Aughaire

With a curved bow in his hand, he marched through the barren wasteland underneath the mask of darkness the land has given him. Soon, he shifted from being out in the open towards the cover of trees and rocks to hide him from sight. He waited, and his instincts were correct for soon, he had heard voices. Voices he recognized – one was croaky and crisp with age and weariness, whilst the other was simply aggressive and showing strength through even his voice.

It was a cruel night – dark and cold, empty of emotion yet corrupted, and it stabbed Nenusidh’s warm heart like a knife. The land was giving the ranger a message – a rather bitter message at that, that there cannot be mercy. The moon was neither bold nor strong enough to best the cruel skies, and the stars were too few and much covered. The land was covered in darkness, yet despite so, there was a fragment of light within the ranger.

It has been two days and well into noon, by now. Despite so, this did not trouble Nenusidh, perhaps it was one of the reasons why he had to set out so quickly, which was the journey will be a while in itself. He has made way into the steep hills of Nan Amlug, the area where the forest breaks into hill and deep valleys.

Today we left Aughaire again and we went to the north. We got enough of information from the Orcs of Morfil and we made haste to save Ancthan. Personally, I had no hope for the elves. That was the surprising part of the day. We made our way to the north-Eastern part of the evil land. It was when we rested at a little camp, I do not remember the name, that we suddenly met another elf. Masked, worn and tired. I was not by the first to recognize Orodrethas, Arstelles brother.

From Esteldin we rode to Aughaire. Before the pass of Ram Duath we decided to split. The main group took the middle way while Captain Adilyr and Ancthan took the eastern pass to prevent orcs disturbing us north. We successfully reached Aughaire as we had in mind but were nervous untill our warriors returned. Great was the grief when Adilyr returned alone, being overwhelmed by the orcs and split from Ancthan. Acthan is captured by the orcs.

26-08-3 RedStable

It did not feel like a welcome home.

There was no freshness in this morning. The air did not carry the sweetness of growing things, awakening again to the sun. No, it was just barren; barren and dry. A foul layer of dust covered the ground, the buildings, and everything, almost overnight, it seemed. But this was not even the light, and gentle dust the clouded courtyard in front of the Pony in Bree. It was not even that rich brown dust that could be found outside the Old Forest. This was black, and choking, and filled the air with an evil smell.