That day, King Thengel granted Thalion permission to gather his trusted individuals—several old craftsmen, river keepers, and farmers from the small villages.
They convened not for military drills, but rather… to discuss the land, water, and the future.
And from those small conversations, the foundation was laid for a kingdom of Rohan that would one day be different from any the world had known—a kingdom not only valiant on horseback but also fertile, intelligent, and peaceful.
The first school of Rohan was not established in the center of Edoras, but in a small village at the foot of the eastern hills—Halgar. It was a simple wooden building with a thatched roof, two learning rooms, and an open courtyard. On its walls were not paintings of heroes, but maps of river flows and planting season charts.
Thalion taught directly in the early days. He instructed the children in reading, arithmetic, and the basics of agriculture and history. He wrote his own small books, with simple yet clear illustrations—combining his knowledge as a former modern human and his passion as an heir of Rohan.
However, as the fields began to yield more abundantly and the children began to read tax warrants better than their fathers… the nobles began to feel uneasy.
Scene: The Noble Council in the Edoras Palace
The usually serene palace of Rohan was suddenly bustling with the sound of heavy boots and the rustling of expensive fabrics.
In the grand meeting hall, Thalion stood on the right side of his father, King Thengel. Before him sat the ten most influential nobles of Rohan. They were landowners of vast estates, commanders of private armies, and, until now, the determinants of many policies in the surrounding villages.
One of them, Lord Edric, spoke first.
"Your Majesty, allow us to inquire. Why does your son teach the common farmers knowledge and reading? They are not a class fit to judge letters, let alone understand land maps."
Thalion remained calm.
King Thengel raised a hand. "Let Thalion answer for himself. This was his idea, and I want you to hear it directly from his own lips."
All eyes turned to Thalion. But the young man did not waver.
"Lords," Thalion began, his voice clear. "For too long, you have kept knowledge locked away in your stone houses. But look around you… even with your vast lands, the yields remain small. You collect taxes from people who don't even know the size of their harvest."
"Do you not wish for Rohan to be more prosperous? Stronger, not just in war but also in sustenance?"
Another noble, Lord Rhuven, interjected, "And if they can read… they can rebel. They can know the laws, and dispute taxes!"
Thalion offered a subtle smile.
"It is better to have an intelligent populace than one that is silent but resentful. Knowledge is not a threat, except to those who abuse power."
The atmosphere grew tense.
However, King Thengel stood and spoke:
"I have led Rohan for more than two decades. And I know… times are changing. If Rohan wishes to stand firm amidst the storms to come, we cannot rely solely on swords. We need strong roots: fertile land, intelligent people."
"Thalion is not seizing your power. He is planting the future. And I fear an unprepared future more than a populace that can read and write."
The room fell silent.
The nobles exchanged glances, not all in agreement, but none daring to directly contradict the King.
Thalion bowed respectfully to his father. For the first time since his reincarnation into this world, he felt that a significant step had been taken.
The sky above Edoras had shifted from a bright blue to a pale grey, as if mirroring the tension within the palace meeting hall. Before the nobles, Thalion stood composed, his gaze sharp, not as a rebellious youth, but as a young leader sowing the seeds of the future.
He slowly opened both hands and began to speak:
"I know, Lords, that you fear losing your authority. But believe me, I am not seeking to usurp your thrones or your influence. I am cultivating a power far greater than land and taxes—the power of knowledge, of enlightened minds."
Several nobles scoffed, but none interrupted.
"You see, when I was five years old, Gandalf the Grey came to Rohan. He spoke with my father—and also with me. He did not say much, but one thing remained etched in my mind: 'Darkness will come from an unexpected direction, and only those who dare to think will see it early.'"
"You may believe that darkness can only be fought with swords. But Mordor… does not only send orcs and Nazgûl. They infiltrate through fear, through ignorance, through greed, through those who are easily deceived and cannot distinguish truth from lies."
He stepped closer, slowly.
"If the people of Rohan cannot read, cannot count, do not understand the planting seasons, or are incapable of critical thought… who will know if agents of darkness infiltrate as merchants or spreaders of slander? Who will defend Rohan if not its own people?"
