A long journey made shorter by its beauty

After taking care of a few other jobs in Ost Forod, I returned to Tinnudir. Ferrod asked me to make the long trek around the lake to the Eavespires to see how the people there fared. I was more than willing since such a journey would surely grant me the opportunity to take in much more of the beautiful country.

I was not disappointed. I came to a large hill bursting with white impatiens that overlooked a valley to the east. The flowers' beauty and fragrance made me linger far too long, walking amongst them as the sun shone down upon us. I finally had to leave, but I picked just a few of them to bring with me, their scent making my step a little lighter.


After a long walk, I came to the Even-rills, a most breathtaking sight! No less that three waterfalls crashed together into a pool that fed the lake with its flowing water. I scampered up the slick rocks on the western bank so that I could better see its wonder.

So much flowing water, and yet the vision is hardly changed! Three walls of continuously moving water fall, but other than the mighty roar caused by the cascade of water crashing into the pool, you might almost think it was only a painting above your hearth.




Seeing that the pool was surprisingly still, I climbed down the bank and waded out into its center. The sun fell behind the cliffs, giving a twilight luminescence to everything around. The water reflected everything in its gaze so deeply! I stayed until after dusk, dancing about in the water, feeling its cool touch on my skin.


Thankfully, the evening was warm, and I did not feel a chill from my wet clothes as I headed down the shore of the lake to the Eavespires. I was within sight of the camp, but was so entranced by the view out over the lake, I decided to have a swim before I reported in for the night. It had been a long journey, and I knew I would need rest before I began my skulking anyway.

With Light,
Kaleigh

Bountiful Harvesting!

It turns out there were many bandits wanted in Ost Forod for their treacherous deeds and skulking. What better way to ingratiate myself to the people here than by rooting out those who had committed crimes against them?

I first set off after Bill Tripper who was rumored to be holed up with his bandit friends in an old ruin named Tham Varan. I skulked far inside the ruin and found him walking about near a pool of water. Justice was served!


Next, I went after crafty Andy Idden, said to be hiding out in the ruins of Tham Andalath. Upon scouting the ruin, I realized with dismay that with so many lookouts posted, I would never be able to skulk inside properly! Just to be thorough, I decided to circle the ruin one last time to be sure there was not a back way in that I might have overlooked.

As luck would have it, I found a breach in the wall that I could barely reach if I jumped as high as I possibly could! I grabbed onto the ledge and scrambled up as quietly as I was able. Peering inside to make sure no one heard me, I spotted the criminal skulking about with his pet nearby. I dropped to the ground inside the ruin and crept over to him. Another bounty would soon be claimed!
Finally, I went in search of Harry Hinchcliffe, whose last known whereabouts were far to the north, near Cirith Rihw. I found his camp of bandits and observed their comings and goings until I had learned all of their patrols and how often they passed by. Treading very carefully, I was able to skulk to a tree close by to where he kept watch, but there were too many others that would see me if I tried to get any closer.

I thought for a few minutes and decided to pull a shenanigan that I had not used in a very long time. I whistled softly at him and, when he saw me, I smiled and beckoned for him to come over to where I stood behind the tree. I just hoped he fell for it.

He looked around, then smiled and ambled over. He started to speak, but I put my finger to his lips and pulled him further behind the tree. Thankfully, he allowed me to do this and did not notice as my hand moved to the dagger on his belt. I hate to resort to such trickery, but I had to think fast and no other solution came to mind at the time. Anyway, the deed was done and the bounty would be mine!

A sense of loss...

As I wander the countryside near Tinnudir completing the many tasks I have been given, I am awed by the number of large ruins I come across. Even in their current state, they bear a regality that is striking and a beauty that lingers to this very day.

I am ashamed to admit that my ignorance of our history and times of long ago is appalling. I cannot imagine how wonderful it would have been to see these structures in all of their splendor. The men who built them long ago must have been very great, indeed. It makes one wonder how it came to pass that they faded from existence, with only haunting relics to remind us that they once lived, and magnificently at that, I must believe.

I am sent to Ost Forod where I am to continue my efforts. I must say, however, that my welcome here has not been the most friendly I have ever experienced. I suppose I will just have to earn the peoples' trust! Take care, friends!

With Light,
Kaleigh

Raiding the Tomb Raiders!

Upon returning to Tinnudir, I was sent to a ruin across the Brandywine, where some tomb-robbing bandits had holed up. I was to recover whatever relics they had stolen and try to eliminate their leaders. As I was swimming across the river, I realized this was the same ruin that I had stopped to gaze at from the road when I first came to Evendim. I will make sure that it is no longer a refuge for scoundrels, I will!

They had many scouts keeping watch over the river, so I swam further south before coming onto shore. I skirted the edge of the ruin, skulking around to the back while trying to keep flat against the hillside to avoid being seen. With luck, I was able to infiltrate the rear of the camp.


Carefully climbing atop the ruins of a broken column, I spied one of the bandit leaders skulking about and made short work of him! I crept further back into the camp, hiding in one of the tents until another of the leaders appeared. Since I am not one to play favorites, I am afraid he received the same treatment as the first.

I recovered many artifacts and brought them back to Tinnudir, eager to be given my next assignment.

