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Second edition. New information is italicized. Words with the ^ symbol after them have further information at the bottom of the post.
Aedail (known by elves as Aedail the Old^, men as Old Man, and Shammah as Kal-hir^)
Before the Darkness^: Black hair, brown eyes. Six feet tall. Lean build.
Aedail, an only child, was born^ in a clan of lossoth (Snowmen) which lived in the Northern Waste. His father had dark hair and grey eyes (he was thought to be a Ranger of the North) and his mother had black hair and brown eyes. Aedail learned swordcraft at an early age, as orc raids and attacks by white wolves were frequent. Ever since the dwarves left Ered Mithrin, times had grown hard, the orcs being more numerous. In a way, they were a blessing, for without them, the clan would have had no iron tools, as there were no longer dwarves to trade with. Orcs or not, the members of the clan refused to leave, loving the beauty of their home. Food was less than plentiful, but due to patience, Aedail was able to win enough game to feed even more than his family. He helped care for the old and weak, and proved wiser than the other young men. In this way he mirrored his father, who as Elder^ of the clan hoped to pass on this role to his son.
When Aedail turned twenty^, he left the village, as was the tradition, to spend three days fasting and thinking. During these days, much thought was on the future of his clan, for he believed that when he would return to the village and be received as a man, the clan might elect him Elder, as his father had hoped. He spent the third night hunting, for the man-to-be was required to prove his worth by supplying the clan with meat. The next morning Aedail met Vael, the other youth his age, still hunting. He had never cared for Vael's arrogance, but having bagged two birds himself, he pitied Vael and offered one to him. This done, they returned to village.
As they neared the snow houses, Aedail's heart leapt in his chest. For the ground was crimson, stained with blood. And as he looked with horror, there was a cold glitter. Kneeling beside a severed limb, he gazed upon the bracelet^ which he recognized as from his father. He gently freed it from its embrace on its owners wrist and rested his head against his father's bare arm. He heard a cry from Vael, who until this point had been staring dumbly, uncomprehending. Then Aedail started as if from a trance, and carrying the bracelet, rose and searched for his mother. He found her crushed body surrounded by dark blotches, her hand still clutching a filthy knife. Numbly he kissed her bloodstained cheek. Her face was frozen in a snarl, her teeth bared. He carried her remains to lie beside those of his father.
Aedail joined Vael, who was trying to free his father from a pile of snow. Together, they managed to pull what was left of him out. There was no trace of Vael's mother. They determined that a cold-drake^ must have attacked and consumed what villagers it did not mutilate. Aedail believed his mother had managed to pierce its belly, for among the three toed tracks leading away from the carnage, there were a few dark stains, as if the drake were still dripping blood. After burying all the villager remains, they gathered what tools they could and made a temporary shelter. Aedail wore the bracelet of the Elder, even as his father had hoped. The next morning, they left that accursed place and headed southeast.
By mutual consent, they skirted the Northern Heath, then headed southwest, arriving at Erebor (Lonely Mountain). Having told their tale to the King of the dwarves, they stayed for some months working as miners and blacksmiths. Neither being very fond of the crowded conditions, they continued east, spending several years in the Iron Hills, where they learned the secrets of forging the best iron weapons. They both enjoyed the Iron Hills much more, as few dwarves remained...most had settled in Erebor, drawn to its riches.
During their stay, they helped fend off an attack by warg riders. Aedail was close to death and separated from the other defenders, a poisoned arrow having pierced his lung. Vael fought mightily, finally breaking through the ranks of the orcs, and defending Aedail's unconscious body. Aedail's recovery was considered miraculous, as all but Vael had lost hope of him surviving. Few have an explanation for his survival, save that the Valar willed it. After Aedail's recovery, as a reward for their courage, the dwarves gave them the finest dwarven armor and weapons.
It was with sorrow that Aedail and Vael parted from the dwarves. They had come to love the caves almost as much as their native Northland. But as the Fourth Age began, the dominion of men was at hand. The dwarves had little part in this new age^. So it was that they left the dwarves, who sealed up their cave doors. And it may be fair to say that they were the last men to see the splendors of the known caves, save those in Helm's Deep and Moria.
Aedail and Vael were fascinated with Carnen (the Redwater), having never seen a river before. Building a raft, they traveled for many days until they reached the Inland Sea. Amazed by its size, they dared not leave the shores. They then explored the Eastland forest, and finding it to their liking, stayed for some months. They were forced to leave after Easterlings discovered them during a kine^ hunt. So then they traveled west, having heard tales of elves from the dwarves. At last they came upon southern Eryn Lasgalen (East Lórien) and dwelt there for many months, learning what they could from the elves, even Lord Celeborn.
