It has been two days and well into noon, by now. Despite so, this did not trouble Nenusidh, perhaps it was one of the reasons why he had to set out so quickly, which was the journey will be a while in itself. He has made way into the steep hills of Nan Amlug, the area where the forest breaks into hill and deep valleys. There was much wildlife concerning hawks, foxes and lynxes – the last of which being a dangerous predator that Nenusidh made well-clear to avoid, for not wishing to waste time on ‘trivial’ matters. To the east, would lay a handful of mines that were currently unused and abandoned. The hilly terrain would eventually lead into the mountains of Angmar.
“It is not too far, from here.” Nenusidh said to himself, with all of his knowledge of the geography within the North Downs. Once he has entered Angmar, his geography will falter and he’ll have to resort to instinct, maps if there any, and people’s directions. Perhaps, he should have stayed longer to learn where to go exactly. It was too late for doubt, though. For, if he were to turn back now, then he will be admitting defeat before he began. And that is not who he is, and not who he wishes to turn into.
He descended down the hilly terrain and with the mountains to the north blocking him off, he had no option but to go east, into the woodlands. As he ventured deeper into the woodlands, he saw aurochs roaming Nan Amlug as well as other woodland creatures. The aurochs were no danger, if not provoked to be a danger. The woodlands were quiet, which was both pleasing and troubling. Pleasing, for he would not engage in danger yet. Troubling, for he was very close to the land of Angmar, and he half-expected these orcs to come up. The lack of orcs, or other evil beings, as well as the blissful silence troubled him indeed. Nenusidh looked left and right, to observe his surroundings, before pressing north.
He crossed through many bushes, and thickets, the sunlight was hidden behind a shroud of trees and was forced to go elsewhere. The foxes prowled the rabbits, for it was that time of day, the rabbits hid in their holes or hopped away with as much haste that their legs can spare them. The time before hibernation is always a hasty one for the woodland creatures, I’ve come to notice in my life. Nevertheless, as Nenusidh walked on, the soil became much harder and less fertile, the trees were becoming scarcer and rocks became more common and appeared in the land, more often. This was a gradual change in environment and geography, but Nenusidh knew he was soon leaving his homeland behind.
Eventually, he arrived in a narrow passage with blackish-grey cliffs on both sides, and it begun to ascend upwards into new lands. The earth shifted from a beautiful green, to a watery green into finally a dried yellowish-green, representing the infertility of Angmar. As he ventured on through the cavern gotten narrower and narrower, to the point where even though he wasn’t claustrophobic, he felt symptoms of claustrophobia and greatly desired to be in the open space again. It seemed like long moments, until the cavern opened up again where Nenusidh sighed with relief. He descended down the slope, departing from the passageway between the cliffs, where he caught eyes of a camp-like settlement ahead.
Perhaps, it was the few Rangers who departed for Angmar? He did not know, but he would soon find out. When he approached the camp, he was astonished to find huge creatures walking around – with tall lean legs, pale skin and almost no clothing save a few pieces of cloth over certain areas. Nenusidh walked up to one, to see what they were and where they stand: “Hail.”
The tall being turned to us: “It is not oft that we see you, small folk. What business do you have?”
“I desire to journey into Angmar, to find and end a threat of orcs.” Nenusidh said truthfully, somewhat knowing these creatures to be peaceful. He could see in this tall being’s eyes that all remains is peace and compassion, intertwined with survival and simplicity.
The tall one nodded, “I have not seen orcs near here, for a great time, yet I am not surprised if they rise again. I wish you luck, small one.”
“Thank you.”
“Before you depart, there is a town up ahead, of your kind. They may know of these orcs you seek.”
Nenusidh nodded graciously, “I thank you for your aid.” He turned away from him, and carried on the road, walking north. Once again, he seems to be ascending a hill that eventually leads into another passage through two lines of cliffs. The ground was blacker, with dry soil, and so were the cliffs, there was little sunlight now, and it could be mistaken for nightfall… Yet, how it could be so? For, it seemed like noon only three hours ago! I will not pretend to under Angmar and its ways, but caution must be noted should you ever find yourself to be unfortunate enough to tread there. Moments have passed, since Nenusidh has bested the hill and was making way steadily through the cliffs.
Through his keensight and perception that all Dúnedain possess, he could see two long but strong wooden poles in the ground with white banners, stretching to conjoin them. He could see great big tents, a large lake and a large group of people, with spears and bows, clothing of red and black and brown, and of leather and fur. As he approached the town, two men or watchers cried out: “Halt!”
Nenusidh did so, and waited as the two men approached him. One of the men said in a gruff voice: “Turn back now, whilst you still can, outsider.”
Nenusidh said in a bold tone, “Nay, I intend to go here, and further.”
Another shook his head and said in a strong, commanding voice: “Turn back, for only the strongest can survive in these lands.”
“I can prove my strength, if needs be, but I am perfectly capable of surviving in the wild.”
The two watchers looked at each other sternly for a moment and exchanged a silent conversation, before the first one who spoke said: “If you truly wish to enter these lands, then you will need to prove your strength.”
Nenusidh nodded, he had the knowledge that he’d be in Angmar for a long while, and if this is what it took, then so be it. “Lead the way.” The watchers took him into the town, the town known as Aughaire, home to the Trév Gállorg, the tribe of Hill-men who dwells here. I do not know much of them, or their ways, but they are distrustful of outsiders and most of their customs revolve around strength. That is all my knowledge of them bears, thus I, like you, will be learning for the first time, how they act, through our fellow ranger here.
Then, he was led west, through the bridges of the great lake and the many tents of Aughaire, and into a large patch of land. Up, ahead, Nenusidh saw a makeshift ‘stage’ of sorts from wood, and fabrics, and was surrounded by men – watchers and warriors alike. On the ‘stage’ was a tall man, strong and harsh, yet firm and fair, he was the clear warrior and more significantly – Chieftain of this tribe and town. His stern eyes rested on Nenusidh as they arrived. The watchers stood next to Nenusidh on each side, and one said firmly: “This outsider seeks to go into these lands.”
The Chieftain stood up, with raw and untamed power with him: “Do you know what that means?”
“That I must prove my strength.” The Ranger said plainly.
“More than that, you must prove thy worth. You must have a Fém – a purpose, to be here and further north.”
Nenusidh said grimly, perhaps regretting this: “I will do what I will, to prove my worth if needs be.”
The Chieftain said coldly, “Then it is decided. To prove thy worth, I will you give a series of challenges for you to accomplish.”
“So be it.”
“But.” He said slowly, “Let us see if you’re even worthy of a Fém.” He turned to the Watchers: “Take him away, and allow him some rest, whilst I think on his first challenge. Do not allow him to leave.”
The Chieftain turned away from Nenusidh and the Watchers, and begun to speak to the men around him, obviously making it clear that they were a “council” of sorts. Nenusidh was led away, wondering as to what he has just thrown himself into exactly. And it was due to these ‘challenges’, that for better or for ill, he has been shaped into someone else – stronger, grimmer and harsher, a different man than the one you formerly remembered. For, soon, the seeds of Dyghus would sprout and be born.
