watcher of roads

HE WHO TRAVELS ALONE TRAVELS FASTEST an original character Tirron of Ossiriand. High Elf. Wanderer. Sideblog to warhornofgondor

[watcherofroads]

@saltuary

Ithilien's wild beauty was made only more so by the shadow that loomed in the distance. The ash and smoke from Mordor did not dim the reds, purples, and whites that bloomed defiantly. The garden of Gondor was more true to its people than their white city. It was a wild, enduring place, a riot of rebellious color thriving at the foot of a Dark Lord who sought to choke all light and life from the world.

Even among the blooms, there were thorns. The Rangers of Ithilien. Clad in green with silent feet they guarded their domain and harassed the enemy. Ruthlessly efficient they had earned Tirron's admiration and respect. Which was why he had sought them out. Together they could keep watch, and maybe find a weakness, an opening that could be exploited.

With that plan in mind, Tirron waited outside the entrance to Henneth Annun, ignoring the suspicious glares of the other men. One of his "captors" had left to fetch their captain. With a thought to the future, he ignored his bound wrists and waited.

[watcherofroads]

@the-lady-of-thargelion

continued from x Merildis had had a rough day, to say the least. The rumours going around a certain necromancer had not put her in good spirits, and she felt overly-tired. Having to deal with her day-to-day routine was becoming a strain on her mind and body. She stepped into her house with the rush of someone wanting nothing more than sleep, but her day had not ended yet. It was then that Tirron, who was getting back on his feet, had offered her to knead a bit the muscles of her shoulders. She reluctantly had accepted - she had always had trouble asking for help, even when she needed it. And the moment she felt his hands on her shoulders unraveling all the knots she let out a soft relieved sigh. Thank you, she signed.

When Merildis returned to her home, her face was a mask of utter weariness. The many duties she performed for Lorien—each a heavy stone of care and effort—had taken their toll. It had been easy for Tirron to guide her to a chair and ease the strain that her duties had caused.

He hummed as he began his work. Hands, strong from years of handling weapons, were surprisingly skilled at massage. From the nape of the neck across each shoulder, his thumb and forefingers stretched the muscles underneath. Tirron's keen fingers located the tight knots at the base of her neck that his thumbs broke apart. He varied the pressure on specific areas, using his knuckles, wrists, fingers, and palms. When her muscles had been thoroughly kneaded and there were no knots to be found, he ceased and offered her a glass of water.

"Drink this and then tell me what new problems have been laid upon your shoulders."

[the-lady-of-thargelion]

Merildis heard Tirron step into the kitchen - she could hear his uncertain steps, and he certainly was not up to do anything. And yet he still wanted to help. She sighed, shaking lightly her head. She put down the pan she was holdin and went to him, gently guiding him towards a chair and making him sit down.

You definitely should not even be up, Tirron. She signed, her expression a bit sour. You should take care of yourself more.

She pointed at the stove. I am nearly done. It has been... A very long while since I last cooked something myself, but you deserve a proper meal.

She then stepped back to the stove, where she finished the last few bits and once she switched off the fires, she served a hearty breakfast. There was everthing savoury and sweet one could desire, and she had given her utmost best. After bringing the last dish on the table, she sat down.

I hope this will be of your liking.

[watcherofroads]

Her chiding was not unexpected, as past experiences had gone similarly. Tirron made sure to look appropriately chagrined under her gaze.

"How could I fully appreciate the meal you worked so hard to prepare if I was still abed?" His dark eyes held a teasing glint as they followed her. The table overflowed with a variety of foods, a bounty far too great for just two people. Merildis had really outdone herself.

He was struck by the generosity of her labor. A meal this lavish felt undeserved, and she, a kindness he could never truly repay. He promised himself that he would find a way to settle the debt between them, someday.

"This is far better fare than I have had in an age." Remembering manners, he filled a plate with one of each. It was far better than what could be cooked on the road. The soft bread nearly melted in his mouth. Pairing it with fresh butter nearly made him close his eyes in pleasure.

"You seem to be skilled at everything you turn your hand to, Merildis."

[the-lady-of-thargelion]

Morning came softly, the rays of sun filtering through the curtains of the window. Merildis woke up and stretched a bit. There had been no more emergencies, and Tirron had not woken up again.

She got out of bed, dressing up and getting ready. She immediately went to check on Tirron, who was still asleep, and mostly on the way to heal properly. She smiled, sighing softly. She gently felt his forehead for any trace of fever, and his chest for any trace of rasped breath, and she happily nodded - he was alright.

