Rose lifted up the letter and read it once more, then swore soundly as she tossed it aside. 'The child's a fool ... not a lick of sense in her!'
Mrs Rossi,
I can't sit by and wait any longer. I don't know what's going on, if everyone's okay ... I feel like I need to do something, anything to help. It's really important! I'm going to follow the path that I heard everyone discussing before they left, that should lead me to them. I just hope I'll be in time.
I left you some foods I prepared. I know I'm not a very good cook, but it will keep you until I get back. And I made sure all of Althessia's clothes were cleaned and folded. The flowerbeds have been weeded too and the chickens have enough feed stored for several days.
I also made sure that someone will keep an eye on the house while I'm away. If you need anything, just look for a dark haired fellow.
Merry Amargein
She had known something was wrong when the past couple of days Merry had been restlessly pacing, or racing off to Bree at a moment's notice, but Rose had simply figured the girl was off to see that miscreant friend of hers. And the list she'd found the day before ...
She should have asked Merry that evening, as they prepared the coney stew together, but after stopping at the tavern with Cuth and having those two ales ... Well, she knew better. She hoped Cuth hadn't noticed on their walk back up to the house. Was no way to make an impression on the man - least not one that she'd wish to make.
'A dark haired fellow ...' That boy the girls had been hanging around, no doubt. Well she'd just have a few word with him, if she got the chance and then ....
Rose's eyes grew thoughtful and she tapped her fingers against the desk. Then, picking up her quill, she grabbed a piece of parchment and began to write ...
