Yet again, I have managed to get myself into an undesirable situation. I think I must look innocent, or something of that type, because people seem to want to take advantage. In fact, were I not an elf, I believe this type of thing would happen more often. But I get ahead of myself. I think the outside may be getting to me - I was never this hasty at home.
Returning to my tale, however: Bree. It is all a matter of this accursed, fascinating, warren-like town. I must have gotten lost a dozen times before I knew half my way around. And after finally found the inn, I proceeded to get promptly lost in there as well. It is ridiculous how I can find my way through any forest and then get lost in an inn. One named The Prancing Pony, at that. It is of poor taste.
And just when I had found something interesting - a seasoned bard no less, I shall elaborate on that later - I was called a wench. A serving wench. I had hoped to pass unnoticed, to be accepted as part of the scenery, but clearly not. Some fool of a man, drunk no doubt, called upon me to serve his wine. It was lucky for him that I am most even-tempered, and that I did not immediately leave in disgust and exact my revenge later. No, fool that I am, I tried to gloss the situation over. I politely explained that I was an elf, if that was unclear to him, and that I was my own master. And then, instead of apologizing, the man called his uncle over and demanded a song! I play for myself, for my enjoyment, and he had the gall to call me a bard and offer to pay me for my services.
I can honestly say that I fled while the men were distracted by another musician. The musician later introduced himself - I shall not give his name here, I do not believe he wanted to be remembered - and we fell to speaking. He was of Rohan, having lost his love, and I hope to create a ballad on that topic. (Loosely based, of course, the man's life is his own.) And having heard that I loved jewels, he showed me some of his stock, and I bought a necklace for a very modest price.
Listen to me, going on about jewelry and merchants. I must be gaining some tendencies of Man! I will admit, after this incident, I told myself I would leave Bree and never return. But I cannot. This town is so interestingly old, built on mysterious ruins, and the people are strange to me. I would be a fool to leave such a nest of stories for good. Also, there is a bard in the inn, a most interesting man. He told me that he would teach me the music and ballads of the region, and I could not refuse. There is a mapmaker as well... Perhaps I will be able to trade for a more recent copy of the map I now use. A map of the town would be a good start, for my poor turned-about senses.