She checked his head and with a sigh of relief she put away all surgical tools. He had passed the night and he would be fine.

At that point, she headed to the kitchen and started preparing breakfast. Tirron would need some energy to get back on his feet.

[watcherofroads]

A dull ache shattered Tirron's peaceful rest. Yesterday's mortifying events replayed in his mind with stinging clarity. This morning, he would have to find the Galadhrim scouts and learn what had happened. Why had those orcs been camped so close? And, were there more?

Dark brown eyes fought against the blinding sun, fluttering open and quickly retreating. He felt like he had consumed enough Dorwinion red wine to swim in. Summoning the courage to face the day, his eyes opened and found Merildis. The sounds from the kitchen were wonderfully cozy and familiar. Given how much she had done, he felt compelled to at least assist with breakfast.

The stitches in his arm tugged as he cautiously rose, his hand reaching for the chair back to steady himself. Every muscle complained, and the bruises that covered his torso like a dark tapestry added their own throbbing demands. Slowly he made his way to the kitchen, taking inventory of the price from yesterday.

"Good morning. Would you like some help?"

[masterlistrpc]

            TOLKIEN MASTERLIST POST.    reblog this post if you have a muse from tolkien and want to be added to the masterlist located here.    please follow the following format in your tags when reblogging and i will add you to the list.  

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[the-lady-of-thargelion]

Merildis smiled in relief. It seemed that the meaning of her words had gotten through Tirron and that was enough for her. She was glad that he was going through the night well. He would be fine, and she could rest, finally.

She understood where he came from, she had been there too for too long of a time. She remembered being hopeless and thinking that she was now alone. She gently helf Tirron's hand. Those are commendable words, and I am glad for you.

She pulled a blanket over him, moving away some strands of hair from his face. Now rest, my friend. Leave all thoughts for tomorrow. I shall still be here.

And that said, she dimmed the lights further, until only the faint light of the stars filtered through the windows. And she laid down as well, resting. It had been a long start of the night, but hopefully it would be peaceful.

[watcherofroads]

He answered her touch with the warmth of his own grasp. His voice a quiet balm. "Thank you. For mending not only the flesh, but also the spirit within. Rest well, Merildis."

Tirron stared into the darkness, gathering the courage to descend into sleep once more. His mind churned with a thousand thoughts, each vying for importance, though in truth, none truly mattered. He closed his eyes. A song arose in his mind, a melody meant to drive out all other thoughts, save for the most important:

I am my own. I am safe.

Finally the stillness of true rest claimed him.

[watcherofroads]

Tagged by: @sewing-elven-maid

Tagging: anyone

what body part are you?

Heart

A heart in a cynical sense feels nothing, it simply carries through all the blood, all the oxygen, all the components the other parts that do feel need. An ugly organ, misshapen and strange when held in the palm of your hand. Yet, it is the centre of your being. It is the core. Even when you try to act unaffected, it is your heart that gives you away, skipping a beat, fluttering in excitement, halting dead in terror. You have so much of it to give, you just haven’t learned to discern who is and isn’t worthy of it yet. Hold onto it. Do not whittle it down, carve names into the flesh that you cannot erase. Remain patient, remain astute, and remain loving.

[the-lady-of-thargelion]

Her eyes clouded at the mention of Thargelion. She utterly missed that area, now non-existent, and her memories made her nostalgia more acute.

She slowly turned the pages to a landscape drawing. Mountains in the background and lush forests, a beautiful lake, and an imposing castle surrounded by rose bushes. The snow was still present, and yet the first spring flowers were showing. Merildis smiled softly, gently passing a hand over the page.

Dor Caranthir, or Thargelion, in Quenya. She signed. We travelled from the Havens until we found this beautiful land. He called it Thargelion. The Land beyond the river Gelion.

She smiled, letting a couple of tears roll down her cheeks. We saw there the First Dwarves, and later Haleth and her people. As Thargelion became a true commercial hub under my husband's command, people started calling it Dor Caranthir. You should have seen his scoffs at it. But he was indeed flattered.

Her gaze went to the lake. We used to have walks, and picnics. It was not always war and darkness, although history tends to depict it that way.

And she let more tears ou, which she gently dabbed away with a finely embroidered handkerchief. I am sorry, my friend. I promised I would not cry, and here I am.

[watcherofroads]

The drawing, a testament to the artist's skill, depicted the unearthly beauty of Thargelion. Tirron gazed upon it in reverent awe. This was how Beleriand, his parents' homeland, had appeared. No wonder it evoked such deep wistfulness in others.

