The Hills of Evendim RPG

[Nurumaiel]

Anson sat alone, silent and stiff, gazing into the night. The journey was over. All that remained now was to go back home. Back home to his family, his dear family, his dear home. Where was the joy and happiness he had expected? What was this great weariness that slipped over him, engulfing him, weighing him down and crushing him into the earth? Afternoon tea... How often he had thought on that during their journey, and missed it. What a simple little thing it was, and what peace and contentment and joy it brought. No more. The simple things contained joy no more. Only a weariness.

Lira's face, pale and beautiful in death. He had stood apart from the others, not going close to her. He was afraid. It felt like the end of all things with Lira gone. He hadn't even looked at Gorby. Dear Gorby, who had stayed with him even when he longed to go with the others. Dear Gorby, what pain he must be feeling now! How much he had loved Lira. They had all loved Lira. Nobody knew how much Anson had cared for her. Elf though she was, she was as dear as a sister to him. She had been as a mother to him when his own mother had been so far away. The pain of her passing was deep. It was too deep. Life could not be lived.

He stood from where he had been sitting upon the ground and moved towards the pavilion. He slipped in gently, softly approaching the bed on which she lay. She was just as she had been before, silent, pale, and fair. She had always been fair. What peace was on her features! The wreath Gorby had placed on her head still crowned her lovely hair. He touched her hair gently, marvelling at its beauty. Tears were rushing unbidden to his eyes, tears that did not come through the songs of lament. He let them fall as he looked upon her face, and his heart burned cold with grief.

"Lira, Lira, why did you die?" he murmured through the sobs that racked his body. "I needed you to be my friend and sister all my life. My father doesn't care for me. He doesn't understand me. I always make him unhappy. But you understood me. Did I make you unhappy? But you made me so happy. You didn't think I was a fool because I was scared and timid, but you let your bravery stand as a shield for me." He sat down on the ground next to her bed in great weariness. "Oh, Lira, I have no one to protect me now."

An arm went about his shaking shoulderes; someone sat down beside him. A curly head pressed against his own and a comforting pair of eyes looked into his own. "Dear Anson, don't you know I'm going to protect you?" a voice said softly. "We've always been friends, haven't we? Lira's gone, and I know it hurts you. It hurts me too. But you aren't alone. I'll take care of you." It was Gorby, dear Gorby who had always been like an older brother, ever since they were children. Anson felt like a child again. He put his head on Gorby's shoulder and wept. How many times had Anson been the comforter to his younger brothers and sisters, and now how sweet it was to be the one comforted.

"Gorby," Anson choked through his sobs, "I wish I were dead."

"Hush, hush," said Gorby. "You don't really, Anson. Don't you want to go back to the Shire? To the green fields and the merry dancing at the inns?"

"Such things hold no joy any longer. I can never be happy again."

Gorby blinked away some tears. He understood. "It's all right, Anson," he said. "We both weep over Lira. But happiness can never be taken wholly away from us. We have our homes and families still."

"Lira was my family... she was like my sister and mother." Anson broke off and relapsed into his tears, and Gorby held him as a father would hold his little child who had woken up after a dreadful nightmare.

[littlemanpoet]

"... my choice is to walk with you, my love, regardless of where it is that we find ourselves."

"Uien, I thought that I knew what to expect, and you surprise me again!"

Falowik had no more doubts, of Uien, nor of his own heart's rede toward her. One thing alone troubled him, but it seemed a small thing now, that he was a Man and she an Elf. Either he was wrong to love her, or a great destiny followed them.

As they walked back to the settlement, arm in arm, Falowik thought about their next road.

"I think," he turned to her, "that our next road after Bree leads to the Stonebow Inn. I would that we go with Falco and Eodwine back there to greet our friends. I would go with Lira, but maybe we can catch up to them on the Eastern Road."

"You have made peace with Falco, then?"

"So it seems. His tongue may cause trouble now and again, but he has a good heart, and is very brave. He saved all of us at least twice."

"I am glad." Her smile warmed him as it always did. He bent his head down toward hers.

[Alatariel Telemnar]

'Forgive me for speaking if you would rather be left alone, but I wonder what you are thinking, looking so wistful.'

