Beongarn's return

It was already dark when the clatter of hoofs echoed through the village. The rider covered in a thick cloak to protect him against the cold wind was looking around - everything seemed like it was when he left.

He steered his horse to the little stable located next to a house. The horse was clearly happy to get a rest, and chewed straight away on the hay provided. As usual the villages of Hookworth made sure everything was provided - his message apparently arrived.

Beongarn walked through the door into his house that was overlooking the whole village and he was glad to see the flames in the fireplace, providing some welcomed warmth. He discarded his cloak and hat, and got himself some of the ale he always stored in his house.
Beongarn looked around, and a rare smile appeared in his face. 'Finally back home' he said loudly, before sitting down in the comfortable chair in the sitting room - which was much more comfortable than sitting on the saddle of the horse.

It felt good to be back - after spending nearly half a year on the road. Since leaving his home he spent a long time traveling the roads, sleeping next to roads or little caves when he was unable to make it to an Inn. But he must admit, the thought of a bed was something that made him happy.

He made himself comfortable and took a long sip of the ale, trying to rest his eyes. However, a deep sigh escaped his mouth, and he shook his head. If he was honest to himself, he didn't get any closer to find out who was behind the search for him. At least he managed to tick off some suspects from his list.


The most obvious were the men who were the reason he left Dale the first place. He wasn't back at his home village near Mount Erebor and the town for 10 years. Passing the Laketown, the familiar looking forests, and of course the beautiful town of Dale, that was rebuilt after the battle of the five armies. He didn't even thought it would be possible to see the town even more beautiful, but when he was riding towards it, with Mount Erebor in the background, he had to stop to take the sight in. A lot of memories of his old life, some of them he tried to erase but never managed, returned immediately.
Instead of riding into the town he turned away from the main path to get to the little village he called home a long time ago. When he arrived he noted that not a lot has changed. A few more houses were added, but it was still rather small, a home for farmers and woodmen. He wondered how he would be welcomed, if anyone would recognise him - he found out not even a minute after arriving.
A tall, bulky man with a massive forester axe looked at him, and a smile appeared in his boyish face. "Are my eyes deceiving me, or do I see a ghost? Is this really, you Beongarn?" Beongarn couldn't hide a big grin, got off his horse to give his old friend a hug. "Arn, for a change you are not very slow. Though you are still as ugly as 10 years ago" he said with a big laugh. Arn responded with a laugh "I really need to take that from this little boy I knew a long time ago. But it seems the time away from here helped you to get some muscles. It is good to see you again".

Beongarn experienced the same welcome from most villagers, old friends, their parents, their children. But nothing made him smile as much when he saw his parents again. Not having spoken to them for such a long time it was a relief to see that both were still looking healthy.

He decided to stay for a while in the village, sharing stories with his friends and families. Even though Hookworth was his new home, being here made him appreciate his old home.

However, despite all the warm welcome there were things to do Beongarn was not looking forward to. He asked about the families of the men that were killed 10 years ago. They were his best lead. He didn't kill them (something he still regrets not doing it himself), but he was so determined to hunt them down, that no other result was expected. He knew they had some brothers, but instead of being faced with hate when visiting them, he received remorse. Even though they didn't do anything, they asked to receive forgiveness after all these years. He held on to the hate against these men, but never blamed their family. Beongarn knew then that he wouldn't find the answers he was looking for here.
After a week he decided to leave - even though his parents begged him to stay longer. They all knew that it was unlikely that they will ever see again. But he also knew he had to leave.

During the last evening he finally convinced himself to do something he was hoping never to see again. He knew the pain would be back, but hopefully the anger that built up so much wouldn't return again.
With some flowers he visited the site where he dug the graves, the place was still beautiful - on a hill overlooking Dale town, the lake and Mount Erebor. Standing here more of the memories he tried to forget came all back, and he was glad that no one was seeing him here. Beongarn thought that it was very unlikely that he would see this place again.

The next morning he left early. At Laketown he turned around for the last time, taking in the so familiar view one more time, before heading off.


Beongarn shook his head, opening his eyes again, tears rolling down his face. He cleared his face and got up again, eyeing the map of Eriador hanging in the large entry hall. The rest of the journey wasn't more successful. He traveled to places he took work on, but there was no evidence who was behind the search. Sleeping rough when he couldn't get a bed, making small fire to just eat some bread and maybe roast some meat he caught was like being back in his old life, when he had nothing he called a home- moved from one place to another to earn coins. It was a hard life, many would find it depressing, but at that time it was the one thing he needed. It helped him to deal with the anger he built up. But he remembered it was not a happy life.
After being in the Bree area for nearly 3 years now he noticed though that things have changed in most places. The mood was different. People seemed to be more afraid everywhere. The shadow he saw spreading near Bree could be seen in most lands he traveled to. He heard about the increase of brigands, orcs, wargs and other evil sources. He also heard constant rumors about the walking death - though he didn't see anything that proved that these were more than just rumors. Something was coming - something bad, he felt it. It was clearly not just Bree, North Down and Lone Lands. It was a worrying thing.

"Nothing, nothing at all that could help me finding more information" he said loudly with a frustrated voice. Well, except he managed to narrow down the list.
There was only one place left - the place he did a lot of work back in his old life. Maybe the place he did his worst. He left it till the end. For some reason he always thought that this whole story would bring him back there. But he decided not to leave the Order again, he could do that from here, it wasn't too far away, a few days journey.

Beongarn took a long sigh. So he had to face more ghosts from his previous life. He whispered the name he tried not to think about too much:
"Evendim"