Melthindir walks into the Prancing Pony and stretches as he makes his way to the table in the back corner. Saeradan looks up and smiles at his friend.

"Hello Melthindir," Saeradan says.

"Hello old friend. I passed by your house on the way here it looks good. You've certainly made a comfortable home for yourself here."

"I needed a place to keep records of all the enemy messages I was asked to translate. I have to keep records but at least I can burn the original. Everytime someone brings me something covered in the black speech I start to feel sick."

"Even without being able to read it I feel bad looking at it," Melthindir says. "Good news is I haven't brought you anything to translate for me."

"I thank you for not bringing me that kind of work. The only good thing is I can relax in Bree on my time off."

"I'm not sure if the news I have for you is better or worse than black speech."

"That's not a great way to start our conversation," Saeradan says.

"It's a threat that's still some distance from Bree lands and would still need to go through Trestlebridge. On the other hand they are constantly attacked by orcs and goblins."

"Those south of the town are more focused on the farms of Bree at the moment. I do worry what will happen if they decide to turn their forces to the north."

"They've been worried about that too," Melthindir says. "When I went through the town they had reinforced the southern wall. I killed the few orcs that were on the road but the camps were too big for me to risk attacking alone."

"I can certainly understand that. I've only been able to take out a few here and there but I always hope it's enough."

"Well my news is just something I think you should know in case it becomes a problem in the future."

"I'm always happy to have the chance to prepare," Saeradan says.

"While we were focused on the orcs that are moving into the fields near Esteldin a new threat moved in from the north. The hillmen of Angmar set up a fairly expansive camp."

"We knew the Angmarium would start moving soon."

"Yes but this group hasn't done a lot yet," Melthindir says. "So far they've made deals with the Dourhand and some of the earth kin in the area."

"They can be powerful allies."

"I do not doubt that but the Dourhand are still ignoring the humans in the area. So far they still seem only interested in the longbeards."

"They're animosity has built for a long time," Saeradan says.

"The earth kin are even stranger though. The only signs of aggression they have shown is for people that intrude on their lands. Their people have always been territorial so I fail to see any change."

"Perhaps the hillmen are trying to create an army to use when they do find the location fo Esteldin."

"That was my thought as well," Melthindir says. "It is why I'm so worried. Those we have to protect Esteldin aren't enough to stop an army like that."

"If they have enough to destroy Esteldin the group would be a threat to Bree. I can see why you thought to tell me."

"It's not just them. At the moment the elves, dwarves and scouts of Esteldin are the only things keeping the entire forces of teh hillmen from joining with the orc camps or even with the greater force of the Dourhand. If Esteldin fell the armies of esteldin would be able to join together."

"That would be too much for the elves or dwarves," Saeradan says "even working together, to stop."

"And for too great a force for Trestlebridge to hold off or the people of Bree to stand against."

"You were right to bring this to my attention. I will do what I can to prepare Bree for an attack but I fear there is nothing that can ready them for such an invasion."

"Those of us in the North Downs will continue to do what we can to stop our enemies from uniting," Melthindir says. "I would ask that you continue to distract the orcs south of Trestlebridge. They are keeping the focus of a large group of orcs. If they fell those orcs would either look for Esteldin and find us in a week or attack Bree themselves."

"I will see what I can do about keeping the number of orcs near the north road too low for them to feel safe attacking Trestlebridge."

"Thank you old friend."