Disclaimer: I do not own anything.
Amie has always been a student of history and studied the maps of Middle-Earth for many years. For some reason her eyes always darted to Lond Daer and she felt drawn there. She knew the only way to get there is by ship and the Captain and crew of those ships are pirates and they only went there to plunder.
Her father Doran (doe-rān) died a year ago and her mother, Lilith, is still grieving for the man she loved. Amie didn't know when she'll return from her grandparents home and her brother Haldar is running the business until she returns. Much to her consternation her brother is trying to marry her off to a Gondorian Noble while their mother was away. Amie's family are wealthy merchants and she knows a Gondorian Noble will only marry her for her dowry. She has her own dreams and marrying a Gondorian Noble isn't one of them. She resigned herself to meet this Lord this evening, but knows she'll marry him, because her destiny lies at Lond Daer.
xxx
Lord Galir thought about the offer that was made to him and agreed. His brother told him a merchant's daughter is beneath him and he agreed, but he knows if he married Amie he'll be able to pay off his considerable debts with her substantial dowry and continue to live the life that's expected of him.
During dinner that evening Lord Galir sized up the young woman and knew she's no one's fool by the questions she asked and felt a sense of failure when he departed her home.
"How dare you speak to a Lord like that Amie," Haldar said in a rage. "He was willing to marry you and our family will finally be part of the Gondorian Nobility."
"You've always been impressed with titles brother – even though the Gondorian Nobility looks down on people like us," she reminded him.
"They would no longer look down on us if you've accepted Lord Galir's offer," he said with sneer.
"Don't kid yourself brother," she replied and walked out of the room.
xxx
Amie discreetly inquired about ships traveling North a few days later and finally had luck when she heard of a ship traveling North to Lond Daer. She suspected it's a pirate ship, but booked passage anyway. Amie knew she'll have to take her horse, bow, quivers and only pack what she needed in her saddle bags. She left home the next evening while her brother was having dinner with friends, but before she left she left a note for her mother in her bedroom telling her she's headed North towards her destiny and she'll write her again, but didn't know when.
When Amie arrived at the docks she was taken to her ship and escorted to her cabin and then ordered dinner. After dinner she was exhausted and fell asleep and during the entire trip she stayed in her cabin.
xxx
For two days Adair and his companions rode South. On the third day they rode West after asking a stranger the way to the sea. They rode for three more days and followed Gandalf's advice when they stopped at an inn. A few nights they slept on the ground and forged for their own food.
"What's that?" Boris asked wide-eyed when he saw a strange large city in the distance.
"I was wondering the same thing," Vlad said when he turned and looked at his friend.
When they reached they city they got off their horses and began exploring and eventually found they way to a terrace overlooking the sea. They stared out in awe at the endless calm waters and thought it was beautiful.
"There's a ship coming," Ivan said when it approached.
The six friends hid and watched as the ship docked. A female left the ship with her horse a while later and rode away with a bow and quivers across her back. Three men also on horseback followed her a few minutes later.
"Let's go," Adair said. "Those men are riding after the female." Adair felt he had to protect her at all cost.
His friends knew what that meant and did as Adair ordered. They returned to their horses and rode out of the city. When they rode into view they saw the female looking back over her shoulder and her horse galloping fast. Adair told his friends to go after the men and he rode after the female.
Amie was startled when she saw a hand reach out and grab the reins of her horse and brought her to a halt. She was so scared she didn't hear the other horse and berated herself for not being aware of her surroundings. Her only thought was to get away from the men who were pursuing her.
"Don't be afraid, I won't hurt you," the stranger said. She's the reason my mother sent me South to the sea, Adair thought when he saw her face.
Amie stared into the handsome man's beautiful brown eyes and felt he was telling the truth. "Who are you?" she asked still frightened and felt something strange and wonderful stir inside her.
"My name is Adair. Me and my friends saw you get off the ship and the other men follow you. I sent my men to deal with them," he answered. "Turn around."
Amie turned around and saw other riders riding towards them and the men who chased her were dead on the ground with multiple arrows in them. "Thank you," she said with a weak smile.
"Are any others following?" Adair asked when his men rode up to them.
"No," Ivan answered.
Amie didn't understand their strange tongue.
"Only Khan and I speak Westron," Adair told her after seeing the confused look on her face and introduced his friends.
"My name is Amie," she said to Adair.
"Why are you here Amie?" he asked.
Amie decided to tell Adair the truth. "I've always felt drawn to this place since I was a little girl," she answered.
"Why did you decide to come now?" he asked.
"I felt compelled to," she answered looking into his eyes. "Why are you here?"
"The same reason you are?" he answered smiling at her and saw her become flustered.
