Anger. Anger and Fury. The Woman looked at the lake once more and cursed to herself in Sindarin. Her worthless band had failed to show up consecutively now, and their absence drove her mad with fury and longing for companionship. Her friendship with Furlaf had faded, and even her relationship with Boen was going downhill. Only Cyneburga was her only friend.
Umbaindes' fury was too strong for her to control. With a shout she set about destroying what was in her path, hacking at trees and destroying the prized Dúnadan relics which were strewn about her feet. She mowed the grass around her with her spear and threw a rock into the ocean. Still nothing to calm her fury. The fire within her burned so hot that she could feel the steam of anger emitting from her ears, and she clutched the tip of her spear so hard that it penetrated through her gloved hand and caused her fingers to bleed. Finally, after endless moments of raging and cursing, her knees gave way, and she began to cry horribly.
Her fellows had abandoned her. She was alone within this forest, looking out from the waterfall of Emyn Uial, where the Meltwater from Forochel entered the Evendim. She cast her gaze to the great statue, the Colossus, of Elendil the tall, and then turned back to the forest. She hoisted herself onto a nearby branch and began to rest. Rest was all she needed to calm herself from her fury. She looked at the merry splashing of the water, the waterfall reflected within her visible eye, and finally, after many minutes of gazing, her mind entered a restless bout of sleep and dreams.
She stood surveying the city of Annúminas below, looking down upon the high cliffs in which she was situated, the glorious sunrise basking the Númenorian city in a ray of splendour and high elegance. Grunting, yet her curiosity peaked, she found a path leading down to the city, and resolved to tread upon it down into the ruins.
After moments of panting and walking, she had finally reached the base of the cliff, and she examined the ruins. She had no wish to plunder. The thought of it more repulsed her than delighted her, especially the thought of knowing she had plundered. She had not the mind of a Tomb-robber anymore. There was nothing over riches and gold that appealed to her now. Sighing she left the Marble city and walked out to the forest. She felt more at home listening to the nature of life and the keen growth life rather than empty and abandoned ruins.
Yet suddenly, as she lay upon the ground to watch the stars visible beyond the canopy of the forest, she could swear she saw a peculiar star twinkling and gleaming directly above her. It appeared to be growing bigger, coming nearer... the light of it blinded Umbaindes so much that she had to cover her uncovered eye from harm. She grimaced as she felt the heat of the star, now so close to her, pulsing lightly above her body. The next thing she felt was heat, scorching heat, but she did not appear to be burning at all. She opened her eyes, and the star was gone, yet to her horror, she looked upon her body and saw that it was aflame and... she felt no pain.
Laying down, too wary to react on what was happening, she covered her face with her elbow now and sought to sleep, but a faint smokey hiss made her recoil and her eyes fell to her chest and widened.
There, gleaming brightly upon forest-green coloured garments, lay a silver star of six points, clasping her hooded cloak tightly together. The Star of Annúminas.
Umbaindes abruptly awoke and felt the cold sweat slither down her back.
