***

Let me tell my story before I die.

I feel that the truth of the great events of our past, must be told.  I do not claim to know all of it, for how can anyone know what was behind the actions of others.  However, I hear the tales that are told and know the events did not occur as is told.

It is a cliché to say that the world changed on a particular date, but it is certainly true that the world changed on the day when the ring was thrown into the fires of Mount Doom.  To many here, that date is unknown, for even now, most choose not to pay much attention to the history of other countries.  We have our own history, why do we need that of others?  I usually do not answer, for unlike then, I know far more of our history.  I hear the stories they tell, but mostly let the errors slip by.  However, I am old now, and dieing, and before I die, I would like to see the truth recorded, for there are so few of us left that remember it.  So few that remember the old days.  It saddens me to think of all those who have passed on, but I know that I am going to join them.  Wherever they are now – I wish I had the faith that so many others have now, it seems to have spread out from Gondor over the years, but changing and becoming unrecognisable – like so much of the world.  There seems hardly anything left that is as it was when I was a child, but for the most part I think these changes are for the better and am glad to have had the opportunity to help bring so many of them about. 

However, as I was saying, it was events that are counted under the history of others that made this possible.  Sauron's name no longer brings up respect and fear – he has become a demon to scare children with, and indeed many of the younger generations do not actually believe that he ever existed – they listen with awe to my stories, but do not believe them. 

The years have passed, I am ready to pass on with them, leaving my people to their future.  I sense my wife moving around inside the house, she is as old as I, but still seems younger, and will be there to guild them for a little while longer.  But I think that she will be the last of us, faces appear before my eyes and I remember their fates, will I see them again when I die?  There are many that I will have to ask for forgiveness, I did what I believed was right, but no doubt they will not all agree with me.

Let me tell my story before I die.

***

A/N: A very rough draft of this prologue.  Any comments very welcome.