Awarthnur
TITLE:
Arphedil nos Forodren (Retainer of House Forodren), Parvasson a Linnor -- Pint-sized Elleth o Imladris -- Squeak-Toy of General Amusement -- The Goose
DESCRIPTION:
Eyes that alternate in color to mimic the blue-green or grey hues of the deep sea are striking, commanding attention as they stare out at you from a clear facade of lightly-toned skin, set deeply among thick eyelashes and below two carefully arched eyebrows. Full lips possess a natural, upward tilt, broadening when the mood is right or wilting into a severe frown when displeasure reigns. Thick, playful curls of amber-bronze gleam in hues of golden pomegranate when hit by unadulterated sunlight, their tips trimmed below the curve of her shoulder blades for comfort and convenience.
On any given day one would not be amiss to expect to find her in an egg-shell tunic with a square neckline embroidered with the peaks of mountain ranges and the waves of distant seas. A fitted, double-stitched umber vest gives form to her torso and accentuates her subtle feminine curves while a loosely draped leather girdle riding low on her hips serves well for holding spare pins or the occasional garden tool when both hands are otherwise engaged. Soft leather boots laced up the ankle make for soundless strides.
A pendant of polished heliodor on a long, thin chain of white gold paired with a small-but-sturdy band of silver wrought to look like encircling arms whose tiny hands open to reveal a colorless crystal are rarely ever off her person, the latter in particular.
PERSONA:
Amiable by nature and loving to all but the vilest of creatures, Awarthnur is eager to assist in any task that comes to her attention. At one moment vocal and quick to pass along a timely word of wisdom, she might be completely silent and pensive the next. As maternal a figure as an graceful elf maiden can be, she is constantly surrounded by some elfling or other and is always ready with a firm embrace and a kind word. When truly piqued, however, she can become almost another person altogether, severity and disalarming coldness rather than violence reign. This side of her is very rarely seen but is usually a reaction to unfairness or to someone's vocal dishonor of the dead. Those with long enough memories will recall a consuming distemper that propelled her through the battles of the Last Alliance and, upon return to Imladris and the reunion there with her kin, the almost complete about-face that erased all meanness which might have rendered her capable of riding into a fight.
HISTORY:
Born in Eregion under the reign of Celebrimbor in the year SA 1093 not long after the departure of Celeborn and Galadriel for Lorien, Awarthnur was named for the hope that dwelt in the hearts of many of the settlers who dreamt of Eregion as a new start after the conflict and destruction that pocked the First Age. Liberated from the womb beneath a clear evening sky strewn with stars, the infant's pale blue eyes (later to settle into a darker shade of sapphire though never losing their preternatural gleam) seemed to have stolen inspiration from Elbereth herself while her shock of amber-bronze hair was more akin to the colors of an evening's sunset. With two younger siblings-twins, Eriennor and Gwirield upon whom she never tired of doting- Awarthnur grew into maturity under the banner of one of the last of the Noldorin kingdoms in Arda.
As a celebrated center of craft and smithying, Eregion naturally drew to it those of the Firstborn desirous of expanding their knowledge of the trade. In the decades prior to the arrival of Sauron in the guise of Annatar, "the Lord of Gifts," still was Eregion a haven for artisans whose knowledge and accomplishments to this day remains add pages to the lore books. One such of these was Gwathimglar, a jewel-smith's apprentice from Lindon traveling with his master. Working in the forges of Eregion he caught his first sight of Awarthnur striding among the workers' fires, her plaited hair akin to a flame itself as she flashed smiles at each smith in turn on her way to attend to her father, an ironsmith of some renown.
Although their acquaintance began in the forges, Gwathimglar began to make further excuses to justify meeting Awarthnur; from consulting her about the best herbs to use in a poultice to treat burns to attending his young sister to evening gatherings at Awarthnur's home where his master's daughter was a favorite of Awarthnur and a vocal admirer of her fireside tales, their time together became quite natural. When his apprenticeship ended, Gwathimglar expressed to his lady the strength of his affection and asked for her hand in marriage, which was readily given. With the blessing of her parents and the childish delight at gaining a new brother on the part of her siblings the two were wed, and spent many years happily in Eregion as husband and wife with plans to start a family of their own.
