Disclaimer: The characters and settings belong to JRR Tolkien and I make no
profit from this writing.
Thanks to Nerdanel and Itarille for beta reading
- Enjoy -
* Eöl's Story Chapter 3 *
I rode with all force and furry from the gates of Himlad. Anger and humiliation split my veins. My fists clutched the reins of my steed, Faroth with such strength and fury that my nails tore the flesh of my hands. I had stood defencelessly while Curufin, one of the so-called princes of Beleriand, ripped me apart. His taunting laughs still ring through my head, beating like a steady drum in my mind, however it was that steady beat that urged me on. I rode with all haste to the shadows, but not to the shadows that the son of Fëanor had counselled me to go to. I rode to the place filled with blinding light, but interwoven within this light is the stench and shadow of death and betrayal. Long have I avoided the slayers of my kin but I refuse to bow down and let them steal and destroy the only ones whom I can ever love, and name my family.
I refused to allow myself a rest for neither food nor drink. My mouth grew dry and no longer did any moisture linger on my chapped lips, blood dried between the cracks of my mouth but I did not feel this pain. My hair flew behind me in a fury, battling with the treacherous wind. It became matted but I took no notice of my physical appearance. The only care I had was the finding of my wife and son and obtaining the desires within my soul. However I did feel the pain of humiliation from the Noldor sinking through me, degrading my mind, and causing a continual accumulation of tension within my body. These interior pains were far worse than any of the exterior obstacles. I rode with such swiftness across the plain that I appeared to be nothing more than a mere shadow moving at a great speed.
As time sped by I began to lose hope, and, as I entered Brithiach, I began to question the purpose of my quest. As my sprits dimmed, questions began to plague my thoughts. Why search for those who have betrayed you and lead you to complete humiliation? Why search for those who are no longer loyal to you and take joy in defying your greatest wishes? Why hunt in vain sacrificing all others, sacrificing yourself to find those who hate you? These thoughts slowly took over my mind, as I halted Faroth, in a small clearing. He took the rest willingly as I dismounted.
I felt as though I could not contain my frustration or anger any longer, I was about to yell, allowing my voice to echo through the woods, but at the last moment I constrained myself. I did not want to have my presence noticed; there were few people in these regions that I could trust. These lands were filled with ruthless assassins who destroyed the beauty and resources of our land. I did not want to meet them for I knew my actions would be treacherous, and I would not find much pardon within their laws.
Suddenly Faroth neighed in the distance; the useless beast never liked to be left alone. Annoyed and frustrated I turned and headed back towards the clearing. A branch hung down blocking my path, and I broke it off its tree, finally allowing my anger to exit. My anger took over my arms, my legs, and my mind. The world around me started spinning. I swung the branch at my stupid beast; it had probably betrayed me as well and led me astray. Faroth had probably fallen under the enchantment of Aredhel like all others who looked upon her. Her eyes glowed with a light more incredible than I have ever seen, even among the other Noldor. There was a light that was bewitching in her beauty, which released her immense powers that I don't think she was even aware of. Her mere memory deteriorated my consciousness, her face filled my sight, I saw her mouth merged into a small smile. Desire was renewed in my heart. Faroth neighed again, and his sound brought me back to reality. The ground below me was stained red, my eyes raised to the wound I had caused on Faroth's back. It was at that moment I realized I had to continue, for my desires would drive me insane if I did not fulfill them. Never would the face of Aredhel leave my mind, never would my torture end.
Suddenly the sound of another horse sent a surge of fear through my body. I mounted Faroth despite his wound, for I did not want to be found. I tried to ride in the opposite direction but Faroth persisted; he kept turning to the direction of the other horses. I listen carefully to their whinnies, and at last an unexpected smile broke across my face: I had found my stolen horses. Faroth rode with haste towards them. Guilt filled my heart for I realized I had been deceived by my own insanity; Faroth had remained loyal to me. I dismounted and tied Faroth with my other horses. I opened my bag and quickly tended to his wound. I abandoned my bag and took only enough to fulfill the barest vital needs for the last part of my journey.
I headed by foot tracking the path I deemed my wife and son had taken. Faroth neighed once more, I turned back to look at the horses, I paused and my eyes lingered on my bag. Inside was a poisoned javelin, I always carried it with me on my journeys. Ever since the return of Morgoth the woods were filled with vile creatures. I turned back to retrieve it but not just to protect myself from the creatures of the woods. The task I was about to complete was not easy, I would have to withstand masses of my greatest foe, and my conscience told me that my fortunes would go ill. I stared hard off into the distance and through pure chance, I caught a glimpse of a white glow near the entrance of a cave. I slipped the javelin inside my jacket and with haste headed towards the light entering the mountains, for at last my greatest jewels had been found.
