As Rhone and Amroth discussed their matters, an excited buzz started overtaking the other men dwelling and conversing and training in the ruins beneath Fornost.
Soon, the Elders of the 12 clans of Rangers were calling out to their men "General Assembly in the Great Hall immediately; there is news to discuss"
In the next few minutes, several hundred Rangers pour into a massive, underground domed cathedral room. What manner of chamber this had been in it's glory, one could only guess. But it was vast and hallowed, with high stone arches and pillars still in tact. It's high stained glass windows were now partially buried on the outside with earth and rubble, but the let in a little sun and the beams of light illuminated the chamber now as the men assembled.
They came from all walks of life; some fresh out of the field with mud and soil caked on their boots, others had been underground for some time. There were cooks and writers and farmers among them; some of high birth and some of humble means, for the days of the noble system were gone and these men now had to fend for themselves. But they were all, regardless of their background accomplished fighters and walkers of Middle-earth.
There were 12 Tribes in all: From the East there was the Lost Battalion of Rhudaur, and from the South, 3 distinguished groups: The Sentinels of Cardolan, The Poor Knights of the Children's Square of Tharbad, and the Legionaire's Battalion of Southern Mithrond. Arthedain had remained most true to it's former military organization, and their groups were formed into Companies: The Running Wolves (Wolf Company), The Company of Eagles, The Company of Stags, the Company of Bears. And then there were the four colored Companies: Blue, Green, Brown, and smallest but perhaps the most potent and fierce of all, the legendary Grey Company.
"Greetings, Men of the West!" cried one of the Clan Elders, and his salutation was met with the traditional hand over heart and Elven "Namarie" by all the Men in the Chamber.
"We have just received a Raven, and with him comes…great news, I shall read aloud to you"
With that, he unfurled a small note and began:
"Greetings, my brothers, I bare tidings and news from the East. I am Mogren, of the Sentinels of Cardolan, and I have been positioned on the border of Angmar for some time to keep an eye on the comings and goings on for some time. As you may know, I take council with Lord Elrond from time to time. And because of that, I tell you now that the Lord of Imladris has given leave for the Heir of Isildur to join us. Aragorn II, son of Arathorn has been turned over to me; his training and education is complete, and he has declared his intent to take his place at the seat of our brotherhood; the Chieftain of the Dunedain has returned to us!
"I write to tell you of our coming; for by the time you receive this, we will have been a week into our journey west across Eridador to be re-united with you and to welcome our Chieftain. He bears the shard of Narsil and green jeweled Ring of Barahir and together we take the overland route and eschew the road. I estimate it will take a month to reach you. Prepare yourselves for our coming and rejoice that our King has returned! Look for us in the gap between the Weather Hills and the North Downs. My heart swells at the thought of the day of our grand reunion!"
Mogren."
