Thamas Lorn, 20th day of Rhîw
The goblin situation has indeed escalated since returning from Mithlond: news arrived of a swift goblin raid on Limael's Vineyard, northwest of Celondim. Hastily, we rode out there to offer what aid we could.
Though the goblins were repulsed by the valiant residents of that valley, Brethilwen told us of a party of goblins that had made off to the south. Following their tracks, we came quickly to Tham Gelair; however the ruins lay silent, and we found that the sly goblins had doubled back to the north, their tracks eventually dividing into two groups by the main trail that winds up the Vale of Lhun.
One group had followed the road northward, while the balance of the war party had cut back to the west, toward the gentle foothills of the Ered Luin. Their tracks were easily followed and shortly we came upon the silent husk of Dol Ringwest, where we found goblins skulking. We entered the ruin and swept out all those foul vermin who had sought refuge there from the Sun. As their blood scorched the green grass of Falathlorn, we rode off to seek for the other half of the goblin war party. These had covered their tracks well, using the hard stone of the road, but soon enough we found where they had cut back towards Rath Teraig. A swift patrol ensured that none had ventured toward Duillond, east of the road.
Of interest is the fact they seemed intent on acquiring a number of barrels from the vineyard, even emptying their delicious contents into the soil! To what purpose they bore the casks away, we were unsure. Of greatest concern though was the fact these goblins came within sight of the spires of Celondim. Such a threat could not be ignored and thus we made our move against the accursed ones.
While we set an iron watch on the passes that lead to Rath Teraig, we had need of intelligence on the lie of the camps within. To this end, a few of the household tested the goblin defences, and probed Tum Agor. It was clear to us that the goblins had spread southwest from the Crookdell, and were busily fortifying the rise of Amon Thanc. How soon they would fill that place with a horde of filth we dared not imagine, but it was plain to us that we needed to end their plans.
Withdrawing, we considered the best outcome would be achieved by decapitation: the rooting out the leader of the goblins, who held his court in the fastness of the Crookdell. However, Amon Thanc has a commanding view of the valley that leads into Rath Teraig, so to avoid the watchers there raising a clamour of alarm to their neighbouring kindred, we elected to divide our force in two: I would lead a party to silence the sentries of Amon Thanc, while Aearandir would lead the main force to assault the Crookdell.
We ascended the slope of Amon Thanc almost three weeks ago, just as the first light of Anor brightened the eastern horizon. The goblins would be tired and settling down to rest, away from the light of Anor - indeed they had been particularly noisy in their hammering and sawing that night. Stealthily, we silenced the few guards and filtered into the stockade to begin our deadly work. Many we slew in silence, though our presence was soon noted and a melee flared briefly as the remnant roused from their half slumber. But the battle was brief and we denied them the chance to blow horn or otherwise signal alarm to their distant fellows. As sunlight kissed the summit of Amon Thanc, the last of its foul defenders slumped to the dirt. Discreet signal was given to the other wing of the household, who waited at the mouth of the gorge far below Amon Thanc. Swiftly they passed onward, and ascended into the stench of the Crookdell with the element of surprise intact. Of that battle, we could but wait to hear afterwards of its outcome.
Besides, we yet had work to do: the place needed to be razed to the ground, and we spent some time preparing for that task. I should note that we found one of the barrels taken from the vineyard in the stockade - though it now contained a substance both black and unwholesome in appearance. Then we waited for news of the main assault.
Midway between dawn and noon, one of the scouts reported the successful outcome of the battle in the Crookdell and the orderly withdrawal by our force there. Torches were put to oiled rag and we ourselves withdrew, picking our way back down the scree of the cloven hill.
I later heard with pride of the skill and bravery of the troops of Aearandir's wing, who broke upon the goblins of the Crookdell like a great wave, cleansing the filth from the slopes. In all, around two hundred head of goblins - including their chieftain - withered before our spears.
Let the pall of smoke from the pyre on Amon Thanc and the handful of scattered goblins now cowering in the deepest holes in Rath Teraig give warning to others of their brethren: the Loth-i-Lonnath will not tolerate their presence in Falathlorn!
