#WAIT NO. TADAN

[sweetearthandnorthernsky]

hm. many thoughts.

[aurore-parle-de-ses-idees]

oc-tober 2023! 23-25, feat. lendrain and lirulin & histenna

23- twilight (lendrain)

Emyn Uial is quiet in the dying light, the stones of Barad Rath painted deep purple by dusk. They walk as silently here as they do hunting in the hills, bearing their fallen and their gathered city-stones to their rest.

Urgency still presses at him, a constant prodding in the back of his mind. His hand ghosts over his face, fingers brushing the place where Amarthiel’s touch had burned him so terribly in Angmar. And she has not yet found Narchuil, he thinks with a sinking heart.

“I am sorry I could not do more, Tadan,” he tells the cairn.

24- empty (histenna's yet-unnamed son)

He watches his father closely sometimes, watches the change that comes over him like a passing shaft of moonlight when Lirulin visits. There is something strange between them. He asks his mother about it, on an evening when there is festival in the streets and Lirulin drags his father dancing into the night. 

“It’s his tale,” she says, thoughtful, “but I will say a little.”

It makes more sense, after, the way they are together, and the way they follow the steps of an unfamiliar dance, a space left open beside them as if they are waiting for a third.

25- loyal (histenna, lirulin)

“Will you not come back to the cities?” Histenna asks, frowning. Lirulin spins him about and pushes him away to the beat of the distant drums.

“Not soon,” she says. “For now I will follow something less fickle than our hearts.”

“Unchanging is not the same as steadfast,” he says, and does not add that Omaruin was as predictable as the course of the stars. Lirulin turns furious, star-bright eyes on him.

“You excuse him?” 

“I know him,” he replies. “It was no whim that led him. It never has been.” Lower, adds: “Do not mistake understanding for approval, Lirulin.”

[digital-art-from-the-soul]

Iris and Morgan

The short boy with red hair had donned one of his hoodies with a Nike symbol on it and gym shorts to go on a run, and he waved bye to Bubba. She knew what time he should be back by, so it was fine. And it was with that, that he started on his jog down through a wooded path. He didn’t get very far before he heard some rustling in some branches. He stops and takes his headphones out that were playing music to run with. “Who’s there?”

Out of the tree next to him is his little sister, hanging upside down in the second lowest branch, in holographic overalls. Her overly curly and untamed hair hung down, since she hadn’t bothered to put it in a ponytail yet. She’d had a hard time brushing it. Morgan rolls his eyes. “You. Stop doing that, you’re gonna get in trouble again.”

“I’m not that far from the house. It’s fine, Morgan. Besides, you’re the one who goes running really far.” The ten year old sticks her tongue out, still hanging.

“Yeah, because I’m allowed to, and they know where I am. Now get down before you let all the blood run down to your head.” She sits up on the branch and jumps down without a thought. “Careful!” He groans. “I’m not being your alibi if you hurt yourself.” She pouts. He looks unamused. “I’m not Mom, now get home before you get in trouble. You know what happened last time you didn’t ask to go out.”

“Fine.” She crosses her arms and sticks out her tongue before walking back the way he had come. He just rolls his eyes and puts his earphones back in to start running again.

[linphd]

fujimi x fem!reader | sorry about that

romero fujimi x reader

female reader

(Y/N) catches Fujimi's attention because of her attitude, and they end up talking after the survival training.

no warning

I could find only 2 fujimi stories and idk he's cute af so here some.

Yuei had invited 4 students from Isamu High School, to participate in a survival training in teams. And even if 3 of them looked quite friendly, 1 was just like Katsuki ; he didn't bother to seem polite when he introduced himself, and kept looking down at the students from Yuei -who were greeting him. 'What an asshole !' The students thought.

But not (Y/N), no, she didn't really care. Actually, she was very good at befriending unfriendly people. Indeed, Hitoshi, Neito, Katsuki, Shoto and Fumikage were her friends. So it wasn't one edgy boy that was going to scare her or anything.

