Hello everyone, sorry for the late post, but I went back to work last week and this has been my first day off since then, I hope you all enjoy this chapter, hopefully I'll have the next one out next week on Tuesday.
Disclaimer: I don't own The Lord Of The Rings, if I did I'd be a lot richer and that new series wouldn't have been made, these fantastic stories and worlds are owned by the Tolkien estate and New Line Cinema respectively.
Review responses:
Ominous Olethros: you pretty much hit the nail on the head in regards to his lifespan, I wanted to give him enough time to actually change some things before the war of the ring, and no have him be an old withered man by that point. As for the quest for Erebor and the Fellowship of the Ring? You'll just have to wait and see! :)
Guest: Thanks! And he just might have too!
Ghost14lebi: thanks! I thought making him Numenorean might mix things up a bit, in regards to him deflecting arrows I'd actually have to disagree, your average arrow moves between 150-200mph nowadays, back then they didn't have fibreglass and such so arrows were slower, also those arrows were loosed by goblins who're both not the strongest archer's not are their bow's made of the finest materials, hence I guestimated the arrows would be traveling at about 80mph, your average sword swing travels at around 45-55mph so I figured with his enhanced speed and strength he's going to be easily able to block them, sorry for the essay!
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Chapter Five: The forges fires are lit.
"You have interfered in the affairs of the children, we all agreed to no longer do so, and yet you have, I would ask why?" A thunderous voice boomed, ringing with power, though not lacking compassion.
"You agreed, I did not. I will not leave them to suffer this doom unaided." A voice ringing with equal power answered, it was the breaking of waves upon a cliff during a storm.
"We do not leave them unaided, the Maiar are there to guide them!" The first voice replied, a few of the twelve others surrounding the single figure in the centre nodding along with their leaders words.
"Five who a weakened against the greatest of their kind? Who has spent millennia building up his forces and fracturing the once-great strength of the first and second-born children? Nay that will not be enough." The second voice stated coldly, his voice echoing like the deep.
"And yet a single Mortal will be able to change so much more than five immortals?" The first voice now almost sounded….amused.
"He has a mind of machines and metal." Another voice spoke up thoughtfully, his tone bringing to mind the smashing of hammers in a forge.
"There is a lingering malice to him, a darkness not found commonly in men…what madness possessed you in bringing him into this time?" A soft voice spoke out, full of sorrow and heartbreak.
"I chose him, for though he feels those darker urges, his pride will never allow him to act on them." The second voice spoke.
"What of his derision of the woods, he gives no particular care to the rape of the world that his various machines will require…he and Mairon are alike in that." Another voice spoke, sounding almost like the rushing of wind in trees
"They are not!" The second voice boomed. "He might not have any special love for trees and beasts, but he understands more than most how all things should be in balance!"
Before an argument could truly erupt the first voice interceded. "We shall see, I just hope you were correct in your choice, for if you are not, then all might come to rue it…Ulmo." It stated commandingly.
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As we slowly made our way into Bree I couldn't help but be surprised at how poor its defences were. 'A couple of gates and a hedge? That wouldn't hold out the raiding party we dealt with!' I thought to myself scornfully, though some part of my dissatisfaction must have shown on my face as Gandalf asked.
"You do not approve?" His tone was curious though I could see that there was something else beyond that.
"The defences of this town are atrocious, they don't even have a simple palisade, I could more than likely take it with twenty good men." I stated with a deep frown before then continuing. "And that's only if I want to take it, I could raze it to the ground just by setting the hedge on fire!"
Before Gandalf had a chance to respond Eretor piped up. "That is assuming that you could get such a force past the Rangers, my people have guarded these lands for centuries." His tone was conversational, it seemed he enjoyed such topics more than agriculture or questions about my society.
"Indeed, but you are few in number, there will be a hole in the net of your patrols somewhere, more to the point you don't travel in large enough groups to really stop a concerted effort." I stated confidently.
The Ranger paused for a long moment before nodding his agreement. "You are right, it's getting more and more difficult to keep out all the filth of the world…as Gleodan's caravan discovered, much to my shame." He agreed with his head bowed.
Patting him on the shoulder I sighed and stated. "You can't do more than you are, your people don't have the numbers, hence my point about a simple palisade." Thinking for a moment before asking. What are the numbers of the town's guards?" My tone curious, Gandalf having gone silent as we spoke.
