three houses of the edain ❂ house of hador ❂ headcanon disclaimer
Imlach was the younger son of Marach, and remained in Estolad with his father even when his brother Malach departed with much of their people to seek out a home further in the west. Imlach was deeply devoted to his family and was hurt by Malach’s abandonment, and though he was careful never to speak an ill word against his brother, his son Amlach clearly saw his pain and drew his own conclusions as to its cause. The wife of Imlach was Amar, a hunter who took firm command of the remaining People of Marach when their aging leader began to decline. For this Imlach was grateful, for he had never been inclined to leadership and preferred to devote himself to caring for his father. Amlach, however, was eager to influence the minds of his people. He blamed the enchantments of the elves for stealing away his uncle Malach, and this resentment made it easy for him to connect with Bereg of the House of Bëor, who believed the same had happened to his grandfather Balan. Together, Amlach and Bereg began to organize an unrest among the Men of Beleriand, especially those in Estolad, stirring them up against their overlords. They claimed that their journey westward had been in vain, for the Light of the Gods was beyond an impassable sea, and danger was yet all about them. When the time came for the greatest meeting of Men to decide whether they should stay or go, Amlach went out hunting in the woods with his mother in preparation for a great feast. Yet soon he and Amar were separated, and the woods seemed to become dark and unfriendly, and his way was utterly lost though he had known these trees all his life. Amid the gloom there was a soft voice and a light, which Amlach followed eagerly, believing it was his mother: but soon he saw that it was but a figment, a wisp and a voice, and in frustration he cast aside his bow and wept. Come morning’s light, the wood seemed to have returned to its usual state, and cautiously Amlach made his way out to the open air. There he met his mother with confusion, for Amar claimed he had been with her all night, and had spoken at the feast with great fervor and passion. Indeed, his fell words had laid a shadow of fear upon the assembled Men, who now were eager to go: but Amlach had not been there, and saw now that the Elf-friends were correct, and the Dark King in the north feared and hated the Men of the West. Amlach denounced the words of the thing that had taken his shape, and he and many others were deeply troubled by this treachery. Yet not all minds could be swayed, and Bereg persisted, taking a thousand men of his House back over the Blue Mountains, and after them went some of Marach’s people. Amlach, however, repented of his malcontent and swore he would avenge himself against the Enemy, saying: “I have now a quarrel of my own with this Master of Lies, which will last to my life’s end.” Thus Amlach departed Estolad for the North, entering into the service of the elf-lord Maedhros of Himring, and fought under his command until he perished in battle against the vampires of Gorthaur, an honorable warrior to the last. But in Estolad the remnant of the people of Marach dwindled, some turning west to join their kin in the shadow of Ered Wethrin and the rest disappearing back over the mountains and out of the tales of the Elder Days.