Ancient Evils, Hope Rekindled

I finally have some time to write down my thoughts. It has been an arduous journey, these past few months. On several occassions I have faced evil that I thought vanquished as far back as the War of Wrath! Though sired long after the Elder Days, I instinctively recognize the utter dread and revultion when in the presence of these lesser demons of Morgoth. We have discovered several points within Moria where portals of sort have been erected to allow these creatures to pass back into our world, luckily for the Free Peoples they were discovered in time and the demons were still in a weakened state and thus able to be vanquished by well orchestrated attacks. Had they grown to full power, Moria and Lorien beyond it would have been utterly overrun by these foul remnants of Morgoth's hordes. With the help of a group of Lorien Elves camped within the Shadowed Refuge, deep within Moria, my companions and I were able to find and destroy these portals. What if these portals were not discovered and these monsters grew to full power? I doubt not that the passage of the Company through Moria, and the arrival of the Dwarves soon afterwards, were blessings in disquise, alas we were also dealt a terrible blow alongside these blessingsl, with Gandalf's fall.

I came upon an Elf within Lothlorien who, although in mourning with the passing of Olorin, held a hope, a fool's hope perhaps, that the last chapter of Mithrandir's presence in Middle Earth had not been written. He told me of a dream he had of a great Eagle emerging from the Misty Mountains and flying West. His hope lit a small beacon within me and lifted my heart. Perhaps we should not despair yet! Shortly after speaking with this Elf, I met with the Lady Galadriel and mentioned this, she bade me speak to Gwaihir, the Winglord, who was on an errand in Lothlorien. He promised me that if there was any chance of recovering Gandalf, he would see it done and promptly bade farewell and flew off to the Misy Mountains in search of any clue as to the Grey Pilgrim's whereabouts.

Unity

It has been a while since my last correspondence, but I've busier than usual as of late. I knew I'd have to prove my quality to the Elves of Lorien, but I didn't expect the long hours, nay, days labour winning their trust. They don't even trust their own anymore once they step out of the Golden Wood. My hard work paid off finally though, I gained their trust and was allowed into the Lothlorien proper and even met with my quarrie. The news of Gandalf's fall has darkened my thoughts, almost to the point of despair. My musings, after finding that burnt hat on that small charred island deep within the Misty Mountains, and the charred remains of what could only be a Balrog of the Elder Days were confirmed. Gandalf's last battle must have made the mountains tremble to their roots!

Frodo blames himself, but the solace he has found in Lorien has helped him greatly. I also spoke to Sam, bless his heart, always looking out for his master. The Fellowship made it to this point thanks to Gandalf's sacrifice as well as to Strider's leadership and guidance. I long to speak to him, but he has been unavailable up to this point. During a patrol with Legolas and Gimli, I was sent word of a visitor who wished to see me. It was old Bosi from Moria, he had grim tidings and wished to speak to Celeborn and Lady Galadriel urgently. I vouched for him and was made responsible for all of his actions within the Woods and before the Lady. I accepted, because I know Bosi is an admirable Dwarf and came only at the direst need.

We were brought into the presence of Lord Celeborn and Lady Galadriel and I was awestruck by her presence. I kneeled before her in reverence and I pleaded my case before them. Her voice drifted into my thoughts though her lips spoke other words or moved not. Though Celeborn seemed rash and almost angry at the presence of Bosi, Galadriel was more diplomatic and I believe saw this as an opportunity to bring the two races closer together, after ages of mutual mistrust and animosity. She bade me return to the mines in Gimli's stead and help reforge the past friendship with the Dwarves.

It is a task I will now attempt to the best of my ability.

Fresh Air

It has been a long time since I last wrote, for I have been quite busy ridding Moria of the Orc hordes that inhabit it. How do these things multiply at such a rapid pace is beyond me, I will not even delve into that subject. The Dwarves within Moria have proven to be quite hardy and nobel, worthy of the name Durin's Folk. I have earned their trust and battled alongside them within the vast caverns, alley ways and sinkholes of Khazad Dum! I am heartened by their valour and perseverence in the face of such evil as still lurks there.

I sensed as well, that Durin's Bane, the Terror unleashed from within Moria's deepest mines, was decimated...somehow. While helping the dwarves I kept Lord Elrond's charge to me first and foremost and aye, my quarry had passed through and seems to have made it through (at least from what bare stone can tell). Hence I happened upon the borderlands of the heart of Elvendom on Middle Earth, Lothlorien. I was dismayed to see orc encampments along the road from Moria to the Golden Woods. As I entered the Lady's domain, I was confronted by archers, and was brought to their leader, Haldir. Haldir is marchwarden of Lorien's northern border and although he was respectful and even-tempered, he forbade me to go beyond that point, for they have grown suspicious of all who enter the Woods, even kinsmen as myself. He bade me go and help his brothers Rumil and Orophin, who were keeping watch on the grounds and I did as he asked. When I asked him about the Company, he stiffened and quickly changed the subject. He asked me for one more favor...to enter Moria again and seek out and give aid to a band of Elves from Lothlorien who ventured in some time ago and set up camp in the Shadowed Refuge, a place I had known and passed through.

