So, greetings everyone, this just a prologue of something that came to me as an idea some time ago and yes, it's a crossover of Lord of the Rings and A song of Ice and Fire, something which I was hesitant to write but, in the end, I decided to at least try it. I just don't know to which time period and how Númenóreans should appear in the world of Ice and Fire. Now, I am considering three time periods: Shortly before the War of the Conquest, Conquest of Dorne or at the start of the century of blood, which is right after the doom of Valyria (the most interesting in my opinion). With that being said this is just the first chapter to establish characters and test the waters so to speak and to see if there is any interest in this fic.
I will be using Adûnaic, Sindarin or Quenya names for named Númenórean characters and when it comes to language in which characters will be speaking, I will not highlight any differences during dialogs. Let's just say Númenóreans will be speaking Adûnaic, Sindarin or in fewer cases Quenya to each other and with common to non-Númenoreans. Also let's just presume the Westron (common language of Middle-Earth) and common language used in the Song of Ice and Fire are similar and characters of both worlds will understand each other. Yes, I could write some plot where some maesters would come and translate both languages to each side, but hey, it's a crossover and as such, the problems with the rules of both worlds are bound to come with it. Anyway, I think I rumbled enough, let's get to it.
Disclaimer: This is a fanfiction using characters and fictional world from George R. R. Martin's World of Ice books. And characters and fictional worlds from the world of The Lord of The Rings and Silmarillion which is the property of J. R. R. Tolkien and his estate. I do not claim any ownership over anything belonging to George R. R. Martin or J. R. R. Tolkien. This fanfiction story is for entertainment only and I will make no money from it. It is not a part of the official story line.
Chapter 1: Manwë's Warnings
Armenelos the city of Kings, S.A. 3317
It was another stormy night in Númenor. The storms started to be a common occurrence eight years ago. Even though nobody at the royal court dared to say it aloud to Ar-Pharazôn or his foul advisor Sauron, those storms seemed to be not natural and served as an ominous warning to all Númenóreans, especially when storm clouds took the shapes of eagles.
Queen Míriel found it difficult to sleep tonight either way. Even after she started to sleep separately from her husband Ar- Pharazôn. Who she disdained.
She was forced to a marriage with her cousin against her will and only to give Pharazôn the right and opportunity to usurp her throne.
But despite the mutual distaste and even hatred and dislike which Míriel felt for her husband, there was one good thing which came from their union, her son prince Thalion. The heir to the throne of Númenór and the Lord of Eldalondë.
By now her son already proved himself to the whole of Númenor as a just governor of his land and fine military leader during his military campaigns in the lands of Middle-Earth. But despite his accomplishments which even his father clearly liked, Ar- Pharazôn wasn't very fond of Thalion's other qualities, mostly the fact that Thalion counted himself among the faithful Númenóreans and because of that he was a constant thorn in the side of his father.
There was an unwritten agreement between Thalion and his father. Prince would serve diligently and loyally to his father and he in exchange would overlook his sons beliefs and opinions which were aligned with the Faithful Númenóreans and as such in direct conflict with the King's Men beliefs. For now, there was no significant conflict between them, however no one could predict for how long it would last, especially given the fact that the prince wasn't afraid to voice his opinions to his father openly when others wouldn't dare to do so. In short, it wouldn't be too much of an exaggeration to say the prince Thalion walked on very thin ice when it came to the relationship with his father Ar- Pharazôn.
Míriel was now standing at the window and watching the storm while her thoughts were heading towards her son who she last saw two years ago when he embarked to the Númenórean vassal, the colony of Bellakar, on the military campaign to quell the revolt of local rebellious lords discontented with the current state of rule in the Númenórean colony. Unfortunately the campaign was prolonged when the word reached crown prince about the vast army of Haradrim tribes coalition which started the invasion of the lands of Umbar as a reaction to their subjugation reprisal by Númenóreans in hopes of driving Númenóreans back to the sea. So, Prince Thalion set out with his army north to assist the Lord of Umbar, just after he dealt with the last army of Bellakar rebel lords.
That was at least the last information Míriel heard about her son and now she just prayed to all the Valar that he would succeed and no evil or foe would befall him. As it was her hope that one day he would continue the work of her late father Tar-Palantir who started the turning of Númenor back to Valar. The effort which now seemed fruitless given the current state of affairs in the island kingdom.
Though she wasn't awake in the middle of the night, just to think about her son. As the one she was waiting for just arrived. "My queen, I am here at your request though I wonder why we must meet at this hour."
"Lord Elendil." Míriel nodded to her cousin, the acting Lord of Andúnië, ever since his father Amandil sailed west a year ago, and one of the most prominent leaders of the faithful Númenóreans. "Thank you for coming here to meet me, unfortunately I have bad news for you."
Elendil frowned. "Bad news? And here I thought there couldn't be any more bad news. Alright, I am listening."
Míriel leaned closer as she was wary of someone who might be listening and began to speak with a quiet voice. "Pharazôn wants to hasten the preparation of an attack on Valinor. He wants everything to be ready in a year or two and then commence his assault."
Elendil gripped the handle of his sword Narsil upon hearing the queen's words. "So he made his decision then. I sincerely hoped he would never get the courage to do so."
"I am afraid that his fear of death and persuasion of Sauron have a greater effect on my husband than fear of Valar. He is getting desperate."
"I have been preparing for such an eventuality. If Pharazôn is going to go through with his plans I will take my people and other faithful Númenóreans to Middle Earth. I should have done that years ago, right after he ordered Nimloth to be felled." Elendil said it with regret and anger clearly noticeable in his voice."
"Yes, that was indeed a tragic event. But do you really want to just leave our kingdom?"
"And what choice do I have? I can't challenge Ar-Pharazôn. King's men outnumber the Faithful too much for me to do that and be successful. So as much as I would like to stop the madness of Melkor worship, human sacrifices and King's men ideals. It's impossible to do so, my Queen."
Míriel knew the truth of Elendil's words but she wasn't about to just accept it. "There must be a way to stop this corruption, if Pharazôn attacks the Valinor….. Surely there will be a retaliation."
Elendil let out a deep breath. "Yes, but as I said I can't change anything, unless…" Tall lord paused and looked from the large window next to them.
"Unless what, Elendil?" Míriel asked with both urgency and curiosity at the same time.
"We convince prince Thalion to join us, with the forces under his command we could have a fighting chance against Ar-Pharazôn and the King's men."
Míriel already considered this option, yet she dismissed it. "My son doesn't want a civil war. As you may suspect he was in a position when he could challenge his father several times before but he is hesitant to unleash a costly war on Númenór. I discussed this topic with him before, he doesn't want to risk the lives of our people in such a war and he doesn't want to be known as an usurper or worse a king slayer." Míriel paused for a moment to let Elendil talk, when he didn't she continued. "We both know that Thalion is no supporter of the King's men beliefs but he is really hesitant to go against his father by means of open war."
"Well, that was maybe his stance before, when no one was certain whether Ar-Pharazôn will really go against the ban of the Valar or even go to war with them, but now it's clear that if we do not stop Ar-Pharazôn, many more Númenórean lives will be lost than in possible civil war. Our entire race will be in mortal danger if the king provokes the wrath of Valinor. For all we know, Eru himself might get involved and destroy our whole Island kingdom." Elendil walked closer to the queen. "For this reason, I think your son may finally be spurred into openly acting against Ar-Pharazôn and with his army we can have a fighting chance."
"Alright I will send him a letter about what is happening here and hopefully when he returns, he will seek you out. Well, I think it's time for me to return to the palace, before anyone will miss me. I will stay in touch, Lord Elendil."
He bowed. "Farewell my queen and be careful." Elendil turned around and left Tar-Míriel alone, who again beholden one of the storm clouds in the shape of the herald of lord of Valar.
She thought to herself. "Manwë has been sending us his warnings for the last few years, yet Pharazôn is blind to it. Why are all of the King's men so arrogant?"
XXX
Seven days later, east of Umbar, S.A. 3317
The high chieftain Turath, the leader of a coalition of Haradrim tribes was getting tired, he felt pain in his left shoulder where the arrow fired from Númenórean steel-bow hit him and penetrated his chainmail. His legs and hands were getting numb and around him all of his elite Harad guards lay dead. The only men standing in his presence were Númenórean royal knights who formed the circle around him and the one with whom he was in fierce duel.
