((First of all:
This is the Story of Arangilas up and till he appears in the game, the rest will be written and posted later.
Hope you all bare with me - it is my first time ever doing a larger piece on any of my characters life story.
Hope you all enjoy the story as much as I enjoy writing it! ))
THE STORY OF ARANGILAS BLOODRAGE
Arangilas felt the soft sent of spring…..of new life .
He was back in Rivendell, back to visit his little sacred place on earth, though it was just marked by a stone under some trees not far from the great falls…
He came here several times within each year, ever since the day he left Rivendell behind as a home, as the place he grew up.
The only thing that broke the silence was the sound of water falling, and a light breeze going through the leafs of the trees, and the soft humming of birds singing
"Hello mother...." he suddenly said, almost whispering it to himself.
“I’m back again…”
He looked at the stone, reading the elven inscription, as he had done at least a thousand times before
Her lies Erawyn Bloodrage, born Fairwind.
Govado in nothrim în ar i mellyn în mi Mannos
:(Sindarin May you join your friends and family in the afterlife)
Her sorrows were to great for this world. May she find peace now, resting in her husbands arms once again
His mind started drifting back to other times….
Times where his mother and father were alive….happy times.
Times when he knew nothing of dark forces and orcs or goblins.
A time when his home had been filled with love and admiration for all that lives and breathes.
He remembers the way his mother and father would look at each other….their playful smiles and gentle words for each other. Always teasing each other with harmless practical jokes.
He knew it had been hard for his father to be accepted by the people of Gondor’s mighty city, Minas Tirith.
To think Erawyn Fairwind marrying Eldonaar Bloodrage…..an elf!!
It was absolutely unheard of!
The Bloodrage couple had kept to themselves most of the time because of this.
But as time passed by his father had been accepted as a man of honour and integrity by his fellow citizens, and was treated with respect from his neighbours.
But he still had held his cards close when it came to what he filled his days and nights with, when he was away from his beloved Erawyn.
For not much was known of the Bloodrage family’s heritage.
Especially to the race of men of Gondor.
There were only a few trusted from the outside of their inner circle who knew their true purpose in Middle Earth.
Arangilas remembers the day his father told him of this.
The memory of that day was as clear to him as if it had just happened….
He told him that the Bloodrage family had always been a part of the watchers and protectors of Middle Earth, whether their job had been as personal guards for Kings, or just as rangers and spy's, watching and lurking in the shadows. Always looking for word and clues that would be imperative in the battle against the evil and terror that threatened the free people of Middle Earth.
They also collected and salvaged whatever old scripts and ancient lore they could uncover on their travels.
He had told Arangilas of the secret order that his forefathers before him had been the leaders of, and witch Eldonaar now led…
The Knights of Eriador he had called it….
Arangilas first thought had been
“His father…. A knight?”
He had always seen his father as a righteous man, and he admired him greatly.
And he had pictured him high on his
But that he actually were a knight….and their leader!
His father had then told him they were nine all together, the nine knights of Eriador
He then had went on to tell him that one day, Arangilas would take his place as the leader of the order…
Arangilas had that night understood why his father had worked so hard with him, on becoming a good skilled swordsman.
He was eight of age at the time, and what he had been told had filled him with a great pride for his family’s heritage.
But at the same time, a feeling of fear of what destiny he had just been handed.
Though young of age, Arangilas had been quite grown in mind.
And had often been seen sitting alone on the walls of Minas Tirith, dwelling on the more important questions and riddles of life.
He had not had many friends, and kept to himself most of the time.
But he liked it that way.
Then one night - only a year later, all that had been so safe and wonderful about his life changed….
His father had come home to tell his wife and son that they had to flee Gondor.
That they would be taken to safety in the hills of Rivendell.
He remembers himself standing behind the door to his bedroom, hearing his father tell his mother that five of the knights had been hunted down and assassinated, and that the rest of them were on the run from their hunters.
His father had not said anything of the names of their pursuers.
But Arangilas had heard his father say something to himself while his mother was packing the most needed equipment for their trip….
“Betrayed by our own allies…..how is this possible!”
Arangilas had dared to glance over at him from the narrow crack of the almost closed door.
His fathers face had been filled with fear and anger, pain and grief at the same time….
He had put his hands to his face, and Arangilas had seen his father shed a tear for the very first time in his life...
They had travelled to Rivendell only by night, hiding in the forest and mountains by day, just waiting for darkness to hide them as they pressed on.
