Narn e-Dant Gil

I shall tell you now a tale... a tale of the Fallen Star and of the host set out from Imladris to find it.

It was night in the valley. Most of it's inhabitants slept peacefully and other sought peace of their hearts in the sky above. It was a quiet night, but suddenly a star fell from the sky! At dawn everybody was woken by clear ringing of the bells. Soon everybody gathered in the courtyard, sleepy and anxious, exchanging rumors with each other about what had happened at night and why were they summoned.

The bells stopped ringing and Elrond stepped up to break the news. Indeed a star, Morlin had fallen from the skies. The light of Telperion was now on Middle Earth, accessible to all. As known from the tale of Silmarillions, if it happened to be in wrong hands, it would start a war.
Laebeth was ordered to travel to the lake Evendim, where the star lay and make sure than no dark power gets it.

She called everybody who trust their heart to be strong and are not afraid of it, to accompany her on the journey. Many stepped up, elves and istari. In an hour the journey would start, and everybody hurried back home to gather some belongings, to bid goodbye to the close ones and prepare the horses.

In one hour Lae raised her sword, and the company rode out from the courtyard, soon leaving the valley and heading west. They slowly neared Bruinen, and at the Ford a sharp whistle sounded. A scout from Mitheithel appeared from the woods. The road through the trollshaws was safe, but not for long. The company pressed on, in a canter. The first day of their journey was peaceful and their fears came out to be unreasonable. There were many conversations, and most of them turned less worrisome in the evening. Sun had set and the stars started coming up. Company turned north and went a mile into the trollshaws to make camp for the night, with five of them keeping watch. In the middle of the night they heard somebody stepping on a dried branch, yet they recognized it was an istari in time.

Though the journey had been tiresome, few slept during the night, for their thoughts were troubling. So, at dawn they were very quickly ready to leave. Refreshed and calm, all were in bright spirits, yet not one did not think about what news shall meet them at Mitheithel. As the river appeared on the horizon, an armoured company, also appeared. But getting nearer, came out that they were dwarves, being led by Soronume and scouts were speaking to them. The dwarves warned the elves that the quest is foolish and dangerous, urging them to abandon it. Yet everybody in the ranks knew ahead that perils were waiting for them. If the road was not safe, the star was even in a greater danger.

It was decided to leave the road even that very day. They rode deep into the night, a mortal and a dwarf joined them but they met no danger. The night was uneventful, but in the morning the sun was covered with a grey veil and in the afternoon drops of rain fell from the sky. The conversations were told now in whisper and the company pressed on, as gloomy as the weather. Then a whistle pierced the air signaling danger. Laebeth turned the company north, as there was a ray of hope that there would be a safer passage

In a brief time, the warriors had to move out to the flanks and very soon the enemy caught up with them. There were somewhere 40 orcs and some men. Soon first arrows started whizzing through the air. The company stopped and the warriors charged on, leaving the healers behind them. In the rain two groups clashed together. Now only survival mattered. But finally the battle cries and the clashing of swords quieted down, for the company was determined to reach the star and many of them were experienced fighters. Last small groups of men and orcs were easy to defeat for they were disorganized and lost. The elves encircled them and the victory was theirs.
Yet victory came with an expensive price. There were many wounded. The healers rushed to start their work, saving some, but others could not be saved. Afterwards there were plenty of scratches and bruises to clean and bandage as well. For those too weak to ride, rough stretchers were made. The company left the battle-field in a hurry and though all were tired, they rode until midnight.

The fires were allowed, and the night was spent peacefully resting. The healers finished caring for the wounded and quickly cleaned and bandaged wounds now were properly stitched and seen to, still accompanied by raindrops. The dawn was grey and everybody was still tired and gloomy. In silence the camp was put together. In the morning some wounds got suddenly worse, but soon the company set out and rode on in silence. Suddenly smoke of a cottage was seen on the horizon. It was worrying news, for they were out in the wild and as far as anybody knew nobody in their sane mind lived there. There were many wounded and all were exhausted. They would not stand another battle, but a good night rest with a roof over one's head would do their company much good.

To send out a scout would have been much too dangerous. All moved forwards together but once again all those who wielded a weapon took their positions at the flanks. Inside the trees they found a cottage and were welcomed by a young girl and her father, an old man. They offered the company to stay the night. There were great doubts and a long discussion followed. They could be servants of the enemy, yet the company needed rest, there was also the danger of being over-suspicious.

