Monday, 4th of Astron, Year 1417 Shire-reckoning
Somewhere in the Land of Angmar
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| The entrance to Gabilshathur |
I volunteered to creep ahead and try to bind his wrists using a length of rope from Nephyn's pack. It was a nerve-wracking business, but I managed it. One thing I could plainly see in the process was that Lagodir was not dead, for the body breathed still, but that probably meant Guloth lived too. With the hands secure, the others joined me in turning him over.
It was Lagodir, but our friend was grievously changed. His beard and hair were greying, his face had shrunken, and his eyes seemed to protrude from his head in a pitiable way. All over his skin was pallor while his flesh seemed robbed of warmth. He would occasionally mutter things we could not understand -- names of people and places that were not known to us -- and his eyes appeared to see things we could not. We tried all sorts of medicines, talking to him, or plying him with food and drink, but he would take nothing, nor did he heed our voices. Twice he flew into a rage and attacked us with his bare hands, but the binds held fast and we managed to subdue him again. At Gaelira's instruction we even heated water over a fire and cast a few athelas leaves (the ones we had taken from the stores in Gath Forthnir, you may remember) into it, but this actually seemed to incite Lagodir to the worst sorts of fury and he would wretch and cough violently, so we did not try that again.
As the Sun set behind the western horizon I cast myself down and wept. Was there no hope for our brave friend who had sacrificed so much for others? We were at our wits' ends and finally decided to begin the long road to Rivendell while hoping to receive some word from Lord Elrond along the way. It seems certain that Lagodir will perish long before we ever get there. As I cried myself to sleep, I could hear Nephyn's faint sobs mixed with my own.
Trewsday, 5th of Astron, Year 1417 Shire-reckoning
It was another dreary day today. We were up early and moving quickly, but our going has been agonizingly slow due to Lagodir's condition. Sometimes he walks with us like a Man in a dream while other times we are forced to wrestle him into submission. Still other times he seems entranced and sits as still as the most stubborn mule you've ever seen. I think we might have managed barely twenty miles today, at the most.
Our camp tonight is cheerless and hardly anyone has spoken a word all day. Our eyes have been on the sky just as much as on our road out of hope that Malkan might suddenly appear, bearing some magical cure from Rivendell, but of course no such thing happened.
Lagodir still refuses to eat. I don't know how his body continues to function without food, but it's starting to look like it won't for much longer. He did accept a small amount of water, though, when he was at his most placid today, but shortly thereafter he tried to throttle poor Gaelira. None of us knows what to make of it.
Oh, speaking of Gaelira, she insisted I make mention of the fact that, although we searched Lagodir thoroughly yesterday, the palantir was not found on him. The Elves said perhaps it was lost in the destruction of the Rift and I certainly hope they are right. That glass ball has caused us enough trouble and I'm sure the world would be better off without it.
There was one other curious development today: through boredom in the evening I was playing around with my lute and noticed that Lagodir seemed to incline to me at the sound of some tunes. Normally he is off in his own world (except when he gets it into his head to try and kill you), but he seems a little less... distracted in those moments. I wish I knew what it all means.
Hevensday, 6th of Astron, Year 1417 Shire-reckoning
The Dwarf-colony of Gabilshathur, Somewhere in the Land of Angmar
Just when things appear to be going your way, that's when the worst happens. We actually managed to get Lagodir to eat some bread this morning, though it was quite the ordeal. Gaelira and Minasse seem to think that Guloth is repulsed by the wholesome things our friend might eat, but at the same time he cannot allow his human host to perish for lack of sustenance. We've come to learn that any introduction of food or water is quickly followed by raging outbursts of anger and violence, so by now we are ready for it. He continues to mumble indistinct ramblings -- today he mentioned the names Tuine and Lintendar, but none of us had idea what (or who or where) those might be.
We made somewhat better time today because I discovered my music pacified him somewhat and made it easier to get him to move. He seemed to respond especially well to the few songs of the South-lands I happen to know, but all told I think we only made another twenty-five miles or so today. That was far enough, however, to reach the Dwarf-colony of Gabilshathur.
The Dwarves were happy enough to see us again, but they weren't too keen on allowing what they took to be a raving lunatic into their midst. They considered him to be touched by some plague out of Angmar (and I suppose on that count they weren't too far wrong), but we did not tell them the nature of Lagodir's malady. Instead we offered to camp more toward the outskirts of the colony, and this was accepted, but we had to keep Lagodir tied by the hands to a wooden post.
