S.A 2057
After her encounter with Siryawen, Orneth set out into the woods with her horse, Tae. Her spirit was heavy with sorrow, and her bones trembled with deep-seated sadness. As she rode, she couldn't shake the feeling of being utterly alone in the world. For the first time in her life, she truly understood the profound pain Mannamo must have felt when his family was scattered across the world. All those whom Orneth held dear had departed, never to return to Middle-Earth. Lady Lanyarë's departure had left an emptiness in Orneth's heart, a void that arrived sooner than she had expected. Lanyarë had tried to offer guidance, love, and support, but upon her departure, Orneth sensed a hidden relief on her face. Would Lanyarë ever miss Orneth? And then there was Manyamë, a dear friend and sister. Would she ever comprehend the time and dedication Orneth had invested in finding her and attempting to reunite her with her parents? However, it was the news of Falchon that truly shattered Orneth's heart. Every moment of every day, she yearned for him with an intense and consuming passion. And now she discovered that he had been drawn to Lady Siryawen, seeking her out in Mithlond through his letters and even visiting her in the enclaves. It was a betrayal that struck Orneth to her very core, leaving her feeling shattered and utterly alone. Yet, deep down, she knew it shouldn't have come as a surprise. Falchon had never made any commitments to her, and he had warned her against involving herself with him. Orneth had no one but herself to blame for the situation she found herself in and the agony she endured.
As she rode, Orneth's tears flowed freely, and she felt as though she was disappearing into the vastness of the world around her. Lord Mannamo spoke of his family often, but Orneth couldn't help but feel like she had invested her time into a family who in the end of day never had counted her as their own. She had dedicated her whole life loving them uncoditionally, but she always felt she had to work harder and prove herself for the love she received. Yet again she felt she had to do the same for Falchon. She felt like she wasn't enough, like she was missing something essencial for him to truly matter.
As the sun began to set, Orneth found herself lost in the dense forest. She rode on her horse for hours, but as nightfall approached, she realized that she had no idea where she was. The woods grew darker, and she recognized the rocky Great East Road in the distance, a far cry from the peaceful havens she had left behind. She knew she was venturing into foreign and unknown lands. Her horse was tired, and she felt guilty for pushing it so far. Finally, she came across a small pond and let her horse drink from it. As she sat down by a rock to rest, she heard the distant howls of wolves, and her heart quickened with unease. The moon was high, but the stars were hidden behind a thick blanket of grey clouds, making it a misty and dusky night. Orneth's frustration and anger boiled inside her, and she took her axe and ran into the woods. She threw her axe at a nearby tree, hoping to release her tension. Just as she thought she had hit her target, a stern voice cut through the darkness. "Halt!" Orneth froze in place, her heart pounding in her chest. The voice continued to yell, "Who is there?" She recognized the language as Quenya and felt relieved that it wasn't an unnatural or evil presence. As a shadowy figure emerged from the woods, Orneth tried to focus her eyes on the stranger, but it was too dark to see him clearly. He demanded, "Are you trying to kill me?" Orneth was at a loss for words and managed to stutter, "I am sorry. I did not know there was anyone here."
The stranger approached Orneth, carrying a bow and a longsword. He wore a long cloak with a hood, and in his hand was her axe. He questioned her, "What are you doing here?" Orneth was at a loss for any explanation and replied, "I had to release some frustration. I truly didn't intend to hurt anyone." He assured her, "You didn't hurt me, but you did scare me. Your axe was only an inch away from my head." He returned her axe, and Orneth felt a wave of embarrassment wash over her. She tried to get a closer look at the stranger, but it was still too dark to see his face clearly. As he stood before her, it was evident that he was closely examining Orneth. She realized that her cloak was missing, and her hair was a tangled mess from the long ride through the woods. He repeated, with a stern tone, "It is dangerous to be outside at this hour. You should know better!" Orneth met his gaze, filled with remorse. "I am truly sorry. I did not mean to cause any trouble. I will leave and return home immediately." He looked at her with concern. "It is not wise to venture out at night. There are wolves that roam these woods, and they are not to be trifled with. Where were you headed?" Orneth looked down, feeling ashamed to admit that she had no specific destination in mind. "Nowhere in particular. I just needed to clear my mind and feel the rush of the wind." He looked around, his eyes scanning the shadows. "Where is your horse? It is not safe for either you or the animal to be out here alone. This is a known den of wolves." Orneth pointed to Tae, who was standing a few feet away, snorting and pawing the ground nervously. The stranger approached the horse, speaking ancient words in Quenya that Orneth did not recognize. Tae seemed to calm down immediately, and Orneth looked on in astonishment. It was then that she realized this person was not an ordinary traveler. There was something about him that was both mysterious and alluring.
