Eastern Fire

Eastern Fire is a short story centered around the Gondorian border with Umbar, and details the situation of the region, and the eventual love triangle betwen Ildarion Elessar, Sarah Mason, and Larra Toran. Eastern Fire is followed later by the sequal in the form of Broken Borders of which furthers the plotline created with the involvement of Larra Toran. Within Eastern Fire also starts the stories of Balian Imrahil, and Tehlin Astirian of which Balian is the Lord of the fortress of Cair Andros, while Tehlin is a infuencial knight travellign across the broken eastern lands of Gondor.

Eastern Fire is another stand alone story to the main story, and can be read or not read depending on the interest in Gondor and the eastern situation. Two main plots are explored firstly being Dol Amroth in the east and the departure of Balian Imrahil from those lands to his current situation in Cair Andros. The second plot is Ildarion Elessar travelling to Ethring and trying to defend the land from an invasion from Umbar, that he doesn`t realize until its too late is being led from within.

POV Characters
Eastern Fire had several POV characters of which the main three were the members of the love triangle but also a few others including members of both sides of the border would take a POV chapter.

Chapter 1
Ildarion Elessar is the POV Character of this chapter and during this chapter he is growing up in the capital of Gondor and dreams of being a knight. He describes squiring for his father for several months but believes his father is disappointed in his silence, and thus after several months he is sent to Berethor Isilrim to squire and becomes a page in the White Tree Guard. Growing into himself alongside Berethor Isilrim he is told of his betrothal to Diane Agron, and when the two meet he is smitten with her, but later overhears her making fun of him to several of her friends. He is joined in his squiring with Berethor by young nobles in the form of Carahanir Girlithain, and Belernil Nimothan of whom he gets along with very well during their inital time together and for the first time in his life he has friends at his side. He goes northward with Berethor Isilrim and the White Tree Guard and they fight in a battle near Pelagir where they destroy a Trolloc force and return home heroes. Ildarion is knighted following this victory, and following this he is met by Diane Agron of whom basically forces him into bed and breaking their vows before marriage.

Chapter 2
Sarah Mason is the POV Character of this chapter and during this chapter she is born in Ethring and the timeline of the story takes a large jump due to the large difference in age between the two. During this chapter Sarah Mason is very young and spends most of her time with her brother Wilheim Mason. At the end of the chapter she saves her brother Wilheim from death and this leads to her having a different view of life then she did before the event.

Chapter 3
Balian Imrahil is the POV Character of this chapter and during this chapter he is growing up in Dol Amroth where he is extremely close to his younger brother Peter, and two sisters Susy and Lucy of whom both increasingly treat him as a father. He talks with his friend Caspian Valhare of whom has been in Dol Amroth learning at the Great University where he has become a loyalist to the old ways despite being from Pontus and Caspain reveals to him that his father has been corupted and may be too far gone to pull back. At first unbelieving that his father would fall to darkness he plays a trick on his father which results in him learning his father's true alliegences but he is able to trick his father once more by convinsing him of his own hatred of Gondor. The chapter ends with Balian going to Caspian and telling him the truth about his father and telling him to flee Dol Amroth because he is preparing to flee as well.

Chapter 4
Tehlin Astirian is the POV Character of this chapter and during this chapter he is born in Narvine and leaves home for the lands of the north in Pelagir where he will squire for a knight of Pelagir.

Chapter 5
Ildarion Elessar is the POV Character of this chapter and during this chapter he and his brother Eldarion of whom is fourteen travel to Osgiliath a few days before his sixteenth birthday and spend several days on the road and then in Osgiliath having fun. Returning home ot Minus Tirith he has his sixteenth birthday alongside his immediate family, and he is married several days after to Diane Agron of whom he has forgiven in his heart for her insult and now believes is a kind girl but following their marriage she constantly leads him to state functions of which make him incredibly uncomfortable, and this leads to him withdrawing from her. Years pass and they have two children together and he continues to rise in influence within the White Tree Guard, and his friendships with his two White Tree Guard grow to the point that he finally begins to feel okay about himself. His marriage with Diane Agron remains on shaky ground and her superior age makes things also difficult between the two, but in the days before he leaves with Berethor for the north the two are relatively happy with each other.