They then journeyed west, arriving at Lothlórien (Dreamflower). As few Galadrim remained since Celeborn moved to East Lorien, Aedail and Vael found the Golden Wood to be very enjoyable. They marveled at the mallorn forest, so different from their bare homeland. For several years they lived in Caras Galadon (City of the Trees), which had been deserted before they arrived. But, driven by their wanderlust, they traveled west through the High Pass, stopping for a month in Rivendell. Heading northwest, they explored the wilderness or Arnor^.
It was spring when Aedail met Morfin, a beautiful green-eyed elf^. While wandering from the campfire Vael was building in the forest at the base of Ered Luin (the Mountains of Lune), he heard faint singing. Drawn to her fair voice, he beheld the elf maiden dancing in a glade. He was surprised and amused to find that others were captivated by her music. He could pick out deer, and even a shy wolf, all listening to her song. Even as he watched, she sensed his presence and reached for her dagger. Aedail raised his hands to show he meant no harm and tentatively asked her name. Still wary, she replied that her name was Morfin.
She accepted his invitation to sit at their campfire. Vael said nothing at her appearance, but noted in his heart that such beauty might drive a lesser man than Aedail (or himself) to madness. Still, he saw signs in Aedail, signs not to be ignored. It surprised even Vael when Aedail played his mother's harp^; he had never even mentioned it since that morning so long ago, when they left the ruins of their village behind. And as Vael listened to the harp-work, and watched Morfin dance, even he had a desire to tarry in that place, if it were the only way not to part company with the elven maiden.
But tarry they did not. Instead, Morfin traveled with them. So when Aedail led them back to Caras Galadon, Vael knew. He noticed the looks between Aedail and Morfin, their whispered conversations. Summer passed, fall came and went, and Aedail whistled as he laid plans for a house^. It did not surprise Vael when he saw it included only two bedrooms. He suggested to Aedail that he hurry and get engaged, lest the house be finished before their marriage. So it was with great joy that Aedail and Morfin were betrothed.
Work on the house progressed rapidly, and after several more months, it was completed. Standing before the house with Aedail, Morfin looked radiant with niphredils braided in her hair. Clasping hands, they raised their voices, singing to the heavens and He who dwelt there. And as Aedail gazed upon the beauty of his bride, he wished for the moment to never end. So it was that Aedail knew Morfin, and she him.
The Darkness descends.
Less than a year after their marriage, Morfin developed a strange disease^, and was slowly dying. Over the months, Aedail desperately searched all kinds of magic for a way of saving her. Not succeeding in finding anything in the healing arts, he discovered dark secrets that should have been forgotten long ago, and became a great sorcerer^. Secretly testing a spell of preservation (which he planned on trying to heal Morfin with), he suddenly felt an agonizing pain. His breath came in gasps, and he collapsed. Innocence alone saved him from death. For while the spell slowed his aging, all joy left his body, and his life became unbearable torture. In his madness he drew his sword…
Vael entered the room, just in time to prevent Aedail from killing himself. As they wrestled for control then it was all Vael could do to hang on, Aedail suddenly being filled with superhuman strength. Vael drew his knife, as he would rather cut off Aedail's arm than let him die. Desperately, he grasped at Aedail's sword, ignoring the pain as it bit into his hand, and slashed at Aedail's wrist. But Aedail's strength was too great...his sword was held in a death grip. Suddenly the tables were turned; Vael gave a cry and stabbed Aedail's arm, cutting the Elder bracelet in half as the dwarven sword swung once...
The cloud lifted from Aedail's eyes, and he looked upon the body of his friend. Suddenly he realized what he had done. Bitter tears welled in his eyes. Vael, who he considered a brother, was gone; killed by the very man he had tried to save. Aedail rushed from the room. He heard Morfin asking from her bed about the cry she heard. As he slowly entered, his face disfigured from pain and sorrow, the room seemed to grow cold. A shadow fell on her face, for she could see in his eyes what had occurred. With that the will to live left her, and she breathed her last.
Then madness took Aedail, and he fled. Reaching the edge of the Misty Mountains, he did not pause, but continued. Ignoring the pain from his bloodied feet and wounds on his arm, he climbed until he reached the top of a cliff. And there he lay, wishing for death. Bleeding freely from his arm, he entered a state of semi-consciousness. It was then that he had the vision. A Being^ of pure, piercing light. Light so bright he thought he would go blind, yet he could not look away. And in a voice like thunder, It commanded him to rise, and bury the fallen. Suddenly his sight was restored, and weeping at what he had done, he let himself be healed.
