Title: Thicker Then Water
Author: Blue
Description: Far into the future of Arda a war rages on. As peace finally falls, a new threat has been revealed – one of magic and time travel – that has exists to serve but one goal – to end the line of Kings. Now one of Aragorn's own grandson must journey back as well and prevent history from being altered – and his existence from being erased.
Prologue
War has come again…
Demons of the dark are not necessary for the presence of war – only the existence of man. Under the reign of King Aragon IV war has torn apart the long lasting peace founded by Aragorn II.
The Black Easterlings – called this because of the black uniforms of mourning they wear in memory of the large number of able bodied men that fell at the hands of the Host of the West - resentful of the peace terms forced upon them in defeat have spear-headed an attack against the Kingdom. At their side are various tribes of the Wild Men (especially present were the tribes of the Haradrim, a long counted ally of the Easterlings and enemy of the West; eventually using Near Harad that to attack Southern Gondor) that had survived isolated in the mountains and Eastlands.
They attacked first the Grey Easterlings; the Easterlings who accepted Aragorn II offer of citizenship and over the years incorporated themselves into the Kingdom by farming along the outskirts closest to Rhûn. The Black Easterlings slaughtered all they came across, piling their heads outside the main entrances to the settlements in an act of both intimidation and revenge.
To the King they sent the hands and eyes of Seer-Yaban, the Grand Vizier of the Grey Easterlings and the Queen Onya's younger brother. The Black Easterlings carried a special hate for the Queen's line, as it was her ancestor Seer-Sacal the Great – a holy man renowned for the accuracy of his visions and intuition – who had led so many of the Easterlings into citizenship.
For many years the war remained stagnate – with neither side gaining or losing much land but experiencing high numbers of casualties. The stalemate ended when the Black Easterlings were reinforced by the remnants of the Sauron's Army, long driven into the far reaches of the Eastlands. Settling around scattered oases their numbers had flourished under the protection of the great eastern deserts. When the Black Easterlings sent ambassadors to the various tribal chieftains seeking the honoring of old alliances and retribution, the tribes' warriors took up their crude weapons and surged west.
Quickly the balance of the years was broken and the Dark Hosts swarmed over the Reunited Kingdom. Within a year they had taken Minas Tirith – allowing none to exit or enter its walls. Plague and famine killed hundreds of the White City's citizens. Had it not been for the valiant actions of the Resistance (especially notable when the unit fell under the leadership of Prince Eärnur II) and its hidden supply lines, many more would have been lost.
The King led his family into the wilds, instructing that until his three sons came of age they were to follow the example of their Chieftain ancestors, and cast aside their nobility in exchange for the protection of nameless Rangers.
Thus the Princes Aragon V, Eärnur II and Arathorn IV became the Dúnedain children Haleth, Nuri and Hallas. To ensure that the line would not be broken, the three boys were kept separate at virtually all times. The Queen and their youngest child, the Princess Lorien now called Ana, hid amongst the few nomadic tribes of Grey Easterlings that had survived.
Rohan was invaded within the following years and the Black Easterlings placed great hardships upon the Horse Lords – burning crops and slaughtering stock. The light coloring of the people there made them popular as slaves and countless numbers of fair haired men, women and boys were sent back into the Eastlands.
The tide of the war changed again with the arrival of the Dwarves - come at long last to fulfill a long standing pact of alliance. They came from the reclaimed Kingdoms of Moria and under the Lonely Mountain – under the rule of Kings Durin XII and Dáin V. Though few in number compared to the Host of the West, the Dwarves gave much needed hope to weary fighters and inspired great fear into the Dark Hosts.
Coupled with a harsh winter that struck the Black Easterling forces severely, the Hosts of the West were capable of driving the enemy back towards Near Harad. The outcome of the war was decided once again before Minas Tirith and Osgiliath (ever referred to as the Trice Fallen City after the war) in a lengthy battle that lasted nearly a week. Later named the Battle for the White City, it proved to be the most epic battle witnessed sense the Battle of the Plennor Fields.
Three months after the battle, the Black Easterlings and their allies have surrendered.
The lands have changed…
The effects of the elongated war affairs have once again left the great country of Gondor devastated and on the rebound. With the White City finally freed from the oppression of the Dark Hosts, the people slowly begin to pick up the pieces of their one prosperous lives. Lead by King Aragorn IV and the young Steward Ecthelion III, the country is hopeful and optimistic – some go as far as to call the King the reincarnation of his legendary namesake; Aragorn II.
The semi-independent state of Rohan has been hit the hardest, outside of the siege-castle Hornberg, almost all standing buildings have been burned and destroyed by the Black Beasts. The greatest loss to moral was the leveling of Edoras and the loss of Meduseld.. In an attempt to bolster his people's spirits, King Léod II has started plans for the golden halls rebirth – stronger and more beautiful than before. Despite his intentions – a near constant famine (caused by the destruction of farming lands and excess slaughtering of stock) ravishes the state serves as a drain on his peoples moral.
Whole generations of men have been lost – it is difficult to find many men who are unscathed from the war over twenty-three. There is an overwhelming amount of youthful hands willing to rebuild the kingdom - but few elders to train them.
Despite this, the Dúnedain once again walk the borders of the Reunited Kingdom unchallenged and peace seems to have returned at long last.
Read on please!