Chapter IX: The Reckoning (Pt. IV)

I was not in my chambers long before Mîrwen entered. She had a look of dread upon her face. I knew better than to inquire. She had spent much of her time with the Queen this day. With the departure of Thingol, I knew too well the fear in Melian’s heart. What she said to the court with her eyes, she spoke to her most trusted ladies.

“What is on your mind, Orothôn,” she asked as she walked by without a glance. “I could hear your thoughts in the hall.”

“I have nothing on my mind other than my concern for you.”

“As you well should,” she said. “But I would worry more for the fate of the Eldalië.”

“Why is that,” I began. “Do not speak to me in riddles, Mîrwen. Between you and Galadriel, on can hardly dismiss the look of puzzlement upon my face.”

“There is talk of war,” she said angrily. “Or do menfolk not speak of it anymore?”

“We speak of it,” I answered. “But why would ladies concern themselves with war?”

“We are far from immune by the affects of war,” she said. “We are wives and mothers of warriors.”

“Yes, you are,” I said. “And as such, it would be helpful if you would tell your warrior husband what you are trying to say.”

“Mother wishes to sail west.”

I looked at Mîrwen. From her expression, I could tell she knew I was stunned.

“What are you saying, Mîrwen?”

“Dark times are coming to us,” she began. “There will be death among us. Mother wishes for us to go where we should have gone a long time ago.”

I did not know what to say. Before I could think of something, there came a knock at the door.

“Enter,” I said without a backwards glance.

“Ada,” I heard Oropher say. I turned to see my son standing beside Amdir. 

“Yes, Oropher,” I asked.

“You are wanted,” he said. “By Elmo.”

I nodded.

“See to your mother,” I whispered.

“Yes, Ada,” he answered.

“Elmo is with Iarûr in the library,” Amdir added.

I nodded, and made my way down the hall. As I turned down the corridor leading to the library, I met Êlengolas and Finëar.

“Have you two been summoned,” I asked.

“If by summoned you mean intentionally eavesdropping, then yes,” Êlengolas said with a smile. Finëar sighed in annoyance.

“Yes, he was called upon,” he said. “Êlengolas is one of our best warriors, if not our most trying. Angband rumbles again for that creature brought with it more than eyes.”

As we entered the library, several elves busied themselves with putting scrolls into trunks. Iarûr and Elmo stood in the farthest corner speaking quietly as Súlwë sat nearby. When they saw us approaching, we were greeted warmly.

“Orothôn,” Iarûr said. “Good of you to come.”

“I was told Elmo wished to see me,” I answered.

“Yes,” Elmo said. “Have you spoken to Mîrwen?”

“I have only briefly.”

“So, she has told you of Orowen’s desire to sail west.”

“Yes,” I answered. “I am afraid I do not understand.”

“I believe you do, Orothôn,” Elmo said. “It was you, after all, that heard my promise to my wife many years ago on our way to Doriath.”

Everything became clear to me in that moment. My mind returned to the forest beneath the stars.

“You have called me here to tell me we are to leave Doriath?”

“No,” he said softly. “Not just yet, but it is on the minds of many.”

“I find it difficult to fathom King Thingol leaving this world,” I said. “And if my memory serves, you said you would leave if you failed to convince your brother.”

“You memory serves you well,” he answered.

“The King will not leave Doriath,” Êlengolas said. “So long as his daughter remains, he is tethered forever to this land.”

“His daughter has given her love to a mortal,” Finëar added. “Now Elven blood will one day flow together with Atani for many generations.”

“Yes,” Elmo said softly. “I made a promise to my beloved, but I owe my allegiance to my brother.”

“So you wish to stay,” I asked.

“No,” Elmo answered. “I want to leave with my family before more Elven blood is shed.”

“Well, do it quickly,” Iarûr said. “That time will be upon us soon. More than elven blood will flow through this land.”

“Are you planning to leave as well,” I asked Iarûr.

“No,” he said. “I must stay. My fate is tied to another. But I will make my way home when it is is my time to do so.”

“When are you leaving, Elmo,” I asked.

“As soon as my brother returns, I shall tell him my plans so that I may prepare for our journey. You will be coming with us, yes?”

I did not answer. I had not given it much thought. Even after facing the evil of Morgoth, I had come to call Doriath my home.–TKWRT Book I: The Epic of Eryn Galen by Jaynaé Marie Miller. 12-11-2021

Yep, we’re back. In this episode, there is talk of elves sailing West as their world grows darker. While Thingol and Beren go after the wolf Carcharoth, there is chatter of what may be coming.