His opponent wore mithril royal armour of Númenór laid with gold and silver and with a sigil of Númenór engraved on his chest piece, the white three with the seven stars above. In his hand was a sword made out of Númenórean steel which, thanks to its quality, made a mark on Turath several times. Haradrim Chieftain felt his blood pouring out of him in several places and with it his strength to fight.
The Númenórean warrior noticed it and even though face was hidden beneath his winged helmet, the voice in which he spoke was booming and clear. "It's over chieftain Turath, your army is about to be destroyed and you are getting closer to the bring of death with each moment, I will give you one last chance to surrender, take it or you will die here!"
Turath knew it to be true, however he refused to be captured and brought in chains to Númenór, so he made his choice quickly and gripped his scimitar in preparation for one last attack. "I will never yield to you Númenórean dog! I would rather die than to be remembered as a weak man who got himself captured, no, I will be remembered as the man who challenged the arrogant and proud Númenóreans!"
There was a brief pause before Prince Thalion answered. "No, you will be remembered as a fool who lead his army of similar fools to attack Kingdom of Númenór, burned villages and slaughtered the people under its protection, but in the end was responsible for the fact that his own people then crawled back to the damned desert from where they came after Númenór retaliated and slaughtered his army."
Before Turath could say anything the Prince Thalion launched forward and the last thing the Haradrim chieftain saw was the blade moving towards his neck.
Thalion picked up the head and tossed it to the nearest Númenór soldier. "Here, put it on the spear and parade it in front of what's left of their army, it should cause a rout. When it does, hunt them down, all of them. Let this day be a warning to all Haradrim people of what happens when they attack and challenge the might of Númenór."
"Yes,my Prince" Knight left and cheer followed. And indeed as soon as their chieftain's head was visible, the remaining soldiers of Harad turned tails and ran. Unfortunately for them, it was not too far.
XXX
Three days later, the Haven of Umbar, S.A. 3317
"To victory! To Umbar! To Númenór! To Prince Thalion and Ar-Pharazôn!" The sound of the feast was all over the great hall of Umbar Citadel. Feast was being held by the Lord Arnuzîr of Umbar to celebrate the victory over the tribes of Harad. Thalion only reluctantly attended it. He didn't like Umbar as it was the city purely dominated by the King's men, whose ideals and beliefs, as he already suspected, was one of the main catalysts for the Harad attack in the first place.
Now, he was sitting at the place of honour next to the Lord Arnuzîr. It was a rather unpleasant experience. "I must say, Prince Thalion, that I am very grateful for your aid against those desert barbarians, I didn't expect them to attack Umbar, so it took me some time to react to it."
"Obviously." Thalion said with a slightly mocking tone which would seem to escape the attention of the Lord Arnuzîr. "Yet I must point out that you should have expected it."
The Lord of Umbar just shrugged. "There was no reason for it, in all honesty I would never have imagined that they even would be able to do something like that invasion. How could I expect it?"
"Well, given the fact you oppress and enslave their people, you should expect a reaction, but well I probably shouldn't be surprised by your ignorance."
The mood at the table suddenly became cold and Lord Abrazân features hardened. "I don't like your tone, Prince Thalion. And you sound like you care about what the lesser men think of us."
"You must care what other men, no matter how lesser they are, think of you. Especially when they are inhabitants of neighbouring land and even more so if they can field a much more numerous army than yours especially when they can put something like Mûmakil in the field to against you, Lord Arnuzîr." Lord of Umbar was left speechless before Thalion continued. "Númenóreans used to be teachers and friends to Haradrim and as a result they swore allegiance and paid Umbar homage willingly, however once they started to be enslaved and oppressed, they decided to resist and started this recent war, which is something you should have foreseen. Don't you think so?"
"Hmm, maybe there is some wisdom in what you just said, my prince. Yet I must remind you that I always acted by the policy of Númenór, by the laws of your father. So, I did nothing wrong." The Lord of Umbar spoke, like it was a challenge.
Thalion remained unphased, however. "True, I can't say you acted against the laws of Númenór, though my father won't be a king forever and policies and laws can be changed, when his successor, me in this case, sits the throne." With the corner of his eye Thalion spotted his friend a second in command Minlubên arriving in the room and waving at him. "With that being said, you should think about how to stop and prevent any future Haradrim incursions, even if it means to take your army and march into their homeland to pacify them personally. After all, you are the ruler of Umbar and protection of its people is your responsibility and if the Royal army must assist you in these matters, why would the House of Elros need you? Now if you excuse me, someone else wants to speak to me."
