The Wardens Path - The tale of Fealuin

In the earliest days of the eldar, when the call towards the land of the Valar was heard, Fealuin's parents set out in the host of Elwë Singollo, and when the king disappeared, Fealuin's parents were amongst those who searched for him amongst the trees. When Elwës brother took lead of the Teleri, and marched on, Fealuin's parents, alongside many others, stayed behind, to keep searching for their beloved king. Thus Fealuin was born in the lands of east Beleriand, and grew up in his fathers household, learning both the lore, and the battle-craft of his father, and when at last, Elwë the king walked forth with his queen to be, Melian of the Maiar, Fealuin, as his father, took service, and henceforth walked proudly, amongst the March-wardens of Doriath. For many years, Fealuin and his father served alongside each other, gaining knowledge of battle, and learning of the lands beyond the Girdle of Melian. Fealuin took on tasks of messenger, an thus visited both with the Laiquendi of Ossiriand, and with Finrod Felagund in Nargothrond. Fealuin saw much of the events of that time, and bore witness to many joys and sorrows of the eldar. One of the greatest joys in his life at that age, was returning home, and when coming close to the halls of Menegroth, hearing Luthiens voice amongst the trees, she who was known as the fairest of all, was a sure sign that all was good, and that he was home once more. Duty as a March-warden was oft a lonely task, where the main goal of standing sentry, was to make sure no enemy slipped through the Girdle, and thus found Menegroth. When it at last happened, Fealuin was on the southern borders, but still his shame was great when Beren made his way in front of Eru Thingol, and even laid claim to Luthien, who by many was seen as the greatest of all treasures of Doriath. Still, the king would not hear excuses, and the effect was that the vigil of the March-wardens became even more intense, many standing guard until they were exhausted, giving every inch of themselves in trying to atone for that which they felt was their utter failure to protect the lands of the king. Soon after though, the king sent Fealuin away into Ossiriand, to bear a message to the Laiquendi about events unfolding, so packing his way-bag Fealuin said a fond farewell to his parents and set out towards the Lands of Seven Rivers. Fealuin made his way to Ossiriand, and delivered the message, which was received as another omen of the ill tidings that the eldar of the Laiquendi had gathered in those times. As Fealuin made too set out for home, he was halted though, a young warrior of the Laiquendi bade him stay a while, at least until the fords over the river Gelion were once more cleared, and no yrch would stand in his path, thus he stayed, a feeling of dread settling on him. For a few weeks, he fought alongside the archers of the woods, lending them his spear and javelin, using his shield to block attacks against those who would slay his kin. The moon waned and grew full again many times before he finally set out, knowing in his heart that he could wait no longer to return home. The path was long, and the closer he got to Doriath, the more dread settled upon him, when finally he entered the woods, he knew that terrible deeds had befallen, birds were silent, and the animals, who once walked close, and freely, hid and shunned his presence. Thus he knew, that the Girdle was no more, and thus he knew, that evil deeds had taken place in his absence, and when he came upon Menegroth, and saw the dismay amongst his peers, the sadness in the eyes of the eldar, his heart grew heavy. Making his way towards the throne room, he was held back by Mablung who told him of the evil deeds that had taken place, of the falling of Eru Thingol and Fealuin wept. Bitterness grew inside him at that time, bitterness against the enemy in the north, bitterness against the sons of Fëanor and their ilk, and bitterness against the naugrim, little did he know, that a host of naugrim were on the march against Menegroth, little did he know that soon, more evil would befall his homelands, and the kingdom of Doriah come to an end in the shedding of blood between eldar and naugrim. And when that host finally came upon Menegroth, and battle was joined, Fealuin let his rage go free , and many a naugrim fell before his spear, yet to little avail did the eldar fight, for at that time their spirit was weak, and many wandered aimlessly through the halls and through the forest of Doriath. Thus, near the end, having suffered small wounds during the battle, Fealuin was finally thrown to the ground by the blow of a naugrim hammer against his shield. The last he saw, was the angry face of the naugrim warrior, set to strike that final time, and end the path of the warden. Of what befell, Fealuin knows nothing, when he once more opened his eyes, the naugrim lay dead beside him, his mothers dagger set firmly in the back of he who would have slain him. His mother sat silently beside him, her eyes faint, her voice a whisper, ”he is gone, your father is gone, as is the queen.... go seek Mablung, he may be the last to know where to turn” So Fealuin rose, his wounds bound by his mother, and sought out Mablung, but Mablung lay slain, and no one rose to take his place. Fealuin aided his mother, but she soon set out towards the west, and he has not seen her since. Fealuin took to the woods, standing once more guard as March-warden when Dior Thingol's heir took up the keeping of the realm, he served him gladly, but alas, that service too, ended all too soon, when the sons of Fëanor slew the family of Dior. Fealuin was amongst those who aided Elwing on her way south, and when they reached the southern edge of the woods he bid her farewell, and turned around, determined that none of kin-slayers would pass his guard-post. For many months he haunted the remnants of Doriath, slaying any evil creature that came amongst the trees, keeping his part of the watch, standing vigil where once the Girdle of Melian kept darkness at bay. Then he set out towards the east, and took up dwelling with the Laiquendi of Ossiriand, and there he stayed for a long time, no longer taking heed of what happened beyond the waters of Gelion, no longer interested. He became a simple warden of the trees. And when the time of sundering befell the earth, and the lands were drowned that once he called home, Fealuin made his way across the mountains, and amongst the peaks of Ered Luin, over the lowlands of men, and as far as the kingdom of Celeborn and Gladriel he wandered, never settling, and never finding that feeling of home. His possessions few, he kept to the road, walking oft alone through the darkness, even the offer to join the lady's guard in Lothlórien he declined, and he strayed far and wide, and learned much of what took place in the lands still standing. In time, his hatred for the naugrim faded to resentment, he saw that at work had been the curse of the Silmarils, not the free will of the naugrim, yet his anger for the sons of Fëanor never stilled, it burns in his heart until this day.