Journal entry: Truth and wisdom

I am distraught.

The weeks following that orc raid were quiet and peaceful, which is not something unwelcome. Nothing beyond the occasional scuffle with the outlaws, the usual peculiarity of Bree-town and the diverse crowd of the local inn, the Prancing Pony. Working as a woodcarver, I watched and listened, awaiting news from my kindred. And they indeed came, in form of a request from Thorontir to join an expedition off to faraway lands.

I have read the posters about said expeditions prior to that, listening about the leader and those that would come. Overhearing a bard's song about the man, various stories, more or less exaggerated, about his exploits. This seemed like just another adventure wrought by thrill-seeking folk, apparently led by a veteran adventurer. Nothing out of ordinary.

Then, Ulfey decided to join, followed closely by trouble. A pair - a man and a woman - have visited her, issuing warnings and odd words about the expedition's leader, Welten Oaksford by name - going also by a name of Ser Cabbage, somewhat hillarious if one were to ask me. I must remember to ask the history of said nickname once I join the expedition.

But I digress. The warnings were offered and accusations made, ones I am uncertain of, for I was not present. I did meet Ulfey, however, and she had her house locked from within, something I had never seen her do prior to Thorontir's request. A quick chat revealed that she fears the man that - I assume - assailed her by either deed or word, however I did not pry as to not hurt a friend of kin by these memories. Until I learn the truth, I shall not judge, however what happened later only sparks my suspicion further.

I had joined the expedition as Rob Thistlewool, presenting myself as a friend of Ulfey's to Oaksford and his fellow adventurer, the girl calling herself Mymie. She seems wary and untrusting towards me, which is something I will have to be careful of. The joining was celebrated in the tavern, until a woman gestured for ser Cabbage to join her in the backrooms. Of course, both of us followed to eavesdrop - the girl first, me after. We had overheard some of the conversation - accusations and warnings on the woman's side, and impertinence in the man's voice, neither too kind to the other.

It was then that a man - clad in ranger's clothings no less, and fully armed - stepped in, lurking behind the door in wait. He had not recognised a dúnadan in me, but neither did he care much, the attention bent on the conversation in the backrooms. As soon as the pair emerged, he had snatched the woman's arm and dragged her off. She seemed to follow willingly, as I have learned later, they both knew eachother well and I suspect that more than just kinship ties them.

I noted that meeting, as it had correlated with Thorontir's and Ulfey's words, about the two preparing to assail the expedition we now both were joining. Further raising my suspicions after the former had returned from Imladris, where he was called by a host of elven blood, to resolve the matter peacefully. When he returned, he was upset incredibly, and his tale of the council was what distraught me as well. For the other two - apparently the dúnedain of Evendim - have claimed that Oaksford is a tomb robber and a thief, and plans to steal from the tombs of Annúminas. They claimed he brazenly suggested so during their talk within the Prancing Pony - which I bore witness to and no such words were spoken. They outright lied, and when Thorontir was given an opportunity to present his case, he was rudely shouted down by the woman, and in the end, the elf simply ended the debate early, without allowing my friend to present his point fully. Furthermore, he had cast judgment of the situation without listening to his account either. This vexes me. How can that be considered just?

It would seem that truth and wisdom do not go together these days. But why is it so? Why would a dúnadan lie to an elf so brazenly? Why would his companion insolently shout down another of their kin? These men worry me, for they do not behave like my kindred at all and yet they claim to be the law of Evendim, going as far as to brand people like cattle on a whim, for a mere accusation of theft that did not even happen. They would slay a man merely due to him coming from Angmar, without any regard for his story nor allegiance. They also had imprisoned a Bree-lander against her will, committing various atrocities against the woman, even if that was the act of a single person, not authorised by anyone. This sounds closer to what a servant of the Eye would do, rather than a man of the west.

The expedition moves out tomorrow. I pray that there will be no trouble with these men, but I shall keep my eyes open and my mind wary. If need be, I shall need to reveal myself for who I am, but that is only at the very last resort. I would prefer to remain unknown. Especially to them.