'But Driftwood is a man grown, and he does not need me to protect him. He lives on the lower level of Halrax, on the south-western side of the inlet, if you need to speak with him so badly. But I don't want anyone coming back here and causing trouble if he doesn't want to speak to you.'0/1
1 Enter areaFind Driftwood on the lower level of Halrax0/1
timeExpiredWait for Driftwood to acknowledge your presence0/1
3 Speak toDriftwood (Show dialog)
'No... it cannot be!'
Driftwood stares at you with astonishment, the ale-inspired cloudiness of his eyes draining away.
'You... Player... I cannot believe it! I never thought... I never thought I would see you again.'
There can be no mistake. This is Horn of Rohan, though months of hard living on the road and in the wild have weathered his clothes. His face is still familiar, but the war and its worries have left their marks upon it, and he seems more aged than you remember.
'What brings you to the Shield Isles, Player? You have not let down your own folk, as I have, surely? I cannot imagine that. You were always stronger in mind than I was, with courage to spare. It is the truth, and we both know it. And Nona was... Nona was stronger than both of us. But... what do you have to say of yourself? You are not running away from something. You were always running... toward.'
Before you can gather your thoughts to speak, someone steps close behind you. She stares at Horn with a hard look in her eyes, and you know you must introduce her.
'This is Sigileth,' you say.0/1
4 Speak toSigileth (Show dialog)
'It is true, Corudan is my brother, and he needs our help.'
Sigileth stares at Horn, daring him to speak, but he wisely keeps his silence.
'I have heard of your adventures with Player, Horn of Rohan, and with my brother, and I have been told of the choice you made when the Battle of Pelennor Fields was ended. It is not my place to judge whether your choice was well-considered or ill-thought, and I will not do so.
'But I will ask this of you. Did you consider my brother Corudan to be a friend? Did you think you knew him? This, then, is my last question.
'Would Corudan come to your aid, if your positions were reversed? Or would he give in to cowardice, and run away, leaving the hard work to others?'0/1
5 Speak toDriftwood (Show dialog)
'I believed Corudan's sister Sigileth was dead, Player, and that she perished within Dol Guldur before we adventured in Rohan. But no, she is alive and seems eager to shame me on his behalf! Have you learned what happened to Corudan at Helm's Deep? You had better tell me what happened to him, and quickly, for I think his sister may be about to stick me with her famous knives, and right now I confess I might deserve it!'
You tell Horn what you know about Corudan's captivity by the Kindred of the Coins and your mission to Umbar. When you have finished, he rubs his eyes.
'After the Battle of Pelennor Fields, I wandered without purpose. I came to this land because I did not want to get involved, but even that proved a lie. I called myself Bymerë at first, and told myself Horn was dead. But as I lived here, drowning my old sorrows with ale and trying to forget what I had done and what I had been, I saw crimes I could not forgive; as I opposed them I took on a new name: Driftwood. I believed the Heirs of Castamir might again threaten Gondor... and if they had victory there, would not Rohan be next? So I made things difficult for them, as I could. I thought I might gain an audience with Balakhôr's widow if I claimed to have slain one of her enemies, and so end the threat of the Heirs of Castamir.
'Most of my plans ended in the bottom of a mug of ale, Player. When I was Horn, and fought alongside friends, it was different. Driftwood is alone, and accomplishes nothing. It is useless.'
You tell Horn that it could be different, and he shakes his head.
'This is my place now. I spend my days fighting Corsairs and my nights here, drowning in my cups. I suggest you defeat the Corsairs of the Shield Isles, for the sake of our past friendship, and then return to your ship. Horn is dead; only Driftwood remains, and he cannot help you.'0/1
6 KillCorsairs throughout the Shield Isles (x/10)0/10
7 Enter areaReturn to Voyage's End and check on your crew0/1
8 Speak toDriftwood (Show dialog)
'I have changed my mind, Player. Sigileth is right: were our positions reversed, Corudan would stop at nothing to come to my rescue or yours.
'I will join you in this, my old friend, if you will have me. The Shield Isles are a place for lost and broken things, but perhaps such things need not stay lost forever, and maybe with friendship they can be repaired. I will join you once again... for Corudan, and to keep the Kindred of the Coins from endangering Gondor, Rohan... and other, more distant lands.
'I spoke truly when I told you Horn was dead. I am Driftwood now, and would have your crew call me by this name. I hope this is agreeable to you, my friend. And one more thing: you might have told me Sigileth no longer possesses her famous knives! I might have thought more clearly in Halrax if I knew I was not in danger of being sliced open!'
You assure Driftwood that while she no longer possesses Lanchigil and Egnassigil, Sigileth has been practicing with her new blade, and even without a name she could still do considerable damage with it.
Umbari Tâm (3)
Umbari Celebrant Essence (2)