Against earlier decision, scouts were sent out to examine the grounds around the cottage, the wounded with the healers were accommodated inside the cottage, and the others in the barn next to it. After everybody were settled, the stew had just ready. There were not enough bowls, and glad for the warmth and a good meal, the company was soon at ease, except the scouts guarding outside. Soon most of the elves were sound asleep.

It was Laebeth who felt something was amiss, but at the same time everybody did. The painful exhaustion, and deep sleep with dark dreams. Those who had refused the food, finally understood the grievous truth-the food and the drink had been poisoned. Many elves went from sleep to the unconsciousness, everybody who had accepted a drink or the stew. In their last moments of wakefulness, Fuin and Ness managed to take out the bottles with Elanor infusion.

In a few moments there was chaos. All those who had been cautious or forgetful enough not to accept anything, started trying to wake the poisoned ones up. The father with his daughter quickly left the cottage now, setting it afire. But nobody noticed them, only another trouble was now added-to get everybody out of the burning house, and giving them some of Elanor infusion. Tinw remembered about the charcoal. Some were brought out and successfully revived, although the poison left them weak and unable to move, while others sill were unconscious.

With time and hard work of those awake and strong, all were awake, slowly poison's effect disappearing from their bodies and souls. Deep into the night the healing work continued for some had burns. Slowly, everybody fell asleep on the lawn in front of the cottage, slowly burning down now. At the same time the man with his daughter had been caught. Finally they admitted. Servants of Mordor, they had lived there for a long time, killing every elf who stopped by their cottage. They were tied to the trees and left to the mercy of their lord.

At dawn everybody slowly woke up, stronger but still fatigued. In a brief while they were ready to leave the lawn. They moved in silence and quickly, afraid of pursuit. Yet when they finally came to a halt, they rested for a full day and night. Then they continued their journey west. Everybody was as strong as ever, sometimes a song sounded and somebody would tell a tale or two of the old times, the great battles.

A scout joined them, Gala and brought news-there were three orc groups but they were now battling each other. They had not yet discovered the company. She then joined their company to add yet another warrior to their ranks. In four days they reached the ruins of Annuminas only to discover that the light of the star reached them there

In Morlin's never-dimming light they stopped for the night in the ruins, but none slept but in the morning all were rested because of the silver rays. In the morning they stood before a choice-to leave to safety of Mithlond or keep going to the star, by which none can go past unchanged.

Merlome with her child decided to leave for there was a battle ahead. The warriors moved over to the flanks. The air was filled with light and the lake shone in thousand of rays of light. But dark figures appeared in it. Although they lingered in the pure light, they soon attacked the company.

The battle begun, and it was not only for survival but for the star and the power of the light. The elves were strong and had a sight for which to fight, but still they were inevitably pushed to the lake, until bright sound of many horns sounded of the elves from Mithlond. The help had come!

The battle lasted long, but in the end the victory belonged to the elves, yet there were wounded. Merl, who had still stayed on the edge of the battle-field was hit by a poisoned arrow and Aduchil had received a blow on his head and fell into the icy waters of Nenuial and Ness was injured, too. Yet no one had to give up one's own life so close to the star.

In the morning the company set out to finish their journey, last miles to go until seeing the star. And so, one last turn and they beheld the star. Blinded at first by the light, they saw then the star itself. There was a moment of silence.

But Tinindil, affected by his sword was suddenly blinded by greed. Laebeth fought him and others had naught to do but to watch. Yet he was disarmed in the end and engulfed by dark dreams. By quick reaction of Lord Elrohir, Seluren and Laebeth, he was brought back to the light.

Then was the time for the company to make the decision, most difficult part of the journey. What should they do with the star? Soronume wished for the star to be brought to Mithlond, yet Eriol thought that the star is better off in Valinor. Aduchil guessed that it was right to bring the vial of starlight back to Imladris and let Lord Elrond make the final decision, but the remnants of the star to be let rest in the depth of Evendim while Rilome along with Morfindel seconded Eriol's opinion. Tinw and Tinessael wished for Morlin to be cast fully in the waters of Nenuial. So they argued until a final decision was made-to bring the star to Mithlond and to water a garden of healing with the remnants of the dew, and cast the shards of Morlin into the sea.

They gathered the shards and the dew and in haste set out to Mithlond. There is not much to tell now left. They reached Mithlond while the host of Cirdan fought back the enemies at the lake Evendim, which forever now shall shine with starlight. Down to the last piece, the shards were cast into the sea and the dew helped herbs of healing grow in Mithlond. The elves reached their home, the valley and if anyone looks into their eyes, one can see the light of Morlin there

By Ness