She actually caught his attention ; when Katsuki started to yell at him, she was giggling, while telling him to stop -well, Fujimi thought that it was only to seem friendly, since the giggles seemed more sincere than the 'stop' she was saying. He didn't think much about her ; but she was, at least, one of the students he noticed and remembered after.

The students went to their locker room to change. Once they went out, (Y/N) noticed Katsuki, still fighting with this guy from Isamu. ''Oi, Katsuki ! Brush it off !'' She said. He turned to her. ''Not today, (Y/N) ! I'm busy, already !'' She chuckled. ''I can see that, today I'm greeted by my name.'' Katsuki rolled his eyes, but kept focusing on Fujimi. (Y/N) just went to talk to Fumikage.

''You should be careful with your girlfriend, too ! Looks like she's getting stolen by a bird !'' Fujimi said. Katsuki groaned. ''She's not even my girlfriend, corpse boy !'' And they kept fighting about which school was better, until it was time to start the training.

(Y/N) decided to go and spy on the Isamu students. However, Sekigai noticed her with her quirk. ''I see one girl, running towards us. There is the boy Fujimi doesn't like a bit behind her, but they don't seem to attack each other even if they're not in the same team.'' Fujimi looked at the screen. ''I want to see what's her quirk. She seems so confident, she must've something cool.'' Sekigai raised an eyebrow. ''What do we do with the boy you don't like then ?'' And Fujimi just told Tadan to throw his missile.

After that, the training ended up with everyone being turned into zombies. When they all came back to normal, the students got touched my Izuku's smash, and they fell. Fortunately for (Y/N), she fell on Koda's tummy. ''Awn, sorry Koda ! But thanks for being here, I guess ?'' He nodded, rubbing his tummy. (Y/N) helped him to stand up, feeling bad she must've hurt him more.

''So who won ?!'' Katsuki yelled. ''Nobody, Katsuki ! We all turned into fucking zombies.'' The girl answered, wiping the dirt off her clothes. Fujimi felt a bit bad about it, so he tried to walk away without getting caught.

''SAY SORRY !'' Momo, Tenya, Sekigai and Mongoose ordered. But both Katsuki and Fujimi stayed silent. (Y/N), hearing people yelling, ran to see what was going on. ''Tenya, Momo, brush it off, it's just a game !'' She said, quite irritated that nothing important was happening. ''WHAT ?! (L/N), Bakugou got disrespectful and kept doing it after we-'' but the girl cut him off. ''After we got turned into zombies, wow, big deal. Y'all don't relax enough.'' Yeah, maybe that's how she was able to be friends with unfriendly people.

She started to walk away, Katsuki grinning. However, Fujimi joined her. ''Hey ! You really don't care that I turned us into zombies ?'' She raised an eyebrow. ''No, it's just a game. I wanted to at least take over one team, but it's okay.'' Fujimi just stared at her. Usually, people were mad at him and kept blaming him, saying he had a troublesome quirk. ''Talking about the zombie thing...'' he finally began, after seeing the confused look on (Y/N)'s face.

''... I'm sorry about that.'' He said, looking at the ground. ''Why ?'' She asked. ''Well, it's not a pleasant thing to be turned into one.'' She chuckled. ''Yeah, for sure. But we don't remember what happened, so I'm glad nobody remembers the face I must've had.'' The boy smiled at this comment. ''You didn't look that zombie-ish. You actually even managed to still look good.'' She giggled. ''Wow, so I look good ?'' Realizing what he said, Fujimi looked away, blushing slightly.

''I mean...'' But she cut him off. ''Thanks, you look good too. You're cool.'' She said, still walking. The boy followed her -since they were still too close to the others and things were getting embarrassing. ''I thought you were dating the blonde boy at first.'' He admitted. ''Katsuki ? Oof, no. I don't wanna get yelled at all day long.'' She answered. ''So... it's okay if I give you my number, then ?'' (Y/N) giggled, nodding. ''Sure !'' And Fujimi smiled, giving it to her.

Some weeks later, (Y/N) and the Bakusquad were walking to exit the school. However, Katsuki flinched when he saw Fujimi. ''What is he doing here ?!'' The main addressee was turned, so he couldn't even notice him back. ''Oh, Fujimi ? We're going to the movies, he finished earlier than us so he waited there.'' (Y/N) said. Mina turned, a confused look on her face. Katsuki was horrified.

