It’s almost relaxed that Lusseriel was sitting in the stable near her horse. The black creature was beautiful and a wonderful companion. Near her feet, Mrs Hops was munching on some hay that came from the horse feed.
Lusseriel patted the animal’s head and decided to pick up her diary and only stopped long enough to glare at a far too curious stable-hand until he got the message and left.
“Today I found my companions again. Well most of them.
I had to enter Eaworth to find Brunnadan, Ardirien, Ilthirian and master Rolegard. Along with, of course, Horn, Corudan and Nona.
Ardirien told me she was glad I found them, but really they weren’t exactly hard to find, they don’t exactly travel discreetly.
Also we seem to have misplaced Andrahir. Apparently he left Ilthirian a note saying that he received a message from one of his kinsmen and he went to get news.
I hope he’ll enjoy traveling on his own as much as I did. It’s terribly relaxing not to have to worry about your travel companions. More so when you decide to help the isolated orcs you cross path with on their way to assisted suicide. I mean, if whatever you do can only influence yourself it’s far easier to live with it than if whatever you do can influence your friends too.
I have to say, a few days alone in the wild, trying to avoid both orcs and men were far more relaxing than the dinner the Reeve invited us to, not that I was regretting coming back at the time but... A teeny tiny bit yes. Apparently Horn and his father are quite at odd, and Horn’s sister is a helpless… Person.
I wonder why anyone can think it a good idea to keep a member of their family helpless and unaware of the political happenings. How is that even making sense for safety’s sake? What if the town gets attacked and she ends up the only surviving member of her family? How does anyone expect her to be even remotely useful if she’s just kept unaware? Is she supposed to stay waiting forever for the return of a dead man? Just to avoid bruising her delicate feelings?
I’ll never understand men I guess. I’m glad to say, someone else did the talking. We might have ended up in jail if I had, and I have no shame in admitting that.
The only good thing that came out of the Reeves’ mouth this whole evening is the information that one Eomer rode after the Uruks we’re seeking.
But by the time we all gathered outside the Meadhall… Nona was gone.
First Andrahir then Nona… I couldn’t help it, that reminded me of an old mannish song about a shepherd who tried and failed to herd his sheep and lost them one at a time… Very fun song, but… I’m not quite sure everyone has my sense of humor.
Thankfully I’m not quite sure either that anyone paid attention to it. Or recognized the song, whichever. I wouldn’t have wanted to annoy everyone as soon as I join them again.
We separated to look for Nona. And in the end we gathered at one of the city’s gates… where a guard told us that Horn went to the cliff.
He had Nona’s sword, but Nona herself was gone. Well I have full confidence that she’ll be alright. Probably. Maybe. If she’s careful.
Alright, I give, what kind of utter idiot gives up her weapon and disappears in a land where the orcs, wild animals AND INHABITANTS would rather see her dead than alive?!
At least I can say that none of my friends ever did something quite that idiotic. Let’s just hope it won’t give them ideas for next time…"
Lusseriel stopped writting a moment, looking toward Ardirien's horse thoughtfully.
"Anyway future considerations aside, that man, Eomer came back into the city, and told us that he’s met others who were looking for the Uruks, at least we know that Aragorn and his companions are alive still.
Apparently no Uruks escaped alive, which is honestly the best way to treat with orcs of any kind. For more information, he told us to go to the place their burnt the orcs.
We decided to make our way there. Hopefully Andrahir will join us before we enter the forest. Because with our general luck I just know we’ll go in and explore.
At least not all the trees are out to kill visitors. Just some of them.
Also… We discovered that Brunnadan speaks an interesting version of Quenya, apparently taught to him by the elves of Lothlorien… That man and his mysteries... One of these days I'll find a way to talk to him out of earshot of everyone and I'll get those answers!!
Ilthirian seemed to have had things to say on the matter too, so I might have to approach her about it. We might have better luck catching him alone if we both try.
But, back to the interesting point of geography here... if or when we go in the forest, I wonder if Ilthirian would end up adopting a Huorn. Some of them are rather friendly after all, and Ilthirian likes trees so…"
Lusseriel sighed and rolled her eyes as Mrs Hops munched on a piece of the diary that she just happened to take a bite of.
"And if something in there or at least around there appears to be a very real danger to us, would anyone object if I used Mrs Hops as bait to get us out of trouble? Well, would someone else than master Rolegard object that is?
Because yes, the rabbit is still there and not yet a stew, lucky me. Or… I wonder how master Rolegard would react if I was to… Somehow… hide Mrs Hops in his own pack. Hm… That might be an idea…”
Lusseriel grabbed the rabbit and placed her with some hay in her rabbit travel bag and prepared to leave, seeing that a few of her companions were already gone.
