Arasanira's Diary - First entry
Oh where to begin.. as much has happened already, but I only just found time to dwell and note some of it down, with the promise to continue this.
First of, let me tell you I am writing all this down for you to read eventually, once I have returned home. I know you were opposed to me leaving, and I love you all the more for the worry you feel for my safety. You are my family, and I am missing you greatly, and I do feel shame to have left as I did, secretive like a thief in the night.. but I know none of you would have approved. For you our woods are all that matters, our home among the trees, but something lures me, something I have to allow room for in my heart. Years have passed since that human woman walked among us, alas I have not been able to forget her. Her ways were so different to ours, and yet humans do know love and friendship just as we do. I fear for her and have done so ever since her leaving, just as you now fear for me.. and I wish to find out what has become of her, finally, if only I can.
Inquiries have led me far from the forest now. A merchant I encountered has told me he knew of just such a woman as I am seeking, or one he thought could be just such a match, and you will not believe if I tell you, but this has had me travel all the way to the far lands of Bree, and what a wondrous world this is! The smells and noises of a human city, the hustle and bustle in their streets.. it is scary and intoxicating all in one! I have for all my journey tried to remain in the shadows, as to not be spotted being of our kin, and for most parts I believe I have avoided attention. Humans are so very busy, maybe because their lives are so short, they seem to always be in a hurry, driven to complete some task or another, alas still they do find time to be curious, and my task of concealment has not proven a small feat, yet I have overall succeeded well. However, I had to continue my inquiries, and the owner of an establishment here, called The Prancing Pony, must have looked past my disguise, and thus decided I was to be further referred to a guest of his. I was very wary about this turn of event, but now am glad I did not shy away from meeting that man. He is one of those they call 'Rangers', a man of many burdens, it appears to me, but sincere, and he has asked me to aid his cause. The Shadow is growing, and he and others under his lead, it appears, are trying to guard and protect what still remains free. I feel it a great honour to have been enlisted to aid these steadfast men, yet I also wish to continue my search, hoping I will be able to combine the both to benefit.
The woman we once cared for, appears to no longer be in this city. From what I could gather, she must have turned to a life of selling her bow skills to traveling merchants. I am glad we taught her so well that she could forge a living from our teachings, yet at this point I can not be certain those I spoke to and I are referring to the same woman indeed. I will keep inquiring and hope to pick up a trail, while same time also trying to give as much support as I can to the Rangers. I am being sent to the border of the Shire, what a fascinating adventure.. to meet another Ranger, and hope, as these men seem to know much of what is happening around these parts, that he may have information regarding my own endeavour, too.
I so hope you are heeding my promise that I shall try everything to stay safe, so your fears can hopefully be quelled, although I know it will be a long time before you can read these lines, and I feel shame for the worries I have laid before your feet, yet still I have to follow this path, for my heart demands it of me...
