I am cursed, struck with the plague but not literal, my whole life was surrounded by sorrow, evil, a fool's hope and darkness… Alas this was so but this did not prove so until the passing and the loneliness arrived. A fool would wish to know more but at least a bold one as it would be in words and years to come.'

"Brookin?" The guard asked noticing my silence.

"Aye?" I simply replied.

"You're wanted in the Hall of Making by Braith."

I nod my head grimly then made way for the Hall of Making. It was hard to think of how rapid and quiet these last five years has been, at first after days on foot we arrived at Lhan Tarren which is where we stayed at for a few weeks but in news of Freikron hunting and prowling the plains and towns of Dunland and even as south as Rohan, we fled to the north to the lands of Enedwaith and eventually after about a week we ended up in Lhanuch and that is where we are now.

We came to live in Lhanuch after much questioning and distrusts by many of the hillmen, we stayed here in hiding for five years doing nothing much except that is of needed of Lhanuch's people such as hunting for meat, crafting weapons or just simply defending Lhanuch from the attacks of the half-orcs and Wargs.

"What do you want with me Braith?"

"We need you to make some more spears for our men." Braith says glumly.

"How much silver you'll pay me for those spears?"

"Eight silver."

"Twenty silver." I insist.

"Fourteen." He says.

"Eighteen silver coins." I reply. Braith glares at me then grumbles, "Fine, eighteen silver coins for five spears. But they're better be your best quality!"

"They will be." I grinned. I turned around and headed to the workbench to start on those spears. After long hours, in the middle of my second spear, I stopped when one of the guards came to me.

"Aye, Freith?" I asked when he approached me.

Freith replies, "Your brother, Brockin has come back from a hunting expedition with a couple of the others, he says he got news for you and wishes to speak with you immediately."

I nodded my head in thanks then headed outside to the gates were Brockin was most likely to be. Brockin has changed over the five years, his eyes are more sad and seemed angry, he is more impatient, more strong, more aggressive, somewhat more aware of his surroundings. "Hey Blue!" Brockin cried out.

I replied with, "Hey Brock! What is this news you wish to say to me?"

Brockin says quietly and nervously, "Freikron's forces found our whereabouts. It is only a matter of time before his forces at Southern Dunland reach here."

I asked, "What took him so long to find us in the first place?"

"He made a mistake, thinking we made way southwards towards the land of…" He paused then spat out, "Rooohan… And to Gondor. I do not know what else has kept him away but I think our father, Hamkrich has something to do with Freikron's delay."

I stammered, "Buuuutttt that would mean leaving Lhanuch! His uruk-hai's would rip the town to pieces otherwise."

"Aye. This is why we have to move at least before dawn tomorrow, we have a few days before they will reach this place." Brockin muttered.

"It's best we leave now…" I grumble.

"Agreed, get your stuff, we'll move within the hour."

I rushed up the hill and went right of the Hall of Making and then I hurried down the slope until I was on the edge of the town. Then I entered our cottage and dashed to my room. I had very few belongings and possessions and even less that I wished to take with me – my map, my hooded cloak (which was a black colour and also blended perfectly in the darkness), my small pouch of money (I've been saving up for five years and I figured I would need it) and my sword – Frost (an ancient, great sword with lovely emerald writing on the sides, I named the sword 'Frost' as it always seem to be cold no matter what).

I then looked at my room and sighed, will I ever return to Lhanuch ever again? Will I keep on running from Freikron? But all these questions pained my head and I instead focused on getting to the stables.

"Hoi Barri!" I cried out. Barri was the stable master here.

"Oh, hoy thar Brookin! Would yer be needin' yer steed?" Barri asked.

"Aye." I nodded. Barri opened a small gate where he stores the horse then he whistled to my steed who came running.

"Hey-ho Lar. Yer ready to ride fast?" I said. Lar neighed happily; he was a lovely white stallion – swift, brave and strong. I found him two years ago or more – he was a tiny little horse back then – he looked half-starved, beaten and dirty – he was wandering round the fields just north of Lhanuch. But I found him then and I looked after him and now he was the exact opposite of what he looked back then.

I smiled then I mounted on Lar then I rode up towards the front gates to meet Brockin. "Yer ready Brook?" Brockin called out.

"Course I'm ready Brock!" I replied. Brockin was also on his horse – a grey, bulky steed also pretty fast.

I sighed, "I'll miss the town."

"Aye, me ter." Brockin says. We took one last glance at the village of Lhanuch then we rode off with as much speed our steeds could bear.