Say what you need to say

The next day, as I was speaking to those in the camp, I met an elf-maiden named Narlinn. She was worried about a friend who had been assigned to keep watch over the Bruinen Gorges. She believed him to be distracted by his fancy for another elf-maiden from Rivendell and wanted me to see how he fared.

I found the elven scout, Arrod, keeping watch over the road from high above on the hillside. He told me of his wish to find gifts for his love, but he dared not leave his post. Realizing I could help keep the camp safe and have a part in uniting two lovers, I gladly offered to find the gifts that he sought for his beloved.

He first asked for a pristine feather from a hendroval. I looked for nests upon the highest peaks until I found one with such a feather in it. Upon returning it to him, he then asked for a mauve lily. Such flowers are exceedingly rare, and I could only hope to be fortunate enough to find one growing nearby.


I went down to the Ford of Bruinen and headed south to the Blooming Fens. Many wildflowers grew in the area, and I was almost smitten by the beauty of the riverbank and had a dance! I had to refrain, as darkness would come soon, and it would be difficult enough to find such a flower in the sunshine!

As luck would have it, I chanced upon the perfect mauve lily in the Fens! "Such a love must be meant to be!" I thought to myself, joy filling my heart for the two of them.

Upon happily returning to Arrod and offering the lily, I was finally told of the game he had been playing. It seemed that he had been pretending to be smitten with someone else, but it was really Narlinn he had loved all along! Using the hendroval feather and the lily, he crafted a beautiful necklace and asked me to bring it to Narlinn and pledge his undying love to her!

I did as he asked, but Narlinn was not to be fooled! Or, rather, she was already fooled! She did not believe Arrod's heart sang for her, but she instead wished me to bring the necklace to Faimir, Arrod's supposed love in Rivendell! No words of mine could convince her otherwise, so I had no recourse but to bring Arrod's gift back to him.

He was shocked at her disbelief in his regard but wisely chose not to abandon his post to find her, and I left him to his grief. "Perhaps there is a lesson to be learned from this," I thought to myself as I walked away.

With Light,
Kaleigh

Kaleigh Starshine - Skulker Extraordinaire!

I met the sons of Lord Elrond, Elladan and Elrohir, at the camp of Thorenhad in the Bruinen Gorges. They had a chilling tale to tell. It seemed that one of the black riders, powerful agents of the shadow, had escaped a cunning trap Lord Elrond had laid for them. They believed he fled into the southern Trollshaws, but they were not certain. They asked me to seek out doughty warriors in Thorenhad, and any other camps nearby, in order to form a search party that would enter the troll-infested ruins where they believed the rider may be hiding.

I beseeched all I came across to aid me in this task. It was of vital importance that this black rider be found before he could cause more mischief! Unfortunately, my pleas fell upon deaf ears. I understand that all of us struggle in our own way to strike at the shadow, but this was such a vital task! I was quite shocked that I was unable to muster any to it. I am sure, dear friend, that if you had been within earshot of my call, you would have answered. If only you had been there with me.

Eventually, I returned to Elladan and Elrohir to report that I could find no others to aid me in their task. They were quite disappointed, to say the least! Sadly, I realized that, if I could not rally any to such a mission as this, I had best be prepared to make my own way, no matter what may come. I offered to attempt to skulk into the ruins and look for the rider by myself.

They refused, saying it was far too perilous to go alone. And I agreed with them, but I knew it must be done. I excused myself and began the long, treacherous sneak into the southern ruins.



It is all a blur now. Trolls were everywhere, and evil men skulked about in great number. I searched through the remainder of the day and throughout the night. Every last bit of mischief I had learned in my travels, I brought to bear. Sometimes, it even came down to tossing a pebble to make a noise far away, so that I might slip by an archway or guard post undetected.