Thalion left the table with speechless Lord Arnuzîr behind and approached his bowing friend. "Minlubên, what is it?"
"I am sorry to disturb your conversation with the Lord of Umbar but a ship with the messenger aboard just arrived, he has brought a letter from Númenór."
"I see, well, you don't need to be sorry, if you didn't come here, I would be forced to find another reason to leave that table. Anyway, where is that letter?"
"The messenger insisted on giving it to your hands only, he is waiting on your flagship."
Thalion frowned but then he shrugged. "Well, that is even better, let's go before someone notices us leaving."
XXX
They were in the cabin of Thalion's personal flagship named Azrugimil. The messenger seemed to be uneasy at first but now when he was in the presence of the crown prince he was more confident and calm. "My prince, I was instructed by her majesty Ar-Zimraphel to give you this letter and no one else. I am also afraid I broke my vow to her because I swore, I will not talk to the living soul about it but I had to speak to your right-hand man, Lord Minlubên about it as I needed his help to find you. I will accept any punishment for it, my prince." He handed Thalion a letter bearing the seal of the white tree of Númenór.
While taking the letter, Thalion couldn't help himself but to admire the loyalty and devotion of this man towards his mother. "Don't worry about it, as you pointed out, Minlubên here is my right-hand man and as such, when you are talking to him, it's like you are talking to me. Now let me read what my mother wants and why she is so secretive about it."
Thalion,
I hope this letter will find you in good circumstances and health. Here in Armenelos things are not so well. Your father made a final and possibly fatal decision to make his attack on Valinor. I don't need to tell you what that would mean or what possible consequences may follow.
I already informed Lord Elendil, who expressed his willingness and desire to stop your father by force, but he is convinced that such a thing would be only possible with help of you and your army. I know you didn't want the civil war but I am afraid we do not have any other option on how to remove your father with his foul servant and to set things right in Númenór.
I urge you, my son, return here as soon as you are able, afterwards we can discuss this matter further. I know fighting your father is not an easy choice for you but that choice will decide the fate of our people and kingdom.
May the blessing of Valar be with you
Your mother.
Thalion put the letter on the table and was silent for a long moment. "Minlubên."
"Yes, my prince?"
"Summon all of my captains here in the morning, I need to speak with them before we sail back to Númenór tomorrow. For today we leave men to celebrate. You." He spoke to the messenger. "Will sail on my ship with us." The messenger just nodded with no need for arguing. "Good, now leave me." Both men bowed and left the cabin.
Thalion sat alone for a while, considering his options. He served his father and Númenór on the battlefield and as Lord of Eldalondë for twenty-seven years, since he was twenty years of age, and during all that time he never opposed his father by the means of war. Honour and duty to him and his people were always at the first place. Now he knew the very people he fought for in his campaigns are in danger thanks to his father's poor judgement. In the end the prince of Númenór rose from his chair and went to the exit from his cabin.
Thalion walked under the night sky on the board of his flagship. Sky was clear and the stars visible, his gaze stopped at the Star of Eärendil. After gazing into its pure light, he knew what his choice would be.
XXX
Translation and meaning of the Names:
Arnuzîr: King-friend, Royalist (Adûnaic)
Azrugimil: Sea-star (Adûnaic)
Elendil: Elf-friend, Star-lover (Quenya)
Nimloth: White Blossom (Sindarin)
Minlubên: Heaven-servant, Astronomer (Adûnaic)
Míriel: High-Jewel-daughter (Quenya), Zimraphel (Adûnaic)
Pharazôn: Golden (Adûnaic)
Thalion: Steady, Firm One, Hero (Sindarin)
So, there we have it, as I said, just a chapter serving as an introduction to some of the characters. The other characters like Isildur and his brother Anárion will be introduced in the next chapter when Thalion returns to Númenór. The lore surrounding the Númenór and later realms in exile and its descendants is my favourite part of Tolkien's legendarium so it's really fun to write about Númenóreans. If there is interest in this fanfic, I am going to write this as a secondary project.