Blood of Númenor

by Isildur123

Shadow is upon Númenor. Though some of its people turned from the Valar a long time ago, in the moment the Ar-Pharazôn captured Sauron and made him an advisor, the fate of the island was sealed. However, the son of Ar-Pharazôn and Tar-Míriel, tries to save Númenor and its people. Yet in the end Prince Thalion leads the Númenóreans loyal to him, to start anew, in a different world.

4. Chapter 4

Greetings everyone, I hope you are all enjoying Christmas and new year time. So, given the fact the person who usually helps me with correction is too busy and didn't get into the correcting this chapter for two weeks already and I wanted to update the Blood of Númenor to the end of the year, I told myself fuck it and just upload what I have, if should I received corrected version of this chapter in the future, I'll just replace it, anyway let's get to it, after all this is a longer chapter and we are starting with the flashback.

Chapter 4: The New World

Númenóreans, the men of the west. Nobody at the Citadel is really certain where these invaders came from. Only thing we know is what these Númenóreans claim, that they come from the Island of Númenor which is said to be located in a different world called Arda, but it was evacuated before its destruction or so they say.

One thing is clear as day, these people are not related to any other inhabitants of Westeros, whether first men or andals which is proved by the fact they have their own languages, four to be precise. Two commonly used, one ceremonial and one which is very similar to our own. Their faith is also very different from ours plus their knowledge in various fields like medicine, stone working, metallurgy, agriculture, education and warfare far exceed anything we have ever seen in Westeros. One could only compare their knowledge to now lost knowledge of Old Valyria.

What is the most particular, however, is the physiology of the Men of Númenor. It is said that at the first glance you notice that the average Númenorean is much taller and stronger than men of Westeros. After some confirming we also can say they possess very high resistance to illness and various diseases. Yet the most stunning trait is their unnaturally long life span which was considered nonsense at first but as the years went by it became clear it was not. Now we can say for certain that the Númenoreans can live around three hundred years. This number however is much higher when it comes to the Númenoreans who have some familial connection to the royal family of house Elrosionath and as such they can even live four hundred years. Not only that but every one of the Númenoreans enjoy good health and physique for the whole of their long lives.

Maester Galador in the book: Númenorean Invasion and Founding of the Kingdom of Arnor

Ten years ago, somewhere in the Lands of Tharbad.

"You should have given us your valuables while you could Elf scum!"

"Yea now we will kill you but as for those two women….. Well they will suffer for all of our warriors you slain here!"

Iûldir held firm, his blade still ready to kill all the wild men who now were preparing to attack again, two dozens of them laid dead already before him as he was protecting his wife and daughter, covering behind him and their cart. His elven vitality was providing him with the significant edge over the savages who attacked his family, however he began to realise it might not be enough to overcome all of them as their numbers seemed to be endless.

After he slew another ten savages, he finally made a fatal mistake and the long-spear pierced his side and the elven warrior falled to his knees in pain, spear however didn't went any further as the wielder, the bearded and strong wild men began to cough out the blood and fell to the ground. A black feathered arrow was sticking out his chest.

Iûldir blinked in recognition, though it was a long time he still remembered a Númenorean arrows from the time of War of the Elves and Sauron, when Númenórens came to Eregion aid his people, sent by Minastir, king of Númenor and who is called the last good king of Númenor by the Eldar.

Soon enough more arrows were shot from surrounding trees as hissing sounds began to pierce the air and more wildmen were falling to ground hit by the black feathered arrows. It didn't take long and the whole warband scattered as the warriors began running for their lives except the leader who fixated his hateful gaze on Iûldir and raised his two-handed war axe above his head and charged towards the wounded elf. "If this is the end for me I am taking you with me, elven dog!"

Iûldir closed his eyes expecting the killing blow. Even when he heard his daughter and wife calling out to him. Yet, the axe never reached him. He opened his eyes to see a Númenoren ranger cutting off the wild men chieftain's hands and then with quick succession his head. Then the ranger turned to Iûldir and in the clear Sindarin asked him a question. "Are you alright?"

"Not really, that spear really caused some damage I am afraid."

Ranger shot his gaze towards the wound and went for the spear and called to Iûldir's wife and daughter. "Ladies, have at least one of you any experience in tending to the battle wounds?"

Slightly shocked by the situation, Nemiril, Iûldir's wife nodded. "Yes, I am an experienced healer."

"Good, then come here and once I pull this spear out, try to stop the bleeding." Nemiril didn't hesitate to take some cloth from their cart and hurried towards her wounded husband and as soon as the spear was pulled out she put her skill to work with the assistance of her daughter.

"Well, now if you excuse me I had a skirmish to win." Ranger turned around and got into a fight which at this point was pretty much over as the other rangers got in close and were cutting down the fleeing enemies.

Nemiril's and Iûldir's young daughter watched with unhidden awe. "Father, who are those hooded warriors? That man has a brooch with the white tree sigil, are they Númenóreans?"

"Yes, they are. Númenórean Rangers who scout around Gwathló river, I suspect."

