Upon approaching the hill and the narrow path, Himwen noticed two things. The camp seemed to buzz with excitement. Rangers greeted her as she ascended the slopes, some of them she had spoken to previously as she had joined them on their watch against the shadows many an eve. Slumber did not replenish her as it had before the encounter with the Good Captain and keeping a watchful eye was the best she could offer. The second thing was how empty it now looked. They were quickly removing any trace that could be found of the camp itself. Were they really leaving?
Just inside the cave, a Dunedain scout stopped her by grabbing her arm. Surprised she looked down into the womans wide eyes as her tale, jumbled at times, came sprouting forth. "Slow down, you are not making much sense, Alludra." Himwen encouraged her. The woman took a deep breath and begun her tale anew.
"We received the summons at last! Only a few are to remain in camp, the rest will follow to the south. Here, this came for you as well, thanks to the messenger birds." Alludra shoved a 3 centimeter coiled note into Himwens hand and then ran off, seemingly to continue her packing. Himwen shook her head a moment, realising that Alludras excitement would wear off sometime along the road and the poor woman might not even make it that far. She was young even by the second born standards, but had taken to Himwens company at times when they had shared wine and stories during Himwens stay in the cave. Carefully opening the note, she read...
"Dear lady Danel, we have not heard anything from you in a long time. If you are in danger, please contact us immediately. We will send help. Tingruviel"
Himwen snorted. So it was supposed for lady Danel, not her. Alludra probably was too eager to resume her packing to have read who it was for in the beginning. Or realised that the group had already left? And they had received no messages? Himwen thought back, she knew they had sent doves before. Had they not returned to the valley? This did not bode well. She grabbed the arm of another scout as he rushed by, arms full of writing utensils and paper. Himwen frowned, whipped a paper out of his stack and hastily jotted down a return message. Not to Tingruviel, but to Tindir this time. The scout looked rather offended but did not dare to utter a word and luckily for him, Himwen merely rolled the paper up, told him to gape, and shoved the scroll between his lips. Eyes wide, the scout jerked a bit, then accepted the instructions on how to send the letter and to do it with speed. Or else. She muttered to herself about the lack of tenacity of the second born as she watched the scout lumber outside towards the bird cages. He did not look a day older than seventeen, an age she had heard was quite young by men standards. Alludra was... 23? So young. How were they supposed to survive? She shook her head and went further into the cave to perhaps find someone in charge to ask some questions...