Newsfeed #126 June 11, 2021 (3 Nárië)

Today, several things will happen:

1) A new excerpt will be posted at midnight from @tkwrtrilogy3. 

2) The article “Becoming Oropher” will be posted on WordPress in order to prepare everyone for the upcoming story told by Oropher in Part II of “Book I: The Epic of Eryn Galen”.

I won’t go into all the annoying fights I went through with 2 internet companies to get here. I was knocked offline for over a month because one company was too expensive and lousy and the other one was affordable but the equipment is extraordinarily cheap and flimsy. On the upside of the latter, I now have 5G. Aside from now working on two trilogies (the other being @thesecretofthehouseofbourbonbook), we are finally back on track with TKWRT after a death in the family and an ongoing family dispute. 

So, until Midnight: Have a Wonderful Day.

Good to be back after several months of “you really don’t want to know”. 😒

Newsfeed #125 January 3, 2021 (3 Narvinyë)

Happy Birthday to J.R.R. Tolkien 🐉

If not for the genius of my 20th century literary hero, there would never be a Kingdom of the Woodland Realm Trilogy. He is known as the grandfather of the modern fantasy genre. He maintained a child-like wonder and imagination his entire life and that what I strive to do because it is what gives us hope and allows us to believe anything is possible.

RESPECT.

Newsfeed #124 December 26, 2020 (26 Ringarë)

After such a tumultuous year, I am hoping to go into 2021 with cautious optimism. Yet, even as I continue working on this series, I will admit I spent a lot of time afraid to work in anticipation of another tragic event that would keep me from doing what I love. However, readers and fans have given me more courage to go on–especially in anticipation of this release–possibly due to the “bonus” material.

In this download of the Original Version of The Saga of Thranduil, there an exclusive look-see into The Epic of Eryn Galen (the prequel, if you will). The first two chapters begin a journey for the Elves that (for some) will last until the end of the War of the Ring (in The Lord of the Rings). Under starlight, the elves awaken on the shores of Lake Cuiviénen. With a stop in a place that would one day become known to the world as Mirkwood, the saga of Elves of the Woodland Realm begins. Book I is their origin story; their legacy.

To end 2020 with something such as this reminds me of how my own journey to this work began–with uncertainty in adversity; wandering in darkness until the first light of the Day Star finally revealed the world to me. Not unlike the characters, I must find the strength to carry on knowing that every night has a day. Hope is often born in times when it seems lost.

You can get the book here: Google Drive or WordPress.

The Return of the Elvenking—with a bonus.

Newsfeed #121 June 21, 2020 (21 Narië)

FATHER’S DAY EXCLUSIVE: EXTENDED VERSION

First things First: I’m officially returning to work on June 26. That means frequent excerpts to come for “The Kingdom of the Woodland Realm Trilogy”. After a brief hiatus, it is good to get back to work again.

Now it is Father’s Day once again. It is hard to believe my own father has been gone for almost two years now. I was lucky that he lived long enough to see the original version of The Saga of Thranduil. I remember on our last day together, I read some of it to him because they said though he was in a coma, he could still hear. After four hours with, I was about to leave when he seemed to wake up and turn to me and ask me as he always would, “Where are you going?” I said, “I’m going home.” He said ‘ok’ and that was his last words to the world. He would die two days later.

Now, book business. After we nearly destroyed WordPress the last time we had a download available, we have decided to have more than one place for people to go. Besides being available here, the PDF can be downloaded here as well:

Facebook: If you are a member of TKWRT Group, you can get it on the group page.

Google Drive

WordPress

Happy Father’s Day!

We're back. Enjoy the book. 😏

Chapter VIII: The Rise of the Fall (Pt. I)

The day began as usual—the court of Menegroth went about its routine catering to the whims of King Thingol and Queen Melian. On this day, in spite of the endless blue skies and nature rendered to the height of its beauty, the loss of Lúthien weighed heavy on our hearts. Then, he came—an elf of unknown origins approached the gates of Menegroth.

I was standing inside the vestibule the the gates were opened as he approached.

“What business have you in Doriath,” one of the guards asked the elf with hair as dark as night.

“I have come to see Her Majesty, Queen Melian,” the elf said softly—his crystal grey eyes startling the guard as he glanced at him. “I am Eöl of Nan Elmoth.”

