The Tale of the Children of Taurdir: Part One.

In the days of the Third Age there yet dwelt but a few of the Dunedain, the high people descended from those of the Faithful of Elendil, the last line of Sea Kings from the land of Numenor. Tall and proud were these people, dark haired and grey eyed, strong, wise and valiant. Yet lesser were they than those who came before them and their lives were shortened though they were still long compared to that of other men. Once they had dwelt throughout Eriador and had built great Kingdoms, the fair cities of Annuminas the Tower of the West; and Fornost the Norbury of the Kings, but to name a few. Yet over the years the Dunedain declined, due to war and plagues and the invasion of the shadow from the East and its cities were destroyed or abandoned, falling into ruin. And so towards the end of the Third Age they were a scattered people, the few remnants living in rude villages and encampments or wandering in small bands throughout the Eriador. Rangers they were called by those who came upon them and they were dismissed and scorned as wild folk, strange and dangerous to those whose lands they unceasingly protected. On the Hills south of Lake Evendim named Emyn Uial “The Hills of Dusk” in the old speech, far to the north of the land called The Shire, one such village yet remained in amidst the green forests of that place. Dolenlond it was named by its people, meaning “Hidden Haven” in the Elven tongue. Here many of the Dunedain lived, fashioning for themselves houses and halls of wood and though it was but a simple dwelling, for those wanderers it was held as place of quiet peace. For several generations that folk dwelt in the hidden haven and many fair maids and children lived there, for though the Dunedain were by nature now a wandering folk it was thought ill by many that their wives and children should be without home. Tauron the Old was held Chief of that people and he was of a noble line whose ancestry could be traced back even to that of Hador the Golden, for the Men of Westernesse held close the knowledge of their lineage and it was passed on from generation to generation as a treasured heirloom. Tauron was married to Saelrin, a gentle lady of lesser blood for her line was much intermingled with the folk that dwelt in the North Downs, and of their union they had three children; Taurdir, Saelglin the Wise and Mithdan. Taurdir was the eldest and most like his father in mind and body though he had a spirit that recalled the valour of old and he was a great warrior and woodsman. He was married to Giladuial the Bright, fairest of the House of Naurthir and most loved. Far to the east of Dolenlond they built their house in a little dell by a stream, for Giladuial enjoyed the peace of that place and the sound of the water. Giladuial bore three children to Taurdir; Gilloth, Taurchon and Laerloth. Gilloth was the eldest and she was born on a night of cold winter. In looks she was most like her mother, for she was fair faced and dark haired, lithe yet strong. But in spirit she was closer to her father, being of proud bearing and few words; yet slow to kindle was her wrath and wisdom ever lay in her thoughts and council. Limdal people called her which is “Swiftfoot” for she loved to run through the forest and was as fast and nimble as a deer. Some twelve years passed before their second child was born, for Taurdir was called away on errand to guard the lands around Annuminas from men and creatures who came to plunder its now crumbling walls. It was only a year upon his return that Giladuial bore him his only son. Taurchon he was named and he grew swiftly and seemed in bearing to be most like his father, for even as a child he was taller than most of his age and learnt to speak early. He loved songs and tales of old; especially those deeds most concerning the Eldar, for the tales of that noble race lightened his heart and always he hoped that he may one day journey to visit their few remaining havens. Three years had passed since the birth of Taurchon and a watchful peace lay on the lands between the Shire and lake Evendim. It was then that Giladuial found herself with child for a third time and Taurdir returned home from his marches on the borders of Northfarthing, in the land of the Halflings, to be with his wife. By this time Gilloth had grown to be a fair maid come near to womanhood and many young men now began to mark her dark beauty and bright eyes. It was at dawn on a midsummer’s day that the third and final child of Taurdir and Giladuial came into the world. Laerloth they called that child, which means Summer Blossom. Many of the people of the village marvelled at that child, for she was unlike any of her kin in that her hair was of a rich gold, which was rare among the Dunedain and had not been seen in the folk Dolenlond for many generations. “Well chosen is her name!” the folk would say when they looked