I must wonder if he did it on purpose. I must wonder if he knew precisely what he sought. I must wonder if he led me there for a reason.
Arugru and I walked today, as we often do. Usually he will head toward Bree or pass by to go further west or north, depending on his mood. This day, however, he struck out east as soon as we left the bounds of Pemberth.
He stayed ahead of me, which is unusual. On a normal day he will walk by my side or slightly behind me as if to be certain that I remain entirely safe until such a time as we reach our destination. He kept ahead of me, though, causing me to pick up my pace until I was almost chasing him through the countryside. To my surprise, he headed straight for the Forsaken Inn, and right in through the door when a patron came outside for some air. As much as I dislike that establishment, I followed him inside and downstairs. He disappeared into the gloom of the basement and I was forced to check each room for he did not come to my calls. When I found him I knew not what to think.
She was standing there, her form barely lit by the dim flame of a single candle. She was standing there, stiff and nervous as she looked down at my companion. At first I knew not who she might be, although she seemed familiar. Her voice, when at last she spoke, struck a chord of memory within me, but her words pushed the unformed thoughts from my mind. She asked me if I had finally come to kill her.
I stared, dumbfounded, as she turned to reveal herself to me. I remembered her then, as she remembered me. We spoke at length. I managed to convince her that I meant her no harm, but even when I left much later it seemed that she did not believe me entirely.
She had been in the desert, she said, and she had seen me there. To what end or purpose she did not say, nor did she explain her continued unease around my dear Arugru. All I know for certain is that she believes someone is after her, that she wishes to lay aside her weapons and will do so when her current business is concluded, and that I am the first to have seen her.
Marinette is back in Eriador and I know not what to make of it. She is a friend and I am glad that she is well. Her return heralds the end of this abominable waiting and a part of me is glad for that also. For all that, though, I feel guilt for what has occured with my Wolf and apprehension for the choice he must soon make.
I want this to be over, but I dread it all the same.
