Quenta Morroqueno

[Úlairi]

I was organizing files on my computer the other day when I stumbled over a text that I had written entitled: 'The Black Knight' (which I have only recently translated into Quenya), which must have been written when I was around 14-15 years of age. The story per se is a complete (well, perhaps 'complete' is too harsh a word) rip off of The Lord of the Rings but is an intended sequel to it. Of course, there are myriad mistakes in the text such as the etymologies of the names of some of the characters (which certainly needs revision), and even some of the plot not in actual concord with the text of Tolkien (as, at the time I had not read as much as I have now on the texts of Tolkien). After reading Myths Transformed in Morgoth's Ring I realized the utter futility in having the Witch-King as none other than Alatar (one of the Ithryn Luin) as it was said by Tolkien that the creatures of the Fourth Age would face no 'mythological evil' i.e. primordial beings lusting for world domination. The idea of the Ithryn Caran then too, becomes pointless. However, reading the text again has indeed inspired me to write a complete history on the Fourth Age of Middle-earth, after the completion of my final year at school (and I'm sure I'll work on from time to time during). Quenta Morroqueno will undergo rigourous revision not only in the etymology, but also in plot (such as the removal of the Ring Elya), and the changing of the characters' history. The Witch-King will no longer be Alatar but likely of Númenórean origin and therefore merely a man (how he becomes immortal is still undergoing continual conception), the Ithryn Caran will cease to exist and Pallando (an obvious character bearing extreme affinity to Gandalf) will have a lesser role in the story and will become a loremaster of Arnor i.e. a Man. Edhelin however, will likely undergo the least revision, but will indeed have a far richer history than he has here. He will also bear a title in Adûnaic (which is so far going to be Ar-Nîlozîr). Laurëloth will likely become a knight of Ar-Nîlozîr, and there will be additions of many other characters to the text. The 'holy grail' in the revised plot for this story is obviously a new and improved way to make the mythology (especially for evil) interesting (although likely to be no where near the standard of Tolkien himself), but especially to find a new way for the power of evil to become inherent in another entity without becoming any less original. Sauron concentrated his power in a Ring, Morgoth dispersed his throughout the physical constituents (erma) of Arda. One can only hope how the inherent power of Herumor(gul) (who is likely to also take the name of Mapahrávë also, [key point in new plot derivable from etymology of name ]) is to disperse his power, but I believe it may be more 'spiritual' than the other two, with a lot more on necromancy, the enslavement of the Dwarves is also a possibility. Well, I hope you enjoy the story (despite its very apparent lack of originality ).

