Lusseriel was sitting against the hard stones of the half destroyed wall of the ruins of Thangulhad. She looked tired and her armor and sword looked like they had seen better days.
She looked at her sword with a slightly disappointed face, and then picked up her journal:
“So… For reference, even after a long day, swords and armors don’t clean themselves up. Surprising, I know.
We gathered near a wall before the attack. Aireliniel, Candath, Dealia, Annag, Ilthirian and me. And those who were already in Thangulhad that we joined in defending the place of course.
Dealia seemed optimistic before the battle which is good, but showed clearly she hadn’t seen much of that kind of thing before.
However she wasn’t entirely wrong. I mean, the odds are always against us anyway so... If we waited to have always the “right number” to defend ourselves, we’d have spend all our history retreating and bowing down to dark powers so…
Unsurprisingly the battle came fast, and was furious and messy like all battles are. We were hard pressed from all side, there were uruks, and those damned dogs. I swear I have bruises all over from those creatures. At least they didn’t manage to pierce my armor so there’s that. There were also spiders, orcs, a drake and a troll. All kind of creatures gathered in an unnatural army to march against us.
And surprisingly, we managed to push them back. I thought we had lost someone quite a few times but no. It was just the… The usual facts of battles. Someone going down doesn’t mean they’re dead. And somehow we all got back up whenever we fell down. I count it as a small miracle. For once our luck wasn’t all that bad.
And when the battle was over, we gathered around a fire, and Wyck found us there. It seems he met with his own adventure here before he could join us.
And seeing no one was asking I had to. I checked if anyone was in need of healers. I’m glad to say, all the injuries gathered were light. I mean… I wouldn’t want to be in Candath’s place, his armor did quite the damages but it was mostly bruises so all good. Actually he was stuck in his damaged armor and it’s Annag who cut him out of it. I wouldn’t have known where to begin with that one, so good thing she was here.
I gave him a salve for bruises and willow bark extract for the pain. He said he could keep track of the amount of it he used but I’m starting to doubt it. I’ll get the vial back soon in any case. Too soon for him to do much damage hopefully.
And after him, Ilthirian said she smashed her shoulder into a troll. After checking, she has only a bruise, deep but still just a bruise, so I gave her one of the salves for bruising I have.
And on another note I should have used it myself probably because ouch, I swear my left arm and my side are just one giant bruise at that point.
I didn’t pay much attention to the conversation going around, so I hope Dealia was fine and didn’t take the attack too badly. It was violent and messy but… Well, it was an attack. They meant to kill us all so… First large battles are never fun to live through.
Threnduil showed his exceptional mastery of his sword again by trying to show off and… Losing it in the campfire.
I feel somewhat sorry for him, but let it be a lesson well learnt. I have no idea who taught him sword handling but his ethics with it is sadly lacking. But it’s great fun to watch so I won’t say anything. Though I’m pretty sure this accident didn’t show off what he meant to.”
Lusseriel couldn’t help the light tired smile she sported at the memory.
“Anyway, we got some time to rest and then our leader and the leaders of Thangulhad decided to bring the fight on the doors of Dol Guldur. I think they’re either insane or suicidal, whichever, but fine by me. If we have to die let it be by doing something daring.
So I went as well.
Dealia didn’t seem quite happy to go but she went with us nevertheless. I’m not sure she should have to be honest. That kind of endeavor should only ever be undertaken by fully willing people aware of what they get into.
People unsure of their choice or unwilling should never join such a venture. Too much has the opportunity to go wrong.
Somehow attacking the gates of Dol Guldur worked in our favor. We all survived the experience though there were some hiccups, like Threnduil charging a large warg that could and probably should have been left alone at the time.
But overall I think their defeat when they attacked Thangulhad gave us the advantage as they hadn’t regrouped yet. I think between those we killed and those that fled and haven’t returned here yet we faced better odds than we would have at any other time.
That’s not a proven fact of course, but it seems more than likely to me.
Alas, Goldagnir decided we should push our luck and bring the fight further within Dol Guldur. We refused of course. Not right now. Later, sure, but we need rest, and I’m pretty sure I’m not the only one when I say my weapon needs care, my armor needs repair, and I need to sleep. And yes, in that order of priority.
I should get on with it too, I’m just procrastinating here. I shouldn’t. I know I shouldn’t but… I’m just too damn tired…”
Lusseriel sighed and shook herself. Waiting wouldn’t help her anyway. She closed the notebook and put it aside, next to her bag, picked up her sword and started to clean it. She didn't bother putting the notebook back within the bag knowing she’d need to move it to gain access to everything she needed to sort out her weapon, armor and healing supplies.
There were things to do before she could rest and she needed to rest before the next battle started. If she decided to join it, that is.