Nemiril clutched her husband's hand, clearly worried. "My love, if they are Númenóreans, aren't we still in danger?"

"Perhaps we are, however something tells me if they meant us harm we would already be dead and it's not like I can get on my feet and run. If you two want to try it, then go, I can't."

"We won't leave you father!"

"If that's the case, we simply must wait and see how things will turn out."

When every last wild man was slayed by the rangers, Iûldir finally managed to stand with the help of his family and just in time. "I would never have expected to meet the elves down these parts, however good that I showed up when I did." The Ranger who saved their lives walked towards them while also removing his hood. All three elves couldn't help but bow their heads, they all sensed that the man before them had some royal elven blood running through his veins.

"And we wouldn't expect the Númenóreans to help us these days. With that being said, you saved our lives. Me and my family thank you, my Lord…." Iûldir said in a respectful tone, yet realising that he didn't even know the name of his saviour.

The man smiled with understanding. "Not all of the Númenóreans are of the King's Men and there are still those who keep to the Eru and Valar, including me. I am Thalion, son of Ar- Pharazôn and the Prince of Númenór, you are?"

"A Prince of house Elrosionath? It's indeed a great honour to meet you. I am Iûldir, former Eregion smith and apprentice to Celembrimbor, this is my wife Nemiril and my daughter Nengelbes, we are travelling from Lorien to Rivendell."

"Indeed? Hmm I always thought that all of the elven smiths of Eregion were killed during the sacking of Ost-in-Edhil by Sauron. And this is not exactly the straightest of ways to get to the hidden valley, isn't the fastest road there through the passes of misty mountains?" Thalion asked while folding his arms.

"It used to be as such, Prince Thalion. However, since the fall of Gundabad the dwarves of Khazad-dûm lost the control of most of the misty mountains and the passes are infested by orcs, goblins and trolls and to travel through there is naturally very dangerous. As for me being Eregion smith, I left Eregion before it was destroyed and found refuge in the lands of Lorien."

"I see, well the roads through these lands are also dangerous because of wild-men, anyway the road up ahead should be safe now, at least until you reach lands outside a Tharbad control. Well, it was a pleasure to meet you but I and my men must keep moving so good luck to you on your road and may you find your way home." Thalion turned around to leave but was stopped by Iûldir who called to him.

"Prince Thalion! I am in your debt, so allow me to repay it right away." Iûldir with the help of his wife went to his cart and pulled out a masterfully crafted dagger and a little case wrought with elven silver. Then he walked to the Númenorean Prince who curiously stopped and waited. "Please, accept these as a reward."

"I didn't help you for a reward, Lord Iûldir, you and your family owe me nothing. I just did what was right."

"We owe you our lives, so accept these relicts I forged myself as a sign of my gratitude."

Thalion relented and took the elven dagger first and drew it to check the curved blade. "This is indeed a masterfully crafted weapon, even our blacksmiths on Númenor would have a hard time to craft something of similar quality."

Iûldir bowed his head slightly upon receiving a compliment but immediately offered the small case. Thalion reluctantly took it and opened it. When he did, a sign of worry and caution was clearly visible in his face. "What's this? You can't be serious in offering these to me."

Iûldir knew why this might be his saviour reaction. "No need to worry, Prince Thalion, these can help you, in many endeavours."

Thalion's face visibly darkened. "I know what happened to the men who accepted such gifts, three were lords of Númenor…. I do not want to become one of them."

"I can understand such sentiment, however I assure you I crafted these myself after the destruction of my homeland and before that there were many like these crafted by the Elves of Eriador some less powerful some more, with various abilities they were and they are not like the ones who corrupted men and dwarves. These are not marked by his shadow, they are perfect."

XXX

Present day, Thalion's flag ship Azrugimil

Thalion gazed into an opened small case. It's content. Two seemingly simple rings, one made out of blue elven metal, the second one from elven silver, both placed in the white silk filling the bottom of the case. He was weary of them as even if these rings were not like the great rings of power which corrupted nine great kings and lords of men they still represented something which should be used with high level of caution.

Sudden knocking on his cabin doors diverted his attention. "Yes?"

A member of his Royal Guard opened the door, entered and bowed. "My King, Lady Eleniel is here and asks for permission to enter."

"Let her in." Guard gain bowed and left. It took a few seconds and Eleniel elegantly entered a cabin and began her walk towards Thalion who rose from his chair ready to greet his love. When they reached each other there was no need for words as they hugged. "What are you doing here? Shouldn't you be on your father's ship?"

"Well I should, probably, but I wanted to see you, and he had no objection, well almost." As they pulled off from their hug, Thalion gestured to one of the chairs as he sat back to his and poured Eleniel a glass of wine, which she took after she sat. "I am sorry about your mother. I didn't have much time to get to know her but father said she was a good, wise and compassionate woman. It's unfortunate she is gone."

Thalion raised his own glass and took a drink. "She made her choice, Eleniel. It was her right as a descendant of Elros, one day we both will face the same choice too. Either abide the doom of men out of our own will or be forced to. I am not holding it against her."