Arangilas still got chills all over his body, thinking about how scared he had been, and of all the horrific sounds and growls the wildlife around him had made.
The worst part was he could not see them…
He was constantly on edge…. Fearing some monster would jump out of the dark at any time, to take him away from his mother and father.
But his father had taken him with him to walk the campsite every night, to show him there was nothing to fear, and that the campfire would hold any creatures away from them.
It had calmed him somewhat down every time, but he could still see his father not being able to rest. Constantly listening to all the sounds the forest made. On constant alert.
He then recalls the day they finally reached Rivendell…
His father had risked to do the last part of travel in daylight, knowing very well what creatures that resided in the mountains leading to the entrance to Rivendell.
He remembers standing on the gates of Imladris, gazing out on the valley underneath them.
He had never seen something so beautiful in his entire life….so peaceful….
The colours of the trees, the waterfalls, and the silent and calm atmosphere.
The people had been friendly, and helped them settle in….
His father had not stayed long though…
Only a few days. He had told Arangilas he had to help his fellow knights in serious matters.
But that he would return as soon as possible….
Things kind of calmed down again after that…. And life somewhat turned to normal..
But his mother had not quite managed to rest after his father had left… and he had many times woken up at night hearing his mother having nightmares.
Then one day his father had come back, with three other people.
He had been baffled by seeing his father ride in over the
The three other companions were also knights, knights of Eriador.
On one of the horses - sat the one knight his father called Greyhound, and a little elven boy.
He had to be somewhat of same age as Arangilas.
His name was Elfendil..
They had found him wandering alone by the body of his mother in a burned down village,
And brought him to Rivendell.
Erawyn had taken him in to live with them.
Arangilas father had not stayed long this time either.
Only for a week…
Several years would pass until Arangilas saw him again.
***
Time passed on by, and Arangilas and Elfendil became like brothers.
Constantly playing and sparring to improve on their sword, and hunting skills.
Elfendil was a hunter in body and soul, and was destined to become a very good one to.
He had reflexes Arangilas could only dream of….
After four years, Arangilas father finally came back…
Arangilas had several times been haunted by the thought that his father had fallen in battle..
But there he was… But not the same man as Arangilas had remembered…
He looked tired and old….
Arangilas could see that the things his father had seen and endured had taken its toll on him.
Though he could see the joy of his father seeing him and his mother in his fathers eyes, they did not have the same life and vitality in them as they once had…
That night he had taken Arangilas and Elfendil to a quiet place in the woods.
He had made a campfire and he sat down and listened to Arangilas and Elfendil talk of the things they had done since they last met. And they had sparred together, with Eldonaar correcting them and showing them some new moves and tactics.
Arangilas had been thrilled to see his father smile and laugh again…
But then suddenly his face had grown very serious, and he had called them over to sit by the fire.
“I am about to tell you something… something that you need to know…. And you need to keep on bracing yourself for it… For there will come a time when you both will have to stand face to face with it…”
His father had picked up a stick from the ground, stirring in the campfire with it.
Not even looking at them, just gazing into the fire…
Arangilas had gotten the same chills as he had gotten when they camped in the forest, fleeing from Gondor five years earlier..
He sat there quiet listening to his father tell them of a place called Mordor, and the darkness that dwelled within its land.
He then told them that there were only two of the knights left…
Eldonaar himself and the one he called Greyhound.
That they had not dared to recruit more out of fear for infiltration.
He had then looked at Arangilas with a face filled with gentleness and care.
“I know you are only fifteen of age, my son….. but the time for you to take actions with the knights will soon enough come”
He had then looked at Elfendil and said
“You have grown to be a fine hunter, Elfendil, and I know you two are close as brothers to be.
I will not force you to do anything out of your own free will, but I would be honoured if you, when the time comes, will join my son in the task he will be given. I know he trusts you with his life, and so do I”
Elfendil had given him a firm nod
“I would follow him to the end of the world, sir”
Eldonaar had then rested his tired eyes on his son again.
“I am very proud of whom you have become, my son. And it grieves me to say that I must leave you again tomorrow. And I do not know when I will be coming back. But I will send word of my whereabouts as soon as it’s safe to do so….I promise”
Arangilas had fought to hold his tears back, but a single tear had yet found a way down his cheek.
His father had wiped it away with his finger.
“Take good care of your mother for me while I am away”
Arangilas had given him a nod to confirm he would.
The next day, just as the sun was rising, his father and Greyhound had mounted their horses
and left Rivendell.
Once again Arangilas had been so proud of seeing his father in his blood red armour, and pictured him as a fierce sight in the battlefield.