"You're not from here," she said looking at their clothes.
"We're from the North," he replied and again saw confusion on her face. "We live North of Middle-Earth at the top of the world."
"What are your lands called?" she asked.
"We simply call it the North and we call ourselves the Northmen," Adair answered. "Can you tell us about this place?"
"It's called Lond Daer. The Númenóreans built it when they came from across the sea long ago," she answered.
That's what they were called, Adair thought. "What happened to them?"
"They're no more," she answered.
"Good," he replied.
Amie could tell by the inflection in his voice he was happy to hear that.
"It's time for us to return home, I got what I was sent to get," he told her.
"Which is?" she asked with a raised eyebrow.
"You," he answered.
Amie was startled and didn't know what to say.
"You've felt compelled to come to this place all your life," he said to her. "What did you find when you arrived Amie?"
"You," she answered boldly.
"My mother sent me South and only told me there was something for me here and I'll know it when I see it. When I looked at you and into your eyes I knew you're the reason she sent me South. We were meant to find each other Amie," he told her.
"We don't know each other," she said.
"We'll get to know each other on our way North and we will not harm you. Look around you Amie, you have no place to go and we're going home; and I won't let you travel through these lands alone," Adair told her.
Amie saw a twinkle in his eyes and her heart and mind told her everything he told her was true and she could trust him with her life – which he'd already saved. She nodded her head in agreement. "I always knew my future was in the North," she said looking Adair in the eyes.
"Let's go home Amie," Adair said smiling at her and turned and told his friends he'd found what his mother sent him to get.
They laughed and turned their horses around and headed North, and Amie rode next to Adair.
xxx
"What happened to these lands?" Adair asked Amie while they were riding East.
"These lands were destroyed by the Númenóreans so they could build their ships and the people who lived here went to war with them for destroying their homes, but were eventually driven South or East," she answered.
"The Númenóreans again," he said with a hard look in his eyes when he turned and looked at her.
Amie shuttered when she saw that look and pitied anyone who crossed Adair. "What do you know about the Númenóreans?" she asked.
Adair told her the history of his people.
"Your people were originally from Arnor?" she asked surprised.
"Is this what you call this place?" he asked.
"Yes," she answered and gave him a geography lesson of Middle-Earth.
After dinner that evening Amie took an old map of Middle-Earth out of her saddle bag. unfolded it and showed them Arnor on the map. She told them that's where their people originally came from, except Khan's. They peppered her with questions and she answered them as best she could and then suggested they ride by the ruins the Númenóreans built.
They agreed.
A few days later Amie pointed out the ruin city of Tharbad in the distance as they rode past and then they turned North towards Annúminas. While they were riding North, Adair and his friends pointed out everything around them and taught Amie how to say it in their language – and she did the same in Westron. After they crossed the Brandywine River they rode through the White Downs to a mountain range and turned East and then North after they passed the last mountain, until they reached Annúminas.
"This was the North-Kingdom of the Númenóreans and it was called Annúminas," Amie told them.
Adair and the others looked at the large ruined city by a lake.
"We're never seen such cities before," Khan said while they were riding through the city.
"The Númenóreans built everything on a grand scale, including their ships," Amie replied.
Later that evening they had dinner by the lake. While they were traveling North they caught game and fish to eat and bathed and washed their clothes in the rivers. They also talked about their home and Amie knew it's very different from Middle-Earth.
"It's winter in the North and very cold Amie. Your cloak will not keep you warm," Adair told her the next morning and took another fur cloak from under his and wrapped it around her and fastened the leather straps.
"This is beautiful," she said. "How did you know?"
"Something told me to bring an extra one," he answered laughing and then handed her a fur hat and fur gloves.
"Thank you," she said and put on the hat and gloves and watched as the others put on their cloaks, hat and gloves.
"You're still going to be cold because you don't have the proper boots and pants for the North, but I'll buy you what you'll need when we arrive," Adair told her.
"Thank you," she said smiling at him.
Adair returned the smile.
They then rode further North beyond the borders of Middle-Earth.
xxx
Lilith returned home two days after Amie left and read the letter Amie left in her bedroom. She screamed to the high heavens and wondered where Amie went and why.
"What's wrong Mother?" Haldar asked when he knocked on her door and entered her bedroom.
"Amie is gone," she answered with tears in her eyes and held out her hand.
Haldar took the letter and read it.
"I know you had something to do with you this," she said through her tears.
"I didn't do anything mother," he replied and put the letter on her bed.
"Do you know where she went?" she asked with tears running down her cheeks.
"No mother," he answered.
"Did you even know she was missing?" she asked.
"I've been out for a few days and I returned home last night," he answered.
"Of course you have," she said in a biting tone. "Get out."
