The two rangers first looked in the main market square for the third member of their company. Knowing that he couldn't always be found among the people about town. Even at this hour the main square was still full of people as a festival celebrating the coming winter solstice was about. Lights and lanterns hung from banisters and lines all throughout the square. Jolly men and women danced jigs in circles and squares while trying not to step on the hobbits of Bree who also joined in the festivities. For there is nothing that a good hobbit loves quite so much as a good celebration.

Halbaron allowed himself a rare smile as he saw this. This was part of why he and his friends fought as they did. From an early age his father Halbarad had told him that the Dúnedain was be vigilant so that the folk of Bree and the Shire could live lives free of the shadow. There was such lightheartedness and cheer in the air, it almost made him want to join in on the festivities. Idrial, for her part, seemed enamored with the light and color that was rarely seen among the dark reaches of the wilds. In that moment the lady of Cardolan looked for an instant like a young maid about the town, the woman she perhaps might have been a thousand years ago. In fact this very town might have once been her dominion as Bree was once apart of Cardolan after it split from Arnor.

Yet as soon as the moment appeared when the two were not battle scarred Rangers but adolescents on the cusp of adulthood, it vanished as they saw the person they were looking for.

The people in question were dressed in much the same way Halbaron and Idrial were; with grey cloaks covering dirty leather jerkins with a quiver of arrows and a tall longbow accompanying them. Physically though, the two could not be much different. One stood near three inches taller than the other with a heavy build the beginnings of a brown beard framing his green eyed face. While the other was lean and slender with a clean shaven face that was rounded out by his piercing grey eyes. The tall one was Argeleb son of Argelond and scion of Tharbad, while the other next to him was Tarsil son of Teslin of the Coldfells and Rhudaur.

At this point the two were both laughing and had their hands intertwined with those of two young ladies with golden hair and fair faces. The two Rangers were dancing to the tune of an old folk song of the northmen that were being sung and played by several bards upon a raised platform that allowed the sound to travel far through the town. It was a folksy tune that carried easy on the wind; and even as Halbaron and Idrial moved to try and retrieve their comrades they could not help but hum along.

Come past the rains to the old town high Come past the storm to the wheat and rye Through the dark and night and the pale moonlight Come to the old hearth and home tonight

While sun is gone and the rains may fall We shall not be bothered, not at all Oh the wind will howl but the storm will know We shall be here even in the snow!

So come to tavern warm and dry Come where the laughter never dies So I'll get an ale to set me right And fall into a lady's arms tonight!

As the tune went on and the minstrels continued to play Halbaron found himself in range and placed a firm hand on Tarsil's shoulder. The other Ranger turned around with his eyes briefly showing surprise before changing back towards mirth.

"You return! I'm assuming you found who was sent?"

"That we did," Idrial said, "Now ready yourself to leave we must make haste."

Suppressing a groan Tarsil replied. "Must we go now? The maids here are rather comely and I've not had such fine company for a long while."

"Aye m'lord." Argeleb asked as he threw his dancing partner up in the air with a hearty laugh and to an exhilarated cheer from the lady, "We've been among the trees for months, surely there is time for a bit more song and dance."

"You two shall have time for your pleasure at another date, but now help us find Dolben. We have a task ahead of us." Halbaron commanded firmly, his tone and stare brokering no argument.

"If were looking for him we should check the hall, you know he shall be there among the scrolls and books with the old mayor." Tarsil reminded

"You likely have the right of it, very well come then, you'll have time later is to rest and reprieve when we've found what the chieftain wants." Halbaron said

"Then we shall leave, but perchance could we have but one more dance?" Tarsil begged as he continued to twirl the fair haired bree lander.

"Have your dance then," Idrial said as she gave a look to Halbaron who simply grunted in assent. "Me and Halbaron shall find the Dolben ourselves."

"Many thanks my lady. Come then fair maid of the Bree-folk, one more song before my dour commander takes us to the the unknown." Argeleb cheered while the flutes and fifes began to play.

So as the bards sang another gay and merry song, and the two rangers is danced with two ladies under the moon. While another two moved to them the old stone hall that was the manor of the place. The building was a small hold or keep constructed during the days of the old Kingdom. The stone was ancient but strong, for this keep had been built by the Lords of Arnor, who still knew much of the building ways of their ancestors. Around this keep the village of Bree had formed, and then after the fall of the old Kingdom it was the last settlement of men in the west. With the festival underway the great hall was near empty save for two men. One old and gray with a thick bushy beard that strong on it seemed for miles. The other smaller and slight with dark black hair and sparkling blue eyes that were going over a small scroll on the table.

