Aegwulf's Origins - Prologue

"Aegwulf's Origins" 'prologue' This is the history of a relatively young hunter from the Mirkwood, or Greenwood the Great as some may know it. The story begins however in ages long past for those of human kind, yet clear in the memories of those with blood of the Eldar. Once there was a talented elf archer known as Cuheru Estelthalion, the bow-lord with strong hope. Born in 2264, this elf was a true Noldorin elf, his grey eyes and pitch black hair being evidence of his roots. Though his roots lie with the Noldor, Cuheru did not join the larger groups of Noldorin Elves when they settled in Rivendell and Lindon, but carried on to look for another place to settle. Cuheru travelled all over the world, meeting travelers and foes alike on the way. Many of these travelers became friends and so the idea of a brotherhood was born. In the year of 2371 the Brotherhood of Travelers was founded and Cuheru became the leader. This Brotherhood consisted of the Travelers met on journeys, willing to join the ranks. Together with the Brotherhood Cuheru roamed Middle Earth for years before moving to the refuge of Edhelion taking along some of the Brotherhood's members. About the year of 2400, some evil dwarves attacked the refuge and even though Cuheru and the Travelers fought bravely among many others for the remaining of the refuge, the attack eventually resulted in the well-known Fall of Edhelion. In the year of 2493, after a journey through Rivendell and over the Misty Mountains with some years of refuge in both Rivendell and Lindon, Cuheru arrived at the fabled Mirkwood, led by Thranduil, the elven King. Here, Cuheru found his place in the world and he settled in the northern parts of the Mirkwood, not far from the land of Dale, for it was not rare for him to be seen among men. It was here in the Mirkwood where he found his love, Orestel Elengalad, the heart with hope of starlight. Cuheru led no exceptional life after having married Orestel and having joined the archery legions of the armies of king Thranduil. Still being the leader of the Brotherhood of Travelers, Cuheru travelled to Rivendell every few years to meet the old friends, or descendants of his friends, he left behind years ago. In the year of 2782 of the Third Age, Cuheru and Orestel were blessed with their first heir, Aegwulf. Cuheru raised Aegwulf as a true elven archer, teaching him everything he himself knew about archery. After years of practice Aegwulf matched the skill of his father. In the year of 2936 Cuheru met a man from Dale named Bronwulf. Cuheru became close friends with this unusual man and soon Bronwulf would be accepted in the almost forgotten Brotherhood. Also Bronwulf became the godfather of Aegwulf, who was already older than he but not more aged. Only once all three of the bowmen battled together. It was in the Battle of Five Armies that both Cuheru and Aegwulf were summoned by Thranduil and Bronwulf by Bard the Bowman to fight alongside each other. In this battle Bronwulf and Cuheru were unseperable, especially when they had lost Aegwulf in the chaos of war. It was only in this battle that they fought together, and in this battle it was that an unfaithful poisoned arrow struck Cuheru. The arrow was fatal but Cuheru did not die of his wounds, while he lay there in the arms of his best friend Bronwulf, Cuheru could only think of what would become of Orestel, the unborn child she was carrying, and especially Aegwulf who he had lost in battle, these thoughts led to a grief so heavy that it would mean the end of Cuheru sooner than the poison could completely spread in his body.