''Shitty eyes... are you dating him ?!'' She giggled. ''Almost ! I'm working on it !'' She admitted, and that made the boys -except Katsuki- laugh. ''But he looks like a corpse !'' Mina commented, and Katsuki nodded. ''Yeah, and I look like the last time I slept was 2 months ago.'' (Y/N) answered.

Katsuki muttered : ''Shitty eyes.'' at her comment. ''Yeah, we kinda match, I guess.'' She simple answered, before waving at them and going to Fujimi. He smiled when he saw her, and they both directly started to walk towards the nearest cinema. ''Isn't Isamu kinda far away from there ?'' Kaminari asked. Kirishima nodded. ''He must be really happy to go out with her, if he did all the way from Isamu to there alone. I hope he took the bus or something.'' Realizing that, (Y/N)'s classmates changed their mind about the zombie boy and hoped that they would end up dating. Except Katsuki because you know he's Katsuki.

[amyure]

Title: Taikutsu Ribbon Artist: Sanbon Ribbon Lyrics: カナボシ☆ツクモ (Kanaboshi ☆ Tsukumo) Composer: Hige Driver

The artist’s name and the song title are among the reason why I hate it when they don’t use common writings [e.g. unusual katakana usage to spell words] LOL - Esh

Translations:

the veranda of the room you and I lived in is so spacious the rain fell, the wind blew… it’s so hectic for various things

from a house somewhere there’s a smell of curry orange colored light

maybe, just a little merely just a little my feelings are mixed in

I try touching the chillingly cold windowsill I recall the hum that you loved

how much longer? stretching myself, I wait for you please try to call out my name I want to come rushing to you

how much longer? to stay waiting, I wonder if I’ll turn into an adult can I protect you? I want to hug you

In the city we live in just a little while before you come home there are dreams and sadness a lot of things caught my mind

it’s just that, as I thought I absolutely want to go have a walk with you

It’s a little part of merely just a little part of the meaning of me living

the clouds dyed in violet streamed past just for the sound of your footsteps, I strain my ears

how much longer? yawning, I wait for you please try to call my name I want to come rushing to you

how much longer? to stay waiting, I wonder if I’ll turn into an adult can I protect you? I want to hug you

Romaji

KIMI to BOKU ga kurasu heya no BERANDA wa hirokute ame ga futtari kaze ga fuitari iroiro isogashii

dokoka no ie no KAREE no nioi ORENJI iro no hikari

tabun chotto no hon no chotto no kimochi ga majitteru

hinyari tsumetai madobe furetemiru KIMI ga sukina hanauta omoidasu

ato dore kurai? senobishite KIMI wo matteru BOKU no namae wo yondemite kaketsuketai

ato dore kurai? machinboshite otona ni nareba KIMI no koto wo mamoreruno? dakishimetai

KIMI ga kaeru sukoshi mae no BOKUra ga sumu machi wa yume ga attari kanashikattari iroiro ki ni shiteru

tadane, yappari BOKU wa, yappari KIMI to sanpou shitai na

sore ga chotto no honno chotto no BOKU ga ikiteru imi

MURASAKI ni somaru kumo nagareteku KIMI no ashioto dake ni mimi sumasu

ato dore kurai? akubishite KIMI wo matteru BOKu no namae wo yondemite kaketsuketai

ato dore kurai? machinboshite otona ni nareba KIMI no koto wo mamoreru no dakishimetai