When word began to spread among the inhabitants of Eregion that the other elven kingdoms were expressing concern for the intentions of Annatar, hitherto a respected and esteemed teacher among their particular coven, much of the warning fell on deaf ears. It was not until ill-tidings of the suspicions of Elrond and his companions in Lindon that Gwathimglar began to take some heed, and expressed a desire to return to his birth-place with his bride. Despite their urgings, Awarthnur's parents and siblings chose to remain in Eregion, and a tearful departure was not long in coming between a beloved daughter and sister and the family she held dear.
Despite their decision to journey forth from the land in which their affections first blossomed, Awarthnur and Gwathimglar were little concerned for the fate of those they left behind. That Annatar might have other designs purposed for the peoples with whom he had so long dwelt was given little thought by Awarthnur, whose father had not been unaffected by the sly one's teachings. When war broke out between Sauron and the Firstborn, the list of casualties was daily being added to and day by day elf men and elf maids alike departed to join the fight against the dark powers that now roamed freely abroad. Letters from her parents in Eregion filled with plans to join Awarthnur and Gwathimglar in Lindon raised Awarthnur's hopes, but before the designated day of their reunion arrived the last strongholds of Eregion were breached and the kingdom fell to Sauron and his forces, never again to be resurrected. In the chaos that ensued her mother was lost and her siblings slain; of her father Awarthnur would hear no more, though it was told her by some who were by in the final months that he was overcome by remorse for having been so long fooled by Sauron's guise and that in the aftermath he departed for the Grey Havens to wait for more peaceful times when a ship could bear him across the waters to the peace that lay beyond.
Devastated, Awarthnur allowed herself to be borne away to the new dwelling at Imladris where Awarthnur's former lord had built for himself and his followers a safe haven. There she dwelt, inconsolable and overcome by the memory of her family and the blissful years before the creation of the fated Rings. When the League of the Last Alliance passed in the latter days of the war through Imladris on their way to the final battlegrounds Awarthnur, who had trained with the fruits of her father's labors in the Eregion forges but had otherwise no experience with battle but the burning passion of her desire to see the fallen glory of her homeland avenged joined their ranks. With her went many of the elves of Imladris including Elrond himself; her husband, likewise, would accompany her to whatever ends.
With Sauron's defeat at the hands of Isildur and the disbanding-for a time-of his fell followers Awarthnur returned with Gwathimglar to Imladris where they began to rebuild for themselves a life among their people. Some years passed before any thought could be given to a family, but for children Awarthnur ever longed, hoping perhaps to keep the memory of her siblings alive and the happiness of the years they shared together through the creation of a new fea, born into peaceful times in a new and happy land. She would bear a son whom she named Amrunred, and he would throughout his youth be to Awarthnur and Gwathimglar a treasure comparable to the Silmarils themselves. He would later join the Imladhrim guard as an experienced horseman, his travels ever taking him farther and farther from the sanctuary of the Valley and for years at a time he would be sundered from his parents.
Awarthnur became a quick favorite among the children of the Valley, her stories and songs often lasting late into the night when one elfling or another found him/herself distracted by a violent storm. To their various scrapes and bruises she attended with a loving touch, her maternal compassion never in short supply. Those of Isildurs heirs who have passed parts of their youth in the sanctuary of Imladris may recall the special care of Awarthnur, her instruction in history, lore and other matters academic aiding many of their young minds as they prepared to set out in the world beyond.
It is in Imladris that Awarthnur has remained with her husband and lifelong partner since the very beginning of the Third Age, and to Elrond and his heirs that she has declared her allegiance. To the Valleys inhabitants and their allies she has served with her knowledge as Olvaristdil and Istheryn (herb and lore mistress) and many imaginations have been enlivened by her pethrils (storytellers) tales.
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Awarthnur (#24083), Arphedil nos Forodren (Retainer of House Forodren), Parvasson a Linnor -- Pint-sized Elleth o Imladris ...
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CULTURE: Sinda Imladhrim POSITION: Culture Greeter
SPECIES: Quendi FLAGS: -C-G--/DHPf/IC
SEX: Female FIRST-ON: Jan 27 2004
LOCATION: Offline TOP: 5h 43m 55s
LAST CONNECT: Sat Aug 04 17:49:29, was connected til Sat Aug 04 18:15:56.
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One machine to rule them all...One machine to find them...One machine to bring them all, and in the darkness Bind them...In the land of Nusi's sewing room, where the discarded threads lie...
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