'Oh, I was just wondering what lie ahead of me after we report of your finding. I s'pose everyone will go their own ways after that. Excuse my complaining, but I see nothing for me after this,' Finëwen said. She looked down to the ground again.

After a pause she said, 'Ah, but you must have something for you after this, eh?'

[Meneltarmacil]

Thoronmir had not said much during Lira's funeral. He sat in silence by himself over in one corner, wondering where he had gone wrong, how he could have prevented her death. Awyrgan, one of his closest friends in the past few years, had also fallen in the assault, and Thoronmir was responsible for both lives. After both of the funerals were over, as he was sitting alone under the stars, he heard a voice call his name.

"Thoronmir? Why haven't you said a word to any of us since the funeral?"

He turned around to see Lumiel standing behind him. "You don't understand what this means to me. As the leader, I am responsible for both of the lives that were lost."

"There was nothing you could do, Thoronmir. None of us knew Herugor's true strength." she said.

"I shouldn't have ordered the attack through the roof. I should have known that it could collapse without warning," Thoronmir continued.

"We must still move on," replied Lumiel. "Regardless of what happened, you cannot go back and save Lira and Awyrgan. You have to let it go."

There was a long pause as Thoronmir considered this."I suppose you're right," the Ranger said at last. "I can't change what has happened. But tell Falowik I will not be returning to Bree with the others."

"Why?"

"I have been talking to the Rangers here recently. Most of their leaders are dead, and the survivors cannot stay together without someone to guide them. We had a long talk earlier, and they chose me to be their new leader. I must stay here and help rebuild what Herugor has destroyed. I cannot return to Bree with you and the others. Tell Falowik that I'm sorry."

[Imladris]

I pressed Anson tightly. I could feel his warm tears slide down my hand, and I ached for him. I rubbed my hand through his curly hair, slick with grime and grease. My own eyes smarted with tears, and I could soon feel them flow down my cheeks. I rocked Anson gently. He was my baby brother, and Lira had been like our big sister. She was the one who had stayed with us, to make sure that we did not go astray when the fighting became fierce. I wrinkled my brow. Had we ever shamed her? We were not the best fighters, Anson and I. How did she feel fleeing with us?

My lips trembled at the thought, and I pressed Anson tighter to me. Lira could not have been ashamed of us, I reasoned with myself. She could not have...she was too kind...too good...too gentle. But what if we had caused pain even a little corner of her soul? I sobbed at the thought and then wiped my nose. "Anson," I said, with a sniff, "Lira is happier where she is now, I think. Uien was sad, but she was happy, too, in a way." But that wouldn't take away the fact that she was gone. It would have been grand if she could have stayed in Bree, where I could have seen her regularly. But I suppose an elf could not have survived in such a bustling village. She had lived in a forest...a forest was where she would thrive, not in a town.

I wished that she was here, singing softly beside us; playing with Anson and I; I remembered the time we had tried to get her to smoke a bit of pipeweed -- ah, she had been so jolly; she would know how to comfort Anson. I didn't.

[Elora]

The twilight was suspended in their embrace and the passing of the stars overhead in seeming eternal dance was lost on Uien for a time. When their lips parted and Uien could hear somewhat of her whirling thoughts over her heartbeat, she realised that something had changed, shifted within her. It was a strange sensation and she did not quite understand it. Yet, she suspected she knew what it was and it sent her spirit soaring, blazing anew with life. But it was too early yet to speak of it and should she be wrong, it would cause such heartache. So Uien rested her head beneath Falowik's and contented herself for the moment with a private joy that she would share with Laurëatan when she could be certain of it. Perhaps he knew already.

Falowik looked down after a time and caught the smile still on her lips. "Are you indeed that pleased with the Shiriff." A light note of laughter fell from her. Well might Falowik ask after the smile given the nature of the rift between her and the Hobbit.

"Aye," she replied with amusement, "Well pleased indeed that he saved that which is most precious to me. Do you think I should tell him?" There was something in her question that Falowik caught. He'd seen that spark before. Uien watched him study her face for some hint of the mischief that brewed there, just beneath the surface. What harm could possibly come from her telling Falco Boffin that her quarrel with him was at an end, that she was indeed pleased with his conduct and grateful?

"I'm sure he be happy to hear it from you," Falowik replied with wondering caution. Uien laughed lightly again, no malice in it. Sheer delight.