"What I am doing… is not to bring anyone down, but to ensure that no one can bring us down, from within or without."
King Thengel looked at his son with pride, then turned to the nobles.
"You have heard him yourselves. Thalion wishes to strengthen the foundations of Rohan, not destroy them. He is not dividing, but uniting. And in a world that will soon tremble, that is the greatest strength we can possess."
The nobles were silent. Some still harbored doubts. But one by one, they began to nod. Not because they fully agreed, but because in their hearts, they knew… these words were not born of personal ambition, but of a sincere love for the land they stood upon.
That day, the palace decree was made. Schools could be built. Knowledge could be taught. But Thalion had to provide regular reports to the court and include representatives from the nobility as observers.
Thalion agreed, for he knew that the most powerful changes were not those that were forced, but those that grew slowly and were accepted with open hearts.
In the stillness of the night, when the palace was quiet and the distant hoofbeats of the guard horses were barely audible, Thalion sat alone on the eastern balcony, gazing out. The moonlight illuminated the vast fields that had once been just scrubland and barren earth, now transformed into neatly arranged agricultural plots with irrigation systems flowing like small rivers between them.
He held a wooden cup of warm drink, lost in thought.
"Strange… they changed so quickly."
Thalion looked towards the small schoolhouse newly erected on the outskirts of Edoras. Lights still shone from within. The teachers were staying there, perhaps discussing the next day's lessons.
"If this had happened in my old world… there would have been sabotage. There would have been lies, attempts to sow discord, even bribery. But here…"
He took a long breath.
"…these nobles are not fools after all. They are not inherently malicious, just afraid. But when they realized my goal wasn't to trample them, but to uplift everyone, they actually supported it. Perhaps because they truly love this land. They love Rohan more than their own names."
And a year passed like a calm yet powerful river.
Rohan began to live with a new face.
The farmers of the Westfold and Eastemnet now understood the cycles of the land and the seasons. They knew when to plant and when to let the soil rest. The shepherds began to understand how to maintain healthy and sustainable livestock populations. Animals no longer died needlessly in winter because they had organized feed reserves.
Small schools stood not only in Edoras but also in the small villages. Children learned to read, write, count, and also simple history and philosophy. Some even began to learn about the outside world from the tales of elves and dwarves recounted by passing travelers.
And because the farming and livestock systems became increasingly established, Rohan's agricultural yields not only met the needs of its people but were abundant.
Trade caravans from Gondor and Dale began to arrive. Wheat, wool, and dried meat from Rohan became primary commodities. Even the craftsmen began to exchange their woven goods and leather for metalwork from the resurgent Erebor.
Brief Dialogue (King Thengel & Thalion):
One evening, King Thengel summoned Thalion to the palace gardens.
Thengel: "I did not expect… that one year could bring such immense change."
Thalion: "In truth, all of this was here from the beginning. Hardworking people, fertile land… it only needed a little trust and direction."
Thengel: (smiling) "And you provided it."
Thalion: (bowing respectfully) "I merely helped open eyes that were previously closed by habit, Father."
Thengel: "If Gandalf comes again, perhaps he will say, 'That child does not merely bear the name Thalion. He lives it.'"
Thalion only offered a small smile. In his heart, he knew… this was just the beginning. He still did not know how deep the darkness Gandalf had spoken of truly was. But one thing was certain: Rohan now had stronger roots.
And he would continue to nurture them.
The thirteenth year of Thalion's life was no ordinary childhood year. At that age, most children only thought of games or imitating the steps of adults. But Thalion? He had already become the linchpin of the ever-turning wheel of change in Rohan.
Having absorbed vast knowledge through his dreams—the white gate he could never explain to others—he began to reshape Rohan, not only in terms of land and structures, but in the mindset of its people.
The First Workshops: Wheat and Wine
Thalion established the Agricultural and Fermentation Workshop on the outskirts of Edoras. The simple building housed something revolutionary: tools he had designed himself to grind wheat into fine flour.
