Greetings Friend,

Prince Faramir has called for me to attend a meeting in the antechamber of his household. The Lady Éowyn, Captain Eithelfar, Madame Bishaw, the Head Healer, and Imrain will be attending also. The following text is a faithful narrative of the said meeting;

By the time that I arrived both Healers were seated in the antechamber. I feel it is important here to mention the state both were in. Madame Bishaw was her usual stoic self; however the unkempt state of her hair betrayed the fact that she too was affected greatly by the recent events. Never has she been seen without every strand of grey hair in its place. Her hands, resting in their customary position in her lap, were white with the tension of clasping them together too tightly.
Imrain was a little more worn it seemed. For insofar as looking after her appearance goes she seemed to have neglected it. Her own hair, normally held up in the strict bun required of our healers, hung loosely and unbrushed around her shoulders and her face seemed drawn; her skin far too pale to be healthy. From all this I believe I gleaned the fact that something serious is afoot; of which I was to now learn.
Quite unlike his normal behavior, Eithelfar was late and when he did arrive he said not a word before sitting down. I am glad of the fact he managed a stiff bow to our Liege and Lady for the dangerous glint in Faramir's eye was not one to be pushed to far.
"I am gladden to see you all here, but fear what each of you know of separately will dampen the mood considerably. You should all be aware now of the news that one of our patrols has gone missing and if what our brave soldier who returned said is true then we can only presume they are all dead. This is sad news indeed but I am sure you, Madame Bishaw can shed more light on the matter at hand can you not?" Prince Faramir asked quietly, his eyes ever drifting to those of the White Lady's, seeking support I presume.
Placing her cup down in her lap Madame Bishaw clasped her hands around the hot sides, wincing slightly as the heat pierced her gloved hands.
"Ladies, gentlemen, my colleague and I bring the happy news that our soldier friend has awoken from his unconscious state and was, after a considerable helping of my Cornmeal soup I might add, able to give us a clearer report on what happened to him and his company. Imrain here was the young woman who heard this report and it is her wish to retell it to you all."

"Handol said that they were happened upon late at night, when the moon had disappeared from the sky for a time. They were not aware of the assailants approach until the anguish cries of their Sergeant reached their ears and rushing to his tent they found him… He, he was pinned to his desk my liege, still living as he tried to remove his own weapon from his stomach. There was blood everywhere and, and Handol says that even his Sergeant's hunting dogs had been slaughtered, torn bloodily apart and thrown across the tent. There was no sign of the assailants at this time and it was too Handol that the Sergeant gave his final orders before dying.
   "Return my friend… tell him… tell our liege. He… he must know… they have… come."
"Without another word Handol raced from the tent to see the camp in uproar, the shouts, cries and screams rang out around him as he stumbled to where he had left his own meager belongings. In his heart he desired to remain, to fight with his comrades in what appeared to be their great and final stand in battle but his mind, cool and calculating as it had always been urged him onwards. Crashing through the undergrowth he made for a Ranger-track that he knew of to bring him Henneth Annún.
"However he was overrun by a small host of those who had attacked their camp so ruthlessly and was soon in a battle of his own not knowing whether to fight and die or flee and deliver a strange message he failed to decipher. His thoughts, as stilted as they were during battle, strayed to his Sergeant lying in his tent his body battered and beaten, his blood staining the ground like dark wine. With a great roar he through one of his attackers from his back and thundered off, stumbling as each arrow sunk into the armor upon his back. After many hours those chasing him had slowly drifted away, yet pushed by fear Handol ran on. Weeping openly with both the pain in his body and the pain in his heart, never would he forget the courage in his Sergeant's face as he breathed his last.
"Eventually he heard a scream behind him and stopped. Through the trees come the sound of voices, ones that were not like those of their assailants which seemed to screech and roar all at the same time. He turned to see men, dressed in our land's uniform, searching through the trees. Not knowing for what they searched he breathed deeply of the air and spoke once before lapsing into dark forgetfulness.
   "Over… here…"
"This is all he remembers, although you all know of the journey back here to Emyn Arnen, which was as peaceful as one would expect of a child's walk through an orchard. In direct contrast to what Handol had faced. During moments of brief wakefulness he managed to speak of the attack but it was not until last night that we learnt of his Sergeant's final words. I hope it bears some meaning to you my liege for I failed to decipher it myself."
Settling back down in her seat after reciting such a difficult account Imrain closed her eyes. A strange event it was indeed when Our Lady took the healer's hand in her own and held it tight in comfort. I was unable to ponder this for long before Prince Faramir spoke.
"Indeed I know of what he speaks, though in all honesty I know very little. There name alone was spoken to me and I brushed it aside, in great folly it would seem." Rough hands massaged his temple as our liege collected his thoughts, "They are the Dúfaroth, the Night Hunters. Their name is spoken in childhood tales alone nowadays and is little more than a legend to our people. To my knowledge only one believed they truly exist and I fear he may have died since I spoke with him. Malachi, I have brought you hear because I believe you may know something of these children's tales that could aid us."