"They have a gatekeeper for each gate, a small constabulary and a sheriff." Eretor stated, his eyebrow raised at my look of utter shock.
"That's it?" I asked in stunned surprise. "We fought a goblin raiding force one-hundred strong at the Greyflood and all they have to defend themselves are a few guards and a sheriff?" My tone by this point was verging on horror, silently begging him to tell me that they weren't that stupid and that he was just joking.
Shaking his head he then nodded. "Indeed my chief has tried to warn them many times that they needed a concerted guard force, but every time they claim that they've never had any issues below some low-level crime and so don't see the reason." His tone was more than a little dismayed by the end.
"Fucking idiots…" I couldn't help but mutter, I'd meant to do so in English, but it seemed I'd accidentally said it in Westron, judging by both Eretor's and Gandalf's startled look. "My apologies, that must have sort of slipped out." I stated with a rather hot feeling neck.
"Indeed…" The old wizard agreed, giving me a disapproving frown. "In the future try to avoid such language in my presence if you please, it is beneath one of your blood…" He continued, making me feel rather like a child caught with my hand in the cookie jar, not helped by the way Eretor was obviously trying to hold in his chuckles at my expense.
"Yes, we'll you've made your point." I conceded with as much grace as I could, before then continuing after a moment. "However I hope I made mine as well?"My tone was still polite, but there was a sharpness there as well.
"Indeed you have." Gandalf conceded
Whilst Eretor nodded and added. "I imagine that it's the effect of the Hobbits that keeps the people here so complacent, there is a colony of them in this village and…well the best way I can illustrate the attitude of the halflings is with a common Hobbit saying. "Keep your nose out of trouble and no trouble will come to you." Judging by the look on his face after he said it he found that expression as idiotic as I did.
"Honestly…with an attitude like that how have they survived this long?" I muttered semi-rhetorically, not really paying attention as I thought. 'First order of business, getting a decent palisade up around Bree and convincing them to have a town guard.' The question was how to get enough respect in the town that they'd listen to me.
"They are incredibly light on their feet, when they desire it Hobbits can pass unseen by most, even Elves have trouble doing so." Gandalf explained, sounding almost a little defensive over them.
"Do not misunderstand me Mithrandir, I do not speak out of malice, but more out of a desire to see them protected, this is a cruel world after all…" I stated softly, giving him a small genuine smile. "As I said I'd love to visit the shire."
"Indeed." Gandalf answered thoughtfully, his thick brows drawn together.
"Thinking on it…I need a job." I stated after a moment, acting as though it'd just come to me when in truth I'd been thinking about it for most of the day. "Do either of you know if they have a smithy in Bree?" I asked curiously.
Eretor replied after a moment, clearly surprised. "You know how to work a forge?" Gandalf also seemed to be in a similar stunned state.
"Not quite, I know the theory behind a lot of blacksmithing techniques, but I've never had the chance to put it into practice." I explained easily, though most of the techniques involved armour and weapon forging, though I knew of a fair few other things as well.
"Well, you'll probably need to be taken onto an apprenticeship then." Gandalf stated with Eretor nodding in agreement.
"Aye, most likely." I agreed thoughtfully, though what I really needed was a forge of my own, I didn't want the smith I was working for to take the credit for my achievements…especially with how advanced they'd be compared to the standard equipment I'd seen these people use.
"I really also need to learn to ride a horse."I continued after a moment, I knew how to ride a motorbike, but that wasn't all that relevant or useful in this situation.
"You don't know how to ride a horse?!" Came the shocked reply, amusingly in stereo from both Gandalf and Eretor.
"I don't, it's not all that common a skill in my land." I stated continuing to pretend that I came from a different country than time, just in case any curious ears were listening, it didn't make sense to advertise it after all.
Shaking his head Eretor stated after a moment. "Indeed, your land sounds a strange one."
Nodding his head in agreement Gandalf added after a moment. "You will most likely find someone willing and able to teach you in the village."
"Aye, no doubt I will." I agreed, though I'd just come to the rather horrible realisation that I had no money, and more to the point nothing I'd be willing to part with, while I did have my wallet it didn't have any physical cash in it, just cards, the only thing of value I had was a pewter pendant in the shape of Thor's hammer Mjolnir, and my sword.
