Death Is A Lie

Lithariel

Lithariel. Yes, that is my name. I'm the daughter of Queen Marwen of the shore. I'm from Nurn, but I'd heard about this man. The walker of graves. He was said to be in Udûn. So in this forsaken land I hid. My mother told me of his abilities, but he still surprised me. Fighting off orcs whilst killing the Hammer. Impressive. I hid behind the barrels of grog, keeping a close eye out for any orcs. I saw him suddenly knock over the Hammer and stab him multiple times in the chest. From here I could clearly see the pain on his face.

"This is for Ioreth!" I heard him shout through his tears. When he stood up, a look of almost regret flashed over his face before passing. He turned to look at something that was not there and spoke with quiet authority.

"He slaughtered my entire family before my eyes. What would you have done?" Slowly I creep up next to him. Fear throbs through me, though I do not show it. This must be Talion, he is speaking to the wraith.

"Do you speak with the living, or only with the dead?" I tentatively speak. He jerks his head in my direction. He must not've seen me.

"Who are you?" He asks in a soft voice. This surprises me, I'd expect the rumored man of terror and death to be more...gruff. But he just seems sad. That makes him all the more strange.

"My name is Lithariel, from the Sea of Núrnen." I pause, and look out over the wreckage he has around him. We are in an orc stronghold, and not one thing has been untouched by his destruction. "My mother said you would be here. And here you are." He too glances out across the road.

"Well, Lithariel from the Sea of Núrnen, you should have stayed where you were." He gestures the body of the Hammer. "There's nothing here but death." I narrow my eyes.

"Lady Marwen, Queen of the shore, wishes an audience with you." I circle him as he tries to turn away. "She has seen visions of your misfortune." He snorts, and walks away laughing.

"A queen who sees visions?"

Angry now, I growl out the last words to him. "Visions of the return of the Great Celebrimbor." This stops him in his tracks. I sheathe my sword. "She wishes to make him an offering." He just stands there.

"And what is this offering?" Gods, what's with all these questions?! Unfortunately for him, my mother gave me not the offering.

"That is all I know." Walking away, I accept my defeat. This man will not listen to anyone. "I must gather provisions. The return to Núrnen is long and treacherous."

I add on a last bit, just in case he changes his mind. "My camp is close by. It would be my honor to escort you." I turn and gather what I can from the corpses of the orcs as he stares at the horizon. I hear Uruks arriving, and quickly return to camp. Night is approaching, and the ghûls will rip the flesh from my bones if I do not make it back to the safety of fire. Such is the nature of Mordor. Nowhere is safe. Nothing is sure. Maybe this Gravewalker can change that.