"Yes," she agreed and finally was unable to keep her sport with the Shirrif to herself in her merriment. "And being such a worldy fellow, I'm sure he'll get to wondering what indeed would prompt me of all people to look kindly upon him." Falowik shook his head and rubbed his chin ruefully as Uien continued to smile. She relented at length and held up her palms in surrender.

"Ah, well I shall content myself instead with the knowledge that the good Shiriff has seen the truth of things. That is all I ever took umbrage with. I shall not tease him."

Deeming it safe to allow her within earshot of Falco, Falowik set off once more, arm in arm still with Uien.

"Yes, Stonebow Inn it shall be. I am sure we will be able to meet with Lira's escort after that.

"Perhaps, when all is said and done in this matter, there is something we may do," she mused. She felt Falowik's rumble of contented interest through her arm.

"Will you permit me to show you what once I called home long ago? It is not now as it once was, and yet is a place that perhaps you may like to see."

Uien fell silent after her suggestion, struck by a realisation. Lothlórien was long emptied. Caras Galadon was emptied and quiet. Yet the land retained some memory of those who so long dwelt there even though now it abided in the swift mortal stream of time. Elven and yet mortal now was her home, as too was she. Yes, that was what the change had been. Uien did not know how she came to know what it was, only that it was the final doing of her choice of path. She that was Elven now mortal, just as Lothlórien now is. Her smile returned and she was aflight once again. Such heights she could never reach into eternity, brought to her by the Man she had chosen to stand with into mortality.

[Esgallhugwen]

After Lumiel, Uien, Finëwen and Eswen had ended the lament they all seperated from the pavilion to sit by the fire or walk by the lake. Esgallhugwen and Lumiel chose to share their thoughts and reflections by Lake Evendim; the weather had calmed and dusk was approaching.

"Mellon", Lumiel said softly, "I know the loss of Lira is dark and troubling for you as it is for us all, but is there something else burdening you?"

Esgallhugwen looked up at the darkening hills wet from the rain "I cannot help but feel as if her death was my doing, when I heard that this journey needed members for a company I urged her to go with me, so that we may learn more of each other to strengthen the bonds of our frienship. She tried to help me, to relieve the evil memories within me and I brought doom upon her. Now she lies dead in that pavilion awaiting burial", her gaze returned to Lumiel.

Lumiel smiled gently "You forget Eswen, it was Lira's choosing whether to go with you or whether to stay behind, she chose her path; you must accept that she is gone".

Esgallhugwen nodded, she knew Lira would be at peace in Valinor.

The sun was below the horizon, only a faint glow remained; Lumiel left Eswen to her thoughts and returned to the camp. With the wolf cub at her side she sat down by the lake and gazed into the dark waters lapping at the shore.

[Nurumaiel]

Anson slowly ceased to weep and became as pale and silent as the stars that shone down on him. Always before the stars had been warm and twinkling and merry. Now they were so cold and distant, so rigid...

He got to his feet, and Gorby followed his example. Anson touched Lira's cheek, then one of the flowers on the wreath. He stood indescisive for a moment, and then he gently took one of the flowers from her hair. He drew in its sweet scent and gazed thoughtfully at it. "What a sweet flower," he murmured. "'Tis a pity it will fade... not like Lira. She was a flower, sweeter-scented than any, but she cannot fade." He put the little flower into his breast-pocket and put his hand over it, holding the flower close to him. "May you ever blossom in my heart, Lira," he said quietly. A little smile flickered across his face. "But you can't do anything about it. I'll make you bloom forth, whether you desire to or not." The smiled disappeared; his lower lip trembled, but he drew a deep shuddering breath and kept his composure. Stooping down, he pressed his lips to her hair. "Goodbye, Lira."

He stepped back. Gorby did nothing but take his hand in a comforting way. Anson stood there, gazing upon the beautiful face for a moment more before he turned to Gorby. "Come, let's go by the fire," he said. "I'm cold and tired. I would like some sleep. I think we shall say farewell to Lira once more before we return to our Shire." They left the pavilion together, still holding hands. They were yet the old playmates they had been, but a new bond was between them, a deeper bond. Anson recalled it with a brief smile and, gripping Gorby's hand tightly, murmured, "Dear friend and brother of mine, thank you."

[littlemanpoet]

"Ah, but you must have something for you after this, eh?" Finëwen asked Eodwine.

