{--- Continued from part 1 ---}
I'm ashamed to admit that when I awoke the following morning I had a bad head, the Elven wine is stronger than the stuff Barmy sells at the Dragon.
I was out taking the air to clear the fuzzy feeling when I bumped into an Elven Lad who introduced himself as Bailinn. He told me that Carlyon had asked him to seek me out and that I should begin training as soon as possible.
I had no idea what the training would be, he was a little, now what was the word Carlyon used? "obtuse" that's it.
Bailinn told me to meet him at Dawn the next day outside Lord Elrond's house and my lessons would begin.
The rest of the day was pleasant, there was a feeling of Summer was approaching. The days had been growing steadily longer and the air had the smell of fresh green plants. I hoped Trumble had got the early crop earthed up and the main crop of taters in the ground already.
I wrote a letter to Rowana Fairborn explaining my absence from The Shire and why I was unable to attend meetings of The Grand Order of the Lost Mathom. I told her I had some business away from The Shire and that it was a matter that would help to safeguard our homes.
I hope she understands.
The following dawn was a chill one, the wind was blowing from the high peaks overlooking Imladris.
I met with Bailinn at the agreed meeting place. He seemed disinterested in the task he had been given, to teach me to be a Minstrel.
He had me playing scales and strumming, finger plucking and recalling small tunes he had only hummed to me moments before.
This went on for four hours and he looked more and more bored as the minutes passed. I became downhearted and wondered if Carlyon had been wrong in choosing me.
Bailinn suggested we take a break in our lessons and I leapt at the chance to have a bite to eat. As I started on the fruitcake and cheese I had in my pack Bailinn picked up my lute and started to play.
The tune was simple, but suggested much more. A fast flowing river, horses running, open plains and wooded hilsides. Not a word was spoken and yet the story was told.
After I had finished my scant meal I spoke with Bailinn, I asked him why he taught others. He told me it was his calling. Whilst some Minstrels travel and raise the hearts of their fellows, he had been chosen to make sure they would know the tunes and songs of power.
He handed my lute back to me and told me to play The Shire. Not the tunes or songs of The Shire, but a picture of what The Shire is painted with music.
I took the lute from him and played. I thought about my farm in Frogmorton and the Green Dragon, the bustle of Michel Delving and the slow pace of life at Stock and all the while my fingers plucked and strummed the lute strings.
Bailinn sat bolt upright as I finished and nodded, "Now I will teach you" He said.
True to his word, he has. I am now a Minstrel and my songs are more than songs. I am still learning some of the more complex tunes but Bailinn has told me they are complex because they can revive the weariest of fellow and make fear a distant memory.
I received a package this morning. It had travelled all the way from The Shire wrapped in blue cloth. Anysia had sent me a harp. Not just any harp, this is the most beautiful harp I have ever seen. Unlike the harps the Elves play this harp is Hobbit sized and I can reach all the strings. I am going to ask Bailinn to listen to me play it tomorrow.
I shall try to speak with you as much as I can Dear Diary, but time slips by so fast.
