War in the North

The drums rolled onward in the night sky, the warriors crowded around in their own circles surrounding the benches and high tables, dancing with their fellows and their women. Mead was poured, and meat was served, while a clutch of bloodied captives seated along the edge, watching the festivities with fearful eyes. 

The man stopped, standing still, not unlike a statue, as if some sort of spell had just frozen him. He narrowed his eyes as he recognized what was before him, the beast that had already defeated him once: a Warg, as big as a horse and black as the night. It could be any black Warg, especially since the last time it was in the Lone-Lands, miles away... but Ildrand knew it was that Warg. The same size, the same growl, the same eyes.

Dearest Father,

I hope this letter finds you well and healthy as when you set off. Do not worry, for Miss Charlotte and I are both wanting in nothing except your quick return home. Life in town is nothing short of exciting and I shall have a good many stories to tell you when you come home.

It was the scout, Elur, who spotted the movement from the hills, a large mass of Orcs heading at a brisk pace from the north. It was his sharp eyes that could see the black billowing smoke against the dark sky, blotting out some of the starlight in the west.

It did not feel like a welcome home.

Stevron sat edgy on is chair, looking out over the map of Bree-lands. Turmoil. The land were in turmoil. Orcs had come down from the mountains in the north. Much of the northern Bree-lands were now under their control. The road to Trestelbridge from Bree-town could no longer be considered safe. A lost caravan of his could testify to that. And from the Lone-lands and from the far south, others had come as well. More orcs, but also men, fighting for various masters. Stevron rubbed his chin with his bare hands.

The abandoned city of the once Kingdom of Arnor was now before her. It had taken her months and too many unsuspecting arrows to finally reach her fellow kinsmen from the safe haven of Imladris. Estenthêl sighed with relief as she and her traveling partner, Angston, finally met with the camp that was reported to be there. The few Rangers there were already laying out areas in the city to make posts. Estenthêl and Angston were given a hasty briefing about what to expect before being shown where they could lay down their bed rolls.