The Journey Home III - Arrival.
*a letter sent to Irwinn*
Dear Faeder.
I would want you to know that my journey home to Riddermark have ended. As for now I am sitting in the barracks of Snowbourn, writing this letter to you.
Our journey here was long, much longer than I had expected. Our travels through the depths of Moria lived up to the assumed hardships we had to get through. Even when guided by the Durin Folk, the constant darkness and threat we had to endure took its fair toll on the men. I can with outmost appreciation and honesty say that if it wasn't for the dwarves, my own spirit would have faltered. I found myself finding many similarities with their wish to reclaim Moria. Even though not being comparable with the wide plains of Riddermark, Moria had its own splendor, something some of the men of the Mark failed to see. There was masonry beyond ones comprehension to be witnessed as we descended, however, wherever there was something impressive to behold, there were also hordes of goblin, orcs and trolls to pass through. It was a mistake to believe that this was the best path to Riddermark, and I urge you to not follow my footsteps, and instead find alternative routes for our people. We made it through though. With the view over Mirrormere greeting us, we set camp amongst the dwarves and elves that had established themselves the banks of the lake. We rested for several days before we continued into Dwimordene lands.
To our luck we had befriended an elf during our ways through Moria, an acquainted to Awiergan named Rildheldiel. As many of the men were not willing to move onwards from the camp, much because of fatigue, but also because of their distrust for the dwimordene, I put myself at mercy of Rildheldiel, who guided me through the Golden Woods. My description of it is only breif, as I was blindfolded by the eaves of the forest. Yet, even long before and within their borders, there were both orcs alive patrolling the roads, and orcs laying dead at the banks of Nimrodel. It seems the dwimordene have their own issues to deal with. As well as the dwarves.
Once blindfolded my journey began through the forest. The elf spoke much of her people, and told me the story of the river, one I hope to share with you when we meet again faether. Even though my sense of sight had been deprived of me, at times I thought I could hear whispers amongst the trees. Along with singing. Rildheldiel spoke of the fair maiden of the woods and how those who does meet her rarely remains the same. I thought it wise to pass through without drawing too much attention of the elven sorceress.
At the eastern borders of the forest I was given my sight back once again. Just to see Eother and the rest of the riders horses awaiting me by the elves vineyard. They were all quite restless and eager to have speed possess their legs. After giving my appreciation to Rildheldiel, she aided me in dressing Eothers armor for the continued journey and assured me that the others would be led through the forest safely as well. There was something about this elf, a sense of grace came over me, which I have rarely felt for them in the past. Having endured Moria together, our farewell took place amongst bittersweet smiles, words and a song:
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My journey continued to the first camp of the Great River, where I met up with Rhowyn, the female shieldmaiden you sent my way once upon a time. Together we traveled to Stangard, where we decided to remain over the night and await the others passing through the Golden Woods. It brought me renewed energy to see the interior of a Riddermark meadhall once again, while the local population seemed to greet us with much suspicion due to arriving from the Golden Woods at first, they soon enough provided lodgings for us over the night.
During my sleep, the remaining riders of the company also arrived to Stangard, and by dawn, Edelred, his son, Eiryth and I set out to scout the roads to Snowbourne. We decided to split up in the Wold. Edelred took his son to Harwick to gather information there, while Eiryth led me to her childhood home of Bélfa(Floodwend). On our way there she told me that she used to be betrothed to a noble in Bélfa, something I had known nothing of. Her wish was to have me meet one of her remaining relatives at the tavern, and it was with much regret I decided to follow her there. It was late, and I had already arranged to meet Edelred and his son at first light, near the burial ground of Eorl. The meeting was hurried. After having been accused of dishonouring the previous betrothal of Eiryth, I decided to take my hurried leave, Eiryth followed me and insisted I stayed for a bit longer. With these words I took my leave from Floodwend, and Eiryth:
"I will not stay, I have my duties to attend to, nor would I wish to remain in company that dishonours my name, or hides the truth from me. Company like yourself, Eiryth."
With these words I left Bélfa and Eiryth behind and continued to Eorls Burial, the sun had already risen over the horizon and upon my arrival I could see Edelred standing within the burial ground explaining the various stone carvings to his son who seemed more than thrilled by the words that were being explained to him about Eorls life. I waited patiently for them to finish, as I wouldn't wish to deprive such an important moment in the childs life. Once they had finished we followed the road to Garsfeld, then continuing to Snowbourne.
When arriving in Snowbourn I could feel a great burden lift from my shoulders, yet, I couldn't help to think about of how unsuccessful I had been. A failure it was to only have a small amount of remaining riders with me as I passed the goal of the journey. A failure I still begrudge myself, sitting here in the barracks, knowing how much we need capable fighters in order to sustain any form of security over the east-emnet. Captain Denholm have proven to be a man I can look up to and who's lead I feel honoured to follow. But he is only one man, and is limited to what he is capable of. I shall continue to do my best to serve the people of the east-emnet, yet I hope that you will be able to send more riders to us soon enough, with better success than I have had.
Be well faeder!
I hope to hear from you soon.
*signed*
Irwthryth, your son.
