Raising The Shire

Posted By a Hobbit on July 26, 2011

While Tearose Underhill of the Shire was being spoiled and tended to by the Elves of Duillond, a brave Elven hunter from Lothlórien traveled to the perilous red waters of Agamaur.

Laerchel of Lórien fought the evil minions of Angmar, the undead, the malicious Gloom-water creatures. They were pure evil and Laerchel killed many such creatures as well as the Shambling wights that tried to defeat her, but she was quick with her bow and had some skills with her sword and dagger as well.

Wearily she returned to report to Eriac the Strong, and he praised her bravery. But Laerchel did not seek recognition, nor did she feel brave. She would give anything to return to Lothlórien and live in peace for the rest of her days, but she knew that the Free Peoples of Middle Earth needed the help of the Elves who stayed behind, forgoing the ships that sailed from the Grey Havens.

So she rested briefly, for there was much to do in the weeks ahead. She would spend the next few months in Agamaur and also with the Rangers in the North Downs, for their resources were stretched thin as they too were invaded by the evil forces of Angmar.

Soon Laerchel would seek the assistance of other brave warriors, for there were forces in these lands far more powerful than she was and to try to battle them alone was sheer folly and she knew it.

She found companionship from unexpected sources – brave young hobbits who had left their peaceful holes to try and do their part, courageous men and woman from every corner of Middle Earth, yes, and even hardy dwarves. Some would say that the dwarves caused a measure of the troubles that existed, but Laerchel was no longer so quick to judge them. For she saw first hand how they bravely defended their allies and tirelessly jumped into battles, waving their axes and their swords in fury.

Laerchel was wise enough to realize that every race must be united if they were to rid the land of all that was evil. She knew that old grudges existed between some Elves and dwarves but she chose to remain neutral and for that she earned the loyalty of many dwarves who came down from the mountains and traded their mining tools for weapons.

Together they would join forces and defeat the creatures in Agamaur and Garth Argawen, and they would be victorious, though they would suffer many injuries and a few losses in the process. Such was the way things happened in these troubling times of Middle Earth.

Bookmark:

Category: LOTRO Adventures | Comments Off
Tags:

Posted By a Hobbit on July 22, 2011

After spending a few nights in Needlehole, Tearose continued her journey to Ered Luin. She breathed in the fragrant air, for it was a beautiful summer day and the scent of flowers was intoxicating.

When she finally arrived in Duillond, the Elves greeted her warmly. They told Tearose that even though she missed all the festivities during the Festival of Enedhin, they still had plenty of food and wine to please even the most discerning hobbit. Tearose chuckled when they told her that, for she knew that her hearty appetite astonished the Elves. They could never believe that someone so small could eat so much.

Dolengyl, who had befriended Tearose several months before, approached Tearose with a warm smile. “I have saved the best vintage from Limael’s Vineyards for you, my dear little friend.” And with a flourish she presented a basket filled with fresh fruit, cheese, breads, and of course, the wine.

“Come, Tearose. We will sit here on the hill and enjoy the view. Isn’t it a lovely day for a picnic?” Dolengyl asked as she lead the way to a shady spot underneath a tree that had the best view of the city and the River Lune.

“Thank you, my dear Dolengyl. I love picnics and it is most kind of you to remember to bring my favorite treats.” said Tearose and she followed her friend. While they ate, they watched as many Elves were busy cleaning up after the festival.

Dolengyl and Tearose spent a long time chatting and catching up but inevitably the conversation became serious as Tearose told her friend about the battles that she had fought alongside other Free Peoples of Middle Earth. Dolengyl informed Tearose that even though Ered Luin was a reasonably safe place, still there had been some signs of the enemy: goblins in Limael’s Vineyards and Rath Teraig, but even worse were the Dourhand Dwarves who had caused ill feelings between the Elves in Ered Luin and the Longbeard Dwarves of the Blue Mountains.

The Dourhands had been previously routed by the Longbeards, and had scattered to small encampments, maintaining a stronghold on the port of Kheledûl, but they discovered the ruins of one of the ancient cities of their ancestors, that they renamed Sarnúr. From Sarnúr, they planned to assault the Longbeards and the Elves of Duillond.

But the Elves had already been warned, so they were ready. Small groups of warriors were already dispatched to western Ered Luin and they were preparing a surprise attack on the Dourhands. Tearose immediately volunteered to help, but Dolengyl told her kindly that she could rest in Duillond peacefully, for it was handled.

Tearose sighed and she admitted to her friend that she was relieved. “I am so tired these days, Dolengyl, and I don’t know why.” Tearose confided. And Dolengyl regarded her intently. She could tell that something wasn’t quite right with her little friend.

“Ah, Tearose. Then it is very fortunate that you chose to come to Duillond for a rest. We have the best healers here and tomorrow I shall take you to see one of them.” Dolengyl said with a reassuring smile.

Tearose smiled back and was quiet. Within a few minutes she drifted off to sleep right there underneath the tree. After a while Dolengyl asked for help to carry Tearose to her lodgings and the Elves tucked her in bed. Tearose slept for many hours, dreamless, exhausted, the result of too much exposure to war. She would stay in Duillond for several weeks while the Elves tended to her.

Bookmark:

Category: LOTRO Adventures | 2 Comments »
Tags:

Posted By a Hobbit on July 7, 2011

During these troubling times in Middle Earth, one could still find beauty in even the most unexpected places. Tearose Underhill had seen her share of battles and she had old injuries that wouldn’t heal to prove it. So when she was invited by the Elves of Duillond to come and celebrate the Lithe festival, she packed up her bags and saddled up her pony.

She road from her home to the Delving Fields and stopped to look around before picking up supplies in Michel Delving. She gazed to the northwest and she could see the foggy swampland that was called Rushock Bog. It was a place that was infested with bugs and other swamp creatures and normally Tearose would dread the ride through that place. But after the turmoils she had seen in other parts of Middle Earth, Rushock Bog seemed peaceful and even beautiful.

So she bought her supplies in Michel Delving and began her journey to Duillond. Tearose enjoyed the sounds of nature, bugs or not, for such noises were much more welcome than orc and goblin noises. Even the stories of a fierce wolf called Mangemaw who terrorized travelers, did not deter Tearose. For she was armed and ready for anything.

Tearose didn’t encounter any problems at all on her journey, so she rested in Needlehole and spent some time gossiping with the locals there. Once she ate a meal and rested, she continued on and when she crossed the bridge to Falathlorn, she held her breath. She had forgotten how beautiful this place was.

She couldn’t wait to arrive in Duillond. For the Elves always spoiled her and she knew she would feel the joy she often lacked since returning from the horrors of Moria.

Tearose didn’t want to think about Moria. So she drank in the sights of the land around her, and for the first time in many months, Tearose was happy.

Bookmark:

Category: LOTRO Adventures | 2 Comments »
Tags: