Been a while where I weren't goin' so often to the Pony on account there was supper waitin' for me back home, now Lumina lives there with me, but she been away a little while now doin' some business of her own -- not sure what, maybe her healer work. So I'm back to having supper at the Pony most nights, and sometimes lunch too, and so I been seein' other folk, which has been nice. Makes the days feel warm, now that autumn's runnin' down into winter and there's precious little warm left.
I got to be there when some the Dwarves, Maurr (what I still owe his kerchief back) and Maddoct, come back from their journeys (seems Blida is still on the road but comin' back soon too). And saw Miss Taite, what I got to call on soon to settle the price and such about the horse blankets and pick up Lumina's knittings, and I've seen Miss Gustine and Mister Theo, what we had over for supper just a few days afore Lumina left. And I met a fair nice traveler called Finchley too, and a Dunlending healer called Huweda. It's been right merry with cheer.
Then there was the night I saw Miss Marnewyn. I'd gone to call on her in Bindrow to see what she could tell me about where Miss Adri been, and there'd been a letter from her, and Miss Marnewyn let me read it, even bought my supper while I did, even though I'm so slow at readin'. Turns out Adri's down in the Mark still; funny her bein' there and me here, ain't it? And she's seen Miss Brynleigh, so at least now I know where she went. And the bit what surprised me most is Miss Syaven is down there to, and it's on account she's from there. All that time I knew her and didn't know she were Eorling! Well, not like I knew her that well. We danced one time at a ball, and I sent her a letter with a carved bird in it once, and that's really all. I reckon that bird got sold or left behind, carryin' it all that way seems silly. Anyhow, I wrote a letter for Miss Marnewyn to send with her next to Miss Adri, all full of my terrible writin' as I couldn’t ask Lumina for to look it over and help me fix it. It prob'ly won't go until spring, though, as it's like to be too late for anyone to bear letters now, unless they go Dunland way.
And I also saw Leonnie, what's back in the Bree-land area after some journeys of her own. That were nice at least until we got to the part where she hadn't heard as Miss Brynleigh had left, and I had to be the one to tell her. Back when I were new to Bree-land Miss Brynleigh had been the only Eorling I met, and then my master in the stables, and for a long while my closest friend, I thought; so it tore me up bad when things atween us got cold. But I were never half so close to her as Leonnie were, so the news hurt her a lot worse. I wish I knew how to make it better, but I am just a blundersome ox when it comes to such things. (Well, most things.)
There's also been a minstrel been playin' her lute sometimes in the common room, and that's a real nice thing on account I just been sayin' how the Pony's not had no music, and I ain't heard any at all, in a long while, other'n Lumina's box what plays music. Harvestmath were a right disappointment with no music and no dancin' and no merriment. Hearin' this minstrel play makes me wish Lumina were there so's I could dance with her, somethin' I long wanted for to do. She ain't been gone that long, but I'm sore missing her. A few nights after the storm, we had a terrible row, had me up on the roof wonderín' if she'd even be there when I come back in in the mornin', but we made up afore mornin' even come. It were all just a misunderstandin' about why I can't go Dunland way if'n we ever go to the Mark, and how that's not about Dunlendings being bad folk -- they're just protectin' their homes against what they think is a long-time enemy. Still, atween that fight, then me bein' hurt from the storm, and now her bein' away, I'm rememberin' how lonely things was afore she come. Hookworth is even more quiet now than afore the storm, and it feels like I'm the only one there when I'm there. The house is chill and lonesome, and the nights are cold.
But at least the next day the Pony is full of merriment and music and good folk of late, and so the house seemin' cold and empty by night ain't so bad. And she'll be back one day soon. My jar of dried pepper will last a while longer, and I been keepin' one her necklaces in my pocket to remind me of her (though I'm scared, what if I lost it?). I don't know when she'll be back, or I'd be countin' the days. Until then, it's good as Bree is welcomesome and full of people what seem glad to see me. If it's to be my only home it's good as it feels like one.