Utilizing the principles of pressure, rotational force, and hot airflow from a furnace, the resulting flour was lighter, had a longer shelf life, and did not mold quickly. He called it: "Eorlingas White Flour."
Not only that, but the grapes from southern Rohan, which had previously only been enjoyed simply, could now be fermented into quality wine. With temperature and pressure control, Thalion created a deeper flavor.
"Wine is not just a beverage, but a symbol of the refinement of a civilization," he said at the inauguration of the fermentation chamber.
The Second Workshop: Forge and Weapons
On the other side of the city, he built the Forging Workshop. Together with several old blacksmiths who had once been underestimated, Thalion introduced the concept of lightweight and strong metal alloys. He combined his memories of carbon steel with basic alchemical theory.
"Pure iron is not enough. We need firmness, but also flexibility," he told the blacksmiths.
The result: swords that were lighter, sharper, and less prone to breaking; spears with spiral-shaped tips that could penetrate wooden shields more efficiently.
Citizen Training: Everyone Must Be Ready
Seeing the potential threat from outside and Gandalf's lingering warnings, Thalion summoned the young men of the villages:
"Rohan must be protected not only by the palace guards, but by every father, brother, and young man."
But surprisingly, it wasn't just the young men who came.
Dozens of women appeared at the training, carrying staves, wooden swords, and a burning spirit.
"We also want to protect our children," said one young mother from Aldburg.
Thalion did not refuse. He opened self-defense and physical endurance training sessions for all citizens.
His Father Asks
One evening, King Thengel called Thalion to his study.
Thengel: "You know… the people have begun to call you 'The Light of Rohan.'"
Thalion: "I need no titles, Father. I simply do not want them to become victims of a darkness they do not understand."
Thengel: (looking at him intently) "What exactly do you see in your dreams, Son?"
Thalion: (pausing for a moment, then replying softly) "A gate. Behind it lies a truth that is both painful and enlightening. Since then, I can no longer see Rohan as it once was."
And so, in that year, Rohan not only built factories and workshops. It built awareness. From the edge of the fields to the family kitchen, change began to be felt. Wheat became bread. Wine became a symbol of pride. Iron became weapons. And fear began to transform into preparedness.
Thalion did not build fortresses of stone.
He built fortresses of knowledge, hard work, and awareness.
And he knew, the storm would come.
But now, Rohan had begun to prepare.
In the vast grasslands, the joyful laughter of children echoed. They ran freely, flying kites and practicing archery with wooden bows fitted with flexible strings—items that were once only possessed by soldiers.
Their faces were bright, full of hope.
The common people, who had often been weary and susceptible to illness, now appeared healthier. Food was abundant thanks to the fertile fields and organized livestock farming. The murmur of water from the new irrigation systems became the background music of daily life.
In the Edoras palace, the nobles sat together, laughing and conversing casually.
An old noble, Lord Beran: "Who would have thought that change would actually make us richer, not the other way around?"
Another noble, Lady Elyn: "The weapons produced by Thalion's workshops are also extraordinary. Light yet strong. Bandits and orcs who try to enter can now be driven away immediately."
Lord Beran: "Indeed. I used to worry that this knowledge and change would threaten our position. But in reality, Rohan has become strong. And that benefits us all."
Meanwhile, Thalion stood on the palace balcony, looking towards the green fields and the bustling livestock farms filled with cattle, sheep, and horses.
In his eyes, this was just the beginning.
Rohan was no longer a simple kingdom easily threatened.
He began to sense the great steps that needed to be taken next.
Although Rohan appeared vibrant and thriving, the past two years had not been entirely peaceful.
The quiet nights were often disturbed by the clamorous sounds from outside the fortress walls. Bold bandits, dissatisfied with their impoverished lives on the borders, attempted to raid the increasingly prosperous villages of Rohan. However, they were always met by the loyal horsemen of Rohan and the nobles who did not hesitate to take action.
One morning, Thalion stood at the edge of a field, examining the wheat crops that were beginning to turn golden.
Suddenly, a guard came running, out of breath.
Guard: "Lord, a group of orcs is trying to destroy the fields to the east! They intend to burn and ruin the harvest."
