The four men had been tracking for hours. Finally the tracks led to a destroyed wagon along the great eastern road. Some force had splintered the wood and heaved it up on its side. The tracks, to the keen eyes of Fernwick, told the tale of a desperate fight. At least two trolls and a dozen goblins had been involved. A bloodstained track led towards a tree. It was there they made a gruesome discovery. A mauled body of a man was seemingly resting against the tree. The hight and stature of the dead man matched the one they were looking for. A wider search yielded a broken blade and a hilt of Gondorian make. Andoramir spotted a blood stained torn up cloak and it was the final proof that this indeed was the remains of Belregond, Captain of Gondor. The missing Captain had been found dead.
The men debated what to do with their fallen comrade. Burial or burning was out of the question. It was then Iarvund came up with the idea to take him to the old Arnorian fort in the Midgewater marsh. There surely they could at least raise a cairn. Captain Andoramir rode ahead while Iarvund and Fernwick made a makeshift stretcher.
Upon arrival at the old fort, Andoramir had found what seemed to be a Dunedain altar. They found it empty. Maybe it had never been used or the old bones had long since crumbled to dust. They placed the body inside, and placed the shattered sword on his chest. The heavy lid was moved in place and flowers were placed on top.
Now followed a short ceremony, in which the men took turn in speaking. Captain Andoramir indeed was sad to see his friend dead. It is true there had been some rivalry between them but he still regarded Belregond a friend.
Iarvund spoke of great men that had lived and died for the glory of Gondor. Belregond was now one of them.
Fernwick spoke of the honour, strength and skill of Belregond, who even in his last struggle managed to kill a good number of Goblins.
Beofreth was too distraught by the death of his Captain that he only managed to agree upon what had been said already.
At the end of the ceremony, Iarvund sang the old Gondorian soldiers song "O victorious dead" . When he was done the four men said their goodbyes and saluted their fallen comrade.
