• Goal: 50k
• Progress: 1637/50k
• Content Warnings: Graphic descriptions of violence (battle, assassination, etc.; sexual scenes will be fade-to-gray)
• Title: House Telcontar ~ A 4th Age Tale (A Middle-earth fanfic set after the conclusion of the War of the Ring)
• Synopsis: At the conclusion of the War of the Ring and the reunification of the two Dúnedain kingdoms of Arnor and Gondor under Aragorn II, now known as Elessar of House Telcontar, a few glimpses were given by Tolkien of what the future of Aragorn, Arwen, and the reunited kingdom would be. As much we wished there would be peace and prosperity and goodwill to all under the lordship of Aragorn, it was made clear that even though the war against Sauron and the destruction of the one ring was complete; evil and wars were not done...
"Wherever King Aragorn went with war, King Éomer went with him"
It is in this background that this story of the family of Aragorn and Arwen - House Telcontar - is told.
• Author Notes: About Me and Middle-earth: Ever since I saw the Fellowship of the Ring movie when I was 7 years old, I became fascinated by Middle-earth. I was gifted the Lord of the Rings books that Christmas a week after seeing the movie and I ate it up. By the time the 2nd movie came out a year later, I had read the books three times and combed over the appendices. It wasn't until 2007 when I went to middle school that I started writing Middle-earth fanficlets to fill in holes in the background summary. The lack of women mentioned in the line had me write up some original women characters, for where there was a male heir, there was an unmentioned/unnamed woman who bore him. I came up with several characters and storylines that fit within the canonical framework.
Having let things rest after high school because life got busy, I came across an old notebook and some saved stories on CD-ROMs when I packed up to move. Looking back at my (mostly bad) fanfics, it led me to dream up a new fanfic in a 'future' setting in Middle-earth. I had set the framework up in my Vardarianna and Eldarion character profiles, but it all is in a state of flux and under constant revision. I have yet to start on the actual story, so I hope to use this to get me motivated in getting going on it. I should have no trouble racking up 50k words, but even if I don't, it will still be fun!
I'll edit in more notes here as I go.
• Progress: 1637/50k
• Content Warnings: Graphic descriptions of violence (battle, assassination, etc.; sexual scenes will be fade-to-gray)
• Title: House Telcontar ~ A 4th Age Tale (A Middle-earth fanfic set after the conclusion of the War of the Ring)
• Synopsis: At the conclusion of the War of the Ring and the reunification of the two Dúnedain kingdoms of Arnor and Gondor under Aragorn II, now known as Elessar of House Telcontar, a few glimpses were given by Tolkien of what the future of Aragorn, Arwen, and the reunited kingdom would be. As much we wished there would be peace and prosperity and goodwill to all under the lordship of Aragorn, it was made clear that even though the war against Sauron and the destruction of the one ring was complete; evil and wars were not done...
"Wherever King Aragorn went with war, King Éomer went with him"
It is in this background that this story of the family of Aragorn and Arwen - House Telcontar - is told.
• Author Notes: About Me and Middle-earth: Ever since I saw the Fellowship of the Ring movie when I was 7 years old, I became fascinated by Middle-earth. I was gifted the Lord of the Rings books that Christmas a week after seeing the movie and I ate it up. By the time the 2nd movie came out a year later, I had read the books three times and combed over the appendices. It wasn't until 2007 when I went to middle school that I started writing Middle-earth fanficlets to fill in holes in the background summary. The lack of women mentioned in the line had me write up some original women characters, for where there was a male heir, there was an unmentioned/unnamed woman who bore him. I came up with several characters and storylines that fit within the canonical framework.
Having let things rest after high school because life got busy, I came across an old notebook and some saved stories on CD-ROMs when I packed up to move. Looking back at my (mostly bad) fanfics, it led me to dream up a new fanfic in a 'future' setting in Middle-earth. I had set the framework up in my Vardarianna and Eldarion character profiles, but it all is in a state of flux and under constant revision. I have yet to start on the actual story, so I hope to use this to get me motivated in getting going on it. I should have no trouble racking up 50k words, but even if I don't, it will still be fun!
I'll edit in more notes here as I go.
There is a lot of background that is laid out in the biography of Vardarianna of her childhood. I'm keeping this adult so the core of this story starts shortly after Vardarianna's eighteenth birthday with a visit to the northern realm of the reunited kingdom of Arnor and Gondor 45 years after the end of the War of the Ring.
Vardarianna was excited to be in the old great city of Elendil for the Mid Year's Celebration this year. She had come north eight years before when she was a child, and the work being done then had her in awe. It was also a time of bonding with her father, for mother stayed in Gondor then with her little brother, and she was expecting their third child. Word would come from the south as they traveled back to Gondor that Eldariën was born healthy, and Vardarianna now had a little sister.
