Never did I believe that I would find myself comforted among the devices of the Enemy. But here we are, licking our wounds around a campfire among the Enemy's perch, and yet we quietly restrain our sense of triumph with grim thoughts of the coming trials. It's a sobering exercise. I sit here and write all that I can recall before my own unease and fatigue will lose them to sluggishness.
A council, in a manner of speaking, convened at Lin Giliath; and with it a great expectation was felt. It was only here that I realised the differences in nature that the Firstborn display. Some were clad in high armour, of make and craft few Men could fathom, and others bore the unmistakable trappings of woodcraft and the cunning of the Silvan folk; and more still were unique, some in humble robes with a healing mind, and others with high wrought shield, foreign dagger and curved blade, or familiar chainmail draped in hauberks bearing the device of their Houses; and then there were ourselves, with no more to show than the mud on our boots and our earthy hues, and we stood among them as equals. But we were not the only Men there, for indeed stout folk from far and distant lands paid their respects and offered their blades with great vigour.
A great honour was bestowed upon we Rangers, and at last our expertise and skills in the wild were acknowledged, and would come of use to these fine folk. Some would say it was our right to demand it, but humility is an exercise we have all learned- and it has been repaid. We were tasked with leading the main scouting party through the eastward path of the Nan Wrathen, following in the wake of the first assault against the canyons. Our objective was to aid those who were holding the nearby bridge, erected by the Enemy. Rumour had it the House of Vanimar were doing all they could to stem the tide. I have heard of their fame and rich history, but even those deemed the mightiest must look for aid in the least of people. Pride arose in me, then, to know my ragged kinsmen would hasten to their aid, and be instrumental.
Another surprise that Lord Curugirion saw fit to elect myself as the banner for those who volunteered for the scout party. As it was...quite a few did volunteer, of Men and Elf alike. Am I, a ragged wanderer, capable of shouldering such a daunting responsibility? To hold the lives of not only my own people, but of Elves also? I answered myself truthfully: no. A proud and better man would hearken to all and lead as would a Captain of many victories, and revel in the knowledge all were under his gaze. But I am a fair man and fall not to the folly of pride, and so I divided the bloated number into two, and as a sign of good will, I chose one of the Elves to lead the second, so that our union would be displayed by a fair example.
My kin were dispersed among both groups so that our expertise would not be forgotten: Adunzil remained at my side, as did an old friend and ally Idhrenaith, whose shield and stance would be a boon to us: and two others from the Loth-I-Lonnath, Culir and Taurveril, talented in the art of scouting. I confess I was, and remain, privately relieved to have them among my party. The second group was lead by Lady Minyelaire- whose valour and guile shone this day- and with her my kinsmen Elgaraen and Meduion. Lastly, two others of the Firstborn, Lady Nenloth and another whose name I never learned- though she referred to Lady Minyelaire as 'sister'. I will make a note to thank her for that excellent draught made for us all, and learn her name.
And so here we are....I need not write of the progress we made in great detail. Slaying our foes is a grim affair, but one done with pristine execution I am glad to say. Our objective altered in light of the fog of war, and were then to reclaim the bridge where the others may have failed. The knifework was swift, clean, and our understanding of the situation was demonstrated. Meduion and Culir are applying their knowledge of rope-weaving and lashings in the hopes they may devise something useful. Others are raiding the Orcish supplies for anything of use and camp has been set among the canyon perch; and four sentries have been stationed at either end of the bridge to ensure we lose not what we gained. Three hour rotations ought to do it, I think. We wait for the tidings of the new day.
