Eldárien and Rórlain navigate through the streets of Ristfánd, leading their horses by the bridle, until they come to the courtyard in which the temple of Nirániel rises before them. They tie the horses to a post and ascend the steps to the large wooden doors, in which are carved ornate designs and runes—the temple […]

Elmáriyë rides into the city in the late afternoon and, after entrusting Fenárion to the stable master, walks to the temple. The streets are filled with anxiety, even fear, and she does not know why; but she also feels another emotion, which it takes her a large part of the walk to the center of […]

After gathering their supplies, Eldárien and Rórlain set off on horseback, their faces to the early morning sun. The land before them is flat, an almost uninterrupted plain stretching to the east, dotted with farmland of wheat and beans and strawberries, and pastures for livestock as well, interspersed with groves of trees and ponds or […]

“Can we rest for a bit before continuing further?” Eldárien asks, sitting down at the side of the road. “Most definitely,” Rórlain replies, crouching down beside him. “It is after lunch time already, and we have both eaten very little over the previous few days and more.” After a moment, he adds, “How are you […]

Malrûn departs shortly after their conversation is concluded, accepting from Eldárien and Rórlain some provisions and wishing them well on their journey to the southeast—to Ristfánd—while they wish him the same on his journey westward. They are deeply aware that both directions lead into danger, even unto death, but they do not hesitate, for each […]

The guards are absent from the entrance to the barrow when Eldárien, Rórlain, and Malrûn step into the light of day. They look around cautiously, blinking in the brilliance of the midday sun, and try to decide the best course of action. “Do you think the rest of the company survived?” Malrûn asks, anxiously. “I…I […]

It is not long before the company of men is walking more or less single file—with the exception of Rórlain and Eldárien, for whom walking in such a way is impossible—through the woods to the northeast. The entrance to the barrow is not far, and as they walk, Eldárien cannot help but remember the last […]

Eldárien finds Rórlain at the edge of Fálstead just as the last light of day is fading from the sky and darkness is beginning to cloak the land in deep shadow. He is easy to find, as he has already started a campfire whose light burns bright in the air, orange and yellow, and whose […]

Eldárien and Rórlain make camp under the canopy of stars, the sky unobstructed above them except for that part hidden by the mountains rising in the west, snow-capped but now a dull mass of black against the speckled firmament. They have traveled four days across the highlands, walking for most of the day with only […]

“In the presence of all the witnesses here and in the name of the divines, especially Mórnwyn, patroness of love and marriage, dost thou, Afadír, receive Býlja unto thyself, that she may be thine portion and heritage during the trials and joys of this life, and that with her thou mayest bring forth children in […]