The warriors met on the shore of the Anduin in Mirkwood, coming from many directions. Driadriel thanked all in the name of lady Galadriel and emphasized the logic of the offensive in Mirkwood: to weaken the Ennemy and keep him far from the homes of all joining forces, be it Lorien, Rohan, Gondor, or Moria.
As Hir Veryacano who now serves house Vanimar was one of those who came sword in hand to free Greenwood the great Driadriel appointed him military leader of the expedition as the most experienced warrior present. Differences in opinions as to how the attack should develop existed: from Captain Ventris of the Defenders of the Free People insisting into scouting ahead even if Hir Veryacano considered the existing information enough to Sir Darius of the Knigths of Gondor thinking the Anduin camp badly positioned and prone to attacks despite the assurance from the elves that more bows then are seen guard well that vital strategic gate from Lothlorien to Mirkwood.
The council was proof there still can be dialogue among races and the attack commenced. Mirkwood proved to be a tougher ennemy itself then it was expected. Some of the Riders of the Riddermark that responded the call got lost and Nessawen and Mirineth managed to find them and help them rejoin the group. But the swords of the alliance seemed impossible to stop.
Wave after wave of Orcs and Goblins fell, huge wargs left their blood to feed the proud trees of Greenwood the Great and the madded beasts of Mirkwood learned to avoid the army advancing towards the feared Dol Guldur. The victory seemed possible, tangible as the hilts of their swords and the dew of the morning after a night of fighting. Yet the wave of enthusiasm was meant to loose power soon when two known figures fell in an ambush. Driadriel, the ambassador of Lorien, the voice who called all to figth in the name of lady Galadriel, remained behind when a dubious sound announced someone else was still there after the army succesfully cleared one of the orc encampments.
Noticing her remaining behind, Eovind, the isolated Rohirrim that hardly spoke a word at the meetin but who was known by enough of the old warriors present as the former leader of the secret Glade Council returned but only to see Driadriel falling dead to an arrow comming from the forest. He was overwhelmed by enemies coming out of nowhere himself and got badly wounded before Rasheke, the scout of the Defenders managed to join him and together they defeated the pack of Orcs that ambushed Driadriel before Eovind fell himself to the ground due to his wounds. Only will kept him standing to figth for so long.
A man and an elf fell side by side that hour, a death reminding all of the alliances of old, one dead and one badly wounded. Hir Luwe of house Vanimar and few others took Eovind to a camp in hope to save his life but his wounds were too deep or his will to live too weak. He died hours later.
The body of lady Driadriel was taken by Lady Gleorwyn of the Riders and Hiril Irmiel of the Defenders and she will be buried in Lothlorien, the place she lived almost all her life. Hir Veryacano reminded all the deaths were not in vain and the powerful attack force almost reached the stronghold of the enemy. He swore revenge and not let the lives lost be lost for nothing. More then half of the army remained by his side, decided to make the Orcs pay greatly for the lives of the fallen. Yet some of the enthusiasm and the wave of hope was shattered.To bury the dead or loosing heart on seeing some of these perceived leaders falling some of those that responded to the call of Lorien headed back towards safetly. Yet the elves and their allies conquered valuable positions. Perhaps more will return or join their camps until the defeat of Dol Guldur will be completed.
The story of a war worthy of legends is just beginning.