With Light,
Kaleigh

The end of my holiday... almost (Part 3)

I reached the rangers' camp by nightfall and reported in for duty. Many of them had errands for me to run but wished me to first speak with someone named Ferrod. I found him by one of the many campfires and told him I was ready to help out in any way he wished.

He smiled and said, "Kaleigh, you have neglected our captain for far too long. He wishes to speak with you but is a long way off. You will have to make quite a journey to find him, and the way is hidden and rather difficult. Can you stand a little more time away from us before beginning your skulking anew?" Many of the rangers nearby had a good laugh at this. Apparently, someone has been telling stories about me!


He certainly did not need to ask twice! After he shared with me what secret roads to walk and of the way-signs to guide me, I was off on my long journey to Rivendell, a secret haven of the elves. It was a long road, but I finally came to the pass that led down into the gorgeous valley below. To see it bathed in starlight and the light of the moon was breathtaking. I vowed to start my journey back sometime in the early morning, so that I might also see it gleaming in the sun. I only hope to be invited to return again sometime, so that I might linger a bit longer in this enchanted place and take it all in.




I found the captain, Strider, who began to show me some of his battle plans for the months ahead. I tried to follow along, but I do not have the mind for things of such grand scale. Strider also sent me to speak with Master Elrond, whom I am sure I bothered to no end with my lack of manner and grace! I excused myself at the first opportunity, so that I might return to see a charming old hobbit whom I had chanced upon earlier. We played a game of riddles that was quite delightful!

My errands here were concluded all too soon, and I was off again on the long journey back to Evendim. I felt such a peace and saw such beauty just in the little time I was able to spend in Rivendell. May that feeling carry me long down the road with a skip in my step!

With Light,
Kaleigh

The end of my holiday... almost :P (Part 2)

Well, for one thing, it would not be fair!

Having been born without the heart of a lion in no way validates abdicating my share of the responsibility of fighting for what is right to those who were. The gift that the rangers and all such men give us by using the talents and heart they possess to rage against the evil of the world is unfathomable. I can think of no greater insult to them or their gift than to take it for granted and not help out in whatever small way I can.

The other thing, of course, is that it comes down to numbers. Such people, such heroes are counted among the very few. If only there were tens of Aggy's, hundreds of Saerdan's, and thousands of Halbarad's for every Kaleigh instead of the opposite! Our victory would be swift and sure! But such is not the way of things, I am afraid.

Even so, I have to believe that if the lesser ones of us, like me, do their part, we ease the burden that the greater ones must bear. It would not be right to shirk the little responsibilities that I can actually meet when so many others do their part. By doing so, perhaps I can even claim to have a small part in their success! Maybe one of my small deeds, with the passing of time and the changing tide of the battle, may end up being a key factor in something of much greater significance. You never know :)

I realized that I must be off. I slowly stood up and looked around the field one last time, then made my way toward Tinnudir.






The land around Lake Evendim is possessed with such beauty that I took rest many times throughout the remainder of the journey to take it all in, but I was sure to not to linger too long. After a swim in the lake and lying on the shore to dry, I was ready to finally meet with the rangers and start my struggle anew!

With Light,
Kaleigh

The end of my holiday... almost

I went to see Hal Gamgee the next morning. He, his friend (who kept dropping apple peels in my hair!), and I had a pleasant chat about the many places that we all had seen. Then Hal mentioned some rangers he knew that were stationed to the north, near Lake Evendim. He was concerned about how they were faring.

My conscience, which had begun to gnaw away at me a while ago, took a mighty bite now! I knew what the rascal was up to, of course. He was hoping that I would check in on them. I realized that now was the time to renew my struggle, such that it is, against the darkness and shadow. I clasped Hal on the shoulder and said I would start making my way up there that day. He and his friend were so happy that they even let me eat some apples with them, instead of just wearing them!






I figured the rangers would have much for me to do once I arrived, so I knew I had this one last journey to myself. Why not make the most of it, I thought. North of Oatbarton, I found a field of dazzling golden wildflowers and spent far too long there dancing in the sun and taking in their fragrance and the surrounding beauty. My energy gone for a bit, I collapsed amongst them and gazed into the bluest of skies, rays of sunshine cascading all around me.


My heart was healed, my spirit renewed. It was another example of the cycles of life, I realized. Facing the darkness and shadow of the world will always bring one down eventually, if they have no rest or respite from it. It will always be a process to heal from the wounds and fatigue that such a life will inevitably place upon you. Is there anyone living among us who truly has no limit to the burden they can bear? I cannot believe so, not even amongst the most noble of the rangers, not even their captain.

Learning one's limits is a most important part of self-discovery and vital to life itself. I thought of Aggy and how we held fast on the Trestlebridge, turning back the orcs. I hope that she has found some rest, as I have. I realize now that I had bent quite a bit under the burden I had carried and came far closer to my breaking point than I had imagined. I took a moment to give thanks for all those of stronger will who are able to bear so much more than I can.

Then the thought came into mind that, since I am able to bear so little compared to these, why bother with the smallest of wars that I wage? I could, after all, stay here and make a life for myself.


I buried my face in the wildflowers, feeling the warm grass beneath me and the sunshine hot on my neck...

Kaleigh