Dear Brother,
As I write to you, I have departed from Esteldín, once again taking the path towards Annúminas. It is marked as a controversial decision amongst those in the Order, with many still believing there is much work to do to strengthen the garrison of the Dúnedain settlement. The Star of Estel was recovered from Tham Úmdúr, and I bore witness to its beauty; its sapphires glistening upon the silver like how the moon glistens off the waters of the Bay of Belfalas. The sketch I have done on the opposite side of this letter does not do it justice. As the Lords of Dolindîr used the Star as their badge of office, and now the Steward of Esteldín shall have the same.
It is with this where I conclude my time in Esteldín. Lord-Commander Belenir called council, wishing to meet with the Order’s main force near Fornost Erain and march for Annúminas, a journey should take days, perhaps even weeks. This was voted upon, with the Lords of the Order voting to go ahead with Belenir’s plan. There were objections, of course. Minaiadan felt there was still much we needed to do to ensure order within the North Downs and Esteldín, especially with the threat of Angmar still being prevalent. Lady Aelwynna also has been working hard to care for a group of Hill-Folk children, who were separated from their tribe when the Order stormed Tham Úmdúr in search of the Star of Estel. It has troubled her that they seem to originate from a tribe loyal to Angmar, and are thus extremely distrusting of the southern “captors” as they have taken to calling us. The Dúnedain assured the Order that they would be cared for and, should they choose to, will be returned to their people by connections with friendly or neutral tribes.
At least, for now, the Jorthkyn who turned their backs on their “Earth-Mother” , have returned to the fold after I challenged and defeated their leader, Jarrko. Within his people’s possession was an ancient horn fashioned from that of one of the first aurochs herded by these people. I named it the Horn of the Ancient Aurochs, although I know this is not what they call it, which is said to have been used by the tribe in times of war and peace. With its purpose fulfilled, I returned it to its resting place, atop the stone altar where it sat.
I must also tell you of events that have occurred that one would consider unusual. The Ranger Halfaeron approached me with the suggestion of starting a new pastime involving rolling wheels of cheese down a hill at planks of wood. I remember hearing from a Hobbit traveller in Bree that his people invented a game called “Golf” when one of their own beheaded an orc king on the field of battle, their severed head sent flying and landing in a rabbit hole, as the story goes. Although the origins of this new cheese-rolling sport may not have as epic a tale behind it, it intrigues me to find how such activities amuse these people. I too partook in this cheese-rolling, managing win a particular round. With that said, I could make some suggestions to how the sport is played. Perhaps it could be played on a flat field with a ball rather than a wheel of cheese?
Our path has taken us through the Fields of Fornost, where the air hangs thick with dread and the wind chills your blood with deathly whistles. The hills lie desolate, with stumps of ancient stone structures littering the hills, with the once proud fortress of Fornost Erain, the Norbury of Kings, watching forlornly over the land. As you will know, it is here where Angmar dealt its final decisive blow against Arthedain. I feel as if the spirits of those that fought at that battle still linger here, lost, or vengeful, perhaps both? We encountered a hooded figure along the road; a blind man who claimed to be a “sooth-sayer”, one who could read futures. He read those of some of the Order, speaking of secrets lying within realms of shadow, of black flowers in snowy mountains, of choosing which wolf will save you and other such cryptic riddles. I have never been one for such sorcery, whether such visions are true or not, and I chose not to partake in this distraction. I was, however, gifted with the opportunity to investigate Fornost itself, of which I learnt much from Anarlossë, who acted as my guide. She tells me that the fortress stood hollow since the war, and although the orcs destroyed much to lay down their defences, we were able to picture they layout of the Fortress as it was in those days. The Tower of Minas Erain, the tallest point within the fortress, however, remains a mystery to us, for an overwhelming fell-aura still lingers within its stone walls. Whatever was here in years past must have been of great evil. What I can say is that Fornost’s Throne Room was within the tower, and perhaps if we can figure out a way to cleanse the evil within, we will learn more, in time.
It is great to hear from that Osgiliath has begun to be rebuilt; I do hope that the city’s ancient style is preserved in its repairs. I imagine now that in these times of peace, more old fortresses will be rebuilt, and new Lordships will rise to meet them. The same will likely happen in Arnor, with northern Dúnedain reclaiming their families’ ancestral seats. There will likely be disputes between families over these. I have taken to assembling rolls of arms for the northern Dúnedain as well as the Knights of the Order, unofficially becoming the Herald of the Order, as it were.
For now, however, the road leads through the Fields of Fornost, into the lands surrounding the Nenuial, the Lake of Twilight. It is upon its southern shore where we will find Annúminas. I have begun to wonder of what will happen once the Tower of the West has been reclaimed. Will the Order have fulfilled its purpose, or perhaps there will be more to be done? I cannot tell at this moment.
Please send my best wishes to mother. I hope she is recovering well following her illness. I look forward to hearing from you once I have arrived in Tinnudir, the stronghold of the Annúminas Dúnedain.
No aer i eneth Helcharon. Padrad mi i calad.
Your brother Thandanar, on the twenty-fifth day of Nínui in the 3020th year of the Third Age
