The Pattern

-by Darth Suroth

Disclaimer- I don't own Lord of the Rings, Tar-Amandil (who is the third ruler of Númenor by the way), or Númenor, or anything you recognize from any of the books or movies. I wish I did, but that's another story for another day….

A/N- This story takes place in the Fourth Age, in other words, after LOTR. There is some background info that goes back to LOTR times, and some earlier in the Second Age in Númenor. If you don't know much about Númenor, you might be confused in some parts, but I don't think you'll be completely lost. The story hinges very loosely around Númenórean history, but don't worry, I mean 'very' when I say it.

A/N- Just to let you know, this is my first fanfic so…I'm doin' the best I can! Italics are thoughts, by the way. Oh, and please leave some reviews—let me know if you think this is a good idea for a story—constructive criticism PLEASE…and here we go!

Chapter I: Rumors and Shadows

Tar-Amandil was a great and righteous king. Under his rule, the state of Númenor enjoyed lasting peace and prosperity. The relations with the elves were good—Tar-Amandil often met with Gil-galad to make sure the ties were still strong. War and hardship were foreign ideas to the people, and they were growing in wisdom and joy. The greatness of Númenor was at its peak.

Unfortunately, Amandil II did not live in such times.

Year 1309 of the Fourth Age
Gondor
Reign of King Amandil II

The King paced anxiously across his private chambers. He had never thought that bearing his title would be easy, but he had not been prepared for this. Not that anything had gone wrong, that is, not yet. But it was the 'yet' that worried him.

There had been rumors—no, not rumors—reports of things happening that should not be happening, that should not have happened ever again. Reports of orcs gathering once again in the east, reports of goblins in the Misty Mountains, reports of a Shadow in Mordor—in Mordor, that had been so closely monitored and watched—in Mordor, the name of which still filled men's hearts with fear. Rumors of a Shadow in the east. Whispers of a nameless fear.

Amandil stubbornly drove that though out of his head. The last time there had been reports like these was right before the start of the great War of the Ring. Rumors…Whispers… Amandil decided to focus on something else.

He continued to pace. Back, forth. Back, forth. Bed, sofa. Bed, sofa. Back, forth. Shadow…nameless fear…

How could something like this go unnoticed until now? We were so careful… Amandil stopped and rubbed his temples. Maybe it was nothing, just another orc uprising, just and untrained rabble force. Gathering in the east… He mustn't jump to conclusions. He mustn't! A Shadow…

The King sat on his bed and sighed. How does one handle situations such as these? This was a question that, as of yet, he had no answer to.

A/N- I haven't really worked out whether Amandil II would be Aragorn's grandson or great-grandson, because I don't know how long they would live due to their Númenórean bloodlines…so I'm just gonna say to you that this is probably his grandson. And I am very sorry to say that there will be no elves in this one, folks, they're all long gone by this time. This takes place in the Age of Men, so it will be primarily the race of Man, obviously. So, hope you enjoyed it, make sure you check out the next chapter, it gets better than this…and review!