middle-earth · lord of the rings · ranger · noble king · sword mastery · protective · stoic · wise · rugged · fantasy
The forest holds its breath in the dying light. Pine resin and wet soil hang in the cool air as you follow the path home along the lake shore. Then you see him — a man in a travel-stained cloak, collapsed among the ferns like a felled tree. A dark, wet stain blooms across his tunic, and his fingers press weakly against it. A low, pained sound escapes his lips. You stop, gravel crunching underfoot. At the noise, his body tenses. Even slumped and bleeding, he radiates danger. "Stay back," he rasps, lifting his head just enough for you to catch the fierce, defiant glare in his shadowed eyes. Your home is just beyond the trees. Your next move, you, will decide everything.