Redwick's Flight
The following took part upon Redwick's journey along with Alfknutr, Threland and Darok to the Deadman's Dike within the North Downs. There were others upon this journey however they were not often among the initial four and have no part within the tale given here.
'Twas dawn and Threland, Alfknutr and Redwick had begun their march home after the horrific encounter at Deadman's Dike. The sun granted warmth and the wind granted a cool breeze upon them, and they were relieved that the dreaded domain was now to their backs and home was down Greenway to their front. Within their merriness Threland began to sing a song of drinking and woman, Alfknutr joined in and the echoes of their singing were heard all through the Trestle-Span as they passed over it into Trestlebridge, the town was a grim sight to for companions behold but they have seen it before and had given some aid to the folk so there was little to dampen their spirits upon such a day.
Upon reaching the other end of the town Threland had began to speak with Redwick and they delved into the conversation heedless that Alfknutr was no longer with them but soon they had noticed and suddenly they had begun to panic. 'Knot, Knot!' they called but there was no answer. Up the hill and back into Trestlebridge they ran, they searched the town, they searched their old camp site but there was no sign of their companion. They had begun to worry for many dreadful thoughts had come upon them as they thought of what may have become of Alfknutr and soon it was assumed that he was taken by orcs who linger near the edges of the Greenway. And so they ran south down the Greenway to search for their companion and assail whatever orcs may have taken him, they arrived to the orc-camp which they had seen before and assailed however their numbers were grown once more. They stood in the shadows behind debris as they peered into the camp but their search was in vain for they could not find him, so they began to despair as they walked back to the Greenway.
That is when Redwick noticed a figure in the distance, a figure of a mighty man and it was obvious to him that the figure had been Darok. Then Redwick ran towards him for he thought that he would know where Knot had gone, however Darok ran from Redwick but he would not give up his chase. Upon a green field he chased for he was swift on his feet and eager to find out what had become of his friend. Into a thicket, over roots he jumped and he called to his friend, but there was no answer. He continued to run away and Redwick pursued.
After a great chase they came upon a wolf-den and there Darok ran for he was a wolf-friend and they were friend to him. However Redwick was no friend of wolves and he could only watch as Darok sat down and took rest within their den, Redwick tried to approach him but he was assailed by three wolves. One he shot with an arrow ere it could near him, the second came forth and it's jaw came upon Redwick's leg as he drew another arrow. He yelped and pulled upon his bow string, letting an arrow fly upon the wolf, piercing its skull and slaying it. Forth came the third and Redwick knocked an arrow to his bow but he was not swift enough, the beast lept and brought its jaw upon his left forearm which he held the bow with, ripping his flesh. In his desperation Redwick released his bow and jabbed at the beast with his arrow, piercing its eye and slaying it.
Then Rediwck knelt down and bowed his head in a vain attempt to conceal his anger and hatred towards Darok's treachery. He arised painfully with a grunt and there he stood, glaring hatefully to Darok who made no move to aid his injured companion and Redwick cursed at him before limping off as swiftly as he could.
He went South once more and made his way back upon the Greenway leaving behind a trail of bloody droplets upon the cobble. Long he limped and he began to despair, he had began to believe that all his companions were now traitors and they wished for him to be slain there but he went on with his attempts to keep himself from succumbing to such thoughts. At length he had seen the hedge of Bree-town and he went towards it, entering by the south and treading up the hill where upon he dropped his arrow to the cobble and removed his mantle from his shoulders. He wrapped it tightly around his forearm to lessen his bleeding and he went on towards the Prancing Pony, the only place he had known where one may find some rest in Bree. He greeted none as he entered and sat by a dormant table. He held his forearm and set his forehead upon the table, and he closed his eyes wishing that many things had not come to pass.
The other three soon came to Bree for they had followed Redwick's path of blood drops. With him Threland brought back Redwick's bow and he was glad to receive it. Darok came and he spoke to Redwick of what had happened, Redwick found most of it vague for his trust dies easily but he forgave Darok nonetheless, but he will never forget for scars of Darok's wolves even now still remain as a permanent reminder upon Redwick's body.
