(001) Preparations

[waysoftheearth]

waysoftheearth wrote:
By the forth day the company is into the Misty Mountains proper, climbing up a steep and often treacherous stair along side the now noisy Gate Stream, the Sirannon, as it tumbles down the rocky faces with great verve and splatter. It's water is icy cold despite the warm day time weather -- but night in the shadow of the mountains is chill indeed, and the comforts of Edhil seem very far away.

On that fifth night there is a chill wind whipping through the rocky teeth of the mountains, and there is scarcely a flat place to call a camp site. Instead the company in forced to overnight stretched out along a winding, mountainous path with scarce shelter or comfort to be had.


On the cold morning of the sixth day, the company sets out early for none have found much rest upon the cold trail with the noisy river falls and the wind rushing about them.

The climb continues more steeply and in single file now, and the narrow stair cut from the rock is often wet and rocky. The horses and mules have much difficulty and must be assisted by the Men about them.

The tiresome stair seems to climb and climb and climb to the very clouds, but at last, after some hours of scaling these steps the Elves in the lead at last come to a plateau at the stair top!

(Continued in Hollin Gate...)