upon her “As fair and merry as the sunlight upon the yellow fields of Mallos is that child. Truly the line of Hador the Golden-haired runs in the house of Tauron.” But the watchful peace did not last long and even in the autumn of Laerloth’s birth a shadow began to creep once more into the lands of Emyn Uial. Foreboding came into the heart of Taurdir at that time and he began to take thought of training Gilloth, his eldest child, in the ways of woodlore and in the wielding of spear, sword and bow. Now this was thought ill by many, for it seemed wrong that so young a maid should learn the ways of war, which had ever been the domain of men, though she took to it swiftly and with great skill. None dared though to speak openly of it to Taurdir, for they knew his temper and few could bear his anger. And so they spoke to his sister, Saelglin the Wise, of their fears and bid her bring them to her brother, for they knew that there was a great love between the two and that Taurdir ever heeded her council. So it was one evening in late autumn when Taurdir was cutting firewood for the coming winter, that Saelglin came to speak to him. Taurdir was surprised by her coming, for seldom did she travel so far from the village, but he welcomed her with joy for she was dear to him. Leading her into his house they shared with her their evening meal and spoke with her of the comings and goings of the village and of what tidings came from the north and east. Then as the night grew on the children went off to sleep and Giladuial began to prepare a bed for her guest. There by the fire sat Taurdir and beside him was Saelglin, and in her arms she cradled the sleeping Laerloth, the child glowing golden in the light of the flames. “My heart is glad to see you again, dearest sister.” said Taurdir to Saelglin turning his gaze from the flickering fire to hers; “Yet I wonder at your coming here, unlooked for and unannounced. It is not like you to be parted from your children or to travel alone. Stranger it is to me that you would make this journey only to speak to me of the comings and goings of the village, though happy am I to do so, for you were never one for idle word or gossip.” And at this Saelglin did not answer him or meet his gaze, looking only to the child asleep in her arms. “Well you know me brother.” she said after a long silence, though she did not raise her eyes to his. “Indeed I came here not at my own bidding but upon the urging of others on a matter of yours that has brought concern to many people in the village.” And looking up she saw that his eyes gleamed brightly with these words and she knew that he had guessed much of what she was going to say. “Perhaps you guess already what my errand is and I would ask you hear me first before your response, for I wish not to cause you upset by my words and I would have you know my intentions.” Taurdir made no reply to this, save to motion with his hand for her to continue, though his eyes still gleamed fiercely. “It has come to the attention of the Elders that you have began to train Gilloth in the ways of woodlore. This is not uncommon, for we live within the very heart of a wide forest and such teachings are of great importance to the survival of our people and our ways. Yet it has also reached their ears that you are teaching her in the wielding of weapons and in craft of warfare. This troubles them indeed, for Gilloth is but a maid of some sixteen summers and near to womanhood. Not to thoughts of war should she be turned but to the prospect of marriage and the bearing of children, for she is accounted fair among our kind and even now there gather suitors for her hand though she is has still some years before she is of age.” Taurdir laughed at this, though there was little humour in his voice. “And so they have bid you wander here to my door for this; what is their fear I wonder? That there should be one fewer maid in Dolenlond for their sons to choose from? Or perhaps it is for themselves they fear, for it is not only the eyes of the young men that stray to her. If so then you can return to the Elders of Dolenlond and warn them of this; that the father of Gilloth the Fair will teach such crafts as he sees fit to his daughter and that the Elders perhaps should keep their eyes and ears to themselves, for he will not tolerate any suitors of his daughter till she is of age and ill it would be to any who set her fathers’ will to naught.” They spoke nothing more of this that night and indeed after only two days Saelglin returned to the village, bearing Taurdirs response. Upon hearing this the Elders were grieved, though they took no further council in the matter, fearing the wrath of Taurdir should word reach him. Yet among them in secret they whispered, for Taurdir came seldom thereafter to the village and Gilloth not at all and many wondered when his anger would subside and to what purpose her training would be put to.