the fellow Morgannon left and we sat all by the fire with the comfort of home in an armchair by the fireplace, with an ale to drink and a pipe to smoke. after A call of war from this stranger, adilyr quickly summoned all kinmembers for a greater meeting, to discuss the journey. also, some other things were done. the final members who were there after some were gone and others have arrived were Adilyr, Meriya, Nanteana, Arstelle, Cember, Ancthan, Diringul and myself.
First, a new officer was elected. They introduced arstelle in the ranks of the provosts. I will not tell such an event again, since I once did. I don't feel to do it again. Also Nanteana got a promote. She was a recruit and has been loyal as well. for that, she was now a true kinsman.
Finally, we began to discuss the real concerns. Adilyr introduced the meeting: "As you know, some of the Red Company will be departing the North in the coming days to fight by the side of Theoden King. His need is great, and the lands of Rohan are aflame with fire and war. It is important, that whilst we send what aid we can to the south, we also keep strong guard upon the North. I think we all agree on this..." he looked now slowly around and obviously he was expecting some volunteers who would offer to stay here in the north.
I really would visit my homeland. I heard often of it and would do nothing else as traveling with my friends to the south. Firstly there were oaths which kept me here: I swore to protect the roads of Bree to promote its safety. Secondly, oaths are holy for me, just like the Eorlingas and their oath of Eorl. Thirdly, I do not know the area there. Fourthly, I do not consider me experienced enough. I am still an amateur with no official training. I just could manage that brigands because most of them didn't took ever a weapon in their hands either. I should train first and have never participated in larger battles.
Because of that, I stepped forwards and I began to talk: "I have to do things yet and I think it is better that I should stay here. I offer to protect the lands of Bree in the absence of our members..." Also Meriya stayed here. "I will do everything I can to protect the north, as I have sworn to do." there were no more volunteers so Adilyr continued for the other concerns, but was satisfied: "Indeed Theogorn, it is the knowledge of your shield being here in the North that allows some of us to travel south. As we have stated, I will lead the Red Company south to the aid of Rohan... The Lady Meriya and Theogorn will remain in the North and ward the lands of Old Arnor. Who among us will be taking the long ride south ?"
Now nearly all hands raised and everyone replied. it seems that it has been too quiet and everyone required a little bit of action. Diringul, Arstelle, Nanteana, Ancthan...nearly all wanted. "Aye!" called the dwarf Diringul. " I would. Slaying orcs? You should know I wouldn't miss on that opporunity" And the new provost: "I would go, to see fear and defeat on the traitor Curunir's face!" The little hobbit with the harp: "I will go south,but need some guidens." And one of the newest members, Ancthan: "I have not been back to Rohan since I was of the age of six, I would love to see it again and banish the orcs from the lands they've pillaged!"
From now on, Arstelle was going to lead the meeting. Now the exact road has to be discussed: "The way I see it, there are two routes. Each as dangerous as the other...The Gap. Guarded by Saruman and Isengard, it would be of the utmost peril to take that route. But I'm afraid the other route is dangerous. Diringul knows of what I speak." the dwarf nodded. "And Khazad-Dum, not watched by Curunir, as you call him, but inhabited by other creatures..." "Aye. Fell creatures, dark of nature and habit. And we still do not know of the fate of the shadow."
So it was a though choice. it was clearly unsure if we could pass the mines and Meriya agreed. It was she who asked..."How sure can you be of making it through the mines?" Where that mines not left behind? it should stay empty... I was really sure that it would not be a problem: "that abandoned shafts?! why would one not be able to pass?!" "Not very, Meriya. But the Gap is equally as perilous, if not more..." determined arstelle. yeah, both were dangerous, that's for sure...
Meriya threw up a new option: "What about over the mountains?" "that route is just as unpredictable if not more so." argued Diringul. yeah, indeed! but I felt really the need to say now: "all routes are unpredictable. but you cannot succeed without a little bit of luck...and it is just become difficult these days to cross the misty mountains. in all ways, the mountains, mines or the gap..." that were just facts and i think everyone could agree with this. "in my opinion, with the exception of snow, the mountain pass would be the safest one...isn't it?" "The mountains? There a few passes now, Theogorn. Cruel Caradhras is blocked, and the only safe path that comes to memory is north of Rivendell. Nigh to Goblin-Town...." Just believe Arstelle, she lived long enough to know it, i suppose. what would I know while just being 25 years old?!
