Days up on Ost Barandor seem to pass by as fast as the birds can fly. My solitude up here in the Brandy hills did remind me of other days in my past. Days of solitude and cold weather.
I believe its about five years now. I had just obtained Aronath as my trusty steed and was send up north to investigate some rather ''Unusual'' activity within the hills and bay of Forochel.
A harsh land where temperatures will freeze you to death if not well clothed against it.
I did as asked and packed my gear. And before I knew it the green lands turned into white covered hills. Within two weeks It seemed like I had entered an entire different world. One of thick snow, giant creatures, hardy folk and unforgiving weather.
Luckily I had packed some good gear for the weather. It was a gift from one of my friends back at Esteldin.
I changed and rode into the darkness of the night. Avoiding the villages and locals was one of my prime objectives and so I made sure that I took the longest route.
Eventualy I managed to pass a great canyon of ice and made it to the Bay of Forochel. It was an amazing sight to behold! I kneel down for a moment before I started setting up camp a bit further down the road towards the East shore of the bay.
I camped out near on the east bay for about a week. Aronath was well clothed too so he did not mind. I rode him a couple of times every day to give him that extra warmth from moving around. I also used him to hunt the winter worms that can be found all around the bay. Their furs provided as good blankets and their skins were very nice to use as tent covers and of course their flesh made for a good meal.
Then.... Something happened. I did not see it coming but I spotted something rather odd moving upon one of the cliffs overlooking the bay. People?.... Yes! But they did not look anything like the Lossoth.
I took my bow and some arrows and moved in to take a closer look. At my horror I saw it was a scout group of Angmarim, alongside some undead followers.
''No hesitation'' That was my first thought. And so I aimed out a shot and killed one of the scouts on instant. The others reacted in panic, not knowing what to do. It was an easy battle.
After they were all taken care off I went in to see what they were doing here. I searched a woman, the one that was controlling those undead. She had a map!
The map showed me that there was a large encampment just beyond the hills where the Angmarim were stationed.
I went out there. Into those hills. I had to...
I found the camp. It was build within some old forgotten dwarf-build ruins. It was not too large but big enough to for a threat. On instinct I wrote a letter and send it out towards Esteldin by hawk.
After a few days of just sitting around and taking down various key figures within the enemies encampment I received word that another ranger would be send to inform the Lossoth at Sûri-Kylä about this. Lothrandir was his name I believe.
I was then told to move towards the west shore to find a ship.
'"A ship?'' I asked myself.
But very well... A ranger is to follow his captains command and so I packed up my camp and rode west along the shoreline.
It took me about a day to reach the west side of the massive bay. I've overheard local hunters, that passed my camp at night, talk about ''The great sea monster''. Could it be this ship?
At last at noon on the third day I managed to get the first glimpse of a massive ship laid within the bay. Crashed upon the rocks.
What a sight it was. It must have laid their for so long, yet the frozen state kept it perfectly in tact.
I took about an hour to mark out the route I should take to reach it and to admire the beauty of something that was a horrible experience back then.
After my short break I rode out. At dusk I finally managed to reach an icy crossing that would lead me towards the ship. All around the crossing were totems with strange ruins on it. Perhaps the Lossoth had placed them there in fear what they claimed as a sea monster. I do not know. I passed quietly to make sure that whatever creatures were roaming the place took no notice of me.
The ship was old indeed. And it seemed familiar as I came close to it.
It was the ship that was send to aid the last king of Arnor. King Arvedui...
This was the ship that should have been his savior but it was caught in a massive storm and crashed upon the ice, breaking apart as it did.
I understood now why I was send to find it.
I had to see what heirlooms were still to be found!
Sadly though there were none. And as night fell I had no other choice but to spend the night within the wreck of what used to be my ancestors.
I woke in the middle on the night....
A light caught the corner of my eye. No campfire nor torch could make this light. Not sure of it I took my blade and calmly sneaked towards the crack within the ship.
By the lords....... How beautiful......
It was the light of the north! Something I heard many stories about but never was able to see myself.
My father used to tell me about these lights. He always said they were the souls of warriors that died there by combat. And that they still watch over the north as the green lights in the skies. Of course this was just a story told for a child that did not want to go to sleep.
I spend the rest of the night watching those lights......
At dawn I rode... back towards that canyon.... My mission was over and I had to return to inform Halbarad of my findings.
As the days passed by once more I saw how the Snowy mountains that I came used to seeing, turned back into the green hills and old ruins of my ancestors kingdom.
I was back in the north downs..... Back home at last.....
