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The Burial of Hador Lorindol

Aradan's Road

A barrowed road passes between the houses and workshops of the residents of Hadorsford, packed earth along the northeastern end among the pastures and steadings north of town, turning to cobbled stone nearer the marketplace and town's center. Amidst the simple residences, near the edge of town stands a stout hall, flying the swan banner of Dor-lomin, where the levy of guardsmen and common warriors reside. Standing on the side of the road, a little path leading to it, is a freshly raised mound, the last dwelling of Hador Lorindol and his son Gundor.

The people of Dor-Lomin have gathered. The length of Aradan's road is lined with people. Heads are hung in sadness. Whispers swirl through the crowds, many telling stories of Hador's last stand. Others of more commonplace happenings of the former lord.
From the south a small procession comes. It is lead by two coffins, made of wood from trees that had grown by the Lalaith river. The bearers are six each, three to a side, each one a member of Hador and Gundor's guard and household. The march side-by-side down the road, heading to the hastily built mound. In the train of these caskets walks Hador's wife. She is supported on either side by Galdor and by Hareth. The procession is a slow one, one which drips with honour.

Indeed a silence of death sweeps over the crowd as the couple of caskets moves slowly up, heading at the frehsly raised mound, brown and grim earthen dwelling to the two fallen lords. Head drop and a silent prayer to the power that watch the world is either muttered or skim the lips of many. A hay of guard, black like crows stands at the entrance of the mound, soldiers and officers alike. Yet Elagil isnt with them, standing in the crowd near with a blonde lady, his face sorrowful, but all his gaze are for the princely couple and Hador widow.

Within the crowd of Dor-Lominers is Acalewin. His cloths still muddied from recent outings into the woods, and his bow slung across his back as he watches the procession as best he can. His blonde hair is pulled back into a pony-tail out of his face with a leather thong, though some of it hangs down in whisps of gold. He, like most of the crowd, is silent as the feelings of death and sorrow flow from the caskets and those closest to them. His eyes are fixed upon the guards and the widow behind the pallbearers.

A few feets behind the procession, the marachian known has Glorfin walks slowly, is eyes looking at the traces of the procession, his eyes reflecting the darkness of the moment, his hair tied, and wearing is best outfit for the occaison. In is hand he keeps is pet close to him, like if the weasel was wall protecting him from the pain of having lost is Lords.

Even the weather sultry and stormy seems of the burial. Heavy clouds hang low over the plains and wood and over the town of Hadorsford, empited of its inhabitants. All are here and righ behind Galdor, a few parents of Hador, lords of Dor-Lomin and picked knight, most noticable there, tall and lordly Indor holding the hand of his daughter, Aerin. Missing yet are the two sons of Galdor and any relatives of lady Hareth. No wind blow and the heat of summer is taking its toll and many a pallbeaer brow glistens with sweat yet the stone faced men doesnt seem to mind, walking like automats bearing a burden too heavy for mortal shoulders.

The procession continues iits stately walk along the road, finally coming to a stop at the mounds. The bears carryout their stern duty, a coffin for each mound, Hador's in the southmost mound, closest to his house, Gundor's in the northmost. Galdor's mother steps no closer to the mounds, indeed she is rooted to the ground it seems, the odd tear drips down her cheek. Hareth is equally affected, and it seems Galdor too would shed tears were it not for his stoicness.

Standing at Elagil's side in the crowd, Lindis does not notice the trails of tears that glimmer on her face. She has eyes only for the procession, for the two caskets, and for the ones who loved Hador and Gundor most deeply. Some heads are bowed in sadness, others held high wherever Edain of Hador's House refuse to be cowed by their grief - yet they all share the one terrible sorrow.

The marachian scout stops moving when he see's the mound. that's it, it's the end of the road for the valiant leaders of Dor-lomin. At that tought Glorfin takes a deep breath, closes both eyes and begin to pray for the sake of the Gundor, for Hador and his widow. Slowly he takes is pony tail in one hand, and a dagger in the other and cut's it in half, one half for Hador, and one for Gundor, is own way to tell them that they wont be forgoten.

Elagil wraps a arm around Lindis shoulders, pulling her weakly to his side. He winces himself, eyes gleaming of the water accumulating there ad slowly like the rain which doesnt want to fall, a lone tear drops, finding its way down on his cheek and loosing itself in his stubble. But his head turns following the grim hearse. "Poor lady" mutters Elagil to the attention of her glanincg at the lady of Hador, "She was so high, a husband and a son..." he sighs and mutters again "Come closer to the caskets." he says.

The sky has begun to overcast. The light is bleak and the faces resemble the love all had for thier Lords. Khale remains silent, his face awash of sorrow and dispare. Although little can be seen of the Guard, it is recognizable that he is holding back tears that apply a tremendous amount of strain on his face. finally he can nolonger take it. A stream of tears quell in his eyes and roll down his cheek. The guard remains stiff. He makes no movment to brush them aside with his sleeve. His eyes remain focused on the coffins. The remaining symbols of two fallen Lords. Two fallen "MEN". Two Beloved.

