S.A 1700
Many years had passed since the events that unfolded in Eregion. During that time, a much larger threat loomed over the land. A dark lord, once a lieutenant to his former master in Beleriand, had begun gathering an army from the east. The threat was imminent, and reports of secret alliances between the east and west had surfaced, even during Orneth's captivity.
However, rumors began to circulate that Prince Celebrimbor had learned the craft of creating valuable weapons from an emissary who claimed to be sent from the Valar. These weapons caused great commotion, and a war ensued between the Prince and the new lord and leader from the east. The conflict ravaged Eregion, and once again, the Eldar were forced to flee their homes. Some whispered that Celebrimbor had been captured, tortured, and killed, but the truth was lost in a sea of darkness and uncertainty.
King Gil-Galad and the Númenóreans had defeated Sauron's forces when they attempted to siege the havens, but the dark Lord had managed to escape and disappeared to the lands of the east. Orneth couldn't help but feel anxious about what the future held.
In the midst of all this chaos, Orneth, Falchon, Haldanáre, Mannamo, and Lanyarë left Eregion with thousands of refugees, following Lieutenant Elrond and his army to the west. The journey was long and arduous, but they pressed on, seeking sanctuary from the impending storm. Finally, after months of travel, they arrived at the foot of the Misty Mountains, where Elrond created a new settlement called Imladris. The beauty of the place was breathtaking, and it quickly became a key location for all Eldar who traveled through the lands. Orneth watched as the settlement grew and prospered, a beacon of hope amidst the darkness that surrounded them. As the years went by, Orneth found solace in Imladris, surrounded by the beauty and tranquility of her new home. Even as the darkness threatened to consume the world, she knew that she was safe within the walls of the settlement, protected by the wisdom and power of those who called it home.
The last homely house, where Elrond resided, served as a symbol of civilization for the free people who crossed the mountains towards the west, and the last refuge for those who journeyed east.
Orneth's new home was situated next to Imlad Gelair, a tranquil glade with a serene lake nearby. The peacefulness of the place was a balm to her weary soul, yet she couldn't shake off the unease that lingered within her. News and rumors of Sauron's evil deeds reached her ears, and she knew that danger still lurked in the world.
S.A 2000
Falchon had been spending a lot of time with Lord Mannamo, his grandfather, who had convinced him to join Gil-Galad's army. Although Orneth was pleased that Falchon had found a new sense of purpose, she couldn't help but feel a twinge of jealousy. She had thought that they would be able to navigate their new lives together, but now it seemed that he had left her behind. It wasn't just the fact that Falchon had become a soldier that stung, but also the way he treated her, as though they were mere acquaintances. Orneth felt like a stranger in her own skin, unable to connect with the person she had grown to care for so deeply. She tried to talk to him about it, but he was always too busy with his duties, leaving their conversations feeling hollow and forced.
Meanwhile, Orneth focused completely on documenting every moment of her time in Eregion. Alongside this, she had taken up light woodworking, using her skills to craft detailed ornaments and emblems for hafts and bows. This work was important for Gil-Galad's army, which had recently brought in many new soldiers from the west, including Falchon, Haldanáre, Marilo, Mantaro, and Giril's brother, Carvedir. Hearing Marilo’s name brought mixed feelings for Orneth. She couldn’t remember the last time she had seen him, and hearing about his success was bittersweet. Not only had he joined Gil-Galad's highly respected army, a great honor, but Orneth also learned he was about to marry his love, Simawen. Their wedding was planned to take place in Harlond, where they would begin their life together.
Still, this news confused Orneth, as it seemed strange to hold a wedding in such uncertain times. Lord Mannamo had long stopped trying to pass on his values to his sons. He had always worried about his family drifting apart. Life was unpredictable, and the world was full of dangers he couldn’t control. Yet, despite the dark times, he found himself wishing for hope—something, anything, to break the constant stream of grim news that had become their daily reality.
And so it was that Lord Mannamo and Lady Lanyarë, accompanied by a party of five, set out from the idyllic settlement of Imladris seeking some measure of respite from the world's horrors. Riding ahead were Lord Haldanáre and Falchon, conversing amicably like brothers-in-arms, as they had become. Meanwhile, Orneth trailed behind, mounted on a horse that was itself an offspring of her beloved Tae - a steed she had cherished and ridden for many years.
Picture AI-generated from Microsoft Bing DALL·E
