From Library of the Randirim

~~by Verdic of Linwe of Crusading Torrent

A Foretelling from the House of Linwe

Excerpt: Chapter 1, Page 3

"A great and terrible thunder, like lashes of a thousand whips shall rain upon the land of the Usurper. Swarms of his denizens will be scattered about the lands as sand scattered throughout the shores of the world. A great sea of light, made of the hundreds of glittering blades and arrows will rush over the lands of our forefathers. Like a righteous torrent, assailing the filth and evil long draining the life of the land, it shall be cleansed. White armor will glare and reflect the flame of the West, the hand of Numenor glittering as of Riders long ago. The People of Middle-Earth will unite as one and strike hot the forge of vengeance with the hammer of justice. Asunder will the renewed shadow be torn, like a brittle blade held against sure anvil. In the end will the price be named amongst this great assault, and at the last will the cry of anger be heard and the Usurper repaid in kind. For no longer will the lines of Kings be broken, and once again will they be remade. Upon the lands of Arnor, in the shining sun, at the heart of the open glade."

From the Journal of Verdic Linwe

1.) Across the plains we met
where angels and devils wept
As arrows flung about us and swept
Yet you came to me with open arms like a prayer
Your love protected me, like a shield against the fray
Together we grew and together we loved, until my heart went astray
I could not ask for your forgiveness, and I never knew it there
For as I passed through the darkness and into the light
Your loss was forever mine to bare

2.) The memories we shared were so deep
Like a valley of the heavens filled with the scent of yesterday
Yet the way out was hard, and against our feet it was steep
You took my hand, and I took yours, and together we bore ourselves against the world
Until the very last when all hope would fail, there you were, my twin in the perfect darkness
A light house guiding me through the stormy seas, you were always constant
The beauty in your face, forever perfect
Your voice, soft like the souls of the very angels laid bare

3.) You passed into darkness without my hand, and another's you took
Yet you were forever immortal in my heart and my book
As our son grew strong and his likeness to mine
He would learn of his mother forever divine
Against the shadow you cast in your anger against me
Was his hope bore away until the day came it was my time
I could not have hoped for a greater joy to see you finally returned to us
Watching from afar as my son played my part

4.) Here back from the lands beyond I stand firm
A new work before me I must take up to keep your name alive
New friends I may have, but never again will the likes of you be here
Forever your tears will strengthen my resolve and in that I will strive
To be deserving of the goddess that once took my hand, so very long ago.

Verdic Linwe's Journal Continued...

Third Age, June 4th, 3018

I write today to discuss the importances in what you do with the time you have left to you. I document the following passages so that those that come after me may be able to glean some sense of direction for themselves after the days of the Third Age have come and gone. Much of my younger-years were spent defending what was left of my family name from those that garnered hatred for those the Linwe's descend from. I will not mention their names here, for any who know the tale of the Silmaril's will know of those not named.

My father and mother atoned for the sins done amongst our bloodline, and we have spent many a generation doing as we have been asked by the higher authorities to look after the younger races of Middle-Earth. Our numbers have dwindled into nothing and now only I remain. I, and my darling daughter Shathel. She is my only hope for the future of my bloodline and there is no promise that she will outlive these dark days.

However, I am not the only one of the First Born amongst my small lot that believes what we do to be important. I have been joined by Ulhar and Elwind and they have been the truest friends that one could know here on this mortal coil.

There have been many times that I had doubted myself, or that I felt I had no guidance or direction. The bleakest of hours have come to lay at my feet but always has someone amongst my lot been there to push me on. I find it amazing that while I once thought that I had to be strong enough to lead my Kin, I see now that it was my Kin, that was strong enough to lead me. Without them I would not be who I am.

I am going to the Grey Havens, not to sail that last journey, but to seek information. I do not know how long my journey's beyond recently trodden paths will take. I only hope that those who look here take in the most important thing I leave behind. The strength of your Kinship. They are my arm, they are my feet, they are my heart. I am simply a hilt in part of a larger finer and more perfect weapon. I will not forget where I come from, or what I am leaving behind.

-Verdic Linwe Founder

---

Third Age, October 25th, 3018

I have returned from the Grey Haven's. However, it has been to find loss and tragedy wrecking my House. My darling daughter is lost to me. Elwind has gone his own way.

It is left to myself, Ulhar, and Lycian to keep to our task given us by Mithrandir. I will stay until the last days have come for the Third Age. I will continue my watch. For it is in that task, that I will earn the right to bask in the glory of the Valar.