"Yet, I sense you don't entirely agree."

"You know me too well, it seems. Of course I am a bit irritated and conflicted about her choice as she had an option to regain blessing of the Valar in full and live longer should she just choose to leave Númenór with us. Alas, the choice was hers and hers alone to make, not mine. The best I can do is to remember her and honour her legacy."

Eleniel nodded and smiled sadly then she finally noticed the opened case with two rings, before Thalion. "What are those?"

"Oh these?" Thalion turned the case around and pushed it towards his beloved. "I received them from the former Eregion Smith whom I saved from a wild-men attack in the lands near

Tharbad. I really met him and his family by chance, however he insisted on rewarding me for saving their lives and so gave me an elven dagger and these two lesser rings of power."

Eleniel was instantly filled with a slight feeling of fear but also curiosity. "Lesser rings of power? If I recall the history books on that subject such rings were created by the Noldor elves during the years 1200 and 1500 of the second age when Sauron came in disguise to Eregion and taught the Celebrimbor and his smiths how to forge such rings, knowledge acquired by creating these were used in the forging of the great rings of power, right?"

"Indeed, the lesser rings were essays in craft of sorts, many of them were made which were supposed to be able to grant its wearers various powers and abilities, some more powerful than others and the other way round. After the war of Elves and Sauron many of these were lost either to Sauron or by their wearers, many of them are probably still around in Middle-Earth. Their distinguishing feature is that they are unadorned and simple at the first glance. I don't know why but maybe it's just the way Elves wanted to make them. The elven smith who gave these two to me, claimed to forge them after the destruction of Eregion and presumably during his stay in Lorien afterwards and long after the great rings were forged, so I suppose it's some kind of rule for the lesser rings to look simple."

Eleniel looked more closely at the two rings and studied them. " Aren't they dangerous? I mean if you use any of them will they do the same thing as the nine great rings of power did to their men wearers?"

Thalion shook his head. "As far as I am aware, the lesser rings were not dangerous in that way to its wearers. Sauron probably never planned to have the same control over them as over the greater rings and as such they weren't bound to his master ring. In fact to hazard a guess I would say the lesser rings meant nothing to him, just trials at most. These two especially given the time and place of their creation should be pure, the elven smith assured me of that."

"I see, so you think they are safe to use?"

"Frankly? I am not sure yet. These are still magical rings and as such their power shouldn't be used lightly, no matter of their origin."

"And what are their powers? Did the smith tell you?"

Without an immediate answer, Thalion took the silver ring with two fingers as he talked about it. "This one enhances the wearer's physical abilities, strength, speed and constitution, it also improves your ability to concentrate on the fight. The other." He put the silver one back and picked up the blue one. "Is a little bit of a mystery to me."

"Why, don't you know its power?"

"Well, yes and no. You see this ring should enhance the wearer's creative abilities, many of the elven smiths used these to forge best quality tools and weapons, though it's power is not limited just to that. In theory it should help in any creative process, but I don't really know its limits."

Eleniel frowned and decided to ask what might be perceived as a silly question. "So….. if I were, for example, writing a song or book while wearing it and successfully used its power. Would the resulting song or book be much better?"

Thalion chuckled but nodded. "I think so, however again I am not sure about its limits. I mean many activities can be considered to be a creative process." He returned the ring back to the case which he then closed and put aside.

"Do you intend to use them or better question should be. Can you even use them?" Eleniel asked with a quiet voice.

"I would say that everyone can use them as long as he or she is determined and has a certain level of willpower to master the rings. I would say that these lesser rings aren't that complicated to use, compared to their great ring counterparts, alas I say it again, these are still rings of power and as such none of them should be used lightly, therefore I am not very keen on using them."

"Well, if you say so. Yet you must be at least curious, no?" Eleniel remarked, almost too sheepishly.

"That may be so, however curiosity is not always a good thing. Let's just drop this subject, shall we?"

"As you wish…" Eleniel shrugged knowing that there is some wisdom in Thalion's words and instead took a sip from her glass. "Hmm, this wine is good. Is it from Dorwinion?"

"Indeed, I have a few barrels, which I bought from the travelling merchant, stored on this ship, enjoy it while you still can. I have a feeling that wherever we are going there won't be any Dorwinion wine makers."

Eleniel couldn't help but feel sadness. "It is so strange to leave everything we knew and just to sail into the unknown."

Thalion reached out and took Eleniel's hand into his own. "It is not easy to be sure, however trust me if there was a way to save Númenor, I would choose that option without second thoughts, yet some things can never be taken back, some mistakes never unmade. I have chosen to leave into the unknown because I believe it can give our people a new and better start than in middle-earth where our people would fade and Sauron would still come back to fight our descendants all the same."

"My choice guaranteed that blessings bestowed upon our people were restored and will remain as long as we remain faithful to the Eru and the Valar plus Sauron was finally punished for his many misdeeds." Thalion paused and gave Eleniel a reassuring smile. "I am not saying this path is the correct one, if anything it is uncertain yet my choice has been made already and there is no way back."

