1175

In the south, in the land known as the Brown land, the men of Gondor struggled to avoid the wagons to sink into the ground. Many of them had regretted the decision to pass Emyn Muil on the east as the hills seemed to continue forever.

One of them said; "this is madness. We carry wood from the south where it is sparse; to the north where there is plenty of trees. To deliver wood to those who live in stones and against the current of the river."

Another added; "yes we should empty the wagons and travel north towards the Great Greenwood. The distance to the river is much shorter, and the wood can be freighted on the river back.

But, a third man warned; "They say Greenwood has become dark. It is not safe to travel there."

However, the men seeking adventures were the most, and their commander followed the advice. They left a few men, including the one that had warned them, and took most of the wagons north after emptying them of wood. The remining men left most of the wood and tried to move forward around Emyn Muil.

Alcarin of Gondor got an unexpected visitor in Osgiliath.

He said; "my name is Minalcar, I have lived my life in Tolfalas as a common Gondorean, but I am your grandchild. My mother has died, she was once the wife of your son, but she did choose to remain with her family and she never wore grudge against your son. Now that she has passed away, I have come to the capital to serve my king."

The king was displeased with this news. He said; "it will not be my decision to determine what future lay ahead of you, but do know that your father has another son now, and as my oldest son has no hear, it will be his decision to whom the scepter should be passed," he said.

Minalcar said; "I accept this but what does my current king want of me?"

Alcarin knew that Minalcars presence in the capital could be a problem as his half-brother Calimehtar would not welcome this. He said; "We have started to send wood to the north using the river, but the process is slow, as the current is against us. The dwarves will only build on my great statues of the founders of Gondor if they receive this, so the construction is often halted. Take control of this and make my dream proceed."

Minalcar accepted the assignment and left the capital again without seeing his father.

The men of Gondor reached the southern fringe of the Greenwood and started to fell wood. The process was noisy, and their presence quickly noticed. Middle Men living in villages to the east came to the camp. The men from Gondor could not speak with them, but the men offered their help and soon the first wagons could leave for the great river.

As most of the men from Gondor had left, the Middle Men turned against the ones remaining and revealed their true reason for being there. They killed the dozen men still present and stole their weapons and waited for the rest to return.

Calimehtar was furious when he learned that his brother had been to see the king.

He walked to the king and said; "I have learned that my half-brother have tried to befriend the king, but that he wisely send him away. I just want to make sure that I am still the favorite of my king and master."

Alcarin was fully aware of the problem that Minalcar was to Calimehtar, he said; "You are both my family. my heir is Narmacil. In time he will decide on his own heir."

Calimehtar then said; "but as my uncle has no children the scepter should pass to me."

The king did not comment.

Calimehtar then said; "we should not have a bastard as king, this is for lessor men and lower kingdom. I am my father's true son as I have lived here with him and my mother all my life."

Alcarin then said; "be careful who you label grandchild, you father was wed to the mother of Minalcar. It is the Kings decision alone, and should I choose between you two, I would not favor you."

Calimehtar did not comment but left the King to see his uncle.

In the north, Minalcar met the men from the caravan who were left behind. They had abandoned their wagons and returned south. Minalcar however encouraged them to continue.

He said; "we now have enough men, and we know where find wood for building more wagons. Let us make our king proud of us!"