Thanks to Nerdanel and Itarille for beta reading
- Enjoy -
* Eöl's Story Chapter 3 *
I rode with all force and furry from the gates of Himlad. Anger and humiliation split my veins. My fists clutched the reins of my steed, Faroth with such strength and fury that my nails tore the flesh of my hands. I had stood defencelessly while Curufin, one of the so-called princes of Beleriand, ripped me apart. His taunting laughs still ring through my head, beating like a steady drum in my mind, however it was that steady beat that urged me on. I rode with all haste to the shadows, but not to the shadows that the son of Fëanor had counselled me to go to. I rode to the place filled with blinding light, but interwoven within this light is the stench and shadow of death and betrayal. Long have I avoided the slayers of my kin but I refuse to bow down and let them steal and destroy the only ones whom I can ever love, and name my family.
I refused to allow myself a rest for neither food nor drink. My mouth grew dry and no longer did any moisture linger on my chapped lips, blood dried between the cracks of my mouth but I did not feel this pain. My hair flew behind me in a fury, battling with the treacherous wind. It became matted but I took no notice of my physical appearance. The only care I had was the finding of my wife and son and obtaining the desires within my soul. However I did feel the pain of humiliation from the Noldor sinking through me, degrading my mind, and causing a continual accumulation of tension within my body. These interior pains were far worse than any of the exterior obstacles. I rode with such swiftness across the plain that I appeared to be nothing more than a mere shadow moving at a great speed.
As time sped by I began to lose hope, and, as I entered Brithiach, I began to question the purpose of my quest. As my sprits dimmed, questions began to plague my thoughts. Why search for those who have betrayed you and lead you to complete humiliation? Why search for those who are no longer loyal to you and take joy in defying your greatest wishes? Why hunt in vain sacrificing all others, sacrificing yourself to find those who hate you? These thoughts slowly took over my mind, as I halted Faroth, in a small clearing. He took the rest willingly as I dismounted.
I felt as though I could not contain my frustration or anger any longer, I was about to yell, allowing my voice to echo through the woods, but at the last moment I constrained myself. I did not want to have my presence noticed; there were few people in these regions that I could trust. These lands were filled with ruthless assassins who destroyed the beauty and resources of our land. I did not want to meet them for I knew my actions would be treacherous, and I would not find much pardon within their laws.
Suddenly Faroth neighed in the distance; the useless beast never liked to be left alone. Annoyed and frustrated I turned and headed back towards the clearing. A branch hung down blocking my path, and I broke it off its tree, finally allowing my anger to exit. My anger took over my arms, my legs, and my mind. The world around me started spinning. I swung the branch at my stupid beast; it had probably betrayed me as well and led me astray. Faroth had probably fallen under the enchantment of Aredhel like all others who looked upon her. Her eyes glowed with a light more incredible than I have ever seen, even among the other Noldor. There was a light that was bewitching in her beauty, which released her immense powers that I don't think she was even aware of. Her mere memory deteriorated my consciousness, her face filled my sight, I saw her mouth merged into a small smile. Desire was renewed in my heart. Faroth neighed again, and his sound brought me back to reality. The ground below me was stained red, my eyes raised to the wound I had caused on Faroth's back. It was at that moment I realized I had to continue, for my desires would drive me insane if I did not fulfill them. Never would the face of Aredhel leave my mind, never would my torture end.
Suddenly the sound of another horse sent a surge of fear through my body. I mounted Faroth despite his wound, for I did not want to be found. I tried to ride in the opposite direction but Faroth persisted; he kept turning to the direction of the other horses. I listen carefully to their whinnies, and at last an unexpected smile broke across my face: I had found my stolen horses. Faroth rode with haste towards them. Guilt filled my heart for I realized I had been deceived by my own insanity; Faroth had remained loyal to me. I dismounted and tied Faroth with my other horses. I opened my bag and quickly tended to his wound. I abandoned my bag and took only enough to fulfill the barest vital needs for the last part of my journey.
I headed by foot tracking the path I deemed my wife and son had taken. Faroth neighed once more, I turned back to look at the horses, I paused and my eyes lingered on my bag. Inside was a poisoned javelin, I always carried it with me on my journeys. Ever since the return of Morgoth the woods were filled with vile creatures. I turned back to retrieve it but not just to protect myself from the creatures of the woods. The task I was about to complete was not easy, I would have to withstand masses of my greatest foe, and my conscience told me that my fortunes would go ill. I stared hard off into the distance and through pure chance, I caught a glimpse of a white glow near the entrance of a cave. I slipped the javelin inside my jacket and with haste headed towards the light entering the mountains, for at last my greatest jewels had been found.