Similar to the others he was clad in gray and brown leather jerkin covering a steel chain mail. at his side a small short sword of steel and on his back a tall longbow and a quiver of arrows for the hunts whether orc or beast. This was Dolben send of toll on and his ancestors once kept watch over the watchtower of all Amon Sul, Weathertop. Before the fall of our nor it had once been a great fortress host to the Palantir almost as strong as the one In the halls of Gondor. The house of Vardis was one of the oldest servants of the old kings of the north, yet they too had fallen under the shadow of the witch King when he made his way to destroy the kingdom of men. Dolben himself was more of a scholar and a warrior; it would've been better if he would been born in ages past when there were great halls filled with ancient homes and writings of knowledge kept from the First Age. So he learned what he could from the loremasters of the village ancient songs of the silmarils, of the tragedy of Hurin and Turin Turambar, and all the heroes of the First Age united against the one enemy in the time when he was at his greatest. Still his skill with the bow could not be underestimated, for in these dark times even the most scholarly and kindhearted of the Dunedain must be warriors.

"So you say this is the complete list of all the lords and mayors of Bree since its founding?" Dolben asked the aging old archivist, eyes not wandering from his scroll and failing to notice to the two other rangers enter the room.

"No, unfortunately many of the records once held when this land was under the dominion of the Lords of Fornost or the Barrows-Downs have been lost to time. " The archivist said as he gazed upon the large shelf looking further for items.

"Conducting research?" Halbaron asked while he and Idrial moved near the bookcases.

"Commander! Captain! I was of the mind that the two of you would be gone far longer. Forgive me." Dolben scrambled as he rushed to put away the items he was reading

"There is nothing to forgive Dolben, simply put we've a task laid out before us somewhere in the ruins of Fornost." Idrial said.

"Deadman's Dike?" The archivist pondered aloud as he heard the ranger's decree, "But the old ruin is deserted and full of savage beasts!"

"That may be good sir, but if my commander says our task is there than it is my duty to follow. I thank you for your time and for the use of your records." Dolben responded as he picked up his longbow from it's resting place by an oaken chair.

"It is no trouble, though many of my neighbors and friends may think less of you Rangers, anyone who is a seeker of knowledge is welcome to me." The archivist said as the three Dunedain moved out of the room.

The rains were falling upon the town as the warriors moved towards the front gate of the settlement. Waiting there for them were Tarsil and Argeleb, one holding a torch and the other a piece of bread as they laughed about something unknown to Halbaron and the others. As the other Rangers reached their sight Tarsil and Argeleb hailed them down and showed that they had obtained five horses for them each. They were black shaggy things with hair that stank of manure and sweat. Still the group saddled the beasts and took to the road with all speed. They camped by the wayside of the road for the night, taking shelter underneath several large hedges. Tarsil started a fire with some flint and Dolben brought to the group a large deer he'd shot. As the fire roared against the rain and storm, Dolben chanted a few words in the tongue of the Eldar and they gave warmth and power to fire.

For as the Wise know there is great power in words and names. Dark power in the Black Speech of Mordor and light and gentle power in the tongues of the Eldar, Sindar or Quenya.

"So what exactly did our lord Aragorn's friend say to you that was so important Halbaron?" Argeleb asked as he tore into a piece of venison with his teeth.

"Yes, I too wonder," Tarsil said as he sat with his spear across his lap, "You and Idrial have yet to tell us why exactly we are going to Fornost Erain. I for one thought we would be venturing to somewhere more friendly like the Blue Mountains or Rohan."

"You simply desire to court that golden-haired daughter of that one horse-lord from the Eastfold." Dolben remarked absentmindedly as he strummed his bowstring as if it were a harp. "I cannot recall her name however.."

"Leyla." Tarsil mumbled,

"In any case my friends," Halbaron spoke, interrupting the old conversation, "The truth is in fact that we do not know by what cause we venture to the old capital. The messenger said only that more would be revealed in the old tower of the Kings of Arthedain."

"Well, tis not much different than the journey to the Coldfells, and what a fine adventure that was!" Argeleb laughed heartily,

The rest of the group allowed themselves small smiles at the jest. It was no secret that Argeleb hated the Coldfells as much as any of their number, memories of warg packs and vicious goblins dwelt in that place. Halbaron wondered if in fact Argeleb kept up this show as a boisterous and infallibly cheerful individual to maintain the sometimes fragile morale of those who spent their lives fighting the old shadows of Angmar.

"Just as well then Sir of the Tharbad. You should find rest, for at dawn we continue. I shall take first watch."

"That suits my tastes just as well, good night then to you all." Argeleb said as he took out his roll and crept into it quickly.

His method was followed by Tarsil and Dolben who found sleep quickly. Yet Idrial remained awake and for some time until Halbaron finally spoke.

"You should find rest Idrial." Halbaron spoke softly as the fire started to burn lower and dimmer.

"Are you certain you need take the first watch mellon nin?" Idrial questioned informally, with the others asleep the need to be commander and captain rather than old friends was not as present.

"There is no need to worry about my well being milui brennil*. I shall be fine for my part, and as for yours, I will wake you when it is time."

"Only if you are sure..."

"I shall be fine."

"Then maer maur*."

"Maer maur."

With that, the Lady of the Barrow-Downs difreted into the realm of dreams, and Halbaron sat wondering what awaited him and his friends, amid the ruins of the Kings of the North.

Elvish Translations

maer maur: Good night

milui brennil: kind lady

mellon nin: my friend

Alright, PJO stuff will come, but in a coulpe of chapter or so, and trust me it is going to be pretty dramatic when it does.