"May I?" he asked, gesturing to the seat beside her. She nodded and he sat. "I am a messenger to the King of Rohan. I shall return to Edoras and give King Eomer news of what has happened here. Then the King shall give me a new task. That is all. Before that, I will stop at Bree, and then the Stonebow Inn, and celebrate the fall of Herugor with those who will be happy to hear such news. But that is all."

"That seems much to me!" Finëwen said.

"Not as much as there was once, fifteen long years ago. I lost my wife and children in the War. I have made what I could of my lot since then, but I - I miss them." Eodwine's fists clenched. "As much today as I did fifteen years ago."

"I am sorry."

Eodwine smiled. "Thank you." His brow creased. "But you see nothing for yourself? Then come with me to Rohan. As a friend. Have you ever been there?"

[Alatariel Telemnar]

'But you see nothing for yourself? Then come with me to Rohan. As a friend. Have you ever been there?'

'No, I haven't. But I'd love to go. And now the opportunity is upon me, so I shall go with you, as a friend,' Finëwen said. She was not sure what to think. She now knew what she was doing after they finished their task. But if anything was there for her in Rohan, she was not certain.

[littlemanpoet]

"No, I have not. But I would love to go. And now the chance is upon me, so I shall go with you, as a friend."

Eodwine smiled and rose, and Finëwen followed suit. He extended his hand.

"I will be honored to have your friendship on the road, Finëwen."

She took his hand in hers and they shook.

Eodwine's eyes left hers to look at a couple coming in through the south gate. "Someone comes that I would speak to. I bid you good night, Finëwen."

"Good night, Eodwine of Rohan."

She left him and walked to the bunk house in which she had made her bed. Eodwine waved at the couple.

Falowik waved back.

"Eodwine greets us," he said to Uien.

"Give him greeting for me. I would go and speak to Eswen and Lumiel."

"Good night, my fair one."

Smiling, she reached up and traced the line of his jaw, stepped to him, and kissed him once. "Good night, Lauréatan." Her eyes were filled with the light of the stars, and Falowik felt the world shift as she walked away, taking his heart with her, remaining with her at the core of the world. He would never speak of such things to anyone, for they would think him moonstruck. And this was not far off, for he thought that he had been struck, not by the moon but by the love of an Elven woman, who was his Valinor, if such a thing could be.

When she disappeared from view, a hundred paces away, passing into one of the bunk houses, he turned and walked up to Eodwine. They greeted each other and sat by the fire.

"I see, friend Falowik, how you look at the one called Uien."

"Aye. I cannot help myself, nor care to." He grinned.

"It is a fine thing! It was so for me once, years ago."

"I would hear of it if you care to talk of it."

Eodwine shook his head, smiling ruefully. "Maybe another time, for I think our paths run together for a while yet. But tell me how you came to know of Uien."

Falowik related the tale of the night and following day when Uien had begun as a stranger and become so quickly the holder of his heart.

"But one thing troubles me, Eodwine. I have heard the tales of Beren and Luthien, and now lately of Elessar and Arwen, and for a man to love an Elven woman is a high thing, too high for me! She has told me that she has given her heart to me, which whelms me like a great flood! But I cannot hold her to it. It is not right of me to hold her love, and for her to lose me some day to death, and to live in grief for the rest of her days, which may not have an end for thousands of years!"

"My friend," said Eodwine, "it is well that you think of her fate in this, but there is one thing that you may not know, having lived in the wilds for so many years. The Third Age of the world is over. The fate of the Elves is changed. Those who have chosen not to cross over the sea, have turned from the hope of Valinor in the west, and have married their fate to Middle Earth. The old Law that forbade union of Man to Elf is passed."

"That the Law no more forbids it does not make it a good thing."

"No, you are right. But there is more. As I have heard it from the wise in Gondor, and from Elves who remain, those Elves who remain in Middle Earth will join more and more with wood and leaf and field and lake, and become ever more like them. Some few may join with humans, and become ever more like us. So it seems that you may love Uien freely, and that both of you will become more like the other. Who knows? Maybe you shall have longer years because of it, but that is just a guess."

"I will not hope for it. But if Uien knows this, and has married her fate to me, then I will not deny her the choice she has made, for I do love her and would spend the rest of my days with her."

