#oc eithiar

          Arathorn I was the son of Arassuil, and the twelfth Chieftain of the Dúnedain. The first years of rule were spent warring against the orcs of the Misty Mountains, who had emerged during his father’s rule and continued their attacks relentlessly. He was aided in this task by his wife Dravoriel, a fearsome swordswoman, and their two children Argonui and Eithiar.           But when the Longbeard dwarves of fallen Erebor attempted to retake their ancestral halls of Khazad-dûm, this War of the Dwarves and Orcs thoroughly depopulated the orcs of the Misty Mountains, most of whom were slain or forced to flee. Though ultimately the dwarves won the war, their losses were heavy and they turned back to Ered Luin rather than settling once more in Khazad-dûm. Arathorn and his family, impressed and grateful to King Thráin and his people, aided the dwarves in their long journey westwards.           For many years Arathorn ruled in relative peace. But though orcs were much less of a threat than they had been before, small bands still roamed the mountains and made their way into Eriador from time to time. Whilst out riding with Dravoriel and some friends, Arathorn, now in his old age, stumbled upon such a band of orcs unawares and was slain.

          Eithiar was the younger child of Arathorn I, and the sibling of Argonui. They often accompanied their brother on his orc hunts and were well-renowned for their deadly skill with a spear. Their husband was Farion, a cobbler who took the primary responsibility for caring for their only son, Dírhael.           While still young, Dírhael sought the hand of his beloved, Ivorwen the daughter of Gilbarad. Though Ivorwen loved him in return, Gilbarad refused to allow her to wed until Dírhael proved his worth. At last, after a year-long hunt, Dírhael brought down a mighty elk and presented it to his beloved, winning the approval of her father.           When it came time for Dírhael’s own daughter Gilraen to marry, he found himself understanding Gilbarad’s motivations in a way he had not before. His foresight cautioned him that Gilraen’s marriage to the much older Arathorn II, heir to Chieftain Arador, would end too soon. But Ivorwen his wife also had foresight, and argued that this was exactly why they should allow Gilraen to wed Arathorn, so that new hope might be born in the little time they would have together.           Eventually Dírhael was persuaded, and witnessed the joyous union of his daughter and his future Chieftain, though neither he nor Ivorwen warned Gilraen of the heavy doom upon her family.