The hills of the northdown stand empty. It was long ago when kings and queens were buried here among the Edain of old. Many however were raised, used as puppets by fell spirits on the orders of the Witch King of Angmar. But many of these have been laid to rest once more by the Dunedain. And now, beside the evil of Fornost, unclear and fell, looming over the hilly fields, the old burial road is peaceful. All except one, barrow. A round greeny top and its sides a rounding wall made by stone slabs. The Burial road moves towards it then slides past it, as if brushing its side. During the high days of the Kingdom of Arnor, this road was made, purposely both in deviance of the one within and as a watch. The Dunedain however quicken their step when passing the barrow while on the road.
“What is that Barrow?” One would ask. The answer was always the same, two names, and a story; “That place is Haudh Mor. The Dark Barrow. It was made in the early days of Arnor, but not by the Dunedain, but by those who were here before.”
In that barrow lies the one known as Êsherzôn the darkreaver. For this story we have to go back a long time. For time the kings and queens of Numenor were fair, and to the peoples of middle earth they brought knowledge, support and security. But in the later days, Numenor changed. In their greed and self importance, they came to the shores of Middle Earth as conquerors, as enslavers, as killers. But always their acts were limited, cruel, but limited. This was the world Êsherzôn grew up in, he was a sailor and after lot of toil and work he obtained his own few ships, just three. But for Êsherzôn it was enough, three ships, with enough men. He would sail north, reaching the lands of Eriador and Lindon. At first it looked like he’d settle around the Gwathló, for Numenor always had land there. The Numenoreans were on friendly terms with the men of Eriador, who remained close to the Gwathló. Elves of Lindon and Eregion however, the Numenoreans kept their distance. Only a few, the Faithfull, would interact with those, but quite often led to the same persecutions as those in Numenor. However, Eregion was gone, fallen by Sauron. And so the expectation that Êsherzôn came to reinforce Numenors interest in these areas was understood.
However, Êsherzôn had interest in playing defence. He sailed further up and started raiding towns of the Edain that were friendly with Numenor and under her protection. Then he enslaved many and even attempted to raid lands of Lindon. But on his return to Numenor, the news of his deeds came to Ar-Pharazôn. Still early in his reign, yet proud. Ar-Pharazôn admired the young sea captain, however his advisors, especially Amandil, a councillor and father of Elendil, and leader of the Faithful, demanded the arrest of Êsherzôn. However with compromise, Êsherzôn had his ships and crew seized but Êsherzôn would have to sail as personal captain under the direct orders of the king.
Not being able to fight against the decision of his lord, Êsherzôn agreed and spent the next years sailing only when Ar-Pharazôn sails. And so this included the faithful day when, challenged, Ar-Pharazôn sailed to Middle Earth and arrested Sauron. In chains, Sauron was put in a cage on a prison ship to Numenor. A ship captained by Êsherzôn. Êsherzôn, in curiousity, started to look at this pretender of the title ‘lord of earth’. And while not impressed, he started to mock Sauron. Sauron however, remained calm, feeling the seeds of evil within Êsherzôn. “I may be in chains.” he said. “But I don’t have a leash on me held by a king who wants all the glory for himself. Tell me, why did your lord not grant you riches? Titles? Why did he listen to those that sit lower and beside all the good you gave your kingdom, you were bereft of freedom.” Êsherzôn however wasn't easily swayed, and chuckled at Sauron's attempts before leaving. Sauron however, smirked. He wasn’t planning to sway Êsherzôn then and there. No, people like this need coercion, slowly having the world tell them that he, Sauron the great, is always right.”
Much later and Sauron has successfully infiltrated the kingdom’s inner workings. He whispered into the ears of Ar-Pharazôn and to the people. The kingsmen became thus more ruthless. And it was thanks to Sauron that Êsherzôn gained promotion after promotion, returned to be free to plunder the coasts of Middle Earth and return with slaves. No, not slaves, human sacrifices. Êsherzôn, in admiration and gratitude, bowed to Sauron, whom he saw and believed. Sauron, wanting to turn Êsherzôn into a servant most loyal, demanded a sacrifice from him, in return for a boon most worthy. And so, the evil in Êsherzôn finally won, as he arrested his own wife, who despite her crying pleas was burned in the dark temple of Morgoth, all while Êsherzôn watched, watched and smiled.
Sauron gave him the boon, a power of face, voice and spirit. Now fell, and bereft of humanity, Êsherzôn went back north where he took back his land and conquered more. Fear went ahead of him and many died under him and his sons. And when Numenor fell into the seas, he weeped little to none. He was now Ar-Êsherzôn. New Numenor was here, and when Lord Sauron comes back, he will give him authority.
But white sails were on the horizon. Elendil came to Eriador followed by many of the Faithful, having previously split up with his two sons who went and found the kingdom of Gondor. Ar-Êsherzôn made up his army to try and cast Elendil into the sea. “Last pretender” he thought. But Elendil’s army was strengthened by the army of Gil-Galad, and in the battle of the Gwathló, Êsherzôn was slain and his army routed. His sons entombed his body on top of the barrows of the old Edain and made it a tower, walls, two levels high with a gate most wide.
His sons however fell in the next battles and the last of Êsherzôn’s followers fled north east, hiding in the mountains and who’s descendent would eventually give way to the hillmen of Angmar. And when Elendil saw the barrow of Êsherzôn, he wanted it destroyed. But every pickaxe became blunt, every shovel snapped or evaporated like smoke. The ground of the barrow was tainted. Elendil wanted the barrow buried, but only was able to get the ground high enough to bury the entrance and the long wall only the small top stayed visible. Elendil dubbed it, Haudh Mor, the Dark Barrow. And he made the burial round pass it, both in deviance of Êsherzôn. And to make sure none would try to use the evil within.
