The Tale of Asinyal and Kedara


 * "Courage in love and war is the theme"


 * - Andrahar, Trust

A Haradric epic poem based on the historical deaths in battle of Kedara, the Khan of Lokhar, and his shield-brother, Asinyal.

Kedara of Lokhar
Kedara was the khan of Lokhar, and the bearer of a scimitar called "Nightshade," made by the semi-legendary Haradric swordsmith, Mahiran. Said to have been in the prime of his life when he assisted in the retreat of Castamir's sons from Pelargir in 1448, he had never married.

Asinyal
Lord of a clan allied to Lokhar, and the shield-brother of Kedara. He also participated in the retreat from Pelargir, fighting in the rearguard against the advancing Gondorians.

When the pro-Castamir faction's rearguard was cut off from the ships waiting to bear Castamir's sons and supporters from Pelargir, Kedara returned to his shield-brother's side. Neither survived the ensuing battle, and Nightshade was lost.

Interpretations
Among Haradrim: The poem is said to belong to the genre of "romantic epic" and to focus on the virtue of courage in the arenas of love and war.

There is at least one sung version of the story of Asinyal and Kedara, though whether it is the epic set to music or a different version is unclear.

Among Gondorrim: Given Gondor's general dislike of homoerotic verse and relationships, there is a tendency to disguise the central shield-brother relationship in translation, by rendering Asinyal as a woman who has disguised herself as a man in order to follow Kedara, her beloved, to war and win his regard.