"Caranthir must have quite the leader to be able to bring all three kins together, peacefully. What were the early Edain like? And, the dwarves? Before war and broken alliances tainted our friendship."

Tirron gave her a patient look. "You loved your home and your husband, and are still grieving the loss of both. There is no need to apologize for your tears."

[disa-dwarven-princess]

"Why yes, of course we can go to the tailor! And worry not about repayment, your aid in reigning in these two menaces is more than enough." With that, she steered the group towards the centre of the road, whilst listening to Tirron.

"Oh, did they? That is a very much appreciated compliment, although they will have to learn much more." She mused, not letting anyone out of her sight. "And I am pleased to have such an open-minded fellow as you, Tirron."

And it was then that she suddenly stopped. Disa, other than the Princess, was a resonator, one of the most powerul ones, listening to the earth and its song, and replying with an equal song in harmony, for earth and Dwarves to live. That meant also feeling when the earth was shaken, and that was one of those moments.

She had no time to explain. With voice as potent as thunder, she ordered: "Brace yourselves!" And immediately everyone got to the ground, as an earthquake shook the ground.

The earthquake lasted a few minutes, minutes only filled with the sound of rumbling soil and crumbling stones.

As it ended, Disa stood up again, looking around herself. Gamli, Gerda, Tirron, the guards, the people. "Is everyone alright?" She asked.

[watcherofroads]

Any protest that arose died on his tongue as the rest of the group continued on. Disa was a force of nature more akin to the ocean than the mountains that made her home. With a steadying breath Tirron followed in her wake.

Moments later she only proved his comparison true. He quickly obeyed, kneeling and wrapping Gerda in his arms to shield her from falling debris. The rumbling felt like the apocalypse, as if time itself had ground to a halt. To distract and keep his charge calm, Tirron began to quietly sing a song in his native tongue. The tune's power lay not in its words, but in the feeling it brought forth: sunshine, a clear sky, and an endless meadow.

The tremors ceased. Everyone held their breath, frozen, unsure if the danger had truly passed. Once Disa moved everyone followed suit. Tirron rose, pulling Gerda up alongside him. At her question, people looked around at their neighbors. Given the circumstances, it was nothing short of a miracle that the damage was limited to a few buildings and some minor cuts.

Tirron moved closer to her. "Does that happen often?" He asked in a low voice.

[the-lady-of-thargelion]

Merildis looked at Tirron with an unreadable expression, her mind reliving ghosts of a past that was there no more. Her heart ached for Tirron. Whatever he had gone through, it had been enough. She sighed softly.

I decided that if I was to be kind to everyone, then I had to be kind to myself too. It is by no means perfect, and there are times where I just... Well. Sometimes I think I would have been better dying. But then I would not have met you, and the few people who have made it easier being kind.

She lowered her gaze, before seting her brown eyes on him. You are not alone, Tirron. And shadow is not forever.

[watcherofroads]

Could kindness truly stand as a bulwark against the encroaching shadows of profound wickedness? Or was it merely a single, fragile thread in the intricate tapestry of virtue required to mend a fractured world? And as he offered solace and sustenance to every furred and feathered creature of the forest, could he turn that same wellspring of compassion and boundless generosity towards the weary soul within himself?

"My vigilant watch has been a convenient excuse to remain alone...and avoid facing difficult truths."

Truths that her sympathy had brought to the forefront. To follow her advice and be kind to himself meant acknowledging what he had been thinking for years. He lifted his gaze to the ceiling, finding it simpler to speak without the weight of her reaction in his sight.

"This shadow clinging to me is not the work of the Witch-king but my own. It was forged in the fire that my enemy kindled, but I crafted it out of fear and doubt."

[the-lady-of-thargelion]

Merildis lowered her head and looked again at the drawing, silently chuckling at Tirron's teasing.

I am glad you like the name. She signed, a soft expression on her face. She made a pause, considering her words. She had trusted him and she would keep trusting him, no secrets would be kept.

She took in a deep breath, before signing.

His name was Morifinwe Carnistir. Caranthir, in Sindarin language. We met when we still welled in Aman, and times were peaceful. He was Feanor's fifth son, and we happened to meet through his red mark. It was love at first sight.

She felt her heart ache. Even mentioning his name hurt. She felt the prick of tiny tears at the corner of her eyes.

He swore the Oath, and the Oath lead him to his death. He is not to return from the Halls. But we had our moments of happiness. I remember when Thargelion still had not sunk.

