The truth was written in the letter that I received from sir Leofan a few days ago. The Company of Lost Tales answered our call, and has once again honoured the Dúnedain Alliance that was forged many months ago in the safety of Bree homesteads.
Now, when the stirring of the Goblins in the high peaks of the Misty Mountains is growing larger, we are together once again, but this time far from the safety of the settlements of Men.
We are in Glóin's camp, for the Enemy has reinforced its presence in the region as of late.
We met with them in the eve, and the howling of the cold wind was easily replaced with merry tales of good times. However, the joy was short-lived, as we had to address the threat that was lurking in the shadows, well hidden behind the curtains of snow.
After discussing the potential plans of our operation, we had a short rest and used the little time we had to pack before dawn. Our goal was marked, our weapons were sharp and our warriors battle-ready. We advanced from Glóin's camp northwards, in hope to successfuly follow the trail that was emerging from time to time, somehow still preserved from the avalanches and heaps of snow, as we tried to reach the High pass in the North.
We have previously scouted the region during the last summer, as our scouts delved deep into the Mountains, well beyond the High Northern Pass and into Hrimbarg.
At first, we travelled safely, for the sun was bright and wild animals were either hiding in their caves of snow, or were frightened of our rather noisy fellowship. But, later, as we ascended into the freezing heights, the sightings of wildlife increased, and the animals were not keen on avoiding us; quite the opposite, they rushed into our group one at a time, giving a good opportunity for our fellowship to warm up and get prepared for what was to come.
The weather, fortunately, was more than good during the first part of the journey, but as we climbed higher and higher, the first signs of recent snowfall were evident. To our surprise, we even saw a man walking in the distance, wearing leathery outfit that was resembling to some of the outfits I saw many months earlier, on my not-so-inviting visit to Gath Forthnir in Angmar. And I was right, it was one of the Corcur, the ones who sided with the false King of Angmar and succumbed to his authority. It was an unpleasant sighting indeed, and we did not allow him to escape and warn the others. Leofan ordered his archers to fire at will, and the Corcur servant fell in less than a few moments.
What was even more disturbing, as we were approaching the High Pass, these Corcur men were accompanied by earth-worms, who did not seem to be aggressive and violent toward these corrupt hillmen; the thought of Angmarim, the lost servants of Rhudaur and drakes being on the same side gave me chills down the spine, but I did not express my concern to the group, for I wanted our focus to be the passage to Hrimbarg, and nothing else.
After a long and an exhausting climb to the first sight of the High pass, we encountered many different foes, including Goblin scouts that were roaming the area in search for lone travellers unwise enough to delve into the Mountains, but we never expected to be attacked by an evil so powerful and great in the very foot of the High Pass; it was a drake twice the size of a house, all black and it was letting its fearsome noise and landed right next to our fellowship. The smallest one of the group, a Hobbit named Drollio, quickly escaped behind the trees, while the rest of the group (still in shock) tried to get a line of defense against the creature.
Archers fired their arrows, and champions clanked their heavy swords against the scales of this mighty beast, and as we fought, one of our own was wounded; That did not stop us, for we slayed the drake and all rejoiced after such a magnificent, and yet, an unexpected battle.
Kaldregar, a young Lore-master of the Company of Lost Tales was wounded in his leg. However, he proved to be a sturdy one, for he continued his journey in spite of his pain, and as we climbed the High Pass, the blizzard was already brewing.
The fear of being caught by darkness was pushing us forward, and we knew we had to reach the other side of the pass before sunset; the day proved to be a tough one, and we proved to be even tougher.
