Hello again! This chapter is a touch on the short side, so expect another update within the next couple days.

Anyway, enjoy!

Chapter 3

After everything I had been through in my many months of travel, all I wanted to do was sleep for a week straight. Or simply relax and read a book. Anything but do more traveling. I had slogged through the desolate land of Angmar, which had nearly drained me of all hope. Lothlorien had been a welcome stop after the constant, suffocating darkness of Moria; I had to force myself to leave the Golden Wood before travelling to Mirkwood, where I faced yet more evil and ruthless creatures. Dol Guldur had been more horrifying than I had imagined. Seeing my homeland so overcome with evil and death had been a significant blow.

Lord Elrond, however, had his own ideas.

Exhausted, I had made my way to Imladris and stayed in the guesthouse for the night. I was awakened by a persistent knocking at the door. Grumbling, I threw it open with some force, startling the Elf messenger. He handed me a missive and bowed before departing.

Closing the door more gently, I opened the letter. It requested my presence in the library to meet with Lord Elrond at my earliest convenience. "Which means immediately," I murmured, frustrated and tired.

After washing up, I walked down to the main house, taking my time to soak in the beauty of the Last Homely House. From the urgency of the missive, I knew I would be likely be departing soon.

Reluctantly I opened the doors to the library and walked down the ramp to meet with Lord Elrond. He inclined his head and gestured to a bench.

"As you know, a company departed from here some time ago on a secret mission. You have been instrumental in helping disguise their path in various ways, for which I thank you. Lady Galadriel has sent me a message stating that Lord Aragorn is in Rohan. I know not how he came to be there as it was never part of the plan." Elrond sighed. "It has been made known to me that Aragorn requests his kin, the Dunedain, to ride to his aid. What I ask of you is to ride across Eriador and pass on the message to them."

At this, I couldn't help but raise my eyebrows in disbelief. The Dunedain were more numerous than I had initially assumed, and to find them all would be very daunting.

As if he could read my thoughts, Elrond clarified, "I only ask you to inform a handful of them. Let me give you more details of whom I am asking you to find."

He then proceeded to name them off and where they were likely to be found. Radanir, Saeradan, Halros, Halbarad, Calenglad, Lothrandir, Corunir, Golodir, and Candaith. Even though it was merely half of the company that would be summoned, I knew from my travels that they were all over the land. "You are aware they are very spread apart? It will take me many weeks to find them all and give them the summons."

Elrond nodded. "I am indeed aware. I ask you to travel as swiftly as you can, but understand it will not be an easy task. I sense we have some time yet before Aragorn departs from Rohan, which will give you the time you need to find them." I wondered at how he knew such information, but found it likely he had some foresight regarding this. Elladan and Elrohir, his sons, liked to joke that he knew the trouble they would get into before it even happened.

Focusing on the issue at hand, I fought the urge to roll my eyes. The task was unreasonable if Aragorn really wanted them to come in a timely manner. "With all due respect, would it not make more sense to split them up between more people? It will ensure the task is completed more quickly." For one so wise, I was doubting his sanity at the moment.

The Elf lord considered this and nodded. "I agree Gwinthilnel. I will defer to you which rangers you would like to find." I thought back to the ones I had met and where they were located. I knew most of them, but I decided to group them into various areas.

Saeradan and Candaith were relatively near each other, as Breeland and the Lone Lands were adjacent to one another. Lothrandir would be the furthest afield, far to the north in Forochel. On the way there, Calenglad could be informed in Evendim. Although Halbarad and Corunir, along with Golodir, were in very different lands, as the crow flies, they were not far from one another. Halros, whom I had met briefly, was in the Shire. I had not met Radanir but was told he was in the Trollshaws, as was Rivendell.

Planning my route, I replied, "I will inform Radanir, Candaith, and Saeradan." I shared my thoughts on how the others could be located.

"My sons know of this mission and are currently stationed in Thorenhad. If you could speak to them on your way to meet Radanir, they can decide between themselves where they want to go." Elrond placed a hand on my shoulder. "I thank you for your service; I know you have been through much this year. I ask you for help once more, though I wish you could take time to recover." He sighed heavily. "Once this evil is overcome, as I pray it will be, then will be the time to rest. However, it is not this day." He stood and I did the same. "Good luck Gwinthilnel. May Elbereth smile upon you."

I nodded and left the library, heading for the Market. I needed to restock my supplies for the long journey.

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