Obligatory Disclaimer: This is one of my first "side scene" stories,
inspired by a line or a passage in the book. In this case, it is to answer
Sam's questions about the dying Haradrim in The Two Towers. It is book-
verse, not movie-verse (see the last chapter Author's Note for more info
and the quoted passage). It ought to be fairly obvious what is Tolkien's
and what is mine. In any case, I'm not making a red cent off this, just
the satisfaction of explaining something left unsaid in the book. And
maybe, some more reviews for my insatiable Review Monster.
A Soldier's Lot
"We ride to war!! We shall reclaim what was stolen by the usurpers of Gondor!!! To War!!!" the speaker cries out, shaking his weapon. He is rousing the troops, preparing us to ride in the name of Sauron.
In truth, his words do not move me. I did not wish to leave my wife and daughter to make war at the behest of Sauron. Yes, I know those of Gondor have oppressed us. I am aware the Blood of Numenor betrayed us long years ago. I simply do not see what all this ancient history has to do with my life now. We of the Haradrim are prosperous, in our way. We lacked for little until the Lord Sauron came and inflamed our leaders with old hatreds. What good are old hatreds to anyone? Let them lie, I say. Past is past and done is done, my father always said, and there is no good in stirring up trouble. Let Gondor look to Gondor, and Sauron, with his foul Orcs, look to Sauron. We of the Haradrim should look to ourselves.
I do not understand why our leaders cleave unto this Sauron, anyway. The mere mention of his name makes my flesh crawl. I feel no good can come of fighting for him. It seems to me that we should be fighting against him, but that is not my decision. I do not like it. I do not have to.
It is not my lot to set policy, nor to council kings. I am a soldier. I go where I am sent, fight who I am instructed to fight, die when it is time to die. I wish it were not so. Before this war, I was a cobbler. I would much prefer to be at home, making useful and beautiful shoes for my people. But this is war, and war does not need cobblers.
I miss my profession. I miss my shop, my customers, the feel of my tools and the smell of the leather. I miss my wife and my daughter, so beautiful and beloved. I want only to return to my life, to hold my family again. I hope I make it home alive.
A Soldier's Lot
"We ride to war!! We shall reclaim what was stolen by the usurpers of Gondor!!! To War!!!" the speaker cries out, shaking his weapon. He is rousing the troops, preparing us to ride in the name of Sauron.
In truth, his words do not move me. I did not wish to leave my wife and daughter to make war at the behest of Sauron. Yes, I know those of Gondor have oppressed us. I am aware the Blood of Numenor betrayed us long years ago. I simply do not see what all this ancient history has to do with my life now. We of the Haradrim are prosperous, in our way. We lacked for little until the Lord Sauron came and inflamed our leaders with old hatreds. What good are old hatreds to anyone? Let them lie, I say. Past is past and done is done, my father always said, and there is no good in stirring up trouble. Let Gondor look to Gondor, and Sauron, with his foul Orcs, look to Sauron. We of the Haradrim should look to ourselves.
I do not understand why our leaders cleave unto this Sauron, anyway. The mere mention of his name makes my flesh crawl. I feel no good can come of fighting for him. It seems to me that we should be fighting against him, but that is not my decision. I do not like it. I do not have to.
It is not my lot to set policy, nor to council kings. I am a soldier. I go where I am sent, fight who I am instructed to fight, die when it is time to die. I wish it were not so. Before this war, I was a cobbler. I would much prefer to be at home, making useful and beautiful shoes for my people. But this is war, and war does not need cobblers.
I miss my profession. I miss my shop, my customers, the feel of my tools and the smell of the leather. I miss my wife and my daughter, so beautiful and beloved. I want only to return to my life, to hold my family again. I hope I make it home alive.