Arabelle had left him in charge of the band of Rangers and the few other people, what was left of their town. Three hundred people altogether, including those scattered through the nearby wilderness, 250 of them Rangers of the North. To find such a large group of Dúnedain now, in the Third Age, was extremely rare. They had lived as nomads for almost 70 years now. Any crops they planted were eventually discovered and burned by the orcs that still roamed the countryside.
Being left in charge was nothing new for Eradan. Arabelle was regularly away, traveling through Middle-Earth, often being hunted by orcs. Since the battle that drove them from their home so long ago, the orcs seemed to hunt Arabelle in particular. Before leaving this last time, she had told Eradan something major was about to happen, something that would change Middle-Earth as they knew it. She had told him to begin moving those who could fight south. Word of a great battle in Rohan and rumors of an upcoming battle at Minas Tirith had reached their scouts as they moved south. If such great battles were happening, every able-bodied person would be needed to fight. For most people of Middle-Earth, this would exclude the women but generations of necessity had driven these northern women to become warriors, fighting to protect their home.
Sitting in their camp just north of the Rohan border, Eradan contemplated the coming days with Halbarad and Mariyah, the 3rd and 4th in the chain of command. He ran a hand through his short, spiky brown hair. Such short hair was unusual in Middle-Earth. He claimed long hair got in his way while fighting. Halbarad thought Eradan really just wanted to show off the slightly pointed ears that were the only indication of his half-elvish blood. They all wished Arabelle were there to guide them. She had always been better at battle strategies, even when they were children training to be Rangers. This, however, was part of the reason she could not be there with her own people. Her years of traveling and building relationships throughout Middle-Earth had gained her the trust of King Théoden. He trusted her enough to listen to her counsel regarding the upcoming battle at Minas Tirith.