Cancelled Travels
The Golden Perch, Stock in the Shire
22nd March
Oh, Book, what a wonderful time at The Lair! Naneth and Ada (well, and the entire Household) hosted Mereth Nethlad, and what a wonderful time we had! Visitors, games, food, and music – Elves, Dwarves, Men and Hobbits – and even new friends!
Naneth is keeping her promise, and she told Ada and Ardanion that we were setting out for Rivendell, with stops in Hobbiton and Bree to see the Spring Festivals there. As it happened, the boys set out the day before, and Naneth and I rode off together. The Delving Fields Race was fun! We laid up at the Golden Perch in Stock, and rode into Bree the next day, to find Ada had already gotten us rooms at the Scholar’s Hostel at Low Gate.
But I have to put this down in writing, Book. When we were all at the Festival Horsefields – well, all but Ardanion, who took his leave and went to Pembroke to visit Aunt Caladna and Uncle Claywick, and Cousin Calvin - anyway, there was a rollicking good band of minstrels that set the crowd dancing, and even Naneth was kicking up her heels!
Well, the band began playing a song, and a singer was telling the story of Beren and Luthien; a story older than old, I know, but these folks worded it in a different way, almost like a lament. At least, that’s how Naneth took it…
You see, Ada and I were standing together, and Naneth came to join us – but the look on her face, Book! Ada was holding both our hands, and it would’ve been a nice sweet moment together, but I happened to glance over to Naneth…
…and there were tears! I whispered to Ada, and he looked at her face, concern in his eye when he looked back at me. He mouthed to me, “I’ll find out soon,” and I left it at that. We left for home that very night and made it as far as Adso’s Place before stopping. We camped there, but Naneth sat by the fire and hardly spoke. We went on the next day, and here we are at the Perch again – this is where I’m writing to you now, Book. We’re pushing hard tomorrow, due to start out before dawn and ride hard until we get back to Falathlorn.
Then, maybe Ada can get some answers…
