We sat by a table in the Mess hall. The Red Company and I. I found that today, this hall really looked messy. there were lost spoons and forks and uncleaned dishes everywhere! and the local kitchen did not look much better. But we, dressed in red greeted each other: "Hail Master Adilyr! It is good to see you again!" And Adilyr waved back to Orseck who called him: "Greetings Orseck..." The dwarf with the name Orseck has large shoulderguards, and I don't dare to guess what kind of material it consists...Bronze? but also Prithbo was there and said: "Hello everyone." He had a red plumed hat, but that I have seen him wearing more often. he was sitting rightly over me, on the other side of the table. The leader also greeted me: "Hail Theogorn." and I hailed back: "Hail Adilyr!" On the chair next to me sat a mysterious figure, dressed in green unlike the other members of our company. probably he (or she, could not see it) was new. "Hello to you, Master Hobbit!" said the red-haired dwarf Orseck. Today, several members were here today. left of me sat Meriya, followed by Diringul, Adilyr, Prithbo, Orseck, Arstelle and finally the new one who might be named Helthambeth
And Adilyr began: "Firstly, welcome to you all." We all nodded and mumbled. "Secondly, I am told that Arstelle wove a rare tale on Tuesday evening." Arstelle was today dressed in red as well, though it was not the uniform of the company she wore. "Aye. And I intend to finish it. But first, perhaps the people here can regale us with some stories of their adventures?"
"Aye," Answered Adilyr. "then it is important that we address a slightly different matter. There has been some confusion amongst the kin as to some of our members of late. Therefore Meriya and I are thinking that it would be best if we could all, briefly, speak of who we are, where we come from, and a bit about ourselves."
Adilyr pointed to himself: "For instance..." Anyway, I found it logical if we all spoke about who we are, that the leader begins. "You may recall that I am Adilyr Nolondil, a man of Bree. I come from the Sweetgrass farms that are to the west of the town. I am a lesser scion of an old house of Arthedain, of Arnor that is no more." There were rumors among the members that he was from dale, but he isn't. "And, perhaps, it is the knowledge that my people failed to protect the North before, that motivates me to do so much in its defence now." "Arthedain, hrmm? The greater Kingdom..." mumbled Arstelle.
Adilyr pointed now to the dwarf on the right, Diringul. "And now you, master dwarf." And so the black-haired dwarf began: hmmm, right. The first thing i actually remember was being cared by some rangers at the foot of Amon Sul. They told me they found me battling with a troll in the area, who apparently managed to knock me out of my memory." Really? that's a strange event, and probably not easy to cope with. I can honestly say that I am impressed by the story. It is not so easy to start your life again...If you do not remember anything anymore. "fortunately, i had a missive on me, which had my name in it and orders for me to go to Ered Luin where they had some... troubles. anyway, not to drag my story too long, after i helped resolve them, i went to bree to offer my help to the rangers that saved my life." Adilyr nodded and Arstelle replied: "Quite the tale, Diringul!" "And we are all stronger for it master Dwarf." added Adilyr quickly. "And now you, m'lady..." He looked to Meriya
"I don't have such an interesting story of how I came to Bree, I'm afraid - I've lived here for all of my life. But I've visited many places in my life. And it's scared me, sometimes, seeing the destruction that evil forces bring to this world. But that just makes me even more determined to protect Bree." Though she had not much to tell, Adilyr encouraged her: "But your presence significantly strengthens our company m'lady." and while nodding, Arstelle agreed: "Aye". It seems that mainly Adilyr and Arstelle were talkative this evening.
The elf continued: "Now, Master Theogorn. Regale use with tales of the horselands!" and Adilyr pointed to me. "And you Theogorn, our friend from the South..." Now it was time for my story. It is hard to say, but I have the feeling that my story was going to be a little bit longer...
"well, my story ran quiet different...I originally hailed from rohan like just said. my father is Heolf and I was the son in a rich merchant. well, we bought goods in our native country. and then we travelled with our wagon to sell the stuff in the great city of minas Thirith. there we bought goods again and we made the journey to Bree. and that we did always again..." So that was our occupation when I was by my father yet. And the person clothed in green on my side asked: "So basically...you were a trader?" I nodded shortly and went quickly ahead with the story (since I had plenty to tell). "but then there happened something. in gondor, my father met a woman...and she made the journey together with us. after arriving in bree, i was going to sell some of the goods."
