This post marks the beginning of my mission and narrative using these storyboard elements:
-Explore the village
-Help someone in need
-Figure out if there are any other Noldor still alive
-Restore the knowledge of Tirisfal the Library of the Guardian and the Noldor
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It has been several years since the world had known of the ancient kingdom of Lothlorien and Gondolin, both kingdoms reigning over vast areas for decades. The Noldor had disappeared many years ago, the world having plunged into chaos. The trees of the forest were enormous, the branches covering the skies above, only allowing for few rays of sunlight to reach the ground, the tree trunks sometimes larger than houses. The leaves above allowed for natural cover from rain, heat and snow depending on the time of year. The people living in the trees had built their homes between them and made bridges and platforms allowing for them to stay off the ground. If someone was to pass through the forest without knowing of its people and never looking up, they would never be noticed.
It was on a cold autumn afternoon, when Medivh awoke from a deep slumber, he had stayed hidden in the trees, having made friends with many in the village. The people allowed him to stay there, as he had placed himself in exile after the events that had led to the fall of the Noldor.
Medivh sat up from the bed, made of twigs and covered in leaves and thick wool blankets. As his feet touched the wooden floor, he could feel it creaking beneath his toes. He heard the people outside working and running around doing their daily duties, he stood up walking over to a small bowl filled with water, washing his face and hair, looking into the mirror fixated on the wall, he could see the grey hairs slowing taking over his one’s thick brown hair, and his blue eyes had begun to fade, not retaining their strong sea blue color. He could feel his body had grown older, his muscles and joints were not as strong as they used to be.
He quickly got into his old attire, brown pants, an old leather belt with a fine golden piece in its center, his old worn out white shirt and his thick leather boots with fur covering the inside. Placing on his wrist guards and his old necklace given to him by his mother, he walked up to the door before taking on his cloak, covering him from top to bottom.
As he opened the door, the light shined down between the branches and onto the platform outside, the people cutting smaller branches and twigs to make baskets, and fences to make sure their kids wouldn’t fall off the edge. He could see the baker down the walkway making his daily route, handing out bread, baguettes, rolls and other delightful baked goods. As Medivh made his way down the walkway in the other direction, several kids ran past him, giggling and enjoying life, they were playing tag. He walked past the local hairdresser, he could see inside as the people were getting the newest fashion known to them. He could see the small pond nearby, and he could see the local fisherman sitting on the grass fishing. It was a small village filled with joy, and usually he would wake up together with the rest of the people, to the sound of the bells from the church. Below the walkways, the farmers were riding out with their carriages, filled with tools and equipment to begin continuing their work on the fields, and it was at this moment as he looked down while walking that he was completely oblivious to his surroundings.
He stumbled into another person rolling onto the walkway, he felt a pain in his chest as an elbow was pinning him down, and as he opened his eyes, he was met by a pair of leaf green eyes and blond hair. It was the local librarian, Abigail, she had helped Medivh before giving him many new and old books to read, passing his time, and they had shared many moments together with the local people. He had helped in the fields, he had fished with the fisherman and learned how to bake. During the local festival just a few weeks ago, he had been drinking quite a lot, danced line dance and slow dance with Abigail. She was an intriguing and intelligent woman. It was probably one of the first times in many years that he had felt happy.
Medivh quickly sat up, helping Abigail up as well, picking up the books and decided to help her bring them back to the library.
“I apologize for being so clumsy, I was just enjoying the view.”
“Don’t worry about it, I was just on my way back with the books, care to join me?”
“Of course, I will help you return them… so how has your day been so far?” Medivh responded, not quite sure how to make conversation with her now.
“Well, my day has been quite uneventful, just collecting books from the people, though I did have some trouble with old Arnall Swail… he claimed that he had borrowed the book for a longer time, had to get rough with him.” Abigail giggled, as she looked up at Medivh, walking together down the walkway towards the library.
“Ah… yea he is old and a bit senile. It’s good you put him in his place.” He responded with a smile.
They continued to walk together for a while longer in silence, he wasn’t sure exactly what to say or ask, but it wasn’t long before they reached the library.
“Thanks for helping me carry them here, it was nice having some company.” She smiled as she took the books from him.
“Your welcome Abigail, I hope you have an enjoyable day.” Medivh responded, as he turned around and began to walk away, his mind wandering, thinking to himself how stupid and unknowing he was. Though he knew he must leave the village today, he couldn’t stay in hiding forever, he had to find his people, he had to restore the kingdom and the lost knowledge of Tirisfal.
Suddenly, he felt a hand on his arm, he turned around to find Abigail having grabbed him, she looked up at him with those stunning green eyes.