Filled with strength, Aedail left that place and returned to Caras Galadon. Placing Morfin on a pure white kine skin and braiding niphredils into her hair, he kissed her cold lips and laid her in a coffin of crystal^. Vael he had lie on a Lórien cloak, hands clutching his dwarven sword. And taking the Elder bracelet which he had repaired, Aedail slipped it onto Vael's arm. At last, having placed him in another coffin, Aedail blew two blasts on his horn^. As the sound faded, it seemed to him that there was a faint answering call from the East. But it ended abruptly, cut off.
Having completed the ceremony, Aedail laid the coffins in the earth and erected a small gravestone. Few besides him know what it says, as he used runes from the North. Then he left that place and settled in the forest by the Inland Sea, where he currently resides, instructing Eruantien the centaur in the ways of wisdom.
Further Information
^Old: As a joke, probably because of his looks and wisdom, both unusual for one so young
^Kal-hir: Kal-hir means "Whitebeard". Probably jokingly referring to his looks
^Before Darkness: Some have noted that Aedail resembles the writer
^Born: To be born during one of the three coldest months was thought to be a good sign. Aedail was born in February
^Elder: The Elder had a large part in any decisions concerning the clan, from marriage to hunting. He was chosen for his wisdom
^Twenty: Four initiations were held each year, one every three months. Vael must have been born in December, January, or February, as his initiation was at the same time as Aedail's. Upon returning to the village, Aedail and Vael would be received as men, and allowed to marry
^Bracelet: This bracelet was passed down for many generations, from Elder to Elder
^Cold-Drake: Little is known of cold-drakes, save that they come from the Northern Heath
^New Age: The year dwarves went into hiding is uncertain
^Kine: Large white oxen found near the Inland Sea. The Horn of Gondor was made by Vorondil around 2000 (Third Age) from a kine
^Arnor: This was before Lord Aragorn re-established Arnor as part of his kingdom
^Elf: Morfin's origins are unknown. As she had pale skin, Aedail also called her Niphredil, after the white flowers of Cerin Amroth
^Harp: Some may find a harp in the Northern Waste strange. However, the writer believes it is proof of Aedail's father being a Ranger. Where he got it, no one knows
^House: Even after years in Caras Galadon, Aedail and Vael did not sleep on telain
^Disease: None know what caused this
^Sorcerer: It is believed by some (including the writer) that Aedail found this spell while searching dark places, perhaps Mordor. It appears similar to the one which preserved the Mouth of Sauron for thousands of years. Aedail's gradual disfigurement resulted from this spell
^Being: Some speculate that Nienna, moved by Aedail's pain, convinced Mandos to appear to him
^Crystal: With his new-found magic, Aedail may have preserved Morfin and Vael's bodies in their coffins
^Horn: The tradition of the lossoth was to blow a horn at burials. One may wonder how they would come to possess a horn. It is most likely that they discovered one on the corpse of an unlucky orc raider. This one, however, was from a kine, and decorated with silver
There are similarities between this story and much older ones. Aedail meeting Morfin much resembles Beren meeting Lúthien. The death of Vael slightly resembles Turin slaying Beleg.
Note: Although there is evidence that Aedail spent time in Thranduil's prison, the writer left it out until further information on the matter is found. The reason for Aedail's imprisonment is unclear. The writer tentatively suggests it had something to do with Aedail's knowledge of magic, perhaps his ability to create magical crystals, as Thranduil was known for his great love of jewels and riches.
Further Note: Aedail's tea seems to have become famous. The writer has discovered some notes on the plant used. However, the tea-making process remains unknown. Arctium longevus, a rare (and extinct) species, is related to the burdock genus of the Old and New worlds. Growing to the height of three to six feet, and deeply rooted, it has purple flowers with hooked bristles. Tinctures of the flowers are used in medicinal healing, especially to promote strong wing membranes among flying reptiles. The root is gathered, dried, and prepared in a tea-like infusion. It appears to change the body chemistry to reverse the aging process. Thus a human can approach or even exceed two hundred fifty years of age.
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"Who are you?"
"I am the Sage-Child, bearer of wisdom past and hope for tomorrow.
Join me and see what was and must be.
Youth and age can conspire, if you just believe..."
I flew all the way from Texas to New England to spend two weeks with miss Nienor. 5 of those days were to survive on an uninhabited island. Booyah.
Last edited by Sage-Child on January 24th, 2006, 5:54 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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is it gonna be super long again?? *cries*headdesk*I don't wanna read that much!!! *gets strange looks from classmates*glares at them*
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