After a week of respite and re-evaluation of their options the Rohirrim are once again to ride, this time east, by the Great East Road, towards the Lone Lands and Ost Guruth.
That last week had most of the riders on the edge, for some yerned to go back home and see their loved ones, while others couldn't wait to ride down the plains of Rohan chasing the enemy back where they came from.
Thus with their spirits and hopes restored the brave men and women of Rohan prepared for the journey. They sharpened their weapons, saddled their horses, gathered their supplies and lined up, waiting for the order to move out.
Just before their departure, Captain Aueryll saw it prudent to test the responsiveness and tactical experience of the host. Unfortunatelly he came to realize that the riders had become complasant and thus their performance was lacking. Having decided it was time for the Rohirrim to have more frequent training in mounted formations, he gave the order to begin their journey to the east.
The ride to the Lone Lands was uneventful. Having scouted the area well, the Rohirrim knew where dangers lurked and avoided them. Some of the riders were sad to see the woods of Bree-Land for the last time. So many years, so many adventures, so many friendships...
By the time they reached the Forsaken Inn, the sun had already gone down. Captain Aueryll gave the order for the riders to take shelter there for the night and appointed Eorland to keep an eye for when dawn approached in order for them to continue their journey.
It was no surprise that an inn with such an ill-conceived name would offer equally ill-applied services. Spoiled ale and rotten food was all that the inn offered. Some of the Rohirrim began talk about a rumor that strange noises, like inhuman screams used to haunt the inn's cellar. Some were either curious enough to venture there. Ofcourse the origin of the sounds remained a mystery, though the suspicion of many was confirmed: Rats had taken over the cellar.
The moon was still high when one of the riders, Kennia, noticed an Elf in the inn which she thought had followed them all the way from Bree. Trying to determine whether this elf was a friend of one of the riders, she decided to ask the help of Eorran to talk to the mysterious elf maiden. Both of them confronted the stranger and soon Eorland joined them. It would seem that the elvish woman was curious about the host of horse lords and had decided to follow them. The two Eorlingas informed her that the riders were headed to dangerous territories and to war, to which she reacted with surprise.
It was then that the golden rays of the sun slowly breached the gray-blue veil of dawn. Aueryll gave the order for the army to mount up and continue their journey east. Kennia and Eorran were surpsised to notice the Elf followed suit. When asked she replied her curiousity had won over any fears of dangers.
As the riders of the Riddermark walked on the paved road to Ost Guruth, just opposite of the Weathertop, several half-orcs jumped out of their hiding places behind rocks and charged at the unsuspected travellers. The battle ended swift with several of the archers killing the assailing half-orcs. It would seem that the road towards the east through the Lone Lands was one less travelled and as such full of possible ambushes. Eorran then advised the Captain to send some soldiers at their flanks, making sure that no ambush will surprise them again. Aueryll agreed and ordered Eorland and Kennia to take a side of the road each and proceed ahead of the Eored, taking out any lurking enemies.
As they continued on their path, the clamour of swords and the low hum of the bowstring accompanied the Eored to its destination. Finally they reached their next stop. Captain Aueryll, showing respect and wisdom, took Rhinath with him and proceeded to meet with the leader of the men dwelling in the ruined fort of Ost Guruth, asking for permission to camp there, while the Eored waited patiently outside.
It didn't take long for the Captain to return with good news. They were allowed to camp for seven days. A smile crossed the faces of the Eorlingas who -tired from the journey- welcomed the news and began setting up camp.
Although ruined, the fort contained many people and merchants and guards, which meant that with the additional force of the Rohirrim it would be quite defencable. The riders of the Eored scattered all over the fort and set up positions almost everywhere, in the tall stone barracks, to the front yard, the back yard, even in the area immediatelly outside the east wall.
As the Rohirrim began to organize themselves in the tall stone barracks, a number of men ran in and informed the Captain that on the west of Ost Guruth, during a patrol, they encountered a number of orcs and spiders. Auyeryll became more concerned when he was informed that the patrol was spotted and that they engaged in combat. He didn't want anyone to know that there was an army of Rohirrim in the area, in fear that it would attract the orcs and half-orcs to lay siege on the fort.
Meanwhile the Rohirrim who camped east of the fort noticed a thumping sound in the distance. It didnt take them long to realize those were orcish drums of war. Ost Guruth was surrounded!!!
[to be continued..]
