Seregrian

            The invasion of Rohan from the East begins as small bands cross the River, testing the Rohirrim at many points.  These raiders harass and burn the outlying crofts and villages, driving the folk of the Wold like lambs into the pens of the towns, fear and hunger following hard behind.  Then follows the larger hosts with engines of war in their trains, hurling themselves against

            The riders from Harwick enter the town of Floodwend after a long trek across the Wold and are grateful that the gates open for them; after the tidings on the road that Floodwend might be barred to them, the welcome sight of the opening gates fills all hearts with relief.  The dozen riders reined up at the stables and dismounted, stable-hands taking their mounts and farriers seeing

            Caeorwulf and Seregrían arrive at the Harwick tavern and enter the large common room.  Several people there hail Caeorwulf and bid him join them, though the conversation around the room softens when Seregrían approaches.  She still wears the crimson dress she wore at her encounter with Harding, and all eyes are now on her.

No matter which way I lay on my bed, I cannot escape the dull ache of pain in my shoulder. I feel a quiet hiss of discomfort pass my lips - though I am still grateful, as it is not nearly as pained as it was before I allowed Ithilwe to treat it.  Perhaps recounting my day until this point will help lull me to sleep...

            The town of Harwick, like many of the major settlements in Rohan, has as its center a great mead hall where the lords sit at court, and councils and feasts are held.  It is here, atop the highest hill in the town, where Seregrían is shown audience with Aldor Harding, the lord of the Wold and the northern marches of Rohan.  Having seen and heard how the Rohirrim conduct

Harwick is the largest town of the Wold, the northern region of the Eastemnet of Rohan. It is here that Seregrían arrives in the late afternoon, riding south from the ruins of Langhold and up to the gates - and once more must work her skill at diplomacy.

The next evening, the men of Stangard hold a feast to welcome Seregrían better and show their gratitude for her aid. The feast, though spare due to the deprivations of Sithric, still makes the mead hall ring with laughter and song, glad sounds that have been missed of late.

The sun has already dipped behind the Misty Mountains and the lands are settling into shadows as Seregrían approaches the gated entry to Stangard, the northernmost town of the Men of Rohan. She is hailed by the watchmen, who bid her stand and approach no closer. A man approaches with a lantern and calls to her in the tongue of Rohan which she cannot understand more than a few words, such as “Dwimordene”, the name of Lothlorien to these people.

Seregrían departs later in the morning than first planned, due to receiving late word from the Lady of Lorien. As she was readying to ride south, a messenger arrives from Caras Galadhon bearing a parcel, with a message attached:

Seregrían and Lonannuniel talk and counsel through the day, and into the late afternoon, in Egladil by the banks of Anduin.  They stand in Imlad Lalaith, the Valley of Laughter, where the feasts and revels of Lothlorien are usually held.  As the day draws on and the gloaming settles about them, still the sisters talk on; and as other Elves gather to prepare for the evening’s f