I saw Arstelle looking down, I did not know why. perhaps she guessed what was going to come? " and when coming back in the evening, the wagon was just gone!" I finally said. "I never saw the wagon back, nor my father, nor the woman... so suspiciously, he fell in love with her and they left me behind!" Adilyr looked gravely to me and I think i will remember that for a long time. I suddenly had the feeling...that it was very silent around me! "A whole wagon, and two good folk, just gone?" asked Adilyr with disbelief. I self became a little bit sad as well when thinking back and stupified I replied: "yes, just gone... It was terrible. And crying I did..."
"A tragic tale, master Theogorn." answered Arstelle. I felt at least happy for the sympathy I got. "And I could not look for them. I was only 10 years old. Too young, and too dangerous on the road, even in that time when evil wasn't so stirred..." Now adilyr asked me a question: "So...how long have you been here in Bree?" I answered broadly about what I did: I worked in the kitchens of the prancing pony and as an assistance of a merchant here in Bree. I never looked for my father anymore. Its somewhat 15 years ago and I never left Bree." Adilyr noded heavily, Arstelle looked around to the people: "A happy ending, at the last."
Most expected that I was done, but I was not ready yet: "so I became a merchant, just like my father and I provided the settlements of bree with good. It was only after encountering brigands on the road while trading that I complained by the rulers of Bree. But I kept being unnoticed and so I decided to pick up weapons to patrol the roads of bree and to keep them safe. It was here that I decided to ally myself with you. and here I am..." I am glad to say that my story is now ended. our time was short and others needed to tell their story as well. And Adilyr made an end on this part: "We thank you for sharing that with us Theogorn."
I did not know if it was because of my long story, but Arstelle suddenly interrupted: "I think we should get some drinks, before starting again. I'm sure more than me are parched? Cider or Ale? Do be sure to tell me, I had quite the mixup with Cilendir last time we came." Adilyrs attention was drawn: "who was mentioning drinks?" But yeah, who does not love drinks? anyway, I do. And Arstelle laughed: "My good self. I assume the dwarves will want hard ale?" I asked apple juice. Odd, but it's true! just apple juice! From green apples, or from red. I like both colors. But we all were happy for drinks, some ales, some juices, some wines and we nodded. "Aye. Meriya? Adilyr? Prithbo?" Asked the elf around. "I will take an ale if you would be so kind." gave the leader as respond. Also Meriya gave her preference: "I would love just a drink, thank you."
And while Orseck and Arstelle distributed the drinks the next one was going to tell. "I am Helth and I hail from the lands of ered luin." It was Helthambeth who was speaking now. "Just call me Helth. Call me health and I'll shank you." honest, I am in a certain way still new in this world of danger and I really have no idea where Ered luin lies... "Far to the west. West of the shire." whistled Arstelle me, though I do not even know where the Shire is. "I grew up most of my life in ered luin living with the elves...and some men. It was only recently that trouble started brewing in Bree that I came over here...I am 16 years old currently." Now the dwarf Orseck looked surprised: "Such a young age to be so passionate in defending Middle Earth!" That's strange indeed. Most of that age should not be occupied with the dangers of Middle-earth! not yet...Though I could not see which race she hailed from...she wore a hood... Also Adilyr showed to be surprised: "I did not realise you were so young. You looked older." Well, It was a strange story in his own way...But I did not see her back. Later stories reached me that she left the company to join another mysterious clan. Though the clan is unknown and no one knows their whereabouts. nearly not even their name, it is said.
