Account of Veryacano, 22 Tulié, Year 472

[a page of an ancient journal written in Quenya. Still, it looks so old that it feels like it is about to disintegrate in your hands. Some parts seem erased and unreadable and some parts are so timeworn, you can barely make out the meaning..] Late evening, 22 Tulié, Year 472 Our host continues to march east through the forests of north Dorthonion. We bear no banners or signs of war, Lord Maedhros does not want to provoke the enemy into an attack yet. We will reach the plains of east Anfauglith in a few days. For now, we still move in shadows of the woods. I have been fighting too long now. For years in Hithlum and now in Dorthonion. But we are not done yet. The enemy has been driven from Dorthonion, but the woods here are still dark and corrupt. We met an orc patrol the day before, under the starlight. They were concealed by a fell mist untill they appeared suddenly, not further than the range of our archers. They charged at us like wild beasts but they met our swift blades. The dust was then swept away by the east wind as if the enemy wishes to see what end his servants met. Perhaps they were just a patrol force, or the enemy is testing our strenght. That evening, my Lord Maedhros gathered his brothers and swiftly, he rode east ahead of us. I think he was alarmed by the attack and went forth to finish preparations of his army at Himring. With Lord Maedhros gone, Captain Falaranas is in charge now. He told me of Lord Maedhros' plan for our regiment. We are to form the vanguards of the army and march to war at the foremost. The main force of Noldor will march behind us under Féanor's banner and Men of east under Bor and Ulfang's command will form the rearguard. Naugrim of Belegost too, have joined with us. Their lord, Azaghâl has promised to bring ten thousand warriors. First, we will meet with Maedhros and the army from Himring in the east. Then, we will march to the enemy's fortress at Thangorodrim. Fingon will ...[from here on, the ink seems smudged, or perhaps erased. You cannot read the rest of the paragraph]... Soon, Lord Maedhros will move his army north to make the final preparations. We are in need of fresh troops and fine armor. I hear Noldor smiths are working hard these days, but our skill in weaponsmithing is not what it used to be in the days of Aman. Our Vanguard will need the best armor and weapons. Perhaps armories of Belegost contain such arms worthy of the coming battle. I hope I can find myself a good shield and ...[the words here have faded out beyond recognition]... News from the west and south have arrived today. Arrogant king of Doriath refuses to send any aid to Noldor. It seems wisdom of Singollo Elwe is little of late. He is quick to forget that it was Noldor that kept his kingdom safe from Morgoth! But still, Orodreth is sending some thousands from Nargothrond in Gwindor's command. Eldar of Hithlum and Falas are gathering under Fingon's banner. Edain houses of Dor-lomin march to war with them... [The rest of the parchment is completely torn off. You find the matching piece from the pile of pages nearby and manage to read the rest] Captain says they make their camp at the safety of Ethel Sirion. It is at least a weeks march to the west. All this distance makes me nervous.. I would have marched the armies of Eldar and Edain through Anfauglith side by side. Perhaps Lord Maedhros needs wiser advisors. For now, it seems we will not see the white banners of Fingon untill the day of battle...