A messenger of Lord Celeborn arrived today to tell me that the invasion of Mirkwood will launch on the first day of Ringarë. He told me that the Lord and Lady deeply desired that I join the Golden Host as they cross the Anduin; I , of course, promised my presence. I shall begin my journey to Lóthlorien in a few days - this time it should go more smoothly than my first trip through the Mines!

I am starting to have doubts about the raid into Mirkwood. Once the Malledhrim have gone, the Golden Wood will be more vulnerable than ever. What if the enemy should strike at home? There are already camps in Fanuidhol to the north and Nanduhirion to the west. Also, a large number of orcs - though perhaps there number has been culled since last I was there - dwell in the First Hall, just before the East Gate of Moria. Should they spill out and overtake the valley, doom might be cast for the Galadhrim. Yet, it is said those woods are under a spell of protection. May it hold strong against any plots of the enemy!

I am also beginning to think that the dwarves are foolhardy and rash in their hopes of rescuing Bori and the other dwarves. Would a simple soldier be permitted such bold lengths as to accost the very gates of Dol Guldur to save his captured brother?  No, the thought is laughable. And I shall not sleep at perfect peace while Mazog yet lives. What if he were to escape in the wilds of Mirkwood? Would not the ancient evils that haunt there give him their aid and protection? What if we should reach that fortress, and in exchange for the goblin-king we are given the long-dead bodies of the dwarves, and the wicked laughter of the Nazgul? Or perhaps the barter would be rejected outright. The enemy has not hesitated to rid itself of its own lieutenants, and the fact that Mazog is being presented in shackles may convince the enemy that he is unfit for further ruling. Or if the bargain goes as planned, what if Mazog should return to Moria and undo most if not all of the expedition’s progress?

I do not mean to sound cold - all life is sacred, and every death a veritable tragedy. I sincerely hope that the dwarves may be recovered. But these tidings put my heart at unease, and I sense a coming storm that might spell defeat for the Free Peoples.