21. Gainesville Town
Prompt: Erebor: Refugee issues are our issues; their plight is our plight. Write a story or poem or create artwork that illustrates the situation of some displaced group in Middle-earth.
After Umbar, Belfalas's and Dol Amroth's lords debate: to Haradrim seeking shelter – as ever happens after war on Harad's soil – will they say yea or nay?
Then some say yea, for honor; others nay, we've no stake. Yea, for pity; nay, for peace at home. Yea – they're useful. Nay – they're poor.
Yea – 'tis justice. Nay – they're untrustworthy. Yea – they suffer. Nay – their suffering breeds strife among our enemies! Yea – remember Amroth!
Finally, the Prince rules: yea – when War outbreaks, these will flock to our banner.
"'Yea, for fodder'?" his son demands later. The Prince sighs.
"Valar forgive me!"
Author's notes: Builds off of Beyond the Quays of Umbar.
Gainesville Town – lifted from the Indigo Girls song, Shame on you.
Remember Amroth!: Dol Amroth used to be Elven territory, so really, the entire principality of Men is an immigrant empire.
This is a work of fan fiction, written because the author has an abiding love for the works of J R R Tolkien. The characters, settings, places, and languages used in this work are the property of the Tolkien Estate, Tolkien Enterprises, and possibly New Line Cinema, except for certain original characters who belong to the author of the said work. The author will not receive any money or other remuneration for presenting the work on this archive site. The work is the intellectual property of the author, is available solely for the enjoyment of Henneth Annûn Story Archive readers, and may not be copied or redistributed by any means without the explicit written consent of the author.
