Gaildrin walked alone through the hills of the Ettenmoors. He heard of Orc companies moving under the cover of night through these lands, and decided to investigate these claims. He moved through the dark, tree covered hill with caution. His footsteps were quiet, though not the same silent steps of a ranger, or master hunter. Through long hours of walking and waiting, he patrolled the lands for sight of his prey, and finally was reward when he caught sight of the small light of a fire in the distance.
Upon reaching the source of the light, he found that it came from a small band of about half a dozen orcs. They clattered around so noisily in their armor, that Gaildrin found it an easy task to sneak near enough to hear their conversation. Amidst the bantering of the group, he was able to discern a few words. "Why we movin' north anyway, Grashk?", asked one of the smaller orcs. A much larger orc replied in a deep, commanding voice, "We're headin to Gramsfoot, to help the chief stage another invasion on Annúminas, maggot, now shut ya trap, 'fore I stick a blade in ya'."
Gaildrin stumbled a bit, when he heard this news,and accidentally caught the attention of one of the Orcs. The Orc let out a quick shrill sound, and drew his curved sword to attack the man, but was taken by the quick strike of Auth Gwaew, Gaildrin's Númenórean blade. The shriek of the first Orc got the attention of the whole company, which all drew their weapons in alarm.
Gaildrin came down with a quick, overhand swing on one of the approaching Uruks, and came back around with a strike from the side. Two of the other Orcs fled, seeing now that their numbers were growing few. The one that was called Grashk sprang at Gaildrin quickly, with a strong swipe. Gaildrin barely turned in time to deflect the attack, but was injured by a rebounded swing to his knee. Gaildrin cringed in pain, but was able to summon the strength to take one last stab through the chest of Grashk. The large Orc fell to the ground, dead.
Gaildrin bandaged his wound quickly, and relaxed for a moment to ponder what he had learned. He found this news rather unsettling, the last battle in Annúminas had claimed the life of his mentor, and countless others. Another assault from Angmar might be enough to break through the city, and make a path for the Angmarim to spread into the rest of Eriadior. He knew that Gramsfoot was a staging point for the Angmarim, and would probably be heavily guarded by all sorts of evil creatures, but perhaps through courage or arrogance, Gaildrin decided to set a course for the Orc stronghold, and attempt to prevent the impending invasion.