Chapter 6
Sarah Mason is the POV Character of this chapter and during this chapter she overhears her mother and father discussion matters of her marriage a man she recegnizes to be a man of Umbar due to the manner of his speach. Following his departure she confronts her parents of whom explain to her the truth of what is happening (Atleast some of the truth) and she realizes she has little choice in the matter of leaving her home to marry some monster in Umbar.

Chapter 7
Balian Imrahil is the POV Character of this chapter and during this chapter he gathers his siblings to him and tells them the truth of their father, and while Susan is skeptical Lucy and Peter believe him without question. Leaving his siblings to begin preperations he is stopped by his cousin Lothriel Imrahil of whom goes to him revealing that she is very happy he has joined them in hating Gondor and wanting independence. She reveals to him that she was planning on killing him but since he has seen the light she kisses him uncomfortably on the lips and says she is his now for whatever he desires before leaving him. Following this Balian meets with his brother where he learns about the happenings in Dol Amroth and with the discovery that his father and uncle are leading a force to destroy the rebels at Linhir of which leads to Balian to decide that the time is nearing being right for them to escape Dol Amroth. The chapter ends with Balian and Peter going to Illivian Grourg the well known Gondorian loyalist of whom led the Universities study of Dol Amroth history, and from him they would discover that House Elena was there best chance of escaping Dol Amroth but they also now knew that the Elena's were under siege and this might not be possible so they were advised by him that an escape by land was impossible but going to Rinlis and leaving by boat would be possible under the right circumstances.

Chapter 8
Orllon Geza is the POV Character of this chapter and during this chapter he is sitting in the gardens with his sister of whom asks him about the first time there father told him the truth of their loyalty. Orllon would quiet his sister of whom he took inside their home and warned to be more careful in where she discussed their secrets, but when she begin to cry he comforted her by telling her the story of their father telling him. Discussing how he was seven and returning from yet another long stay with their mothers family his father would take him deep into the tunnels beneath the palace where after twenty minutes of walking they came upon a massive hall where they met with men he quickly recegnized to be members of the Chosen of Sueve.

Chapter 9
Ildarion Elessar is the POV Character of this chapter and during this chapter he joins Berethor in travelling once again to Pelagir where they are to assist the forces of the town and defeat the Trollocs surrounding the city. The plan by Berethor is to move west of the city and link up with forces of Dol Amroth of whom are also coming into the aid of Pelagir, but as they move into the area they move too quickly and are spotted by a large force of Trolloc moving into the area. Not aware they were noticed they continue moving but on the banks of a creek they are attacked by the Trollocs and suffer large casualties. Berethor, and the command are nearly overrun but Ildarion seeing his mentor in trouble rallies several knights to him, and rallies the troops of whom overwhelm the numerically superior Trolloc center, and during the fighting Ildarion comes upon the leader of the Trollocs and kills him. As he stands over the dead body of the Trolloc he is initially extremely happy that he saved Berethor and Belernil comes to his side to congratuale him, but as they both look on horrified they see Carahanir fighting against a Trolloc and before they can arrive the Trolloc decaptiates Carahanir and takes the boys head and runs off laughing.

