The Identity Quest--Chapter 1

The Identity Quest

Note: This story plot is NOT a revision to the books The Hobbit or The Lord Of The Rings. Some ideas came from the movies and books, and the characters of different people are based on those same people in the books, but I am not attempting to edit those books. The storyline roughly follows that of the movies and the storyline in the Appendixes from The Lord of the Rings; this is not intended to be a “improvement” on The Lord of the Rings or The Hobbit. I consider those books excellent and not in need of any alterations; this is just a story based in Middle-Earth during the time of The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit, and also slightly before it.

Chapter 1

Melda and Family--a missing mother

Melda walked along the path, troubled. Her father was not given to being cheerful, nor to constant smiling, but he was grimmer than was his wont. When she asked what was amiss, he told her to go and play. “What could be wrong?” she asked herself worriedly. “And where is my mother? She should have returned yesterday. I wish I could go with her on her visits to the Fair Folk.” Melda's mother, Tolowen, was neither Elf or Dwarf; she was both. Kili, one of Thorin Oakenshield's twelve companions in the journey to recover Erebor and also Thorin's nephew, had fallen in love with a Wood-elf, Tauriel. Before the Battle of the Five Armies, they had married in secret (for Elves and Dwarves did not marry in those days), and Tolowen was born. Kili had been killed in that battle, and Tauriel had gone to the Grey Havens, leaving Tolowen with her kin. Tolowen had met Ranfea in Rivendell, and they had been married soon after.

Ranfea was one of the Dúnedain, a race of men who had lived in Númenor before its fall. In times past, they were much more numerous, but now they had dwindled to a small people, roaming the hills. The Dúnedain were more akin to Elves than other men, and they spoke a language among themselves very like to the Elvish spoken in Rivendell, which was not the speech of the Wood-elves. His hair was light brown, and he had hazel eyes. He was not exceptionally tall, but he was not short either.

Ranfea had brought his bride back to his people, where they now lived. Melda did not like to always be roaming, but there were always new things to see and places to explore. “Perhaps Father is worried because Mother has not returned,” she thought suddenly. “If she has been hurt, I do not know what Father will do!” Just then Ranfea came out of his tent and called to her, “Melda, come and eat!” As he watched her run up the path towards him, he was struck by her grace. She moved with the grace of an Elf, though her face was not as fair. Her long brown hair streamed out behind her as she ran, and her brown eyes watched him intently and with a knowing look, though she was still a child in the reckoning of the Dúnedain. She was about 30 years by Shire-reckoning, but to the Dúnedain she was about 9. The Dúnedain aged more slowly than other Men, because of their blessing from Ilúvatar, who created the world. “Where is Mother?” she asked him as the two walked to their tent. Ranfea hesitated. “I do not know. I intend to go to the Wood-elves and ask what has befallen her. ” Melda's face clouded, and he hastily added, “She likely tarried there, and will arrive soon.” Melda was not fooled, though she did not show it.

The next day they started for Mirkwood, the home of the Wood-elves. Melda had long wished to see the tall trees and waving branches which marked the land of her kin. Indeed, she had though of asking her mother if she could come along on her mother's next visit, but now it was not needed. In spite of her worry, she was glad to be out in the bright sun and tall grass, on a horse, and off to Mirkwood! She loved her horse, whom she had named Thalion, meaning Steadfast or Strong.

Ranfea did not show it, but he was not in high spirits. He was worried about Tolowen, and his worry was the greater since she had never failed to return on the day appointed before. However, Melda's cheerfulness and the beautiful day helped to enliven his spirits as well. His horse was named Lhach, which means leaping flame.

They traveled from the wild lands east of Rohan to Mirkwood, and through Mirkwood to the fortress of the Wood-elves. On the way, Ranfea did not speak much, but he did point out to Melda the signs of a disturbance in Mirkwood as they rode along. “The Wood-elves still do not go near the south-western edge of the forest, where Dol Guldur lies. When the Company of Thorin Oakenshield came to Mirkwood, they passed over the Misty Mountains and went on the Forest Road and avoided that region altogether. Now the giant spiders have been coming in ever-greater numbers from that place, and with increasing boldness. Be wary! They are foes to be reckoned with, especially in great numbers.”

“Why do the Elves suffer the great spiders to live?” asked Melda. “They have tried several times to root out the spiders entirely, but did not succeed, although the land was clearer for a time. ” “They dare not go near Dol Guldur, where the spiders issue from,” answered Ranfea. “The Wood-elves hate the giant spiders, and show them no mercy.” He sighed. “Father, is Mother alright?” asked Melda. “I do not know,” Ranfea said. “But she most likely is, and soon we will be back in the wild with our people,” he added quickly. “Come, enough of this talk. I know you have always wished to meet Elves!”

Melda was beginning to be seriously worried. Her father was hiding something. She said nothing, however, and asked about the length of the trip. “We will cross the River Running by the eastern edge of Mirkwood, and go past where Laketown was, ” her father answered. “Then we will go to the Wood-elves' fortress. We will find your mother, and take her back with us; however, we may stay several days, since it is time you met the Wood-elves.”

He paused for a moment before continuing, “Before we arrive there, it would be well for you to know something of their customs and way of life. In the days after the Woodland Realm was founded, there was peace for many years. Then Smaug came, and he caused much mischief. He would have caused more, I am sure, but your grandfather and great-uncle went with their uncle, Thorin Oakenshield, as two of his company. Smaug was driven out and killed, as you know, by Bard. Bard is now Ruler in Dale. But I wander from my story.