Haldar quietly left her bedroom and heard his mother crying through the door.
xxx
The North
Mir and Caldor received a message from Elan and told them when to be at her home and the reason why.
"When will he arrive?" Mir asked when they arrived at Elan's home three days later.
"Tomorrow," she answered.
"How will he know to come here?" Caldor asked.
"His horse will lead him here," she answered.
"What type of horse is that?" Caldor asked with a raised eyebrow.
"A very special one," she answered.
xxx
Amie's legs were cold in spite of the long fur cloak she was wearing and her toes were frozen. She'd been born and raised in the South and had never known cold weather and this was a shock to her system. She noticed Adair and his friends took the cold in stride and it didn't faze them one bit. She remembered them telling her how hot it is in the South and they're not used to that heat. While they were traveling North she got to know Adair and his friends and was surprised to find out that Adair is a Lord's bastard son and his friends are also bastard boys, except Khan. Khan's father is the Chieftain of his people and he's his youngest child. She was also surprised to learn that many of the Lords of the North have many bastard children. When Amie thought about it she'd heard rumors of the same in the South. When they arrived in the North Amie was surprised to see how different it is from the South. They're many small towns, villages, farms and large estates which belonged to the Lords of the North.
"This is beautiful," Amie said to Adair looking around.
Adair smiled at her and agreed.
"Where are we headed Adair?" Anton asked.
"Here," he answered when Wind rode through the open gates of large estate and stopped in front of a large beautiful home surrounded by many acres of land.
"I've been waiting for you," a woman told them when she walked out of the door.
Amie looked at Adair with a questioning look on her face.
"My name is Elan and I'm related to Adair," she told Amie when she walked up to her.
"How?" Adair asked with a raised eyebrow after they dismounted their horses.
The stable hands took their horses away.
"You're find out in a few minutes," she answered smiling at him. "Come inside."
They followed Elan inside and a servant took their cloaks, hats and gloves.
"This is Mir and his brother Caldor," Elan said when they entered a grand room.
Mir and Caldor stood up and everyone introduced themselves. A servant brought in tea and scones.
"How are we related?" Adair asked Elan after taking a sip of his tea.
"Our ancestors Adair and Ana had two remaining children after the war with the ones that came from across the sea – a son and a daughter. Their daughter married and stayed her with her family and their great, great grandson traveled East with his Lord and took the sword you now wield and your inheritance with him. I'm a descendant of their daughter's line and you're a descendant of their son's line and we're cousins," she answered.
"I never knew any of this," he said, putting his tea cup on the table.
"Of course not, it was a long time ago and I've always been kept informed of Ana and Adair's line in the East," she replied with a warm smile.
At that moment Amie liked Elan very much.
"However, their great, great grandson didn't take all your inheritance Adair, but only part of it. It's been in my families keeping since their daughter died," she told him. "I'll show you what it is later."
"Thank you," Adair said, wondering what other surprises are in store for him.
"You're all had a long journey and one of my servants will show you to your rooms. Their clothes for you in your rooms and I'll have your clothes cleaned. There's also a hot bath waiting for all of you," she told them. "Dinner will be ready in a few hours."
They thanked her and one of her servants showed them to their rooms.
xxx
"You look beautiful Amie," Adair said standing up when she walked into the room dressed in a lovely white winter gown.
"Thank you sir," she replied beaming.
Elan didn't miss the look in Adair's eyes.
A servant walked into the room and told Elan dinner was ready.
xxx
A hot soup was served with dinner, along with tender meat, vegetables, potatoes, bread and a warm delicious pudding was dessert – and everyone ate heartily. Wine was served during the meal.
"Where are you from Amie?" Mir asked during dessert.
"Dol Armoth, which is part of South Gondor," she answered.
"Are you part of the Nobility Amie?" Khan asked.
She laughed and told him no. "A few nights before I left home by brother tried to marry me off to one of the Gondorian Nobles," she told them.
"Why didn't you accept his offer?" Adair asked looking Amie in the eyes.
"Lord Galir and I both knew he only wanted to marry me for my dowry," Amie answered putting her spoon on the table.
"He needed Amie's dowry to pay off his debts and in return she would've gotten a title," Elan told them.
"My brother is obsessed with being part of the Gondorian Nobility," Amie said.
"What does your family do Amie?" Mir asked.
"They're merchants and always have been," she answered.
"You're a rich merchant's daughter and you know a lot about trade," Caldor said.
"Yes, and I learned at my father's knee," she replied smiling at him.
Elan smiled at the young woman.
xxx
After dinner and while they were having tea in the grand room, Adair and the others told Elan, Mir and Caldor the route they took North and the name of the people who came from across the sea.
