Looking on Nelnardis' history, this report is of the expedition to Mirkwood with members of The Warband of Imladris. The report can be found within Lord Elrond's Library and The Kinship House of the Warband.
Day One – Departing Imladris
Those of the Warband wishing to travel meet outside The Last Homely House in Imladris after making the final preparations. There is a great number – Aewiel, Faorie, Tahjun, Osilivren, Linnathan, Virthalion, Eireden, and myself. Lady Elisbeth and Khalis also wished to ride as far as the border of the Trollshaws.
We said our farewells to Imladris at the gate and made our way to the Ford of Bruinen. Unfortunately it was there our first difficulty arose as a great number of orcs had gathered and were going forward with an attack. Though, thankfully there were enough of the Warband about to slew them in their tracks. The Ford shall wash away their corpses…
After this incident, we continued south. There was another displeasing sight about the land, however, as two men – Angmarim looking, were searching some ruins, for plunder, no doubt. We fought them, and despite our greater number they did not yield.
Our first stop for camp was Delossad, where Tahjun met up again with us as he seemed to have taken a different route behind us, separating at the Ford. The reason for this, he refused to say, until later on that night where he finally revealed the Lady Galadriel of Lothlorien’s voice had come into his mind… He is being summoned. Why? I do not know.
Day Two – Eregion
I had built a fire while Osilivren and Faorie kept watch at the entrance. In the early hours I spoke to Faorie, who reported there had only been a few travellers passing – the night had been quiet.
At fore-dawn we divided into two groups so as not to draw attention to ourselves. The last thing we wished for was some orcs to pass messages between themselves. One of our greatest weapons is the element of surprise. How long we shall keep this is uncertain. Who knows what lies ahead along the road?
Within a few hours we rode hard across the border of the Trollshaws to Gwingris. Aewiel feared for the horses, though it would not be long until they had to be given up as Moria is no place for such steeds. Moria… it shall be the most efficient route to take. While it is crawling with terrible creatures, and a maze in the dark… with no sunlight…
It is too late to go back now. It was still morning, and so we traversed to Echad Dunnan, with half orcs being slew upon the way. An unsatisfactory place for camp as it is directly next to the road near the watchful eyes of travellers. Again we split into groups, and Linnathan told us he would direct the rest of the Warband to out next camp further on at the Walls of Moria.
Aewiel, Faorie and myself (later joined by Tahjun), searched for a secure place away from wargs and creban scattered about the area.
At last we discovered a large hill - the top of which cannot be seen from the road. There we shall wait for the others behind us before we continue thought the mines.
Day 3 – Moria and Beyond
The group behind us were not as hasty as I had first thought. Eireden and Virthalion arrived during the morning of the third day, having not seen the others or even Linnathan at Dunann. Aewiel, Faorie, Virthalion and myself stayed at the side of the road, while Tahjun and Eireden went ahead to the gate to make travel arrangements. In Moria dwarves used goats to get about as their steeds…
Osilivren soon met us on the road, and worryingly he did not find Linnathan at the camp before the archway. We decided to split into two groups – one to go to Tahjun and Eireden and one to go back to Dunnan. Aewiel and Virthalion ventured to the gate, while Faorie, Osilivren and I turned back.
We spoke with some of the elves at the encampment with no fortune… though after some waiting Linnathan returned, exclaiming he could not resist slewing some of the orcs and wargs nearby. Hastily we ran on to Moria to meet with the rest of our company.
Meeting Eireden on the path, he told us the men Ruadan and Killandra had met them at the gate – the hunters who had saved my life in Mirkwood. Gladly we continued, and they were there waiting for us.
Time was wearing on and so we speedily went inside to borrow a steed each. The dwarves were friendly – no doubt eager for a large group of us to venture into Moria to diminish the goblin population… However we would only be slewing the ones in our way – Moria is not our purpose. Indeed, I was ready to ride as soon as we entered. A great and terrible cave! However we rode on, barely stopping unless some fell behind and needed to catch up.
We travelled from the gate to the Dolven View, to the 21st Hall, where some of the Warband stayed behind as the ‘Rear-Guard’ – Ruadan, Killandra, Virthalion, Aewiel, Osilivren. The other half of our number got new goats and continued to ride as swiftly as we could down to the Second Hall. There was a bridge, though broken, so we rode around it, avoiding some of the goblin camps as they were far too large for us. We saw some travellers, too, though they ran and did not stop. Who could blame them?
At last… at last we reached the end of the dark tunnels! Eireden was too tired to continue and so he stayed behind with the dwarf gaurds. Not wishing to stay in that place, Tahjun, Faorie, Linnathan quickly rid themselves of the goats and strode outside.I later joined them after talking with one of the dwarven gaurds, telling them of the rest of our group and that we would be found in Lothlorien where we would wait for them. I do hope Eireden waits for them.
To breathe in the air of the Golden Wood… Alas! Such beauty! Although first we had to ride there. Tahjun found some horses for us to borrow from a nearby camp of elves and dwarves. I had a little to eat and walked with Faorie to the river where we could quench our thirst. The horses themselves were graceful and majestic creatures. I was rather weary from riding all day and most of the night, though we had to press on to Lothlorien or we may have been caught at one of the orc camps littering the river side.
