Eastern Shores of Belfalas, TA3014

The waves were crashing hard against the harbour walls, while the sun rose in the east. In the air was the cackling sound of seagulls, as the first fishermen took their boats out to the sea, and the streets of the town slowly filled with merchants and burgess. The castle was on top of the cliff, on which the whole town was built, nestled between the hard rock and the roaring sea. Upon the castle walls, the banners of the house, boasting a great golden eagle, spreading his wings on a dark blue ground, were flapping in the wind.

The sound of bells cut through the morning serenity of the town. It began in the main tower of the castle, and swept through the other towers of the town. Within a minute, every street was filled with the dark, and deep chime of the bells, and some of the citizens looked up to the castle, took off their hat, and bowed.

Within the main chamber, Balisan was kneeling next to a large bed, holding the hand of an old man, who had just closed his eyes one last time. The man on the bed was Balduin of House Elladyr, loyal liegeman to Imrahil, the Prince of Dol Amroth, and head of one of the oldest noble houses of Gondor.

Balisan simply knelt there, his eyes closed. He was alone in the room, for his father had sent everyone out a few minutes before, beckoning Balisan to come closer. With his last breath he had whispered something in his ear, gave him a stern but comforting look, before the life left him.

Balisan could not make much sense of what his father had just told him, though something stirred in his mind. Memories of old. Memories of his childhood. He was the eldest son of Balduin, and would now fulfil the family’s duties in his father’s stead. He was the master of the castle, and charged with the defence against the Corsairs of Umbar and other threats coming from the vast plains of Harad. Yet, his father had just revealed to him another duty, ‘The seven are the key. Swear to her. Fulfil our oath.’

A voice startled him and he looked up. A woman was standing at the end of the bed. She was tall and slender. Her hair hidden below a hood of dark blue. Her dress was of magnificent beauty and her voice as calm and soothing as a summer’s breeze. Her face was flawless and her eyes glowed. Balisan felt drawn to their deepness like a seaman drowning in the depth of the sea.

‘Mae l'ovannen’, was all she said, and Balisan merely stared at her in all his astonishment, captivated by her beauty.