CHAPTER SEVEN:
"How may I help you good sir?" asked the bar tender to Adan
"The usual please," replied the man. The bar man gave him a mug full of ale and went back to cleaning
Adan was one of the town's shop keepers. He owned a shop in the main market. He sells firewood to the people of Oakvale. He was tall with a light beard. His eyes scanned the room and it fixed upon a small group.
Adan took the mug and went to that table. The bar in Oakvale was big. It was usually crowed with natives and traders.
Today was extremely crowed because the outsiders have brought ill news to the town.
Adan drew a chair near one of the traders and listened to his tale.
"They say that the Dark Lord Sauron is back," said one of the traders
People around him gave an unbelievable sound.
"No it's true. They say that the One Ring has been found and it is in the middle-earth," replied another trader.
The crowd gave a scared look and turned back their attention the outsiders.
"His evil creatures are roaming everywhere. They kill anyone who crosses their path. Last time they burned a whole Rohirrim village to ashes and slew hundreds down. We saw this with our own eyes. Only few people were saved by the Rohan horsemen. They also say that Saruman the White has joined the evil one and he possesses the Théoden King," answered a trader.
Everyone whispered with disbelief and fear. Adan found this tale nothing more than a scared man's lie. He snorted, drank his ale and left the bar.
He crossed the Oakvale's main road. It was busy with people buzzing around. The sun was high in the sky, it was time for lunch.
He entered the Market and went to his shop, "Fire woods. We buy and sell woods." The market was crowded as usual. Traders and the local filled the place.
When Adan opened his shop, he found Erumollion the stable man sitting on a chair.
"How are you my friend?" asked the friendly face
"I am fine thank you," replied Adan, "So what business brings you here Erumollion?"
"I came to the market to buy some leather to make some saddles and I thought may be I can come in here and say hello to you," replied Erumollion smiling.
Adan nodded and sat in front Erumollion. Both friends relaxed and watched the people who were busy buying and selling things.
"So I heard Master Nosteruion is working for you," started Erumollion.
Adan nodded silently without meeting his friend's eye.
"I thought he would become an Ithil warrior just like his father," said Erumollion silently, "So is he as good as Beinion?"
"Beinion is my friend, no one can replace him. Poor man, he died for nothing, leaving his poor wife and his daughter alone. Bless his soul," he said, "Brethil is a hard worker and he is very dedicated, no doubts about that. He is bit distracted," replied Adan
"He brought a big disgrace to his family and to our people," said Erumollion.
Adan turned his gaze towards him and said, "Would you leave that poor kid alone. He has suffered a lot, I can see it. He is used to be a jolly, trouble-maker. But now, he barely opens his mouth. His face has stiffened to rock hard. I pity him," replied Adan roughly and he turned his gaze away.
"At least he will stay and help that poor child, Raina and her daughter," replied back Erumollion, who went red. And Adan nodded in agreement.
CHOP
A tree fell in half in front of Nosteruion. He has been cutting woods for six hours. Adan has asked him to bring in extra loads of wood today since the demand is high and also promised to pay him a bit more.
Even though Nosteruion was grateful for his job, he was still burning with dishonor. When people came to know about his state, some cared less others showed it facially with dirty comments. He was too weak mentally to fight back. He just accepted it with a grim face. It was his sister who protected him.
The other day she slapped a woman squarely on her face for calling him a disgraced pig. Even though Raina had few disappointments of her own she didn't show it. She was more than happy to have her brother near her and Talia.
"Brethil," called a voice.
Nosteruion turned around and met the speaker. It was Raina; she carried a water skin and an empty bucket on her hand.
"Here, drink this," she handed the water skin to him. Nosteruion dropped the axe, took the water skin gratefully and emptied its content into his mouth. Once every drop of water was poured out of the pouch, he handed it back to her.
"I am gonna go to the river and fetch some water. You go home and look after Talia, she is afraid to be alone," said Raina taking the skin from him
"Hold on Raina, let me take this woods to Adan, then I will fetch the water for you," suggested Nosteruion, because the river was bit far from the village.
Raina shook her head and said, "No, you have worked all day. You go home have some food and take rest. I can manage this. I will see you within an hour." She smiled and departed.
Nosteruion tied the remaining woods to the wagon and towed it to the village. He took his wagon all the way to Adan's shop.
He set the load down and knocked the door. The door opened and Erumollion stepped outside.
"Hello Master Brethil," he bowed and walked passed him without receiving a reply. Brethil wished him back, nevertheless.
Adan was inside his shop and waved Nosteruion in. Nosteruion untied his load and brought it inside the shop. He gently set it down and gave counts for his work. Adan listened silently and nodded back with satisfaction.
"Very good. Here you go Brethil, just like I promised," he handed Brethil seventeen copper coins. It was three coins more than usual.
