Found:
Mud.
Rain.
Midgets.
I sit now on the banks of the river, somewhere in the land called Shire. Toddir sleeps propped up against a large oak tree nearby whilst the horses graze on grass so green that it reminds me of some of the most fertile plains of Rohan. The stars above are sparkly and star-like and, despite my best efforts and surroundings lending themselves to that mindset, I find myself all out of whimsy.
Toddir's assessment of the Dawners being foolish and harmless only because of inherent incompetence does nothing to set my mind at ease. Somewhere back to the east, Aidennan sleeps in a bed, watched over by people whose best hope of protecting him may only stem from them accidentally falling upon their opponents from a great height. To think that he once called me "Mum," - a slip of the tongue, yes, but spoken nonetheless - and I leave him in the care of people who, at best, are described by others as "probably not dangerous to anyone but themselves."
But to think on it at all is a mistake unto itself.
This choice was his to make, not mine, and I will not get in the way.
Don't look back. Never look back. Hasn't that always been my way? Whilst it is unfortunately true that I will eventually return to Bree - after all, I have to let Toddir go home at some point - I will do so with great reluctance.
For now, I must simply keep my gaze on the horizon, ever seeking the next great discovery.
