Grimbeorn’s Monologue (Last Hope Tolkien AU)
I am Grimbeorn the Old, son of Beorn, son of Brun.
I hold the land of my father’s fathers. We have fallen far from what we were. Little but the Carrock and the Beornhus remains to us now, and the scattered villages of woodsmen who have come here for our protection.
To the west, the goblins of the Misty Mountains press us. They come ever further out from the Goblin-Gate, impelled by some greater evil.
To the East, the forest is overrun with the great spiders, as well as hobgoblins from the Mountains of Mirkwood. The Elves have fled, and their halls lie empty. Beyond the forest, the Dragon waits, alone in his Desolation. To his north still writhe lesser drakes in the Withered Heath, and mayhap they will sally forth at his command.
In the north, yet more Orcs, at Gundabad, and in the Grey Mountains.
To the south, wraiths at Dol Guldur, with their Orcs and Wights and fell creatures yet unknown. And the Wizard Saruman, once noble, now fallen. He fields Uruk-Hai who are unafraid of the sun. Lorien and Fangorn are laid waste. And beyond, Sauron himself, warring with Gondor, his forces evergrowing.
But there is still a Last Hope. If we do not submit, if we strike where they are weak, where we are unexpected, then perhaps we can make a difference. And if we do not . . . still better to rage against the dark than lay down and die when the light fails us.