Before, the work had begun reclaiming the old, abandoned buildings that were never destroyed, but had merely fell into decay over the centuries. Now, so much had changed. Where there were lichen and ivy overgrowing walls and streets now were cleaned so the hands of craftsmen of old could be seen and wondered about. With the restoration of the Royal Palace by the lake undergoing its finishing touches, they would reside there until they depart for Gondor when the signs of autumn came.
Today though was Mid Year's Day. The shoreline of Lake Evendim to the west of the city was tended and became the parkland that had been envisioned long ago by King Elendur. Then, work had paused, for the resources were turned to building Fornost Erain on the western reach of the North Downs. Now with the parkland finished and a tournament ground prepared to the south, this celebration would be one to be remembered.
The day began with the rising of the sun in a cloudless blue sky, and as the rays stretched yellow over the blue waters of the lake; the green grasses of the parkland, with great shadows stretching west from the tall structures of the city, they were greeted by Vardarianna who sat by the water's edge. She had wandered out before dawn to admire the stars of Varda, different in this northern sky, and though a light dew had made her damp with chill, she remained in the quiet as the city awakened. Quiet. This festival day had even the workers step away from their projects, and the fair began to come to life with the cooking of food and the brewing of beverage.
As the sun lit the dark hair that hung limply around her face and shoulders, Vardarianna lay back in the wet grass and stretched before coming to her feet. She felt so at peace here in the north, and the joy of the day was just beginning. As she walked back to the royal palace, Vardarianna greeted people she passed by, and would talk with the vendors setting up their stalls in the market. Pausing to breath in the exotic aroma of a brew at one stall, a merchant with a distinct Pelargirian accent offered her a small cup.
"Do you miss the aroma?" he asked as a gleam of silver in his blue-grey eyes looked past her.
"It has been long since I have smelled the brewed Haradian mountain bean. My mother was gifted some years ago, and I remember its distinct smell." Vardarianna held the cup up and breathed in the steam. It was invigorating just from its warmth. With a slight sip, Vardarianna breathed out sharply. "Bitter. I had never tasted it before; only smelled its aroma."
"I can tell you that it gives a whole new perspective on the day. let it cool some and drink it down m'lady."
Vardarianna spoke with the merchant for several moments, admiring him for coming all this way for the city's Mid-Year festival. She learned his name was Maemaitë and he was thirty-three years of age, and he had been born blind. He was the first of many interesting people she would meet this day.
When he went quiet and turned his head slightly, Vardarianna turned her head to see Sinsimelle, one of her maidservants, approach.
"Lady Vardarianna, your father calls for you to dine with him for breakfast. He sent me out to find you when it was discovered you were not in the palace."
"And found my you have." she replied before turning back to Maemaitë. "Thank you for your brew, kind sir. I hope to see you around later."
"M'lady... for you." said as his hand took hers for a brief moment. Vardarianna withdrew her hand and looked at what he had given her before quickly slipping it into a pocket of her dress.
She gave him a nod as he turned to a couple men who had walked up to his stall. "He seems strange." Sinsimelle said, but Vardarianna laughed lightly. "There are many different people in this world Sinsimelle. Have you met any of the halflings?" The two women talked much as they walked back to the royal palace.
When they arrived, her father was there at the table with another man she recognzed from her last visit north. Her sigh did not prevent her father from giving her a scowl as he dismissed Sinsimelle. Once the servant had left, Aragorn turned to his daughter. "Young lady, what did I say about wandering off unattended?"
"Father, I assure you that I can look after myself."
"Of that I am sure Varda. But all the same, you must have an escort with you. The darkness may have receded in this land, but it does not mean you can run about as you see fit."
Vardarianna sighed as she eyed Mecarnil who stood quietly by his side. She was feeling stimulated and knew that maybe drinking Haradian brew on an empty stomach was not the best thing to do. "I promise I remain aware and observant..."
"As you have been taught, yes, I know. Still, I have assigned..."
"Dad! I don't need one of your guards shadowing me whenever I decide to go out." Vardarianna eyed the man coldly. He stood expressionless, and she tried to place him in her thoughts as to where she had seen him before...
"Varda! You know it is protocol! Now, this is so ordered, and I will know if you try and..."
"I get it dad." Vardarianna retorted as she threw her hair back and walked by the two men to go sit at the table to eat breakfast.
Annúminas City
Loëndë 45 IV
Loëndë 45 IV
Vardarianna was excited to be in the old great city of Elendil for the Mid Year's Celebration this year. She had come north eight years before when she was a child, and the work being done then had her in awe. It was also a time of bonding with her father, for mother stayed in Gondor then with her little brother, and she was expecting their third child. Word would come from the south as they traveled back to Gondor that Eldariën was born healthy, and Vardarianna now had a little sister.