Eventually, I came into the heart of the ruin, where so many trolls and men lingered, I knew that no degree of skulking would avail me any longer. Wearied from the need to be ever-vigilant, I nearly gave myself away with a loud sigh of despair. I quickly put my hand to my mouth to stifle it and was about to begin the long trek back to Thorenhad, when I caught sight of a very black, gruesome horse lying dead near one of the tents in the camp.

There was no sign of the rider, but I wanted to be sure. I waited a long while for my best chance, then began to creep toward the horse. I was able to get quite near but was spotted! Quickly, I drew my dagger and cut the bridle off the decaying muzzle of the foul beast and ran for my very life!

I know not how I eluded capture or death. I ducked large stones aimed for me and dove past weapons that should have cut me down with a nimbleness and skill I did not know I possessed. It was rather touch and go! At one point, I thought my luck had run out. Trolls and men surrounded me and began to close in. I looked around in terror and cried out in despair. I wished with all my might that I had a safe place to hide! I saw the smallest of crevasses in the face of a large rock nearby and dashed to it, scrunching myself as far in as I could.

It was hopeless to even try, I figured, seeing how much of my body could not be hidden by the shadow of the rock. I waited for death, or worse.

But it never came. Somehow, I had eluded them and was free! After a while, I poked my head out of the fissure to make sure nothing was about. It seemed safe, so I knelt to the ground, tears streaming from my eyes, and gave thanks that I had not been found. I could not help but think that perhaps my tending to the land, and the many ways in which I have tried to honor it, had come full circle, and it had gifted me in return with something far greater.

Still trembling with fear and wonder, I slowly made my way back to Thorenhad. As I walked toward Elladan and Elrohir, concern shone in their eyes. I am sure I must have been a ghastly sight! I reached into my pack and pulled out the black bridle I had recovered from the horse and handed it to them, explaining what had happened.

Elladan rushed over to me and helped me to sit before the fire. Elrohir said, "Kaleigh, you have performed a hero's feat that will be remembered by us and our kin for days unnumbered. We owe you the greatest of debts."

I could tell that they did not give such praise lightly, and to have earned such respect from them filled me with a pride I had never felt before. Sheer exhaustion set in, and I collapsed before the fire, crying until my last tear was spent. Sleep overtook me as I lay at their feet.

With Light,
Kaleigh

Gone trolling!

The next few days were ones of leisure, at least a leisure self-imposed. When I was not trotting Dandelion on the field near the fairgrounds, I took my rest in the Pony or wandered about in town, taking in the sights. It was a wonderful time of healing and an ever so important reminder of what it is that we all wish to save.




Eventually, I made my way south and east of Bree-town, skirting the Marshes, and into the Lone-lands. I was to press on through them and into the Trollshaws, where I would meet my contact.

I came to the Last Bridge, which offered such a lovely view of the river, that I decided to see if I could convince Dandelion to jump up onto one of the stone supports for a better look. She obliged quite willingly!

Afterward, I took a quick swim in the river and was awed by the bridge itself. How these structures are made I will never understand. To even try to ponder such things leaves me a bit dumbfounded at times, but that does not mean I cannot be lost in the wonder of their construction and splendor.


Soon enough, I made it to Barachen's camp, where he and a dwarf named Heithur Ironfist asked me to scout about for some trolls nearby, drive them off, and recover some stones they had stolen. I skulked about the troll camp and recovered many stones, and even managed to strike down a few of the trolls! They are rather large, you know? And quite stinky!

Barachen and Heithur were quite happy with my efforts. They said the sons of Lord Elrond held a camp to the northeast and asked me to report there. I bid my new friends farewell and rode off!

Take care, friends, until our next meeting!

With Light,
Kaleigh

I will never be alone again!

I arrived in Bree-town and made my way to the Prancing Pony for supper and some rest. Seeing the great sign above the door filled me with longing for a horse of my own. I took hold of my coinpurse and was surprised at its heft. I decided I would visit the Hengstacer farm the next day. They are well known for raising the finest horses, and I could only hope that I had enough coin to purchase one.


