The cold wind was blowing around him, coming straight from the East; Guruthos spent his last six months there, in West Nan Amlug, keeping the Northern path towards Angmar safe. He and three more of his kin had the task to make sure no enemy would enter or exit Angmar, under no circumstances. It was after midnight and he had the first watch, he sat on the usual rock, and looked around with his keen eyes, keeping focused on the task, hearing every sound around him. The moon was over him and shone light on the path he was looking over, nothing was moving except the leaves of the few trees that grow there, they were rustling with each touch of the cold wind. The man had his mask off, he wore only his dark green hood, he wanted to breathe the fresh air freely, to smell the grass and sand of the place, his only company a dagger which he held into his right hand, rubbing the hilt with his thumb.
Not long after, he heard the familiar whistle that signified that a kinsman was approaching, usually to relieve him from his duty to get some rest. Guruthos furrowed his brows and looked at the sky; the moon wasn’t in place for his change yet. He put the dagger in its sheathe on the belt that comes from over his shoulder and his hand instictly got hold of his spear that was dug into the dirt upright. He stood there, leaning his body a little, keeping his head extended forth, his kneels leaning a little, ready to leap forward towards anyone that was approaching. A dark figure made its appearance between the branches of the trees and Guruthos stood motionless inspecting it, a ray of light from the moon showed that the man was a kinsman and Guruthos relaxed. He let the man approach, it was a messenger,
-Daervunn summons you to Esteldin, he has something for you, I will take your place here, said the man and gave him a parchment with the seal of Daervunn on it. Without waiting for a response the man leaned against the rock that Guruthos was standing.
Guruthos looked at the man with his grey eyes as if trying to see if there was a hint of lies in his words, some moments later he nodded once and took his spear and strapped it on his back, on the belt.
-I am leaving then, take care brother, he said putting his right hand on the man’s left shoulder, never taking his grey eyes off him.
He walked to the camp they had and saw the others waiting for him, no one knew the reason of his summons and the letter didn’t state it either. Guruthos saddled Sýlil and mounted her after bidding farewell his brothers and rode as fast as the horse could go towards Esteldin. The trip was short since the town wasn’t far from the camp and Guruthos rode Sýlil into it and reached the rest of his kinsmen, they were all assembled outside the Study, seeming to be having a meeting, he dismounted his mare and approached them. When they saw Guruthos they stopped talking and Daervunn approached him with swift steps. He took him by his arm and led him away from the rest.
-You are chosen to travel South, into Bree-land, the numbers of the brigands are growing; you have to keep them thinned, said Daervunn. Guruthos listened to him and in the end he bowed his head respectfully.
-As you command! he said and made to leave but Daervunn grabbed his arm again, preventing him from leaving.
-This is not all; he said and drew a deep breath before continuing. You are to go there not only to keep their numbers under control, but also to find out why are they on the rise, something is astir. Some say that it has to do with a new leader, somewhere in the East, that managed to unite orcs and brigands under a cause. Learn what you can and act accordingly. If you need reinforcements send a raven.
Guruthos listened intently, furrowing his brows, his grey pupils moved about in their sockets, as his brain absorbed all those information. In the end he bowed his head in respect and walked to Sýlil.
-We are going South girl, to Bree he said, see what comforts that land provides us, he added sarcastically.
In the morning everything was packed and the man mounted Sýlil and rode towards Bree-land, he had heard of some places suitable to be used as camps and recalled them in his mind, wanting to find one that suits him. Guruthos looked around the green in that land and saw that it was something that was worth defending. He spurred Sýlil to the West, where he saw trees and forests, and of course high ground to overlook the area. His kinsmen would probably know of his arrival but he didn’t seem to want to find them just yet, he wanted to survey the situation by himself. Sýlil is a fast horse, so he managed to cover great distance and see the land; he also found a place to set camp to, high and safe. It’s time to get to work…