I must admit these words surprised me for I felt it was my duty to record their words, not to provide information, although this new development pleased me greatly.
"I fear my knowledge of the Dúfaroth is limited my liege, but I can learn of more if you desire it. There are many books in our library…"
"No my friend, I exhausted that resource myself last night and no you cannot visit the library of Minas Tirith, I am recalling all soldiers to Emyn Arnen. In fact…" Closing his eyes Prince Faramir folded his arms across his chest defensively as Captain Eithelfar shook his head, his eyes speaking plainly that he disagreed with his Lord's actions. "I am requesting, no ordering, all our peoples to come to our city. Many have family here they can lodge with and failing that there is the Halls and Theatres for them to bed down in. Once all are in only our soldiers will be allowed outside the city walls, and then only during the day. I will not have any of our people harmed unnecessarily Captain. I have heard your arguments on this matter and they need not be repeated here."
"Sire you underestimate our army's capabilities; you are only serving to make the soldiers feel worthless. You yourself know how dangerous that can be." Standing, Captain Eithelfar moved to stand before Prince Faramir. His face was full of anger and his hands shook with the effort to restrain himself.
"Captain please! We do not need this now, this is no conventional enemy. Nor will this be a conventional war. Yes my friends, we are facing war against the Dúfaroth… one that I fear may last longer than we can contend with alone unless we learn more of them. Your words Malachi, when you told how little you know of these creatures, I will admit, made our situation direr. For there is none in these parts who would know more of them than what the children's tales can tell us."
These words, spoken with such resignation and sadness, jolted all who were present out of their little daydreams and suffice to say the seriousness of our quandary has been shown fully to us. It was, therefore, with great difficulty that I spoke the following words.
"My liege, none here fail now to see the dangers we face and what I propose to you now should be heard. Our entire peoples are at risk as we are now, with little knowledge of how to fight these Dúfaroth. We must learn more of them. You spoke earlier of a man, one who knows of these creatures. If you would have me I wish to journey and learn from him all that I may. Only thusly will our situation be viewed in a better light. The life of one scribe is naught in comparison to an entire state."

"You know I cannot expect this of you Malachi, I could not ask this of you either." Prince Faramir said quietly.
"Nor would I expect you to, but I give myself freely. Fully knowing what dangers walk the road before me." I answered.
"Do you? Do you truly Malachi? You speak with great bravery and valor, and yet you have never raised arms in anger or combat." The White Lady broke in, her voice but a whisper, hanging still in the air.
"I will accompany him on this task if it is given to him Lady Éowyn, I will no longer be your highest ranking soldier should our people be recalled so will not be needed." Captain Eithelfar offered.
"Should they be recalled? Captain, please stop this nonsense and take my word in this. You know my feelings and I know of yours. I respect them believe me but I feel they are wrong. Like your words regarding your usefulness." Prince Faramir cried.
"Spoken like a true Captain as always Faramir, " Captain Eithelfar said warmly, his eyes dancing. "But you know as well as I do that my aid here will be naught compared to how I could help outside. Whether you grant permission or not, I will accompany Malachi on his task."
"And I would offer my aid as well my liege, healers will be needed here no doubt but many of our people returning to the city will be healers, these two will be of no use to us if they were to injure themselves." Imrain stated calmly, her eyes still fixed on her lap.
"You are outnumbered it would seem beloved, great and brave people do you have in your care. Ones that would risk their lives for others in a task that may not bear any fruit. But a group of three? And a scribe, a trainee healer and a warrior who has not seen battle in many moons at that? Were you to grant their wish I hope that you give them greater aid in their task?" Lady Éowyn asked.
"The lives of my people I value highly and do not wish to throw them away foolishly. But I see by your eyes that all of you are determined to go through with this. Captain Eithelfar? Are there any from your company you would wish to join you?" Prince Faramir finally acceded.

"If I could have but three of Handol's class I would be happy. You know therefore that I am going to request the aid of Undew, Fréa and Kleo do you not?"
"Kleo? I will assent to Undew and Fréa gladly for such a cause but Kleo?" Our liege said angrily.
"And why is that Faramir? Because you do not believe in a woman's abilities in such a task? You've never truly believed a woman can fight and hold her own have you? Captain? You may have those you have chosen, and my sword. I am still a Shieldmaiden of Rohan in my heart and I would feel worthless sitting at home while you search for this man." The White Lady said, her eyes drifting to the open window where the sun shone down, oblivious to the goings on below.
"Éowyn no, I cannot allow this. Your safety is important to me, I love you dearly and would not wish to see you hurt." Faramir protested in dismay.
"And you would see that my heart, were this task to fail. I know not why but I feel my aid will be required on this journey, whether you wish it or not. It is settled then. We set out at dawn tomorrow. Captain? Ensure your people are well informed on what they face and make sure their armor and weapons are in top shape. I do not want slackness on this journey. Imrain? Spend your night with Madame Bishaw, you are still a trainee and there is much you must learn in a short time. Malachi? If you would organize for supplies please?" Lady Éowyn ordered before retiring from the room. "I will see you all at dawn, friends."
Suffice to say we all sat there in stunned silence before Madame Bishaw bustled Imrain out the door as well, chattering in her quaint voice about all the healing plants we were likely to happen across on our journey and how to recognize them. Bowing to Prince Faramir, Captain Eithelfar left the room shortly after at a brisk pace, shouting orders for the triad to be at the Headquarters in half an hour.
By the time I left, after organizing my notes, Faramir was still sitting in his seat. If I were not mistaken he had paled even further and a solitary tear rolled down his cheek…

Yours in good faith,

Malachi, Scribe of Ithilien.