Journal #10 - Outstaying our Welcome

Another day of sword lessons. I am making progress, though my body is sore.
Andswaru is a very patient teacher, though I know I drive him to despair sometimes. I must try to become a better student.

I think I need a sheath for the sword. I walked to the training yesterday afternoon and I saw an Elf staring at me and frowning. He looked like a guard, perhaps a captain.
I do not think it is polite to run around this valley with a naked blade. I must ask Andswaru to teach me enough Westron to buy a sheath for the sword tonight.
Yes, I must finally learn Westron for more than leisure as well. I should have started long ago, but Father said my chores at the farm came first. "A woman need not negotiate with the rough men of the places beyond the Mark," he would say. But I think he wished, in his own way, to protect me.
I cannot do with being protected any more.

I am also feeling that our time in this place, Rivendell, is coming to an end. I am as well as I am going to be. All the rest of the healing and the training I must do on the move, for time is running short. Today, I have already begun to pack and arrange for provisions. Tonight we must ride and take what Andswaru has rescued from the cart to bring - we must ride light, with only our horses and Apple and Pear to switch to. There is no use for a caravan now.
But I will always remember these days in the Vale. Much has happened, but not all was sad. Amidst all the pain I have also felt happiness - happiness and wonder, which I will never forget. This is what I will keep in my memory for the days when this reality now will seem nothing but a story of the distant past.
I wish I had a token to remember this place by, something I can hold and remind myself that it was real. Perhaps I shall still find one, ere we go.