Mark Tierney
January 5th,2003, 04:23 PM
Note:
This story is set in the year 1049-1050 of the Third Age. As a result, Minas Tirith is still called Minas Anor, and Minas Morgul is still a fortress of Gondor, Minas Ithil. The fortress of Umbar is also in Gondorian hands, though under siege from Haradrim and Black Numenoreans. Mirkwood is still Greenwood the Great and the Istari have only just arrived in Middle Earth.
If anyone can provide me with any more information on this part of the history of Middle Earth, please post it below, together with your opinions on the story so far.
Many of the characters are of course the property of JRR Tolkien and his estate.
Chapter 1 – The Siege of Umbar
Minardir looked out from his hiding place at the top of the cutting onto the road below. He could see the long, spindly line of Haradrim cavalry, just a couple of hundred yards away, blissfully unaware of their imminent destruction. The Gondorian captain signalled to his company of rangers to make ready, the impersonation of an owl almost indistinguishable from that of nature. He eased his own longbow forward and eased an arrow onto the string. He looked at the Haradrim again, and saw that it was time. He shouted the commands.
“Company! Draw! Loose!” The arrows of his men came flying from the bushes and thickets all over the cutting. Minardir released his own arrow, and saw it hit one of the lead Haradrim in the throat. The men of Gondor continued to fire into the Southrons, and by now most of the enemy had been felled by the deadly black-and-white-fletched arrows.
The commander of the Southrons attempted to recover his troops, and lead a charge up the cutting, but the bank was too steep, and the remainder of the enemy perished. Minardir made a final signal, and the Gondorians faded away into the trees.
The rangers regrouped a few miles away, closer to the coast, and rested there for the night. Minardir set a heavy guard, for they were in enemy territory, and it was still possible that they might be found. In the first light of dawn, they packed up their camp and marched to the coast, where they were met by the warship Dol Amroth, which would take them back to the fortress of Umbar. It was less than a days journey, and passed without event. The captain of the ship, a hard man in middle age named Berlond, summoned Minardir to his chamber to speak with him. The Captain of the Rangers of Umbar cast an impressive appearance to Berlond. He had long, dark hair with a growth of stubble on his chin and upper lip. He was tall, but not broad shouldered, and his eyes had the glimmerings of intelligence, wit and charm. He, like his men wore a lighter version of the heavy armour utilised by all the armies of Gondor, as well as a hooded, forest green cloak. On his shoulder he carried a well-made Gondorian longbow and at his side a sword of the finest balance and construction. He was of one of the great Numenorean families, who resided in northern Gondor, and were said to have great friendship with elves of the Greenwood.
;)
This story is set in the year 1049-1050 of the Third Age. As a result, Minas Tirith is still called Minas Anor, and Minas Morgul is still a fortress of Gondor, Minas Ithil. The fortress of Umbar is also in Gondorian hands, though under siege from Haradrim and Black Numenoreans. Mirkwood is still Greenwood the Great and the Istari have only just arrived in Middle Earth.
If anyone can provide me with any more information on this part of the history of Middle Earth, please post it below, together with your opinions on the story so far.
Many of the characters are of course the property of JRR Tolkien and his estate.
Chapter 1 – The Siege of Umbar
Minardir looked out from his hiding place at the top of the cutting onto the road below. He could see the long, spindly line of Haradrim cavalry, just a couple of hundred yards away, blissfully unaware of their imminent destruction. The Gondorian captain signalled to his company of rangers to make ready, the impersonation of an owl almost indistinguishable from that of nature. He eased his own longbow forward and eased an arrow onto the string. He looked at the Haradrim again, and saw that it was time. He shouted the commands.
“Company! Draw! Loose!” The arrows of his men came flying from the bushes and thickets all over the cutting. Minardir released his own arrow, and saw it hit one of the lead Haradrim in the throat. The men of Gondor continued to fire into the Southrons, and by now most of the enemy had been felled by the deadly black-and-white-fletched arrows.
The commander of the Southrons attempted to recover his troops, and lead a charge up the cutting, but the bank was too steep, and the remainder of the enemy perished. Minardir made a final signal, and the Gondorians faded away into the trees.
The rangers regrouped a few miles away, closer to the coast, and rested there for the night. Minardir set a heavy guard, for they were in enemy territory, and it was still possible that they might be found. In the first light of dawn, they packed up their camp and marched to the coast, where they were met by the warship Dol Amroth, which would take them back to the fortress of Umbar. It was less than a days journey, and passed without event. The captain of the ship, a hard man in middle age named Berlond, summoned Minardir to his chamber to speak with him. The Captain of the Rangers of Umbar cast an impressive appearance to Berlond. He had long, dark hair with a growth of stubble on his chin and upper lip. He was tall, but not broad shouldered, and his eyes had the glimmerings of intelligence, wit and charm. He, like his men wore a lighter version of the heavy armour utilised by all the armies of Gondor, as well as a hooded, forest green cloak. On his shoulder he carried a well-made Gondorian longbow and at his side a sword of the finest balance and construction. He was of one of the great Numenorean families, who resided in northern Gondor, and were said to have great friendship with elves of the Greenwood.
;)