Iarûr appeared from the Throne Room in that moment.

“What business do you have with Queen Melian,” the guard demanded.

“Eöl,” Iarûr said to the elf. “I did not expect you to come into Doriath. The glory of Menegroth offends you as much as the Girdle of Melian repels you from seeking the company of your kin.”

“Yet, I stand before you, do I not,” Eöl answered smiling. Even in darkness, his elven beauty was undeniable.

“Let him pass,” Iarûr commanded. “Their Majesties are expecting him.”

Reluctantly, the guards stood down and Eöl entered and followed Iarûr was as Finëar approached.

“Eöl has come into Menegroth,” he asked me, surprised.

“I do not know of him,” I answered. 

“He is kin to the King,” he began. “He was lost to us for some time; since long before the rising of the Daystar.”

“He requested to see the Queen,” I said.

“Yes, of course he would,” he answered. “She has known where he resides since the creation of Menegroth. He may live beyond these borders but he owns his life to her protection whether he admits to it or not. His time spent in the company of the naugrim has made him a master smith—if not a bit reclusive.”

He went on his way and I too my leave to find Êlengolas. I found him in the armory with Súlwë. They were overseeing the inventory of its contents at the request of Elmo.

“What brings you to the pits of darkness, Orothôn,” Êlengolas asked as he wrote on a scroll held by two young elven boys as Súlwë counted swords.

“What is there to do,” I asked sitting on a bench. “Iarûr is attending to the King just now.”

“So, you have met Eöl,” he answered.

“You know of him,” I asked.

“Of course,” he answered. “He likes the short ones.”

“The naugrim,” one of the young boys quipped.

“Yes,” Êlengolas said sweetly. “What have I said about speaking while I am working?”

“You said not to do so,” the other elf piped up.

“Êlengolas,” I said.

“What,” he asked. “My duties require complete concentration.”

“Three hundred and thirty-three swords,” Súlwë said.

“Thank you,” Êlengolas answered, writing.

“What do you know of this Eöl,” I asked.

“What I know I learned from Eäros,” he answered. “Before we came into Doriath.”

“Before,” I nearly yelled. They all stopped working and looked at me.

“Súlwë,” would you be so kind to take the boys to have a bite to eat?”

“It is about time,” one of the boys said helping the other roll the scroll.

“Come,” Súlwë said to them. “I will tell you more about Valinor.”

The boys cheered as they ran out fo the room ahead of Súlwë.

“You certainly know how to clear a room, Orothôn,” Êlengolas said.

“You know how long it has been,” I asked. “Oropher was a child then.”

“Yes,” he started. “And now he is not.”

“What did Eäros say of Eöl?”

“Nothing of great importance,” Êlengolas began. “He was with them then he was no more. Poor thing wandered off from their group before they came upon us.”

“He looks feral,” I said.

“I suppose you would as well if you only had naugrim to keep you company.”

“They are not feral, Êlengolas,” I said.

“They are wild,” he answered.

“They are stone masters and smiths.”

“So, they have a pastime,” he answered.

“You should have said something,” I said.

“What should I have said that the Queen did not already know,” he asked. “Obviously, he did not wish to be found.”

“How would anyone know what is in someone’s heart?

“I do not know what is in his heart but from what I have been told, the awakening of Angband he blames on the King.”

“N one but Morgoth woke up Angband,” I answered.

“Do not be so quick to think so,” he said. “What would have been had he remained on the path? Would we be here? Would not Valdôr still be with us?”

“No one knows the answer to that,” I said. “It is not ours to question.”

“I forgot how obedient you are to the plight of destiny,” Êlengolas said angrily. “You question nothing. You think all things happen for a reason.”

“Do they not,” I growled.

“Why do they,” he asked. “Why do they happen if we do not let them happen? Are we slaves to time and circumstance or do we not have the ability to think for ourselves?”

“We are here because we chose to be here,” I said. “We chose to remain with our kin.”

“Then, allow that same courtesy to Eöl,” Êlengolas said, calming down. “Time and circumstance gave to him the choice to become the elf he is. Nothing I could have said then would have changed what is now.”

Êlengolas was right. In his way, he had become wiser in his fear and doubt.–TKWRT Book I: The Epic of Eryn Galen by Jaynaé Marie Miller. 11-9-2019

Someone comes to Menegroth. It is Eöl of Nan Elmoth. His tale will bring with it something dangerous.