Middle Earth Gamer

A Glimpse Into the Past: Five Years with Aredhel and Life in the Shire

his days in the Shire seemed to stretch on endlessly, but it was the years Taranis spent with Aredhel that had changed him in ways he never imagined. Though their time together was brief, the memories they had made were precious, etched into his heart forever. Here are a few moments that stood out during those five years, the fleeting years that now felt like a lifetime ago.

The First Winter Together

The snow had started to fall early that year, blanketing the Shire in a layer of white that made the familiar landscape look brand new. Taranis had never seen the Shire in winter before, and he marveled at how the land transformed when covered in snow. It had been a quiet, peaceful winter—perfect for curling up by the fire with a good book, or a hot drink shared with company.

One evening, as Taranis sat in the cozy living room of his house, staring out the window at the falling snow, Aredhel joined him with a warm blanket wrapped around her shoulders. She had been helping Bilbo with the garden earlier in the day, but now she was inside, seeking the warmth of the fire.

"Do you ever miss Mirkwood during times like this?" Taranis asked, his voice gentle as he turned his attention to her.

Aredhel smiled softly, a wistful glimmer in her eyes as she gazed at the snow outside. "Sometimes," she admitted. "But there's something peaceful about the Shire that makes me feel at home. The snow here is different. It's lighter, softer than in Mirkwood. It makes everything feel... still."

Taranis watched her for a moment, the flickering fire casting a warm glow across her features. He couldn't help but notice how beautiful she looked in that moment—so unlike the elves of Mirkwood he had heard of. She was soft and warm, but still undeniably fierce, with a quiet strength that had drawn him in from the start. He knew, deep down, that this was something special. Aredhel had found a place in his heart that no one else had ever occupied.

"Would you like to take a walk?" Taranis suggested. "In the snow? It's quiet, peaceful. I think it would be beautiful to see it at night."

Aredhel smiled, her eyes lighting up at the thought. "That sounds lovely."

So they bundled up, grabbed a few extra blankets, and set out into the crisp winter air. As they walked through the Shire, the silence between them was comfortable—there were no words needed as they admired the beauty of the world around them. The white snow reflected the soft glow of the lanterns hanging outside hobbit homes, casting a serene, dream-like quality to everything.

Aredhel paused beside a small hill, watching the soft moonlight paint the landscape in silvery hues. "It's hard to believe how different things are from where I come from," she mused. "Mirkwood is a place of shadows, full of dark trees and hidden dangers. But here... here, it feels like a world of light."

Taranis stood next to her, glancing up at the stars. "And yet, it's still part of Middle-earth," he said. "Different, but connected. Maybe that's what makes it so special."

They shared a quiet moment, simply looking at the stars above, and for the first time since arriving in the Shire, Taranis felt at peace. This was the life he had always dreamed of—one filled with friendship, warmth, and a sense of belonging.

The Hobbits and Their Quirks

As the months passed, Taranis found himself growing more accustomed to life in the Shire, his days filled with simple pleasures. Bilbo Baggins, though eccentric at times, had become a steady friend, and Taranis found himself helping with tasks around the house—chopping wood, fixing the roof, or simply spending time with Bilbo as they enjoyed long discussions about life, adventure, and everything in between.