Eleniel smiled back though it was still a sad smile. "I would say we are about to find out very soon if it was the correct one. Afterall, we don't know anything about what awaits us, new people, races and beliefs? What if we will have to fight everyone in the effort to make our new home in that different world. It's all rather unsettling."

Thalion let out a sign. "Agreed, but we are the Númenóreans and whatever lies ahead we will overcome it…Our people must survive and if he had to claim our place to live by force…. Well it wouldn't be the first time we took the land from the native populations, just look to some of our Middle-Earth colonies as an example." He let go of Eleniel's hands and raised from his chair, took the case with lesser rings power and took it to other relics in his cabin. "I wouldn't do such thing gladly mind you but I saw some of the consequences of Númenoreans mingling with the native lesser men in the colonies like Bellakar and trust me diluting blood of our people with the blood of the lesser men is not really a good idea, especially in the long run as it reduces the Númenoren's blessings rather radically."

Eleniel listened to Thalion's and frowned. "Really? But I heard that some Númenórens of mixed origin lived just as long as their Númenorean parents."

"True." Thalion returned to his chair. "But it's not always the case and as I said the real danger of it is diluting the blood of our people in the long run. That means three or even two generations would begin to feel the effect of reduced lifespan and other blessings."

Eleniel nodded in understanding and then she looked back to the relics in Thalion's cabin. Her gaze ended up fixed onto a little sapling of the white tree. It was indeed beautiful even in this state. "I never thought I would ever lay my eyes upon a white tree. I had no idea my brother retreated the fruit from Nimloth before it was felled."

"That makes two of us." Thalion said as he also looked at sapling. "Still I do not blame him for secrecy. Should anyone learn that it was Isildur who fought his way to Nimloth and retrieved its fruit, my father would have your family executed for treason, a daunting prospect if you ask me."

"I can't say you are wrong about that… Anyway, have you thought of the name for this tree?"

"I can't say I have. I practically received it from your brother before we left Númenor, do you have any suggestions, my love?"

Eleniel paused a little while before looking back at Thalion and answered with a single word. "Estelorn."

Thalion gave Eleniel a look of surprise. "The Tree of Hope?" Then he smiled and nodded, while also remembering his mother's last words. "Fitting and a good name. I like it. Let it be called Estelorn the scion of Nimloth the fair, The white tree of Númenor."

They both raised their glasses and emptied them. But after they both put them back on the table Thalion frowned. "What is it?" Eleniel asked with a voice full of concern as she got off her chair and walked to him.

Thalion took her hand while turning his gaze to her with the solemn expression. "It's nothing, just as we spoke before, about the unknown…. My path is hidden from me and I grow uncertain because of it. It's unnerving. Even if I made the choice to walk it, those two years ago on the peak of Meneltarma."

Eleniel gently made Thalion get off his chair and look at her in their close embrace. "It is as you say, you made your choice. Therefore you can't falter, none of us can."

"Eleniel…" Thalion didn't finish what he wanted to say as she stopped him with the gentle touch of fingers over his lips.

"If you are uncertain of your path." Eleniel placed her hand on Thalion's chest right over his heart. The moment was intimate as they touched with their foreheads while looking directly into each other's eyes. "Be certain of this, be certain of us." Long and affectionate kiss followed Eleniel's words and it served as a reminiscence of the promise they made to each on the shores of Eldalondë several years ago.

XXX

When Eleniel opened her eyes in the morning, she was already alone. Thalion must have woken earlier and let her get her sleep. Upon which Eleniel was both a little disappointed but also grateful as she needed a good night of sleep. To her surprise there was breakfast prepared for her on the table.

After getting dressed and getting some food, Eleniel left the cabin. The Royal Guards just bowed to her respectfully and one of them spoke to her. "If you are looking for the Tar-Thalion, my lady, then his highness left for the bridge in a hurry, some problems arose which needed his attention."

"Problems?" Eleniel asked with a troubled voice.

"I don't know anything specific, my Lady."

"Alright thank you for telling me. I will go see him." Guards bowed their heads again as she walked away.

A very interesting sight welcomed her when she got outside on the deck. Many men of the crew were walking down their business but some of the sailors and soldiers were curiously gazing in one direction. To her shock, Thalion was speaking with the Great Eagle who was standing before him on the board.

She walked closer until she heard their words. "I wouldn't ask this of you, great Lord of eagles, if I could do it myself, however I really need your help with this. Lifes of my people are at stake."

Arathorn, the leader of the great eagles tilted his head slightly before answering. "I and my brethren will help you king of the Númenóreans if that ship is around this ocean we will find it." With that the Lord of the Great Eagles of Manwë got into the air and the entire ship shook as the results. All eagles then processed to fly in all directions from the fleet.

Eleniel was a little confused so she walked to Thalion who finally noticed her. "What's going on, Thalion? Something bad happened didn't it?"

