My goodness, how time has flown! I have not written for a month, and suddenly the summer is at an end. I have bittersweet feelings about it, I confess. I love the balmy sunshine, the flowers, the lush trees filled with birdsong, and the occasional excuse to drag my husband to the pond behind our cottage for a swim. I have completed my first full year in Bree-land. The old adage is all too accurate: what a time it's been!
My eyes are drawn to the words I wrote for Tothrandir a few weeks ago. I cannot, even now, let myself think on it too much, or I will collapse into despair again. I have yet to visit the house mentioned in his will. I fear that I may feel his presence if I go there. There was always something about the way he would look at me. I cannot talk about it.
On a much happier note, we celebrated the long-overdue wedding of Ina and Aren today! Several others of our company were there; faces I'd not seen in months, and a few new ones that seemed to be relatives of some sort. I was quite nervous about standing with them and reading Aren's vows for him, but it seemed to go off without a hitch, and I was so incredibly honored to have been asked to do it! I caught my beloved's smile once I had finished speaking, and that was reassuring. The weather could not have been more obliging; clear, sunny, with the faintest coolness to the air. We all retired to The Sizzling Turtle afterwards, and enjoyed the loveliest time, sitting and talking and laughing. I must admit, I prefer smaller celebrations to larger ones. My own wedding party was so large and crowded, my head was somewhat spinning by the time it was all over. Though, I will not complain that we have "too many friends"! I am so very happy for Ina. They are such a well-suited couple, and their joy is easy for anyone to see.
We ran into Seaver on the way from the ceremony to the tavern. I've not seen my kinsman in quite some time. We invited him to join us, and I'd hoped he might say yes, but he politely declined, citing business as his excuse. I am sorry that I've never gotten to know him better. Strange to think that I work for the woman he loves, and yet I know both of them so little.
Alas, the hour grows late, and my lantern burns low. Such a lovely, cool breeze this evening through the open windows. But, let me stop writing now, and join my heart and soul in the bedroom.