[Saurreg]

Somewhere South of Mirkwood

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Thaurbar Culcollo allowed himself a wry smile as he witnessed the angry woman chiding and dragging her drenched younger son from the river bed by the ear while his older brother followed behind meekly. The two rascals were playing tag by the stream and in the midst of adolescent exuberance and misplaced attention, the younger one fell in. He wasn't hurt and did not require medical aid which, allowed Thaurbar to remain concealed and out of sight.

The Atani family provided Thaurbar his source of amusement and interest for the last two days. It wasn't as if all riders of Imladris were always that free, but in this case there wasn't really anything Thaurbar could do. The sense of a growing presence at Dol Guldor and increased sightings of fell beasts in the Brown lands had alarmed the white council. In response, King Elrond ordered all available riders to converge at the south of mirkwood, observe and report all happenings. By the time Thaurbar had arrived west of the Misty Mountains three days out from Imladris, Halbarad and three other rangers were already patrolling the boundaries of the forest and two others of their company were coming up from the southlands. That was seven days ago. By the fifth day of his arrival, Thaurbar was rewarded with more and more sights of grey riders; Dunadan and Eldar alike approaching from all directions.

With the watchful rangers keeping vigilance (Infact Elrohir himself was coming with his cohort), Thaurbar's office was not required and it was by chance meeting along the River Celduin, that he encountered the migrating Atani family. With the issue of Dol Guldor resolved (at least from Thaurbar's point of view), Thaurbar decided to direct all his attention towards the human family and ensure their safety. This was done in secrecy for the Sindar felt no need to make his prescence known to them especially in these times. And so the human family found their journey eventless and smooth-sailing not knowing that a elven rider scoured the length road before they took it, or patrolled the area while they slept. It was a rewardless task but one that the elf found bearable. For when the family travelled, the man and woman would sing their folk songs, pleasing to his ears while their children entertained him with their antics.

But Thaurbar Culcollo had followed the family for long, and the remaining part of their journey laid not in his region of duty. As he watched the threesome make their way back towards the campsite, he sighed reluctantly and rosed. Mounting his black steed, he said a little prayer for the family to Elbereth before making his way northwards towards the Region of Esgaroth.

[ December 11, 2002: Message edited by: Saurreg ]