Chronicled in Staddle in Bree-land of Eriador,
On this the 61st day of Rhîw in the Year 3018 of the Third Age.
Much has befallen the Dwarven caravan of Todsi and his company of dwarven merchants during its journey hither from Ered Luin, and alas, some of these events were grievous indeed.
In the main we retraced the course along the Great East Road that I had followed to Bree some fourteen enquier ago. But when we came to the lonely stretch of road between Frogmorton and Stock in the Eastfarthing, there were we waylaid by a large band of brigands. Hopelessly outnumbered, we fled, but not ere three of our companions had fallen; one of these being Orli the scholar and leader of the company, with whom I had shared the contents of my letter from Mithlond only the evening before while we tarried at the Ivy Bush Inn in Hobbiton. And alas, our horses were taken during the melee, and my heart is heavy with grief for Thinelroch was among them!
And so it was that we continued on foot, across the Baranduin, then past Buckland and so on to the town of Bree. And thus here the caravan is stranded while the company replenishes its lost supplies and mounts; and Todsi estimates that it may be nigh a week ere we again take the road. Now I have little love for this town, and so while the Dwarves are content to bide at the local inn, I however have removed to the village of Staddle on its outskirts, where both the air and streets are cleaner and the folk less dubious than their neighbours.
I did however take time to pay my respects to those of the Scholar's Hall Archives and to discuss the letter that I had received from Mithlond. Alas, there I received unhappy tidings, for my friend of my previous visit, Joesph, has departed the city for parts unknown to the scholars there. Whither he may have gone, I cannot guess, but my heart and blessing goes with him. Perhaps we shall meet again one day?
Now amidst our discussions while riding, I was amazed to learn that Todsi knows naught of the history of our kin, and the Battle of the Thousand Caves in particular; that grievous event during the First Age which led to the estrangement of our two peoples in days of yore. And so as I linger here in Staddle, I shall prepare a brief history of that fateful day for him to read at his leisure, for he has told me of his desire to learn a little lore.
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