The day started with rain, black clouds covered the sun and the drops were mercilessly falling on the ground and the people. Fiontann returned to the camp from scouting, to his surprise a Dwarf was with the others, his name was Gungur, he claimed that he was there for gold. Fion was amused by him and the company shared their turtle soup with him. The hour was passing and they had to leave as they lingerered there enough, just as they were finishing eating a lightning hit the rock they were under, causing most of the horses and the Dwarf's goat to flee scared. It seemed like a sign to leave...
They packed their things and walks North, past Nen Harn, into the land known as North Downs. Behind the hill Trolls could be heard, smelled also... They were blocking the way to Meluinen, the Elves settlement of the area, so the company had to do something risky. Fiontann ordered them to shoot to a tree far away to draw the trolls' attention, once the trolls left they passed quickly by the spot. But a company of 16 cannot remain unseen... Fiontann led them to Meluinen, Mynna, Sigfread. Rothrian, Aeonid, Cisel, Sarriya, Gungur, Helthambeth, Talgoy, Bothilda, Fengdiel, Pren, Fredericka, Modbo and Colvomir. Sixteen warriors strong...
They passed through the marsh when some wolves surrounded them, their red eyes were glowing in the dark, they were growling menacingly, ready to attack. The company took up a defensive formation and got ready to defend, yet, the wolves left just as suddenly as they came and the people made their way to the settlement to rest and ressuply in some safety.
What they saw there wasn't what they expected, the settlement was empty, all Elves have left, except for one, Thaldaneth. Thaldaneth let them stay and rest, so the company made themselves comfortable, at least for the night. When Fiontann asked where the others went the Elf said that they went away to repel the rocs that had come too clsoe to the settlement. That was no good, if the orcs started setting out like this it meant that they must hurry even more...
The night progressed and the rain was starting to stop, the drops were becoming less and less, the insects that were singing from between the grass silenced and everyone felt as if the night had stopped still. Too still... Those moments were felt as hours until a horn sounded from somewhere afar, only to break the silence, then a second and a third and the noise of a marching host on the run could be heard, approaching fast. As if the rocs weren't enough, how howls of wolves from behind the wolves could be heard also, but not somewhere, far, just outside the walls... The company took up arms to defend the settlement and themselves and took position on the main bridge. A fourth and a fifth horn sounded and the orcs were now opposite of them, growling and laughing menacingly. Their sounds would scare even the bravest of warriors...
Without a warning the orcs charged towards the company which fought bravely to hold the settlement. The Elf fought with them and they managed to keep it until the orcs stepped aside for their fierce warg riders to come out. They fell by the brave defenders too and the orcs continued the attack. As the night started to fade away the orcs were becoming afrad and their attacks clumsy. After another round of failure they stepped sideways to allow their archers to shoot one round of arrows towards the defenders. Some got hit, others managed to hide and the orcs fled, ran panicked back to the forest to seek cover from the sun.
The dawn saved the company which gathered the wounded ones and carried them into the building to treat them. The day would be safe, yet they couldn't set out. They had to rest and make sure that the wounded ones were able to move and the settlement was safe... Seeing all this, the Elf Thaldaneth decided to join The Fateless Wanderers, soon they would set out, but not now... These are dark times.. Evil lurks everywhere, the orcs could attack again, anytime...