"Mithrandir, Eretor do either of you know where the smithy is? I'll need to secure that apprenticeship as soon as possible, I don't have any money to live on." I asked with no small amount of urgency.
"Indeed I do, but there is no need to hurry, I'm sure Gleodan wouldn't mind giving you somewhere to stay until he leaves." The old wizard stated with a slightly confused air.
My pride prickled at the mere thought as I replied shortly but firmly. "I will not live on charity any longer than I must!"
"Do not be so quick to disregard the kindness of others, it is a rare thing indeed." The old wizard cautioned, Eretor nodding in agreement.
I said nothing in response, though if I was honest with myself I knew he was right.
"Though either way I must get that apprenticeship, I need to secure a solid income." I stated after another few moments of silence.
"Why not leave with Gleodan? He could always do with another guard for his caravan especially one with your skills and abilities…his daughter is clearly going to be quite the beauty and is obviously rather fond of you." Gandalf asked, his tone curious as he looked at me, more than likely expecting a blush at the thought of a girl being interested in me.
"Firstly she's far too young for me, I'm not a degenerate!" I stated my face twisted in disgust at the mere thought of being with a fourteen-year-old, continuing before he could open his mouth to reply I added in a far more grim tone. "Secondly…if you're right Gandalf and I am a pureblooded Numenorean, even just a peasant, my lifespan is three centuries…even if she's incredibly long-lived, hers will be around eighty years…" I didn't need to state it but such a thing would be difficult at best. "Finally, with all I know and all I now am…I will not settle for the life of a mere caravan guard." I stated pridefully, my brow furrowed in annoyance at the mere thought.
"Rather you'll be just a "mere" blacksmith?" Eretor challenged sharply, clearly not impressed by my prior statement.
Rolling my eyes I shot him a smirk and answered simply. "It's a stepping stone."
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"His arrogance is infuriating." Eretor stated with a deep frown as he watched the lad walk to the smithy after Gandalf had directed him to it.
"I believe he will grow out of it ." The ancient wizard stated thoughtfully, his brows drawn together as they watched him walk away.
"That or he will get himself killed when he decides that he can." Here he put on his best imitation of the boys deep and almost kingly baritone. "Of course take on that entire Goblin nest on my own, I'm so superior and excellent and don't need any help!" He finished mockingly.
Though obviously repressing his own chuckles Gandalf did his best to frown disapprovingly and lightly scold him. "Now Eretor that is beneath you." Though he both didn't really put any heat behind it and didn't actually say he disagreed.
"You're right Mithrandir." Eretor agreed with a sigh, shaking his head. "But I'll say my point still stands, he's a good fighter yes, in a few years he will no doubt be a great one, but as he is now? He'll find something either stronger or faster than he is and he won't stand a chance." He finished with a distant stare, he'd seen it before.
"I think I might have a way around that fate…" Gandalf stated thoughtfully, seeing Eretor's curious expression he continued. "I will need to speak with Lord Elrond and ask if he will allow the boy to come and stay in Imladris…how well do you suppose he will fare against Lord Glorfindel?" He finished with a small amused smile and twinkling eyes.
Eretor couldn't help his rare, full-faced grin at the mere thought.
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It had been two weeks since I'd arrived at Bree, in that time I'd become the apprentice of the local Smith, a man by the name of Harold, a kind enough man, though I felt that he found some of my questions irritating, especially the ones he couldn't answer, still as I learnt the techniques required to make horseshoes and other such everyday items like nails, I was swiftly beginning to understand how to make far more…impressive things, beyond the theory that is.
On the other hand, I appeared to be something of a source of curiosity and gossip to the villagers, oh they were all very polite, but they kept asking some very difficult to answer questions about my homeland and people.
Kindly Gandalf had been teaching me to write, something that was relatively easy to learn thanks to my grasp of the language, still, I apparently wrote as though I was drunk, I guessed some things didn't change.
Eretor had returned to his patrol after a few days, he'd told me that he'd be back in a few months, it still stunned me how long it took people to travel in the medieval period…or at least at an eleventh-century technology level.
That was something I was struggling to pin down, in some areas these people were barely medieval, in others they were using weapons and techniques from the high-medieval period, at least from what is observed the Dunedain were…
Gleodan was leaving today, on June the fourth, his wares all sold and his wagons full of new ones to sell in Rohan, he'd told me that he didn't plan on coming this way again a few nights past, it wasn't worth the risk of facing another roving pack of goblins from the Misty Mountains, I'd agreed with him, though in secret I'd forged him a small gift in thanks for his kindness.
