Deep within the valley, beyond the unnatural darkness where the silhouettes of long dead men dwell in absolute silence, candle light flickered in the old abandoned hut on the far side of the valley. It was a very small hut, its wood rotten and barely standing and inside full of dust and spider webs. The old wooden chair groaned every time Veryacano shuffled, as if it were about to collapse. While the rest of the group sat around the fire outside, there alone he sat through the night, writing his account of what transpired on his search for Anglachelm on his little note book. He would carry it at all times with him and never leave it lying around or even in his backpack. With his crude pencil which grew ever shorter, he wrote.
''It is now the fifth day since we left Imladris. The scouts have brought their reports, as below.
Nothing of interest reported to the North west. The hilltop ruins and the lands beyond were long abandoned by men. I am convinced that Lord was not taken that way.
To the south a rather large settlement was reported, believed to be called Nan Laeglin. Scouts also sighted a few tall men who seemed like Dunedain rangers, however no contact was made. Rangers might provide us with much needed information. All in due time.
To the south west, vast forests were reported, although it is said to be dark and gloomy place and scouts say no man would go there willingly. There is no road or path leading that way, hence I dont think Lord was taken that way either.
Lord Tindir led a group south and east towards a place that is called Thror as our prisoner suggested. The area is marked on our map as Thror’s Coomb. Tindir located an enemy camp or village, under heavy guard. He suspects someone of importance dwells there. Further east, he reports that a large enemy force is encamped and he could go no further. It is the only real lead we have on where Lord Anglachelm might be taken to.
However in the meantime; I have ridden north along the old King’s Road, the chief road which connects the old kingdom of Arnor and Gondor. I have found the road to be blocked by a wooden palisade, almost a small fort. It was garrisoned by a few Dun men. I know the road was open until not long ago and the palisade was obviously built recently. It is possible that Lord Anglachelm may have been taken North along the King’s Road and dun men have now blocked it, to prevent our pursuit. However, we have taken every precaution to avoid being sighted by the enemy. Surely they have noticed their scouts and riders disappearing but as far as we know, the enemy knows not who lurks in these lands.
It is my opinion that this wooden palisade is a ruse, devised by the enemy to lead us north while Lord Anglachelm is being taken south. This may also mean that the enemy knows that we are after them. It is now too early to make judgment on such things. First we must find out if our captive was telling the truth about the Lord being taken to Thror’s Coomb. Come the morning, we set out south east. It is said to be two days march from here.
Since the beginning we have been thinking that the local tribal chiefs would know of the whereabouts of the captured elf lord. I am hoping that one of these tribal chiefs dwells in this camp to the south east. Our plan so far is to launch a night raid on this camp and capture the chieftain and perhaps then we can get some answers. However some are already worried that there may be innocent women and children in this camp. Just hours ago I had to stop a quarrel between those worried and others who have grown grim and relentless in their hatred for the dun men. It is a delicate situation. We simply cannot afford to let anyone get away and call reinforcements from nearby camps or alert the enemy to our presence. Although I swore to stop at nothing, we cannot just put innocent to the sword.
We need more information about this camp before we can plan further.''
Veryacano finished with a small note in the bottom.
''I have sent no word to Imladris thus far. We have need of my falcon Hwesta here, to communicate between our groups. I intend to send word once we find a lead on Anglachelm.''
Veryacano did not mind not having sent word to Imladris. He did not feel responsibility for such a thing anymore and for the most part, he despised those that remained in the valley for their inaction. He thought them weak of heart and he knew they cared neither for Anglachelm, nor for Veryacano. ''Why should I care for them?'' He thought. They would neither lend aid or send help for this cause. Such thoughts steeled his resolve in his quest. Perhaps something coming from his blood, he desired success even more, especially without support from the rest of Bar-en Vanimar. Thus he wished to push his company harder forward, no matter how hopeless it seemed. ''Let them rot in their halls.'' he thought. ''Better to wonder these wilds than to stay with them in Imladris.''
As Veryacano finished his report, his hand reached for the flask of red wine lying next to his notebook. That was the last he had, for the small barrel he brought along from Imladris was now empty. Of his other thoughts, he wrote nothing. Though this uncertainty was the worst torture for him, he would not despair, nor quit. It seemed to him that the path before him was full of deceit, false leads and unforeseen difficulties. He knew that if he were to lead his company down the wrong path, they were most likely to lose all hope of ever finding Anglachelm. He wondered if he would be lost on this search as well, like a leaf blown away in the wind, perhaps he was to walk the earth alone, ever in search of Anglachelm. ''It cannot take that long.'' He hoped.