The Sun had set and we were lying about our campfire pondering whether Lagodir might survive the road to Rivendell after all when shouts erupted from behind us. Gabilshathur was under attack! We five grabbed our weapons and rushed to aid in the defence. The attackers were a raiding-party out of Ongbishuk, one of the many orc-camps situated near the Dwarves. The Orcs were fierce and many, but they were at a distinct disadvantage: the only approaches into Gabilshathur were two narrow ravines through which at most three or four Men might be able to walk abreast. In this manner, the defenders repelled the attack with minimal losses. We Outriders were unscathed since the Dwarves insisted on taking the front lines themselves (I, for one, was only too happy to oblige them), and so we congratulated Guard-captain Gisur and Braigiar the Ranger on their victory.
"The valour of your people is deserving of the highest praise, Master Gisur!" Nephyn cheered as the garrison began to sing a rousing battle-song. "I did not know the Orcs placed such a high value on this colony."
"Neither did I, if I'm honest," replied Gisur. "We long suspected they knew we were here, but they never seemed interested in driving us out -- whether because of our ample defences or our small size I was never sure. I wonder why today was different?"
The five of us froze. Like a thunderclap we realized what had happened and our feet flew as we hastened back to our camp.
But we were too late. The ropes which had bound his hands to the wooden post lay shredded upon the ground. Lagodir was gone.
Mersday, 7th of Astron, Year 1417 Shire-reckoning
The Village of Tyrn Lhuig, Somewhere in the Land of Angmar
Needless to say we spent the remainder of the evening trying to track down our friend, but we had no luck. Gabilshathur sits inside of a canyon, so there were no footprints to follow. Of course, there were only two ways into or out of that place as well, so we checked both areas quickly. Unfortunately, being the only thoroughfares by which one might enter or leave the Dwarf-colony, they were overrun with prints of all shapes and sizes, nor were they easy to differentiate in the loose gravel that makes up the terrain in the swamps of Malenhad. To make matters worse, the fact that the orc-attack and Lagodir's escape happened at the end of the day meant we were forced to wait for the light of dawn to conduct any kind of meaningful search, which gave Guloth a head start of several hours.
As the morning wore away and our search proved fruitless, we were finally obliged to sit down together and think through what was to be done next. I suspect each of us were frustrated with ourselves for being so careless in leaving Lagodir unattended during the assault on Gabilshathur, so there were a lot of hot tempers in the Company at first. A heated argument arose concerning which direction we thought Lagodir had gone and none of us were able to agree on this point. Some angry words were spoken among ourselves briefly, but Minasse kept a clear head and implored us to examine the situation rationally.
"It has not escaped my attention," he said in his usual haughty manner, "That Lagodir -- or Guloth, as you will -- did not make for Carn Dum as we had initially expected him to do. Yes, he approached Barad Gularan, but he did not enter there, though it is unclear why. Instead, his path led ever southward until we overtook him. Therefore, I think we can conclude he does not intend to return to the strongholds of the Enemy. Whether this is because Lagodir's will is currently dominant or whether Guloth has some new scheme in mind I cannot say, but we should at least consider the possibility that our friend did not turn back toward the north while the ways east and south are blocked by impassable mountains. Let us therefore search to the west ere we leave this place."
To this we all agreed and it was well we did so. By sheer chance we happened upon a brief set of footprints, clear to see in the gravel, well to the west of the Dwarf-settlement. We quickly took up the trail, but it was so faint it was almost impossible to follow. Still, there were never any tracks leading in another direction, such as north, which would have been easy to spot on the softer ground, and so we continued our westward road.
In this manner the day drug on til sunset, whereupon we stumbled into a curious outpost of Hillmen. They were indifferent to us if not outright friendly, and they permitted us to spend the night within the rickety walls of their settlement. I think they may have been a contingent of the Men of Aughaire, but I was never able to make certain because no one would speak to us at any length, other than to say that their little camp was called Tyrn Lhuig. All the same, I felt a good deal safer for them being there, and I was able to pass the night in peace.
