Dear Turuviel,
we are finally home! Though you are not here, unfortunately, so i write this to you in hope of someday it being read by you.
The last leg of our journey from the south Trollshaws back home was probably more exciting than we would imagine!
It all started in the morning when Arradril noticed insects, lots of insects, buzzing around seemingly without an explanation of their origin.
I tried to dismiss this as irrelevant, or perhaps owing to the too hot summer that we'd been having. But somehow, in the back of my head, it kept nagging at me.
And indeed, as we advanced further through the forest, we could see and hear those oversized pest wings, around trees and in the open. I could not observe any obvious food source or nests either!
Strange in deed...
The trot through the forest proceeded with care and a somehow uneasy sentiment persisted at every step. It also didn't help that we discovered a fairly recent camp fire, haphazardly made near the road, almost in the open, with no apparent reason. Rangers would not be so careless and trolls would leave more stuff behind, including their trademark footsteps. Everyone of our Host was concerned and i scouted the area with haste in the mean time, not finding anything... it was almost like ghosts materialized, made a bonfire, then dissolved into nothingness...
If we were mildly concerned until that point, after leaving the camp i was certainly paranoid! On the way further towards the Bruinen, i would aggressively scout and check our flanks, as did the Hammers. Conversation on horseback dwindled, everyone was distressed, as if someone would be watching us with malign intentions.
As we arrived at the Bruinen, i was besides myself in panic. As you know, the ford created a large clearing around the crossing point, a perfect spot to be ambushed from the southern shore either from the western hills or from the eastern woods. Us Arrows, we posted ourselves as sentries a good distance away, while the Hammers guarded the convoy closer. The crossing took *forever*, or at least it felt that way... In the end, we regrouped on the norther shore, all of us, without incident.
The climb up the mountain was a bit cumbersome, at least for the horses in the baggage train. They kept lagging behind, or getting distracted by the occasional lynx or bear which roamed close to the trail. But we trudged on, one step after another until we were finally at the entrance to the Valley. Home.
We heard that a company of dwarves passed just before us into the Valley and that one of their people was injured. We saw the accident site, complete with blood. Not a good omen, clearly. Let us hope that this will be the only blood spilled and that we may keep into the good graces of the Valar, at least in the near future.
Needless to say, after a reunion of families at the entrance to our House, we all went in for a night cap. I almost fell asleep afterwards in the bath. Warm water, cozy cloth and the puff of my own bed, I can only ever be thankful for the comforts of our home.
May the the stars shine on your path, my dearest friend, wherever you may be.
Eryllin.
