His silent steps took him close to an abandoned farm and he stood next to the wooden wall of the house, motionless, listening to the wind which was blowing softly into Kingsfell, the sun was setting and the sound of a cow was heard from afar. The Elf lifted his head a little to listen even more carefully and then suddenly and with three quick steps he grabbed the ledge of the roof of the house with his right hand and leaped up, landing on the roof and kneeling on it, that moment a group of men passed near the house. They weren't rangers, nor Angmarim, for they were too careless as they walked through the land and Galrondor saw that they were bandits, those that operated in Bree-land, aligned with the Angmarim from time to time. He waited for them to pass and after letting them gain some distance he got down from the house and followed them in the dark.
Not long ago they had reached an abandoned house near the river bank, South of where he saw them. The bandits made a fire and sat near the water and Galrondor himself sneaked and got on the house above them, intending to see and hear what was going to transpire, having a feeling that they weren't just passing through the land, especially that land where rangers wander. Three of the bandits sat around the fire and the fourth went a little further to keep watch and to see if those they were waiting would come any time soon. The hour was passing and they were starting to get bored, the watcher was sitting on a tree trunk half asleep and the others were snoring for a while now. Galrondor was looking at them wondering about the race of Man, that is when the piercing whistle sounded making the men get up and cover their ears with their heads, Galrondor narrowed his eyes, the sound being too piercing for his ears also, the bandits' faces warped as they grimaced and an arrow pierced the wooden door, entering from one side and exiting from the other and smashed against the wall on the other side. Galrondor's hands then moved to his swords, for a moment believing the arrow was intended for him.
-Don't fall asleep on the job! Said a man in black as he came out of the darkness holding a long-bow in his right hand, his head was tilted but his face was hidden under the hood he wore. The bandits jumped up in terror and stood in attention, obviously scared and wanting to show that they were ready and two more men in black appeared from their sides, walking along the bank of the river.
-Did you do as you were told? said the first man having now hanged the long-bow on his back, he was now in front of them, his long arms hanging from the sides as if they were lifeless. The bandits looked at each other only with their eyes, not daring to move in the least in front of him and the first to jump up replied.
-We did pass through Trestlebridge. They're slowly re-building it, those from Bree are trying to help them even more as of late.
-Good good... came the low hissing tone of the man and he walked to the left of the bandit and stopped, looking beyond the river to the West, towards the little town. He turned his head to the one that replied and spoke again.
-A force of men like you is gathering near hill in Annundir, near the place called Nodmor in the fields of Fornost. You shall enter Trestlebridge again and stay for two or three days, write down of the guards and when they change their watches, the patrols and how far from the town they patrol. Also the number of guards they have, along with the Watch and any foreigners who carry swords. Once you know all that you will go to the Hill and inform them. Five days from today they will attack. Make sure they have this information... The Men will never know what hit them...
He remained motionless as he was talking as if it wasn't him that the words were coming from but something else, making the bandits tremble even more, especially when they heard the word Fornost, they shifted nervously but did not dare refuse or argue with him.
-Good. He said at last when no one said anything and looked left and right at the others that approached.
-Go now, do as you were told and you will be greatly rewarded... and made to leave but he stopped, something caught his attention as did Galrondor's who turned his head on the other side, far from the water. The sound of heavy pounding was approaching them fast, soon growls and some heavy breaths...
-Our pet smelled som- the man in black didn't finish his sentence and the growl of a big troll made Galrondor focus only to see two eyes before a huge club met the house and destroyed part of it, the Elf fell from the roof. The men saw him and the dark-clad ones drew his swords.
-You weren't careful... Said the man to the bandits and looked at Galrondor, the troll stood where it was, its eyes never turning from the Elf.
-Leave, our pet will take care of him, he likes... their ears... Said the man and the troll lifted its club, it fell right where Galrondor was and if he wouldn't leap it would make him one with the ground. The men ran away, in different directions and Galrondor and the troll were left alone to fight, it lifted its club again and ran towards the Elf who leaped away and towards the house to take cover.
The fight went on all night long and both adversaries got tired, Galrondor fell to his nee after another leap away from the trolls club and when it hit the ground the tall being leaned on it to take some breaths. That moment some arrows were fired and hit the troll's back, making it roar in anger and turn around to face them, Galrondor saw some men clad in green and brown, with swords on their sides and bows in their hands, he smiled tiredly and pushed himself up. The troll charged against the rangers but they fired another round off arrows that found their mark, making it roar again, this time in anger and in pain, yet its charge wasn't interrupted.
-Go! inform the others! Shouted one man at the Elf and they all ran towards the forest with the troll running after them.
Galrondor walked as fast as he could and reached Meluinen which was close to where all this happened hoping to find some Elves. The morning found him among some travelers of his kin who shared their food and drink with him. Luckily for him a ranger was among them and Galrondor wrote a letter to Amdarath.
Summon the Rangers to Meluinen in battle-gear and ready for a raid. We have less than five days.
OOC: After this all rangers in the event are summoned to Meluinen in the North Downs.