Little did he know that this was to be the last time he ever saw his beloved father again.
After that day, Arangilas and Elfendil started training even more intensively.
And they grew to be a strong duo in battle.
He remembered being complimented by one of the older boys living there, one called Aragorn.
He was of the Dunedain, also living there with his mother.
Arangilas did not know him very well, but had always looked up to him as a very skilled young man with his swords.
And for him to give compliments on Arangilas skills, had been a great moment for Arangilas.
Five more years had gone to pass.
And Arangilas stood at the bridge for an hour every morning, just hoping to see that bloodred-armoured knight come riding over it.
But it never happened…
His mother’s nightmares had become worse, and he had started to fear for her health…
She had more and more isolated her self from the rest of the community in Rivendell.
He often found her crying by her bed, praying to her ancestors that her beloved husband would return to her soon and safe….
Then one morning, Lord Eldrond of Rivendell had caught up with him, at his normal place looking at the bridge.
They had spoken of his mother’s troubles, and of the pain he could see Arangilas was enduring.
After a long discussion on the matter, Lord Eldrond had asked him what Arangilas could do to better the situation..
Arangilas had asked himself this questions a thousand times, and he knew the answer so well.
But it meant he would have to leave his mother behind, to search for his father, or in worst case….his fate.
After Lord Eldrond had promised Arangilas that the elves of Rivendale would be sure to see to his mother’s health while he was away - Arangilas decided it was time….
He talked it over with Elfendil, and asked if he would help him.
There was not even a flinch of hesitation in Elfendil’s answer.
“I told you I would follow you to the end of the world brother”
Arangilas had put his hand on his friends shoulder in acknowledgement.
They rode out the morning after.
After searching with no luck or clue to his fathers whereabouts in the whole of Eriador,
Arangilas had decided to go back to his place of birth, the white city of
He would use the city as a base for his search in the areas.
He kept to his solitude, not wanting to draw any attention to himself.
Elfendil had decided to stay in Dale, since the two of them would work better separate.
And Elfendil being an elf would again draw unwanted attention to them in Minas Tirith.
But they still had no luck….
Then one day he got a message from Rivendell….
Arangilas mother had gotten severely worse.
And the messenger urged Arangilas to return to Rivendell before it would be to late….
He had found his mother lying in her bed…
And she had looked like the walking dead…
Her once so beautiful hair, was worn and colourless, her face looked as it had not seen the light of the sun for years. Witch was not far from the truth…
He could hear her just barely managing to breathe.
She had barely been able to recognize him as he had entered the door, but she had almost managed to give him a smile when she saw who it was standing there by her bed.
“Arangilas….is that you…….oh….my……you have grown….”
Arangilas had once again felt the urge to fight to keep back the tears.
He felt he had let down his promise to his father, by leaving her behind to search for him…
She looked at him with all the gentleness that was left in her.
“Do not feel sad my boy……I want this……I can’t stand this world anymore…….not without him…….”
Tears ran down her cheeks.
“I…. am only sorry….for…..leaving you…….”
At the moment she had said those words….her body suddenly gave up….. as if it had finally done the last work it had been holding on to do.
Arangilas had fallen to his knees, crying by her bed….
The burial ceremony had been short but nice.
Arangilas had stood by her resting place.
Elfendil the only one still present.
Arangilas was used to solitude….but he had never felt so alone in his life…
The next years were only a blur…
Pictures of places he had been, people he had met..
But no clues were found to his father’s fate.
He had felt his father’s words strong…..
”One day you will be the leader of the knights…..”
But there were no knights to be the leader of, at least to his knowledge….and he could not do anything before he found out what had happened to his father.
Then one day, he had a break through….
Arangilas had now turned fifty-seven of age…
He had once again moved to Minas Tirith….
He was sitting by the window of his house reading a book.
Some kids were playing outside…
He had laughed silently to him self watching them…there was this young girl, who was giving some boys of the bad sort a real beating. Even though she was much younger than them.
And this was far from the first time he had seen her do that…
Suddenly he had heard steps behind him….and found Elfendil standing there…
“Arangilas…… I have some important news for you….”
He had clearly travelled fast, for he had trouble catching his breath…
“I was sitting at the inn just by the barracks in Dale last night….. And there was this drunken Gondorian soldier sitting there….
I did not make anything of him at first…. But then I suddenly heard him mentioning the Knights of Eriador to a fellow drunken soldier….”
Arangilas had dropped his book to the floor….and looked at his friend….
