Nim ruminates, part IV

Darkness...
Is this the shadow? Long have we been walking towards it, but for the first time, I feel it strongly on my mind.
In Eregion... Enedwaith... yes, there I have felt it, but my mind was clear there, purposeful. This raid was not like that. Again I have failed my vows as a healer, have brought death and pain where I only wished to bring peace.
No. It was the circumstances that forced our hands... but still, could we have waited? Could I have investigated alone, without bringing an army? One may pass through unnoticed where many must fight.
But we could not, could we? A gesture of support, of aid... the Lossoth may be our allies, or our enemies. We cannot be divided at this time, not now.
Neither of us did expect the numbers of the enemy so grown, ready for an invasion of the lands. What are they hiding in the keep? What strength does the rune give them, what magic is it that it contains? The rune I know... a sign of the enemy, the master of the False King. But its strength was much for me, and even testing it drained me. Even being near it, my allies felt the evil... was it that which pulled on our minds, caused us to fight and slaughter without remorse? Even in this small rune, has the power of the Shadow grown that large already?
If it is so, what hope have we left? Was I wrong to trust in hope, in the possibility of a light beyond the shadow?
No, I must not think so. Even as we walk in shadow and may not see the way ahead, there are things the Shadow does not have power over. I know that. So why do I give the shadow power over me? I must remember not to fear. I shall let the shadow pass over me, and it shall not touch me. I must remember that. I must remember...

What to do now, then? Again, we will have to take up arms. I see that coming... though when and where, I do not know. In the meanwhile, we can only try to learn as much about the threat as possible, and gather allies. I sense that the Lossoth may be strong allies, if they can be rallied. If Miji can gain their trust... perhaps the threat can be contained.
But what would the Shadow want from the lands of the North? Or is this just one sign of a greater invasion, aiming to draw our attention from the real threat, and splinter our armies? For this is what I fear - too often has the enemy shown his strength in dividing our alliances to his favour. I shall take counsel with the Lord Elrond, and the emissaries from the other lands. We cannot let the Enemy divide us.
But at the same time, if lives can be saved, we must do it - for even if the lands of the North are settled by Men, the Elves can not stand idly by and let them fight alone.
Decisions... but I shall let my fate take me where I am needed. Into the shadow my path will lead soon enough. And under the shadow we will all fight, ere the year is over. As long as we are alive, the hope that the path will lead out of the shadow is still alive as well. Even if I do not see the path... even if I may not see the light of hope in the deepest of shadows... I know it is there. This I must take with me, when the dread is strongest and the shadow is deepest.
I shall not forget.