It had been several years since Silver had last set foot in Eriador, longer still since she had been in Bree-Land specifically, but despite the fact that she'd had not even the slightest inkling of a desire to return in that time, she found herself here now.
The huge hedge that marked the boundary of Bree itself came into view, causing a thinning of her lips. As if sensing his riders' consternation, Steel tossed his head and snorted. Silver tore her gaze away from the looming wall of green and laid her hand to his thick, warm neck.
"I know," she murmured to him. "I remember."
Remember she did, for good or ill, her departure of this place. It had been so full of promise, of freedom, of new beginnings and old reconnections. It had been a somewhat inauspicious departure, given the circumstances, and yet the future had seemed so bright..
Of course, she'd had no way of knowing what manner of tragedy would await her. Or how, despite her efforts and enthusiasm to integrate into a group, she would feel the overwhelming need to return to solitude in the wake of such grief and one too many lines crossed.
Now, she was back.
It wasn't so much full circle as some kind of perilous spiral, each jagged step inevitably leading back to this place. That, however, was entirely her own fault for basing her ever-expanding business out of Evendim. To get there, she needed to pass here.
That was the crux of the situation, really. The roads from the south to the north were long and generally hostile. She had mitigated most of the danger by either paying off, or making deals with, the various bandits groups along the empty leagues, or through straight up subterfuge. Her men and goods were kept safe, and the bandits didn't have to endanger themselves for a few coppers. Everyone was happy.
For the most part, any new gangs would be either absorbed, or killed, by the larger, more established groups, keeping a comfortable status quo. Not this time, however.
Like a particularly stubborn flea on a dog, this one little group had refused to be eradicated. The locals had been unable to locate them, and their ambushes were so expertly enacted that even her more seasoned couriers were unable to see them coming. This had prompted her to, reluctantly, return to the north to see to matters herself.
Just a few days, maybe a week, and she'd be able to leave this sorry place behind again. There was nothing here for her anymore. There hadn't been for a long time.
