Settling down peacefully before the fire in the Pony with my quill in hand seems like such a decadent pleasure, and one I had thought to never know again. Yet here I am, having been proven wrong yet again. As my sister Xandilif has said on many occasions, "If Xanderian proclaims the skies fair, wear a cloak." It seems there may be more truth in that then I would prefer.
Young Hawke has just said his farewells, after his fashion, and gone forth to try his luck yet again on the rough streets that have been his home for so very long. I worry for him, of course, yet I have faith in his sense and skills. It is no easy feat to have come through all that he has survived. Soon, these streets will be but a memory for him and I rejoice not only in seeing his gaze lift from the cobblestones at last, but that he has trusted myself and my compatriots with guiding him towards his destiny. He is not prepared to say what that destiny could be, but at least he has finally admitted it does not await him in Begger's Alley. His uncertainty is for the best I think, since if he knew the true, beautiful vista that awaits him, he would balk and I would be hard pressed to bring him out of his slum warren again.
He had been speaking when I arrived with the watchful Cesistya, my silent cousin who has so long haunted the Pony. She and I agreed to disagree some days ago, in the company of her young friend Jade, regarding the nature and necessity of violence. Though our views cannot be reconciled, it fills me with gladness to know there are still those among my folk who hold to such beautiful ideals as does the watchful one, even as I grieve slightly that the peace and wisdom of her nature shall likely never be my own. Perhaps in time, I may be able to lay my arms down at least for a while, but my heart doubts that time will come. We each have a role to play, a destiny...and mine will ever be as it has been, a soldier fighting battles near and far, that never seem to cease.
Regarding these battles, I have begun hearing whispers, now that I am returned to Bree, of the scoundral Mans of Kheledul and his foul trade. I found traces of his work in the Gladden Fields far away, after having hoped he was dead. Now again, I eavesdrop upon a small party of adventurers, including a new friend called Addie, and learn of a small party of Angmarim bearing a weapon of the enemy down hidden trails. Even as I write that brief, overheard description, it reeks of the Dourhand chieftain and his Angmarim masters.
Amongst these adventurers was a Son of Numenor who did not give me his name, a freebooter who professed to seek out this party for the riches that may be stolen from them. I have seen his kind before, gruff and sly and ready for battle at a moment's notice, loudly stating for any to hear that they only care about themselves and their next meal. However when I warned him of the dangers of taking the dogs of Angmar at face value, he stated he did not care if he endangered himself, but would not treat so lightly the lives of his comrades, including friend Addie and another woman. I believed him, for I sensed a quality of nature within him that he was loathe to expose in the common room of the Pony. He is not all he seems to be. This freebooter and his party will bear further observation, and I offered him my services when they decide to assail this "opportunity" as the freebooter called it and warned him of the Dourhand. Whether he accepts that aid and caution is another question entirely.
Also noticed in the Pony was a woman of Breeland who has been charged with the delicate task of tending and minding the many Barrels that stand about the place. Considering the thirst of many of the locals for Ale, this is no mean responsibility and it was clear in our conversation she is of serious mind and powerful virtue. She said her name was Leohna, and that she served a local warlord that she called Andress. As I do not recognize the name as amongst the local brigand chieftains, I am satisfied that he is of no danger to her. Still, she is another that bears further observation as I continue to linger in Breetown.
So many new faces yet so many old, side by side...the passage of time will forever confuse me.
Before concluding I must speak on those matters which fill my heart, and at times make me feel as if my soul may leap from my body to sail unfettered beneath the moon.
My beloved Cyndwin the Golden, my Aza and dearest companion, has indeed returned to me, though we are none the wiser regarding the nature of her disappearance, save that it may have something to do with the curious blue Gem she had discovered in Moria some time ago (See Fragment - Xan's Chronicler). For now, simply having her in my arms again is all that matters, safe and unharmed, but as time passes I know the need to address this mystery will grow stronger and stronger.
As we spoke the morning following her return in the Chamber of Stars, she confessed with sadness that the blue gem was no longer amongst her effects, which seemed most suspicious as since finding it, she had never been apart from it.
Then yesterday, as we spent the night bathing in the river near Bree at our favorite spot, she noticed in the moonlight that the Gem had not abandoned her after all, and was now apparently embedded in the hilt of her greatsword to her amazement and mine. I had seen her wield that blade countless times and had never beheld that gem before, and could feel, somewhere in the heart of the weapon, a change.
I have searched what scholarly works I may but find no reference to any such gem connected to the ancient lore of Khazad Dum or elsewhere. I think therefore in the coming days we all may decamp for fair Imladris. I have sent a message to one of my folk who is most learned in gemcraft and such magics called Hemeldir. We had been acquainted of old when I trained in fair Imladris, and it may be that the question of this blue gem is enough to pique his curiosity, despite whatever distaste he may now feel for myself. It will also do Hawke good I think to spend some time in Rivendell, to begin to open his mind further to possibilities. I had taken him there but briefly that we might have some privacy to speak, but now a longer stay may be in order as Cyndwin and I pursue this mystery.
Beyond that, there is another avenue of knowledge that will soon be at our disposal. Fillegedhiel of Dol Amroth is indeed returning to Bree and to our fellowship. I received notice from a provisioner on the long road from the Dwarven holds that she did pass that way and bid him send me word that she was safe and preparing to make the treacherous passage as soon as the snows had broken. Writing those words fills me with sheer joy, for she was the first soul I trusted in Bree, the first true friend I made after the long darkness. When first I could muster the strength to reach out again after all those long years of youthful mourning, it was her hand that first gripped mine and despite her absence I have never released it. The tender sisterhood between myself, Fille and Cyndwin is like a light before my feet no matter the shadow I walk through.
She has spent so long learning the craft of the Smith from the Dwarves that I am sure she will have some wisdom to impart concerning this strange gem. I have just finished, before arriving back in Bree for the night, overseeing the installation of a proper forge in the House of Three Graces so that she might continue her studies and craft in safety and comfort.
Before I conclude this entry, I must touch briefly upon my sister the Banshee. After more then a year of silence, I finally contacted her and bore the brunt of her rage and concern. Eventually once she stopped yelling I was able to impart most of my news unto her. As is her nature, she is unconvinced concerning the facts of Cyndwin's disappearance and has sworn that "after giving Lhaereth another proper punch up the backside I will come give your Shieldstrumpet a hiding if she be lying". My sister has some small forgecraft herself and as she has extensive experience with certain dark magics and weapons of the enemy, Xandilif too may be a useful resource...if she can allow herself to be.
Now with tasks to undertake I set down my quill...filled with a sense of well being. I truly feel Elbereth's favor once more, and feel ready to face any evil that may confront myself or my companions.
