A Short History of the Easterlings by Himring  

Time Turns a Corner

Some time after the Nirnaeth Arnoediad and the events that followed it, Borlach's daughter looks back.

First person POV.

A follow-up to "In the Shadow of the Forest", written for a SWG Insta-drabbling session.

When I was a child of ten winters, one time it was my turn to be with Aunt Borgun, to see she had all she needed and listen to her, for she was old and wise. In the evening, I sat with her by the fire, by the crackling flame, when she nodded off a little.

Suddenly she startled awake.

‘Child,’ she said and seized me by the chin.

‘What is it, Aunt?’ I asked, worried, as she stared into my face, muttering.

‘I dreamed that I saw a girl back east, in the great forest under the sky where I was born, and yes, I am sure it was not me, it was you, but older than you are now!’

‘But I do not want to go back east,’ I cried, alarmed. ‘I love it here!’

And I did love our life in the Marches of Maedhros, even knowing its dangers. I loved all my family, and I adored Lord Maedhros with all my young girl’s heart.

‘I know you do,’ said Borgun.

But soon after, she began teaching me all she remembered about the great forest and its lore. I gave in and learned with good grace. It was our history after all, I told myself.

But now my father and his brothers lie dead on the northern plain among the ashes.

And I am here.

Chapter End Notes

The main prompts I was responding to are these:

- last night you spoke of a dream where forests stretched to the east (From: Loreena McKennitt, Courtyard Lullaby)
- Remember the sky that you were born under, know each of the star’s stories.
(From: Joy Harjo, Remember)

But I was also influenced by a number of another prompts given out in that session. 

The title is taken from Jan Schreiber, "All the Bright Illusions", which also furnished the prompt: I’m wise and damaged now.