“I moved closer to hear what they were speaking of….. but the name never came up in the conversation again….. So when the other soldier had left him, I bought him a drink at sat with him….”
Arangilas had just looked at his friend with great interests in what he was telling him
“After chatting about all sorts of things, and being sure he was good and drunk….buying him many drinks…. I asked him if he knew of the knights….”
Arangilas had stuttered the words…
“A…a...and…??”
Elfendil had looked at him with some concern in his face…
“And he told me they had finally laid the knights of Eriador to rest, as he called it….
He said they had caught the leader and his last follower called Greyhound nine years ago….
Greyhound had fallen while protecting his leader…..
Oh…my dear brother…..”
Elfendil had shaken his head in disbelieve..
“Please Elfendil……tell me….. I must know……” Arangilas had said with a feeling he would not like what he’s friend was about to say..
“He told me they had kept the leader prisoned since then, that he had been interrogated every day, and tortured in the most horrible ways….
But he had not ever been broken….he had never spoken a word….
Then he told me that…… one week ago…..the leader’s body had finally given in, and the torture had become too much for him to endure…..
And he had died….. “
Elfendil had looked up at him, his face filled with sorrow and anger
“How could he know all these things…?” Arangilas had asked…
“Cause he was the one who was in charge of torturing you father…….”
Arangilas had then had trouble standing…. He felt the world spinning around him…
“Take me to him…….”
Elfendil had looked at his friend….
“I am sorry…but that’s impossible…..”
Arangilas had stood there with a look filled with confusion
“What do you mean……impossible??”
Elfendil had looked down at the floor, one could se the shame trouble him….
“He does not longer breathe…….”
The silence had filled the room…and they had just looked at each other.
Then Arangilas had given him an understanding look, and put his hand upon his friends shoulder…
“Are you all right, my friend…..”
Elfendil had looked up at him again, this time with hate and revenge filling his eyes.
“There’s more….. The soldier told me that the one who had caught them nine years ago….is the one who now is one of the Commanders of Gondor….. And that he himself had been in charge of the interrogations…..and the torture…
The man they call Mitchem.”
Arangilas looked at him in disbelieve….
He had heard of the Commander of Gondor many times….
He had even met him personally a few times by chance.
He had never liked his presence….
And the story’s of his evil mind and doings had many times reached his ears while he had lived in Gondor.
He had even heard rumours that the commanders loyalty was to the dark lord of Mordor….
Elfendil had then continued….
“And there is another thing…. Your father’s body was burned along with other prisoners who had fallen ill to the torture they had endured…. I was not able to get the information on where he was burned….
But the soldier told me that your fathers armour lies in the Commander’s own trophy room…..”
Arangilas had felt rage fill his heart and mind from the information he had just received
“Then we must get it back……”
That night they had sneaked up to where the Commander had his quarters.
They had managed to keep them selves hidden from the many elite soldiers and guards that kept the Commander safe…
Arangilas had been shocked when he came into the Commander’s “trophy” room….
There were several stuffed animals, weapons of horror, torture instruments and different armour set up so you could see how it had once resided on its true owner…
And in the back of the room they had found it…. Set up in its full glory as if worn on a body…
His father’s blood red armour….
They gently packed it all in padded sacks, so it would not make to much noise when they sneaked back out.
Arangilas had thought about the possibility for revenging his father by killing the Commander now…in his own house….. But he knew they would not make it out of there alive if they were to be discovered….
After returning to Arangilas house, they had packed all the important things….and left to head back for Rivendell…
They had finally found the answer….
And the person behind it…
After having a meeting with an elven friend of the family, Arangilas gave him the armour for safe keepings.
He could not yet bare the thought of wearing it himself…
That night Arangilas gave his oath to reform the Knights of Eriador.
And wowed he would one day seek revenge for his fathers death.
But first of all he would dedicate his life to helping the free people of Middle Earth against the darkness that loomed……
He then went to his mothers resting place…. To tell her of her beloved ones fate…
And there he once again stood now….
Fifteen years later…..
Mourning the loss of his mother, father…and now his beloved friend….companion….brother and fellow knight…Elfendil.
His brother had fallen in battle just a few years earlier – taking a blow that was intended for Arangilas.
His brother… who really had followed him to the end of the world…..
At his side stood his beloved horse – Aridae, that Elfendil had granted him just before his demise.
He was all packed and ready to set out for Bree.
There the other members of the newly reformed Knights Of Eriador were waiting.
(To be continused… )
