We departed from our campsite near the river and headed in the direction of Oserley. We had hoped to get there before the afternoon had arrived, and even to arrive at Stoke before night fell. Father wanted us to get home quite quickly now, so did I and Sigehelm. We were all starting to paranoid due to the "Orc threat" that may be following us. I was skeptical at first, but its ever been in my thoughts as we left Wildermore. Father told us not to worry and think about it though, however, Sigehelm and I have been discussing this that if the orc threat does catch up to us, or another threat dares to ambush us that we won't abandon father even if he tells us to run off in the direction of civilization. It was a plan if we ever needed one.
We stayed upon the road as best as we can. Where it would end and be obstructed by some kind of object, be it a tree or something else, we would go around it. No obstructions were found besides the gate-guards of Oserley. It seems that ill things have been afoot in Oserley, for few signs of happiness were to found, a cloud of dread seemed hang over the citizens and guards like a blanket smothering them until they are devoid of air. It was certainly interesting and piqued my curiosity, but I daren't ask anyone of what troubles them. However, one of the gate-guards, Dudsig, had warned us of the misplaced distrust and morale of the citizens, claiming that a group of bandits and outcasts had made their hive of villainy in a cave near the town. This urged us to move faster than ever, which quickly made us leave the weary town. I hope that in due time, the bandit-hive of scum and villainy will be cleared out with swiftness and no mercy. After we left, Sigehelm and I began to spoke as Father went ahead of us by several paces.
"Brother, what did you make of that town? It had an ill feeling to it, that is for sure. Dudsig, one of the two guards that greeted us at the entrance had said that there was a hideout filled with bandits. A bounty was laid out to father as he passed too, a modest reward for us to clear it out and bring the head of the ring-leader of these outcasts to Dudsig. Do you think he will actually get us to clear it out? I hope not, I really do. I don't like battle that much as you do, unless it be against something that isn't a man like us. I just want to get home.." I sighed, my eyes getting teary and my voice raspy and choked up. It was there at my surprise that Sigehelm had embraced me in a brotherly fashion, he looked at me, wiping the tears off from my cheeks.
"Now wait now, you're thinking way too much about what may happen, or what may not happen. Remember the what grandfather would always say? "If you give your attention to the future, then your focus in the present will dwindle, and you'll go crazy." Remember that okay. You will, and I mean it, you will go mad if you think too much about the future, or the past. You just have to accept what may come, or what may come. You quickly accepted the fact that we were going to Wildermoore. You slowly accepted grandfather's fate, and accepted that you will a father, or a grandfather(if you're lucky, that is) in your future. I am sure father won't, nay, not sure, I know he won't. He knows that we need to get home as quickly as we can, and we will."
"Forget about the orc ambush in Wildermore, the blood and the clang of steel, but think about how it will shape you as a man, as a soldier, as a hero of Rohan! Now come, let us catch up to father. We'll make sure you're fit for duty as the protector of Rohan." He smiled at me, putting his arm over my shoulders as we walked to father."
"Slacking behind are you? Well, lets get a move on." Father sighed, frowning at us. "Look, we aren't going to be clearing that bandit camp anytime soon. We couldn't if we wanted to, we lack the manpower. But lets not think about that. Let us think about home. The fastest route that we take will be the road, but that all depends upon our pace. If we continue like this, we shall arrive at home in next day or so, late evening I predict. If we go any slower, or if something obstructs our way of path, then we'll arrive the next day. I believe."
Father paused, he was going to say something else, but left it at that. We continued walking and walking until we got a brief pause in Stoke. We needed rest and lots of it. We counted the last few supplies that we started to ration out and decided that we would buy some more at the market. I stayed at the inn room, locking the door until they got back with our supplies, and then we departed once again. The road was laid with hoof prints, and tracks from a carriage was seen. A caravan must've came through here. We saw no further tracks of a caravan until tracks of wheels swerved off to the right and continued through the grass. We all believed it to be heading towards Brockbridge. It was within hours that we had made it to Middlemead. We swiftly decided to rent a room at the inn and get some sleep, dinner and some drinks. Potatoes, carrots, some venison, and corn is what we had. Good stuff indeed, it certainly made me sleep easier.
We departed Middlemead at the earliest sign of sunrise. We nodded farewell to the tavern keep and began upon the path to Entwade. The road was smoother, the air was more fresh and vibrant with the colors of life. This had lifted our spirits up and made our feet and attire lighter. We stopped at midpoint between Middlemead and Entwade as we had heard a wicked growling from the bush, I took my shield and aimed my spear at the moving bushes. Lo! A wolf had appeared, one that had arrows in it's back and chest, about one in his chest, and two in his back. It was a much larger wolf, -too- large I thought. Father gave the order to put it down. We wouldn't be considered cruel, for it was a large wolf, which Sigehelm thought a warg, and it was critically injured. We continued upon our way, my thoughts were with the warg that lay now a carcass waiting for the carrion to peak and scavenge away at. Finally, we arrived at Entwade. We didn't stay for long, however, as we wished to get home more than ever now. My thoughts were shifted from their rambling when Sigehelm had spoke.
"Oh, I cannot wait to tell mother and Burgwyn of our exploits and stories in Wildermore, perhaps my poem will be fit into song of my glory when I am upon my deathbed." He smiled, chuckling. Father and I both shook our heads, turning our attention to our farmhouse as we saw it. I quickly ran towards it, and there mother was, speaking to Burgwyn. They both ran to me as I approached them, embracing me softly. "Oh, we're so glad you three are back home! I suppose you will need rest before you tell us both of your exploits and glory that you earned. Go, my little rider, and gain some rest!" I smiled at her, then went inside to go sleep. I am so glad that we're back home. So glad indeed.
