I looked to the other side of the table. Adilyr, our honorary chief of the red company, studied a parchment. he took it from a battered leather scroll case. my attention was drawn to it. he just suddenly had it and I wondered what we was reading. "From where did you get that one?" instead of answering the question, Adilyr mumbled: " This missive I have received, is grave. But we had better wait until our kinsmen gather. But it is a message from Halbarad." I sensed that today something strange was going to happen. I don't remember very well who was all there, but I remember the faces of Adilyr, Meriya, Selphyn, Arstelle, Diringul, Cembur, Albein, Mordayn...
It was later in the evening that we got to know what the matter was. Adilyr finally opened the meeting with a new concern, probably what was written on the scroll. "I have received grave news from Halbarad, and his spies on the North road. It seems that a stranger has come up the Greenway yestereve, that he has come from at least as far as the crossing of Tharbad, and is asking questions of our kinship. Has anyone heard of Southern folk enquiring after the Red Company ? I think it is important that we find this fellow as soon as possible. I have heard that his name is.. Morganen or something similar, and that he is abroad in the town, he is reputed to be wearing a dark green cloak.”
Well, we really did not know if it was a friend or an enemy. And all of us were suspicious. We did not know if he meant to harm us but if he really looked for us, then it might be important that we know his plans. “I would know more of this... Morganen fellow, why he is taking such an interest in us, and what his intentions are towards us and the town that we are sworn to defend. It has been said that he is spreading much coin around the town, particularly near the Pony.” Continued Adilyr. “He is said to be tall, of broad build after the manner of the folk of the South, and we have the color of the cloak.” Like it is described here, it sounds to be much information. But in fact it isn’t.
Not knowing what we were going to find: we divided ourselves in small groups which all consists two members. I left the Mess Hall with Arstelle. Diringul made his way to the prancing pony, together with Albein. Diringul was unsure and wondered if that fellow was still in the town. But the leader calmed him, assuming that no one would leave the town before nightfall. Meriya and Cembur united and took a part of the town. Adilyr disguised himself in a green hooded cloak to keep watch by the boar fountain and to check that no one would enter the mess hall or the three-farrow crafting hall. I decided that we should not wear the colors of our company, so I changed my clothes as well.
I hoped that others were more successful as Arstelle and I were. We checked the the West-gate of Bree, the beggar alleys, the house of a taxidermist… And being hopeless, Arstelle went to the prancing pony to check how successful the pair of dwarves were or if the stranger we were looking for was there. I in that time climbed on the hill to get a great view of the town. I could look to all the roofs and the outskirts of Bree-land, but it did not matter. After some hours of seeking, with was nearly in the middle of the night and chances to find this fellow really decreased. We cannot check every room with a bed, can we?! So frustrated I returned to the Mess Hall.
But when entering the mess hall, I discovered that we found the stranger and I was just in time for the interrogation. He mumbled something. He looked to find the situation funny, and I felt a little bit upset by that. He laughed, saying that northern people are somewhat soft. I think that hit other members of the company as well. “I'd rather stand. I don't know you people.” That’s how he began. “…Except by reputation.” Liar…why should he not know us if he has asked for us?! We asked many things, but they were not all so important. One of the most interesting questions was asked by Meriya: “What brings you to Bree? And what is your interest in us?” He just argued that the red company was known, even by people in the south. Nice to hear, but I did not know if I had to believe that. Is that true or…?
“Morgannon Rhonfyl is my name, I am from Cliving, in Rohan.” Oh nice! He hails from the same country as I do! But that wasn’t the matter when I heard that name. Rhonfyl? I do not remember from where, but I caught that name. I got that name from somewhere! But I did not get it in my mind, so I laid that besides. But I could say for certain: “somethings tells me that it is impossible that you should never have known us. you didn't.” unexpected, he gave as answer: “You are wise then.” Now I was so confused that I did not even know how to judge that.
“I was sent here by a man that is known to our folk, he goes by many names, the one that you know here in Bree is 'Gandalf', to the Elves he is known as Mithrandir I believe.” It seemed that Arstelle knew about this man, but I really never heard of it. I am not so familiar with the people and facts outside the land of Bree anymore… She answered: “Mithrandir...He does not venture often into the South.” Adilyr was so wise now to disturb this: “Gandalf is known to us. But what is that to us ?” Anyway, that fellow Morgannon said that he believed this was still a friend, even when some in Rohan said he wasn’t. as answere for Adilyrs question, he replied: “Because Lath-, I mean, "Gandalf" asked me to seek out your kinship when I came North...” He nearly said Lathspell, because he seems to be more used with this name. but the name has a bad influence and I don’t believe that there can be anything good about this fellow who uses the name. But he corrected himself with the name Gandalf, what should his name here in Bree and in the north. “There is a great battle brewing in the South, at the feet of Ered Nimrais - that men call "The White Mountains”. Gandalf has suggested that the Red Company with some of their strength to aid Rohan” Supposing because he should be an eorling as I am, he talks about the northern side. But by hearing the words, I immediately reacted: “what about helms deep?” okay, the conclusion was perhaps too fast taken, but there can’t possibly be another place to keep a large battle. “Helm's Deep ? I hope it does not come to that, but Gandalf fears battle with the White Hand of Isengard. Always Helm's Deep has been chief in our defences, but we hope to give battle upon the plains, where we may use our horses.” But he spoke as a real eorling and that trusted me. Arstelle picked in: “At any rate, you say there is battle in the southlands, Rohirrim? I shall ride. If Rohan falls, naught will stop the treachery of the White Wizard.” Also Meriya added her opinion: “We have many battles to fight here. But I agree - Rohan cannot fall.” I would ride as well, since it is my homeland…
“What manner of aid do you require ? Are you asking that we all ride south ?” was Adilyr asking Morgannon. He gave a wise answer, the stranger: “Gandalf suggests that you bring only whom you can spare, enough to aid us in the South, but you must keep store of strength here in the North also. You cannot let the North fall, to do so would render any victory in the South meaningless.” I think that everyone can agree with that argument. “Indeed, but I think we are agreed that we must send some strength south to Rohan's aid immediately.” That’s what Adilyr said. Yeah, he’s still the one who will take the final decision to bring and lead us to battle and hopefully to victory as well.
Now I suddenly got it! Rhonfyl! That’s the name of one of OUR kinmembers as well. Haolden, a good and trustable fellow bears the same name. I suggested he could be his brother, but Morgannon denied that. I did not take notice of it anymore, but I felt that I was going to play a role in this adventure yet…
That was the only what happened yet this night. A call of war in the south. “At any rate, I wish you luck in your journeys. Perhaps there is some hope left in Rohan... Though all the blades of our foes stand between us.” After those words, the stranger left…