Oakvale runs under coins system. Fifty copper coins are equal to one silver coin and twenty five silver coins are equal to one gold coin.
Nosteruion accepted it with a smile, thanked him and left the shop. He safely pocked his money and walked through the market.
He stopped when he passed a toy shop. He looked at the toys, which varied in different colors and shapes. Prices raised as the shape and color changed. He picked a small toy, which was made in a shape of an elephant. It was a cheap wood, so the price was low.
"How much is this?" he asked the toy maker. He looked up and said two copper coins. When a nearby lady heard that, she exclaimed and said it was outrageous. However, Nosteruion paid the toy maker the due money and went home.
He entered his home and went to Talia. The house was well lit by the sun light. The climate was warm, so he opened the windows to let the breeze to enter. He kept the remaining coins into Raina's room and walked away without looking around, because it brought back memories, sad memories.
He peeped into Talia's room and saw her sleeping. He entered the room silently and placed the toy elephant near her. He took a moment to study her briefly. She was a sweet and cute looking baby girl. She looked so much like her father, dark hair, fair skin and blue eyes. He pitied that she has to grow without a father, just like he did. He sighed and left the room.
He went to a water basin and washed his face, hands and legs. He wiped his wet face on a towel and entered the kitchen.
Three loaves of bread, cheese and a mushroom sauce was laid on the table. He placed a loaf of bread and a little sauce into his plate. He took it to his room and ate it.
Too many memories crossed his mind, as he chewed his lunch. Pleasant thoughts about his friends flashed on his head. Durion, his friend, lived on a village called as Talespan. It was similar to Oakvale, except it was south to White Mountains.
Every summer, he and Durion used to get together in Oakvale's farm and play together. His friend has invited him to his house in Talespan. They had a huge barn. Durion's father was an Ithil warrior too. He had two siblings; both were girls, Faelwen and Maerwen. They were a year younger than him and an identical twin.
Faelwen and Maerwen were tall, skinny and very fond of Brethil. They used to show him places all around the Talespan and tell tales about legends. Brethil liked them both. They somewhat reminded him of Raina.
When He and Durion was fifteen, they joined the legendary Ithil clan, the warrior clan. They are the protectors of the White Mountain and its land. Every village has one or two Ithil warriors. His father was one of them. After he died he was took over by another young boy, whose name was Indómerun.
He was too young when he took over his father's place. He was only sixteen, when he received the honor. He was a brilliant student and proved himself a worthy successor later. He was as gentle as a dove and as fierce as a lion. So far he has saved his village with respect and honor. He was thirty two years old now. It was very rare to see him around nowadays. He travels a lot, in favor of other villages or for the welfare of Oakvale.
He, Nosteruion Brethil, was destined to be the successor of Indómerun; however, fate has its own little jokes.
He smiled sourly and finished his lunch. He heard a footstep climbing on the staircase. He opened the door, it was Raina. She was sweating and panting a little. However, her smile hid the discomfort. She wished him and took his plate and asked, "Did you buy that toy?"
Nosteruion replied, "Yes I did"
"That's very nice of you to do that. She already has loads of it. Her father has spent half his earning on toys for her," she fell silent when she spoke about her husband.
Nosteruion stood there unable to do anything. He forced a smile and patted on her shoulder. He has always wanted her sister to marry another person, ever since Beinion died three years ago, because Talia needed a father and Raina needed a companion. But he had no guts to bring up this particular topic.
Raina shook her head and went downstairs. Nosteruion waited till her footsteps die away and closed the door. He was extremely tired; he went to his bed and lay down. The moment his head touched the pillow, he was swept away into a deep sleep.
I am walking through a valley
Why am I here?
The breeze is strong and smell is dry
I see a fort in its mouth
Why is it dark and silent?
I hear a march behind me
Ten thousand walks towards the old fort
Why are they here?
The sky was dark and cloudy
Am I supposed to be in here?
These are not men nor eleves nor dwarfs.
These are dark creatures, marching towards the innocent people
I have to warn them, but how?
I ran to the fort
It was tall and small
The doors were locked
But I couldn't see anyone in the fort
No, I see a man
He was standing on the top
He was tall and had long hair
His eyes made him to look like an elf, but he was a human
He was looking at the creatures with a keen eye
He had a long sword in his hand.
He was dressed in a war suit, but it did not belonged to any realms
Is he gonna save those innocent peoples who are hiding behind these walls?
A war cry tore through the sky and the battle began
Nosteruion woke up panting. He was breathing loudly. The man's eye and the cry of the creature haunted him. He sat up and pushed the dream away. He looked up and saw that his room was dark. I must have been sleeping for hours, he thought.
Suddenly he heard a scream. It was Raina!