"I have a camp nearby," he spoke in a soothing, warm voice that immediately enveloped Orneth with a sense of trust and friendliness. Despite her reckless tantrum of axe-throwing, he seemed to have forgiven her. As she followed him, she caught sight of a campfire flickering on a small hill beside an old cabin, casting a warm glow in the surrounding darkness. He left her horse with his own and turned to face her, pulling down his hood, revealing a striking countenance. Orneth couldn't help but take a deep breath when she looked at him. He was tall and dark, with long black hair that cascaded over his broad shoulders, and eyes that radiated an extraordinary warmth she had never seen before. She immediately felt safe and embarrassed, bowing her head in apology. "I hope you forgive me, and I do apologize for the trouble." He shook his head and gestured towards some soft blankets on the ground for her to sit on. "Do not worry. I am patrolling the borders, making sure it is safe for Eldars and men to pass through. There is a huge wolf pack around this area these days, but I have called for aid. The hunters should arrive in the morning, and it should be safe for you to return home."
Orneth recognized the emblem of Gil-Galad on his clothing, indicating his allegiance to the king. "You are also in service for the king," she said. He smiled and nodded, the fire casting shadows on his strong jawline. "I do. I am a guard or watcher, if you like. I usually guide lost hunters or groups of Eldars through these lands. I rarely encounter lost maidens like yourself." Orneth smiled, feeling a bit foolish. "I am glad I did not hit you with my axe, though." He laughed heartily and looked at her with curiosity. Orneth felt a strange sensation in her stomach; he reminded her of Falchon, but his eyes were different. While Falchon had dark grey eyes with a touch of melancholy, this person had light eyes with a special glow that warmed her heart. "So, aside from running headless into the woods with your horse, may I ask what caused you to do this?" Orneth looked at him and replied, "Some of my family and friends left the Havens with the white ship. It was very sad for me, and I needed some space." He nodded in understanding. "It makes sense. I don't blame you. I do forgive you for nearly killing me, though." He laughed heartily, his laughter echoing through the night, and winked at her. Orneth was taken aback by his friendly and disarming response, but she couldn't help but smile. "I promise I won't do it again."
He spooned out a piping hot soup from one of the nearby pots next to the fire. "Here's some soup, at least. It may not be my specialty, but it should keep you warm," he said, offering the soup to Orneth. She smiled gratefully at him, but her smile faded as the wolves howled again, and the horses grew more restless. He looked at her and handed her a bow. "I'm not sure how skilled you are with a bow," he said. Orneth admitted, feeling a bit nervous, "I'm trained in archery, but I haven't practiced in ages." He narrowed his eyes and smiled cheekily. "Really?" Orneth smiled, realizing he was teasing her. Then he said, "Don't worry. They're afraid of fire. It's just in case."
They sat still for a while, quietly taking in the peaceful surroundings. The scout spoke up first, breaking the serene silence. "My name is Ranyamo, by the way. I was born in Beleriand, but now nature has become my home," he chuckled. Orneth noticed that he was lighthearted and friendly, and she felt at ease in his company. "I'm Orneth," she replied with a smile. "I was also born in Beleriand, in Doriath. But I lost a few family members back then," she added with a hint of sadness in her voice. Ranyamo's gaze met hers, his warm eyes filled with empathy. "Do not let it trouble you, Lady Orneth. We shall all meet our loved ones in Valinor someday. It is just a matter of time. I reckon you had a reason to stay?" Ranyamo said. She looked at him, touched by his kindness. "My daughter," she replied, her voice barely above a whisper. Ranyamo's expression softened, but sadness lingered in his eyes. "I understand. Well, then you have all the reasons to stay," he said. Intrigued by Ranyamo's own reasons for staying in Middle-earth, Orneth asked him, "Since you also hail from Beleriand, what is your reason to stay?" Ranyamo replied with a small smile. "I have the same reasons as you, Lady Orneth. I have someone very close to my heart that I cannot leave behind. Not yet."
As the night wore on, Ranyamo stood up and scanned the surroundings. "You should rest now, Lady Orneth. I'll keep watch. The wolves seem to have left this area. It should be safe for you to go home tomorrow morning," he said, his voice calm and reassuring. Orneth smiled gratefully, feeling a sense of security in Ranyamo's presence. "Ranyamo, I thank you. I am sorry you had to witness my madness and recklessness. It was not my intention for you to see it. I want to thank you for the shelter and the food," she said, handing him a small pouch of silver coins. But Ranyamo simply shook his head and refused her coins. "Keep your coins, Lady Orneth. I am a watcher, not a money-maker. It is my duty to be of aid if needed. It is not every day I rescue lost beautiful maidens throwing axes at me," he chuckled, his eyes twinkling mischievously. Orneth blushed, feeling both embarrassed and flattered by his words. "Yes, I would assume it is a rare incident," she replied, smiling. Their eyes met once more, and for a moment, they both fell silent.
Picture AI-generated from Microsoft Bing DALL·E