The next day, I ventured north from Bree-town and past the fairgrounds until I came to the Hengstacer farm. Eogar, the horse-master, took me around the stables, showing me all their lovely horses. They were all so beautiful. To be honest, I wished I could buy every single one! It was a hard decision, but I knew I made the right one when I came to the stall of a gorgeous bay filly who whinnied and pawed the ground as I came close.





It was love at first sight, to be sure! I asked if I could ride her around the farm a bit, and Eogar agreed. I took her outside the stables to have a little more room as she pranced about in the grasses nearby. Finally, I was about to guide her to the gate leading back to the stables, when she decided to bolt toward the fence and jumped it, clearing it by at least a foot!

We pulled up near Eogar, who sighed and said, "Yes, I'm afraid this one has a bit of a wild spirit." I slowly dismounted from the bay and stroked her neck a bit.

"I can show you some others," he called out over his shoulder as he started walking toward the stables. I looked at the bay, who had the most becoming mischievous glint in her eye. She nodded her head, whinnied, and pawed the ground, while staring at me with such deep brown eyes that I could not turn away.

"Oh, no sir! This one will do just fine!" I exclaimed. I gave him nearly all that was in my purse, but she is worth every penny and more! We were already fast friends, and I know that she will be there for me from now on.

With Light,
Kaleigh

Of kings of old

I returned to Tinnudir the next day, only to have the ranger, Calenglad, send me right on back to the opposite side of the lake. I was to meet with an enchantress, an advisor to the kings of old, named Gwindeth. She was said to live in a cave hidden by the waterfall near Rushingdale.

I have to say, I did not mind the long journey. I would walk forever in this place if I had my way. Eventually, after a few detours, I came to Gwindeth's lair. She tested my character in many ways and said she found me worthy.

She offered to lead me into the tomb of a great king from long ago. She said we would find there a stone that was used in times long past to forge the swords of kings. It could be used again should we find someone worthy of wielding such a blade. She told me that the ranger captain, Aragorn, had sought this from her some time ago, but he was unable to assemble a band worthy of entering the old king's tomb, so she sent him away.

Long did I wander the camps around Evendim searching for those that might join me in such a pursuit! To recover such a treasure, forge such a sword, and find one worthy of wielding it would strike a mighty blow to the enemy! Such a person could rally the free peoples under his banner, and all would surely take heart at his coming.

But it was not meant to be. I could find no one willing to set upon this task with me. I returned to Gwindeth with my ill news, and she sent me from her in disgrace. Someone more worthy would have to take up her quest, for I have neither the charisma nor the spirit required to be a leader of men.


Calenglad did not seem overly disappointed. He said that many had sought to appease Gwindeth, only to be found lacking. He asked me to make the long trip back to the Lone-lands and, from there, to cross the Last Bridge into the Trollshaws, where I would find an elf named Barachen who needed aid.

I said my goodbyes to all at Tinnudir and Ost Forod, having decided to make my way to Bree-land and rest for a short while before continuing on.

With Light,
Kaleigh

Beauty and truth

'Beauty is truth, truth beauty, - that is all
Ye know on earth, and all ye need to know.' (1)

This is the ending of an ode written by one of the bards of the land. It is a simple statement, yet so all-encompassing. Can truth be so easily defined?

Another of the great bards wrote:

All truths wait in all things,
They neither hasten their own delivery nor resist it,
They do not need the obstetric forceps of the surgeon.
The insignificant is as big to me as any,
What is less or more than a touch?
Logic and sermons never convince,
The damp of the night drives deeper into my soul.
Only what proves itself to every man and woman is so,
Only what nobody denies is so. (2)

Could this be closer to the "truth", as it were? I cannot say. Such mysteries are beyond my ability to decipher.

I ruminated on these thoughts as I spent the day in the Eave-mere rather than returning to Tinnudir as I should have. In that regard, the "Beauty is truth" argument won out, for I could not take myself away from such beauty.