Kanji

キミとボクが暮らす部屋の ベランダは広くて 雨が降ったり風が吹いたり いろいろ忙しい

どこかの家のカレーの匂い オレンジ色の光

たぶんちょっとの ほんのちょっとの 気持ちが混じってる

ひんやり冷たい窓辺　触れてみる キミが好きな鼻歌　思い出す

あとどれくらい？ 背伸びしてキミを待ってる ボクの名前を呼んでみて 駆けつけたい

あとどれくらい？ 待ちんぼして大人になれば キミのことを守れるの 抱きしめたい

キミが帰る少し前の ボクらが住む街は 夢があったり悲しかったり いろいろ気にしてる

ただね、やっぱり ボクは、やっぱり キミと散歩したいな

それがちょっとの ほんのちょっとの ボクが生きてる意味

ムラサキに染まる雲　流れてく キミの足音だけに耳澄ます

あとどれくらい？ 欠伸してキミを待ってる ボクの名前を呼んでみて 駆けつけたい

あとどれくらい？ 待ちんぼして大人になれば キミのことを守れるの 抱きしめたい

[abhiabhiposts]

Ek raat hamare chaubeji nikle chor pakadne.. Raat jaisay beetti gayi.unko neend lagi jakadnay... Le khambe ka sahara..soocha zara susta to lun sahi.. Aj sala choor bhagega kaha..chaubeji hai round per..dabooch lunga wahin... Na jane kab ninni rani nay apna khel dikhaya.. Khade khade he Chaubeji ko apney goodh may baithaya.. muskurate hue Sapney may chaubeji ban gaye super man.. Pehen langooti Paijamay per..wo lag rahey they dhan tadan.. Udtay udtay..dhoondh rahey they..koi criminal us uska case.. he knew he had the power..ek ghoonsay may bigad dunga uska face.. Per sala koi mile to sahi..aj lagta sunday hai.. Man may soocha..aj mai nikala to sab chup gaye..ye saley choor kitney gande hai... jhalla ka r boley...abe koi to nikalo..apni izaat ka sawal hai.. raat itni beet gayi..ama yaar ye kya bawal hai... tabhi tapak say nazar gayi..koi unki ghar key pipe per chad raha tha... dheere dheere wo unki ghar key manzil key oor badh raha tha... target fix kar..thoda wait kiya..boley abey tu chad to sahi..khabar teri leta hun.. ye chaubeji ka ghar hai bette..abhi tera pichwada senkta hun... jhaad labada lungi wala..poore weg say neeche aye.. pakad gardan, patak zamin per..chaubeji..uski peeth per chadh jaye.. Faad kanth wo zoor say cheekhey..Pappu beta jaldi aa..pakda hai choor to jaldi poilce bula.. Pappu dauda bola papa kaisy jaun..chappal nahi mil rahi hai..kya nange pair daud lagaoo.. Choor bichara..zameen per pada tha..150 kilo ka chaubeji ka poora booj us per jada tha.. cheekh kar bola..abey Pappu k bache..teri chappal gayi bhad may..ye le meri pehen jaldi say ja aur please police bula.. Abhi...

[sweetearthandnorthernsky]

33 for anyone you'd really like to plinko :D

33. protector/sacrifice (leaning more into sacrifice because i'm. mean lol) me @ me: how to save candaith while also having a dead character to give the troubled dream sequence the Weight ™ it deserves [redacted]: bonjour c: me: oh. thats how. FUCK anyway! spoilers for the forsaken road :') ish.

The wind screams in the caverns, cutting through Saelinriel's cloak as if it's made of paper, and she shivers. Her hands shake as they hold her torch as she ventures further into the cavern, following closely behind Radanir.

There is a howling gust and all the torches, not just hers, go out in a single puff, drowning the Grey Company in darkness.

The darkness is all consuming, until, breaths later, blue light flickers into being, like corpse-candles.

They are tall columns, indistinguishable from shadows in the evening at first, before steadily growing clearer and clearer until Saelinriel can see each face with perfect detail. Saelinriel can almost feel the anger that radiates from them like a heatwave, and they get only angrier when Halbarad challenges them.

Finally, the leader seems to call off the other shades and look straight at her, so intently as if they are trying to turn her into a shade by sheer force alone. Chill clings to her bones as the leader instructs her to find Britou, who speaks with all who pass through the Forsaken Road. 

Then, as quickly as blowing out a candle, the shades disappear.

They are not gone, she still feels the chill of the air that lingers around the Dead, but they are no longer visible, and that is better than nothing. Halbarad tells her that he and Radanir will search one side of the cavern, and tells her to find Candaith, who ought to be down that way.

