Part 1
Careful, said Eowyn.
The young man riding ahead of her checked his horse and guided
it back to the safe path.
Aradorson of the Reeve of Newhome, a Mannish settlement
on the outskirts of Eryn Carantaurshook his head as though
to clear it. He had just spent four wonder-filled years at the
Elven citys Academy, studying lore with Lord Fingolfin,
and natural philosophy with Master Eldacar, learning dragon
husbandry with Sir Bors, and the healing arts with Master Dínendal,
and he had been miles away, pondering how he might
persuade his father to let him return to the Colony, and settle
there permanently...
The trail widened out, and Eowyn came up beside him. Are
you looking forward to going home? she asked, as though
reading his mind.
Arador had never been completely comfortable alone in Eowyns
presence. She was good, and clever, and brave, and it was said
that the Valar had granted her immortalityWhich must
be the reason, he thought, that loveliness seems to shine
out of her, and turn me into a blushing, gibbering idiot.
Ah, said Eowyn, Legolas is back!
Arador breathed a quiet sigh of relief.
When Aradors father had invited Legolas and Eowyn to
spend Yuletide with the people of Newhome, it had been decided
that, since Arador was also returning to his parents home
for the festivities, the three would travel together.
The day before they planned to set out, however, Legolas received
a letter from Aradors father, whichin addition to
the usual pleasantries and good wishes for a safe journeycontained
some very alarming news. Recently, the Reeve wrote,
travellers from Doro Lanthron, have been reporting seeing
large numbers of dead or dying trees to the north of the road.
One claimssomewhat poeticallythat the entire forest
seems diseased, its soil tainted...
Eowyn brought out her map of South Ithilien, and she and Legolas
carefully traced the route from Doro Lanthron to Newhome.
The only forest it passes through is Eryn Hollen,
said Legolas, pointing to the long, narrow scabbard of trees
that surrounded a blade of rock, thrusting out from the Mountains
of Mordor.
Hmm, said Eowyn, thoughtfully.
The road from Eryn Carantaur to Newhome did not go anywhere
near Eryn Hollen. But if we were to leave immediately,
she mused aloud, we could be at Doro Lanthron by nightfall.
And then, Lassui, tomorrow we could ride through the Doro Lanthron
Hills,she ran her finger along the roadsee
the forest for ourselves, and still get Arador home on time.
...
Master Eldacar appeared in Westron
Wynde
Sir Bors appeared in A Yuletide
Dragonhunt
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