“No!” Lord Shetra cried. “We will take the Ranyhyn no deeper into Sarangrave Flat.”
This is the 'Hobbits will freeze if we continue...' moment.
So the 'fellowship,' turns to another path.
This is a 'told tale,' by Runnet, Covenant is not on scene. The difference is striking. As awful as Covenant is, he is more nuanced and well drawn than anyone in this tale of Korik's mission.