Just as she is about to go down into the tunnel where Britou awaited, something catches her elbow, and she nearly jumps several feet in the air. There is an apologetic chuckle, and Tadan steps out of the shadows. 

“I didn’t mean to scare you,” he says ruefully, as she shakes her head, trying to calm her heart rate. “Where are you headed?” 

She shrugs. “I was told that Candaith would be down this way, and to find him before speaking with Britou.”

“Mind if I come with you?” 

If Saelinriel has to tell the truth, the company is more than welcome. The chill makes her teeth chatter, and the Dead sets her on edge, so she nods, and they find Candaith, and the three of them go see Britou. 

The stones crack underneath Saelinriel’s boots as she walks, and her shoulders brush the wall of the tunnel before it spits them out into a bowl shaped cavern, where a shade – bright in the dimness, with horribly keen, piercing eyes - waits in silence. 

He studies them keenly, and there is a coldness in his eyes. He feels much more alive than the other shades and something about him makes her chest twist into knots.

“All who stray here belong to the Dead.” Britou speaks the word dead with a horrifying finality, and it is all she can do to not step back. “It was unwise to come here, warm-bloods.”

"You came to this place to escape your curse, Britou. But there was no escape, was there?" Candaith says, coldly. “You will never know the peace of death until you fulfill your oath.”

Britou scoffs and summons shade after shade, trying to wear them all down, until Candaith steps forward, eyes blazing underneath his hood and mask. “Enough of this!" he commands fiercely. "We need prove nothing to you.”

Britou laughs and five shades appear this time. Saelinriel and Candaith and Tadan barely manage to defeat them – if defeat is the right word, since they cannot truly be slain for they are the Dead Who Do Not Rest.

"End this, Britou! I command you to end this!" Candaith says, every inch one of the Dúnedain.

"I need not listen to your commands, warm-blood!" Britou raises his hands for the spirits to come again but--

"Hold!" Candaith's voice echoes with power, like the roaring sea, and Saelinriel nearly claps her hands to her ears with the way it bounces off the stone walls. “I have the authority to command you and all your kind, Britou!”

Her heart freezes in her chest and she almost chokes on her breath. She and Tadan share a look that says the same thing: What is candaith doing?

Britou scowls, his faint blue light growing brighter by the minute. "Impossible! What evidence dost thou have that this be so?” He hisses the words out, his voice shuddering off the walls, as if there is a multitude of him instead of one.

Candaith pulls his glove off without lowering his sword and his bebarahir glints in faint blue light as he holds it aloft. “The ring of Barahir, heirloom of isildur's line!"

Britou snarls, his face going dark. His eyes narrow as he studies Candaith, and the small room gets even colder – Saelinriel’s teeth chatter faster than before.  “I see…”

She does not know what Britou is looking for in Candaith’s face, but try as she might, Saelinriel cannot see over Candaith's shoulder. 

A few moments pass. 

She can tell by the way the cavern goes still – more still than before – that something passes unseen and unspoken between them. 

“We will fulfil our oath at last, that the heir may lift the curse. thou may tell thy men.”

Ever so slowly, Candaith turns to face her and Tadan.

The relief that flooded her at Britou's admission slowly ebbs away, draining out of her and leaving the dregs of worry and fear in their place – instead of a triumphant smile, a grimace graces Candaith’s face, like he is bracing himself for something unpleasant.

She watches as Tadan’s eyes go wide.

And everything happens at once.

Britou's lips curl into a devious smile and he looms large behind Candaith, casting a dark blue shadow over him, and Saelinriel’s mouth drops open and she can't- she can't say anything, she can't force a single syllable out. 

Britou lifts his spirit-sword high and Tadan only just manages to shout a warning, but it is too late – Britou strikes Candaith down before there is time for him to even do anything. 

“But that is not the Ring of Barahir, and thou art not the heir of Isildur.”

The words echo in a deafening judgment as  Candaith staggers forward and she tries - though she knows, logically, that she would not be able to catch him easily - to keep him from hitting the ground hard. 

He is so still and heavy, and she is frozen and cannot move and Britou's eyes glint as he narrows in on her and Tadan as red oozes across Candaith’s back. 

