(T/N : Good things come to those who wait. Site is up again so I quickly nabbed the raw in fear of it going down xdd. So we're doing a mass release. "No update?" guy this one's for you. You held out the longest)
Lake Evendim, a vast body of water, is encircled by rolling hills on three sides, with only an open plain to the east. The lake's waters flow eastward, then turn south before eventually emptying into the sea. High above this landscape, Luke soared on the back of a majestic giant eagle, surveying the scene below.
From this vantage point, the ruins of a sprawling city, built into the hillside southeast of the lake, came into view. The city, Annúminas, was once the magnificent capital of the lost kingdom of Arnor. Constructed entirely of white marble, it bore the scars of time and conflict, yet Luke could still make out the remnants of its former glory: marketplaces, residential areas, pools, and gardens, as well as the shattered walls and standing structures of ancient palaces.
At the heart of Annúminas stood the Chamber of Annúinandil, a magnificent round tower that reached nearly to the mountaintop. This ancient seat of power, where even the great king Elendil once held court, had endured for thousands of years. It was also the location of the Annúminas Crystal, one of the three Palantíri, or "seeing stones," of the Northern Kingdom, which was once housed here alongside the Scepter of Annúminas. The Scepter, originally belonging to Prince Andúnië of Númenor, had become the symbol of Arnor's kingship.
When the kingdom of Arnor was divided, the Annúminas Stone and the Scepter were moved to Fornost, the capital of Arthedain. After the Witch-king of Angmar's final assault destroyed Arthedain, the last king attempted to escape with the Scepter and the Palantír by ship, but the vessel sank. Only the Scepter was later rescued and entrusted to Elrond for safekeeping in Rivendell, where Dewi had seen it next to the broken sword Narsil.
East of the city lay the Kings' Road, the burial ground of Arnor's kings, including the tomb of Elendil himself. With its grand gates and towering walls, the city, despite being abandoned for years, exuded an enduring beauty and a profound sense of history. Because Annúminas was abandoned by its inhabitants rather than conquered, its main structures remained largely intact, unlike other cities like Fornost that were destroyed by the Witch-king's armies. If restored, this city could once again reclaim its past splendor.
After admiring the view, Luke patted the eagle's back. "Sulond, let's go down." He intended to land and explore the city.
However, as the giant eagle began its descent, several figures emerged from a corner of the city below. They raised their bows and watched Luke and the eagle with an alert, vigilant gaze. Luke, noting their tall stature, handsome features, and dark hair, suspected they were Dúnedain. "Friends of the Dúnedain? I mean no harm," Luke called out. His voice, though calm, was astonishingly clear, reaching them as if he were right beside them.
The Dúnedain's eyes widened in surprise. Realizing the visitor was no ordinary man, they lowered their bows but remained cautious. The eagle, with its immense body and powerful wings, landed in a wide, plaza-like area.
Luke dismounted and approached them with a friendly smile. "Please, don't be alarmed. I was just passing by and was so struck by this magnificent city that I had to come down to admire it. I apologize if I disturbed you."
"Who are you?" asked an older Dúnedain, who appeared to be in his forties or fifties.
"My name is Luke, and I live at the top of the world," Luke replied with a smile.
Several of the Dúnedain exchanged surprised glances. "Are you Luke the Black Wizard? The Dragon Lord?"
"That would be me," Luke confirmed, nodding.
At this, the Dúnedain relaxed, putting away their bows. "I am Talmir," the elder said, introducing himself and his companions: "Karen, Kelham, Anfalas, and Fendal. We are all members of the tribe that protects this place."
Talmir then cautiously asked, "Where is Wizard Luke heading? Why are you passing through here?"
Luke, undeterred by the probing question, expressed his surprise. "I had heard Annúminas was long abandoned, but I didn't expect anyone to still be guarding it. As for me, I'm on my way to the Mithlond to visit the lord there. I'm simply taking a detour to see some historical sites. I just visited Fornost and the Northern Hill. It's a shame it's now a complete ruin, so I came here to admire what remains of this ancient city."
Talmir's expression shifted to one of shock. "You've been to Fornost? You didn't awaken the evil spirits sleeping there, did you?"
Luke shook his head. "My luck wasn't great. Not only did I encounter evil spirits, but also goblins and wolf monsters. It was quite a hassle." The Dúnedain were instantly taken aback. They knew of Fornost's evil spirits and had avoided the place for years, even spreading rumors of it being haunted to scare away travelers. They were also aware of the goblins, scattered remnants of the orcs left behind after the Witch-king's defeat. But the presence of demon wolves was a new and terrifying revelation. Having long fought against the creatures of darkness, the Dúnedain knew the cunning and ferocity of demon wolves far surpassed that of orcs and wargs.
Seeing their solemn faces, Luke reassured them. "Don't worry. I've already dealt with the evil spirits, goblins, and demon wolves in the Northern Hill. It's safe now."
"You... you dealt with all of them?!" they exclaimed in disbelief.
Luke explained calmly, "The Northern Hill isn't far from the Weathertop. With only a plain in between, if they were to move south, they would have no obstacles before reaching Amon Sul. To avoid potential danger, I had to clear them out." The Dúnedain looked at each other, stunned.
The Dúnedain, scattered across Eriador, had heard of Luke, who had restored Amon Sûl and established his territory on Weathertop. Though they considered this land their ancestral home and had guarded it for generations, they had acquiesced to Luke's rule due to his formidable power. Now, learning that he had single-handedly eliminated all the evil creatures in the Northern Hill, they finally grasped the extent of his might.
While talking, Luke was also secretly waiting for a response from his "system." When none came, he asked the Dúnedain, "I'm very curious about Annúminas. Would you allow me to explore it?"
Several Dúnedain looked at Talmir, who nodded. "That's fine. I will lead the way for you, Wizard Luke."
"That would be very kind of you!" Luke said gratefully.
Guided by Talmir, Luke toured the ancient city, passing through the marketplace, residential areas, pools, and gardens as Talmir recounted their history. When the system still didn't respond, Luke relaxed and fully immersed himself in the tour, which eventually led them to the Road of the Kings.
The Kings' Road was a path of solemnity and mystery, lined on both sides with the tombs of Arnor's kings. Constructed of massive white stones and adorned with intricate reliefs and runes, the tombs recorded the lives and achievements of the monarchs, with the oldest graves located further within. Luke noticed that unlike the other dilapidated buildings, the Road of the Kings was meticulously maintained.
At the very end of the road stood the largest tomb, opposite a tall statue of the king himself, holding the holy sword Narsil. "This is the resting place of Elendil, the High King who founded the Kingdom of Arnor and the greatest monarch of the Dúnedain," Talmir said, bowing respectfully before introducing it to Luke.
Luke also bowed in admiration. He respected Elendil, a warrior who had faced Sauron at his peak, and whose sacrifice had temporarily freed Middle-earth from a great threat. As a tribute to the monarch, Luke made orchids bloom at the statue's feet. Talmir, witnessing this, felt an immediate kinship with Luke.
Still, the system remained silent. Luke paid his respects and continued the tour. They finally reached the Chamber of Annúinandil, the palace at the highest point of the city where Elendil's throne once stood.
At last, the system responded.
[Hogwarts Sign-in System: Locating the Chamber of Annúminas - Annúinandil. Do you want to sign in?]
"Sign in," Luke said calmly to himself.