(April 11th, 2015)

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This is related to the following event:
Grenrill Village Anniversary Festival
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Captain's Quick Report:  Opening Ceremony and Fishing Party (Grenrill Village Anniversary Festival)

'Tis not been the frequent case lately that celebrations and events of cheer I have been attending have been of small but humble numbers, especially these last few months, as far back as the Yule and beyond.

However as I sit here in Buckland, just a mere half hour to the full hour ago I took my leave from the fishing party of The Northern Garrison members and folk of Grenrill Village -- to say that such a humble gathering to open the celebratory events of The Northern Garrison and those of Grenrill Village shall be hosting these coming weeks, was not fitting for today nor of good cheer, would be a most serious lie.

As this Quick Report shall hopefully convey, in lieu of a following report that shall someday give full details and accounts of my experiences today at this opening event -- the members of The Northern Garrison today, and some of their close friends and allies from elsewhere, nevertheless made the celebrations today in Buckland at their kin and village's anniversary a happy and most welcome one to attend.

I believe my arrival was perhaps too late, having been confused slightly earlier about the nature of the landscape that was Buckland, and most of the opening ceremony and speeches had already concluded when I finally made sight of members of The Northern Garrison standing in the distance by a stone structure of sorts, just a few ways off up the hill from the Bucklebury Ferry, on the Bree-land side of the Brandywine.

Though perhaps one of few strangers not wearing the uniforms and representation of The Northern Garrison, or that of Grenrill Village, I was still surprisingly welcomed directly with kind words, before those present set off down the hill to seek a healthy spot to begin the fishing party festivities of the day.

And most of the rest of the day was quite like that; one of relaxed hours, with cheerful banter and laughter in the background, as well as conversations and eager fishing by those present of The Northern Garrison, and their friends.  I had the honored opportunity to speak in great length with the Lord Commander of The Northern Garrison himself, Kristjon Eiriksson.  And discuss we did many topics and subjects of interest to the both of us -- from the coming celebrations of Grenrill Village's Anniversary Festival still yet to happen, to exchanges of recommendations and contacts for possible trade and coin with perhaps markets and merchants in the Shire, or Thorin's Hall in Ered Luin to do with the coming of Grenrill's Trading Guild.  We also discussed, perhaps for the first time in a long while since I've been a member of the company, my kin in the Sworn Wanderers, and the possibility that, if ever my company's leaders and founders might make themselves known again, a relationship of positive collaboration and aid towards each other might be established with The Northern Garrison on future endeavors.

It was in all a most humble but fair day of calm cheer and relaxing celebration these people of The Northern Garrison and Grenrill Village appear to have set the pace and tone for -- and I was most honored to be part of it and included to the extent I was.  Word has it that as future weeks draw on, the festive events to come shall increase in scope and official tone, leading up to the final Closing Ceremony Day sometime in the next month -- but I have nonetheless found it my great privilege and honor to have witnessed what I have today amongst these folk.

I look most forward to hoping my schedule tomorrow shall be free enough to walk out the door of my temporary lodgings here in Buckland, and be on time to see the Farmer's Market in full swing, once again hosted and organized by those of Grenrill Village and the Northern Garrison Kin, in celebration of their second day of festivities for the Grenrill Village Anniversary Festival, lasting well over the next weeks.

A handful of drawings and sketches should accompany this early report by the time it reaches The Grey Repository proper, and I hope they shall give you, Master Reader, a warm glance and enduring feeling of the heart, of the sort of humble and still celebratory occasion, today's opening ceremony and fishing party has been here for the start of the Grenrill Village Anniversary Festival.

Signed,

Captain Naismithea Willarc

Watcher of Roads
Representative of the Bree Captain's Guild
Officer of the Sworn Wanderers