“Now there is peace between the Wood-elves and the Dwarves, and goods go from the land of the King under the Mountain to Mirkwood. The Wood-elves have begun again to hold many feasts in the wood, as was their wont of old. They are merry and love wine, food, and other such things. Be wary that you be not caught up in the feasting so that you forget you are not all an Elf! They can hold more wine than we, and it is unseemly for a person to drink too much. They also love to sing, and will sing ballads all day and night if taken with the fit. Wood-elves hunt, and I think you will learn the practice while we are there.

“But remember this above all else: do not lose yourself in song or feast or hunt. Remember that one day you may have to fight. Do not lose yourself in ale or wine. If it is necessary for me to leave, I will ask the Elvenking's son, Legolas, to look after you. He is old, and wise enough to make sure you do not get too deep into trouble.”

It took them several days, but at last they reached the fortress where the Wood-elves lived.

Bell 

Melda's Adventures Redo

I am going to rewrite all of Melda's Adventures. I will remove all of the original chapters to avoid confusion.

Bell

Book Review: This Rich and Wondrous Earth

This Rich and Wondrous Earth, by Mrs. Linda Burklin, is an excellent and well-written book telling about her childhood growing up in central Africa at a boarding school for missionary children.  Mrs. Burklin clearly and in a manner easy to read tells about her adventures and education there. She conveys her ideas and experiences clearly. This book is very enthralling! I thoroughly enjoyed it, and especially her account of their half-term amusements. During their time at the river, they would select shady areas to build “half-term houses” in, because at half-term they were allowed to spend the Rest Hour in those “houses” with the others who helped build it. Groups of girls would select a spot and build the half-term house together. Much time was passed by discussing what to furnish the house with!  

I really suggest that you read this book.

Bailie 

A Poem about part of the Simarillion

One day I was reading the Simarillion and I decided to write a poem about the section where it describes how Arda (Earth) was created. So here it is:

When all was dark and empty still,

Before the world was made or formed;

Ilúvatar did create all

The Ainur, out of the great Flame.

They sang, and learnéd many things

That Eru taught to them himself,

The Great Creator of all things.

Ilúvatar calléd them to sing

And he declared a mighty theme

More great than any made before.

A graceful chord was forméd then,

Each sang of what he thought, adorning

The base Motif with varied strains,  

All in accordance with the Theme.

But Melkor brought into the song

A new theme which was strange, discordant; 

He sought more power for himself

And discord quickly rose about him;

So many then did silent fall,

And sang they then no more that day;

With him some joinéd his theme singing

Until a storm began to rage

And neither then did mastery gain.

Arose with lifted hand Eru;

New theme began amidst the storm,

Both like and unlike to the old;

But Melkor’s theme was louder still;

Ilúvatar grew stern of face.

Then did he rise again, this time

His other hand uplifted high.

This theme did seem full soft and sweet,

But yet it still could not be quenched;

It grew in pow’r and wisdom great. 

Full beautiful yet blended with

A sorrow that could not be measured,

From which the beauty chiefly came.

Now Melkor’s theme had now achieved

A unity, still it vain and clamorous was;

It seeméd like to many trumpets braying

Upon a few notes endlessly.

But yet it seemed the most triumphant notes

Were taken by the other, and

Then woven in, and made its own.

Then Eru rose, both hands upraised;

A piercing chord and all was still.

He spoke to all and said to them

That he would later bring these things

That they had sung and show them forth,

To show Ilúvatar was he.

And told he Melkor to recall

From he, Ilúvatar, sprung all

Of what was ever made.  

Then Melkor shaméd grew;

And from this shame great anger sprung

Secret, fierce, and strong.

Ilúvatar went forth arrayed

In splendor very great;  

And showed Ainur a vision grand.

Behold your Music! he declared.    

He gave them sight to put with sound.

Thus he made Arda at the start. 

Bell 

Why The Constitution is Important

The Constitution was created by the Founding Fathers. Why? Because they were looking for liberty. Liberty, not Democracy. The people who started the French Revolution were looking for Democracy. They wanted power. The Founding Fathers wanted freedom. They knew what human nature is and they came up with this system of checks and balances to combat it.

People want power. People like power. There is something satisfying about showing another person that “I’m better than you are.” We like to be the person in charge, the top dog, all those things. But people can’t be trusted with power. Once we have some, we want more.

The Constitution is not a charter, granting us the rights mentioned inside. It protects these rights, but it does not grant them. These rights are part of our birthright. They cannot be changed, modified, or removed by anyone. This is very important! The Constitution is based on old British Common Law, which in turn is based on the two fundamental principles: Do all you have agreed to do, and Do not encroach on other persons or their property. All major religions and philosophies support those two principles.

Humans have a sense of right and wrong. Children know when something is fair: they know that it is not right to take all the toys, or more of the toys, instead of sharing them equally. This is not something that we learn from books or movies, it is part of us. We are born with it. 

We have moved into a law system where what is right and wrong is based on political law. Political law is the law that the current government has laid down. With this system, what is right or wrong can change every time the government changes hands. You cannot predict what is right or wrong under political law, because it is always changing. There is no stability. A country cannot do well under political law because the law is different with each new government.

Decisions are no longer made according to whether they are right or wrong, but they are made according to the whim of the people. Since this whim changes all the time, so do the laws. This makes it very much like trying to play a game of baseball while the audience is voting on changing the rules every few minutes. It is very difficult to know what to invest in when the rules are changing so often. Under the Constitution, politicians cannot change the law whenever they want. It is based on the two fundamental principles and not on the whims of the people.

 This is why the Constitution is important. 

-Bell