Galdor's mother has stood silently for some time. Now she turns gracefully, her hand raising once to wipe tears from her face. Hareth guides the lady back down the road towards the marketplace once more. Galdor is left standing alone for a moment. From a page he takes two swords, one Gundor's one his own, the greatsword of dor-lomin remains strapped at his waist. He approaches the mounds, lays Gundor's sword upon the coffin, his own upon his father's, murmuring, "This shall protect you in the life beyond." He stands and follows his mother home.

Nodding silently, Lindis takes Elagil's hand and follows him. She cannot tell what pains her most - the sight of Hador's widowed bride, or of Galdor standing tall by the mounds, or of Gloredhel, now a lady of Brethil but still bound to her father's blood. The sight of the swords placed on the burial mounds unnerves her, though she does not hear Gundor's words at the graveside. 'Surely they will need no weapons in the life beyond life?' she asks herself. Yet nothing seems certain any longer.

Khale strides over to the coffin. Kneelling he whispers the words "Eds Arvo Manikan Remainod" -When there is many to live for, Dying comes hard. He romoves a small flower from beneath his uniform, removes two pettles and places them on the mounds. Saluts and departs from the sacride ground.

Holding a piece of its pony tail in each hand, Glorfin get's closer to the mounds, he slowly puts each piece on top of each coffins, like if it was a flower, and slowly turns away from the scene, his eyes go from Galdor and all those in pain, and he nods in respect to each of them before getting away from the crowded place in silence.

Elagil's eyes follow the white lady of Dor-Lomin and the silhouette of Hareth once but again, the iron of his eyes is attracted back, like by a magnet to Galdor, laying the last honours near his father and brother. As the rest of Galdor family follows him back to his house, only a few lord and knight stands near, watching the end of the funeral. And then comes the round of commoners going to see the son of Hathol a last time.
Squeezing the hand of the maid, Elagil shakes his head and moves onward, taking his place in the line, watching Glorfin afore him.

Reaching the pair of caskets, Lindis kneels and places a kiss on each. Rising, she sings a short linnod, very softly. "You gave life to this House; life has left this house with you." The Elvish words are quite distinct - the first indicates the House of Hador, the second is the spirit-house of his body.

Elagil imitates Lindis and long watches the face of each, watching the great beauty of the father and son. He sighs and turn toward the officer and the knight nearby. He turns, assessing the crowd behind "As soon as you can... Let the mounds open with an honor guard.." he quickly orders, trying to check the rolling tears, but he isnt the sole to weep, the most hardened veteran of Hador guard are also.

It has been many minutes scince Khale has departed from the mounds. His mind is a busle of Confusion. His thoughts stry from the descriptions of the two lords give by his father many years ago. He remembers a passage from a book that sits at his desk. "What happens to those that are so lov'd by so many? Do they remain in or presence for aslong as we are unable to release them? Or is that we cannot fully understand the reason the lives are lost in the first place. All are ment to die, but so younge, so accomplished. How could the universe let so lov'd a one depart from the path of life?"

Highly comfused by sorrow, it's whitout ease that Glorfin says to Elagil and Lindis" I will miss Gundor terribly you know." he then looks back at Elagil and try's to smile a bit has he states.

The maiden's brows tremble for an instant, as Glorfin's sadness pierces her. Lindis bows her head low. "No, them we shall never forget. Wherever songs are sung, their names will be raised high, always."

Elagil takes a few step out of the crowd that lins behind the caskets, each townfolk saying a word or letting a little something. Many knew the lords and Hador was ever close to his people. Turning toward Glorfin, Elagil can but nods sadly "Aye, they will be missed, I was just speaking to Lindis about the widow of Hador, I fear she wont live long.... A husband and a son lost at the same time... horrible..."

And at least the crowd slowly spread in house or fields, yet little work will be achieved today and noon nears, the sky as overcast as it was when the grim ceremony started. Now it resumes and the guard finishes the grim task, lifting again the caskets on their shoulders. And slowly, reverently they enter the darkness of the barrows...

"I'll come back tomorrow a last time... To check guards as well... Lets move to the inn or wherever you wish" Elagil says to Lindis "Join us if you desire Glorfin, it isnt a day to spend alone." Long distance to Baradil: Elagil understands but I was sure you knew, I insisted so much yesterday about having all agree on the same time.

"He's right, Glorfin," Lindis murmurs. "Today is a time for the people of Dor-lomin to be together. I for one would welcome your company. The inn is fine for me."

"As you wish Glorfin" Elagil replies, wiping the tear of his cheek. Adjusting his shirt, he nods straightening himself a bit. "We are her yet, if you need company, please Glorfin..." Elagil heaves loudly and moves onward, hurried seeming to leave this place.

Walking to the deserted marketplace at Elagil's side, Lindis murmurs, "That morning I shall be glad not to repeat, fair as it was. May Galdor's sword hold sway over Dor-lomin for long years to come!"