Thalion, calm but serious: "Gather the warriors at once! Do not let them destroy what we have built."
Within a short time, Rohan's cavalry rode swiftly across the fields. A brief battle ensued under the brightening morning sky.
The vicious orcs were driven back, severely wounded and scattered. The fields were saved.
But the threat did not only come during the day. At night, darkness became a cloak for goblins.
They sneaked in with soft footsteps, trying to disturb the peace of the villagers and steal the harvest.
But the people of Rohan had learned to be vigilant. Every strange sound was immediately reported to the guard posts.
Torches were lit, and swift horsemen pursued the goblins, hunting them into the woods and eventually eliminating the threat.
Despite the constant ebb and flow of danger, Rohan stood firm. The people and soldiers united to protect their land.
Thalion watched all of this with pride. This was the new Rohan—strong, united, and not easily shaken by the darkness that constantly lurked.
The main hall of Meduseld was illuminated by the warm light of torches. The night sky outside was dark, and the wind from the plains carried an unusual whisper. Inside, the nobles of Rohan gathered around a long wooden table. Thalion sat on King Thengel's right, his eyes alert, his posture upright despite being only fourteen years old.
Before them lay a map of Rohan and the regions that had been attacked several times by orcs and goblins.
Noble Éothain: "Your Majesty... the attacks are becoming more frequent. The watchmen of Aldburg village say they saw a large number of orcs moving at night. This is not just a band of wild creatures..."
King Thengel (in a grave voice): "I know. I can feel it. The darkness that Mithrandir spoke of long ago... may now be turning its gaze towards Rohan."
Thalion rested his hand on the map.
Thalion: "When I was a child, Gandalf—Mithrandir—once said that darkness would come. Not just in the form of armies, but also ignorance and unpreparedness. We cannot avoid it, but we can prepare."
Another noble, Lord Gréor, who had once resisted Thalion's ideas of change, now bowed in acknowledgment.
Lord Gréor: "Thalion... I wish to apologize for my past doubts. Now I see it. What you have done these past two years has saved us from earlier destruction."
Thalion (with a small smile): "I seek no praise, Lord Gréor. I only wish to ensure that Rohan will stand when the world begins to crack. We already have a healthier populace, stronger soldiers, and more prosperous land. But we must also have hearts ready to face whatever may come from Mordor or from beyond the mountains."
Another noble: "We will stand with you, Prince Thalion. With the strength and wisdom you bring, Rohan is not just ready—we can become a light that defies the darkness."
King Thengel (looking at his son with pride): "You were born in silence, Thalion... but from that silence has emerged a voice that is building Rohan. Perhaps Gandalf came here not just to warn us, but to guide the light upon your path."
A moment of silence fell. The torches flickered as if understanding the weight of the conversation.
Then King Thengel rose to his feet.
King Thengel: "Let us continue what we have begun. Strengthen our defenses, expand our training. But do not lose hope. For when darkness comes, it is not only swords that will be needed—but also steadfast souls."
They all nodded.
Outside Meduseld, the sky remained dark. But inside, the light of knowledge, strength, and unity began to burn brightly. And at the center of it all stood a young man not yet fully grown, yet who had brought the kingdom closer to its glory: Thalion.
The night wind gently brushed against the windows of Thalion's chamber. On a stone table, a map of Middle-Earth lay spread out, surrounded by stacks of thick books, ancient manuscripts, and scribbled calculations of time. A nearly spent candle cast long, dancing shadows on the walls.
Thalion sat alone, his body leaning forward, his eyes tracing line after line of his own handwriting.
Thalion (whispering to himself): "This year... if my calculations are correct, Thorin will soon begin his journey to Erebor. The year 2941 of the Third Age... that means only a few years left."
He took a deep breath. Although he had been busy building Rohan for the past two years, his mind had never truly let go of one thing: the future. A future he knew would come, because the memories of his previous world were still firmly rooted within him.
He marked important dates with red ink.
Thalion: "If I want to be part of that journey... then I must become much stronger than I am now. Erebor is no playground. And Smaug... he is not ordinary dragon."