Ch 1 - Of the Falathlorn [An as of yet unnamed tome]

Beside the Ered Luin, which is Blue Mountains, lived both Elves and Dwarves. Those mountains acted as a natural divide between the remnants of once majestic Beleriand, being Lindon, and the other lands of Eriador. At its feet on the eastern face stood many ruins in the lands known as the Falathlorn or “the Anchorage’s Shore” where once many fair folk did dwell and yet remains a testament to ages past when the Eldar were abundant in Middle-Earth, before the world was changed. Resting upon the borders of Lindon the Falathlorn was considered to be under the rule of Cirdan, Lord of the Falathrim since Elwe Singolo was hidden from his people on the western march in the days before the Sun and Moon. However, this land was more as a vassalage rather than long stretches of his reign reaching outward, for he was a gentle lord, preferring wisdom and council over conquest and dominion. And to this, Nowe Cirdan, as he has been known for many an age, has always been one to heal hurts and offer solace to those dispossessed of house and home.

Amid the ruins two settlements of elvendom yet remained in the Falathlorn aside the river Lune, which is the chief tributary unto the Gulf of Lune where the fair city of Mithlond lay. These townships were called Celondim and Duillond. And yay, the foundations of these two settlements lie in the breaking of older cities, and here they found aid and solace offered by the mighty shipwright from the elder days. So, each of these began labors for the furthering of mighty Lindon in their own fashion, making for themselves a place among those who had long been in service.

Celondim was the older of the two, serving as a port for ships south bound to fairer lands through the virtue of its natural harborage of which the Falathlorn was named. These lands were fertile and wild with growth, lending to the appeal of this area as a waypoint. Upon its gentle shores wood used for the fashioning of the legendary white ships of the Havens would be gathered up and prepared. Also did there grow vines housing sweet grapes, which were harvested in great vinyards for the making of fine and robust wines. This drew a fair number of those from Lindon and of travelers, who would both trade and toil with the peoples here.

The younger of the sister cities was Duillond, of which our tales will chiefly speak. Though less in trade then elder Celondim, it burguned in the areas of lore, fellowship and song. For it stood upon a cross road, being on the borders of dwarven settlements and upon the road which led to the west from both the cities of men and the gentle Shire, of which more shall be told. Upon the cliffs overlooking the river Lune, the elaborate architecture boasted many suspended terraces and magnificent outcroppings, so that on a fair day one could smell the sea air on the gentle breezes flowing northward along the river. This served to settle the hearts of many of the travelers who had as of yet resolved to return unto those unsullied lands of Aman, and they did not go hither. For many did not wish to forever abandon those lands from which we first sprang from in the eye of Illuvatar, yet the songs of Ulmo always call us to the sea as does our longing to see our kin who have been lost to us throughout the ages. But as they found peace in both their closeness to the sea and in these lands where gladness may yet be found, tales from all across Arda were brought forth and rested here, freely shared among all peoples.

Therefore, upon the shores opposite the city of Duillond was there many homes and estates built for the comfort of these travelers who became one people, and they were glad. For while many of their kin had gone into the ancient west, many more yet remained. And in recent years, has the call of the sea been greater in our hearts and thoughts, so it seems that we are being called back whether we would wish it or no. This has so lent to a burgeoning of those lands and yet more of the Eldar remaining in the great places of our kind have begun to come unto the Falathlorn and hear once again the mighty songs of the sea on Ulmo’s might horns of shell. And yet they too may find peace for in the least a little while until such time as all of our kin sail across the sundering sea and never again step upon Middle-Earth. And so Duillond, which had always been the lesser of the townships in this land became the harbor of much more than ships and its doom was greater than many had foreseen.

Yet even in this bastion of reconcile, not all is fair. For, in recent times, darkness has once again crept back into the region. Spirits of the slain once again walk from ancient barrows aside the Wind Stones. And from deep within the heart of the Blue Mountains, goblins who have ever contested with the neighboring dwarves for the dominion of the world beneath, had spilled into the light. And with them they brought foul tidings and the memory of dark times. Wolves they tamed and brought under their will and dark weavers followed, who live on the blood of others spewed forth from dark places. A settlement they established, challenging the dwarven city of Gondomon a short way to the north and west. Raith Tareg the goblins called it in their own abominable tongue and like an illness to the land, the corruption it brought spread many leagues.

And though darkness spreads and the fate of these lands once stewardship pass from the elder children to the younger is uncertain, resistance against the darkness yet endures. While that fate remains shrouded in mystery, ever has the endurance of the world sustained all of its folk, be they fair or no.  So, hope may yet be held for what shall happen in the End, as further tales will speak of.