Greetings Friends,
It has been many days since we left the safe harbor of the city and none knew how cruel the storm we traveled into would be. Needless to say we have been besieged by forces greater than any of us should have ever faced, although Lady Éowyn faced them each time her eyes glinting with disgust and malice combined. It is indeed a frightening sight to see your leading lady behave so viciously; almost like a mother wolf protecting her cubs from strangers. This is a sight I've not seen from her before and I admit it only serves to make me even prouder to serve her faithfully even when the path of violence sickens me.
Some days it seems as though we are still walking through night, in a darkened state of mind and caring little where we are headed or what we are doing. This morning Fréa pulled me aside and kindly told me that I was neglecting my duties. The plain, open light of his face was more rebuking than his words were and I felt severely chastised for having forgotten the task entrusted to me. No one seemed to notice, however, when I requested we make camp early so as to make use of the fading light. The others are out now, searching for dry wood to build a fire, giving me a chance to write in peace.
Like our moods the weather is dreary, raining almost constantly with the sun barely shining through the low, dark clouds suspended from invisible threads above us. Even Imrain's desperate plea to Elbereth Gilthoniel aided us not. Even the leaves upon the trees hang limply, laden as they are with the heavy drops of water. No light glistens from them.
It is therefore, not surprising that the murmured curses of my companions reach my ears as they try and find dry wood amongst this wet, cold world we find ourselves in. I am grateful at least to have somewhere dry to sleep tonight but do wish, oh do I wish, for a warm fire to dry my clothes and thaw my frozen bones. Still, one cannot expect too much these days; there seems little good left as it is.
The only proof that the Dúfaroth existed previously was in Handol's claim. I must admit to bearing some disbelief for awhile and I know that the good Captain was in complete skepticism. I would be lying therefore to say that I am glad the lad was proved right…
Two nights ago we come upon what appeared to be a group of them, although it could quite easily have been only on. The lights played tricks on our eyes. Their appearance seemed to bear little aggression or danger and they appeared to be merely shadows, as though they were without their solid counter-parts. The horrid glow that emitted from where their faces should have been was proof to their deadliness. A sickly red in color it caste tricksy lights over the small clearing we stood in, distorting even the trees surrounding us.
I admit that even I stood rooted to the spot, struck dumb in horror. They didn't seem to notice us, or at least ignored us until Undew drew his blade. The glint of metal drove them into a frenzy and I swear the howls and screams were probably heard for miles around as they rushed towards us. We stood their for what seemed like eternity, unable to move as they come towards us. But the horrible images painted by Handol leaked into our numbed minds and we soon turned tail and fled. We must have looked like lambs scared of their own shadow if someone had seen us. I have never known fear like that in my life…
Yours in good faith,
Malachi, Scribe of Ithilien.