Fragments from Oronir's past



Fragments from the past

These short pieces of story should be seen as flash blacks. Look at Oronir and picture a heavy tome opening behind him and pages seem to come loose from the bindings, falling slowly to the ground. The ground fades, Oronir fades and the story unfolds.

Page 3508

Its a clear day in the great city of Minas Tirith. Behind its sturdy walls peace and normal life passes by day by day. In the well known tailor shop  “Silk needle” Thoranor works as an apprentice under the tutelage of his father, himself a successful tailor in the city and of the upper middle class. For he has his family crest under the lower nobility. The family is doing very well and money I never a problem. Life is good…

Page 3814

On the family lodge in the Ithilien forest Thoranor stares deeply into the dark haired Gilwen, daughter of Halreth, her white wedding dress with silvery and gold threads makes her a queen beyond dreams. The priest speaks the last words: “ you may kiss thy beloved as man and wife”.
Gilwen comes from Minas Tirith`s middle class and thus approval was quick on both sides of the family. Life could not be better now Thoranor has the woman of his dreams at his side and an apprenticeship nearly finished.

Page 5239

Blistering heat and flash rainfalls have destroyed crops time and again. An epidemic has weakened the citizens and the lands of Gondor are no longer safe. Thoranor has fulfilled the apprenticeship several years ago and is living together with Gilwen in the great city. But trade is declining and times are hard. Sitting by the fireplace they discuss the possibility of moving to the countryside.  Their two young sons sleeping silently unaware of the time they are born in. “Gilwen my love, you can learn to dye the hides and spin the threads. Father and myself will go hunting ourselves and can sew the clothes.”, Gilwen stares at him wondering what life would really be like outside these walls. “Anyways, it will be only for a few months…a year at the most. Then these hard times will change and we will move back into the workshop in the city. Father has a good feeling about this”

Page 7586

The cottage became a farm and Thoranor standing before a tree beckons his sons and daughter to his side. “He was the greatest man I have ever known. Remember your grandfather children as a kind man who always took the time to talk to people from all ranks of life. As a practical man and he loved you all very, very much” A simple wooden post stands amongst the trees decorated with flowers. In memory of the grandfather of the now 5 year old Oronir.

Page 7631

Oronir stares at it daily because It gives him comfort. Oronir hasn`t mastered reading and has never found out his grandfathers name. As a 5-year old he does not care if he knows or doesn`t know what the pretty signs mean. Grandfather was…grandfather.

...The name 'Oronir I' was cut into the beautifully decorated pole.

Page 14 340

Oronir stands on the roof of the farmhouse. “ I know he is going to come today. I just know it.”  Oronir mumbles. “ He might be busy brother, cause he is a famous warrior fighting for the safety of Gondor.” , says his brother.

….

“It`s so nice uncle comes each year, Oronir, and each time he brings gifts and stories from the warfront. When I am old enough I will become a strong and invincible warrior as well.”

Page 19 340

Thoranor, Gilwen, oronir and his brother stand outside their farm. Huddled in warm clothes against the chill of early winter. Oronir`s sister is to be send to Minas Tirith, she is after all of a marriage age. Her finding a suitable spouse might be the fund boost the family needs to once again start their old prosperous business in the city. Thoranor and Gilwen will join their daughter in a few weeks to help support her and possibly regain the family honour although that last is kept secret from their children.

Page 38 470

A cry is heard through the darkness. Within the enlarged farm the noise of a new born baby can be heard. Oronir and his young, beautifully dark skinned wife Kira have become the proud parents of a new born girl. Thoranor, Gilwen and his brother pour the wine and cut the fresh meat to celebrate the new life.

Page 41 829

“You will be sorely missed my brother”, Oronir pinks away a tear. “Farewell my brother, that you may reach uncle in Trestlebridge safely and in good health”.

Page 45470

Kira awakens to a sudden noise…not a pig sound nor a sheep noise. With Oronir being out in the hunter shed in the forest of Ithilien for another night Kira has the tendency to be nervous.

She pulls back the blankets and checks up on her daughter. The young teenager is fast asleep. A creaking noise, the sound of a door being pushed out of its hinges fills the main room.

….

Oronir, his knees deep in the mud, cries his eyes sore and lashes at the ground furiously. In front of him is a burning furnace that was once his home. Further out dead animals are strewn around, some of which were half eaten.

….

Oronir dwelled near his burned-down house for months and succumbed in sadness and doubt. Darkness was descending upon him when suddenly a passing woodsman spoke words of courage to Oronir’s dark and brooding eyes. For the voices of Mordor were already working their evil magic on his mind. The brief encounter made him take his meager belongings and enter the wild, traveling north in search for his brother and uncle. Hunting and trapping kept him alive.