CHAPTER THREE:
Nosteruion made his way towards his home, Oakvale. He was too troubled in his mind. He was ashamed of his exile.
He thought that the villagers would take his dishonor personally and ban him away from the village, since it is a disgrace to Oakvale.
He was not sure of what to say to his widowed sister, Raina. She was expecting great things from him. He was deeply disturbed and distressed.
His horse steadily moved along the Isen River. Oakvale is located in the realms of Enedwaith. It is located between the White Mountains. After few leagues, Swanfleec River converges with Isen River.
Nosteruion followed the Swanfleec. He has learned many tales about the Isen River. It has a legendary pathway. It follows through the Isengard and passes the Gap of Rohan. Even some say that it waters the cruelest forest known as Fangorn. Nosteruion once dreamed about those places, but now he has lost his own reality.
The road was dusty and unused. Only few traders pass through these roads, others use the White Mountain to reach the realms of Gondor and Isen River for Rohan and Realms of Enedwaith.
The sky was clear and the breeze was light. However, none of these comforted Nosteruion. He still stayed unsettled.
The sun started to sink in the horizon. Nosteruion stopped his horse, dismounted it and took a refuge under a tree. He built a small fire and sat across it.
He thought about his sister Raina. She was six years older than he was. She got married to a man called as Beinion. Unfortunately, he died in fight. Now she is all alone with a child.
Nosteruion always liked his sister's daughter, Talia. She was a sweet four-year-old child. Last time he visited Oakvale, he bought toys and fruits to Talia. This time he brings nothing but disgrace.
He tried to remember about his father. All he remembers about him was from his sister's tale. He has never seen him or his mother. Both died when he was young. Therefore, Raina brought him up.
Nosteruion rested his head on a tree trunk and closed his eyes. After few seconds of silence, he slipped into a deep sleep.
I am walking along the trees,
Am I alone in here?
Silence fills my heart and mind.
I can hear neither a bird's song nor an animal's call.
I am walking all alone.
I stood near a tree and felt its wood,
It was old and weak.
Is he dieing?
My question went unanswered.
I moved along my path
I felt a movement.
I stood still,
A huge roar tore through the trees.
I could not find the source of the sound.
The roar was too loud and powerful.
I felt as if it camethrough the sky and the earth.
I was afraid to move.
I stood there as long as my feet could hold.
The earth below my feet started to move.
What is it?
Something moved and its footsteps shook the trees and the rocks.
What is it?
Where am I?
Who am I?
Nosteruion woke up with a start. He cleared his sweat from the forehead and looked around. There was no one, except for his horse. He got to his feet and looked around one more time. There was no one, the road was empty and the sky was dark. He sighed, sat back and slept.
The sun rose from the White Mountains. The sky was orange and the river was blue. The steed woke up and brushed Nosteruion's face.
Nosteruion woke up and stroked the horse's mane. He got to his feet and stretched his body. He looked up, thanked the heavens for a safe night. He refitted the horse's saddle and mounted it. He watered the horse from the river and started to travel towards Oakvale.
Even though his bag has food and water, he never ate them. He did not want to; he did not like to. The breeze was cool. He threw his hood off and felt the chill air on his pale face.
The sun climbed steadily above the Mountains and lighted the whole valley. The road started to get wider and broader.
After few miles, he saw two traders walk past him. They were carrying a basket full of goods, on their back. They sang merrily and walked with a steady pace. Nosteruion bowed to them in respect, and they returned his gesture.
These traders were the lifeline of Oakvale. They brings valuable goods, they sell and buy the grains, wheat and ales. They wore a brown tunic with a bare hand as a symbol. They called it as a "Helping Hand"
As he moved towards the Oakvale, he started to see people. They were traveling in and out of the village.
When the sun reached the mid sky, Nosteruion reached the Oakvale's entrance door. It was fifteen feet high and made out of solid wood. It was a double door, with a small door on its side. The Archway above the door read, "Welcome to our Home, Oakvale"
Nosteruion dismounted his horse and entered the village, through the door, on foot. The Village was small; it had houses on each side of the road. The road was strong and withered.
The houses are made out of wood and stone. Some had two floors, and the others had only one floor. People of Oakvale were busy around the streets. Some went in and out of their houses.
Nosteruion passed the Oakvale's Market and walked towards a horse stable.
Erumollion owned this horse stable. He was six feet tall, with a black beard. When he saw Nosteruion, he jumped from his chair and came running towards him.
"Master Brethil!" he bowed. Nosteruion returned the gesture kindly.
"How may I help you sir?" he asked Nosteruion.
"I have come back to my home to see my sister. I would like to leave this horse in your stable. I will pay you," said Nosteruion in a low voice.
"Pay me sir? Oh no, it's a privilege to accommodate an Ithil's Steed," said Erumollion gaily.
Those words almost brought tears to Nosteruion's eyes. I am a great disgrace, thought Nosteruion. He left the horse in the stable and walked towards his home. Some people waved him, others smiled and others just ignored him. In all the cases, Nosteruion just nodded without any expression.
He knocked on Raina's door twice.
"Whose there?" came a sweet voice. It almost sounded like him, except it was a female's voice. Nosteruion cleared his throat and said, "I don't know."
"Nosteruion?"
The door swung opened and he saw a beautiful young woman, with a surprised expression on her face. She wore a long grey gown. Even her face looked like him, except it was more calm and feminine.
"Nosteruion, what a surprise," she hugged him; Nosteruion forced a smile and hugged her back. He went inside and asked, "Where is Talia?"
Raina closed the door behind him and said, "She is sleeping."
"Sleeping? Isn't it time for lunch…shouldn't she be playing outside," asked Nosteruion calmly.
"Nah, she is little sick," replied Raina.
A concerned look crossed Nosteruion's face.
"Don't worry she will be alright. So why are here? Shouldn't you be fighting with that sword in a forest," asked Raina smiling.
Nosteruion sat on an oak chair and stayed silent. Raina's smile vanished. She came near him and asked slowly, "What's wrong Brethil?"
Nosteruion had no courage to face his sister's face, so he kept his face down and remained silent. Raina sensed the discomfort. She drew a chair near him and sat on it. She waited until Nosteruion opened his mouth and spoke.
Left with no options, Nosteruion slowly opened his mouth and said, "I…am no longer an Ithil. I was sent away from the camp by Master Turwaition."
Shock resonated on Raina's face. She sat there as if she watched a bad dream. When Nosteruion did not say another word, Raina started to understand the seriousness of the issue. Still shaken by the fact, Raina asked, "What did you do Brother?"
Nosteruion recounted the whole incident. Raina shook her head and buried her face inside her hand. Nosteruion thought she was crying, but she just sat there like a stone.
After few minutes, Raina stood up and said, "Beinion worked as a woodcutter under Adan's company. After Beinion's death, Adan did not elect another person for the job. Maybe tomorrow you can go and ask him for that job. However, you have to take rest now. The upper room is clear and the bed is ready. Go now, change your clothes and take a bath. I will bring the lunch to your room." Her voice was both tranquil and composed.
His sister's true love brought tears to Nosteruion's eyes.
Raina bend over, took his hand and said, "It's alright Brethil, we will talk about it later, go now." She smiled and went inside the kitchen. Nosteruion got up and went to his room obediently.