Quenta Morrroqueno​

Sauron was a great and powerful Dark Lord. The Valar sent five Maia to stop Sauron’s power, which had become nearly indomitable. These Maia named themselves wizards and went around Middle-earth acquainting themselves with all races: dwarves, elves, men and hobbits. The wizards were Saruman, Gandalf, Radaghast, Alatar and Pallando. The Ithryn Caran (two blue wizards) were lost and Radaghast the Brown fled from his mission, and befriended animals. Gandalf the Grey and Saruman the White still tried to stop the black power of Sauron covering the world in a second darkness. Yet Saruman was corrupted by the power of Sauron’s Ring leaving Gandalf the only one left to the mission. These wizards could not defeat Sauron alone. And one could not defeat him even if the Valar permitted them to use their full powers. In the Great War of the Ring, Sauron was defeated by the most unlikely of creatures, hobbits. Halflings as they were known to other races. Hobbits were a race of people that only grew to the size of small children. Sauron had many servants and slaves all of whom which perished. Save one. He was one of the nine. One of the nine Nazgul, one of the Ulairi. Sauron’s most trusted and powerful servants.
When the siege of Gondor took place the Nazgul were sent to overtake the city. Merry and Eowyn had defeated the Witch-king, but he had not been entirely destroyed, for he was a Maia, one of the undying. The Lord of the Nazgul was the only one of the Nine who were allowed to wear the one of the Nine Rings made for mortal men. With this Ring, Herugul, the Witch-King, was the most powerful of all the Nazgul, for he was their Lord and Chieftain.
Sauron was overthrown and the Fourth Age of Middle-earth began. For many years the spirit of the Witch-King Herugul went around Middle-earth, freezing the hearts of men and beasts alike that he came near. 500 years passed, and the spirit of Herugul began to grow in power, he drew all dark power to himself, and he began to grow in might. He needed one more thing to bring him back to the physical world, and that was the Ring that he had had upon his dark finger. It had been carelessly left on the Pelennor Fields where he had been slain some six-and-a-half centuries ago, buried by the sands of time. He uncovered the Ring and retook his physical form. He even named the ring. He named it Mortur, and it was the only remnant of Sauron’s power. He named himself Herugul. Meaning the Lord of Sorcery or Shadow Lord. He never named himself the Dark Lord for that was a name given to only the greatest dark powers such as Sauron and Melkor. He thought of himself only a ‘shadow’ of the power that had been.
Herugul was one of the two Ithryn Luin (the Blue Wizards) that journeyed into the east with Saruman the White but yet never returned. Their mission was to dwell in the east of Middle-earth and remain there to keep their eyes upon the land in the east so Sauron could not cover it with his shadow. Alatar and Pallando were their names and they were Maiar of Orome. Pallando stayed for many years, but grew fearful of Sauron’s might and fled back to Valinor.
Alatar remained faithful to his mission but was soon found and ensnared by Sauron. Sauron stripped Alatar of most of his power save enough to become one of the nine, the nine Nazgul, yet more than the others, for Sauron’s plan was to make Alatar the mightiest of his servants, the Lord of the Nazgul. Sauron then bent his will to great evil after years of torture. Alatar then went under the service of Sauron and was fully subject to the will of Sauron. Herugul was also a Maia, making him far more powerful than any other of his servants. Herugul knew of the downfall of Sauron and desired revenge upon those who had been responsible, for under Sauron he had been feared and respected among those of Sauron’s servants. His power had also been great under the service of Sauron. So, once Herugul found the Ring, it was worthless, yet it had the power within it to return him to his physical form. He, like his master poured much of his power into the Ring, but if the Ring was destroyed Herugul made sure that he would not fall like his former master. He was no longer under the control of Sauron, and Herugul became his own master. Herugul then went to Angmar, the lost Witch-realm, where dark things began to enter that land once more.
The great city of Annuminas was again rebuilt. Hobbits do not come into these tales. For they were content and men were not allowed in hobbit territory unless they were on urgent business. The hobbits remained in the Shire and none came or went from there. Rohan and Gondor became allies and friends once again and the friendship between them went deeper than that of Cirion and Eorl. The King of Gondor, Eldarion and the King of Rohan, Eomer’s heir Theomer, swore their allegiance again on Amon Anwar or Halifirien, as it was known. There they swore again the oath of Cirion and Eorl and Rohan and Gondor became friends and allies until the end of days. Aragorn’s heir Eldarion had two sons, the eldest ruled Gondor and the younger of the two became the ruler of Arnor, which was being rebuilt at the time. The dwarves rebuilt the great halls of Khazad-Dum and now occupied these halls. The King of Moria was Thorin II, who was named after the great dwarf who had taken back Erebor. He was not interested in the problems of Men, unless it concerned the Dwarves.
Two centuries later the Valar realised that Herugul was a Maia, for all knowledge of him had been lost and none had seen him for many centuries. The Valar sent the three Ithryn Caran (The Three Red Wizards) to bring him back to Valinor to be judged. The three Ithryn Caran crossed the sea and passed through Arnor without being seen, for they did not want to be seen by the eyes of men. They came to Orodae and told Herugul to come down, but he resisted for he did not want to be judged by the Valar. Herugul’s power wasn’t enough to match those of the Ithryn Caran so he gave in to their power and allowed them to take him before the Valar. Herugul was judged and was forgiven for his misguided ways. He was given back his former powers and then went again under the service of Orome, retaking the name of Alatar.

 

[Úlairi]