Highday, 8th of Astron, Year 1417 Shire-reckoning
The Village of Aughaire, Somewhere in the Land of Angmar
We set out at first light. Breakfast consisted of cold meats and new bread we had been gifted from the Dwarves' larders at Gabilshathur while the talk among ourselves was mostly aimed at trying to guess at Lagodir's (or Guloth's) purpose in coming this way. Naturally, we got no nearer to any revelation on that topic, but it helped to pass the time.
The morning was spent crossing the remainder of the Malenhad. By the second hour from noon we had left it behind us, much to my relief, for the smell of sulfur was nearly sickening. We found ourselves in the hilly moors which led toward the village of Aughaire and this slowed our progress, but now and then we did find faint signs which might have indicated Lagodir's passage in those parts.
At one point we happened upon a rather grisly sight: it was a wild pig which had been slain and partially eviscerated. Flies were heavy upon it as Nephyn examined the carcass.
"I can't say how this animal died, but it was young and not likely to have been taken ill," said Nephyn. "I see no wound marks upon it, but that may not mean much since a large section of the flank is missing."
"What's unusual about that?" I asked, eager to leave the smelly mess behind us. "Surely this is just the leftover meal of some roaming predator? Such things can't be that uncommon in these parts."
"What's unusual is that so much of the animal remains," Nephyn replied. "Any ordinary beast would have drug the carcass off to its den to do with as it wished or to feed it to its pack. Scavengers have picked this, it's true, but to my eye the initial kill used relatively little of the body for itself."
"Wargs?" asked Drodie, becoming interested in the proceedings. "I've heard tell those foul beasts will slay for the fun of it and leave the corpses to rot in the Sun so that they might spread pestilence among their adversaries."
"Perhaps," said Nephyn, "But that seems unlikely to me. How would one boar, alone and so far away from any known settlement, serve such a purpose?"
"What, then, do you think?" asked Gaelira.
"I think," she responded after a brief pause, "That Lagodir came this way. And I think he slew this animal somehow. And I think he ate of the carcass."
"What, raw?!" I asked, incredulous.
"I assume so, since I can see no trace of a fire," said Nephyn with a sigh. "We know that Lagodir is a mortal Man and must eat. We also know that Guloth, inhabiting a mortal body as he is, cannot allow his host to starve, for it would deprive him of his anchor to this world. We also have seen how Lagodir responded when fed ordinary foods... perhaps raw meat was as much a compromise as he was able to reach here in the Wild."
"The poor Man!" I said, my heart truly aching for him. "We must find him and end this somehow!"
"When do you believe this animal perished?" asked Minasse.
"I see many signs of carrion-birds about the corpse," the huntress answered. "And the remains have been greatly disturbed. I should think this site to be a day old by the signs, not more."
"Our delay in picking up his trail has cost us much time, then," Drodie said with a grimace, "But we shall see whether he can outlast a Dwarf on the hunt. Come! We must try to lessen his lead."
"I know of no way to depart this land save the clefts of Ram Duath to the south, since that appears to be his aim," said Gaelira as he jogged off. "And he will have to cross through the village of Aughaire on that road. Mayhap there we shall hear news of his passing."
The Sun had already set by the time we finally reached Aughaire, and we found its residents in a worse state of panic and unrest than ever before. They spoke of how, at dusk the previous day, a strange Man had entered their village and resisted all efforts to forestall him. He fought them with only his hands, but his wrath was great and they fled before his face. Most seemed to regard him as some unfortunate adventurer smitten with madness in the wastes of Angmar and they dared not restrain him.
We are now camped just south of Aughaire since the inhabitants of the village are in no mood to have any more foreigners traipsing through their home. We are largely a morose band at the moment thanks to the news the day has brought us: our friend is a raving madman roaming the wilderness killing wild animals with his bare hands and eating them raw! It's hard to see how Lagodir could possibly survive such an ordeal, but whenever I mention this aloud Minasse reminds me that Guloth needs Lagodir to live too. All of this is a bit above my head, if you know what I mean, but I'll follow my friend's trail to the ends of the earth if it means I can somehow help save him.