"Then love her well, my friend."

[Elora]

Uien found Eswen and Lumiel in short order, but not before lamenting the momentary departure of Falowik and turning back to gaze at his golden form in the deepening night as he spoke with Eodwine. Bright did the flame within her burn, and she would have it no other way. She found Lumiel with the wolf cub, stroking its fur. She joined the Elf quietly, slipping in to sit beside her and for a moment there was silence. Lumiel discreetly studied the other's mien and wondered what had happened to illuminate Uien's eyes and features so on this day. She wondered, but in the way of her kin, made no direct approach on it. Uien would speak of it in her own time. Instead, Lumiel continued to pet the cub which was nosing Uien's hand hopefully. Uien felt it's wet nose move lightly over her palm and she smiled softly at the cub.

"Alas, I have nothing for you to eat, but that can be easily repaired," she said with fondness as she ordered her thoughts. She looked in time at Lumiel and found her already studying her.

"Where is Eswen," Uien asked first. She worried most after Lira's faithful close friend and sadness could break a spirit beneath its burden if allowed to.

"She is taking in the evening stars," Lumiel replied and Uien nodded. "I will look in on her soon," Uien replied. There was little a healer could do, but perhaps a friend could ease some of the pain, perhaps solitude. Uien could not say until she spoke with Eswen herself and the healer in her was determined to guage at least that much.

"We will depart soon to take Lira home," Lumiel said, her hand on the wolf's pelt slowing. Uien nodded, gathered her breath and broke the quiet interlude. "I, we would accompany you if we may."

"We?"
"Falowik and I... we would both see Lira safely returned to her home in these lands if we may." Lumiel smiled and nodded. "I would be glad your presence, you and Falowik both," she said with a deepening smile. Uien inclined her head and resumed patting the cub, who was studying each Elf in turn with liquid dark eyes.

"We needs must put in at the Stonebow Inn. Once there, Falowik and I can catch you up on the East Road." Lumiel smiled anew. "Aye, that seems well... ," she paused a moment and considered something before resuming speaking. "Yes, well enough indeed."

Uien settled back and a companionable silence fell over the pair. After a long moment, Uien slowly rose, dusting off her skirts. "I will speak with Eswen and tell her of our intentions." Lumiel nodded and watched the other walk into the night with a curious face. Something was afoot with Uien and Falowik, and it was writ through Uien's gaze and shimmered in her smile whenever she spoke his name or thought of him.

Uien did not have to walk for long until she found Eswen. The Elf was wrapped about in the fresh sharp pain of loss that Uien could sense. Loss and something else. Recrimination... self blame? Uien's heart panged with lament and her mind was troubled. Grief could be a terrible bane for her kindred...

"Eswen," she called in quiet voice so as not to startle the other woman. Eswen barely moved in the darkness. Uien edged closer, stood a moment considering and decided to seat herself next to Eswen.

"Lira will be glad of her homecoming with you escorting her back to her people," Uien said gently. Eswen sighed, a deep sound that shivered up from the depth of her soul, and turned her face to Uien. Grief was stamped deeply upon her features and Uien fell silent. She knew that grief, the darkness that could envelope mind and spirit, an eternally cold maw of black despair. She reached and brushed Eswen's hand with her finger tips to draw her thoughts into the present for the moment.

"You can find Lira again, Eswen, beyond the Seas. But not if you go that way. There is no return from that dark void, mellon." There was a note in Uien's voice that hinted at experience. Eswen shook her head.

"I know it... yet..."
"The knowing does not ease the grief." Uien finished. Eswen nodded and silence fell once more for a moment.
"Then perhaps knowing that now Lira graces the once well-kept and well-ordered Halls of Mandos, breathing new life into that hallowed place..." Uien suggested.
After a delay, Eswen added, "And turning all onto it's ear in her own fashion," with an aching fondness that drew a bittersweet smile to both their faces.

"Yes," Uien agreed. "Lira was a force unto herself. May her memory and spirit remain so."

"You could sooner turn the wind than change Lira's nature," Eswen observed. Uien fell silent, recalling the moment Lira turned her recollections, her memories on their heads and woken a new hope within her. Such kindess, valour and compassion. It was those qualities that rendered her more beautiful than any Elf Queen that Uien had beheld. Valinor would receive her in honour.