"Unfortunately, yes. Hold on for a moment." Thalion turned to his right hand man standing a few metres away. "Minlubên, go and tell admiral Azrubêl to release the anchor and to signal the fleet to do the same, we must stay put, until eagles are back."

"As you command, my king." Minlubên turned on the spot and walked away. Thalion then looked to Eleniel, who still patiently waited. " Isildur's ship stranded from the fleet during the night and got lost."

"Lost? How?"

"I am not sure. It has probably something to do with the fact we are no longer in Arda, stars changed during the knight maybe navigators on your brother's ship probably changed its course during whatever magical transition happened. Despite my instruction to all of the navigators to check the position of the fleet."

Eleniel got hit with the wave of worry and fear for Isildur and his sons and wife who were on the lost ship with their sons. "Oh no… We must do something!"

Thalion put his hand on Eleniel's shoulders. "Remain calm, I will do what I can, to find them, hmm. I promise. If there are somewhere, the Eagles will return and tell me a direction. Provided the Isildur's ship will also stay put. Wait a second I can arrange that." Thalion stormed off to get his Palantír.

XXX

Elendur, Aratan and Ciryon all watched the sea. When they found out that their ship separated from the fleet they were understandably disturbed to their cores but their parents remained calm despite everything.

Their father put them at ease while he was on the way to try to communicate with their king through the Palantír.

"I hope the father will manage to contact Tar-Thalion, though even if he does, I am not sure how the fleet actually find us." Ciryon the youngest of the three remarked.

Elendur the oldest just folded his arms and didn't even turn to his brothers as he spoke. "Don't worry. I am certain the father and his grace will figure something out."

"Yes I hope so. The King has a reputation for not leaving anyone behind, at least that is what I heard from some of the soldiers." Aratan added.

The doors to the low decks suddenly opened and Isildur walked and headed towards them with their mother Tinweriel close behind. All three of their sons went to Isildur with expectants looks. "I managed to get into contact with the King and your grandfather. And it would appear we must keep this ship in place for now as Tar Thalion asked eagles to find us, when that happens, he will sail to get us back into the fleet."

All three sons of Isildur visibly relaxed. He on the other hand narrowed his eyes when he spotted something behind them. Without another word he took a spyglass and walked to the edge of the ship's hull while looking through the spyglass. All three of his sons looked into the direction he was and they could recognize eight dots in the distance, ships.

Isildur looked at his wife and told her. "Get into a cabin." Then he swiftly turned away and proceeded to shout orders to the crew. "Get the women and children below decks and prepare yourselves for combat, archers and crossbows on deck now!" Then he finallly turned to his sons. "We might be under attack." As the ship's crew were preparing for a fight, no one registered a great eagle in the skies turning back to bring the news to their king.

XXX

"That's almost the last of the eagles, only Arathorn remains. Do you think he had more luck than his underlings?" Minlubên asked Thalion who patiently waited on the bridge with him, Admiral Azrubêl and Eleniel for the Lord of eagles who was the last to return yet.

"Isildur is out there somewhere, he must be in one direction. Once we know it, we sail." Thalion answered with the stone face, which didn't leave his face despite the fact he was rather distressed about the situation.

"Don't worry, Lord Minlubên it makes sense that last direction to which Arathorn flew must be the direction the Lord Isildur's ship is, we only need a confirmation, his ship couldn't be sunk or left behind in Arda, I doubt the Palantíry can send messages across, well worlds."

"Indeed, my brother is there and I can feel it." Eleniel added.

Suddenly an Arathorn appeared from above like a ghost. "Tar Thalion, I found the ship you are looking for. To the north west but you should hurry it's under attack!"

Thalion didn't hesitate for a second. "Admiral, you heard the Lord of Eagles, set in that direction, full speed, signal the other ships to the same, and also signal them to prepare for combat."

"At once my King." Azrubêl bowed and moved very quickly to fulfil the orders while shouting at the nearest sailors. "You heard the King, get moving you lazy louds!"

Then Thalion turned his head to the rest of the ship. "To Arms men, Archers on deck now! Men the Scorpions and I want all Azrazair marines and crossbowmen ready to fight! And Get the women and children to safety below decks!"

Next person to whom he talked was Eleniel. "Go and stay in my cabin, I will help your brother but I need you out of harm's way."

"But…"

Thalion resolutely raised his hand to stop Eleniel's complaints before they had a chance to be spoken out. "I am not asking."

Eleniel got closer. "Then you better come back to me alive when it's done."

"I always do."

Eleniel nodded and without another word left the cabin. While Thalion turned to Minlubên. "Common, let's get the men ready."

XXX

Hilmar Drumm was looking at the big ship in the distance. After he successfully raided The Shield Islands and the coasts of The Reach he wasn't very keen on attacking the random lonely vessel at first, but his men convinced him otherwise. Afterall it was the way of the Ironborn to pay the iron prize so he ordered his eight long-ships to intercept the lonely ship which didn't move.

