The last report of Captain Thadadir
* This letter, a report of sorts was written with an elegant scripture, the paper was not dotted with ink stains nor was it torn or ripped at the edges, it was clear that this was not written by Arostir. The letter was a captain's report on the situation of Angmar's invasion and speaks of the wardens of Annúminas and their final efforts to defend what's left of the ruined city.*
Dear Mr. Vandal
I write this report in the hopes that it is given to you in time, for you will likely head back to Annúminas when your journey East is concluded. Whether you find our missing friend or not is besides the matter now, our situation is growing more dire by the day, folk are going missing all the time now and yet our enemy does not show itself, it's as if they hide in the shadows better than we Dúnedain. The darkness is their ally whatever they are, we must remain vigilant.
If you do decide to travel along the Greenway, you'll likely come across several of my kin, for they have recently returned from their errands concerning that of a growing threat to the South... While I can honestly say our hands are very much full with our own problems, I fear also that the hammer and anvil of both Mordor and Angmar shall crush all of Eriador if we do not remain vigilant to every threat. It will be appreciated if you return also to Annúminas with news of your travels. It seems that the threat of Orcs in the North is becoming only too real, and what's more is that there scouts heading out to the North Downs and not returning, presumed killed or captured. I intend to send a search party for a band of Rangers that were traveling to Esteldín and did not return... They set off last Tuesday and still no word from them.
My men are growing anxious, for they hear news about their fellow Rangers falling or going missing abroad and none of us truly know why. Any scouts that do come back often act strange... They tell us that there is naught to report but appear shocked, as if they saw a ghost no less! It is strange indeed.
The Fields of Fornost may have been tainted with the spirits of the fallen, but these Oathbreakers are naught but a fell chill in the air, surely they could not attack a man in broad daylight...
I hope you can understand the situation here in the North is growing dire, though you ought to travel here to see for yourself how beset we are. We can really do with your assistance once more.
I trust this note in the hands of Arostir, you will know him as Flagger around Bree. He'll likely be loitering around the Prancing Pony by the time you return, tell him I sent you... He may appear gruff and cold, but if he gives you any nonsense just flash him my lucky amulet I gave you before your departure. That ought to loosen his tongue a little and he will give you the note then.
Good luck and may the Valar bless you.
-Captain Thadadir
PS: If you did find our missing Hobbit friend, do not bring her back to Annúminas, while my brother grieves about her going missing, presumed dead... It is better to take her back to The Shire where she belongs. The war brewing in the North is far too great a threat for one so small. Instead, if you do find her alive, speak comfort to my brother for he blames himself for what happened...
*Another note was found beside the first, it was written in the same elegant scripture but somewhat more rushed...*
Fifty two good Rangers and one hundered and five men dead... All because some bloody fool couldn't be bothered to follow orders! My hunches were right, a Scout spotted an Oathbreaker spirit in the woods nearby but didn't report it for fear that the other men would ridicule him for seeing ghosts! What else do you call something over two thousand years old dead anyway?
It doesn't take a Wizard to suss out that the Angmarim are behind this attack, and them Hillmen who dealt death to so many of my brothers are working as the lackeys behind the Angmarim.
I know one thing also, these Hillmen are NOT phantoms, if we can subdue their village, we'll have this battle half won!
We expect another attack soon, my men are weary from the battle and while the Hillmen had initially lost this skirmish, I fear that a force from Angmar itself may come.
If you do not get this message in time, then it's likely that we have fallen, I have sworn an Oath to defend this keep and by the sword shall I defend it to the death. I shall not fall in shame. My brothers have the same mentality, if Angmar does knock at the walls of Annúminas with their machines of war, we shall be ready to fall upon them with a fire in our hearts hot enough to rekindle the great forges of Eregion!
*Why Arostir kept the note all this time was unknown, perhaps he was intending to give it to Mr. Vandal, whoever he was. Though upon him reading the note he figured that this note was old indeed, and perhaps Mr. Vandal is now an old man if alive at all. Arostir had kept the note as a reminder to keep up his vigilance incase another war in the North breaks out.*