Chapter 10
Sarah Mason is the POV Character of this chapter and during this chapter she arrives in Umbar where she is greeted by many noble ladies of Umbar including Lanamir Bedroog the sister of Castamir, and Goldwhine the mother of Castamir and one of the most influencial women in Umbar. Sarah`s future husband is said to be away in Africanas where they are raiding Orc held lands for fun, and he won`t be returning for several months at the earliest, and during this time she will be the lady in waiting to Goldwhine. Taking up residence in the home of Goldwhine she finds the dynamics strange as Goldwhine has an almost romantic relationship with Castamir the Emperor of Umbar and while finding this strange she also understands how dangerous Castamir is after he kills two men in the middle of a council meeting for failing at a merchant mission to Estalia. Following this horrifying moment she begins to write home hoping they will bring her home, but is stopped by Lanamir of whom tells her to follow her. Lanamir takes Sarah on a tour of Umbar alongside some thirty guards and during the tour she speaks of how all the poverty, and violence here is the fault of Gondor and that they need to help the people here and the only way to do that is for Gondor and Umbar to become one again.

Major Characters Introduced=


 * Goldwhine Bedroog
 * Lanamir Bedroog


 * -|Events Introduced=


 * -|Places Introduced=


 * Umbar


 * -|Groups Introduced=

Chapter 11
Orllon Geza is the POV Character of this chapter and during this chapter he

Chapter 12
Tehlin Astirian is the POV Character of this chapter and during this chapter he

Chapter 13
Ildarion Elessar is the POV Character of this chapter and during this chapter he and Belernil finish burying the body of their friend, and then go to bed. Ildarion is awoken in his sleep by a horrifying dream where Carahanir is killed over and over again, and nothing he does can stop the Trolloc from his laughter. Emotionally shattered by what hes seen he and the remaining White Tree Guard return to Minus Tirith but this time not all as heroes as he hears people whispering about Berethor's mistake, but once again his own reputation has increased due to killing the Trolloc leader and saving the Gondor force from a massacre. He and Diane Agron spend the next weeks together and he can tell his depression is getting to her, but he can barely sleep anymore due to his nightmares and only holding his two young children, and thinking on the birth of his third to come bring him any kind of peace.

Chapter 14
Sarah Mason is the POV Character of this chapter and during this chapter she

Chapter 15
Balian Imrahil is the POV Character of this chapter and during this chapter he and Susan are sitting on the balcony looking out at Belfalas while contimplating the fate of the land when Ser Merz Tevarine comes to Balian to tell him that Linhir has fallen to his father and he is on his way back to Dol Amroth. Ser Merz reveals he knows the childrens true loyalties and tells Balian that he will protect him and that he will gather loyal men to his side and when the moment comes for Balian to escape he will be there to get him out of the city. Balian and Susan realize the time to escape is now and they go to Peter and tell him to gather Lucy for they are leaving the city. Balian leaves Susan to gather several of her ladies in waiting while Balian goes to Ser Merz and tells him that there leaving in the night and for Ser Merz to be ready for them at the southern gate of Belfalas. The chapter ends with the group about to leave but Susan convinses them to get there mother first and there is a massive confrontation with there mother of whom refuses to support them and gives them one hour before she blows the alarm horn warning of their escape.

Chapter 16
Tehlin Astirian is the POV Character of this chapter and during this chapter he

Chapter 17
Ildarion Elessar is the POV Character of this chapter and during this chapter he and Diane Agron have grown completely apart and this leads the two to begin to discuss divorce. Watching his marrige fall apart he would be approached by his father of whom told him that Diane's father had come to the city and petitioned to have the marriage annuled. Seeing that Diane no longer loved him led him to tell his father to agree to the terms and then following this he led a troop of Fountain Guard of whom traveled to the lands of the western provinces of Gondor and attempts to disuade them from fear, but he realizes in this moment that things are falling apart for Gondor in the west. Returning to Minas Tirith he tells his father that if the Lucernians or northern Islands ever attempted it would be very difficult to hold the western province.

