Fornost

Written as part of the unfolding plot of Northern Charter

Click here to read Part I: Misadventure in Fornost

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A clear, cool twilight. The ruins of Fornost. Around the end of the Third Age.

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As King Arvedui and his advisors expected the Witch-king to strike at Minas Vrûn rather than attempt the well-guarded pass through Annúndir, many of Arthedain’s remaining soldiers had mustered in the southern city, leaving the capital of Fornost Erain undermanned. Now that Ost Nuaran was in the hands of the enemy, they could proceed directly to Fornost, which was not prepared for an attack.

I write this chapter by the light of the fire, my camp nestled within a rocky outcrop. The wind howls as though it were a chorus of souls; its chill bearing the touch of the dead. This is the Fields of Fornost, upon which Arthedain met its end at the hands of Angmar and its fell ruler, the Witch King, one of the chief Lieutenants to the Dark Lord of Mordor. Here, a great beacon to the Númenórean legacy was quenched, with the ashes that remained being scattered to the winds.

Repairing the damage from the rains and rodents, clearing the surroundings of the house of weeds, and leaving the windows open to air out the house had been Kennet's chores that morning. But just after lunch the young man had saddled Hawthorne again and set off for Bree.