As always, I hope you enjoy this chapter

It had been three years since the incident with the giant turtle, and at times, Thorondor still wondered how it had come to this.

He stood alone at the base of the massive cliff, near the raging seas below. He looked up at the towering cliff, the well-worn path that travelled up its sides. High above in the skies, he could see great shapes circling above.

Storm Eagles.

The entire cliff was known as simply, the Nest. More of a mountain than a cliff, it rose up higher than any other mountain, island and stable landmass on Tempestas, with its peak grazing the Eternal Storm itself. It was the home to many Storm Eagles, and Garuda himself was believed to dwell at the very top of the mountain.

With so many Storm Eagles calling it home, The Nest was the site for initiates to ascend to the lofty ranks of the Storm Riders. It was there, that they would bond with a Storm Eagle, or if they were found wanting, the Storm Eagles would tear them apart.

It was why Thorondor was there.

II II II

When Torwald had arrived back at Left Peak with Thorondor and Gwaine, the whole place had been in uproar as they searched for the missing boys. Firiel in particular, had shrieked with both relief and outrage when Thorondor had gotten off the Storm Eagle, smiling.

After allowing the people to fuss and reprimand the two boys, Torwald had revealed his reasons for coming.

"I'm looking for initiates to join the Storm Riders," said Torwald. "My brothers and I set out to many different settlements and test potential recruits. Those we deem worthy, we invite to join our order."

He looked over at Thorondor and Gwaine.

"You both have proven yourselves worthy, the way you faced the giant turtle, that took courage."

Gwaine's eyes had widened. "We…we are to join the Storm Riders?"

Torwarld had chuckled, a harsh and hard noise.

"I never said worthy of joining. I said worthy of invitation."

Torwald glanced over at where the other youngsters had gathered, looking up at him with awe.

"I won't have to test you," he said. "But to prove that you are also worthy of joining, you must make your way to the Iron Roost with your own strength."

"But…that's leagues away from here," protested Gwaine.

Torwald shrugged. "Then don't go. By facing that beast, you both proved that you had courage and a ridiculous amount of luck. Now prove you have the ability to go with it."

Torwald looked at them one last time, his gaze lingering on Thorondor. He nodded and turned away.

II II II

Thorondor had sat down in the small room he and Firiel called home. He looked around as Firiel prepared a stew for both of them, clattering around the little kitchen while cursing foolhardy boys with no regard for their mothers.

Thorondor was still growing, but already the room was starting to feel too cramped for him. But it was more than that; Left Peak, no, even Trident's Peak felt too small for him. Deep down, Thorondor knew that he was never going to stay at Left Peak for long. He needed to strike out, make his mark on Tempestas. Torwald had given him an opportunity, and he knew that he had to take it.

He sighed inwardly, after nearly giving Firiel a heart attack, he was about to give her more heartbreaking news. He knew that he and Gwaine's exploits caused Firiel and Gwaine's own family no end of worry, and while he couldn't exactly help it, he did feel bad about it.

He took a deep breath, preparing to gently, but firmly insist that he was going to the Iron Roost, without Firiel's blessing if he must.

"Mother," began Thorondor. "I'm going to the Iron Roost."

Immediately, the clattering stopped. Thorondor looked up to see Firiel's back facing him. He prepared himself for the outburst.

"Of course you are."

Firiel turned, and there was sad smile on her face. "You've been chosen by the Thunder Bearer himself, of course you'll go."

Thorondor was completely taken aback; he had been expecting some shouting, a cuff on the head; not this acceptance.

"Don't look so surprised," snapped Firiel with a bite of her old impatience. "You're my son; of course you are destined for great things. What could be greater than joining the Storm Riders?"

"You're not upset?" asked Thorondor.

Firiel smiled and cupped Thorondor's cheeks. "Of course I'll miss you, my foolish boy. But don't you let that hold you back. Go to the Iron Roost, become a great Storm Rider. Become even greater than the Thunder Bearer himself."

Thorondor nodded, his ever-present smile widening.

"Of course, mother."

II II II

Preparations for the journey had taken several weeks, during which Thorondor and Gwaine (who had also decided to go) had both procured a boat from one of the older men of Left Peak. While the violent waves made sea-travel near impossible, the people of Tempestas kept sturdy boats for fishing during the few times when the weather of Tempestas softened enough to allow it. Thorondor and Gwaine salvaged various materials to make it stronger for sea travel and even managed to improve the hydro-based engines. Out on open sea, the boat would be able to ride out most of the violent waves, but against the more violent coastlines, it wouldn't last long.