“Get Candaith out of here,” Tadan says, his voice only slightly shaky as he steps between Britou and the two of them and– 

Saelinriel wants to argue, she can’t– won’t– just leave him here, (she made a promise in Evendim, at the side of Astiul's cairn, all those months ago) but the red stain on the back of Candaith’s tunic is rapidly spreading and getting concerningly dark. 

Her free-hand hovers above her sword, torn, as Britou continues to summon shade after shade. 

“Just give me a head start,’’ he says, swords drawn. “I’ll be out in a moment.”

“But–”

Candaith lets out a cough, and blood trickles out of his mouth. 

“Go!”

Britou's cold, cruel laughter echoes through the hollow chambers as she is forced – half-carrying, half-dragging a woozy Candaith – through the tunnels, harried by the Dead. 

All around them, the cavern shakes, as rocks and dust shudder down from the ceiling and the Dead pursue them as they flee, though more than once she turns, trying to see where Tadan is, but the haze of falling debris makes that impossible. They stumble over planks of wood, over bodies -- and this makes her want to be sick, but to be sick is to stop and to stop is... not an option.

An eternity passes – or so it feels – before the two of them stumble into Radanir, nearly knocking him down as the world shifts and tilts, and Saelinriel grabs his arm with her free hand – partly to steady herself, and keep from toppling Candaith onto the floor at such an abrupt stop. 

At once, Radanir ducked under Candaith’s other arm, and some of the weight shifts, balancing out, and Saelinriel’s shoulders aren’t screaming so loudly at her for trying such a task alone anymore. 

Radanir looks utterly concerned, his brows drawn together as he tries to limp them toward the exit, but his words floated to her as if he were speaking underwater. “What has happened? All of a sudden, the Oath-breakers fell upon us, and we have only driven them off for the moment!”

“I…” She stumbles over herself as they come nearly to the mouth of the caverns, and Radanir tries to take Candaith further but her feet are rooted to the ground as black spots dance in her vision and her next words scrape her throat raw: “Stop! We have to wait for Tadan!” 

The cavern is shaking still, sending more and more debris down on them but...

Radanir says something about her and Candaith being nearly the last ones in the caverns -- everyone else is gone -- and surely Tadan is waiting for them outside.

Another rattling boom as the cavern walls shake harder, throwingg down boulders the size of Saelinriel's torso, and there really is no arguing now.

But, as the three of escape into the fading daylight, stumbling bloodied and pale with the rest of the company back to Lhaunch, she keeps her eyes on the darkness of the tunnels until the very last.

[aurore-parle-de-ses-idees]

so i decided today was just time to vibe in evendim. that’s all this is there is none plot just hanging out at tinnudir

You cross the great bridge to the island and immediately you can feel the eyes on you. Not hostile- not friendly either. Only watchful. It’s not unlike what you felt when you approached the Golden Wood, years and years ago, but less piercing, less noticeable. As you did then, you stop and sit cross-legged, hands spread, and wait for them to approach.

“This isn’t so secret a place you need to do that, traveler,” a voice tells you from behind. There stands a ranger, his weapons away and his hood down. “What brings you to the City of the Kings?”

“I bear a message for Calenglad,” you say. “From Aragorn.” That gets his attention.

“For Calenglad? Very well. Come with me.” He beckons you along and walks at your side. “You seem to know enough of us to know not to cause trouble.”

“I worked with some others of your kin recently.”

“Oh?”

“The Nazgûl made for unusual allies.”

He misses a step. “The Nazgûl..! We had word that they had passed Sarn Ford and… Do you know-” he cuts himself off. “Nevermind. Later perhaps. This way.” He leads you to a fire in the arms of an old, ruined building that had perhaps been outlying quarters of some estate or other of Arnor. “Inurawen, is Calenglad up in the keep?” your escort asks a woman watching the fire.

“Yes. He was taking reports from Torogethir and Galthoniel.” She looks you over. “Who is this?”

“My name is Esterín,” you say. “I have a letter for Calenglad from Aragorn.”