Quenta Morroqueno cont'd

Herugul had been cunning and knew that the Valar knew nothing of the ring Mortur, and soon he felt the power of it drawing him. Herugul told Orome that he wished to return to Middle-earth to destroy the evil in Angmar that he had left behind. Orome was suspicious of Alatar but granted him pardon, for Herugul had cleverly disguised himself in a pure and good form that none could see through. Herugul knew that with his powers restored to him that he could be even more powerful than before. So, Herugul soon returned to Middle-earth and recovered the ring that he had hidden from all eyes by making the ring invisible itself. The ring could only be seen in direct moonlight. Alatar still had some of Sauron’s darkness in him and desired to be a dark power and make himself Lord over men. He let the power of Mortur corrupt him and his power grew and he became the most powerful creature in Middle-earth since the time of Sauron.
Herugul went back to Angmar but found that the realm of Arnor had become greater than when he had left and small villages surrounded Orodae. This angered Herugul, so he drove all the people from their homes and then retook Orodae as his fortress. He fortified it and once again people feared the land of Angmar. Herugul captured and enslaved those who wandered in his lands and corrupted them.
Herugul called the men from the lands that once served Sauron like Harad, for there was still dark men in Middle-earth and those men passed through Gondor pretending that they were going to serve Arnor in the defence of Herugul’s small but powerful army. When the men of Harad came to Orodae, Herugul’s army became great. He also enslaved small villages near the border of Angmar and after many years his army had nearly become indomitable. The land of Angmar began to expand and the small armies sent to resist the armies of Herugul were driven back. Within one year the realm of Angmar doubled in size.
The King of Arnor, King Tarkano was unwise to send only small armies to stop Herugul’s armies, so, King Tarkano ordered for a great fortress to be built in resistance to the great fortress of Orodae. It was named Minas Tarram meaning: ‘tower with high wall’. It was one of the greatest towers since those of Minas Tirith, Minas Anor and Minas Ithil and was built in the Ettenmoors, the mountains in the south of Angmar. A large army was assembled to resist Herugul. All of this was done for the wisdom of Tarlsano, the King’s first son and heir to the throne of Arnor, had advised his father to do these acts to stop Herugul taking over Arnor.
Herugul was angered by this act of war and stretched forth his power only to be beaten back by the great army of Arnor. It took Herugul some years to rebuild his armies but once he had it was much greater than before. Tarlsano scorned his father for not destroying the black power of the east when he had the chance for now Herugul’s armies had strengthened and many men would be needed to drive him back.
So, by the words of his son, Tarkano, who was now quite old, mustered an army of four thousand men. There had been no army so great since the War of the Ring. Herugul’s armies were destroyed but when the armies of Arnor infiltrated Orodae no sign of Herugul was found for he had fled to a fortress devised for him and a battalion of his army situated in Carn Dum.
Secretly, Herugul grew in strength yet again but never openly used his powers lest there be a sudden attack from the armies of Arnor (Eriador). He gathered sorcerers to his service and men of power from distant lands that were drawn to his evil. In the battle of Orodae many men of Herugul’s armies had fled but he drew them back into his service. He had thousands of Orcs that he called from the deep places in the Misty Mountains in his service and other creatures of darkness. Herugul knew that he was now bound to Mortur, the ring of darkness, yet he didn’t want to be dependent on the ring’s power. For he knew that is how his former master was defeated. He wanted the ring's power for himself but he did not have the power to extract it.
So he gathered all his sorcerers and men with power and took off the ring Mortur and he felt as though he had been lifted from a dark veil that had covered his eyes for so long. But that did not stop him from taking the ring’s power for himself. In a large circle he gathered his servants of power and stripped them all from their powers and took their power for himself. With all the power he had gathered he was strong enough to take the power from the ring and with all his might he withdrew the power from the ring, making it a lifeless object.
Herugul disposed of the ring; however, he didn’t know that it had a little power in it left. He did not worry of destroying it but instead gave it, as a token to his slaves for it was a pretty trinket when the moonlight revealed it. But little did Herugul know that Mortur had a part to play. For his slaves gambled for it and a slave won it. A man of weakness named Mithlithan (for his eyes and hair were grey as ash) he was and though the ring had little power left (not enough for Herugul to detect it), the slave took it as his own and became subject to its black power. He was corrupted by its power and thought that, with its power, he could become the Shadow Lord himself. He resisted Herugul and was cast down. He was tortured but escaped from the tower of Carn Dum and fled into the wilderness.
Mithlithan was captured by the army of Arnor and was brought before the king. He was judged and the ring was taken from him. Only the wise knew of the existence of Mortur, the black ring. They were afraid to put it on for they did not know that most of its powers had been stripped from it. When one day, out of curiosity, one of the heads of the wise named Belcam tried on the ring. He found that his will was strong enough to control the ring. Although, bending the will of the ring was impossible. No man in the land could bend what little power was left in it to good, save one. His name was Edhelin (meaning elf-child), second son of the king. He was wise in lore and skilled in battle. He was fair to look upon and his father favoured him over all of his treasures.
It came when Edhelin was in his nineteenth year when Belcam told him of the existence of Mortur and through rigorous questioning Edhelin finally discovered the location of its secret chamber. When Edhelin found the secret chamber where Mortur was hid he took it from its glass case and waited until moonlight entered the chamber. The ring appeared as if from nowhere. He stood there and admired its beauty for many nights. It was two years before he took up the courage to try it on. When he did he found he also could control the power of it’s will but he felt something that none of the wise had felt, he felt as though he was the master of the ring’s power. He soon discovered that he could bend its will to good.
Edhelin took the ring as the heirloom of his house. After many years on one particular day the ring’s will gave in and crumbled. Edhelin renamed the ring Elya (meaning ‘star ring’ for the ring was a shone as a star in the night and made of a dark stone). Edhelin used the power for good and with it he could do many things that a man could not do. He counseled the wise and his father alike as the ring gave good counsel and he spoke through it. Edhelin found that he surpassed any man knowledge of any lore whilst the ring was upon his finger. He also found that sometimes, yet only very rarely that it would give visions into the future.
Before Belcam died, he asked to touch Elya, the ‘Star Ring’, for he had had a dream the night before that he must touch the Ring before he died. Edhelin allowed this at once, Belcam had a vision, a dark vision, and he saw Nine riders in Black slaying many men, women and children. He saw a great old man fighting against the Lord of them, but being cast aside. He had known of the lore of the Nazgul, and he believed it was they who were the ones in black, and he told Edhelin this. It became known to those who Edhelin told, which were few, as ‘The Prophecy of the Return of the Nazgul’ or ‘The Dark Prophecy’. None spoke anymore of it, and the prophecy was handed down to the Wise of Arnor for many generations.
Edhelin rode in the beautiful woods of the Trollshaws and there was built for him a White House just like Aldarion built for Erendis. There he would take walks, when one day he came across a man walking the woods who named himself Carrandol and he was none other than the head of the Ithryn Caran yet he did not tell Edhelin this. He told Edhelin that a dark force would try to separate he and the ring, but that force would not prevail, for he himself had made sure that the ring would never come off his finger. Edhelin did not now off what dark force Carrandol was speaking of and he turned to question the old man but he was gone.
It came to pass that Herugul learnt of the ring on Edhelin’s finger and how Edhelin had bent the will of the ring to good. Herugul learnt that Edhelin loved to walk in the woods of the Trollshaws every day and sent a small band of Orc scouts, which managed to make it inside Arnor. They waylaid Edhelin and took him back to The Prison of Carn Dum and this is where our tale truly begins. This is the account of Edhelin’s escape from Carn Dum and the overthrow of Herugul, the last dark creature to roam Arda.