Thankfully our steeds managed to swiftly take us through to the wood, where we are certainly safe due to the heavily guarded posts. We walked on inside, very glad to be welcomed there – perhaps because Tahjun was among us. He took us to the Garden of Galadriel, a great wonder to behold. There, we finally managed to rest.
I am very glad we have managed to get through Moria so hastily. The only way that lies ahead now are the boats to the Mirk-Eaves, which we shall certainly reach providing the rear-guard is successful.
Aewiel has now joined us too, impatiently setting out from the 21st Hall, alone. I was most displeased at this… but she is far older than me and far wiser. I must trust her judgement, and who can blame her for wanting to leave. Still, I am unhappy she did not wait for the others.
Day 4 – Crossing the river
It was before dawn that I stood upon the bridge before the gates of Caras Galadhon watching the roads for the rest of our company. We had already gone so far ahead of them I did not want to press on so soon. Thankfully I did not have to be patient for long as others began to arrive – Eireden and Virthalion. Also, some travellers made some conversation as they lingered near the bridge. Among them was Lamenon, whom expressed his wish to accompany us for a while to Emyn Lúm. I spoke with one of the gaurds in case any more of our company came through as the sun was rising in the sky – we could tarry no longer. However fortune was in our favour as we all met again by the boats.
Although Linnathan had told me he wished to help some of the Galadhrim with the orcs in the Golden wood, and Tahjun was summoned by the Lady Galariel, there were still many of us to go onwards to the shores of Mirkwood. We set sail.
As the boats approached the no longer green wood, the sky seemed to darken. It was almost how I remembered it – with injured Malledhrim lining the shore and soldiers lining up preparing for battle. Ruadan went ahead to tell them we had arrived, which appeared to bring some hope to the elves.
We did not linger at the Mirk-Eaves, however, and swiftly borrowed horses to ride to Emyn Lúm. There were many delays. Wolves and Creban littered the road, along with spiders and goblin spies. Eventually we made it to Emyn Lúm where we decided it would be better to rest there rather than arrive at Thangulhad weary and in the darkness of night.
Just as we were about to go inside, Osilivren appeared – he had arrived safely from the mines, fortunately, just as Aewiel had gone through them alone without harm. We were later also joined by Tahjun, who would not speak of what had happened in Lothlorien, though I was pleased to see him none the less.
Day 5 - Two Victories
After some rest, I decided to speak with Fuirgam – the Malledrim commander who told me of a great concern. Some of the Malledrim soldiers had been taken in battle for torture and questioning in the ruins of Dannenglor North West – ruins that were full of anchient evil – Morvuls, and other such creatures. Seven of us made our way there as swiftly as possible including Aewiel, Tahjun, Osilivren, Virthalion, Eireden, Linnathan (who had caught up with us) and later Faorie rode to meet us also.
Upon seeing the front entrance guarded we hid in the shadows and found another way around into the ruins – through the Eastern side. It was there that our attack began. It was a heavy fight, but in the end the Warband prevailed and while some of the soldiers had passed on into the West, we managed to rescue some and avenge the others.
By the time we arrived in Thangulhad as we had planned, it was dark, and my brothers letters proved to be true. Battle horns raged from the camp and orcs were seen moving towards us from the distance. Another battle was about to take place. There was little time to prepare ourselves, however we had no choice. I quickly positioned myself on the wall to shoot my arrows, whilst others ran out to meet the orcs on the field. More and more orcs came pouring in – many making it through into the camp. All through the night we fought alongside the Malledrim against the orcs. Worse still, they sent in a troll, which quickly threw many of us into the air with great ease. The troll destroyed almost everything in its path until at last, it was struck down! Weary and bloody, the Warband had prevailed for the second time as the sun began to rise.
Day 6/7 – Entering the Fortress
We did not have long, and so our rest could only be short. Soon enough the orcs would begin to rekindle their forces – now was our chance to attack and fell them from within the fortress. So our company gathered and we swiftly set forth and approached the gate, slewing any orc in our way.
It was then the sound of a troll awakening raged through the entrance – the guard of the gate that guards it no longer. If not for the siege of Thangulhad the courtyard would no doubt have been swarming with orcs. Thankfully fate was on our side and their numbers had diminished greatly, leaving the task of getting through to the tower not as difficult as it should have been. However it was still a great task.
After the troll had fallen, waves of orcs came against us. We fought them all, and I shot my arrows at any that ran, all the way up the steps to where one of the leaders stood. But this was no orc. A creature of shadow stood atop a flight of stone steps in front of the doors to the tower, and it was angry.
Using all our strength, we fought endlessly against that creature and its chilling screeches. At its final breath it called for its steed… none other than a giant fearsome drake. We turned to this creature, and the battle raged once again until it had fallen with its master.
Smeared in orc and drake blood in the dead of night, we could not delay. The remaining orcs in the fortress were rallying and we had already come so far. It would not be long until the gaurds were replaced… but if we slew the most powerful leader in the fortress they would understand our cause… that the free peoples would fight back – harder.