Before, the work had begun reclaiming the old, abandoned buildings that were never destroyed, but had merely fell into decay over the centuries. Now, so much had changed. Where there were lichen and ivy overgrowing walls and streets now were cleaned so the hands of craftsmen of old could be seen and wondered about. With the restoration of the Royal Palace by the lake undergoing its finishing touches, they would reside there until they depart for Gondor when the signs of autumn came.
Today though was Mid Year's Day. The shoreline of Lake Evendim to the west of the city was tended and became the parkland that had been envisioned long ago by King Elendur. Then, work had paused, for the resources were turned to building Fornost Erain on the western reach of the North Downs. Now with the parkland finished and a tournament ground prepared to the south, this celebration would be one to be remembered.
The day began with the rising of the sun in a cloudless blue sky, and as the rays stretched yellow over the blue waters of the lake; the green grasses of the parkland, with great shadows stretching west from the tall structures of the city, they were greeted by Vardarianna who sat by the water's edge. She had wandered out before dawn to admire the stars of Varda, different in this northern sky, and though a light dew had made her damp with chill, she remained in the quiet as the city awakened. Quiet. This festival day had even the workers step away from their projects, and the fair began to come to life with the cooking of food and the brewing of beverage.
As the sun lit the dark hair that hung limply around her face and shoulders, Vardarianna lay back in the wet grass and stretched before coming to her feet. She felt so at peace here in the north, and the joy of the day was just beginning. As she walked back to the royal palace, Vardarianna greeted people she passed by, and would talk with the vendors setting up their stalls in the market. Pausing to breath in the exotic aroma of a brew at one stall, a merchant with a distinct Pelargirian accent offered her a small cup.
"Do you miss the aroma?" he asked as a gleam of silver in his blue-grey eyes looked past her.
"It has been long since I have smelled the brewed Haradian mountain bean. My mother was gifted some years ago, and I remember its distinct smell." Vardarianna held the cup up and breathed in the steam. It was invigorating just from its warmth. With a slight sip, Vardarianna breathed out sharply. "Bitter. I had never tasted it before; only smelled its aroma."
"I can tell you that it gives a whole new perspective on the day. let it cool some and drink it down m'lady."
Vardarianna spoke with the merchant for several moments, admiring him for coming all this way for the city's Mid-Year festival. She learned his name was Maemaitë and he was thirty-three years of age, and he had been born blind. He was the first of many interesting people she would meet this day.
When he went quiet and turned his head slightly, Vardarianna turned her head to see Sinsimelle, one of her maidservants, approach.
"Lady Vardarianna, your father calls for you to dine with him for breakfast. He sent me out to find you when it was discovered you were not in the palace."
"And found my you have." she replied before turning back to Maemaitë. "Thank you for your brew, kind sir. I hope to see you around later."
"M'lady... for you." said as his hand took hers for a brief moment. Vardarianna withdrew her hand and looked at what he had given her before quickly slipping it into a pocket of her dress.
She gave him a nod as he turned to a couple men who had walked up to his stall. "He seems strange." Sinsimelle said, but Vardarianna laughed lightly. "There are many different people in this world Sinsimelle. Have you met any of the halflings?" The two women talked much as they walked back to the royal palace.
When they arrived, her father was there at the table with another man she recognzed from her last visit north. Her sigh did not prevent her father from giving her a scowl as he dismissed Sinsimelle. Once the servant had left, Aragorn turned to his daughter. "Young lady, what did I say about wandering off unattended?"
"Father, I assure you that I can look after myself."
"Of that I am sure Varda. But all the same, you must have an escort with you. The darkness may have receded in this land, but it does not mean you can run about as you see fit."
Vardarianna sighed as she eyed Mecarnil who stood quietly by his side. She was feeling stimulated and knew that maybe drinking Haradian brew on an empty stomach was not the best thing to do. "I promise I remain aware and observant..."
"As you have been taught, yes, I know. Still, I have assigned..."
"Dad! I don't need one of your guards shadowing me whenever I decide to go out." Vardarianna eyed the man coldly. He stood expressionless, and she tried to place him in her thoughts as to where she had seen him before...
"Varda! You know it is protocol! Now, this is so ordered, and I will know if you try and..."
"I get it dad." Vardarianna retorted as she threw her hair back and walked by the two men to go sit at the table to eat breakfast.
Mecarnil and his wife and son had come to live in Annúminas as it was reclaimed from the ravages of time. He worked as a local hand of King Aragorn in the north, and it was great tidings when he learned that King Aragorn would be visiting with his daughter, Princess Vardarianna. He had met her once before when she was a child, and he remembered how displeased his son Mercain was having to 'entertain' the younger Vardarianna that summer. Now, twenty-two years of age and having joined the Northern Army, he may or may not have opinions of the duty he was about to get assigned.