 

[Úlairi]

Quenta Morroqueno cont'd

When the band of thirty Orcs waylaid Edhelin, Edhelin slew many but was captured and put in bounds and this is where the account begins.
“My brother Tarlsano will pursue and hunt you down and he will slay your master,” said Edhelin.
“Oh no, master Edhelin,” said the leader of the Orc band in a harsh and dreadful voice, “our master will torture you until you have bled the blood of a thousand men!”
Edhelin was dragged across the plains and over the River Hoarwell or Mitheithel as the elves had named it of which many had left Middle-earth. Many days came to pass when the Orc band finally reached the dreaded realm of Angmar and he saw the mountainous tower of Carn Dum. Shadow and sorcery and powers of darkness surrounded it. A great and vast abyss surrounded it and bridges of iron ran into it. There, Edhelin was thrown at the feet of his archenemy, Herugul, the Shadow Lord. “You know why you are here,” said Herugul.
Edhelin opened his mouth to speak but the will of Herugul sealed it.
“You, Edhelin, have something that once belonged to me and will soon be mine again,” he said, his gaze bending towards the ring.
“Take it from him,” Herugul said to Durgurth, his most powerful servant.
But Durgurth could not.
“Fool,” said Herugul and he tried to take the ring off him but its power was greater than he was and threw him back onto his dark throne. Then and only then did Edhelin know of what the old man in the forest of the Trollshaws was speaking of. For Carrandol had put great power into the ring after finding the place where Herugul had hidden it. Whilst Herugul was being judged by Manwe, Carrandol had found the ring and had put an untraceable power into it. The power of good for he could also bend the will of the ring. Herugul threw him in prison and there he was tortured for Herugul knew that Edhelin was the only one that could take the ring off of his finger. Every day Herugul would come and ask for the ring, but Edhelin had no desire to take it off or give it to Herugul.
It was after many years when Herugul grew tiresome of asking for the ring and he knew torture was not the right method into getting the ring from Edhelin so he thought of a new method into which obtaining the ring was made easier. Herugul assembled his armies for an assault on Arnor. The army’s altogether numbered twenty-four thousand, the greatest black army since the days of Sauron rule.
However, Arnor had also assembled it armies together for an assault on Angmar. Yet, the army only numbered eighteen thousand. The plan was to free Edhelin from the Prisons of Carn Dum and destroy evil once and for all. Whilst in Angmar, Herugul took Edhelin from the Prison and seated him at the tallest turret in the fortress of Carn Dum. He gave him the power to see and hear all things that were going on in the land of Arnor. He was afraid for the army of Arnor for he knew that the army of Angmar outnumbered them. He was bound by a mythical black power to a seat that had been built for him from cold, hard stone. Edhelin soon found out that his brother, Tarlsano, would also be coming to fight for his freedom and the freedom of the world from evil. He feared this for in his heart, Edhelin knew that his brother would perish, and if he did, so would the line of the Kings of Arnor.
“You will see the King of Arnor and his mighty army be ground into the dust of the earth,” Herugul said to Edhelin, mocking him, “if you give the ring to me I will make my army stand down and you will not see the army of Arnor perish.”
“Why must I give up the ring to you? You could not bend its will back to evil,” said Edhelin, looking Herugul the eye for he knew that not many could look into the eyes of Herugul without being subject to his darkness.
“I will bend its will back to me for none can contend with my power,” Herugul said to Edhelin, scorning him.
“Save an old man dressed in red,” Edhelin said, expecting to be torn apart by Herugul’s fury.
Herugul scowled and cried out in anger at the mention of the old man.
“He is of no concern to me,” Herugul cried out, “not even the creature you speak of could contend with my power.”
“He told me that the ring would never come off my finger,” said Edhelin.
“He is a fool,” said Herugul, “for he is none other than Pallando, my old companion, who once abandoned me because he was afraid of a power stronger than he.”
It was on the fifth day of the month when the armies of Arnor came over the dark hills surrounding Angmar and leading them was Tarlsano, King of Arnor, and riding beside him was a man covered in a grey cloak, his face shielded by its hem. The armies came to the fortress of Carn Dum and declared war against Herugul.
“To battle,” cried Tarlsano, and the archers of Arnor released their arrows. Orcs and fell men ran from the gates of Carn Dum but the armies of Arnor drove the Black Army back. It wasn’t until a knight in black armor riding a dark horse (named Morroch) came from the gate of Carn Dum that the armies of Arnor were driven back. The Knight was none other than Herugul himself. After the Battle of Carn Dum Herugul was named the ‘Black Knight’. Herugul slew many men and came to Tarlsano. Tarlsano fought with valor but fell under Maegor, the dark sword of Herugul. As Tarlsano fell under Maegor, he cried out “Edhelin”. Edhelin saw all and cried out from the tower. He then knew that the battle was all in vain, for Herugul’s army of darkness had prevailed. Some fought on for their King, and were slaughtered. Others fled from the might of the Black Army of Herugul into the wilderness and there perished. Edhelin was torn, as if in two pieces, at the loss of his beloved brother. He thought all was lost, when an old man clothed in grey came to him. He cast off his cloak.
“Carrandol!” Edhelin cried out in joy, amidst his pain.
“Come, we must hasten, for he comes to gloat over his victory to you, and I fear he will break you,” said Carrandol.
Edhelin found that he was released from the dark power that bound him. Carrandol took Edhelin upon his horse Nimsil, who was of the line of Shadowfax the great. They rode out of Angmar under the hateful eyes of Herugul, who knew he could not pursue them whilst Carrandol was there.
“My brother is dead, and the army of Arnor has fallen under Herugul. Arnor will surely fall,” said Edhelin, despairing.
“No, Arnor will not fall, not whilst you are its King,” said Carrandol.
Edhelin rode to Annuminas, the city of Arnor and there he found that the peasants of Arnor had been rallied and were ready to fight the Black Army lest they should come. Some were armed with pitchforks whilst others were armed with swords and bows. The Civil Army numbered five thousand and they all swore their allegiance to the new King of Arnor, Edhelin the Fair.
The Black Army came, just as Edhelin had foreseen. But the army was beaten back, for the army of Arnor had had a minor victory. They had destroyed most of Herugul’s Black Army, before Herugul had taken the form of a knight and had killed King Tarlsano. Edhelin took up the throne of Arnor. He also found out that his father had died from natural causes and he mourned this for many weeks. Edhelin asked for help from the King of Gondor, who had known of the existence of Herugul, the last evil, and gave Arnor fifty thousand men. For Gondor had grown great, and had spread over all the lands, right up the borders of Mirkwood. The power and skill of Gondor had become much like that as of Numenor before its fall. After the War of the Ring, Aragorn had ordered Barad-dur to be torn down, and it’s foundations destroyed and Minas Morgul became Minas Ithil once again. All darkness had been driven from the land of Mordor. The great hall of Sammath Naur had been destroyed and no trace of Sauron or his armies had been seen since. Eldarion afterwards had continued the destruction of the towers of Sauron and he tore down Durthang and all the other towers of darkness.
The army of Gondor drove the Black Army back and Arnor regained much of the realm that it had lost in the Battle of Carn Dum. However, Arnor did not regain the mighty tower it once built in defense of Angmar. Herugul captured Minas Tarram and renamed it Minas Mordel. Herugul placed Durgurth, his most powerful servant in Minas Mordel. Durgurth renamed himself Morkano (meaning ‘Dark Commander’) and those who dwelt in the lands of the Ettenmoors were subject to him. Thus began the wars of the Ettenmoors. For many years the army of Gondor/Arnor fought against Minas Mordel. Durgurth reshaped the lands of the Ettenmoors. Minas Mordel became a dreaded place like the ancient tower of Minas Morgul.
The wars went on and on for the freedom of Arnor. But the White Army, as it was now known, could not recapture Minas Mordel. Durgurth was the lord over the lands of the Ettenmoors and he brought fear to the hearts of men. For Herugul had made him a powerful sorcerer and Durgurth had the power to break the will of any man he looked upon. Many of the White Army were broken to the will of Durgurth. Herugul grew again in strength and the Black Army was once again. The strength of Herugul grew great once more and his desire to have Elya once again upon his finger burned in him like an endless fire within him. After these many years Edhelin found that he had not aged a single day since when he had put the ring Elya upon his finger. He came one night to Carrandol who was walking in the castle gardens.

