Fanfiction (/) | unleash your imagination GA. @ Login (/login.ahp?cache=bust) | Sign Up (/signup.php) Browse ~ Just In ~ Community ~ Forum» Betas ~ Story> Search ¥ Follow/Fev (11576862) Jan 12, 2004 oct 28, 2003 hose Who Remember ¥ Next > The New Shadow [AIN: Knowledge of ‘The New Shadow, HOME, Volume 12, would be helpful, ‘This story is set one hundred years after the death of Elessar, Disclaimer: "And the child of little understanding that makes a play ofthe deeds of his father may do so without thought of mockery, but because he iS the son of his father."~ ule, The Silmarilion, 1 do not own the world of Middle-earth, I don't even own this chair. Though I do agree with Tolkien. The book was too short Iealies = visions Chapter Those Who Remember Nigh on one hundred years Eldarion, Elessar's son, had ruled ere he felt the hands of Time tugging more burdensomely on his mbs and shortening his long stride. Ane then he knew hs reign woule las itle longer and made ready his son to bear the weight of the Kingship. Haleth, his wife, had been dead many years, leaving him only with his chileren for comfort. He had watched the line ofthe Stewards lengthen {and their tombs fil Rath Dinen. Yes, death had never been far off in all his long years. Yet it was not his lotto die yet, and he lived to hear the Whispers and see the shadow rise Morwen gathered her skirts and hurried along the road winding up to the Steward's House, The sky above had grown dark and the birds sang ei ast desperate nates before the light was gone completely. She tripped suddenly on the uneven path and her brother laughed to see her Barely keep her balance. ‘Confound you, Damrod! she snapped. ‘For Its you who have caused thls haste! ‘Come now, Sister’ he teased, dancing on ahead, ‘waste n. your precious breath if you wish & keep pace with me. ‘She hissee through her teeth, though Damrod was disappearing in the gathering gloom and could not hear. [As she neared her home, she slowed and collected herself. Smoothing out her burgundy dress, she ran her hands through her brown, sweaty hair to un-plaster it from her head. Upon entering the Steward's House, she made her way to the dinning hall. Late to sup again, Morwen?' her father asked with 2 disapproving eye, though net completely free off amusement. Forgive me, Papa, but certain matters here she eyed Damrad, who grinned back unashamedly. '-caused me to lose track of the hour. ‘And pray, what "matters" would they be?" her mother asked with a smile. ‘Ask Damrod. He may tell you. she sat down atthe table and began her meal ‘Naru stranded her in the Morwen spluttered angrily in her plate, hastily swallowing her food and correcting her brother's claim. ‘Nay, Damrad. Not a beast with four, but @ beast with two legs stranded me out in the wood today, ane that same beast was there laughing when T entered the city after walking all the way back! ‘And indeed it had besn a long walk. She had been cooling her feat in the brook when she turned, only to see too late her brother making off with Naru through the trees. Her own two feet had been no match for horse and rider 1s this true, Damrod? ‘Aye, itis, though I was merely taking thought of the animal, who seemed weary of being tied to the tree. [Andreth sighed. "Will my children ever grow up? Damrod, you are naw twenty winters, you should know better: ‘Mama, you seem to forget that my sister is capable of contrving like pranks or worse. What of her twenty winters? he jested in retort. Enough. We shall hear no mare ofthe il you deal one another, for my ears grow weary of your ‘winked with mirth, tories" Andreth scolded, though her eyes Morwen woke uneasily, as she had every right since the il tidings had been brought to the Emyn fram the South. Tonight she felt more deeply sted than usual and the alr of her chamber seemed too close, Donning her linen robe over her nighteothes, she paced through tne stone halls wth bare feet. Finally Fee of the house, she made her way over the damp grass, Savouring the sweet right alr Which filed her lungs. Overhead the stars glimmered. When she was younger she'd been determined to count tram, though now she laughed at her childish folly And thanusbestted tnfesmni thsiorayacoicueeoreguatioeydickaya ofcherBtickdpsem: Costas sid atit/so nefuoe/ptiae fat besicbut husban¢ in Rath Dinen, for she would rather her barrow be under the stars and covered with grass, ater the fashion of her people,In the night gloom her statue towered menacingly over Morwen. There was a crcet of flowers about Rer head. One hand rested upon her ‘sword, while the ether helé a dove, and the stone eyes gazed Intently up at the sky. ‘She bowed her head and sat at the stone-woman’s feet ‘Eowyn, what news tonight?’ she murmured, [And suddenly it seemed that the stars were extinguished and all was black, save the statue, which glowed faintly All of sudden, the statue turned her stone head from the sky to stare into Morwen's eyes, ‘Herumer. Those that ive to remember can be made to forget." Morwen trembled \Who are you she cried Morwen? Morwen, are you al right? she felt someone slapping her face, ‘Damrog® she yelped, her eyes flying open. ‘What Is the meaning of this? He seemed worried and had not yet let go of her arm, as though he feared she would vanish, 1 sensed you out here and followed. I found you in a swoon at the Lady's feet.’ there was sweat on his brow. He had been truly afraid. “The Lady!" Morwen gazed up at her accusingly, though she seemed unchanged and Morwen wondered if she had been dreaming. ‘She spoke to Damrod finally released her and rubbed his face. ‘Spoke to you? Sister, she is stone. Sit a while, for you are weary. all trace of his usual playful tone was gone, He studied her long. Perhaps she had hit her head? ‘Damrod, I am quite sain.” she hissed, for as his twin she had ever been able to read his thoughts “Then what did she tell ou" he asked, and the doubt was obvious in his voice "terumor. Those that live to remember can be made to forget." ‘She shuddered, Damrod stood and shifted uncomfortably from foot to foot. HHerumor? Nay, sister, D9 not let him keep you awake at night.’ Morwen glared at him, her brow furrowed in anger. She gat to her feet grogally. Hew can you make litle of such a thing? With the news of Borlas' death only three moons passee anc the rumours we have heara? ‘Rumours, yes, For that is al they ares 'As you wish, Damrog. Yet tonight the stone hath spoken and bequeathed a warning: in the East there lies @ shadow. ‘Speak ofthis na more. Nay, I mean it, Sister. T shall not listen to your dark pradictons. Why do you delight in ill news 507 his voice was rsing higher in anger ‘She slapped him soundly across the face. ‘You have not the wit t prophecy and she brushed past him, back to her chambers. see your death-stroke falling. It shall be painless. There is your happy ‘She closed the shutters and it @ candle, sitting on the edge of her bed and ring at the dancing flame, {In the east they dwell, hoarding the dark as though it were gold Eowyn.’ she whispered, the breath leaving her lungs. Eowyn stood beside the shuttered windows, facing them as though she could see outside. "This t was that Darkness itself told me as Flay in 2 dream. Fair of skin and dark of heert. They call to their kin, leading them ever East, Those of Herumor’s blood they prize most of al, and fell deeds they accomplish 25 they journey towards the caling dark." ‘Suddenly she turned and gazed straight at Morwen, who was speechless, Her white-robbed form approached ‘The thoughts trouble me so I cannot rest." ‘The Vision ended and she woke. Light seeped in dimly from behind the shutters. The candle had burt out, Morwen lay back on her bee, not moving at al [Andreth knocked on her daughter's door. She had grown worried, for Morwen had missed breakfast. Her anxiety had grown even more when Damrod had finaly told her what troubled him Morwen?® she called as she opened the door to the dim room, She saw her daughter lying back on the bed, gazing unblinkingly up at the calling ‘Mama?’ her voice came softly, as i from a great distance, [Andreth shut the door and sat beside her, taking one of her slender white hands in her own worn and calloused ones. “ell me what you saw. The Snacow. The Lady Eowyn came to me and told me what she herself had been told as she lay uncer the curse of the Black Breath. Andreth bowed her head. "The Shadow I too have seen, though the messenger was another You have seen things too?’ she began to sob, ‘Damrad thinks me mad and I was beginning to wonder. [Andreth held her in her arms ané patted her back Darkticwseabouss ray dang JoesKingahalnow ge metcfolonger ead and accept our Cookies (Jcaskes/) & Prvacy(Iprivacy) Pallas. Accept“1 knew this witnout the git of foresight.’ Morwen murmured. ‘Uncle I call him, for he is dear to me, and I shall miss him when he éeparts.” “Yes, Eldarion loves you for you remind him of his mother end sister. And in thet respect et least is Herendil his father’s son: that he also loves my daughter she smiled the way she did when revealing something she knew Marwan thought was secret. ‘Morwen blushes, ‘He thinks me a chil, which | am compared to his years." ‘Andreth winked slyly. 'As you wil Men were disappearing. Every week another went missing. 1t began about the water-cities of Pelargir ané Dol Amreth, but now Minas Trith began to report people missing, The elderly were found slaughtered, so the things thet should have been hear were silenced, “Those who live o remember can be made to forget." ‘The words often echoed in Morwen's mind. Morwen tugged at the sleaves of her dress. The heat was unbearable. She sipped her water and fanned herself with her free hand. The garden outside the window lay wilted, begging for water and reprieve from the unforgiving sun. "Thad changed from a Lily, delicate and fair, to an ancient pine, gnarled, and beautiful no more, save revered for its wealth in years. And I walked these very gardens, bowed and leaning heavily on a cane. Yea, I was Shieldmalden no longer, save in tite, ‘Temas then that He appeared before me, He whom Heaven had refused and Hell would not take. Herumor. And he said to me: 'If you have slain the Darkness, then you have taken the Darkness upon yourself. It sin your very soul. The choice Is yours now: To follow me East, thither where Shadows show no age, or to remain here and dle as a dog." ‘As 2 dog I shail die, and have greater honour than thou, thou who art no better than carrion-fowl." came my reply, and his shadow-hand reached into my chest and squeezed my heart till & beat no fonger. And then I‘passed Into memory." Morwen's vision swam as Eowyn's face faded. She slumped against the wall, dropping her waterglass and shattering it Her mother ang father rushed over, asking what was wrong, "The King is dead." she whispered before loosing consciousness. 1. Those Who Remember ¥ Next > Name “Type your review for this chapter here. Post Review AS Adtions © _< Share _ Follow/Faverite Help (support) . Cookies (/eookies/) . Privacy (/privacy/) . Terms of Service (/tos/) «Top WF (siwwen.twittercom/Mietionpress) We use cookies. By using our site, you acknowadge that you have read and accept our Cookies (cookies & Povacy (Jpchacy/) Polis. Accept hitpslwwi- fanfiction netis/1576662/1The-New-Shacow 38