Sterday, 9th of Astron, Year 1417 Shire-reckoning
The Eastern Nan Amlug Plains, the North Downs
Despite another early start we became bogged down in the passes of the Ram Duath this morning. After following the trail a ways southward, it looked to us as though Lagodir had suddenly struck west, into the dens of the rock-worms and drakes which inhabit those parts of the mountains. It was some time later before we finally realized our error as we came upon the mutilated remains of an unfortunate worm-hunter wearing a pair of heavy boots quite similar in size and fashion to those of Lagodir, but Lagodir it clearly was not. Angry and dejected, we re-traced our steps and took up the track anew, hours later. Nephyn chastised herself relentlessly for what she saw as her own failure, but to be honest I think that even the most experienced tracker would have made the same mistake and we all told her so.
When we finally emerged from the Ram Duath into the sprawling plains of the Nan Amulg, it was like taking a long draught of fresh water after days of wandering in the desert. The sight of trees, the smell of grass, the chirp of birds -- all of the little things that you take for granted in everyday life -- were all deliciously present. I breathed deeply and hoped I'd never have to see another place like Angmar again so long as I lived.
This welcome joy was, however, tempered by a new problem: Lagodir's trail had vanished. Following a (faint) trail of boot-prints was manageable in Angmar, with its ashen plains and gravel-strewn plateaus, but here there was deep, springy grass newly minted by the burgeoning Spring. We spent the rest of the day trying to find any sign we could that might have indicated which way Lagodir had gone from there, but it was hopeless.
As the Sun set we made camp under the spreading branches of a short pine-tree. We tried to reason out which way he might have gone, but there were too many possibilities in that wide, open land. In the end, we decided it would be best to pay our friends at Esteldin a visit, since that place was close by, and hope we might hear something of value.
I am very tired, but I'm spending a little time lying awake under the heavens. It feels like months since I was last able to see the stars thanks to the dismal clouds which always seem to hang low over Angmar, but tonight my perseverance is being rewarded with an exceptionally bright, clear sky. I'm certain that, somehow, we will find a way to save our friend.
Sunday, 10th of Astron, Year 1417 Shire-reckoning
The Valley of Esteldin, the North Downs
We made our way to Esteldin with all speed. The Rangers were pleased to see us again and marvelled at the tales of our adventures in Angmar. No one there had seen any sign of a Man fitting Lagodir's description, so there were no new leads for us to follow. In light of this, our Company decided our best course of action would be to return to Bree, through which many well-travelled feet are known to pass. Perhaps someone there will have seen something of use to us.
We've elected to rest and go no further today. I want to find Lagodir just as much as anyone else here, but we've probably walked more than three hundred miles in just the past eight days. If we ever do manage to save that Gondorian he's going to owe me one spectacular foot-rub.
Monday, 11th of Astron, Year 1417 Shire-reckoning
The Ruins of Amon Raith, the North Downs
Rain wasn't what any of us wanted, but it's what we got -- lots of it. Our departure this morning was delayed considerably as the heavens unleashed themselves on us for hours; it was well after ten o'clock before we finally left Esteldin. The rain, though lessened, did not actually stop, so we were obliged to don our cloaks and hoods as we set out.
The march today was long, cold, and dull. We headed west past the many abandoned farmsteads (and, incidentally, past the spot where I had discovered Luean's letter to me... it now feels like ages ago!) then we reached the bridge spanning the river that cuts the North Downs in two. Crossing that, we followed the road as it wound up into the hills and eventually camped at a tumbled old ruin called Amon Raith. The name was made known to us by the handful of farmers and other simple folk who had taken refuge there after being driven from their homes by the Orcs. I wish we could have done something to help them, but we had our own errand to consider. We gave them instructions on how they might reach Esteldin telling them the Rangers were not enemies, and they thanked us for this.
We have no fire tonight since the rain still hasn't stopped.
Trewsday, 12th of Astron, Year 1417 Shire-reckoning
The Village of Trestlebridge, the North Downs
More rain. We left the hills today, struck the Greenway, and plodded south. My only comfort comes from the foodstuffs we were permitted to take from the Rangers back in Esteldin -- I find that Man-food suits me much better than Dwarf-food, as a general rule. Though I'll not deny that Dwarves tend brew the better ale. But neither compares with hobbit-standards, if you ask me.
Anyway, food and drink was all I could think about as we tramped through the mud and mire all the way down to Trestlebridge. We found safe lodgings there (the Red Lion Inn is now mostly rebuilt, although I can personally attest that the roof could still use some patching) and warm beds. The townsfolk are as pleased to see us as ever, but there have been no sightings of Lagodir. Tomorrow we should reach Bree, and then perhaps we'll have some real news.
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