[*Varda*]

Therin stood by the lakeside, watching the stars disappear in the sky above as the glow of the morning sun began to rise above them. The camp was quiet – most of the settlers appeared to be sound asleep, having gone to bed in surprisingly good spirits considering the long journey they must have had from Gondor. Aside from the odd man striding through the camp, there was little movement.

The dwarf was not in a mood to sleep longer, as he watched the pale light of the rising sun reflect upon the still waters of Lake Evendim. Imagine – soon this would be a city, not simply a circle of tents. Hills rose around them, the sun casting light on them. Therin had thought them cold and dark the night before, his mind filled with the stories of the Hillmen.

A ranger had told Therin the night before of the Hillmen who lived in this region – ominous tales, of how they were the enemies of the Dunedain, and had been known to be associated with the Witch-King. Therin sincerely hoped they would not stir up trouble – there so many families here, hoping for a new start, a new life. And Therin wanted a change from the daily life of the Blue Mountains. No Hillmen were turning him out of Arnor, he grumpily said to himself. He’d cut them down with his axe first, patting it as it lay beside him.

Slowly, the camp began to come to life. Children eagerly poked their heads out of their tents, running around in the cool morning air, feet soaked with dew, anxious to explore their new surroundings. Mothers started wood fires to make the breakfast, and every now and then, a Ranger would go through the camp, speaking to the settlers. Therin beamed at the children running past him, as they slowed down to stare at this strange, short figure sitting by a small fire, cooking his breakfast of a rabbit he had caught earlier. He was foreign to them, as many had heard of dwarves, but never seen one in the flesh. Therin chuckled to himself as their mouths opened in surprise, before realising their manners and scurrying off in the opposite direction. This would surely be an enjoyable place to live.