For now, I must go back into the darkness and render what aid I may to the enemies of the Eye.

Hopefully my next installment will not delay as this one did.

A Long Darkness Indeed...

Well, where shall I begin? After clearing the rubble and knocked down trees and such, we were ready to commence opening this Hollin Gate and enter Moria. Some of the dwarven workers were resting and throwing rocks into the lake behind us and this gave me pause. Before long, something seemed to be slithering beneath the surface and I bade the dwarves to stop throwing the rocks. But it was too late, something had been stirred from it's ancient slumber and before we knew what to do several extremely large tentacles burst forth and took several dwarves into the lake, never to be seen again. We fought and fought but to no avail. In the end we had to retreat. Our weapons were of no use against this ancient demon. I was handed a weapon of old found by one of the foremen and was tasked with getting it identified in Rivendell. I learned that it had been forged in the early Third Age and had several hidden qualities and almost had a life of it's own. It was forged anew and after learning to wield this weapon, I was able to help the dwarves drive back what they had hence named the Watcher. After assuring the creature was not stalking us, we proceeded to open the gate and enter. A simple password, so simple it was genius. Speak Friend and Enter said the runes on the door. With that one word, the gate opened and we entered, my eyes adjusted and once we reached hall named Durin's Threshold I knew I had been mistaken, but when I delved deeper into Moria I was amazed at the workmanship of the Dwarves. Whole cities built beneath the Misty Mountains, awe-inspiring indeed.

But there were also Orcs and Goblins and other creatures to be dealt with, and hanging over everyone's darkest thoughts was the Terror that was awakened so long ago, Durin's Bane they called it. I knew it's nature though I had never come face-to-face with a Balrog of Morgoth. I must follow the road of the Nine if they indeed passed through here. I will rest now and continue exploring these caverns at a later time.

Turning Point

The lands of Eregion must have been aweinspiring before the Shadow destroyed everything in it's wake. I've met with several Elves at the new encampments dotting the landscape and have lent my aid. I've followed the tracks of Nine as best I could and cleared up a couple of hastily abandoned campsites and even battled with spies tracking them as well. I've also helped with several issues that have arisen, including what amounts to a worm nursery (I'm sure either the White Hand or Mordor are trying to grow these into dragons, curse them both). The Dunlandings are ever a problem with their jealousy of every sentient Race that crosses their paths. I've also waged battle against those who would despoil the lore and art of Eregion. Let's just say Eregion has not been a vacation, and it's definitely not a no-man's land anymore.

Back to my tracking of the expedition, I'm at a loss. I figured that making for the Gap of Rohan would be the logical route for them, but it is heavily watched by Crebain and Dunlanding forts keep watch over the road leading to the Gap. I back tracked and made my way to the Redhorn Pass, it is also heavily watched but there are side paths that if known, can get one stealthily past the fort the Halforcs have erected there. I'm sure Aragorn took the Company up these paths. Surely they scaled Caradhras and are making their way past the Misty Mountains as I write this, but no...I chanced upon a final campsite. Not far from there I also found the frozen remains of a Dwarf, though he did not match the description of the Dwarven component of the Company. Nevertheless, the path of Caradhras has been completely blocked by an avalanche and the mountain is extremely angry, I must make my way down before I join that poor Dwarf's fate.

I was hoping not to have to try this last route, for it has long been a place of unrelenting evil and terror. I had a premonition about entering a "long darkness", but it seems more and more clear that instead of passing over or around the Misty Mountains, some madness or extreme urgency caused the Nine to consider passing UNDER the Misty Mountains. Through the Mines of Moria, I shiver at the thought of them braving those dark caverns, however skilled the Dwarves of old may have been, I can't imagine anything more that shafts and soot-covered mines snaking here and there and, above all else, the Terror that resides within those mines which the dwarves, in their never-ending greed freed with their relentless search for wealth.

In any case, I chanced upon a company of Dwarves searching for the fabled Hollin Gate and helped them clear it once they had found it. I must now rest and prepare for tomorrow.

In The Footsteps of the Nine

Lord Elrond has tasked me with following the route the Nine may have taken in order to assure that none follow them and learn of the Burden they carry. The route has taken me into Eregion. Once a place full of beauty and grace, Eregion is now a vast ruin laid waste by Sauron after his true identity was unvieled and the Elves went to war against him, but too late to stop the forging of the Rings of Power in order to enslave all Free Peoples. I've never travelled to this part of Middle Earth, but I hear now that Elves are trying to reclaim parts of it in preparation for the coming War. I will do my part to help secure the settlements.

Redemption (LOTRO Spoiler)

Narchuil has been destroyed and both Mordrambor and Mordirith have been defeated at last. Narmeleth has joined her sire in the Halls of Mandos, having sacrificed herself for all Free Peoples. The fight was gruelling and without her selfless help, we would not have prevailed. I am sure she now stands beside Laerdan in a place of honor in the Halls. Glorfindel foretold that only by Narmeleth's hand would Amarthiel's evils be undone, and so it was. I must now journey back and report to Glorfindel and Elrond as well and bring the news of Narmeleth's demise.