Winter Hope - Morghann of Gladden

My, my, how long it's been since my last post. Life has kept me busy between looking for a full-time job, working part-time at 4 AM several days a week, and leveling my characters with the fantastic Rohan content. I've also been working hard at designing events for the holiday season, like a kinship Secret Santa, a horse race followed by a mounted fashion show, and kinship colors with a possible uniform to follow. It's been tough finding time to design an outfit, however I managed to find some to set aside! With Winter just around the corner and the upcoming Yule Festival (Dec 17 to Jan 2, tentatively), I thought I'd bring some holiday elegance and a short a short tale from a character of mine. Though there isn't a Christmas, Hanukkah, or Boxing Day in Middle-Earth, the upcoming season is still a reminder to come together, show kindness, and be merry :)

"It's been a long and perilous year for Middle-Earth," Morghann spoke aloud as she sat down and examined her peaceful surroundings. "Between the ever-strengthening threats of Isengard and Mordor and constant assaults on the free people, we are all in desperate need for rest...even if only a brief time. Tomorrow, the city of Frostbluff will open its doors to all with a wonderful feast, hearty laughter, and joyous celebration." She, too, would admit the past year had taken its toll on her. And her memories began to flood her mind...

Morghann had seen friends perish. Too many, in fact. All around her, no matter the distant land she travels to, are the souls of the disheartened. She knows what it's like to walk the roads in fear, after all her home had been under the frequent assault of the Blackwolds for several years. Before she started her journey, Morghann remembered the hidden reserves of courage she had helped the town of Combe find to drive away the Blackwolds once and for all. Whenever possible, she made time to cheer up strangers and comrades. The people gathered around her, women, men, and children of all races. She told tales of selflessness and bravery, as well as kindness and compassion, from her days repelling the assaults of Angmar and Dol Guldur. Even the will of the Dwarves she highly praised as she recounted their battle to retake the depths of Moria. 

As she passionately and elegantly told her tales to the people surrounding her, she could see their weariness begin to wash away. Morghann, on her many encounters across Middle-Earth, reminded those who stopped to listen:

"Cherish your family, your friends, and the strangers next to you. Show everybody the same courage and kindness that you would have shown to you. Inspire them to become more than they are. Within each of you is the power to combat the darkness of days both past and before you. When you find it and stand together, you won't be so easily discouraged or defeated. The Elves of Rivendell and the Men of Eriador found strength in each other and overcame the forces of Angmar. So too did the Dwarves of Moria and the Elves of Lothlorien against Dol Guldur. Stand tall as a community, united against the encroaching evil. If you do, brighter days are surely ahead. And make to sure to enjoy yourselves every now and then."

Morghann smiled as she rose to her feet, brushing the dirt from her clothing. As she mounted her dappled chestnut steed, she cheerfully spoke aloud. "And even if they live nowhere near Frostbluff, perhaps my words have brought a part of this special city to them." In some small way, she hoped that she had made the lives of those around her more cheerful.

Head: Circlet of Men (Washed, Anniversary Festival gift box)
Shoulders: Yule Scarf (Evendim blue, Yule Festival barter item )
Back: Widow's Drape (Evendim blue, Dunland rep vendor)
Chest: Frostbluff Dress of Thanks (Ered Luin Blue, Yule Festival meta-deed reward)