Chapter 18
Sarah Mason is the POV Character of this chapter and during this chapter she moves

Chapter 19
Orllon Geza is the POV Character of this chapter and during this chapter he

Chapter 20
Tehlin Astirian is the POV Character of this chapter and during this chapter he

Chapter 21
Ildarion Elessar is the POV Character of this chapter and during this chapter he is told by his brother before his brother returns to his lands in northern Gondor that Diane has gone home to Arnor and that she took their three children with her, and that this happened during the night and no one had been able to stop her. Devastated by the loss of his children he goes to Berethor and discovers that his mentor has left the city and gone to his stay in Lamedon in shame. Leaving immediately for Lamedon he contimplates many things on the road as he travels northward with his brother Eldarion before the two depart when Eldarion must go back home to Dal Imnil. Arriving at Lamedon he finds Berethor and is able to convince him to come with him after telling him that he needs Berethor's loyalty as he plans on leading the White Tree Guard, but will only do it with Berethor at his side. Following his rise to the Captain General of the White Tree Guard he goes east where he visits the reconstruction of Pelagir and his uncle of whom tries his best there. While in Pelagir he is send a raven by his father in Minas Tirith that the Lucernians have attacked the west and he is in command of the army moving west to defend the lands.

Chapter 22
Sarah Mason is the POV Character of this chapter and during this chapter she moves

Chapter 23
Balian Imrahil is the POV Character of this chapter and during this chapter he

Chapter 24
Orllon Geza is the POV Character of this chapter and during this chapter he

Chapter 25
Ildarion Elessar is the POV Character of this chapter and during this chapter he

Chapter 26
Sarah Mason is the POV Character of this chapter and during this chapter she moves

Chapter 27
Balian Imrahil is the POV Character of this chapter and during this chapter he

Chapter 28
Tehlin Astirian is the POV Character of this chapter and during this chapter he

Chapter 29
Ildarion Elessar is the POV Character of this chapter and during this chapter he

Chapter 30
Orllon Geza is the POV Character of this chapter and during this chapter he moves

Chapter 31
Balian Imrahil is the POV Character of this chapter and during this chapter he

Chapter 32
Tehlin Astirian is the POV Character of this chapter and during this chapter he

Chapter 33
Ildarion Elessar is the POV Character of this chapter and during this chapter he

Chapter 34
Sarah Mason is the POV Character of this chapter and during this chapter she moves

Chapter 35
Balian Imrahil is the POV Character of this chapter and during this chapter he

Chapter 36
Tehlin Astirian is the POV Character of this chapter and during this chapter he

Chapter 37
Orllon Geza is the POV Character of this chapter and during this chapter he

The Road



 * "There was a sence that everything was going to better after we freed Minus Ithil, but the years following were nothing but. We fortified and we dug in, but the Orcs were still there. We hadn`t done anything to truly damage them, all we had done was push them back."


 * -Ildarion Elessar

It would be Sarah that would notice Ildarion far before he would notice her. As she left the encampment and headed back to Ethring she noticed a large group of Gondor soilders heading on the road and she approached the group. As she got closer she noticed that they were no regular troops as they were heavily equipped. As she was spotted several of them quickly got ahold of her and asked her what she was doing out this late, as it was well past midnight. As she was questioned she was placed into shackles as the gaurds were worried that she might be an assasin sent to kill the young prince. Instead of anwsering them back she questioned them back the same thing, and just as she was about to be put into a cage Ildarion got off his horse and approached her.

The Farmer's Daughter
See Also : Convsersations between Ildarion Elessar, and Sarah Mason




 * "Sometimes you should judge someone based on the first reaction you have. I didn`t trust her the first time I saw her, and looking back I see now the only reason I ever did was because I came to love her."