 

[Úlairi]

Quenta Morroqueno cont'd

“Carrandol,” he said, “why am I not aging?”
“Because the ring still has the power of immortality within it,” replied Carrandol, “you have let it make you one of the undying.”
“What do you mean that I have let it make me one of the undying? Do you mean that I can stop the ring from making me deathless?” asked Edhelin.
“You are its master,” said Carrandol.
Edhelin gazed upon the ring and for once in his life darkness came into him, a power that he had not yet experienced. Greed came to Edhelin's heart and he desired above all things to be immortal.
“I wish to be immortal,” said Edhelin.
Carrandol turned around and stared at him, for he sensed that darkness had entered Edhelin’s heart.
“No man can be immortal,” said Carrandol.
“Yes they can,” said Edhelin, in a tone of voice that had never come from the mouth of Edhelin.
“How may that be?” asked Carrandol.
“With the ring, you fool,” said Edhelin, wrathfully.
Then, something happened, something that no one had expected. The ring loosened and slipped from Edhelin’s finger and fell to the ground. Edhelin tried to pick the ring back up but it scorched his hand and a small circle from then on was marked on the hand of Edhelin. Edhelin cried out in pain and fury.
“Pick it up,” said Edhelin to a servant who was awaiting orders from the King lest he should need anything.
The servant bent down to pick it up, but his hand was burned also. The ring was left there and no one was to touch it. When one night, a mere gardener by the name of Laureloth (meaning ‘gold flower’) came and stumbled upon the ring. Laureloth was fair in face and he had been a great Captain in the King’s White Army. He was also the nephew of the King, and they would oft walk in the gardens of Annuminas together. Laureloth was skilled in battle and those who looked into his dark eyes believed that a King of old had come to Arnor. Laureloth had been rewarded for his efforts in the Black Wars and was given any wish he wanted. His only desire was to be the castle gardener and so he became. He was of a pure heart, just like Edhelin had been before darkness had entered his heart.
Laureloth picked up Elya and it did not burn him. He put it on his finger and once again the ring found a master worthy enough to bear it. After these happenings Edhelin had aged greatly and he was ready to die. He knew that Laureloth was now bearing the ring and he called Laureloth to his chamber.
“I am a dying King with no heir,” said Edhelin.
“Then if Arnor is to have a new King then you must choose one swiftly, your majesty,” said Laureloth, “am I here to counsel you for whom you must choose?”
“No, no, you are here because I have found my heir,” said Edhelin.
“Tell me who my new King is, My Lord, for I desire to serve in the White Army again, so that I may be under the service of my new King. So that when I go to fight, I will fight for my former King, as well as my new King,” said Laureloth.
“You are that heir, Laureloth. I have chosen you because the ring has chosen you to be the King of Arnor, and the King of Arnor you shall be.”
“But my Lord, I am not of royal blood and am not worthy of the throne of Arnor,” said Laureloth.
“The ring believes you are and therefore I must also. You will be a great King, Laureloth, for Elya is on your finger,” said Edhelin.
Edhelin beckoned Laureloth to his bedside.
“Don’t make the mistake I did, Laureloth, don’t let the power of Herugul enter your heart. Be strong, and you will not diminish, like I have,” said Edhelin, and he died.
“No, my Lord, you did not diminish, you were the greatest King to rule Arnor,” said Laureloth, grieving his King’s death.
Laureloth became the greatest King to rule the realm of Arnor since the King’s of old. He brought people prosperity and freedom from the ever-suppressing Herugul. The Black Army was fearful of the new King and when the King went to war none dared to fight him. After many long years the White Army finally came to Minas Mordel, the tower of Durgurth.
“Durgurth,” cried Laureloth, “you have suppressed my people long enough. I order you to come down from your tower so that I may pass judgement upon you.”
A mighty wind emanated from Minas Mordel and a black shape, darker than the darkest places on the earth came from the tower and transformed into the shape of a withered old man.
“Judge me fairly Lord, for I mean thee no harm,” said Durgurth.
“Durgurth, you are banished from the realm of Arnor, you will fly to a dark corner of the earth and there you will diminish. That is my judgement upon you,” said Laureloth.
“But my lord, if only you would let me repent from my evil ways and let me serve thee,” said Durgurth, “together we will defeat my master, and we will be lords among men.”