"Northern passes will not do, I'm afraid. they would delay us too much." Diringuls opinion was right. the red company has to come in time, and the mountains behind rivendell which can be crossed, will lead the company too far away. Soon they would arrive when Rohan is already fallen! I wanted to argue yet: "why would one be unable to pass that place...or you will sneak right in the fortress of the enemy itself...oh yes, you will be too much in the north...but perhaps you can travel quick on the anduin." But we needed to face that it wasn't an option. "The goblins have become wily since Gandalf slew their leader in years past. It is dangerous now..." said arstelle. And she looked even startled when I came with a stupid idea about a river! "The Anduin? To the left lies Mirkwood, fell and dark. To the right, Lorien, suspicious of strangers. They would not easily let us pass." "okay, so face a long forgotten shadow, or common goblins or the enemy itself. i thing you should go for the second option." Now diringul looked surprised to Arstelle, since she was an elf. "That is not something I'd expect to hear from you, Arstelle. surely you could negotiate a passage for us?" Arstelle denied that. yeah, i think that one elf cannot negotiate a complete passage of a large group of men and dwarves. hobbits are innocent, elves trustable in that land, but they do not allow men and will even kick the first dwarf who would come into their area. "Perhaps, if it was just me. But they do not take kindly to any nowadays. Especially not dwarves, I'm afraid."
But I could also give a fourth option yet: "perhaps you can travel west to Lindon and take a ship to gondor. from there, travel north. is it impossible to arrive in Dol Amroth with a ship? just following the coast?! ships are much faster and you can pass all danger." But Arstelle shook her head again: "We do not know what has become of the west of Gondor." Now i found that it has gone to far! this is an insult! "you arent going to say that there isn't any safe place in middle earth anymore?! if so, what are we doing here in bree then?! it should be relative safe here, as I hear it from you." All had sadly to agree that. "That is exactly what I'm saying. We're being forced to face facts. The enemy is stronger than us..." Meriya supported that Idea. "We must stay to protect bree, or it will fall as well." I felt discouraged. I know that I am not making the way with them...but still..."well, then there aren't many solutions left...yeah, if bree falls, then Angmar gets a lot of space." Ancthan supported me now. I was very grateful for that. "Aye, the enemy has more numbers, but infighting and orc stupidity keeps their numbers from overwhelming us."
"The north is being slowly taken by Angmar. Rohan and Dunland fall under Curunir's sway. Erebor and the Dale-Lands come under assualt from easterlings out of Rhun. And Gondor lies ever in the shadow of Mordor." That was the conclusion. Now I got a short tantrum! I was very upset now. "so what do you suppose?! would you, Arstelle, ask the eagles kindly to bring you all to Rohan?" "Do not grow angry with me, Master Theogorn. I am merely stating that our list of options grows thin. But not lost. Not yet."
So we discussed a long time yet...finally we made the choice to take the mines. Diringul of course was very trusted with that place. "aye, well, I say we go through Moria. this Dwarf is, fortunately, not unheard of in Lorien and I am sure you can persuade the elves to let others of our kin pass. Khazad-dum is dangerous, aye, but we will surprise Saruman with such a move." oh yes! indeed. surprise. nice argument too... It appears that the shafts are abandoned and no one of the lonely mountain heard ever again of Balin, son of Fundin, leader of the expedition to colonize the dwarrowdelf again. I wondered if they were still there, but I was afraid for it. I remembered as well that another party of dwarves was sent from the Iron hills, and they are still sending messages. Though they do not succeed. the party, the Iron Garrison is called to their place of hailing. Perhaps the red company can pass Moria with their aid?!
After the vote of the dwarf, Arstelle gave hers: "I personally believe we should take the Mines..." Ancthan and I fellowed. "The Dundelings of the Gap are becomming overly agressive, I belive the White Hand has something to do with this, I propose we go through Moria" was he saying. Because of the haste we have and the presence of the iron garisson, the red company could rouse me to go in the mines. Adilyr, who stepped in a corner and was rather listening, could agree as well.
Other things needed to be discussed as well, like the food they will need in their journey. a large company cannot be fed easily. surely not behind the last homely house in rivendell. between that place and the other side of the misty mountains are not many habitants. as argue, I got that the small villages in Eregion would do. But i did not believe that, since they don't have a great harvest and wouldn't give a large part of it to a large unknown company. In the middle of the wild, the simple farmers do not know what is happening in the other parts of the world and we will be all strangers. and if we wants to play a significant role in the south, we have to be with many. so no...they wouldn't. We left the matter after that, but the problem wasn't really solves at all I think...
It was at the end of the evening that we needed some movement and that someone of us proposed to train in the training hall. Of course, i needed much training yet, as said before...and I smiled.
