I have been staying at Torogethir’s camp for some time, however I visited Tinnudir and Ost Forod within the past days. I traveled swiftly upon Adhroch to King’s Crossing, there I marveled at each of the statues. Such beautiful things left out to fade in the sun. It is always refreshing to travel near it, however, for it acts as attraction and a guide, one king points in one direction, and that direction has a road. If one were to be lost, they can act upon the king’s counsel and head that way. I arrived at Tinnudir with the smell of Nenuial and thoughts of being among my kinsmen. I gave Adhroch to the stable-master, and went to speak to the various rangers encamped there. Long had I spoke with them until I decided to take a walk. It was one the West side of the island that I found Aeirillen, the leader that guides the company which we met at the Evendim Gate few days ago. We discussed of the company’s task, and it came to light that they were under orders to find, and ‘reclaim’, the Palantiri. I argued against this, and grew cold and harsh in my words. The Palantiri are the property of the Dúnedain, and no one else’s. Such is our heritage, our right. The argument did not last long, as I simply decided to appear that I agreed with her. I apologized, and it was decided that we were to speak of the Eldar, and of the Secondborn’s relation with them.
Aeirillen has a fasination of the Secondborn, it appears, for when the company arrived in Tinnudir, they met a woman with two children, and it made them awestruck. For the Eldar do not have much children in the Third Age, and if they do, then it was in the earliest years of it. Later, we entered Nenuial as twilight approached, I seeked respite and counsel in the waves of the water, and Aeirillen swam for her nostalgia of Evendim long ago. We spoke of immortality and age for a time, before she had to depart. It is curious to me, why the Eldar still remain. They yearn for the west, yet they resist it, going to and fro from their cities. Imladris, Mithlond, Lothlorien, and Greenwood the Green now called Mirkwood. Why, I dare say, is beyond me. Is it because they know they must aid the Secondborn in the domination of the world, to aid in the defeat of Sauron, or is it for another reason. Perhaps this world is the only they know, and do not wish to leave it for the uttermost west. Thoughts of the Firstborn oft bring confusing muses to the mind.
After my dealings in Tinnudir I rode to Ost Forod, I still had yet to complete that task. The road there was filled with perils, creatures shrieked in Tham Andalath and Tham Ornen, goblin cries and wolf howls. I yearned to someday clear those ruins, and restore the Twilight Estates, but one man cannot do it. Someday, when the king is found, we will restore Fornost, Annúminas, and all of its surrounding settlements, and in totality, we shall restore Arnor. I arrived at Ost Forod with the intent of surveying it, to make sure that no one escaped through the cracks of our vigilance at the Evendim Gate. Foul looks and gazes were casted upon me, I spoke with Basil Gummidge, the arbiter of Ost Forod. “Ah, hello there stranger!” He quirks his brows, quickly looking at the other folk around him, his voice turned more scared. “Oh, uh. Ho-..How may I help, you?” I chuckled, as I remember his being as pale as the snow in Forochel. “Aye, have you heard of any rumors regarding folk coming through that old ruin, the narrow pass between Evendim and the North Downs. Do you know of any folk?” Basil shook his head. “No, but, I’ve heard some right nasty folk speak about an arena thats happening, most…” His sentence dropped into a whisper. “Most folk that are unruly and are under the allegiance of even more unruly folk are going to be there, fighting for coin and entertainment, I believe. Coin drives folk to do anything now a days, that I know. But go! You’ll find folk already at the arena, but good luck with attempting to speak with them.”
He gestured for me to head to the arena and so I did. I found no luck there, for there was nobody even there. Quickly, I ran out of the arena to be ambushed by two men. Swarthy, rough-clothed men armed with wooden clubs. “Oi, give us all your stuff, gold, clothing, weapons, all of that. If ya don’t, then you’ll end up with a skull smashing you’ll never forget. Because you’ll be dead!” I smiled, chuckling, I shook my head and drew my swords from their sheaths. “Begone thieves! You shall not steal another man’s blade, or life, for that matter today. I shall spare you, if you leave and renounce your outlawish ways and redeem yourself.” With that, I charged at them with my swords. Never so quickly had I ever seen a man drop his weapon and run, for the more shorter, youthful looking brigand dropped his weapon and ran South, muttering like a mad man. The other charged at me and met my blade, he scowled, revealing his yellow-stained teeth, his breath was horrible, like that of a man who hasn’t washed for several months. His sword and mine clashed and clanged together, fighting like a married couple over their plans for the future. I drove my knee into his gut while our swords connected, forcing him upon his knees, his voice became raspy, groaning. “O-..Okay...Okay! I….” He coughed up blood, then continued. “I’ll stop! Just leave me alone, me and my son won’t trouble you no more.” He ran, I sheathed my two blades and quickly ran through the gate of Ost Forod. Adhroch bore me out of there, and we departed, heading back to the Evendim Gate to speak with Torogethir and Nethdir. With haste Adhroch ran, faster than before. There was no need to spur him. The audacity of the brigands in Ost Forod have been getting larger, more visible. But as for my task, I found nothing to suggest that someone, or something, slipped through the creaks of our watchful eyes.
I returned to Torogethir’s camp, and spoke with him for a spell. “Greetings, Cerchennil, I am glad to see you in my camp once again, not oft is it that i’m able to find company, more-so company that is kindred. What news of your progress in Ost Forod?” He smiled at me, hoping to hear good news, yet his smile faltered as I began to tell my tale. “I took a stop at Tinnudir, and you won't believe what I have to say. The elven company that we met some days ago are seeking the Palantiri, to make sure they are safe. The leader, Aeirillen told me that she and her company are seeking a Palantir that the rangers have. That one of Calenglad’s most trusted was sent from Annúminas to a ruin that we had a camp in. Safe and protected.” I ended my tale, as short as it was. Torogethir’s eyes widened, quickly he spoke. “We must halt them from passing, quickly! Tell Nethdir.” I told Nethdir, and we gathered at the Evendim Gate, preventing the passage. Soon the company arrived, and a great exchange occurred. We clashed verbally, before a deal was made. That we two rangers would go with the elven company to see that this Palantir, if a messenger from Calenglad in fact exist, that we will see to his or her safety. We went upon our way, and slowly found ourselves at the Falconer’s Tower, then to Ost Nuaran, and then within time we came upon another ruin in the rocky hills of Kingsfell, Echad Braighithor, a large camp in which most relics are kept and protected. After we arrived, I slept. I awoke to the smell of old books and scholars speaking. It seems that in my desire for sleep, I didn't find a proper bed, and instead found rest and respite atop a pile of books. I apologized to the scholars that were there. After I socialized with the elven company some more, and spoke to Nethdir, I made my rounds around the ruins, patrolling near the perimeter. An exciting day, to be sure.