Our company went forward, bringing our blows against any in the hallways throughout the tower, searching for the lair of whatever was in charge. We were quick to find him. The orc leader stood, and soon the room was filled with goblins, orcs and trolls. But it was not enough. Once we had slew their leader some stayed, while others scattered. The fortress was in mayhem and it seemed escaping would be the most difficult part of all.
Some of our company split off to create a diversion while others I lost sight of during the fight. The few of us left retreated to Thangulhad… where all we could do was to await the others and hope dearly that they would return.
Day 8 - The Return Journey
At Thangulhad the small number of us which still remained waited by the campfire for any others to return. At last when night came once more, Killandra and Ruadan showed along with Virthalion, so along with Tahjun and Aewiel we made our way back towards the Haunted Inn.
Close to Emyn Lum, we met with a hunter by the name of Malinanen, another of the Warband, who travelled with us to The Haunted Inn. While Faorie thankfully found her way there, Osilivren was still missing.
We made rest at the inn, and I hoped fate had not decided to turn against us…
Day 9 - Spiders and Farewells
I awoke early to speak with some of my kin who informed me of a large spiders nest nearby which had spread to the road to harass nearby travellers and so when I met with the rest of the company we made a small detour off the road to slay as many of the spiders as possible including their queen. A task not difficult for our group in comparison with previous days…
We ran through to the Mirk-Eaves, where at last one of the warriors informed me of word of Osilivren not so long ago. He was alive and taking the high pass! There was still hope for our broken fellowship.
However it was at this shore Killandra and Ruadan decided to stay, lowing the number of our company, though they had been a great part of our journey. It was an honour to stand with them in battle.
After sailing across back to Lothlorien with Tahjun, Faorie and Aewiel, Tahjun quickly recovered some horses for us and we rode hard to the entrance of the mines.
The roads were riddled with orcs and many times we had to stop, but Tahjun rode on ahead and by the time the three of us reached the camp outside the walls he was nowhere to be seen. The stable hand explained he had ridden off in to the wilderness, more troubled than he had ever seen him. Unhappily the three of us made camp for the night.
Day 10 - Two Left
We waited a day for the others but there was no sign of them, so Aewiel decided to stay behind whilst Faorie and I turned towards the entrance of the ancient dwarf dwelling. It did not matter that it was night… the sun would not shine in that place. Reluctantly we stepped forward.
Fate was no longer with us. The dwarf looking after the goats told us he could not lend us any as they had only recently returned from a long ride through from the Twenty First Hall. We would have to walk. How much time that would take, I could not guess. But it seemed we would be slewing many on the path that we could have avoided if we had steeds.
However we continued as we had to. There were many bottomless pits and dark creatures other than orcs and goblins such as the dreadful Morvul – women-like beasts with winged arms and horrible screeches. Faorie and I worked together to defeat all in our path.
But there was something we were not prepared for. Another traveller by the name of Aer. A rather odd man, although he showed us the way to the Twenty First Hall and for that we were thankfull.
Day 11 - A Ray of Hope
We rested and Faorie and I continued on further into the mines. It was not very far, however, until something went wrong. Faorie fell from her goat. Anxious of what was wrong, the dwarves directed me to the Peaceful Path – a place of healing. After some time she awoke… it seemed the problem was she had refrained from eating! For a while we rested, I lectured… before we continued onwards. We were eager to get out of Moria as soon as we could.
On another pathway, there seemed to be more goblins and other foul creatures, yet to our surprise we found a ray of sunlight leaking in a large hall way full of trees and a waterfall… Moria was not completely lost to the darkness, and that gave me hope.
Despite us reaching the chamber of the crossroads after many, many hours, we decided to keep going instead of resting. We were very close to the Dolven View and the entrance of Moria indeed.
As we almost reached the end, we came across a small chamber full of battered and damaged books. Some were still readable and they contained much information of the histories of Moria and other dwarf events, however we left them behind as they belonged to the dwarves, who were glad to know of this find.
At last, around the corner we found we were at the entrance of Moria.
We had made it through, unsure of how many days had passed. Quickly, we reached Echad Dunnan to take a well-earned rest.
Day 12 - Journey's End
At dawn we rode swiftly though Eregion to Gwingris, with no time to waste. The distance to Imladris was a short one and we had to return with the news as hastily as possible. And for that reason our company of two divided once more… Faorie bade farewell and rode for Imladris to bring the news of our return to Lord Elrond, while I lingered for the others… for my cousin… for Tahjun… anyone.
After a few days passed, I decided to ride slowly for Thorenhad, where I had news the Warband were travelling to the Last Bridge to meet some Rohirrim. I am glad I did! It seemed many of our company were alive and well!
My cousin, however, was not there, and so fearing for her, I returned to Gwingris where Osilivren also met with me and we waited for her. Soon enough, Aewiel appeared, safe, having made it through.
We were incredibly fortunate on this journey, and whilst it was tremendously difficult at times and there was not always much hope in our almost suicidal mission, the Warband rode to Mirkwood and the Warband were successful in what they set out to do. While the return journey was not necessarily favourable as our numbers slowly spread out, we all returned and we were all safe and well.