I'd asked Harold for the morning off so that I could give it to himand he'd agreed readily.
Seeing the man mount upon his horse I called out cheerfully. "Gleodan!"
The man's head snapped to look at me in confusion for a moment before he smiled and called back whilst trotting over to me. "Marcus! And here I thought you weren't coming to see us off!" He teased with a small smile.
"Hah, like I wouldn't say goodbye to my first friends in this land!" I replied, grinning up at him. "I have a gift for you, just a little something I cobbled together." I told him with a smile.
"Marcus there is no need for a gift, you came to our aid, it was only right that we aid you in return." He stated, waving his hand to try and ward off any presents, clearly a little embarrassed.
"Well I've already made it so it's too late for you to refuse it!" I told him with a small, proud smirk, before holding up a padded Orle and explaining how it went around his head, how it'd normally go over his maile coif and how it'd stabilise my true gift for him.
Dismounting his horse he stood there as I handed him said gift and told him with a proud smile. "This is called a Great-helm, it should offer far superior protection to your simple Nasal-helm." To be precise it was what would be called a sugar-loaf Great-helm, its slanted top allowing it a far increased ability to deflect attacks from swords and compared to a regular Great-helm, it was one of my absolute favourite designs from an aesthetic point of view and was just a generally brilliant design, it's lineage after all had been in service for over two centuries in various forms.
"It's magnificent…" Gleodan breathed as he held up the scowling helmet, the small horse-head crest I'd had added to the top bringing a delighted smile to his face, before at my urging he turned it around and placed it upon his head.
"My vision is limited, but I could take a sword stroke to the face and be utterly un-injured!" He exclaimed in delight, looking about to test if it interfered with the movement of his head.
"Do you still not want the gift?" I asked with another teasing grin, my eyes full of mirth as he almost snatched the helm away, clearly recognising just how valuable and useful such a helm was, though after a moment he seemed to realise what he was doing as he coughed and answered.
"I do! I thank you for this great gift Marcus of York and name you friend of me and mine, if there is anything we can ever do for you please just ask." He stated formally, bowing his head to me in gratitude and respect.
Returning the small bow I answered. "You are very welcome my friend, now be off with you, you've told me enough of your lovely wife that I'm sure you are anxious to see her again!" I said with a laugh, one he returned as he rode off, the children waving at me from one of the carts.
As I returned the wave I had to do my best not to smirk, for though I'd made the helm as a gift of thanks, I'd also done so as to begin to build what I hoped would one day be a very strong alliance with Rohan…after all, with my life span and plans, it would pay to have allies.
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"So where are you off to Gandalf?" I asked curiously as the old wizard packed his saddlebags and prepared to leave the village.
"To speak with lord Elrond and maybe even the head of my order Saruman, there are many changes your arrival has wrought, I will need to speak with those more wise and learned than I." He stated humbly, giving me a small smile before continuing in a far more concerned tone. "I fear that our visitor from the other night might have drawn the attention of far darker and more dangerous things than my fellow wizards."
"Well I wish you well Mithrandir, be careful on the road." I stated with a small smile, though internally I couldn't help but worry I could think of a few beings that I really didn't want knowing of my existence, including one that currently lived in the Misty Mountains.
Nodding to me the wizard answered. "And you as well, hopefully our next meeting shan't be too far off." Before then riding out of the stables, then the town.
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That night I sat on my bed, staring at a sketch I'd made, my mind in conflict, on one hand the design on that piece of parchment would give me a massive advantage over the enemy I knew was building to the south, it would give the common man the ability to lay low even the greatest of the enemies champions bar the Nine…
On the other hand Sauron was known for his ability to work machines and build things, how long before he captured such devices and reverse-engineered them? These weapons would fell even the mightiest of elf lords in a single hit.
I would think on it for several more hours, idly designing and drawing various other things, mostly various stages of plate armour and its many forms, my mind still mostly on the issue of that simple design, before finally, I made up my mind and threw the design onto the fire, turning to go back to my other works, as the sketch for a simple, smoothbore flintlock musket burnt.
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Righto that's chapter five done, as ever please feel free to review and leave constructive criticism.