Long Lost Leaves - part II

[Earniel]

The next morning the Elves and their guests broke up camp quickly and soon the rafts left the stretch of river where so much blood flowed the day before, finally behind.

"Maybe one day we will sing in happier words about the Batle on the River, where many races fought side by side," Sirandion said, "but not today while the wounds are still fresh."

It set the tone for the rest of the voyage. Everyone feeling somewhat subdued after the fight. There were no more encounters on the way, the lands about them lay quiet and empty. There wasn't a single tree in sight anymore, as far as they could see, flat grasslands stretched out until the horizon.

It was thus with some eagerness that they looked out for the place where the red river Carnen would come from the north and meet with the Celduin, on which they sailed. They were getting closer day by day, any moment now they would glimpse the Carnen's outlet.

There they would leave the Raft-Elves and journey once again on horse-back. The horses themselves were eager for travel as well, getting tired quickly of the short walks and grazing each time the rafts landed on land for camp in the evenings.

There too, they would meet Radagast the Wizard, whom they hadn't seen for several weeks now. He had gone ahead to procure a safe passage across the turbulent Eastern lands. Many were curious if he would indeed be waiting at the meeting point, and whether he had succeeded in clearing the way.