"Eswen, will you grant Falowik and I the honour and grace of accompanying Lira to her home?" Eswen paused and turned to look closely at Uien.

"That would mean passing through..."

"Yes," Uien quickly said, unsurprised that Lira had spoken to her friend of Uien's fateful disaster upon the mountain passes, though perhaps neither knew the full extent of that woe. "Yes, it does. Will you have us?"

Eswen sensed the tension in Uien's voice and wondered at that. "Lira would be glad of your company," she replied. Uien nodded, "Then we shall meet you upon the East Road. We first must make for Stonebow Inn and then Bree to report on events." Eswen touched her hand to Uien as the woman rose to give Eswen some calm solitude.

"Thank you, Uien. Thank you both." Uien smiled down to Eswen and slowly turned back for the camp. It was done. She and Falowik would set out together, and meet with Lira's escort on the Road. There was something else she had yet to do, but that needed to wait until Lauréatan knew the truth of the path she had chosen. She would only reveal to others, including her friends and kindred what he himself knew and accepted. But Uien could do nothing to concel the turn of her heart and soul, and the flight her spirit soared in whenever thought of Falowik came to her, and that was frequently. She walked back to camp with a serene smile that glowed in the evening.

[littlemanpoet]

In the morning, Lira's body was gone. It was Anson who discovered it. He raised the alarm and soon a crowd was mingling and mulling around the pavilion.

Uien came and told them that Eswen and Lumiel had taken Lira away in the night, and were bringing her body to the home of her folk in Eryn Lasgalen. It was a matter for the Elves now.

Some of the people grumbled, but Anson and Gorby and those who knew Lira best seemed to take it best, so the rest of them subsided.

Thoronmir approached Falowik accompanied by a crusty man who identified himself as Margeled, chief builder for King Elessar. It seemed that they did not wish to return to Bree, but were determined to stay and carry out their original duties as expressed by the King. They would stay and clear the ruins of Annuminas and Fornost, and lay plans to build new abodes in both places for the King. The fields were ripe with grain, and since the King had sent four different contingents of builders, and since Herugor had employed them in farming for the last four years, they decided that they could split duties amongst themselves between building and farming, and make up for lost time, and so have Annuminas ready for the King when he came. And Thoronmir and the Rangers would protect them

Eodwine offered to report to King Eomer and King Elessar for them. So that matter was decided, and the only people who were going to return to Bree would be Falowik, Uien, Eodwine, Finëwen, Gorby, Anson, and Falco.

The seven left the settlement just before noon.

Three days later, as the sun was setting, the seven remaining members gave their horses to the care of Nob at The Prancing Pony. As they entered the Great Room, many eyes turned toward them in curiosity. Doderic rose from his seat, counting their number. His face fell at their diminished number, for he assumed the worst, even as he was relieved to see Gorby and Anson safely returned. Falco quickly set Doderic straight on the reason for their shrunken numbers.

Barliman Butterbur came out, having his ear to the ground, as they say, concerning the goings on in his Great Room, had to hear the entire story as related by Falowik, with additions by Gorby and Anson, and by Falco, who to Doderic's surprise, was quite humble about his own accomplishments. But Falowik made sure that all there knew what Falco had done to save them all, time and again. Then the Hall became silent as Eodwine related his own time and the final night of his imprisonment in the clutches of Herugor. When his tale was finished, the Hall erupted in cheers, and Barliman, against his better judgment, gave one round to all on the house. Word spread out into the street, and in minutes the Great Hall was filled twice as full as it had been, and old Butterbur swore never again.

In the following morning, the seven companions left Bree and road at an easy pace to the Stonebow Inn, where they arrived while the sun was still yet in the mid afternoon sky. There was a reunion to remember.

Here ends the tale of the Hills of Evendim. This epilogue may expand over the next week or so, but only to account for the opinions of certain Hobbit gentlefolk and assorted Big People. If you would learn more regarding the doings of Falowik and Uien, of Eodwine and Finëwen, of Falco Boffin, and Gorby Brandybuck, and of Anson, you will have to look to The Green Dragon Inn, which by the magic of certain Maiar known as Moderators, is somehow, one and the same as the Stonebow.

And from here, the road goes ever on and on.

[piosenniel]

~*~ To Elvenhome ~*~