Once, while Thorondor and Gwaine were working on the boat, Torwald came by. He said nothing, but only sat himself down on a nearby rock, his eyes watching them as they worked.

Thorondor wondered if he and Gwaine were supposed to make their way to Iron Roost on their own, independent of each other, but Torwald made no comment, but when he left, Thorondor thought he saw a glimmer of approval in the Thunder Bearer's stormy eyes.

II II II

The journey from Left Peak to the Iron Roost had taken the better part of a year.

The violent waves, attacks from various predators, food stores running low and more violent outbursts from the Eternal Storm itself had battered Thorondor and Gwaine and their boat. Despite the availability of water to fuel the engines, the going was slow.

When they came within sight of the Iron Roost; a towering, dark grey rock formation rising in the shape of a spear-tip, their boat's engine finally died. Forced to row, the last stage of the journey took them a little over a month, due to the violent weather.

In the end, they had only reached the Iron Roost when a particularly vicious wave slammed their boat against the rocky walls of the Iron Roost.

Gwaine had nearly died, knocked unconscious by the impact, but Thorondor had managed to stay conscious and had carried his friend on his shoulders as he made his way up the narrow, steep paths carved in the side of the Roost.

After long hours of climbing, Thorondor finally reached one of the small entrances built into the side of the Roost. To his astonishment, he found Torwald waiting for him there.

The Thunder Bearer had glanced at the unconscious Gwaine on Thorondor's. "Most would have simply left their comrades behind."

"He is my friend," Thorondor had answered defiantly. "How could I leave him behind?"

"He must have been a tremendous burden to carry all the way up here," responded Torwald coldly. "You would have reached here faster if you had just left him."

"We made this journey together," answered Thorondor. "And we will finish it together. Both of us would have never even made it here on our own."

Torwald had said nothing for a long while, staring at Thorondor, who had stared back evenly. Torwald idly noted that the boy had grown as tall as him. Finally, he had smiled.

"That's right, neither of you would have made it without the other," he said. "That's what many of initiates fail to understand about the Storm Riders. They see us as warriors capable of slaying an army of monsters single-handedly; the truth is we always fight alongside our brothers and our Eagles. We look out for each other, cover each other's weak points and complement each other's strengths. Our brotherhood is all we have in the face of the Unending Storm."

Torwald reach out to clap Thorondor on the arm.

"Welcome, initiates."

II II II

So Thorondor and Gwaine had spent the following two years training under the tutelage of the Storm Riders.

They had learned to fight with glaive and gun under the guidance of the tough, battle-hardened giant Adalgrim. They had learned how to care for a Storm Eagle from the ancient Master Ghasaan, the various strategies in combat from Master Storr and numerous other skills required to be a Storm Rider.

Gwaine had matured into a fine warrior, sound of body and of mind, but his development had been nothing as compared to Thorondor's.

Thorondor had grown so large, that he towered over even Torwald and Adalgrim, the two largest warriors in the Storm Riders. His strength and endurance coupled with his skill with the glaive and gun were such that even Torwald had remarked in private that he doubted that he could defeat Thorondor. But even more astonishingly, Thorondor had quickly outstripped Master Storr and the other venerable strategists in their knowledge, able to find weaknesses and tried and proven tactics, and innovating others that far surpassed the old ones.

There had been no doubt that Thorondor and Gwaine would be worthy of becoming fully-fledged Storm Riders.

Due to his seniority by age, Gwaine had been given leave to go to the Nest to bond (or die) with a Storm Eagle.

He had returned several days later on the back of fine male he had named Deor.

Several weeks after that, Thorondor had been given leave.

II II II

Thorondor slowly climbed the Nest, looking for a Storm Eagle who would find him worthy.

Storm Eagles are famously intelligent and proud animals. Aggressive and bold, they would accept none but the bravest, strongest and wisest human to bond with. As such, they often killed those they deemed unworthy. They were the mightiest creatures to soar the violent skies of Tempestas, and so bowed to no one.

But they did to Thorondor.

