but whether she would return willingly or broken-hearted was a worry that they both shared.

(*)

It's the sequel! Aw yeah!
I wanted to put this prologue in because I wanted to show a little of Eirian's people. I had a load of fun finding the names for everyone, and I'll put their meanings below. They are all Welsh names, as is the name of their city, Ffairfach, which means "fair and small". Hopefully, you enjoyed learning more about them and don't be afraid to tell me what you think! Next chapter will be rejoining the Company!

And F.Y.I, Dorwinion is actually a region in Middle Earth. It is exactly where I said it was – I have a map of Middle Earth hanging in my room!

P.S This scene takes place roughly around the same time of the start of the second movie.

Translations:
Rhyfelwyr o Ffairfach – Warriors of Ffairfach
Rhyfelwyr – Warriors
Caneuon o Alw – Song of Calling

Name meanings (I'll group them in elemental bands)

Arien's Children (fire):
Auryn – "gold" - male
Aeddan – "little fire" - male
Eiros – "bright" - male
Heulwen – "sunshine" - female

Ulmo's Children (water):
Cordelia – "sea jewel" - female
Meriel – "bright as the sea" - female

Yavanna's Children (earth):
Briallen – "primrose" - female

Manwe's Children (air/wind):
Tarrant – "thunder" - male