The Grey Company crossed at a ford in the River Glanduin into Enedwaith, a once heavily forested region that lay between the north and south kingdoms of Arnor and Gondor, respectively. The kingdom of Arnor had come to an end one thousand years before the present time after years of pestilence and war, most notably against the Witchking of Angmar. The Rangers and their kin were all that remained of the folk of the kingdom that Elendil had established after the drowning of Númenor.
~Enedwaith~
The Grey Company had passed without incident through Eregion and Enedwaith. The site of of thirty doughty Dúnedain and four earnest Elves was enough to deter any would-be assailants, if there any were to be found in these largely desolate lands. Dunland would be potentially more dangerous, but the Grey Company, determined to avoid conflict, passed as quickly and stealthily as possible.
'You have not yet shared the purpose of our mission, Halbarad of the Dúnedain. Will you now tell us where we are bound?' Calentauriel finally asked the leader of the Company. She thought she had shown great restraint in having not queried him along the way.
'We shall soon reach our first objective, lady,' Halbarad courteously replied. 'You shall then know what it is.'
'I suppose it did not hurt to ask,' Calentauriel said when she returned to her sister's side. 'I suppose not,' said Eregiel suppressing a giggle.
Having come ot the Gap of Rohan Eregiel and Calentauriel hoped that the Company would turn north to Nan Curunír. There was rumour that Isengard had been overthrown, and the sisters hoped to find resolution to the troubles they had with the wizard and his servants. Instead, the Grey Company continued riding east, crossing he Ford of Isen into the land of the Horse-lords, called the Riddermark by its inhabitants, or simply the Mark, and Rohan by the Men of Gondor who spoke in the tongue of the Grey Elves.
'This is further than we had gotten before,' Calentauriel whispered to Eregiel, who was too apprehensive to do anything but nervously nod her head. Elrohir asked inquisitively, 'You have been here before?' 'Yes,' Eregiel timidly answered. 'Things did not go well' 'But we did not then have a great of armed warriors about us,' Calentauriel added hopefully. 'These Men are formidable indeed,' Elladan state solemnly.
Shortly after crossing the Isen a party of Men on horseback could be seen and heard on the road ahead. They numbered about two dozen, and were armed with sword and spear. The Grey Company quickened its pace.
'Halt' Halbarad cried as they drew near the horsemen, motioning with a raised right hand. 'Hold here while I determine whether they be friend or foe.' He rode forward a short ways before dismounting. He continued ahead on foot.
The horsemen suddenly turned to face them. Halbarad first spoke with a tall Man with long blond braids and a horse tail plume on his helm. Then another tall Man, one with dark hair ran towards Halbarad. The two embraced.
'It appears that the Grey Company has reached it first objective,' Calentauriel observed.
The tall Man with the braids was Éomer, sister-son and now heir of King Théoden whose only son Théodred was slain by orcs while defending the Ford of Isen. The second Man whom Halbarad embraced was Elessar, as he was known to Eregiel and Calentauriel. To the Rohirrim he was known simply as Aragorn son of Arathorn.
Halbarad turned towards the Grey Company and shouted, 'All is well!'. A few members of the Grey Company dismounted and strode forward. Curious to see these riders for herself, Calentauriel dismounted and went with these Men while Eregiel remained behind with the horses.
~The Gap of Rohan~
After introductions were made, the two companies briefly discussed their purpose and next course of action. They decided to ride together to the Hornburg at Helm's Deep where a great battle had recently been fought. Elessar conversed at length with brothers Elladan and Elrohir. They were very familiar with one another. Elessar, or Estel as he was known as an orphaned youth, was fostered in Imladris by Lord Elrond. He was practically a brother to Elrond's sons. Elessar did not meet Elrond's daughter Arwen until he had come of age around twenty years. Prior to this time Arwen had dwelt in Lothlórien, where she had gone to live after her mother Celebrían sailed to Aman. Celebrían chose this path when could not be healed of the torment she had suffered as a captive the orcs of the mountains.
The Grey Company and Théoden's Riders first rode through a gate in Helm's Dike, a fortified earthwork that guarded the entrance to the Deeping-coomb, the field that lay between the Helm's Dike and the Hornburg. The Hornburg was the stronghold of the Horse-lords where they could best defend themselves from invaders.
~The Hornburg~
~End of Part Two~
