was born on a farm in central Gondor in the lush plain between the arms of the River Gilrain. Ered Nimrais protected our eastern and northern flanks and the tributaries our western and southern. This farm was known for its production of quality arrows due to the large ash forests which covered its northern end, and was called Litheryn. My mother and father were both of Gondor, both of the Numenorean blood. My father had fought for Gondor during the War of the Ring, but he did not love a soldier's life, and when that war ended, he returned to Litheryn and married my mother. My parents came to be known as Calithilwen and Anorien an Litheryn, and those of our Household took Litheryn as a surname. When I was not quite two, my parents journeyed to Isengard and returned with an infant Istar, whom I came to regard as my sister and whom they called Arasfaen. In the fall of my sixth year they had a daughter whom they called Lalaithiel, and though she is of my blood, Aras and I were closer - both in age and in that we did the same things. Our mother taught us herblore and how to sew; our father taught us bow-hunting, tracking, and survival skills. We also learned all the usual things one does on a farm. Earlier this year, Aras and I both left home, she to find her destiny in Isengard, and I to commit my life to the defense of Gondor. Though The Enemy was defeated, all evil is not gone from this world, and unless Gondor is vigilant, the free peoples could be at risk again. I will stand between Gondor and her enemies, and if by my life or death I can keep the people of Gondor free, then I feel I will have returned some small part of what Gondor has given me. Faithfully, Tirithadan Litheryn Cuil nín an nGondor.

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