Today I finally managed to catch Archiebald and trade the vest I had made him for the cutlery we sorely needed. He seemed happy with what I had made and now the keep has some more cutlery to spare and that of fine craft, we will not have to wait for another to finish eating before we can eat. It shall be a great relief.
However Ulfey still insists that we get a new stewpot to cook in over the winter months. I asked the blacksmith for one and for three pairs of socks I can knit he is willing to craft me a pot of a smaller size, she claims we already have enough small pots and so it will not do. I am uncertain if I shall manage to trade off any goods I sow or knit for a large pot, he wishes for either coin or potatoes in addition to the three pairs. Where am I to get any potatoes at this time?
We do not have much coin between us and what we have we must keep to trade with the Bree-landers for supplies, a pot may take too much of what has been saved up but I will speak with Thorontir on the matter and see what he will say. I guess this is one of the problems with living as we do, our work does not pay in coin.
I have not heard anything more in the town lately and it has given me time to think or remembering rather. I miss my home in the North Downs, Esteldín. Life was so much simpler there. We would care for the children, keep the homes clean, cook food for the men who were returning from their scouting, sow and knit clothing and protect the home when the men were away. Now I feel my whole world has gone upside down, my duties do not only lie in keeping our new home in check and feed the company but now I take a weapon in hand and join the men on their expeditions. I fight along side them. It is a strange thought and one I'm still uncertain how to feel about but I know it is necessary and I must do my part now that most of our kin have ventured south to heed the call made.
I can only pray that my lack of experience shall not be the downfall of this company, that I can do my part and be brave when I need to be. I have already taken a life and even though I know it was needed it still makes me feel uneasy. I shall pray my spear never has to find the flesh of Men as we continue to watch over these lands, I do not know if I could handle such an encounter.
For now I shall continue to keep a home, knit and cook so that we may survive this winter. Having Ulfey here has taken a lot of the pressure, it was not easy being the only woman here to care for this place - the second pair of hands has been well welcomed.
I will speak to Thorontir soon to see if I can get coin to trade for the larger pot that is needed since it shall be hard to get any potatoes, as I am not truly from such a farm. Though I could never tell Archiebald such. No, I must have him and the others believe I am a simple farm-hand on the potato farm up in the north owned by the Ferns. I do not like fooling people as this but it is necessary if I am to move among them and listen to the gossip the town has, hear of news and developments within the community without them turning and avoiding me as I step through the town. We rangers do have a poor reputation among the town's people after all.
The winds have turned colder, I must remember to try and find something to board up some of the cracks in these ruins so that the company does not freeze in the night.
