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          Barahir, Lord of conquered Ladros, refused to give up on the lands of his fathers even after the Enemy drove the House of Bëor from Dorthonion. Sending his wife to lead the remnant of their people to safety, he gathered about him twelve stalwart companions in a band of outlaws, hiding out near Tarn Aeluin and assailing the servants of Morgoth however they could.           Leading the band was Barahir, and at his side was Beren his son, valiant and strong though he was young. With him also were his nephews Baragund and Belegund, sons of his fallen brother Bregolas, whose own young families had escaped to Dor-lómin.           Gorlim was the most fierce and desperate of all their band, for he had lost everything to the war, and sought to regain what he could against hope and rationality. Chiefest of his losses was Eilinel, his wife, and his longing for her would spell his doom in the end.           Gildor was swiftest of all the outlaws, a runner and a scout, and his tongue was quick and clever also, bringing brief levity to their grim existence with his jests. The lone woman among their band was Urthel, a tough mountain-dweller who had slain a small dragon amid the Sudden Flame. The cousins Dagnir and Ragnor had been left for dead on the battlefield with matching side wounds, but through their own grit and grim resolve they stumbled away and returned to war determined to avenge themselves upon their enemies.           Radhruin and Dairuin were brothers, fleet of foot and dark of mind. In their youth they had loved the clear waters and blue skies of their homeland, and to see Dorthonion so defiled stirred a rage within them they could not quell. It was Radhruin who sought out Barahir’s band of outlaws, and Dairuin whose fury and passion for the land convinced Barahir to accept them into his company.           Arthad was a solitary man before the war, living alone in a wood that burned to the ground amid the Flame. As he escaped he discovered Hathaldir, the youngest of the band even after Beren, who had for months been hiding in his cabin and stealing his food. There was no time for Arthad to be angry with Hathaldir as they both escaped, and by the time they encountered Barahir and his outlaws they had each saved the other’s life many times and a strange bond of friendship had grown between them.           The deeds of these warriors were rumored across Beleriand, bringing hope to the war-wearied and fury to the heart of Morgoth. The Dark King ordered his lieutenant Gorthaur to find them and destroy them, and with great treachery Gorthaur ensnared unhappy Gorlim, torturing him and promising freedom with his wife should he betray his companions. At last Gorlim broke and revealed the location of the outlaws’ camp, and for his betrayal he received only death, for his wife had long since met her end.           Thus the servants of Gorthaur found their way to the outlaws, and set upon them in surprise, slaying them all to the last man—save for Beren, son of Barahir, who was away on an errand. Greatly would Gorthaur and Morgoth rue his survival, for in Beren lay their ultimate Dooms, and he would not rest until his father was avenged.

Hu Ge as Arthad

  Forcing down a last bite of the rations, Beren staggered over to where his bedroll was. Now he could hear his father’s even breathing – he’d rest easier.