((Sywyn keeps a record of various herbs and plants he comes across which may have some future use, some few others also have access to his herb book to make additional notes.  Full size version - http://i1009.photobucket.com/albums/af220/Sywyn/arnica-1.jpg))

I held the knife tightly in my grasp.

I had cause and intent to use it in order to bring myself some relief. I knew how I would feel afterwards, how much lighter my burden would be and I welcomed that sensation of weight lifted. Yet, I did not use it. I placed the blade down upon my table instead.

My thoughts drifted back to forgivness once more, and the nature of it.

Is there anything that cannot be forgiven, I wonder? Is there a single act of indecency that one cannot let go?

Oaths, vows, given-words, bindings. What is a true Man without them? They prove us, like yeast in the bread, we rise or fall without them. Shape us, like hard hands chipping stone, revealling the form hidden within. We do not know what we will become when we take them, how they will grow us -or stunt us.

Would he take an oath to Gondor? I told him to consider his response carefully. Was being oathsworn to Gondor a price he would pay to accompany me ? - for I will not risk a thing that is not mine.

Oh what joy I feel within my heart this day! We are so blessed, my husband and I. We are to be given a child!

I cannot describe how happy I feel about this news. It is wonderful, simply wonderful. To know that I have Baingol's progeny growing inside me; well, it is an honour.