Continued from this post

The great tower of Amon Sûl stood proud as the light of day started to dim. It was a comforting sight to all Rangers when returning, not the least for Anárion.

As they approached the gate on the western side of the hill, that stood open until all light had vanished into the night, the men guarding hailed the two returning Rangers and Elrëdan through just before closing them until first light at dawn.

The city growing around the hill was a much more pleasant sight than last Anárion had seen it. A white paved road, to keep with the white stone theme, had been lain where once there was only mud leading up to the Tower. All the houses and inns were also built of white stone but were held together by a dark sturdy wood. And every once in a while, a path would jerk of the road towards the hill's edge where a small courtyard would sit surrounded on three sides by battlements and a small tower overlooking the road down to the gate. It relieved Anárion to see that the defence of the city had been kept in mind.

As they reached the top of the hill and dismounted in the courtyard that surrounded the Tower, a dozen Rangers began to greet them. The doors of the Tower swung open and out came Nimtolien, followed by Beleg.

"What a great relief it is to see you home, Anárion." the Captain said, descending the stairs leading up to the Tower. "And I thank you Amandil for bringing him to me at once. We have already heard the news that you bring a large host of Elven warriors from the Gwaith-i-Mírdain, and I presume that this is Elrëdan, the March Warden who leads this host. I welcome you and your kin with open arms to our lands, we are most grateful that you have come. Let us proceed inside the Tower so that we may hold council about these troubled times."

Nimtolien led them to a large room on the western side of the second floor of the Tower. In the centre of the room sat a long wooden table, of the same colour as that seen in the city, with ten chairs around it. A hearth was lit on one side of the room and a metallic ring hung from the ceiling with six lit candles placed in round slots clearly designed for that purpose.

There were five people in the room, Nimtolien, Beleg, Amandil, Elrëdan and Anárion. As they all took seats, Nimtolien spoke.

"With two thousand Noldorin warriors we are definitely more prepared were we to be attacked. Tell me, Anárion, of the talks with the Elves."

Anárion told them of how the talks with the Elves of Ost-in-Edhil had resulted in the Elves not returning to the Rangers with an answer, and then spoke of the talks with Celebrimbor.

"Despite Celebrimbor's council already being in deep talks with the Elves of Laurelindorenan, they heard our plight and decided to split their forces in three, giving us two thousand warriors and giving another two thousand to the Elves of Lórien. A shadow grows over the Greenwood forest, and the Elves of Lórien required Celebrimbor's aid to rid themselves of this darkness. Therefore our talks with Celebrimbor were rushed and an alliance was not fermented. Yet the Orcs of Gundabad are getting closer and closer to their lands so the idea of helping each other to combat them seemed to please them."

Nimtolien nodded in appreciation of Celebrimbor's kindness, yet something still troubled him.

"If the Orcs of Gundabad were to attack the Gwaith-i-Mírdain first, the distance between us could mean that we would not get there in time. And besides, our Rangers may be skilled in combat, but they do not yet have the discipline to fight side by side under one man's command. It is for this reason that I have decided to name a new man to our council, whoever this man is shall be High Warden of Amon Sûl and his role shall be to train our men to fight as one, and if need be to lead them into battle should the Captain be indisposed. As for Elrëdan and his host, feel free to chose where you wish to make your camp if you do not wish to stay on Amon Sûl. We shall call on you when the time is right."

OOC: Once again, /u/rogersterling16, feel free to add any lore or dialogue.