“Medivh… I was thinking… since the festival when we had such a good time, and… and we dance… perhaps you wanted to maybe come and eat dinner at my place tonight?”
She looked so lost, but hopeful as she looked up at him with her eyes filled with doubt. Medivh could feel his chest get heavy, he knew that he liked her, but at the same time he knew he couldn’t stay and make a life for himself, there were things to be done in this world, he did not want to break her heart, but it seemed to be the only way.
“Listen Abigail… I like you a lot, but… I can’t stay, I have to leave, I have to find my people and restore the library… you of anyone must understand how important that is to…”
She looked at him with her sad eyes, she had known about his plans to leave for a long time, she had just hoped that perhaps he would change his mind, but she would not stand in his way.
“I understand.”
She just stood still, looking at the ground not knowing what she should do, when Medivh lifted her chin with his fingers, looking at her with a smile.
“You will always have a special place in my heart, and I will write letters to you every chance I can, and when I have restored the library, you can come and see its glory for yourself and delve into its wonders together with me.”
She smiled as a tear rolled down her cheek.
“That sounds lovely, promise me you will write to me and keep me updated.”
“I promise.”
Medivh smiled as he hugged her for the last time, he could fell her warmth and her heart beating fast, this would be the last time they would see each other in a long time. As he let go, he took off his necklace and placed it in her hand, a token to remember him by.
He turned and jumped over the railing, landing gracefully on the ground below. He quickly jumped onto a wagon together with one of the farmers, catching a ride towards the fields. He waved back at her until he couldn’t see her anymore.
As they continued through the forest, he pulled out a map of the world, with markings of all the places he had been long ago, he had forgotten so much, but he had marked where all the ancient Noldor encampments were and the ancient citadel of Tirisfal, Gondolin and Lothlorien. He did not know where to start or what to do, he had so much to do and so much on his mind. He continued to travel on the wagon for a while. He noticed a small red cross placed on the map in this area, something he had forgotten, apparently there used to be a Noldor encampment long ago. Perhaps this could give him some answers to his questions.
It was nearby, he jumped off the wagon, thanking the farmer for the ride before venturing into the forest, the bushes and plants covering the area, making it difficult to move forward fast. However, within a short time he had reached a large clearing in the forest, a massive rock stood in its center, gigantic, larger than the trees and most likely had the circumference like 6 trees combined. Approaching it, he quickly found a massive opening in the rock, leading down into the ground below.
As he ventured down into he darkness, he even with his elvish eyes and hearing, he had trouble finding his way, this was older than any other place he had seen before. He managed to go down the stairs, picking up a torch, lighting it, allowing him to see more easily, and as he continued he found several torches on the way, lighting them on the way down.
Reaching the end of the stairs he found himself in a large hall, with four massive pillars holding up the ceiling above. On the sides of the walls there were old banners, banners symbolizing the different houses in the elvish kingdom, some of them he did not recognize, some of them he had known before their line ended. At the center of the hall, a massive round stone table stood, with ten stone chairs placed around it, each with a symbol of each their own family crest, except for two of them. One of them has the symbol of the guardian on it, while the other had the symbol of the king on it. This was not just an outpost, this most likely used to be a meeting place for the elvish high council back in the day. The entire table was a massive map of the world, except it was outdated, he could see some changes had to be made. He made his way around the hall, finding massive bookshelves, filled with old parchment and books, the dust covering them entirely. He found an ancient book, pulling it from its shelve, he placed it on the table and sat down in one of the stone chairs, opening it slowly, he found that it contained knowledge and the history of the clan, as well as many other useful information. He dug into it and continued to read for many hours onward.
After several hours of studying and reading in this dusty old book, he found an interesting page. The page in question, described how the elves had traveled throughout the world and made several small villages, encampments and towns. More specifically it explained some of the story that he had questioned, what had happened after he left into exile and what happened to the Noldor. This sanctum where they would normally meet, it had not been used in ages. However there was mention of an ancient Fortress known as Nargothrond. It explained how this fortress were similar to how the dwarves used to make their cities, building them underground. Nargothrond was said to have many miles of caves and tunnels of various shapes and sizes carved through the rock, which was possibly limestone. There were three Great Halls centered around the other tunnels and caves, where the Lord of the city no doubt sat. The deepest of the caves was the Innermost Chamber where the treasures of the Noldor were stored. More importantly this book, told Medivh exactly where to go, to find this ancient fortress long lost. He placed the book in his satchel, and as he left the place, he extinguished the torches and as he walked out of the underground sanctum, he placed a large rock in front of the entrance blocking the vision of it before leaving on his journey.
- Leaving Landmark towards landmark 43 -