Having met with King Aragorn and the city architects about the progress being made in the city's restoration as the northern capitol the night before; the new day had both he and Mercain summoned to the royal residence. Mercain stood at ease in his informal dress uniform as Mecarnil was neat, yet a bit more casual. Having ridden to war with Aragorn afforded him some leeway that was not afforded those who had not.
"You have done well with your training, son. Have you been given new orders by your commander?" Mecarnil eyed his son, giving his dress a casual inspection.
Mercain kept his parade rest stance as he answered. "No sir. I was assigned to the temporary duty roster."
"That is good." Mecarnil stepped back and picked up his surcoat and put it on. "I believe your temporary duty will be to King Aragorn while he is here."
Mercain cleared his throat. "It will be a great honour to directly serve the king, sir."
"You should know that I highly suspect you to be part of the family's personal guard."
Mercain took a deeper breath and nodded once in acknowledgement. "Yes sir."
The walk to the royal lodging was short, and though the sun was bright and rising, clouds thick and grey loomed to the north and west. As they arrived, Mercain went to report to the house commander with a few other young soldiers to await their assigned duties. Mecarnil was escorted to the king's residence where he was met by Aragorn.
Mae govannen brethren." Aragorn greeted him and they clasped wrists. "
"Thank you for allowing me to request your son for duty to my house.
"He told me it was a great honour m'lord. And I am honoured also by your request." Mecarnil turned and walked beside Aragorn as he led then to a dining table.
"You will dine with me this morning?"
"I will be delighted to dine breakfast with you..." Mecarnil started to answer but paused when voices of two women could be heard approaching. Aragorn to turn his attention to them as they walked into the room.
Mecarnil stepped back and stood quietly with his hands behind his back as he listened to and watched the dynamics play out between father and daughter. He gave her a polite nod when she looked his way, but otherwise remained still. When Lady Vardarianna went to sit at the table, Aragorn gave him a look of parental frustration. Nodding his head slightly, Mecarnil remembered a few times when Mercain tested he and his mother's will.
"Come join me and my daughter, Lady Vardarianna." Aragorn said and they went to join Vardarianna at the table.
The talk was mostly about when the whole family had come to visit the north, and toward the end of the meal, Aragorn again brought up assigning Vardarianna a personal guard...
Having met with King Aragorn and the city architects about the progress being made in the city's restoration as the northern capitol the night before; the new day had both he and Mercain summoned to the royal residence. Mercain stood at ease in his informal dress uniform as Mecarnil was neat, yet a bit more casual. Having ridden to war with Aragorn afforded him some leeway that was not afforded those who had not.
"You have done well with your training, son. Have you been given new orders by your commander?" Mecarnil eyed his son, giving his dress a casual inspection.
Mercain kept his parade rest stance as he answered. "No sir. I was assigned to the temporary duty roster."
"That is good." Mecarnil stepped back and picked up his surcoat and put it on. "I believe your temporary duty will be to King Aragorn while he is here."
Mercain cleared his throat. "It will be a great honour to directly serve the king, sir."
"You should know that I highly suspect you to be part of the family's personal guard."
Mercain took a deeper breath and nodded once in acknowledgement. "Yes sir."
The walk to the royal lodging was short, and though the sun was bright and rising, clouds thick and grey loomed to the north and west. As they arrived, Mercain went to report to the house commander with a few other young soldiers to await their assigned duties. Mecarnil was escorted to the king's residence where he was met by Aragorn.
Mae govannen brethren." Aragorn greeted him and they clasped wrists. "
"Thank you for allowing me to request your son for duty to my house.
"He told me it was a great honour m'lord. And I am honoured also by your request." Mecarnil turned and walked beside Aragorn as he led then to a dining table.
"You will dine with me this morning?"
"I will be delighted to dine breakfast with you..." Mecarnil started to answer but paused when voices of two women could be heard approaching. Aragorn to turn his attention to them as they walked into the room.
Mecarnil stepped back and stood quietly with his hands behind his back as he listened to and watched the dynamics play out between father and daughter. He gave her a polite nod when she looked his way, but otherwise remained still. When Lady Vardarianna went to sit at the table, Aragorn gave him a look of parental frustration. Nodding his head slightly, Mecarnil remembered a few times when Mercain tested he and his mother's will.
"Come join me and my daughter, Lady Vardarianna." Aragorn said and they went to join Vardarianna at the table.
The talk was mostly about when the whole family had come to visit the north, and toward the end of the meal, Aragorn again brought up assigning Vardarianna a personal guard...
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