(Okay, I've done too much posting recently. Far too much. However, I had to post this... Harain was NOT happy, and has managed to loose his respect to many of the Thorn members. That's everyone who was at the event thing with Beo... except Faradir and Archibold.)
-Translated from Kheldul, the secret language of the Dwarves-
Uncle Dwolmur,
I am writing to inform you of my progress here in the land Men call Bree. Initial arrivals were sucessfu, and unevenfull. These, 'Thorn' were just as you had said, or at least, the first few I met. Haelewulf, Son of Phindor especially stood out as a shining example. I can see why you wished me to come here now. However, I have my conserns. The Captain, Lirandel started off bad and got worse. He is physically capable, but has to be one of the worst leaders I have ever met, and a disgrace to his own people. I've never seen an elf like him. He's more Man than Elf, clearly, and perhaps this is a good thing, as he leads a company of Men. But when it comes to leadership, he suffers the same faults.
I have been on a couple of expeditions with the 'Thorn' now. One to rescue the captured Lieutenant, Sayvara, which was a reasonable sucess. Actions were made as one, for the most part, as the Thorn knew their goal and were defiant upon reaching it. She was rescued, and the creatures that had taken her were put down. I was impressed. However, just yesterday the 'Thorn' arose to a new problem. One of the 'Brothers' had been attacked by an assasin for some reason, and the 'Thorn' deemed it worthy to hunt down the insurgents and bring justice upon them. It was the biggest shambles and disgrace I have ever seen in all my ninety years. I began to question the worth of this Company in my mind. All seem to suffer the same ill traits all men carry. The doom of man is strong indeed here, and I find little relief in the 'Thorn'. Only the elves, Lildarwen and Faradir (excluding the captain) and the hobbit Archibold display the kind of spirit I hoped to see in these... Heros.
Lirandel, the Captain, was wrought with emotion. Somthing deeper aggitated him, and also his 'Wife' Sayvara seemed to be having some problems with him, and he with her. The Lieutenant herself, would react to the Captain as a lover, not a superior, which has it's place, but not here! Many could see, and many more would hear of the failings of the 'Thorn' that were displayed here. If they do not shape up and become what people want to see as 'Heros' then they will fail. Men are weak, but Black Thorns are not one man, for they are many, and incoruptiable! Or that's how it should be. An undivided front. Beoric, the Pirate disgusted me yesterday. I had thought highly of him, and his 'girl' Margo. Today I have respect only for the girl. Beodric handled the situation like a child might handle a sharp axe. Emberyn's respect remains partially intact. She proved herself before to me, and I stand by that, but again, she handled the situation poorly by not fitting in with the other cogs that were the 'Thorn' that night.
I stand by my orders, and await your instructions.
Harain Firebeard
Axes of the Dwarves! The Dwarves are Coming!