None of the Storm Eagles that Thorondor met in his path would meet his gaze, instead turning away in almost…submissive manner. One Eagle had tried to bar Thorondor's path, only to flee, shrieking.

This continued for a long while, until before long, Thorondor found himself unconsciously making for the peak of the Nest.

Where the mightiest Storm Eagle, Garuda was rumoured to dwell.

Thorondor's smile widened.

II II II

Climbing to the peak had taken Thorondor four days, but he barely tired; his arms and legs moving seemingly of their own accord.

By the night of the fourth day, Thorondor finally reached the peak.

It was a flat surface, with bones of various prey littered around including, Thorondor noted, a giant turtle as large as the one he and Gwaine had faced. There was a scent in the air, spicy yet steely: the scent associated with Storm Eagles.

This was the reputed lair of Garuda, yet there was no sign of the legendary Storm Eagle.

Thorondor sighed in frustration, settling himself down on a rock as he pondered his next move. Four days of incessant climbing, only to find nothing at the top. None of the other Storm Eagles he had encountered on the way up would bond with him, instead fleeing at his approach.

Thorondor found himself looking at the dark grey clouds of the Storm. He just realised how close he was to the Storm; so close…that he felt that he could reach for it…

A great shadow swooped over him.

Thorondor turned to look up and saw a great shape emerge from the Storm.

A great cry rang out, cutting across the ever-present rumbling of the Eternal Storm. The creature landed on the flat surface of the Nest's peak, causing a great quake as it did, facing Thorondor.

Thorondor had only been awed once in his life, and that was when he had first met Torwald. This was the second time.

Facing him was the largest Storm Eagle Thorondor had ever seen. It was bigger than six, perhaps seven aircrafts put together, and its talons could have easily enveloped a giant turtle.

As big as he was, Thorondor was truly small compared to the Eagle, his head only barely reaching the middle joint of one, massive leg.

This could only be Garuda, the Lord of the Storm Eagles.

Garuda spread his wings wide, its span easily stretching out over the edges of the peak and let out another cry that shook the Nest itself.

Thorondor stood his ground, facing the Storm Eagle.

Finally, Garuda ceased his cry, and folded his wings. He leaned forward to get a closer look at Thorondor, his beak; easily bigger than Thorondor's torso, coming within striking distance.

Thorondor still stood his ground, looking into the storm-grey eyes of Garuda.

Eyes, very similar to Thorondor's own.

II II II

Gwaine paced anxiously on one of the many open-air platforms built on the Iron Roost. His Eagle, Deor, groomed itself, seemingly unaware of his partner's anxiety.

"You're still here, lad?"

Gwaine turned to see Torwald approach, with his own Storm Eagle Tor following behind. Deor chirped at Tor, who glared back imperiously at the younger Storm Eagle, making Deor lower its head in submission to the older and bigger Storm Eagle.

"He's been gone for nearly two weeks, master," answered Gwaine. "The journey to the nest takes that long, but the bonding itself takes a day or two. An Eagle can fly back here within a day or two. He should have been back by now."

"Unless the Eagles found him wanting," said Torwald.

"You know that's impossible, master," said Gwaine. "If Thor isn't worthy, then none of us would be."

Torwald shrugged, knowing what Gwaine said was true, but there was nothing he could say to allay the young Storm Rider's fears.

Abruptly, Gwaine strode towards Deor. "I'm going to go find him."

"You can't," said Torwald. "Either Thorondor comes back with a Storm Eagle, or he doesn't come back at all."

"But.."

"This is how it has always been, lad…"

A great shadow fell over them, making Gwaine and Torwald look up in alarm. A Storm Eagle of impossible size and majesty hovered before them, beating its massive wings powerfully to keep itself aloft.

"By the Storm!" cried Torwald.

"It can't be…" whispered Gwaine.

The other two Storm Eagles on the platform, Tor and Deor had lowered their heads in submission to the titanic Storm Eagle and its rider.

Thorondor looked down at Gwaine and Torwald from his perch on his Storm Eagle's back. His smile, ever-present, was incredibly wide and full of mischief; he was clearly delighting in their stunned reaction.

"Master Torwald, Gwaine," said Thorondor. "I believe you know Garuda."

Garuda let out a great cry that echoed not only throughout the Iron Roost.

It echoed throughout Tempestas herself.