Believing that Lord Anglachelm was taken north towards the Southern Greenwood, we made shift as well as we could to reach the Great River through the bluffs of the Horse-Men, and after a day of hard travel, we arrived at a hillside overlooking a camp. It was full of swarthy Easterlings, and by a gilt-fringed tent stood a tall and robust Man, with dark, expressive eyes, and a sneering countenance. His expression seemed to mark how apt these Men are to lay arrogant claim to lands they never had any right unto; and how that these Men were barbarous, cruel folk who would be continually quarrelling and contending. I could not see any hopes of prevailing with talk alone. These Easterlings, it is said, were invaders from the Great Wastes of the Eastern Wilderland, come to plunder and loot the Northmen after a contagion killed most of that people. Hereupon, the lords of Vanimar concluded to assist the Northmen, allies of the Dúnedain in their just and lawful war, and sought to involve themselves with the scurrilous Easterlings, that they neither have land, nor plunder, nor their very lives to carry out their Master’s wicked design. All were speedily put to death, for these Men would not throw down their weapons and beg for mercy.
Lord Veryacano commanded us to each take a horse so that we could ride to a safer place. Looking around the camp, I found it impossible to form a judgment in the time allotted for this task, and I confess, I am not a horse-trader, and quite unable to select a good horse or a swift one, just by looking at it. But then I saw a poor little black colt with a pale mane and tail, who started away frightened as we forced our way into the camp, and he was snorting and looking around, as if he were about to bolt. So I laid my hand upon its white forelock, and naming him Midon, said that he may have suffered from the spur and lash, but he need fear nothing, for I would lead him to a free and green place. I gathered up my robe, and holding Midon gently by the mane, swung myself on his back, and he ran lightly ahead like quicksilver, since my weight was no great thing for it to bear, and the poor creature had been so frightened amongst the Easterlings that it was right willing to flee the place. Lord Veryacano’s stallion was rather larger, it being a former courser for one of the heavily-armoured soldiers, if not the commander of the camp himself; and most of the horses were pale in color, excepting mine, and Lord Estarfin’s dark bay, and Teleparno’s pie-bald steed.
As soon as we crossed the River, we came to an old crumbled ruin of the North-Men. It was a place inhabited by them at once time, I believe not within three hundred years at least; but I am not certain, for there was no living man there to give any account of it. We came to a sheltered bank by the river, shaded by an oak tree, and liking the situation of the place very well, we encamped there, amused to see the joy of the freed horses and their jumping and cavorting. I began to examine my bags, and I realized I had not one bit of money, for I had not brought much, having paid my bill to Sogadan before I left the valley, and leaving him perfectly satisfied. I told my companions that we would restock our supplies at one of my people's settlements by the River, and surely they would not refuse us help, if we had no money. But the soldier-maid Sargiel spoke out, and said she had a full purse of gold, given to her by Rainith, before she set out from the Valley to find us – then she turned to me, and giving me a stern look, said it was not for wine.
Very stern but fair this maiden is, and from the Greenwood, too! Sargiel said she has heard of me, but I found she has not served under any of my former officers. That is no great surprise: I was moved from post to post during my service, without exception, and I served under Commander Rodelleth in the east of the Wood, close by the Necromancer’s Tower, a full six years before Sargiel, so I think I have seen a bit more of battle. Her anxious face often betrays her fears and self-doubt. She ought to look up at me with reverence and respect to my position in the forces of the Golden Host, and in Bar-en-Vanimar, and the high and distinguished honour which this House has been pleased to confer on me; whether she does is another thing entire. I am well aware that I owe this honour not only to my own merit, but also to my singular good fortune, and in being under the guidance of Lord Anglachelm, whose wisdom and kindness is unsurpassed amongst the noble and distinguished Lords of Vanimar, and whose like I shall not meet again. Now it is quite impossible to resume my duties in Thangúlhad under Lieutenant Handellen, though I admit that the country could not be better served if I did, and if this diminishes my reputation and honour in the Greenwood, and in Sargiel’s eyes, so it must be.
Thence we may travel swiftly, and not be pressed so hard by lack of provisions. My people will give us a very hearty welcome, and a great plenty of wine, and good bread of their own baking, if not of their own growing, wheaten and rye, which is no dainty usually, but on the road there is not much choice. And there we may find choice clothing, if a bit somber-hued, but clean and sound, and, I would expect, a store of foodstuffs: jam and pear tarts, or chicken pie, and other savories, which they usually have in great plenty for the feasts, and there is also honey-cake, and plum-puddings. Thinking of these things made me quite ravenous; I had been so occupied with caring for my horse, and brushing Midon’s coat until it shone like glass, that I had forgotten to eat since day-break. So I spread myself out on the ground, took out a bottle of wine and a lump of cheese, and ate my simple meal in silence. Then I lay down, and throwing my cloak over my face, dropped off to sleep before the sun was set.
