(OOC: Timeline of this story, the event described below happened before Theodred and Grimbold entered the gap of Rohan. The camp described was of a small group of riders (~100) stationed there prior to Theordreds arrival.)
Much to write but not much time to write it! Still stationed here at the gap of Rohan. Today we would ride to the tower of Orthanc, rumor has it that the tower looks grim these days. I strapped on my armor, leather straps around the body with chainmail sleeves and leg parts. When I walked to the fire I saw a man that did not appear from around here. He introduced himself as Angelnarth, just passing through here. Arunel and Tidhelm walked up and made acquaintance with the new man. He looked as he had been on a long journey, Arunel got him a bucket of water to refresh himself. In return he offered to aid us in whatever we were planning for that day. By this time shieldmaiden Wulfreda found us. We simply wanted to take a closer look at the tower of the wizard just north of the camp. We all mounted up and slowly made our way north.
We rode over a path with steep hill on both sides, the path led to a valley where to tower was standing like a dark spiral. Getting closer to the valley the trees were all cut down and the ground was black as it was set on fire. Black banners of the white hand were moving slowly in the mild breeze. Before we entered the valley a hideous looking man halted us. He wanted to know what we were doing here, and where we hailed from. As we stated we hailed from the mark he would not want to let us through, yet the man-orc was easily bribed with a bag of silver. Arunel clearly disapproved of the bribe, yet turning back was no option for me nor taking first blood on a wizards territory. We did not come all this way to be halted by a foolish man-orc. We were allowed to pass, so we slowly rode along the dark path. On both sides all vegetation was dead and withered, at the far sides wooden palisades were seen, as if there was an army camping there. Getting closer to the tower, I saw how big the tower actually was behind his high walls. It was no pretty sight and a growing feeling of dread was emitted from it. Getting closer to the gate I saw giant shapes, what appeared to be vicious looking trolls! By now I started to regret our journey to Orthanc. Keeping a sane distance from the trolls we halted, as shouts were heard from the wall. Another man-orc was shouting what our business was here. More and more man-orcs started gathering on the wall above us with ranged weaponry.
I tried to not offend the man-orcs, until they suddenly cowered away. I felt my heart pound as a white figure appeared on the wall. He had a long white/grey beard and wore white robes. His voice sounded friendly but booming and intimidating at the same time. He wanted to know what has brought men of the mark to his front gates. I tried to answer politely, not willing to offend the wizard, and I tried not to tremble of fear and anxiety. While he was talking I felt a strange urge to see reason in his words. Everything he said sounded so clear and obvious. I nearly forgot all the bad rumors said about the wizard. Then looking at the trolls at his gates I snapped and grew bold of a sudden anger. "tell me...why are these trolls at your gates!, and why are there orcs bearing the white hand burning villages in the Riddermark!? The wizards aura appeared darker as I felt a heavy pressure on my mind.
What happened next is not clear as I cant recall everything, only shards of memories of which I am not certain what was reality and what was not.
/ I saw Wulfreda and Tidhelm walk recklessly into Isengard / Angelnarth and Arunel shouted for them to come back / The ring of Isengard was black and full of orcs, fires burned / I saw my dead mother cry behind a window in the tower of Orthanc / I saw my long dead father crafting orc weapons / I cried seeing my father again but I could not go to him / I saw Arunel fighting with Tidhelm / I saw Angelnarth knocking out Wulfreda / I saw orcs shooting arrows from the walls. / I felt an arrow glancing my cheek / I saw Tidhelm ran out of sight.
Suddenly my head was clear again, as if walking out of a heavy fog. A major headache was banging in my head. I looked around, Angelnarth was crouched over Wulfreda who lay helpless on the ground, Arunel looked confused and Tidhelm was gone. We were in the middle of Isengard! I helped Angelnarth drag Wulfreda along as we ran for the gates who were slowly closing. Arrows were flying around us. Somehow my cheek was bleeding heavily. We managed to reach our horses outside the gates as we heard evil laughter of man-orcs on the walls as we rode back to the camp. At the end of the valley, Arunel killed the man-orc we bribed before, reclaiming the silver coins. Adrenaline surged as we reached back to camp. Where was Tidhelm?
This part of the journal was hastily written.
What have we done? The entire camp is nervously looking north towards the tower of Orthanc. The air is filled with sounds of marching feet, horrid screams and grunts of orcs and beating of drums. Scouts return saying orcs are marching to this camp, numbers beyond the counting. The captain orders to evacuate camp, ride back to Rohan. Everyone is packing quickly and ride towards the river Isen. What if my fellow Esquires in Bree choose to take this road? Someone must send word to them. It is time to fulfill my oath of the esquires. I must return to Bree.