“I see your mind Durgurth,” said Laureloth, “you wish to succeed your master and encompass the lands of Middle-earth in another darkness. Now go, before I slay you where you stand.”
Durgurth began to walk away, but when Laureloth turned his back to him Durgurth became a werewolf, for his master had given him great powers, and Durgurth leapt upon Laureloth, tearing him from his horse, but Laureloth was skilled in battle and was too quick for Durgurth. He unsheathed his sword Calcarak (meaning ‘Green Fang’) from its scabbard, and it shone green in the sunlight. He then cast it into the neck of Durthang, and there he perished.
Herugul saw all that had happened and cursed the name of Laureloth and hated him more than anyone in Middle-earth save Pallando and Edhelin. He then made ready his horse Morroch, the horse of darkness, he was of the great line of Shadowfax as is mentioned earlier in this tale, and rode out to destroy Laureloth and the White Army of Arnor. He soon made it to the Ettenmoors where he found the camps of the White Army surrounding the tower of Minas Mordel. The alarm was raised against him and many stood in his path but to no prevail. He slayed men where they stood and none could stand up to him. He finally came to the King’s tent and killed the guards. Laureloth had not been warned of his coming for any that had tried to inform the King, Herugul slayed.
Herugul rode through the tent trampling the King’s servants. But Laureloth eluded
what would have been his deathblow. Laureloth took up Calcarak and ran out of the tent where Herugul had turned and had started making for the tent again. Herugul turned and looked at Laureloth from underneath his black cloak.
“You shall not take me,” screamed Laureloth.
“We shall see,” said Herugul, and with that he struck the side of Morroch and rode straight at Laureloth.
Herugul stretched out his black blade Maegor and thrust it at Laureloth’s face. Laureloth evaded the blow and hewed the leg off of Morroch. Morroch fell, tossing Herugul from his horse. Laureloth ran at Herugul, but was not quick enough, for Herugul grasped his sword and dodged Calcarak Greenfang. Herugul and Laureloth fought each other for many hours but one could not master the other. Some believed it the greatest display of swordsmanship since the days of Numenor. Herugul tired of the physical fight and took upon himself a terrible form. A form that hadn’t been seen since the days of Moria. He had enough power within him to take the form of a Balrog and so he did. Men fled from the sight but Laureloth stood fast.
“You do not flee from me, Laureloth, why is this so? You know that you cannot master me, not whilst I am in this form. I am a foe beyond even you Laureloth the Mighty, why do you so readily give up your life?” said Herugul in a fell voice.
“I am not afraid of you,” said Laureloth, “that is why I stand here before you.”
“If you give up the ring I will spare you and make you my replacement of Durgurth. You will be a mightier King than any that have ruled Middle-earth,” said Herugul.
“Yes, but I shall be under your service,” said Laureloth.
“I will make you my equal,” replied Herugul.
“I will not yield the ring to you, Herugul,” cried Laureloth.
“Then when I have killed you, I shall take it from you,” said Herugul.
“So be it,” said Laureloth.
A flaming sword appeared in Herugul’s hand. The flames shot up the blade and Herugul took it and swung it at Laureloth. Herugul’s blade missed but the heat of it burnt Laureloth badly. Laureloth fell to the ground in agony. Herugul lifted up his sword for the final blow.
“And now the proud King of Arnor shall perish!” cried Herugul.
Herugul let go his sword, but he missed, for Laureloth evaded the attack. Laureloth took Calcarak Greenfang and cast it into Herugul. Herugul cried out in agony. Herugul swung around and crushed Laureloth with his fiery other hand, burning Laureloth and sending him unconscious.
“That sword has some fell power in it,” cried Herugul, “what power is within that weapon?”
“My power is within it,” said a figure emerging from the dust of the battlefield, “I was there when the smiths of Arnor made it and I put the power in it.”
The figure was none other than Carrandol. Two other figures emerged from the dust. They were old men cloaked in red just like Carrandol.
“Pallando,” bellowed Herugul, “I might have known. And why are you two here? Have you come to take me to the Valar again? For this time I will not succumb to your diminutive powers. You know as well as I do that you cannot stand up to me!”
“Your pride shall be your fall, Herugul,” said Carrandol.
“You know once I have the ring upon my finger none can defeat me!” said Herugul.