As they approached roughly half a mile his men were already prepared axes, swords, hooks and ropes, though they didn't prepare their shields into a usable position. When they were half a mile away he and his crew spotted an activity on the board of the foreign ship and he could even recognize and bows being aimed at them. One of his crew asked. " Lord Reaver, shouldn't we take cover?"

Hilmar just laughed. "Nah, not yet we are still out of the range, not even a longbow could hit us this far." A hissing sound soon proved how wrong the Lord Drumm, who was called the cunning, really was.

The Ironborn who asked the question got hit by a black feathered arrow to the chest right through the leather and chainmail of his armour as well as countless others who though they are out of range, alas half a mile was the maximum effective range for Númenorean Steel Bow.

Lord Drumm quickly grasped a shield and protected himself behind the wooden hull of his ship. As the screams of pain and sounds of water splashes were mixed with the orders to take cover sounded all around him. "How the fuck they can shoot this far? And how in the seven hells could they pierce an armour at such distance?" He gripped the handle of the sword he had taken from the Lord of Reyne of Castamere, the Red Rain, he couldn't wait to draw against whoever were shooting at his men. "Put yourselves together men! No wavering. What is death may never die!"

XXX

Despite previous confidence to be able to assail the foreign ship, it soon proved itself to be rather pitched and dragging assault even if they attacked from all sides. Many of Hilmar's men were already dead before they reached the ship and many more died during the climb on it's board, it looked more like an attack on the castle, in the end he and his Ironborn managed to get on board only on two places and even after that they were pinned down and slaughtered consistently.

As if the fight couldn't get any worse soon his men began to point to sea and some started to run to the direction of the longships. When Hilmar looked that way too he knew why. A fleet was approaching and it was clear they were about to save the ship he put under the attack.

Unfortunately for his men and for him as an experienced sailor he recognized the speed by which the enemy fleet was approaching and imminently was clear to him he couldn't escape in time, so resorted in raising the Red Rain and chose to at least die like the Ironborn.

XXX

Thalion gripped the Handle of the Aranrúth the sword that once belonged to Elu Thingol, King of Doriath and later passed through Elwing, the wife of Eärendil, to Elros and from there onwards became the heirloom of the Númenorean royal family.

"It seems the Pirates exist no matter in which world we are. Well, no matter, we just need to purge them like we did the Madrukan pirates." Thalion said to both Minlubên and admiral Azrubêl who of the two nodded with the especially grim expression on his face.

The memory of the campaign which he and Thalion led in the past, to eliminate piracy plaguing southern seas surrounding the colonies was indeed a bloody affair and was still emblemed in Azrubêl's memory. "Indeed, my king I already signal some ships to execute encircle manoeuvres, these attackers won't escape no matter who they are, though their ships seem to be similar to those of the middle-men of Enedwaith."

"I don't really care about their inferior ships…. Let's just get this over with. Navigate Azrugimil next to Isildur's ship so we may go and join the combat. Minlubên, you are with me, let's kill some pirates." Thalion drew the Aranrúth and walked towards the centre of the ship where the boarding bridge had been prepared by the marines.

"Right behind you, your highness." Minlubên answered and started to follow his king while their ship was closing very fast to its goal.

When admiral Azrubêl saw one of the longships was in the way but trying to sail away he simply smirked and thought to himself. "Let's see how well this ship can withstand the ramming" It didn't.

XXX

Hilmar just didn't give up though in his mind he was already preparing to meet the Drowned God, his Ironborn were falling left and right but he still stood.

His next opponent charged at him, he seemed to be young and inexperienced. Hilmar had no trouble countering his moves. In the midst of this duel one of the incoming vessels rammed through one of the longships and soon after the reinforcements began pouring from the one ship the other across the boarding bridge to finish the fight.

In a fit of rage and resentment Hilmar pressed the attack on his opponent in a few moves he managed to disarm the unknown fighter yet right as he was moving for a kill, the Red Rain hit some other blade. The blade made out of the steel which Hilmar had never before seen, however the sound it produced resonated all across the ship as he was pushed back.

"I take it from here, Elendur." Said Thalion while piercing the Ironborn Lord with his eyes with the clear intent to kill someone who nearly killed his kin. Afterall the members of the house of Andunie were descended from the house of Elros and therefore a cadet branch of the royal family.

Young Elendur stepped aside with a short bow. "Yes, my king. Thank you."

Hilmar blinked at the mention of the word King. "What the hell did he say? What a strange language was that? Who are these people I wonder." This was something which bothered him since the arrows hit his men. The ship design was different from anything he had ever seen in Westeros or Essos. The men his Ironborn fought against were unusually tall and strong and clearly no strangers to combat. Now that he heard their language he knew something was off. Then realisation came to him. "These people aren't from Westeros." He didn't have time to ponder more.

Thalion moved with the speed against the men he suspected was a leader of the pirates attacking Isildur's ship. Hilmar being pressed into a corner of the ship managed to hold his own yet he also recognized the men attacking him were no mere beginner with the sword but an experienced master who will soon get to him. So he made some distance and risked asking a question. "You clearly know how to wield a sword strangers, I don't know if you understand me but I must try to ask, who are you? I would like to know the name of the man who is going to take my life."

