Awiergan recently had led a small company of the Esquires to the lands known as Eregion. The journey was long and had many obstacles for the small company. Obstacles such as trolls and some other beasts which one would find in the wilds.
Swift they traveled through the Lone Lands, however, Awiergan had decided that it would be best to slowly tread through the Trollshaws, many others thought otherwise but it was dark and paths were not easy to find. Especially for one who is still trying to remember the paths he had once taken. They had made it halfway through the Shaws but it was then when they had seen their first threat. A troll, large and fat. The Troll did not see them, but they saw him and for a moment decided that it may be best to heed Awiergan's idea of treading slowly. They carried on for a short while when suddenly the troll re-appeared, however this time he noticed them as they noticed him. There was no avoiding conflict, so the few riders jumped down the side of their horses and quickly charged at the beast, bringing him down swiftly before he could manage to get an accurate hit on any of the members. The company now traveled more swiftly as to avoid more encounters such as these.
They journied on Eastward through the Trollshaws till they ended up at the Ford of Bruinen. At the sound of water beneath the feet of his horse Awiergan had turned back and shook his head. Clearly they had gone too far East and had missed the small Southern path within their haste. However, this was only a short delay and the company had soon found their way back West and then South down the correct path. A few more trolls they had encountered and that few more they had slain but there was no time to Celebrate or loot their kills for they had other things upon their minds. Onward they went, down and up many hills at a now slow pace, for the paths in the Southern Shaws many come to narrow edges to high cliffs. Eventually they had crossed a fallen tree which spanned the gap of two cliffs which led them to more woodland lands.
At unease the company felt in those woods and so they should have felt, for some trees began to move around them and they had taken notice of this. Shocked they were but they choose not to disturb things they know not about. They moved on but seemed even more wary of the path, though some members felt comforted by being surrounded by trees, even if they seemed to move. Aelden and Tidhelm felt at ease by it, many others were unsure but they had all felt at once at ease once they had cleared the trees and now looked upon wide and open lands. They then knew that they were in Eregion and their destination was not much further.
They rode on till eventually the road faded to dirt and they had stood upon a high hill so that they may gaze upon the lands. From the hill they saw many Elvish ruins which most decided it was best to keep away from, but Wulfthred insisted that he wished to know what lurks there. He quickly dismounted and ran to the ruins by foot, given Awiergan's leave for clearly there was no stopping him and aswell knowing what lurks in the lands would do good for a company who wishes to venture further through them.
Soon he returned, "Half-Orc scum and Wildmen! But I have found a path which leads further south!" He cried out as he arrived. They heeded his words and went on quickly, keeping away from any ruins, but soon that path of his once again had faded off. However, Wulfthred was now leading the way for he seemed to know where the path they seek maybe, the path which leads straight to the Hollin Gate of Moria. They had found that path, but not with ease.
Relieved to find the path they moved on at a slow pace and now Awiergan had been questioning Eironwen about the Mines as she always tends to have her head in books for she could read and made much of that skill. Awiergan did not learn much but he still had hopes of treading through the mines nonetheless. Though, there was something that Eironwen did not tell him of the mines for reasons only she now knows. He was pleased with what little had learnt and kept moving till they had made their way to more elvish ruins, though these were housed by some Elves who took camp there and a few Dwarves. Most likely of the Dwarvern companies who had ventured onward into the mines with hopes of reclaiming what was once lost to them.
There they met a Dwarf named Ráthwald, he stood infront of the Archway which stood over their path. This was the key moment and where they had wished to receive the most information from. Awiergan dismounted and greeted the Dwarf. He asked many things and received many answers, though not all were as he wanted to hear them for they would be allowed to tread the mines but they should not seek aid from the Dwarves while doing so, for they have their own matters to tend and the situations in Khazad-dum is still grave. A great many orcs have been seen there and some larger than the rest, these were Uruk-hai.
He then turned the company and told them all what he has learnt from the Dwarf. But there was something that none of the men were truly willing to do, even if it meant returning home to Rohan. They had to abandon their horses and tread the mines on foot. I grave loss this was for each of them. But they did not have much choice. The important matter to them then was, where do their horses go? Who shall take care of them and would they do so properly? Many options were mentioned but truly none were officially chosen for the day which they have to tread the Mines of Moria has not yet come for the Riders but when it does they best be prepared for the worst.
The company then took the long journey home, but much remained on their minds for abandoning their horses would not be done without a heavy heart for these men and woman.
