Diary,
The last few days have been adventurous. Taala received a message from an anonymous contractor. They wanted the company to prove their worth by going on a trip to the old forest, which from what I can tell has dark stories surrounding it. It couldn't be worse than Mirkwood so I joined the company going. The group consisted of eight Dawners, myself, Taala, Eroforth, Ayla, Tirmegil|Tim, Deorgast, Curdaros, and Harswith. We met in the Pony, and collected out belonging's before meeting outside the West Gate of Bree.
We rode out and into Buckland, where Deorgast and Curdaros, who acted as guides, sorted out what else we needed. Deorgast sprayed us all with some foul smelling concoction to keep away the beasts. We all believe it was bear piss. Curdaros adamantly refused to Tal got in his face and forced him to obey orders. Why someone would join a mercenary company and not follow orders is beyond me.
After borrowing a dog and getting some meat, we headed through a tunnel into the forest. It wasn't nearly as bad as Mirkwood, these people who are terrified of that small wood would most likely collapse when faced with an hour out in my home woods. We encountered few beasts, and they left a bundle of meat to keep them off our trail for some time as we ventured into the forest.
Eventually we came to a small clearing, surrounded by large trees covered in the webs of large spiders. Still... not as large as Mirkwood. The task was to stab a knife into the south side of the largest tree in the Northern Line. Whether the Northern line is the north edge of the forest or runs South to North we couldn't decide. But I am sure it is the North edge, but we stabbed the trees in this glade far to the south anyway, then looked for a spot to camp.
We ended up amongst willow trees on the banks af a slow moving river, quite a beautiful spot I must say. Some of the others were keen to get out of their clothes which stunk of Deor's concoction. It was at this point the scoundrel decided to reveal it was a prank and that the smell did nothing. I helped bundle him, but left the stripping off and shoving bear droppings ito his nethers to the other girls in the group.
Tal and Ero then began... enthusiastically bathing one another, so I found myself a small spot on the bank where I could relax away from them. They are a lovely couple and I consider them both dear friends, but their enthusiasm does bring back bad memories. Taala knows what they are, I told her on the ride to the forest. But as told her, I wouldn't ask her to stop showing love for Ero on my account.
I went for a bathe in the river, before returning to the camp to dry off by the fire. The evening continued in merriment and Ero and Tal continued to pester each other. The memories got too much. All I could think about was him, out in the fields... together by the fire... the stench of his innards... his blood drying on my skin... No, stop, don't think of it. I had to get away from the group, to hide my discomfort. I went off nto the dark and found a tree could rest against. Tal came to find me, and comforted me, and even got Ero to come and hug me along with her. It was nice, they're too kind. I went back to the group and went on watch with Tim while Ero and Taala went to their tent.
That chat with Tim has changed my perspective of things. He explained how his family wouldn't want him to be crippled by grief, and would want him to continue. It hit my like a Dwarven hammer. That's what Fennarr would have wanted for me. To continue, to keep fighting and not let myself succumb to grief.I will still be affected by his passing for a long time, but I believe he gave me the beginning to a cure.
Somehow the ever amorous couple managed to collapse their tent while still inside and active. They ended up rolled up like a bed roll, and seemed to be trapped as they rolled to the waters edge. We let them have their fun, but would have saved them had they entered the water.
The next morning was uneventful, we rode home and I went off with Ethel to stable her and look after her, so bid my farewell to the rest of the company.
