I updated may post above to answer Hereweald's question.
Chapter 2 - Dark of the Moon
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Chapter 2 - Dark of the Moon
The hunter, with no more talk, heads for the bunk house, his things are mostly packed, so he gathers them in minutes and then makes for the stables where his horse is. He is ready to ride within the half hour, and joins the others with the wereguild and the pack horse, ready to leave Edoras.
"He that breaks a thing to find out what it is has left the path of wisdom." - Gandalf
J.R.R. Tolkien, Council of Elrond, The Fellowship of the Ring
J.R.R. Tolkien, Council of Elrond, The Fellowship of the Ring
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Chapter 2 - Dark of the Moon
The company packs up and readies to leave. It will be a long ride and though this is well traveled land, the distance ahead is great.
You set out riding west into the Westfold Vale, a rich land of many farmsteads. Homes and pastures are spread densely along the wooded eaves of the White Mountains, then quickly grow sparse as the land rolls out north into the wide grassy plains of the Westemnet. To the north-west of the vale, under the shadows of the three peaks of Thrihyrne runs
the Deeping-stream, out of a dale carven into the side of the mountains. This is the Deeping-coomb, a valley guarded by the strongest fastness of the Riddermark, the fortress that its builders called Aglarond. Farther west, the river Isen rushes between the southern end of the Misty Mountains and the northernmost arm of the White Mountains at the Gap of Rohan, marking the boundary of the Riddermark.
The rolling grassland of the Westemnet and the rising hills of Westfold meet upon a narrow plain lying between the White Mountains and the Misty Mountains. Through the flat land of the Gap of Rohan, the river Isen descends from the north and becomes slow, chattering over stones at the ancient fords. From there, the river turns west into Enedwaith, taking up speed and depth as it runs across a sloping country towards the low-lying coastlands of south-western Gondor many miles beyond.
At the Fords of Isen several roads meet. The great West Road from Edoras and Helm’s Deep crosses the river to turn north, towards the hills, woods and rocky slopes of Dunland. West of the fords, another road leads north along the river to Isengard in the shadow of the mountains.
It is several hours after the setting of the sun when you near the homestead of Léofold and Merwyn. It has been a long day of travel and you and your horses are in need of rest.
the Deeping-stream, out of a dale carven into the side of the mountains. This is the Deeping-coomb, a valley guarded by the strongest fastness of the Riddermark, the fortress that its builders called Aglarond. Farther west, the river Isen rushes between the southern end of the Misty Mountains and the northernmost arm of the White Mountains at the Gap of Rohan, marking the boundary of the Riddermark.
The rolling grassland of the Westemnet and the rising hills of Westfold meet upon a narrow plain lying between the White Mountains and the Misty Mountains. Through the flat land of the Gap of Rohan, the river Isen descends from the north and becomes slow, chattering over stones at the ancient fords. From there, the river turns west into Enedwaith, taking up speed and depth as it runs across a sloping country towards the low-lying coastlands of south-western Gondor many miles beyond.
At the Fords of Isen several roads meet. The great West Road from Edoras and Helm’s Deep crosses the river to turn north, towards the hills, woods and rocky slopes of Dunland. West of the fords, another road leads north along the river to Isengard in the shadow of the mountains.
It is several hours after the setting of the sun when you near the homestead of Léofold and Merwyn. It has been a long day of travel and you and your horses are in need of rest.
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Chapter 2 - Dark of the Moon
As the group nears the homestead of Leofold and Merwyn he slows, "We are near now. Look, are those lamp lights?" He gazes through the red rays of the setting sun sizing up the area.
"He that breaks a thing to find out what it is has left the path of wisdom." - Gandalf
J.R.R. Tolkien, Council of Elrond, The Fellowship of the Ring
J.R.R. Tolkien, Council of Elrond, The Fellowship of the Ring
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Chapter 2 - Dark of the Moon
The road had been uneventful for the party. Sangric seemed more tired than usual, but spirits were as high as they could be whilst traveling in the winter. Torwin had no trouble guiding the company, and things were as Eadulf had told them, so far.
As they approach the steading, Torwin prepares to dismount, wanting to give Remn a rest for the horse had foam at its mouth and needed to be in a place where it could let down its guard. The raven-coated radhors was particularly wary, and was always looking for trouble on the road, even in safe lands. Torwin knew he needed to train it out of him, but had not had the time to do so.
As the near, he scans the steading for a lookout whom he can hail with their arrival.
As they approach the steading, Torwin prepares to dismount, wanting to give Remn a rest for the horse had foam at its mouth and needed to be in a place where it could let down its guard. The raven-coated radhors was particularly wary, and was always looking for trouble on the road, even in safe lands. Torwin knew he needed to train it out of him, but had not had the time to do so.
As the near, he scans the steading for a lookout whom he can hail with their arrival.
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Chapter 2 - Dark of the Moon
For her part, Istril enjoys the ride. The day is brisk, and she has pleasant company and new sights to feast her eyes upon. "This is a beautiful land even in the grip of winter," she comments. "I should like to see it come spring. I'll bet the wildflowers are something to behold."
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Chapter 2 - Dark of the Moon
The steading is surrounded by a wooden palisade. That and the fact that this is a new moon make it difficult to tell what lies inside. This late at night the gate is closed and no one seems to be looking for unexpected guests.
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Chapter 2 - Dark of the Moon
"No those aren't lamps, just the moon on the shutters." Hereweald dismounts and pats the neck of his steed. "Good girl..." he walks forward toward the gate and stops at it, looking over it at the steading. If there is a bell or knocker on the gate he uses it to announce them, if not he knocks and calls out, "Hail farm stead! Is anyone here?"
"He that breaks a thing to find out what it is has left the path of wisdom." - Gandalf
J.R.R. Tolkien, Council of Elrond, The Fellowship of the Ring
J.R.R. Tolkien, Council of Elrond, The Fellowship of the Ring
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Chapter 2 - Dark of the Moon
Torwin brings Remn to a stop 30 yards from the steading, then carefully, he stands on top of his saddle, looking to see if he can see in and speak to those who must surely guard it.