Westward Patrol from Imladris Pt 2 (Journal Entry 17) Part One here
I reined in my steed and handed the reins to the young stablehand who as always mouth dropped in awe at seeing an elven warrior of Imladris clad in mail. I strode up the steps to the gatehouse feeling the life come back to my legs after the prolonged horse ride. As I looked down into the open courtyard I saw Elder Friderick busying himself seeing to the day to day business of keeping the ancient fortress manned and fed. I walked to the well firstly to drink my fill of the fresh cool water before turning my attention back to Friderick. He was now pointing with a cane to a section of the wall that was in need of repair to highlight its need no doubt to the two stonemasons stood alongside him.
Elder Friderick was polite and courteous as always when he spoke with me. Imladris had very friendly relations with the Eglain and had always supported them when they asked for aid. He was always helpful to our patrols that roamed the borders of the Trollshaws, offering them food and water whenever they passed by Ost Guruth. My visits here served to maintain these strong ties, and indeed over the many many years I have been travelling here I have learned a lot about then men who kept the ancient walls secure and who called it home. I agreed to partake of an evening meal with Friderick and his family before I left and then I took my leave to walk among his people.
I took some time to mingle with the inhabitants, I was dressed in my shining scale hauberk and finest cuirbolli leather gloves and greeves. I wanted the people here to note the passing of an elf from Imladris, I have always noted how the spirits of men are lifted when they see one of our kind walking among them. If by this minor gesture I could renew the hope of the people here and make Fridericks duty a little easier.
I was speaking with their healer an older man they called Holt, I had a small bundle of medicines I always carried with me which I said I would leave with him when I noticed a warrior pass through the arched entrance. They were clad in green, but it was the grace of their movement which drew my eye and informed me they were elf kind. She seemed to be aiding the settlement here but their face was not known to me as one of Imladris. Seeing my gaze upon her she approached to where I was standing and with a warm smile introduced herself as Culaith. We spoke for some time where I learned that she was from Imladris but had spent many years travelling the western reaches passing unnoticed among menkind learning about them and discreetly helping where she could. She had a very open mind compared to some of our kind, indeed her outlook was one of hope for the future, much the same as that viewed by the Officers of our warband. She joined us for the evening meal with Friderick that night where we talked well into the night, even Fridericks children were allowed to go late to bed because of the guests in his house.
