I had naught to my name after I left Archet. I travelled for a time with a few others leaving ter find work or shelter with friends and family in Bree, Combe and Staddle. I only knew Bethyn I 'ad no one else see. I 'ad little money, so when one of our band o travellers said 'e heard ther' be work at a farm nearby I went with him ter ask. Sure enough there was.
The farmer was a 'obbit, Master Grudlow Tewshanks, a fair sort, and though he wer doubtful that he'd get much work outta me, 'e gave me a try.
I tended the hens and pigs. But I found it right 'ard ter drag meself up afore dawn each morn to start workin' the land.
Me cough wer worser than afore, All that black smoke from the fire the night Wil died. One mornin' as I was out in the farmyard, collectin' eggs, I 'eard a voice call out..
“Good day my good woman”, (I turned and saw a tall thin weasely lookin' fellow standing by the gate).
He looked me up and down and with a slight smirk he asked.. “Are you the good owner of this fine Farm?” I frowned a bit and told un “No”
“I couldn't help but notice my dear, ..your dreadful cough”..he gestured wide with 'is 'ands..”you see mistress I am Fendrel Fefferfew, the Apothecary!” “I can help you with that cough, it just so happens I have the very thing!”
He went on.. “I have treated many folk hereabouts in Combe and Staddle and even Bree. Everyone knows of me, why only last month I was called to attend to the Mayor of Bree 'imself!, (He whispered low ter me), “..bad case of sweatfoot” But I set him right too mistress. Ask anyone, I 'ave quite a reputation 'round these parts.
I listened to 'im, more impressed. 'E did seem quite well dressed and well spoken, like a scholar type.“an 'ow could yew 'elp me sir?” I asked.
“I can make you a potion, one that I took myself once after a terrible cough I had, and look now” ('e banged 'is chest and breathed in deep ter show there wer no cough there). I asked 'im if 'e had any of this potion with im? But 'e shook 'is 'ead and said “Ahh.. alas no sweet lady, not about me, it is such a rare mixture that I must travel out of Bree to find the herbs and ingredients it needs”.
I wer that grateful to 'im, 'im being so kindly and all that I reached into my skirt pockets and caught 'old of me coin purse. I began to count out what I 'ad. I looked up and saw master Fefferfew's hand outstretched impatient like. I din' like ter keep 'im waitin' 'im bein' such a busy man an all, so I gave 'im everythin' in it.
“Good good my dear lady, fear not there will be more than enough here, I will bring back any coin I do not need to purchase the troll nails”, he smiled showin' his broken stained teeth.” I shall return in two days with the brew, and you will be able to do the work of ten in no time!”
I watched 'im make 'is way down the hill away from the farm, as I did the farmhouse door opened and mistress Tewshank came out carrying a bucket o swill fer the pigs. “Here you are Igerne”, she sang out “for the pigs ”. She noticed the baldin' 'ead of Fendrel bobbin' away down the hill..
“Hmmph! I hope that wasn't who I think it was”, she muttered peerin' after 'im.
“Oh! You mean Master Fefferfew?" I says, "Yes that wer 'im, yew 'ave 'eard of 'im then Mistress and 'im a great 'pocathary an all?”
She began ter laugh! Real 'ard like.. “Well bless yew Igerne! He's no more a 'Great Apothecary' than I be the thane of the shire!” I put me 'ead down ter cover my upset and she went on..
“No.. he's a terribel fellow Igerne, he be well known alright, well known for taken folks money ,Have nothing to do with him Igerne, he'll be up to no good!” and with that she chuckled to herself and walked back inside.
I wer so upset, so worried. I looked fer 'im but twer no good. I waited patiently 'oping that 'e would return and give me me money back.
I dun saw him just a few days later! As bold as yew like trying ter sell 'is wears ter the farmhands nearby!
He saw me and began ter take his leave, I followed, coughin' and strugglin' ter catch im up.
“Master Fefferfew!” I shouted, “Please sir, where is me potion? Where is me money?” I ran after 'im and grabbed 'old of 'is cloak, 'e spun round and grabbed me 'rist. Oh my 'ow it did 'urt! He leaned in real close and hissed in me face..”Take your filthy hands off me you old mare!” I tried ter pull away knowin' 'e wer no gentleman, but he held me fast and spoke real low, smirkin' like. “There is no money..understand?.. You gave me none!”
I dropped to me knees and begged 'im.. “Oh please! Please master Fefferfew! I beg yew, leave me my money I 'ave lost so much already tis all I 'ave.. I am getting too ill ter work fer much longer..”
But he cast me roughly aside and marched on down the road... the last I did see of 'im and me coin...