“Aragorn!” You evidently were not quiet enough to keep your message from all the curious ears around you. “Will he return soon?”

You hesitate and Inurawen shoos the others away, though she and your escort both look to you for an answer. “I cannot say. I don’t know.”

“Someday,” your escort says wistfully.

“We will see Annúminas restored in time,” a new voice says from behind. Another Dúnadan, older than most of the others. “I was told you had a message for me?” You never noticed anyone leave to fetch him, nor did you notice his approach until he spoke.

You are given leave to wander the island, though you aren’t left unattended. Your escort from the bridge introduces himself as Astiul and invites you to walk along the shore with him while Calenglad decides whether or not he believes your story. You agree, and after just a few minutes he stoops to dig some shard of masonry out of the muddy shore.

“...what is it?” you ask when he holds it up proudly for your inspection.

He sighs mournfully. “No one has any appreciation for the sort of historical reconstruction I do.”

“It looks like a piece of a pot?” you try. He shakes his head.

Though Calenglad does try to keep it quiet, it’s not long before everyone on the island knows the news: Narsil will be reforged. That there are caveats to accomplishing this doesn’t seem to faze any of them.

“What is this place?” you ask Astiul, staring up at the pinnacle of the keep high above the island.

“Tinnudir was the estate of the royal family when Annúminas was at its height. These days we use it to keep a watch on the Twilight Fields and the old city.” He taps your shoulder and waves you along. “Come on- Celairen’s set up inside.”

----------

“Oh, Calenglad is telling some of the old stories tonight!” Tadan says. His smile says this is a great and welcome surprise. “You won’t want to miss this.'' He drags you along by the arm and you join a whole crowd of other Dúnedain gathered around a bonfire as twilight paints the lake. There are a handful of people from Ost Forod, but they watch the scene with curiosity rather than the eager anticipation you see in Tadan and the other rangers. The sky gleams purple and an expectant hush falls over the crowd. Calenglad stands before the fire, arms clasped behind him. He stares at the ground before him for a time before he looks up and speaks.

“In the days of Elendil, two families dwelt at Tham Varan and Tham Nambarth, and between them grew a rivalry…”

There is an altogether different feel to this place than there was to Esteldín. Calenglad is very different from Halbarad to be sure, but it’s far more than that. Annúminas, the heart of Arnor of old, of their kingdom and history in Middle-earth, it sits just there and casts its long shadow across the lake. There is a reverence for that lost glory here and a dedication to it that those in Esteldín don’t have, or at least don’t have as loudly. There they are far more concerned with threats out of Angmar and the Ettenmoors and the mountains, with training new rangers. Tinnudir, though, is remembered lordship and lovers of the past and those who think much of the power their family may once have held. The Angmarim crept in only recently- this was a safe place before now, empty of anything of value to anyone but the Dúnedain and the desperate that turn to grave-robbing for coin. The full tale of the history of Arnor here is well beyond the scope of your studies, but anyone here is willing to speak on it at length .

Calenglad’s story rolls on, carrying to the edges of the crowd with ease, and even you can see the ivy-covered estates in your mind as they must once have been, shining and brilliant under clear blue skies and peopled by those who carried still the memory of Númenor.

“What did you think, Est?” Tadan asks later. The fire has died and the people have wandered off into the night, hearts full of tales and minds full of time.

“Calenglad is a masterful storyteller,” you say. “The story itself I am still thinking on.” Despite the non-answer, Tadan grins.

“And you will until next time he tells a story.” He yawns and gives you a one-armed hug. “I should get some sleep before Min comes to wake me for the dawn watch. Goodnight, Est.”

“Goodnight.” You sit at the end of one of the narrow piers and let your feet dangle in the water despite the chill of the season, and for a time you don’t even notice the nickname. No one has called you Est since Suntais left, and you think it should feel strange to hear it now. It does, but only a little, and you find it’s not unwelcome.

----------

It rained in the night and fog still lies thick on the lake. The air is cold and wet against your face when you step out of the keep and when you breathe deeply you can taste the memory of the rainstorm.

