AN; Thanks everyone for the support so far. All of you are awesome for that. Sorry for the wait, I've had a ton of school and personal problems to deal with and it kinda killed my writing buzz for a while. Christmas has revived my buzz though :D
By the way I've also decided to change Beauty's name to Hyari, originally I liked it but I've changed my mind so I just thought to warn you :)
~o~~~~~~Merry Christmas Everyone!~~~~~~o~
Ever since the last new moon it felt like butterflies were trying to escape his chest. Something clicked in his mind too. He knew this fluttery feeling was a sign from Eru. It was telling him that it would be soon time to depart. Each day the fluttering grew more incessant and impatient.
In the back of his mind he knew that his mission, as he likened it to, would be fraught with difficulties. Firstly, the mortal men and dwarves would not accept so easily one of the higher beings nor a stranger of any kind in the current climate. They were quick to judge and in these dark times they needed such scepticism to survive. There was no changing his path. He was tasked to aid in the destruction of Mairon and no past feelings would change that.
In his heart he knew the balance was tipping in the favour of Sauron and it rankled his senses. Each day the urge grew stronger. Deeply ingrained in his soul was this want- no need, this urge and desire to correct the favours to equal. If he had to aid the good then that is what he had to do. The most important was stopping the light overtaking after Mairon's demise. There had to be balance. Neither light nor dark were allowed to overtake.
It was near six moons later when the heavy fluttering sensations became spasms. They shook him from the inside. Warm waves of power and knowledge plagued his nights. He would be brought visions of the upset balance of Middle-Earth. Visions of invasions, orcs, the deaths of men, elves, orcs… He saw the dark forces of Sauron grow as the light and hope of the free people flickered, oppressed by the unfavourable odds stacked against them. His task had become crucial. Many were fleeing north and the frequency of orc attacks had become worrying.
Having had years to prepare when the day came for Hyari to leave he was well informed and had planned from his visions where to start. Firstly the south needed quelling before he met with the light mortals. They would need help. Olorin was not stronger than Mairon even when he fell first and he would not be a match now. Hopefully he would not be too late for they needed all the help that they could get.
~~o~~
In the elven realm of Lothlorien a vision of hope came over the Lady of the forest. In her mind she saw new futures previously untold. Where men lived, where darkness was forced to flee. She knew something was going to turn the tides. The ever spreading dark shadow of Sauron would not take over her lands. Her patrols picked up more sightings each day but neither Lothlorien nor Caras Galadhon would not bow to the force of Sauron's darkness. She would die before she allowed the darkness to taint her lands in such a way.
It worried her though that recurring in her visions often was many from Imladris fleeing from the darkness both warriors and civilians alike. Even she could not predict the decisions Lord Elrond may make. Thranduil's land and folk she could not predict. They were plagued much more by Sauron but the ever unwavering elvenking was formidable in nature. Having fought alongside him and witnessed his strength it was certain his lands would be protected in his iron grip until the very end.
However none of the great seers still residing in Middle-Earth had foreseen the coming of Hyari. No one knew of his arrival for a long time, no one had seen his boat pull in from the horizon to the shores of South Gondor. It was under the cover of night that his strong ebony hewn boat arrived undetected and he first stepped onto the land of Middle-Earth.
~~o~o~o~~
The dry arid air was mixed with the salty scent of the sea. As he disembarked with his black stallion, Midas, and his hardy provisions from the small vessel. To keep his only means of return safe he shrouded it with spell work and spelled it into an underwater cave. After checking his maps and tacking Midas, Hyari set off for the lands of Umbar hoping to stop the largest clan of Haradrim from joining forces with those already lured to Mairon.
Using the cover of night he rode through the scattered forest and dry abandoned desertland towards the city of Umbar. It was the dry season making the journey more difficult but on the next dusk he made sight of the fortress. Under the moonlight the dark stone carved fortress looked extremely inhospitable and impenetrable. It was black rock carved into hard lines with sharp projections on all of the walls and rooves.
There were men patrolling in full leather armour. As darkness fell Hyari retreated to plan his approach. Directly riding in would be best. They may attack on sight but either way he was prepared. He was hoping for a truce of sorts but at worst he would just have to subdue them by blade. Neither bothered him overly. He knew Mairon would extend his hand to them soon. It was best to get in there first.
The night had quickly cooled bringing a sharp wind from the sea. Luckily he had shelter in the patch of forest he'd retreated to. The dry earthy sand was compacted but his blankets soon sorted that. Midas was untacked and the camp was set so after casting a few trigger wards and an alarm he allowed himself to find sleep.
His dreams quickly faded to the welcoming sight of his brother's garden's in Valinor with it's welcoming scent of home. His brothers and sisters were there waiting for him. Smiling he ran to them happily joining them in merry making. They talked while taking tea.
"The sea is a magnificent sight to behold, it sparkles so beautifully. Ever changing yet always the same. It was a long couple of days at sea but I thoroughly enjoyed myself. I finally banked in South Gondor the nightfall before last and with haste, I rode across the deserted dry lands to Umbar. It was this night that I scoped out the fortress. I have decided that I shall speak with them on the morrow and attack would be fruitless. I need information as well as their compliance, Mairon needs not more power to wield against the free people."
The talk soon returned to more pleasurable things as he basked in the presence of his new family allowing himself to relax knowing he may not see them for a few days given he would be in the fortress tomorrow.