Thalion frowned he understood the words though they were not entirely the same the speech the enemy fighter spoke reminded him a westron, however since he understood it he decided to answer "I am Tar-Thalion son of Pharazôn, King of the Númenóreans not that the names matter anymore. Attacking my people, pirate? That was not the smartest thing to do. You failed and now it will be my great pleasure to take your head myself."

Hilmar couldn't but agree with the stranger's statement about the folly of his attack. He shrugged. "True enough, but do not call me or my people pirates. Mere thought of being reduced to something like that sickens me. Me and my warriors are Ironborn plundering, reaving and paying the iron price is our way of life. I am Lord Hilmar Drumm, one of the most important lords of the Iron Islands."

Thalion grimaced in disgust. "So, you call yourself a lord? Tell me how's your way of life different from piracy, hmm? You are no different, anyway, time for you to die." Without any hesitance Thalion moved towards Hilmar who managed to block the strike but as the both blades were locked Hilmar underestimated the strength of his opponent however and was pushed into his knees.

Then Thalion, knowing he has an advantage, removed his blade from the locked position and hit the Red Rain to the side and then decapitated Himlar with the succession strike led in the reverse direction of the previous one.

Lord Hilmar was the last Ironborn to be killed and the battle was done. Thalion cleaned the Aranrúth from blood and shieted the blade. Then he shot the glimpse at the sword his enemy used. "Interesting, that sword is not red because it's stained with blood." Thalion picked the blade and studied it. He saw enough blades in his lifetime to recognize when magic was used in its creation.

The best Númenorean steel was also enhanced by magical enchantments which Númenoreans learned from the elves and despite the fact the Númenorean smiths never reached the levels of perfection like the smith of the Eldar, they got pretty close to it.

"That's a very interesting looking sword." Thalion heard Minlubên speaking, so he turned to him and had him have a better look at the weapon.

"Indeed, I have never seen such interestingly coloured steel, other than that however, it seems to be magically made steel similar to ours. Light and durable. It was also probably stolen as the other pirates haven't used anything like this for a weapon, from first glance the weapons of the other pirates are just a normal steel of middle men." Thalion said while checking the sword further, it was a longsword, with the elegantly crafted handle, covered with the black leather, the guard was from silver and beautiful ruby was embedded in its pommel. After its inspection he removed the scabbard of the previous owner's body and sheeted the unknown weapon into it, ready to take it with him.

ׅMinlubên nodded. "Well, we don't know anything about this world, it is possible that the pirates we just defeated are some kind of less developed men and that there are also some people in this world who had a knowledge to forge something like that sword."

"We will see. Perhaps in those pirate ships is some sort of map by which we can at least orient ourselves as to where we are."

"Your highness!" Both Thalion and Minlubên turned to the sound of Isildur's voice who approached them with his son Elendur by his side and bowed "I am glad you were able to find us. And I thank you for saving my son."

"Yes I also want to express my gratitude, without your intervention I would die, my King.." Elendur added while also bowing his head..

"Well my Lords, you should be really thankful to Lord of eagles Arathorn who found out in which direction we should sail to find you. Still, Elendur next time do not rush into a fights so recklessly it's not wise course of action." Upon Thalion's words Minlubên cleared his throat in a telling gesture. "What?" Thalion looked at him with the raised eyebrow.

"Nothing, it's just, I happen to know a man who does exactly that when he fights alongside his soldiers."

Thalion folded his arms. "Really? There is a difference between him and Elendur here, as he hadn't nearly died."

"I am sorry my king. I know I was reckless but I mean those men attacked us. I had to do something. I had to use my training with the sword somehow, no?"

Thalion just shook his head and raised his hand to calm Elendur. "It's alright, we all had to start somewhere, besides training is nothing like the real fight, you and your brothers went through this one, you all survived. It's an experience and if everyone else in this world are like these barbarians, it will definitely come In handy in the days to come.."

"Well said your grace, even so I will put them under heavy training myself after today, so they do not die on me, their mother would die of grief if they do." Isildur said while putting his hand on his eldest son's shoulder.

"That would be best, Now, let's get to their ships. I want to know what our men found, shall we?" Thalion started walking towards, what he assumed was a flag ship of this so-called Lord of the Ironborn with the Minlubên and Isildur in tow. A sergeant of the Azrazair marines greeted them with the bow. "My King, my Lords. We just finished searching through the enemy vessel."

"And? What did you find? Anything which could be useful?" Thalion asked with the slight hint of impatience.

"We did find a map." Sergeant gave rolled a piece of parchment to his king who eagerly took it and flattened it while Minlubên and Isildur looked at it beside him.

"That is a rather large continent." Isildur said while studying the map. "And by the looks of it that other one is even bigger." It was a map depicting Westeros and Essos.

