Dairy excerpt

Having done my part to thin the wolves of Ered Luin, I have made my way to the Dwarven town, settled in the Low Lands, to gather supplies and knowledge of the path. I suspect the Dwarves have more knowledge in that regard than my fellow Elves. Though they have little knowledge in the way of population control. The bears have grown beyond a reasonable number, traveling is dangerous. We stand in the shadow of Lindon, the area should be far safer. There is also an abundance of hostile Dwarves; hopefully this situation will be resolved. Second entry. Several days have passed. I met a fellow elf by the name of Osilivren Annedur whilst practising my skill against the dead of Haudh Lin. A strange place to meet people to be sure. I was glad of the meeting all the same, I write this as I sit in Duillond, looking out to the Shire. Halfling land. Final checks and I shall make my journey in earnest. I only wish it wasn’t Raining, I also would prefer the sun to be down but if I wait much longer I fear I will not make the journey to Imladris at all. Third Entry. The path through the Shire was largely uneventful, a few wolves and overgrown slugs fell before my bow. Seems the Dwarves are not the only ones who lack population control, it is good that I enjoy the hunt. I also need the skin for tanning so all is good in the end. I am currently in Buckland, a small town near the Brandywine Bridge. I suspect I shall be here for a good few days, the journey through the Shire was long and this seems a safe as place any to rest. Though there is talk of a spider infestation…I wonder if I might clear it in exchange for a cloak. I shall ask once I am rested. Fourth Entry They say curiosity killed a cat, which cat specifically I do not know. I am inclined to believe curiosity may well kill this Elf. The halflings of Buckland fear the Old Forest, bears, wolves, spiders. I entered the forest, cut down many a bear and spider, unfortunately my run of success was ended by a tree. Its roots knocked me to the ground as it came towards me; I had little choice but to flee. So now I rest back in Buckland. I shall enter the forest at a later date; I will not be bested by a tree. Fifth Entry Good news took me today! Not only did I prove myself against the vile tree, along with a group of Wights that populated the area Men call the “Barrow Downs” but I received response. I am to detour and make my way to the North Downs, to Lin Giliath, an Elven settlement. I have heard of the place in passing, though I hold little in the way of idea where it is exactly. No doubt the journey will be quite exciting. Sixth Entry Quite the journey! Dangerous but exciting. After speaking to a ‘ranger’ in the road, I opted to take a shortcut through an Orc encampment; it was a good opportunity to test my bow against opponents that have some…remote…fading thought. It also aided the local population, so all in all a good deed! Lin Giliath is a nice little place, not at all secure but no place seems to be now. Truly Mithlond is blessed with safety; in a cruel fashion I am pleased with this. Whilst I am saddened by the suffering, it does at least justify my decision. Seventh Entry I have opted to fulfil a request to deliver a message to Ost Guruth, a fortress in the place Men call the ‘Lone Lands’. I am reluctant to leave Lin Giliath but he did insist the task was urgent, and if I have read the maps correctly it is but a straight path to Imladris from that local. Eighth Entry Fate is a curious weaver. I departed the arranged meet a few days past, only to meet those I was due to meet! To add to fates curiosities the Elf, Osilivren, I met in the lands of the dead many, many days past was with them! It was a good meet regardless, after discussion the three, Elisbeth, Khalis and Osilivren permitted me to join. I now stand with the symbol of the Warband of Imladris. I admit to apprehension, I strongly suspect that what I have seen and faced on this difficult journey is pitiful compared to what waits in the distance, but then again who would reject a challenge! No Elf would show cowardness, father certainly would not. Nor would mother actually. When we meet again in Valinor I would rather stand proud and say I helped than stand as a coward hiding in safety. Ninth Entry The Sun rises on my first day as a servant of Imladris. Men serve in this Warband also, this brings mixed feeling. On one hand Men are… fickle. If Orcs have not caused trouble on this journey, Men have. On the other when we have faded and moved on in our entirety, Men will inherent what we hold so very dear, best they learn how. To fight alongside us these ones must have shown true ability, a cut above their brethren. It shall be interesting to see, so far Men have been found lacking in my eyes. On happier note, I once again charged headlong into the dead. Strange how the dead can make you feel alive. They lack the intellect of Orcs but in many ways their determined lack of self-preservation makes the dead a greater challenge.