 * -Ildarion Elessar

As he approached her he noticed immediatly even in the darkness her alarming beauty but he also noticed that underneath her innocent eyes was a sort of mysteriousness that he usually was able to easily read as a trickster kind of person. His gaurds held her still and for some reason he didn't feel afraid of what she might do to him. He told Narmin Gent that he would watch the prisoner for awhile so that he could get some sleep, and when Narmin declined Ildarion made it a command, and thus Narmin and the three other gaurds left the prince with Sarah Mason of whome walked to the side of the road and sat against a tree. The two talked for a time before he removed her shackles and allowed her to be free of the constraints. She flirted with him openly as she had no idea who he was, and this caused him to laugh at her. When she became confused why he was laughing he responded by telling her that he was the crown prince of Gondor Ildarion Elessar, and this caused her to immediatly go from being herself for a moment to back to the loyal spy she was playing at being. As she begin to close herself off emotionally he became confused by her and despite his obvious attraction to her he told her to go home, and she relunctantly did so with neither of them having any idea that they would be meeting again sooner then either of them believed.

Ethring
See Also : Ethring




 * "You heard small talk amongst the generals that the south was saved only thanks to the unending fortifications of Ethring. I don`t know what castle they saw when they came south, but Ethring was ready to fall when I arrived. It would take months of hard work and a lot of resources just to get the castle and surrounding area ready for any kind of conflict."


 * -Ildarion Elessar

When Ildarion Elessar arrived in the town of Ethring alongside his small force of two hundred men, along with a dozen retainers he was shocked at the state of the town. The defences were in a terrible state, and the situation of the moral of the city appeared briefly on his walkthrough to be one where the population was teetering on the edge of mutiny. Seeing this angered the young prince and so he prepared to meet with the leadership of the town which at the time was held by council. When he called the council to meet with him he was shocked that at the one corner of the table was a small girl somewhere around his physical age. As the meeting commensed and he was filled in on the constant raids that rocked the town he couldn't help but be completely enthraled in the beautiful young women that was so vocal in her opinions throughout the meeting. As they all begin to exit the meeting the Lord of House Haines approached Ildarion and told him that he had some things that he should know before he was willing to stay in the town.

Learning



 * "People wandered about unsure of what to say to the prince. Did they tell him the rumors? Did they tell him that everything was falling apart, or did they just wait and hope someone else did before they had to. I couldn`t stand the silence anymore so I did what had to be done."


 * -Connington Haines

As Ildarion entered the Keep of Ethring he prepared to discuss things with Connington Haines of House Haines. When Connington arrived he had the man kept in the most enjoyable of positions. When they got to talking Connington told Ildarion that the town was in fact not controlled by the council since House Mason controlled the council and thus they controlled what went on. When Ildarion asked why only the girl of House Mason was in the meeting then Connington told him that she was sent as a sign of respect because she was something of a social pariah inside the town. When asked why this was Ildarion was told that rumors have said that she was silently a supporter of Umber, and that during her youth she lived in Umbar for a time and during this time she became loyal to that Kingdom, and since then has been silently working for the Kingdom of Umbar, and that during this time she is responsible for the steady decline in the situation of Ethring. Hearing all of this made the need to discuss things with this girl that intrigued him all the more important, and when he realized this Ildarion bid Connington to leave him and thanked him for assisting the honest role of goverment.



Sarah Mason

 * "He was just sad to his very core. While you could tell he did his utmost to push it away those that knew him well must have seen the sadness that I saw. I knew I loved him. I knew he would eventually have to die. I knew both those things from the very beggining."


 * -Sarah Mason

When Ildarion Elessar came to become more and more confortable in Ethring he came to live more and more at his friend Sarah Mason's estate then the actual fortress itself. The mason girl as she was called by those around the town was something of a mystery and it was whispered that she was a traitor, and these whispers while well heard were not popular due to the powerful position that her supportive House Mason stood in. Sarah for whatever he secrets was someone that Ildarion truly cared about, and other then his family it had been since the days of Dianna Agron that he had truly cared about another women in that way. This care made him nervous as he was told by his commanders and aids that she was known as a traitor. So while growing to have a lot of affection for Sarah he also spent a large amount of time testing her loyalty and the measures that she was willing to take in order to remain a loyal citizen. Sarah was aware of these tests each time he placed one on her, and after succesfully passing the many tests he did she finally confronted Ildarion on the reason why he had so little faith in her.