"Everything the Númenóreans built now lies in ruins," Elan said thinking about the prophesy Ana spoke all those years ago.
"What happened to the Númenóreans?" Mir asked.
"They're dead, but their line continues in the Nobility, but not all the Nobility of Middle-Earth," Amie answered.
"Are your family descendants of the Númenóreans?" Adair asked.
"No," she answered. "My ancestors were fisherman and living in Dol Armoth long before the Númenóreans came. The Númenóreans never married outside of their race and had only one of two children – that's one reasons they dwindle as a people. The majority of the Númenóreans died because a plague swept over their lands and the remaining Númenóreans scattered and were never seen or heard from again."
"That plague wiped them out," Caldor said.
"For the most part," Amie replied.
"The Númenóreans laid waste to everything South of Lond Daer," Adair told them.
"They were hungry for wood and chopped down every tree to build their mighty ships," Amie said.
"Tell us about Lond Daer Amie," Caldor said.
"The Númenóreans built Lond Daer..."
xxx
"I know you're tired, but I wanted to show you another part of your inheritance before you went to bed," Elan told Adair after everyone went to bed.
Adair followed her to a locked room and when she opened it they stepped into a large bedroom. He saw Elan take two large chests from under the bed and open them. "More gems," he said laughing looking at the overflowing chests.
"Adair's and Ana's children had four chests each and two were taken East and two were kept here," she told him.
"Why?" he asked sitting on the bed.
"She wanted to make sure our King had two chests," she answered.
"My mother has one at home," he told her.
"One was used then?" she asked.
"Yes," he answered. "I told Amie I'll take her shopping for warm clothes."
"She's going to need those in the East," Elan said smiling.
"What do you think of her?" he asked.
"I like her," Elan answered.
"So do I," Adair said with a grin.
xxx
After breakfast the next morning Adair and one of Elan's maids took Amie shopping for warm clothes. Adair and his friends also bought new clothes, with Adair's money.
When they returned to Elan's home they put their new clothes in their rooms and had lunch with Elan, Mir and Caldor. After lunch Adair's friends when out and Amie showed Mir and Caldor the map she brought with her. Caldor asked her more questions about Lond Daer and the surrounding area.
"How old is Amie?" Elan asked Adair while the others were studying the map on a table at the other end of room.
"She's 18 and she'll be 19 winters (January 9th) next month," he answered.
"How old are you?" she asked.
"I'm 21 springs and I'll be 22 years this coming spring (April 4th)," he answered.
"Does she know anything?" Elan asked.
"No," he answered.
"Keep it that way," she told him. "I've sending some men with you when you and the others return East to bring your mother back here with your inheritance. There's much I have to discuss with her and there's much she has to do."
"Such as?" Adair asked with a raised eyebrow.
"You're find out when it time," she answered smiling at Adair.
Adair nodded his head.
"I heard you're going to one of the local restaurants this evening," Elan said after taking a sip of her tea.
"I want to show Amie what it's like where we live," he replied.
"That's a good idea, she needs to learn our ways," Elan said. "What's your favorite animal?
"Wolves," he answered.
"What color are they in the East?" she asked.
"Grey and white," he answered.
Elan nodded her head.
xxx
Adair smiled at Amie while they walked to the restaurant. She peered into every shop window they passed. When they entered the restaurant they were shown to an empty table and took off their cloaks. Amie ordered a glass of wine and the others ordered ale and they ordered dinner. She looked around the restaurant and saw everyone enjoying themselves and the place was loud. When their food arrived Amie was surprised at the amount of food on their plates.
"Is there something wrong with your food Amie?" Vlad asked looking at her staring at her plate.
"I've never seen so such much food on one plate before," she answered laughing.
Anton took her plate and put half her food on his and returned it to her.
Everyone laughed, including Amie.
During the week Amie peered into more shop windows and went to lunch and dinner with Adair and his friends at the local restaurants. A few times she and Adair went out alone and had quiet talks while his friends were out and about doing other things.
xxx
"Thank you for everything Elan," they said to her after breakfast a week later.
"You're welcome and I'll see you all again," she replied smiling at them.
Adair and Amie gave Elan a hug.
"That's not my horse," Amie said looking at Adair when she saw another horse next to his.
"Your horse is not bred for this cold – that's why it took us longer to get here. This horse is bred for the cold," he told her.
"She was having a hard time," Amie said.
"Yes she was," he replied. "Your horse will stay in Elan's stables."
"Who're the other men?" she asked while Adair was helping her on her new horse.
"They're coming with us to bring my mother back to Elan," he answered.
Amie nodded her head.
"Let's ride," Adair said in a authoritative voice.
Elan watched as they rode off the grounds of her estate.