F.A 580
The sky was filled with seagulls and majestic eagles soaring over the towering mountains, while the once-lively valley below was now overrun with fleeing animals, including deer, wolves, foxes, and more. Even the horses seemed agitated, as if sensing danger. The once-bustling forest was now silent, hinting at an imminent threat. A deafening rumble filled the air, emanating from the West like distant thunder. Orneth gazed uneasily at the looming mountains and the distant Belegost. The mountain passage appeared to be moving, as if something were trying to break free. She looked around and saw that others shared her concern, their eyes fixed on the southern pass of Belegost.
"We've been scanning the horizon for weeks. We may need to leave soon," Feawing declared, standing firm and surveying the pass. Orneth watched as a small waterfall that once trickled from the passage became a deluge, cascading through with increasing force. Belegost lay dangerously close, and she could hear the Naugrim shouting and cursing the Valar in their anger. Suddenly, the rumbling grew louder, and the ground shook beneath their feet. Cries of fear and panic filled the air. "The earth is moving!" Panic set in, and Orneth watched in awe as everyone sprang into action, working efficiently and quickly. The animals were set free, and the Naugrim rushed to the east with their wagons and horses, prepared for any sudden crises. One of Belegost's guards spoke sternly, "I am Thunri. Nogrod is buried and lost. You elves had better move!" His words woke everyone up. The Naugrim were known for their vast knowledge of the earth, soil, and minerals, and their expertise in science far outweighed the mere intuition and sentiment of the Eldar. Although some of the Eldar had great insight into the situation, the Naugrim's accumulated knowledge held greater weight. The Naugrim sprang into action, running down the hill to gather their people and hastening towards Belegost. The ancient fortress shook, and stones and spires fell to the ground with a deafening crash. Then, just as suddenly as it had begun, the tremors stopped, and an eerie silence descended upon the land. Orneth was sure she could hear the pounding of her own heart. Everyone was focused on the passage, tense and afraid. "A group of scouts just returned," one of the Naugrim announced. "Water is pushing through the mountain from the south. We should consider leaving!" Feawing remained calm, closing her eyes and taking a moment to gather herself. "We should definitely consider leaving," she said, taking a deep breath. "But we shouldn't consider for too long. We need to leave NOW!"
The caravans suddenly started moving eastward, and Mannamo urgently yelled at his family to stay close. Lady Lanyarë was relieved to have Orneth by her side. However, the chaos soon spooked the horses, causing the last wagon to break free and careen towards the group of eldar. Orneth quickly sprang into action, pulling Lady Lanyarë and Marilo out of harm's way, and everyone followed suit. The wagon crashed over the cliff and into the abyss, leaving Mannamo stunned and others in awe of Orneth's quick thinking. As everyone tried to make sense of what had happened, the scout with a bandaged face and blue eyes she helped, explained that it was the last large wagon that had broken free. Marilo whispered something about "squirrel skills," which Orneth found amusing despite the seriousness of the situation. Fortunately, no one was hurt, not even the horses.
Grateful to be safe, Orneth and a few others went to the cliff's edge to investigate the fallen wagon. However, the scene that awaited them was far more shocking than they anticipated. The Great Sea had risen and covered the valley and the woods, with Belegost nearly submerged. The settlement on the hill still stood, but the water was steadily creeping higher. The sight was both breathtaking and terrifying, leaving everyone stunned and speechless.
All pictures are AI-generated from Microsoft Bing DALL·E