I know that sometime, perhaps sometime soon, I will be asked to venture into places of darkness, places where no beauty exists to hold up to myself. I can only hope that, by the experience of such beauty now, I will be able to turn my gaze inward, when no outward beauty is to be found. Are we able to make our own truth, our own beauty? I can only but try.


I had a vision as I danced in the water. I heard someone call my name. I knew the voice. I turned around and smiled as I saw my friends, both of recent times, and of times long ago, all as one being. We took each others' hands and pranced in the water until darkness threatened. It gave me such joy, even as I wished that someone had truly been there with me, someone I could have shared the experience with.


To catch a last glimpse of the sun, I scaled the hill from which the water fell and edged ever so closely to its rocky edge. After peering over the crest of the waterfall into the glorious sunlight, I knelt upon the rock and looked down into the pool below, where the deafening roar of water buffeting into rock bellowed its living cry. I closed my eyes, willing myself to remember that day and all the days of beauty that had come before. May I never forget...



"To become one with such beauty, even if only very briefly, would be a truth that I would have forever," I thought to myself. Taking a deep breath, I leapt off the rock and into the water below. The water was more shallow than I had thought, and I turned my ankle pretty good. It will be fine tomorrow, though it be an inconvenient truth for now.

With Light,
Kaleigh

- (1) from Ode to a Grecian Urn, John Keats
- (2) from Song of Myself, Walt Whitman

[This journal entry is written in memory of all my dear friends who have left us for far-distant shores. You all walk with me still, and I will never forget :)]

They might be giants, but their brains are rather small

I came into the camp near the Eavespires and met the few that were there. One of them was an elf named Lithuifin. He told me that he was having some problems with the child-like, yet very dangerous, giants that lived rather close by. He had convinced them that the forests nearby were haunted to keep them from coming too close, but they needed a bit of a reminder.

Apparently, the giants keep a stone they considered a good-luck charm. Lithuifin asked me to steal it from them in order to have them believe that the spirits of the forest had done so! I was not so sure that this would work but causing mischief is sort of a hobby of mine, so I agreed.

I crept up the hill where the giants were milling about and saw their stone charm nearby. Unfortunately, there were two giants keeping watch over the blasted thing! Noticing a pile of rocks nearby, I wondered if I could cause a little distraction for them. By setting myself in line with the two of them, I was able to toss a rock over the closest giant, hitting the one further away. He looked at the other giant and accused him! They bickered for a few seconds, but then fell glumly into silence again. After tossing a couple more rocks, they went at it! I was able to slip in and steal the charm without either of them being the wiser!

After reporting my success, Lithuifin told me that, just in case, he wanted to take a little stronger action. He had me collect some berries from shrubs growing near the coastline, which he brewed into some sort of draught. He told me that the giants tend to collect near the southern end of their encampment in the afternoon for a meal. I was to slip the draught into their cooking pot!

I was quite nervous, more about the chance of being stepped on than of being seen, but I agreed. Very carefully, I dashed from stone to tree to ruin and, finally, made it to the cooking pot, itself! I upended the draught into the foul-smelling brew and skulked away just in time. The giants hungrily ate their stew. As I dashed away, I heard such cries and wails coming from their camp, I had to wonder what sort of concoction Lithufin had created. Better not to know, I thought, while laughing to myself.




After getting some distance from the giant camp, I took my time in returning to the Eavespires, taking in some of the breath-taking scenery that seems so commonplace in this area. Hopefully, if we are able to drive the shadow back, it will always be so.

Lithuifin and I had a good laugh about our mischievous deeds upon my return. It is a shame that all of our foes are not so easily outwitted. The rangers tell tales of foes they have faced that have the might of giants and the intellect of the wisest of sages. I can only hope that I never have to face such an enemy, or, if I do, that I have so many friends and allies on my side that I could never dream of losing hope, no matter what may come.

I am honored to consider you all a part of that group, dear friends! Take care!

With Light,
Kaleigh