F.A 534
For years, Orneth had wandered through the dense woods in silence, but now, as a young lady, she had found solace in the company of the maidens. Meanwhile, Lord Mannamo and his sons scouted ahead, diligently searching for the safest routes for the caravans.
Their journey had been uneventful until one of the caravan's eldars arrived with grim news. Battles were raging in Sirion, and another kinslaying had taken place. The reason for this senseless violence remained a mystery, perplexing even Feawing, the renowned elven-lady with an exceptional gift of foresight.
Despite keeping her thoughts to herself, Orneth overheard Feawing muttering about a particular treasure that had caused problems in the past. The significance of this artifact was shrouded in secrecy, and Orneth couldn't help but wonder what hidden secrets lay beneath the turmoil that now engulfed them.
Orneth stood gazing out into the vast expanse of the world, her thoughts consumed by the value of treasures that drove so many to spill blood and betray their own kind. She wondered why the eldar weren't more concerned with the looming threat of Angband, but her questions remained unanswered.
Despite her musings, Orneth found herself travelling with her companions between the morning and evening twilight, feeling relatively safe in their journey. As night approached, she helped prepare the camp, gathering firewood and materials for their makeshift cooking stands. During her errands, Orneth often crossed paths with Marilo, and they shared laughter and camaraderie, sometimes reaching for the same tree.
Their playful banter grew more spirited as they raced each other, testing their skills and abilities in good humor. Orneth's nimble figure allowed her to dart through narrow gaps between towering trees, while Marilo's strength made him an expert at cutting down branches and logs. As they worked, the two traded good-natured jibes. Marilo teased Orneth about her chopping skills and aging axe, but Orneth refused to be fazed, quipping back that being swift and efficient was better than being loud and slow. Marilo promised to show Orneth that strength and speed were not mutually exclusive, and they set off again, each determined to claim victory. Orneth's agility proved to be her advantage once again, and Marilo was surprised, impressed, and amused at her antics. "You are like a squirrel," he said with a chuckle. With a smirk and a sarcastic retort, Marilo and Orneth fell into an easy, teasing rhythm. "I race you back to camp!" he declared, and Orneth eagerly accepted the challenge. As they sprinted back to camp, Orneth felt her heart pounding in her chest from the exertion and the thrill of the race. And as she stole glances at Marilo running alongside her, she couldn't help but feel a growing fondness for him. As Orneth and Marilo continued their friendly competitions, their friendship grew stronger. They honed their archery skills, and Mantaro found great pleasure in mentoring and teaching them the secrets he had learned during his years in the woods by Sirion.
The road to Ered Luin was difficult to traverse due to its steep and rocky terrain. It felt as though the gods had placed one obstacle after another in their way. They spent hours clearing fallen trees and huge boulders from the path. The horses were weary, and they needed more rest due to the steep ascent. Additionally, the cold was biting, and the snow thickened with each step. Orneth noticed Naugrim, or Dwarrows, standing motionless amidst the snowfall, but their forms were barely visible through the thick curtain of snow.
Feawing sensed the unspoken tension and reminded her companions to respect the mountain. She laid out small elven-daggers wrapped in silk cloth at the foot of the mountain as a token of respect and peaceful intent. Orneth felt the curious eyes of unseen figures upon them, but they continued on their journey, ever watchful for whatever lay ahead.
As they admired the view before them, Orneth and her companions couldn't help but feel a sense of wonder and awe. The valley stretched out before them like a vast and verdant carpet, nestled amidst towering mountains. To the far north, they could make out the outline of a sprawling fortress that seemed to sink into the earth itself.
Mannamo gazed out at the view before him, deep in contemplation. "These mountains are just as varied as the people who inhabit them," he remarked thoughtfully. Feawing nodded in agreement, gesturing towards the grand stone structures in the northern direction. "Behold, Belegost!" she exclaimed. "If you find these buildings impressive, you must see the halls that lie beneath them. They are a marvel to behold!" She then pointed southeast towards the distant horizon. "We must press on towards my kin and my beloved husband."
After many grueling days, the group finally reached the base of the mountain on the eastern side. Filled with elation and relief, they reveled in their survival of the treacherous climb. Throughout their journey, they came across bundles of warm fur coats scattered amongst the trees. Orneth suspected that they were bestowed upon them as a gesture of gratitude by the mysterious inhabitants of the mountains, as a token of appreciation for Feawing's display of respect and peace at the start of their expedition. She realized that without the protective warmth of the furs, they would have been unable to brave the harsh climate and survive the unpredictable weather patterns that they encountered along the way.
All pictures are AI-generated from Microsoft Bing DALL·E