[watcherofroads]

The name resonated with him, as did all the figures woven into the familiar tale. Yet, knowing how deeply personal it was to her irrevocably transformed it. It shed its skin as a hushed legend of his youth, becoming instead a real tale with profound consequences that echoed through time. As the glassy sheen of unshed tears gathered in her eyes, he moved to her side.

"I heard some of the elders remark about how beautiful Dor Caranthir was. How Mount Rerir pierced the sky and Lake Helevorn seemed fathomless."

[disa-dwarven-princess]

As if reading his mind, Disa spoke. "Worry not, Elf friend, your clothes will be fine. We are less concerned with grandeur, and more concerned about actions and words. But, should you wish to, we can talk to the tailor."

She smiled approvingly. If at first Tirron had seemed a bit aloof, he was now revealing a quite amicable and honest personality, which was all a positive for her. "I would not suggest you to encourage my husband, as he loves a good challenge, but tends to get heated easily. That, however, shall be your own decision."

She nodded and stepped in the shop, re-emerging some good twenty minutes later with a satisfied expression. "The best pieces shall be delivered straight to our kitchens, in hopes of giving all guests a great feast." She turned to him, and then looked at her children. "Have you both been behaving?"

[watcherofroads]

Her reassurance left him momentarily stunned. Had he been that obvious in his thoughts? Or, was mind reading another talent of the dwarven princess's? A shy, almost embarrassed smile appeared. "If we have time mayhaps we could stop by the tailor? Dwarven clothes look sturdy and comfortable. It might well-suit my needs. Eventually even this jacket shall become unrepairable."

While Disa was away, Tirron steered the children towards a different stall. He pretended to be puzzled by some of the more peculiar items, peppering Gerda and Gamli with questions. Usually, they were the ones full of endless inquiries, but they reveled in this role reversal. With bright smiles, they eagerly described the purpose of each item and their opinions on it. When Disa emerged the three of them met her at the shopfront to hear the news.

"Congratulations on your victory, your highness." Tirron's bow was deep, yet it held a warm, teasing glint in his eyes. "They have been instructing me in the various uses of some of the other wares. They are truly excellent teachers."

[the-lady-of-thargelion]

Merildis let Tirron grab her hand - this had something to do with his past, and she would pry only if he told her anything. She gently cupped his face, trying to calm down.

She shook her head. This shadow is not you, Tirron. Your will is much stronger. This is just the enemy playing with your head.

Her signs could not convey her tone, but she hoped that the logical reasoning had made Tirron feel better. I have seen true evil, Tirron. You are the kindest I have ever met especially after my entire family died.

She looked at him in the eyes intensely. She felt for him. I will be your anchor, should you need grounding.

[watcherofroads]

"It could have been if fate had determined differently. It was ages ago. Will I ever be free of that voice?"

He settled back, letting out a long exhale as if to release the lingering unease of the dream.

I am safe. I am still me.

Dark eyes met hers, seeking for that comfort she offered. "How did you get past something so terrible?"

[lotro-quest-objectives]

Overthink your character’s backstory

Optional: overthink your character’s backstory five more times

This is a repeatable quest you have previously completed

[nekmunnit]

He’s ok 👍

[the-lady-of-thargelion]

Merildis carefully watched Tirron finally fall asleep, a good indicator that she probably would not need to do anything more than she had already done. Which was always good news.

She could rest for a moment, but she didn't lower her guard. It was still too soon for her to declare Tirron out of trouble.

The night started quiet, until she heard Tirron stir - and judging by his sour expression and frown, that had to be a nightmare. She carefully stepped beside him. He was talking in his sleep, begging for death. She was painfully reminded of her own experience, but she pushed the memories in the back of her mind.

She could not bear to see Tirron like that. She gently shook him, trying to wake him up.

[watcherofroads]

The echo of mocking laughter pursued him from the realm of sleep. Instinctively, he seized her hand. Tirron's eyes flew open, pupils wide with a sudden, gripping fear. Merildis's face was chiseled into clarity. No spectral mist obscured his sight. The sole chill that remained was the sacred ice, now melted, upon his brow. The pain, now a dull throb, returned to him, a sure and welcome sign that he was not a wraith.

He was safe. His fingers uncurled from her hand.

"I...I heard his voice, only this time it was too late. The creeping shadow had already claimed me. I felt it, Merildis. The malice and...evil. It was me."

[bonniebirddoesgifs]

Bonniebirddoesgifs:

Lucrezia Borgia & Paolo (The Borgias) - Credit if using

[watcherofroads]

@sashaofravenlock