37. Notes
First, a warm Thank You to my betas, Anglachel and Julie (as well as Stella for her help with the first several chapters), whose input and encouragement have done much to make this story happen at all beyond the initial idea. My thanks also to all others who help in various ways, including Surgical Steel who has been kind enough to give advice on medical details here and there; any mistakes that are left, are therefore entirely mine.
Chapter notes:
General: Several chapters use (adapted) dialogue and description from LotR. I try to list all instances, but I'm bound to miss one or two; so, if you recognise it, it's probably not mine.
Chapter 6:
Sië terquanta ná vanda Arandurion Ondórëo. – Thus is the oath of the Stewards of Gondor fulfilled.
Chapter 11:
Some of the text in the conversation with Treebeard is quoted almost literally from LotR, bk 6, Ch.5 Many Partings
Chapter 17:
Based on the assumption that the Dúnedain, especially in Eriador, are heavily influenced by Elvish culture, I looked at the below quote from LaCE (HoME X, pg 212) for my take on Dúnedain custom in this chapter:
It was the act of bodily union that achieved marriage, and after which the indissoluble bond was complete. In happy days and times of peace it was held ungracious and contemptuous of kin to forgo the ceremonies, but it was at all times lawful for any of the Eldar, both being unwed, to marry thus of free consent one to another without ceremony or witness (save blessings exchanged and the naming of the Name); and the union so joined was alike indissoluble. In days of old, in times of trouble, in flight and exile and wandering, such marriages were often made.
Thus, while it would not be the norm, and it would be seen as a breach of custom and inconsiderate towards their respective families for a betrothed Dúnedain couple to "have an Elvish marriage", I think a child from such a union would be legitimate. What Halbarad refers to in this chapter is what I'm calling a "Ranger's betrothal", where a couple is not (yet) betrothed when the woman falls pregnant; this would be a more uncertain situation, though if the child is acknowledged by the father and the young people marry, the child would still be considered legitimate (though possibly in a weaker position in disputes involving inheritance).
Chapter 18:
The idea that Thorongil held the rank of Captain-General of Gondor has been borrowed with permission from Anglachel's story Hands of the King.
Chapter 20 and 24:
My thanks to Surgical Steel for her advice on Halbarad's injury.
Chapter 21:
Elrond's words "A great doom awaits you, either to rise above the height of all your fathers since the days of Elendil, or to fall into darkness with all that is left of your kin" are quoted from Appendix A, the Tale of Aragorn and Arwen, as is Arwen's thought at the end of the chapter (Estel, Estel!).
Chapter 27:
My thanks to Surgical Steel for her advice on Elrohir's injury, and to Arwen Lune for her advice on horses.
Chapter 28:
The lines of poetry are taken from the Lay of Leithian (HoME III, pp. 253, 277 – 1987 Unwin paperback ed.)
Chapter 30:
Again, my thanks to Surgical Steel for advice on Elrohir's injury and the circumstances around it.
Chapter 33:
Ulmo's guise as the Mariner has been borrowed with permission from Anglachel's story Hands of the King. (Go read if you haven't yet!)
OCs in order of appearance:
Chapter 2:
Halmir: Halbarad's elder son
Borlas: Halbarad's lieutenant in the Grey Company
Chapter 5:
Hunthor: Ranger of the Grey Company
Chapter 6:
Beleg: Ranger of the Grey Company
Chapter 7:
Belzagar: Captain of the Guard of the Tower
Chapter 9:
Herulf: Rider of Rohan, currently in charge at Dunharrow
Frána: Rider of Rohan, Herulf's lieutenant
Chapter 10:
Folcwine: Rohirric lord, one of Éowyn's councillors
Swithulf: Rohirric lord, one of Éowyn's councillors
Chapter 12:
Daeron: Ranger of the North, Halbarad's brother-in-law
Gethron: Ranger of the North
Chapter 13:
Celegir: Silvan Elf of Lothlórien, commands the company that meets Elladan and Elrohir
Chapter 16:
Grimgár: Beorning captain
Chapter 17:
Gorlim: citizen of Caras Dirnen
Dineth: Halbarad's wife
Haldan: Halbarad's second and youngest son
Bregor: former Ranger, seneschal of the Keep in Caras Dirnen
Mallor: Lord of Celonhad and member of the Council of the Angle
Chapter 18:
Herion, Balan: Rangers of Ithilien
Chapter 19:
Aesc: Rider of Rohan, messenger
Déorlaf, Eadwig, Sighere, Wigmund: Rohirric lords, Éowyn's councillors
Chapter 20:
Orleg, Marach, Baran, Elatan, Tavor, Vardamir, Maethor, Urthel, Falassion, Amlaith: Rangers of the North
Hithaeron: Elf, leader of the archers sent by Rivendell
Ciriondil: Ranger (and healer)
Cadman Crackwillow: the Bree smith
Robin Rushlight: the mayor of Bree
Porto Brockhouse: hobbit, mayor of Staddle
Will Sandheaver: hobbit, farmer
Chapter 24:
Hatholdir: member of the Council of the Angle for the outside villages
Angrod: member of the Council of the Angle for the western villages
Edrahil: member of the Council of the Angle for the eastern villages
Galion: member of the Council of the Angle, Lord of Athrad
Vëantur: member of the Council of the Angle, Lord of Ringlanthir
Chapter 26:
Yávien: Imrahil's wife
Forweg: Forlong's grandson, now lord of Lossarnach
Indor: Harbourmaster of Pelargir
Chapter 29:
Leofric: a doorward of Meduseld
Hild: a distant kinswoman of Erkenbrand
Chapter 31:
Alagon: an Elf of Rivendell
Gelmir: a Ranger
Chapter 32:
Bronweg: a Ranger
Chapter 33:
Rhúnendir: an Elf of Mithlond
Invented places:
Chapter 12:
Caras Dirnen: the capital of the Northern Dúnedain in the Angle
Chapter 17:
Celonhad: town in the Angle
Ringlanthir: town in the Angle
Chapter 24:
Athrad: town in the Angle
This is a work of fan fiction, written because the author has an abiding love for the works of J R R Tolkien. The characters, settings, places, and languages used in this work are the property of the Tolkien Estate, Tolkien Enterprises, and possibly New Line Cinema, except for certain original characters who belong to the author of the said work. The author will not receive any money or other remuneration for presenting the work on this archive site. The work is the intellectual property of the author, is available solely for the enjoyment of Henneth Annûn Story Archive readers, and may not be copied or redistributed by any means without the explicit written consent of the author.
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