"Indeed, and if this map is accurate, it would also seem that all lands are taken…. If we are to settle somewhere we will have to do it by sword." Thalion rolled the map back and spoke to the sergeant. "Did you find anything else interesting?"

"I am not sure If I would call them interesting but they are bound people, mostly woman and some, well there is no way how to sugarcoat it, look like they were raped."

Minlubên spited on the nearest corpse in disgust after hearing this. "So, not only these were pirates but also slavers and rapers. This is getting better and better."

"Well, nobody amongst us will mourn them that's for sure." Isildur added.

Thalion silently agreed with Isildur's statement. "I see…. Did those prisoners say anything worth noting?"

"Well, even though I had a hard time understanding him at first, the one of them claims to speak for all of them and introduced himself as a Lord, though the name was strange…Lord Edwin Chester of the Green Shield Island or something like that, he requested to speak with the leader of their saviours."

"Thank you, sergeant, bring him aboard, then. I shall speak to him imminently."

"As you command, my King." Sergeant bowed, and with few men went for the captured Lord.

Before long the unknown Lord was led before Thalion, Minlubên and Isildur, it was almost comical how he tried to look dignified as much as possible, despite the fact he had no idea of who these people who saved him are. "I am Lord Edwin Chester, heir to the Island of Greenshield. In the name of my father. I thank you for the rescue of my people and me. May I ask for the name of the man whom I owe for my rescue and my life?"

"You may, I am Tar-Thalion, King of the Númenóreans, these are Lord Isildur and Lord Minlubên."

Edwin blinked in confusion, he understood the Tall man's words but didn't know the meaning of all of them. "Númenóreans?"

Thalion folded his arms before answering." Yes, Númenóreans, to translate it into your language it would mean: Men of the West or Men of Westernesse."

"Ehm….I see, I never ever heard of your people, though on the first sight you look very different, tall and your speech seemed to be a little off…. I mean no offence of course. " Lord Chester realised that maybe he had spoken rudely.

Thalion just raised his arms in a calming gesture. "I wouldn't expect you to know anything about my people. Afterall we are not from around here, we are coming from the island Kingdom of Númenor which was lost after a chain of very unfortunate choices and events. I led my people away, to save them."

"Edwin stared in shock at Thalion. He wanted to ask so many questions but in the end he managed only to ask one. "And….why do you call yourself Tar?"

This time it wasn't Thalion who answered but Minlubên. "Tar means High King in your language, you better remember that, so you speak with our King with respect."

Edwin nearly jumped upon the hostile tone in which Minlubên spoke to him but remained composed. "I am sorry, I again didn't mean any offence."

"It's alright Minlubên." Thalion paused and walked a little closer to Lord Chester with the map his men found. "Now that the introductions are over I have a few questions for you. Firstly, we found this map on the board of your former capture's ship, but it is no use if I don't know where we are. Can you tell me that?"

"Yes. Let me see… if my observations were correct, we are roughly here, contested waters of the Sunset Sea between the Iron Islands and the Kingdom of The Rock on the western side of Westeros." Edwin said while pointing at the map.

Thalion raised his eyebrow. "Westeros?"

"Yes, the name of this continent." Edwin then moved his finger to the opposite side of the map "This other continent is called Essos."

"Hmm….you know what, Lord Chester? Would you be able to get your people who were captured back to your home if I let you have that longship with all the important provisions for such a journey?"

"Of course and I would even be grateful for it."

"Splendid, then let me make you a proposition, I will let you go, with that longship and enough provisions to get you back home with your people in exchange for something which won't be too much bother for you, I wager."

"Well I am in your debt for saving my life and if you give me a ship to sail my people home I will be even in more debt, so please just tell me what would ask of me?"

"Your time and knowledge, that's all. I am a stranger here and I hate to plunge myself and my people into unknown territory, so all I ask is you to tell me everything about this continent. Westeros, is that what it is called? Do this for me and be truthful and you can be on your way home very soon. Do we have an accord?"

Translation and meaning of the Names:

Iûldir: Iûl (Embers) + dir (Man), (Sindarin)

Nemiril: Nemir (Water Jewel) + il (Female), (Sindarin)

Nengelbes: Nengel (Water Joy) + bess (Wife), (Sindarin)

Estelorn: Estel (Hope) + orn (Tree), (Sindarin)

Elendur: Star-servant (Quenya)

Aratan: Noble man (Quenya)

Ciryon: Not fully translated, cirya means ship (Quenya)

Azrubêl: Sea-lover (Adûnaic)

Tinweriel: Maiden crowned with stars (Quenya)

So there we have it. A first contact with the natives didn't leave the best impression on the Númenóreans. Out of all people they must meet a fucking Ironborn, well it can be bad….For the Ironborn. Anyway I hope the dialog between Eleniel and Thalion wasn't too cringe and yes I added lesser rings of power into the story, though I will see whether they could be useful for something as there is not much on them in terms of lore. Anyway in the next chapter, Númenóreans will have to deal with the situation they are in and they will probably sail to deal with the certain Islands. Merry Christmas and happy new year to everyone.