 

[Úlairi]

Quenta Morroqueno cont'd

“You will not have Elya upon your finger,” said one of the two other men in red, stepping forward.
“I shall send you back to whence you came, Carthalare,” said Herugul.
“Orome seeks your return,” said the other of the three.
“Orome is no longer my master, Carmarth,” said Herugul.
“It is time to be judged,” said Carrandol.
“Who are the Valar to judge me, Herugul, lord of Middle-earth,” screamed Herugul, “this time I will prove to be too powerful for you, my powers have greatly increased since you drove me out of Orodae.”
The three Ithryn Caran began to transform. The three had become creatures of white. They were like clouds, yet they had flesh. They were in the shape of giant men clothed in white light. Laureloth could not believe what he beheld before him. The three white giants stretched forth their hands at Herugul who took up his sword and swung it at Carthalare. The flames leapt up the blade and struck Carthalare in his head. Carthalare was wounded, for the blow had been fatal to his physical body, and he took a spirit form, which Laureloth could not see. Herugul did the same to Carmarth and Carmarth too was driven from his physical body and went into the spirit world.
Herugul fought wildly, but Carrandol had the mastery. Laureloth came to and saw a great white giant, immersed in cloud fighting the Balrog. A monstrous sword of white appeared in the giant’s hand. He swung it and struck Herugul, slicing his Balrog form. Herugul cried out and retreated back to Carn Dum. Carrandol was fortunate because the fight with the other two Red Wizards had weakened Herugul; otherwise Herugul would have been the victor. The white giant shrouded itself in an impenetrable mist and Carrandol reappeared. Yet Laureloth wasn’t fooled, he knew that the giant had been Carrandol.
“Carrandol, you defeated him!” shouted Laureloth with joy, “I was afraid that he was going to slay you and I both!”
“I know, I only got here just in time, and I summoned Carthalare and Carmarth in case I didn’t get to you in time. But I am afraid I did not defeat Herugul, I merely restrained him. Herugul gains power every day. He draws all darkness to himself, and thrives upon it. I am afraid the next time Herugul and I meet, he shall be the victor,” said Carrandol.
“Who were the other two?” asked Laureloth.
“They were my companions,” said Carrandol, puffing loudly and sitting down on the ground next to Laureloth, “they are part of my order, the order of the Ithryn Caran.”
“I am sorry to see them dead, for they were great enemies of Herugul, weren’t they?” asked Laureloth, looking at the two bodies that lay there.
“Yes, they were great rivals of Herugul, and he hated them nearly as much as he hates me. They were great friends of mine,” said Carrandol.
“May I be so bold as to ask you, how did you turn into that white cloud giant, and why does Herugul call you Pallando?” asked Laureloth.
“My, aren’t we full of questions, let us go now and celebrate the overcome of Herugul and be merry, for I believe it will be many months before we hear from Herugul again.”
There were many years of feasting in Arnor. Gondor and Rohan were told of the news and rejoiced also. Carrandol had been wrong in saying it would be months before Herugul declared himself again, but it was in fact many years. They were named the years of peace in which Laureloth the Great was wed to the most beautiful woman in the lands of Arnor, Linwen. He soon produced the heir of Arnor, Malloth (which had the same meaning as his father’s name ‘gold flower’). Herugul had not been dormant, but he had been devising new plans for the destruction of Arnor, and once he had destroyed his chief enemies he would conquer Gondor and Rohan, which were too powerful for him to overcome at this point in time. Herugul remembered when he had been the Lord of the Nazgul. He devised a plan to overcome the might of Arnor.
When Alatar became a Nazgul, he became wholly subject to the will of one of the Nine Rings and he had become their Lord and Chief, yet it had been unfortunate that he had been overcome by a mere woman and a halfling. After he had returned, he hated women and hobbits alike, but hobbits did not concern his affairs. Yet once he had control over Arnor, he planned to slay every hobbit of the line of Meriadoc Brandybuck. Herugul knew that Frodo had crossed the sea over to the Lords of the West, for he had seen him walking in Valinor. The Valar had given Frodo eternal life and he became the last remaining hobbit when the last of the halflings died, and he could not touch Frodo. Herugul’s plan had finally come into place.
