The land south of the river is not called Eregion any more, but Enedwaith. So far there has been little difference in the looks of the place, though. We keep to the wilderness, avoiding camps and settlements. Though the wilderling people who live here are not likely to have the same grudge with us as the people further south in Dunland have, it pays to be cautious.
So there is not much to tell. I still train the sword, mornings and evenings if I am not too tired. It took a few days for us to recover from the strains of the hunt, and our wounds old and new, so we travel slowly.
Too slowly, I fear. I feel my conscience telling me we are wasting valuable time. But needs must, as Mother used to say, and both the beasts and their riders needed their rest. We will travel longer this way.
We have thought of the road ahead, too. The maps do not tell us of the hidden passes we took when riding west, those only known to secretive men who protect this treasure well, for they are paid in gold to find the paths. We do not know these men, and on this side of the mountains we would be hard-pressed to find a friendly village, much less men who would take our gold. No, the only option for us is to make for the gap in the mountains far to our south, ere the wilderness becomes too thick and dangerous to cross. Andswaru says Fangorn Forest is near the place, and it is a dark and dangerous place, just like the old tales tell. The road through the gap will send us through the lands of a nobleman named Saruman, though, whose alliance we do not know. I am not too worried about this. If he truly is a learned man, arrangements can be made and understanding can be found. Not to speak of that the lands of a nobleman will hopefully be free from Orcs and wilderlings!
I truly hope we will not have to fight any more. I often think back on the last days, and the fighting we did… I know it has changed me, but at the moment I cannot think too strongly on how. Andswaru too confessed that he thinks it changed him, when he first joined the guard. I cannot think too strongly on it myself, right now. But it is on my mind, and when I come home I will have to think about it, I know. When the time comes for it.
But I kind of fear that time, and what I will find then, when I look at myself.
