I do not recall who suggested I started a journal of my thoughts and happenings, but here I am. I picked up this wretched little book and the things I write with at the market today. It was suggested I do this to deal with the sorrows that plague me. I do not think it will help.
I think I will start this off with some mere observations:
The people of this part of the land are strange; simple and ignorant. It is true, back home, we are a simple people, however we seem to remain more connected with each other than the people of this land do, as if the men of Bree pride themselves in ignorance of the outside world. You mention orcs and you get laughed at. Orcs are no laughing matter.
I do not intend to stay here long. Perhaps earn some coin, familiarize myself with the land and learn what I can and just move along.
I befriended, or so it seems, as I do not like the word friend, a strange man whose name I do not recall. I met him initially over a pint when he was socializing, and I made a quip about badgers being the worst danger in this land. I do not recall exactly as my mind was in a haze of ale, as usual.
I met him again a few days later, about a week or so, and he was with two women. One departed and I took her stead in the conversation. We spoke briefly, yet his lady who was with child promptly fell ill and forced a swift departure.
I met him once more this day and had a casual conversation with him. He first asked me if I had found any lovely women in these lands, to which my disgusted answer was a swift NO! He is a clever man, I admit, and he seemed to pick up quickly on which I take great care to conceal. He asked me if I had found any lovely lads. The poor fellow almost wore the ale I was drinking, as I nearly drowned and choked on it. He had me figured out swifter than any others I have met. The smirk he gave me afterwards was... curious. He said he and is lady were not a conventional couple. I am most curious now.
He asked what brought me here and seems to know of, and perhaps even share the same pain, or at least similar, to what I bear. Unfortunately I had to depart quickly, but he has invited me to dine with him and his lady at some point to discuss things a bit more. I gladly will take him up on this offer. I would say getting to know the locals may benefit me in my stay here, but he is an Eorling like I.
Other than that I nearly took off a man's head. Or... I wish I did. The people of this land do not treat their horses as we do, it disgusts me. I witnessed a man drag a poor horse using a harsh rope wrapped around its neck and up into its mouth and beating it with a stick. It was a stocky stallion of the draft sort. I engaged the man and shouted many insults at him and threatened him a good deal. I was about to draw back and hit him for defending the abuse of this horse, but the Watcher's decided to intervene and shooed the man off, turning to yell at me as if I was in the wrong. That poor horse. I think I shall earn enough coin to purchase him. I do not know what I would do with two horses, as I still have my own steed. Perhaps find a poor farmer who is kind of heart to animals and gift him to a good home.
Night draws in and my eyes grow heavy. Tomorrow I shall go hunt and sell what I gain in the market and look for odd jobs I can do. Sleeping on the forest floor is inviting an ache and a chill into my old bones.
