The West-March

[Valdrik]

It was mid-day when Valdrik and five thousand Cavalry forded the river and moved into the West-March. They moved forward and took position on a hilltop giving them a long view in all directions. The banner of Enedwaith flew high above the ranks, who's number could not all fit atop the single hill, but instead encircled it. A lone rider rode out before the army, a white flag fastened atop his spear. They would wait here for the Queen of Rohan, and give her their terms.

[Anwyn]

In the far distance could be heard the sound of a horses whiny, shrill and high pitched. Then the sound of hooves followed as a great host of Rohirrim appeared, there numbers rounding to just less than two thousand men strong. They not appear to hurry, nor gallop for they had been forwarned by a frantic scout what would be found here. The standard of Rohan flapped in the breeze. Anwyn surveyed the scene grimly, They had come in far greater numbers than she would have expected. Pale blue eyes fell upon a lone rider displaying a white flag, For the sake of honour she would not attack hi but hoped that the Wildmen also knew of such etiquette. Digging her heels into the horses side, she urged it forward riding away from Rohans line "Speak Quickly" she commanded stopping a short distance away.

[Valdrik]

The soldier bearing the white flag was none other that Valdrik, Chieftain of Enedwaith, and he snickered at the Queen's curt response. The Queen could no doubt see the vast ranks of cavalry behind him outnumberd her own force. For the moment Valdrik saw no reason to motion for the flanks to reveal themeselves from over the hilltops. He smiled at Anywn, "Ah, Dearest Anywn, Queen of Rohan. No doubt you have been troubled as of late, for word has reached me of foul deeds taking place within your borders. I've come to offer a solution to your troubles."

[Anwyn]

Anwyn fought back her anger at being addressed in such an improper fashion, her chest rose and fell rapidly as she struggled to gain a control of her emotions, how dare this man speak of such foul deeds so lightly. When she spoke again, her voice was calm, uneffected "Do tell me" she started calmly "What do you believe you have to offer me than can alleviate such problems?

[Valdrik]

Valdrik studied her for a moment, ammused at the rage he saw building in her eyes. "Tell me, Queen of Rohan. How many Rohirrim have you burried since you last saw a full moon?" He paused, giving her time to think back upon it. "How many more will die before the the next?" He nudged his horse and it slowly neared hers, circling around as she stayed motionless. "I alone can control these barbarians that plauge you. I alone can bring an end to the killing." He stopped his horse as it came in front of her again. "Here is what I offer you. Withdraw all your troops an people from the West-March. Leave it and do not return. Give back to my people the land that is rightfully theirs and the raids will cease." He paused gain, glancing back at his cavalry. They were not what one might have expected. No, they were no hodge podge of barbaric nomads with pitchforks and clubs, they were uiform in appearace, heavily armored and armed to the teeth. "If you refuse to leave the West-March, then, the next village to burn will not be in the Westfold or the Wold. It will be the heart of Rohan, Edoras." His smile widened. "What say you? Speak Quickly my patience wains."

[Anwyn]

Anwyn held her head high, and her eyes tracked Valdrik as he circled around her very much reminding her of a vulture sizing up its next meal, her grip on the horses reins tightnend and she felt color rushing into her cheecks. This was no barbarian, not in the sense that she had been taught to believe but he was ruthless and wicked all the same "What..." she stopped, almost choking on her own words "What gurantee do you leave me that the raids will stop and your People will not spread further into Rohans lands?"

[Valdrik]

Valdrik's gaze pierced into Anywn's eyes. Where he once saw rage, he now saw fear and confusion rising as well. "What cause would you have not to believe me. I have come under a white flag and have made no underhanded move to attack you." He laughed, "My word is my only gurantee. And if you believe it to be no good, then, by all means, reject my offer. Perhaps I only lie about burning Edoras if you do not meet my demands." He smirked, "Either way, you will soon find out if I am a man of my word. How painfull that lesson is for your people depends upon you, Anywn."

[Anwyn]

"Do not patronize me!" Anwyn snapped, as a mare backed into a tight corner she was prone to lashing out at the one that had placed her. Closing her eyes for a moment, she inhaled deeply. Determined to not allow her sharp tongue to invite any more trouble than she already found herself in. There was truely no way to measure if this man was truthful, but this could not be a lesson she learned at the expense of more lives losts.

"You shall have your land" she said after a long moments silence, the wind howled causing her hair and cloak to flutter wildly "You may claim the Westfold as your own.But" she added, her tone sharp "Let the Mountains be the divide of our Realms. I shall not hear of any further murders or thefts of horses from my fields, and I shall not recieve any reports of your...men, on my lands. Are we understanding of each other?" she asked rising an eyebrow at him.

[Valdrik]

Valdrik's eyes lit up in suprise at her acceptance. He was of course pleased, yet also disappointed that his men would not see Edoras burning. It would have been a wonderful sight he thought to himself. He pulled from his cloak a scroll and offered it to the Queen. "An agreement, between Enedwaith and Rohan. All land west of the Eastern most point of the River Isen will from this day hence belong to Enedwaith. The mountains will indeed seperate us and your people will sleep without worry. All that is lacking is your signature." He pulled from another pocket a quill and small corked vile of ink, offering it to the Queen.

[Anwyn]

Anwyns eyes swept briefly over the document, being in this mans presence infuriated her to no end and she wished nothing more than to be free of this and have it settled. Indeed there would be those that would be disappointed that the West Mar would be so lightly renounced, but there should be no price that would be paid in even more blood. Accepting the quill Anwyn scrawled her own flowery mark, though it pained her and her pride to do so, she knew that it was in the best intrests of her people "It is done" she said quietly, lowering her head.

[Valdrik]

Valdrik took the parchment from her, rolled it back up and returned it to folds of his cloak. "You have made a wise decision, Queen of Rohan. Your people should be ever thankfull for your handling of this situation." He smirked, "Perhaps, in time, Enedwaith and Rohan will become allies." He turned his horse after making the jesting comment and started back towards his ranks. He paused and turned after a few yards. "I will be gracious and give your people a fortnight to evaquate. May god give them speed." With that he spurred his stallion and rode to meet with his officers upon the hill top.

[Valdrik]

Months passed since the taking of the West-March. Gradually the people of Enedwaith moved and settled the land between the rivers. Villages sprung up seemingly overnight, for the most part Dunlendings taking up residence in abandoned Rohirrim buildings. Farms also began to spring up, somthing Enedwaith was short on. The barbarians had generaly relied on hunting and gathering, and the coastal peoples on fishing. While the farming would not supplant these sources of food, it would add to it, and reduce the large amounts of grain Valdrik continually had to import to sustain his army. Another, most pleasing perk were the large numbers of horses that still roamed the land here. The would be captured and trained for use in the army, as well as breed to ensure the stock would not run low.