The next one in the circle was Arstelle. It was now her turn for her story. "Aye. My tale is long, but I will spare you the details. I'n contrast to Helth, I am one of the oldest elves in Middle-Earth. Born on The Great Journey, many ages ago." the red haired dwarf Orseck wondered: "Figures, you are very wise." "I remained in Beleriand with Cirdan, at the Falas. After the...destruction of Beleriand, I stayed in Lindon for a time." "You've met Cirdan? The master of ships?" my knowledge is not big enough to know even the most famous of elves of the first age, but Adilyr seemed to do and used that knoweledge. "Aye, many a time. I studied under him. I went with Celebrimbor to Eregion, and studied there for a time. I soon departed for Mirkwood, and became Oropher's Lore-Keeper. I remained there for most of the second and third age..." Adilyr got an interesting face now, I saw... "So what brought you to Bree in these times?" "At any rate, I stayed in Rivendell for a time nearly 50 years ago. I went with Elladan and Elrohir to Ered Luin and witnessed Skorgrim's rebirth. After which I remained in Ered Luin for a time, before passing through Bree. Naught much happened here, but I met Meriya whilst journeying through the Lone-Lands. I also remember that I asked her how long she stayed in Ered Luin. Somewhat 45 years, she said. Not much in the life of an elf, but still counting for me. I am only 25 years old and that 'short time' is still the half life of a human. "She invited me to join this kinship, and so here I am. My travels have taken me to many places since then, but that is of unimportance here." While being impressed, I could only say that she probably was going to journey after teh red company was forgotten for long... "A mere blink, when you've lived as long as I have." And she laughed. Also Orseck agreed: "Indeed. Arstelle yes has many gifts to give the world". "My thanks for the kind compliment, Master Orseck. Now, I am most interested in hearing your story...
And that was true, because Orseck sat next Arstelle. Also Diringul, the other dwarf unleashed some words now by saying:"aye, let's hear it." And Orseck began... "To understand my story, you must first understand my lineage. I hail from an ancient line of the first dwarven settlers in Middle Earth, at the beginning of the first age. Not 100 years after the elves came. I hail from the original dwarves of Belegost, an ancient king long lost to the seas in the western Blue Mountains. My lineage, as all dwarves from Beleegost were supreme metalsmiths." Arstelle, because she was really old could have visit that dwarven city: "Ah, Belegost. I visited once. A beautiful place..." Orseck looked now jealous to the dwarf. "Aye, And I am jealous of you Arstelle. To see the craftmanship of stone that now only is known by legend." "They were the first to contrive the linking of metal rings to make armour, did you know that? An acheivement that still serves us well to this day." "Indeed. After the fall of Belegost, my ancestors travelled with the bulk of the survivors to Khazad-Dum, where King Durin greeted us hopeless wanderers with open arms. There, we helped grow the kingdom of what you elves call Moria. Then when a much later King Durin fell in Helegrod, my great-grandfather moved us back to the Misty Mountains to Thorin's Hall. Those were dark times, Sauron's evil was still fresh on everyone's mind, and Khazad Dum was without a clear leader. So in Thorins Hall we became great metalsmiths among our people. Molda, the current Expert Metalsmith there, is a cousin of mine. And I found my way to Bree when I heard of Skorgrim raising from the dead. Here in Bree I can help my people in the Misty Mountains and the Blue Mountains. And help fight the evil from Angmar that lies between. However, I will go where is needed to help the people of Middle Earth. The fall of Moria taught my people that no one is safe. Also Lady Meriya is the one who found me. I found myself lost in where I should fight. Little did I know, that with the Red Company, I can do exactly what I want to do.
Now the evening was nearly ended and in the circle was only one hobbit left: Prithbo. So this evening ended with his story. "Hello Everyone! I am Prithbo. I am a simple hobbit, born in the slightly rough area of Oatbarton, just North of the SHire. There i had a loving family. But one day, my father was on a trading trip to scary, when a wild boar ambushed him and took his life. My mother could not pay the upkeep and we went homeless. From there i became a tough hobbit, and grew an interest in killing foul creatures. So i carried on, and didnt stop. I am up to Moria, but soon all evil things in middle earth will feel an arrow pierce them."
With that words he finished his story and this evening. I personally am glad to know a little bit of some of the members of the Red Company. Knowing my kinsmen is important for me and it is always great to know them completely. I hope that this information and these friendships will last until the time that the days are darken and that we do not get any source of light nor hope... that we can trust each other and that because of that great powers will be unleashed...
((will be continued))
