Veryacano

Yesterday the Lord Tindir’s company returned to us at last, leaving the remainder of our missing company to be the Lords Estarfin and Veryacano, and 

The sudden ending of my guard-duty, and the headache from the battle wound I incurred was very hard for me to endure, but I bore it as well as I could.

We set out from the Tauremorna, and ventured past the doomed hill-top village, the wind blowing very hard across the grasses. Here the land is exceeding good, but the people run great risks in settling on account of the Enemy: which we avoided, and our passing went unnoticed. We walked about five miles farther, where we came to a large grassy plain. We saw several wild beasts, which I went up to as near as possible without danger, and I counted six bears, and we found the remains of several cows something had killed and half-eaten.

On the 24th day, we left that swampy part of the Tauremorna when Lord Veryacano led us away under the trees and across a small river to the southeast. He seemed puzzled, as if something he expected never came into sight, and would often pull out the map that he copied from Grimbold’s men, and stare at it blankly.

There being no way to cross the fords of the Isen, because of the invasion of Men, it was determined by Lord Veryacano that we would make our own crossing, and he bravely waded into its icy waters to secure a rope bridge. The River Isen is large and swift-flowing; and it was with great difficulty Lord Veryacano got through it: sometimes he would be in the waters up to his neck, but by good fortune, and his mighty strength, he was able to cross over.

My kindred, not content with any common enemies that lessen and destroy us, were set on reducing the great multitude of despicable Men into far less numbers, and deliver a powerful blow to our Enemy by purging the land of their tribe, settled so close to the borders of the Horse-Men’s lands; and by this bloodshed, show that we stood on the same side, and meant them no ill will. It was decided that one of the Dun-Men would be spared, to become our bartering tool to the Horse-Men.

I was enjoying doing nothing for once, in relative peace as lord Veryacano was nowhere in sight and Parnard was well enough last time I checked on him, when I noticed lady Nirhen close by. I knew she wouldn't answer, and would probably see it as an annoyance, but I couldn't resist asking her if she was well, it was too tempting. She didn't answer, as was expected, though she didn't ignore me completely which, I'll admit, surprised me.

It was a good morning to go search for some fresh eggs. I had seen a wild hen walking around when we arrived, and there she was again. I do not think she was happy of me taking her eggs, but the Elves in the camp were waking up and there would be nothing better for them to have with their bread than eggs and some tea from Rivendell, from the very last leaves of it. I also used a kettle to get some cleaner looking water from the nearby stream – it would be all boiled, after all.

Today I awoke with a terrible pain behind my eyes, and I sat blinking in the sunlight not knowing where I was, until a cooked egg was thrust in my face, and I was bid to eat it by the Lady Himwen. I was told that the eggs were laid by a wild pea-hen, but they were not able to catch and roast the hen, which is a sore pity.

''It has been fifteen days since we left the Valley of Imladris. We have finally reached the western passes leading into the Gap of Rohan, following the news given to us by the ranger Artewen. She claims to have seen the company holding Lord Anglachelm captive has gone south through here. We have found western one of the two passes blocked by a barricade and an orc camp was spotted nearby.