[Nerindel]

It was morning before the storm finally passed and a thin mist covered the ground about their feet. Islist and Elleraden walked amongst the company urging them up. They rode on for about an hour in silence before Islist raised his hand to halt them again. The mist is thicker here Sorlas thought as he dismounted Telpetal to take a look around but as he walked further forwards he could just make out the dank dark marsh that lay before him, he carefully stepped forwards he felt his boot sink in to the soft mud and quickly pulled it back. "It seems the storm still hampers us" he said aloud, many nodded their heads in agreement.

After some discussion Islist spoke "We shall go west, crossing the Entwash and making for the west road." Sorlas nodded his agreement with the others and remounted his horse. It was early afternoon when they reached the Entwash and Sorlas was relieved to see that it was not as deep or as fast flowing as the other they had crossed the previous day. Infact they had merely only to wade the horses across, once they were all across they stopped only long enough to fill their stomachs with the dried fruits and stale honey cakes that were left and to fill their near empty water skins with the clear crisp water of the Entwash.

Under less than an hour they were again mounted and heading west towards the road, once on the west road they followed it through the Fenmarch. Sorlas was sure that on more than one occasion he had heard the very distant rumble of many hoofs ahead, but still they went on. The weather had remained damp and dreary and the heavy showers did not help their mood, they were all wet and miserable by the time Islist stopped them again. In the drawing darkness Sorlas dismounted, threw back his dripping hood and had a look around.

"Firien wood...., we shall camp here tonight was all that he heard Islist tell the others. He was studying the ground, the rain had washed most of it away but he could still see signs that many horses had been here and as he inspected the camp further he found washed out foot prints Definitely men and a lot of them he thought to himself. "Look the beacons are lit!" Sorlas turned to see Durvagor pointing in the direction of the beacons, "Rohan!!" he suddenly exclaimed laughing that he had not realised it sooner. He soon became aware that the others were staring at him crouched in the mud under the eaves of the wood with puzzled expressions on their faces.

" Thought I heard the rumble of very distant hoofs ahead of us as we rode on the road, I had feared that the Uruk Hai's had found some way to cross the river before us and had over taken us as we waited out the storm, but I was wrong! I now believe it is the Rohirrim that ride afore us." he explained.

"How can you be so sure?" Tarannon asked sceptically. It was now Aravir's turn to laugh as he too saw the signs in the ground afore him "Horses, The uruks were not riding horses" he said turning back to Tarannon. "But they could have acquired some" Rinoas put in , "Not this many Islist grinned as he too crouched to the ground for a better look.

Fresh spirits had surfaced in the company as they prepared camp, Aravir and Durvagor volunteered to find food, Herevion and Rinoas took the first watch, Islist and Elleraden took the horses down to the stream to drink then sat under a great oak discussing possible battle strategies, which left Sorlas and Tarannon with the task of building the fire and cooking the meal. Tarannon had already confessed to Sorlas some time ago that he was not a very good cook, so when Sorlas had asked him if he would prepare the fire instead he eagerly accepted.

Sorlas took the two pans the company carried and headed down to the stream to fill them, when he returned he saw that Tarannon had the fire built and was just lighting it. It took a good deal of coaxing before the fire burned as some of the wood was still damp. Sorlas searched his pack and produced a small dark coloured pouch as he carefully opened it the pungent smell of the rich dark coffee grinds reached his nostrils, he smiled it did not get damp as he had feared he closed the pouch and put both pans over the fire to boil.

It wasn't long before Aravir and Durvagor came back with no less than four plump rabbits between them. Durvagor sat down next to Sorlas and helped to gut, skin and bone the conies, they then cut the meat into large chunks and put it into the now simmering water, Sorlas took some mint he had found earlier in their journey and added it to flavour the watery stew. "Now if we only had some vegetables this would be a fine meal" he laughed jovially to Durvagor. "Will carrots suffice" Durvagor grinned pulling two large carrots from his pack, Sorlas's face was one of total surprise as Durvagor continued " I was saving them for Penole, but I'm sure he won't mind" Sorlas could not help but laugh as he took the carrots from him. He diced them roughly and threw them into the pot with the minted rabbit.

Within an hour everyone was eating rabbit stew and drinking the last of the hot black coffee. Sorlas was careful to set aside two bowlfuls aside for Herevion and Rinoas. Once they had finished Elleradan and Tarannon had offered to wash up, So Sorlas got up and went to relieve the two silent watchers.

"Wait up! I shall take watch with you tonight my friend" Sorlas stopped and waited for Durvagor to catch up, the older man was grinning broadly and there was an unmistakable spring in his step as he approached. It took them some time to locate Herevion and Rinoas hidden among the dark oaks. "There is stew waiting for you back at camp" Sorlas told them as they relieved them from their watch , "And coffee if your quick" Durvagor added laughing jovially.

Sorlas and Durvagor decided to take their watch closer to the camp, they climbed one of the oaks so that they had a better view over the whole camp and began their watch, Sorlas was glad that his watch tonight was with Durvagor and not one of the quieter rangers, as he hoped Durvagor would distract his thoughts from the upcoming battle and the terrible dreams he had been having since they left mirkwood.