The Red Leaves, Tales of the Red Company. V: Swords in the Twilight
Nenime, 3019, by Steward's Reckoning
Following a hard journey from Hithaeglir, I arrived at the Prancing Pony to find many of our kinship already gathered. I read to them the note that I had received from Captain Trotter of Trestlebridge; how the Tarkrips now press close along the river, are marshalling greater numbers every day and have come close now on two occasions to completely ruining the town. Whilst our full number had not yet arrived, I decided that we should ride north immediately, with what strength we had, rather than risk further delay. There was simply no telling how long the men of Trestlebridge could hold out.
With Cilendir scouting the road ahead, and Fenmunferth watching our rear, we passed up the Greenway almost without incident. There was a brief melee with some Tarkrip scouts ranging from Cirith Nur, but they are much reduced since our recent battle there and I believe that place now poses little threat to Bree.
Of much greater concern was the news, when we rode into Trestlebridge, that the orcs had struck again the previous evening and that Guardsman Otley had strong evidence that our foes were building siege engines amongst the defiles of Nan Wathren. Whilst Heimrek watched the Greenway, Cilendir and Calebriorn scouted across the bridge, and our other kinsmen checked the lands around the town, Meriya and I learned what we could from Otley and the woman Boskins. With the surrounding lands secure, and our path ahead determined, we crossed over the bridge and headed to Nan Wathren.
There were many orcs; far more then we had anticipated. We were fortunate that it was then that Calebriorn arrived, hastening up the Greenway from Bree, and with our stronger numbers we swept across the ramshackle bridges the orcs had thrown up, cut down their guards, and stormed into the vale. What followed was a series of running battles, where, amongst the tattered huts and sputtering fires we sought the siege engines and those that had built them. Upon a low, broad hill we found the former, and set fire to all that we could; engines, tools, timber. In a high, strong camp, fenced by pallisade and guarded by some of the biggest orcs; we found the engineers. With cries of 'Arnor!' and 'For the North!' we charged into the fray, slaying all before us. Caladion and Ceolaric slew many, aided by the songs of Duiniell, meanwhile Calebriorn found some parchments; the directives of Angmar so it seemed to me, and tucked these away for later examination at Imladris.
It was here, whilst facing half a dozen tarkrips that our newest companion Heimrek, let a mighty roar, and changed, before our very eyes, into a great bear. He stormed the Tarkrips, and it seemed that neither blade not shaft could hurt him. He crushed a huge Tarkrip in his claws yet it was here that I knew we must turn. Midnight was fast approaching, darkest night was descending, and our foes were now beginning to press around in great numbers. As the last engineer fell beneath our blades I sounded the kinship horn and bade all to fall back to Trestlebridge, and, once we had taken some rest and Meriya and Duiniell had seen to their kinsmens' wounds, we took the road south again to Bree.
Once in Bree, we covered our mail and gear and took to the common room of the Pony. There some of our kinsmen were promoted within our ranks, and Ceolaric played music to great acclaim. In the midst of this, we were approached by one Locusi who wished to join our ranks, and we conversed with a young woman from the east named Gethan. At this, and whilst many of our kin remained in the common room to sing and take of Barliman's ale, I retreated to my room, to rest and plan for the coming days.
