The Tarnished in LOTR with Elden Ring

In the early Second Age, the entire northwestern region of Middle-earth was covered by vast primeval forests, and the woodlands of the Eregion headland were merely part of this great forest.

The forest's inhabitants were indigenous humans related to the Haleth family.

However, with the Númenóreans' return to Middle-earth and the outbreak of war between the Elves and Sauron, the ancient forests suffered devastating destruction.

The Númenóreans clear-cut trees for shipbuilding, while Sauron sent troops to burn the forests.

Thus, in the late Second Age, many surviving forest natives fled to Eregion.

These forest natives survived and lived on to this day, becoming a secretive hunting people.

Tarnes had already arrived in the lord's hall with Rogier and D, greeting Nepheli Loux, who had just finished handling other Moen City affairs, while also sending someone to summon Edgar to listen to Rogier and D's report together.

Though for Nepheli Loux, this was her second time hearing it.

Tarnes tapped the table with his hand, producing a crisp sound. Rogier understood and closed his mouth, using his eyes to ask what questions he had.

Tarnes voiced his confusion: "From what you and D described about Eregion, it doesn't seem like anything serious. Why would you say it's absolutely terrible there?"

Rogier let out a good-natured laugh, glancing at D's armor before saying, "That's because after we encountered those hunting peoples, they wanted to hunt us. Of course, it's also possible that Darian's armor style frightened them."

D retorted with dissatisfaction, "This has nothing to do with my armor. You also saw how these people live like savages. Both men and women wear vests made of animal hide, exposing their chests, with rough vines wrapped around their waists, simple animal hide skirts below, and sandals woven from tree bark on their feet... If not for their appearance, I would have thought they were Misbegotten or demi-humans from somewhere."

Tarnes pondered for a moment and asked, "So the people of Eregion are still in a primitive tribal state?"

Rogier nodded: "Exactly. The intelligence I'm telling you was obtained after we defeated those savages who wanted to hunt us. The only fortunate thing was that we could understand their language, and they could understand what we said."

At this time, Edgar, now deputy lord of Moen City, spoke in a somber tone: "Lord Tarnes, if you wish to subdue these savages, it will require great effort. I don't mean military conquest—defeating these savages would be simple. The important thing is how to make them submit and civilize them after defeating them."

D also agreed: "The people in Eregion are truly difficult to communicate with. Even after knowing we're human like them, they still wanted to hunt us and treat us as food. It's simply unreasonable."

Tarnes looked toward Rogier: "What do you think?"

Rogier shrugged: "This time I also agree with Darian's view. The natives in Eregion's forests are extremely xenophobic and have a low level of civilization. Moreover, there's nothing special about that place—leaving these natives alone won't affect the Golden Tree at all."

Tarnes nodded: "Alright, I understand. We'll leave Eregion alone for now."

Then he cleared his throat and told everyone in the lord's hall about the Lond Daer situation and his subsequent plan to find Gandalf.

"Nepheli Loux, I'm entrusting Stormveil Castle to your management—it's returning the city to its rightful owner. After all, it was originally the Storm Lord's castle, wasn't it?" Tarnes looked at Nepheli Loux with a smile.

After listening quietly, Nepheli Loux also smiled: "Then I'll return Moen City to Edgar. He's most familiar with this castle, so naturally he should manage it."

Edgar immediately said, "No, Lady Nepheli Loux, you jest. Your understanding of Moen City now is no less than mine. Your management these days has impressed me—you're truly worthy of the Storm Lord title."

Nepheli Loux waved her hand, then looked serious as she said to Tarnes, "Tarnes, I'm afraid your plan to find Gandalf will have to be postponed. During your absence, there's something you don't know about—it concerns the Dwarves."

Upon hearing this, Tarnes became somewhat nervous.

He asked carefully, "Related to the Dwarves? They didn't finally start fighting with the Elves, did they? No one was hurt, right? What about the Elves?"

The only thing that could make him immediately abandon searching for Gandalf would probably be the Dwarves and Elves finally coming to blows.