The sandy ground of the southern island squishes under the soles of your boots and near the shore the burnt remains of the last bonfire glint wet in the mist. A bird calls from deep in the fog, hidden from the sight of any who see with eyes alone. For a moment, you miss the mornings in Loeglond, when even the Lonely Mountain was nothing but a vague impression in the low-lying clouds.

You meet Orchalwë there, the waters of the lake almost touching his bare feet as he stares south towards the sunken city. You remove your own boots and stand beside him, the sand cool between your toes. The sun rises slowly, and slowly Annúminas emerges from the fog.

“When all you can see is the shadow, you could almost believe it still stands as it did in the days of the kings,” Orchalwë says softly. You don’t think the words are meant for you, and so you hold your peace.

You remain there together until a warm hand falls on your shoulder and pulls you from your reverie.

“Are you ready to go?” Culang asks.

----------

Adadhrond climbs into the boat, then Celegdes, then you, setting your pack between your feet and making yourself as small as possible as the boat continues to fill. Arfirion climbs in, then Orchalwë, then Línneth and her sisters. You frown as they crowd close, pushing you up against Adadhrond and Orchalwë. You mutter apologies and try again to shrink yourself to give them space, but no one seems to mind.

Though large for a rowboat, your company tests its limits and it sits low in the water. It would take little more than an eager wave or an ill-timed move on your parts to capsize the thing. You watch the Dúnedain push off and paddle slowly towards the city, hoping the fog that remains will hide your approach from the Angmarim there. It is, unfortunately, far too late to offer (or insist) that one of the less experienced rowers switch places with you, and so you spend the time wishing you had dared rig a sail for this trip.

----------

Orchalwë whoops and lifts you in a spinning hug, grinning at the water-slick stone of the sunken tomb.

“We did it. We will see the North Kingdom restored yet!” He sets you on your feet abruptly and you nearly fumble the Silithar. “Sorry. I know your folk are more reserved than mine.”

“It’s alright,” you say, smiling. The rest of your little party picks themselves up, bruised and battered but not too much the worse for wear. Adadhrond pats your shoulder as he passes and Cuguminuial ruffles your hair before helping Tadan back up to the tomb proper. You’re almost used to their little affections by now, but Orchalwë isn’t wrong. Even among the Raft-elves it wasn’t like this.

----------

“I ran out of time, so there’s no carrot cake today,” Cuguminuial says apologetically.

“Ah, we’ll be fine,” Tadan grins at her. “Culang’s biscuits will more than suffice.” Cuguminuial heads back to the boat and Tadan shoots a relieved look at you.

“Carrot cake used to be my favorite,” he confides under his breath. “But I can hardly stomach it lately. I haven't had the heart to tell Min to stop making it for me, though. Maybe she’ll give the next batch to you for the road.”

“...but I don't like it either,” you say. Tadan makes a face.

“Well... no one will know if you share it with the birds or the fish in your travels.”

----------

“Someone should take over the guard on Mordrambor,” you say. “I think it is starting to wear on Tadan.”

“And the Blue Lady knows he’ll never say anything about it himself,” Culang mutters. “I’ll trade with him at lunch.” He gives you a long look. “I don’t think Tadan is the only one who could use a break from dealing with our guest.”

You shrug. “It’s nothing. I have been running errands, nothing more. I have spent little time in his presence, unlike Tadan.”

Calenglad approaches before Culang can protest. “Esterín, a word?” You nod a goodbye to Culang and follow Calenglad. “It’s about Laerdan…”

----------

Cuguminuial leads Lakewind to the bridge where you and Calenglad stand waiting.

“Ost Heryn has been quiet this last month, but who can say what Amarthiel’s passage may have stirred,” Calenglad says. “Do not sacrifice so much for speed that you put yourself in unnecessary danger.” You give him a grim smile.

“I will do what I must. Don’t worry.” Calenglad sighs but clasps your hand. Cuguminuial embraces you and passes over Lakewind’s reins.

“I packed you some extra food for the road,” she says with a smile. “Come back soon, Est. We’ll miss you.”

“Thanks, Min.” You settle yourself in the saddle. “May it be in happier times.”

(She packed you sweet waybread… and some carrot cake)