The Reluctant Captain's Diary - Part 2

***The notes below are written in a consistent and neat handwriting but are evidently done by a person not used to recording a diary***

I learnt from Othar that the House Ravenclaw was a minor noble house, but the previous lord Ravenclaw had been a well respected military man with the ability to fight. Othar admitted he had been rather surprised when the news of Lord Ravenclaws death had broke, since it seemed odd that such a capable fighter should fall foul to an orc ambush. Nevermind that, Othar also mentioned that the Lord Ravenclaw had married for money, not for love. Lady Annea was a wealthy merchant’s daughter and she was keen to get a title. I found this news disturbing, as it seems rather ambitious, and convenient, that her brother is now the new Lord Ravenclaw. I wish to share this information with the rest of my friends in the Black Guard.

I received a letter from Lord Olartin, who was spending some time with young Teigon and reported that the young man is a keen fighter with a naïve, yet honest personality. I keep thinking about the words of Del and Aerchanar, that maybe we need to protect Teigon if something is amiss in his family with his ambitious uncle in charge of the family. My own concerns of bringing a Gondorian into the group are perhaps unfounded, since Lord Ravenclaw expressed no interest in learning my name and Teigon is probably too young to know anything about me and my failure. My biggest concern is that Teigon would be reporting to his family and my background my become known. I shall have to find out exactly how close Teigon is to his family and until I know, I shall be cautious!

I had sent messages to the others of the Black Guard to come to the Prancing Pony in Bree. I had no desire to go to the Crimson Hall and risk being face-to-face with Aariond, as I am still working through my feelings about his display of power when removing Davnos from our group and leaving us with the young Gondorian, Teigon. For the sake of making a decision about Teigon I had asked Lord Olartin to join us at the Prancing Pony and he had graciously accepted.

As we gathered at the Prancing Pony I was delighted to see our dear hobbit back from his hunt, Aerchanar had filled him in on recent events, so all there was left was to make the introductions with Lord Olartin and share the knowledge I had learnt from Othar. Lord Olartin was very friendly and spoke positively about Teigon. We had an open discussion about the suspicions towards Teigon’s uncle and all agreed that at least until we have further knowledge we should protect the young Ravenclaw heir.

It was a good decision we made, I think, to bring Teigon in and look after him. He might just be an asset to the Black Guard. We shall set forth on adventure together and he is keen to serve the Black Guard, so why not make the best of it.

My feelings regarding our leader, Aariond, still weighs heavily on my mind. I feel many words were left unsaid and it is clouding my thoughts and draining my energy. I do not want to say too much to the Black Guard, because I’m a firm believer in hierarchy, but I can’t help but feel that he should have spoken to us before he took Davnos away and left Teigon in our care. I am still thinking about how I will confront him. I brought it up briefly with the rest of the Black Guard at the Prancing Pony, but I fear it only made matters worse… My dear friend Aerchanar made an astonishing declaration of loyalty to me, not to the Black Guard, but to me, and in doing so our dear hobbit Cherdoc followed. I was flustered, I couldn’t speak. I believe I managed to disguise it as blushing over a compliment, but my mind was racing. This wasn’t supposed to happen. Davnos was supposed to take over, that’s why I was quick to bring him in, I saw a real leader in him. Everything I am not, or no longer. Now this has fallen to pieces and I am even more reluctant than ever to lead the group, learning that they place such faith in me. Such faith I do not deserve. They are good people and the most loyal comrades.

What if I fail again…