Nepheli Loux was startled, understanding Tarnes had misunderstood, so she quickly explained, "You've misunderstood. Though the Dwarves and Elves in the territory don't get along, they coexist peacefully. They've divided boundaries and live in their respective areas without causing conflicts. Well, there are minor disputes, but they only argue with each other—it hasn't come to physical confrontation."

Only then did Tarnes relax, asking, "Then what's this matter about the Dwarves?"

Nepheli Loux replied, "The situation is this: after you led the Misbegotten away from here, a week later that Dwarf named 'Fili' came here again with many wagons. He said he was following his teacher's agreement to trade with our Golden Tree."

Tarnes nodded thoughtfully: "Yes, there was such a thing. Then what? Did something unexpected happen?"

Nepheli Loux continued, "Not at all. Our trade with the Dwarves went very smoothly, and several more Dwarves stayed behind, forming a commercial district specifically for Dwarf trade. Though they didn't get the ores or gems they wanted, the fruits and vegetables from the Golden Tree, along with those golden eggs and wool, satisfied them greatly. Cough, but that's not the point—the point is Fili found me and left a message for you."

Tarnes asked with interest, "What did that boy Fili say?"

Nepheli Loux said, "He said that around next month, mid-July, his uncle Thorin would come."

Tarnes felt somewhat surprised: "Thorin? Why would Thorin come?"

Nepheli Loux speculated, "I don't know the details. Fili didn't elaborate, just said it was to thank you specifically. Perhaps when you left, you helped some Dwarves along the way?"

Tarnes became even more confused: "Wait, thank me? But I didn't encounter any Dwarves at all on my way back from Lond Daer."

Nepheli Loux shrugged: "Anyway, it's not a bad thing. We'll know when the time comes."

...

Time passed steadily, neither fast nor slow, reaching mid-July of the year 2939.

The Golden Tree's territory, like invisible and intangible time itself, developed peacefully.

New Misbegotten had been summoned by Tarnes during the remaining time in June, rushing to Lond Daer Great Port with supplies.

The Lion Misbegotten also sent a Winged Misbegotten back with a report on Lond Daer's situation—aside from occasional Orcs who came to scout and were discovered and shot down by patrolling Winged Misbegotten in the sky, everything else was normal.

Nepheli Loux had returned to Stormveil Castle, and the Golden Tree territory's skies now had Storm Hawks patrolling.

These children of the storm could see farther distances, promptly reporting intelligence to the Godrick Royal Army patrolling on the ground.

During the time before Thorin's arrival, Tarnes also drew personnel from the Golden People to build roads between Stormveil Castle, Moen City, and Haight Fortress.

This sparsely populated land of Minhiriath lacked everything except stones, so Tarnes didn't need to worry about lacking materials for road construction.

Meanwhile, Rogier and D were sent out again by Tarnes, this time heading to Tharbad—another ruin that Elrond had requested Tarnes to rebuild.

Tarnes figured that if Orcs dared to conduct repair work at Lond Daer, there was no reason they wouldn't rebuild Tharbad in the same river basin.

Moreover, regardless of whether Orcs were there or not, Tharbad was a place they would visit sooner or later—better to have Rogier and D scout the situation in advance.

Before departing, Rogier jokingly called himself Tarnes' "royal pathfinder."

However, D didn't object this time and quite liked Rogier's self-designation.

On the very day Tarnes received the Lion Misbegotten's reply, news of Thorin's arrival also reached his ears as he meditated beside the Golden Tree.

"Tarnes, praise you! My dear friend! Thank you for teaching Fili and Kili such powerful magic!"

Just as Tarnes saw Thorin's handsome face that stood out among other Dwarves, the other party came running over with joy, giving him a big embrace.

From the wagon Thorin had descended from, Fili and Kili also appeared, both looking surprised at their uncle Thorin's rare display of happiness.

While Tarnes smiled back and bent down to return Thorin's embrace, he wondered inwardly:

Powerful magic? Could he be referring to those prayers I taught them?

[Chapter Complete]

***

Want more? Check out my Patreon for:

✓ Advanced chapters of all my stories

✓ Exclusive novels & fanfics

✓ Early access content www.patreon.com/meowthtl

💪 Community Goal: 500 Power Stones unlocks a bonus chapter!

Thanks for reading and supporting the story!