Herugul gathered his chief sorcerers and the Generals and Admirals of his armies, and they numbered Nine. Herugul did not want to ‘share’ his power, but he knew he must. He gave great power to all the eight that were gathered there and made them invisible to the eyes of any who beheld them, for they were in the Wraith world. Yet Herugul still had great power, enough to overcome Carrandol by himself, and he knew this. Herugul placed the other eight under his full control, as Sauron had done, and the other eight now had no will of their own save the will of their master, Herugul. He proclaimed the return of the Nazgul, and the wise of Arnor grew fearful, for they knew the power of the Nine Nazgul in the Dark Years of Sauron’s rule and remembered ‘The Dark Prophecy’ that had been told to them. The power of the other eight was not as great as had been in the original Nazgul, but Herugul’s power was greater than that of when he had been the Witch-King. Herugul had known his power then, and he felt and knew that he was now greater than he had ever been. He proclaimed himself as the Lord of the Nazgul once more, and they set out from the Fortress of Carn Dum to the lands of Arnor.
As Belcam had prophesied, the Nazgul slayed many men, women and children as they passed through the lands of Arnor, heading for Annuminas. None could stop them. Laureloth was told of this, but he hadn’t been told of ‘The Dark Prophecy’. Carrandol had known it though.
“So it is true, the Nazgul return!” said Carrandol.
The Nazgul rode ever on towards Annuminas, slaying those who came in their way or those who resisted them, but none could. The Nazgul soon came to Annuminas and came to the hall of the King. They rode right into the King’s throne room. Carrandol attempted to stop Herugul, but Herugul cast him aside with his blade, yet Carrandol was not slain.
“Give up the Ring!” said Herugul, the Lord of the Nazgul.
“I will not succumb to you Herugul,” said Laureloth grabbing his blade.
“If you will not then your loved one shall perish at my hand,” said Herugul, nodding his head to his second in Chief.
And with that one of the Nine brought out Linwen, the Queen of Arnor, with his blade pressed to her throat.
“Hand me the Ring Laureloth, or she shall die,” said Herugul in a menacing tone,
Laureloth took off the Ring and handed it to Herugul.
“Now give her back to me,” said Laureloth, quivering with fear for the life of Linwen, his wife.
“Finally, after centuries of waiting, the Ring is again mine!” said Herugul, and slipped the Ring upon his finger.
A white burst of light emanated from the Ring, and Herugul let out a scream, as though he was in great pain, and he was. The light pierced the eyes of those who looked upon it. Eventually the light subsided, and Herugul was standing in the middle of the throne room, his glance made the strongest of men quail, save Laureloth, for he was looking straight at him. The Ring was not on his finger, but on Laureloth’s once more.
“Pallando has had the Valar touch this Ring!” he cried, looking at the body of Pallando “curse you Pallando, curse you!”
“And as for you Laureloth, this is for your insolence!” he cried and he drew his blade and severed the head off of his wife, Linwen.
“No!” cried Laureloth in sorrow.
“Once the old man wakes up, get him to remove whatever power he has placed into that fell object, and I shall bring your wife back from the dead! If you do not, I shall kill your heir!” said Herugul, and with that he rode off, faster than the wind, with the other Nazgul following after him.
There was mourning for many long months in Annuminas; Laureloth did not come out of his chamber for many weeks. Annuminas became a place of sorrow, for the King and his son were rarely seen amongst the servants like they used to. One day, Carrandol and Laureloth were walking in the beautiful gardens of Annuminas, when Laureloth remembered the words of Herugul after he had slain his wife.
“Carrandol,” said Laureloth.
“Yes Laureloth, what troubles you?” replied Carrandol.
“Was Herugul truthful in saying that he could bring my wife back?” asked Laureloth with pleading eyes.
“Well, it is a very complicated matter, but yes, he can,” said Carrandol.
“He asked me for you to remove the power from the Ring that stops him wearing it,” said Laureloth.
“Laureloth, if I remove the power that I have placed in it then Herugul will be free to take the Ring for his own, giving him great power, the power he needs to take over Arnor,” said Carrandol, quite concerned.
“Why don’t we just destroy the Ring, as Frodo the Nine-fingered once did? Why don’t we just send it to Gondor and get them to throw it in the fires of Mount Doom?” asked Laureloth.

 

[Úlairi]

Quenta Morroqueno cont'd

“Edhelin asked me the same question before he died. That Ring gives you the power to defy the Shadow Lord and keep him at bay. Without it, Herugul would overcome Arnor, which is why Elya mustn’t be destroyed.”
“Why don’t we just trick Herugul into believing that we will give him the Ring so that he will bring Linwen back, and then run away with it?” asked Laureloth.
“You and I both know that Herugul isn’t that easily fooled, he would ask for the Ring first, and then raise Linwen back from the dead, and she would be under his control!” said Carrandol.
“Could you bring her back Carrandol?” asked Laureloth.
“No, I’m afraid not, I have neither the sorcery or the power to do so,” said Carrandol, “we must let the dead rest and not mess with such things.”

And that's where the text ends, I guess I must have just given it up, like I do with most of the stories I write. I have myriad stories stored on my computer, some long than this and come a lot shorter, but I don't think very many of them are complete, if any at all!