[Theoric Windcaller]

The Dwarf didn't know what was to become of him when he stepped out of the door and he spotted four riders coming up fast, leaving clouds of dust behind them as they galloped forth.

He stopped, and retreated a step, but to his relief, the horses halted with the riders' commands. They were fine beasts, brown with gleaming reigns and sparkling eyes. The rider in front slowly dismounted his horse, holding a small envelope in hand, on the back it was sealed with dried red candle wax.

The rider was a Dwarf, or a child, juding from his stature. This surprised Theoric. Children weren't usually given such valuable horses.

The rider removed his helmet. It was a child, maybe of the age of twelve. He was from Rohan, Theoric could tell by the look in his eyes.

"Is there a Theoric Windcaller in the house?" asked the boy, who came up to the Dwarf.

"It is he to whom you speak. What is this about?"

"I am sorry, you'll have to prove it by showing us the Alànthèor," said the rider.

Theoric pulled up the sleeve of his roughly torn brown leather tunic to reveal a small marking of a mountain upon his shoulder. Yes, the Alànthèor, a small marking of Theoric's family. Only Theoric and his brother, Tallon have that marking, because they are the last of their kin.

The rider shook his head and handed Theoric the envelope. "It was addressed to you by a Tallon Windcaller. He did not give it to me personally, but only recently a bird came into, carrying this in it's claws along with a sidenote, telling us your name, background and your estimated location."

Theoric nodded his head as he quickly opened the envelope. It read:

Dearest brother. It has been not too long since we parted, but already I feel as if we have been seperated for years. Lately I have gone on an expedition with Bayin, our dear friend. The expedition leads deep into the Misty Mountains. There seems to be no sign of a storm yet, but crossing into the mountains, anything goes, and nature shows no mercy. I shall speak to you later.

Behind the first letter, there was another one. Again, he picked it up and began reading from it.

Dearest brother. I am afraid to say that Bayin, our life-long friend, has been taken by the storm. It was early this morning when a great lightning hit the tree that Bayin was standing by. Bayin was crushed, and the storm almost claimed my life as well. Now I sit, mourning the death of our companion and writing in this letter. I am sending Dalethorn with this letter to Rohan, along with a sheet telling where to locate you in the Shire. Dalethorn is my trustworthy bird that I saved some time ago from a fallen nest. I am afraid to say, I shan't survive this. I am quickly freezing and I fear that much more of this shall result in my death. This is the last letter I shall send to you. I am to die, but think it joy when i die, for I can pass on to places unknown and--.

Theoric closed to the where it ended. A tear rolled down his cheek as he bowed in front of the rider. "Thank you, for this," said the saddened Dwarf.

He turned and walked into the inn, sobbing greatly, and everyone in that inn turned to him.