Ana's Backstory

Hello, everyone!

I'm having a bout of insomnia (it happens sometimes, unfortunately) and decided to cook up a backstory for Anathraen. This is just a rough draft, so to speak, so it will be edited and tweaked as necessary. In the meantime, however, read on!
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Anathraen is an Elf of Lothlorien, born in the year 252 of the First Age. As a young elf, she watched the defeat of Mordoth in the War of Wrath safely from a western stronghold, longing for the day when she could use blade and bow in the defense of her people. Demonstrating endurance, keen sight, and fighting skills that rivaled seasoned warriors, she was trained in combat in case a time should come when warriors were needed once more.

Throughout the Second Age, Lorien was at peace, and few outsiders even knew of its existence. Anathraen met Mathilas, a fellow sylvan elf, as he was visiting Lorien from his home in Rivendell. The two became inseparable and soon fell in love. After a passionate courtship, the couple decided to wed, announcing their betrothal at a meeting of their two houses. They exchanged rings per Elven custom and appointed a date, around a year later, for the wedding. The couple was happy and days were halcyon.

Shortly after the two began their married life together, the shadow of evil began to creep over Middle Earth and the the Last Alliance of Elves and Men was formed in unity against Sauron. When the army of the Last Alliance eventually reached Lorien in 3434, Ana knew that the time for action was at hand and left with Amdir's band of warriors to join them. Mathilas was utterly distraught – he realized that the battle to come could be Ana's last.

During the Battle of Dagorlad, the Elves of Lorien led by Amdir fared poorly. They were cut off from their allies and were driven into the the marshland to the south, where Amdir and more than half his troops were killed. Anathraen survived, but was severely wounded and on the verge of death. She was brought back to Lorien with the rest of the survivors. Mathilas, being exceedingly skilled in the arts of healing and lore, nursed her back to health. However, after seeing the horrors of battle and feeling as if she had failed her fallen comrades, she suffered greatly from flashbacks of all she had witnessed. Mathilas tirelessly worked for many long years with Anathraen to help her cope with the loss of so many kinsmen and the horrors of war. Eventually, the recovered Ana was able to accept and look to the future – a future where her skills as a warrior are needed to battle evil once more.

Setting out from Lorien together with Mathilas, Ana and her beloved now seek to assist with the current conflict between the forces of Sauron and the free peoples of Middle-earth. Though she now bears a twisted sense of humor that many don't quite understand and a large chip on her shoulder against the forces of Mordor, she is still a formidable warrior, valuable ally, and fearsome opponent.