It was a rough walk back to her room in the barracks. It wasn’t from the protesting she saw at the jail in Bree, but more from running into another orphan lost and scared from losing their father and mother. After she made herself some tea, Lieta sat in the dark room. Only a candle was lit to give her some light after she covered her window.
The orphan girl, in a way, brought her back to the horrible memories of watching her uncles and aunts argue over who would raise her. It wasn’t really the day she found out that came to her. All Lieta wanted was to not be alone. Instead, that is what happened. She decided to live in Bree on her own and worked long hours to ensure she kept her room.
The fear in the child’s eyes was what Lieta saw again. She saw herself.
She let out a long sigh before realizing that there was a couple of letters on her bed. The one from Sigfread was a reminder on what she needed for Forochel. Easy enough. She had most of the items prepared. All she needed was to learn how to use a bow.
It was the second letter that made her smile.
My Lieta,
I saw some burnt pages in the fireplace, the only thing that came in my mind is that you have burnt the books that Sigfread found in your room. What he did was inappropriate in more than one ways, but in the same way I think it showed everyone that we are more than just a company, we are close to each other as friends and as some say, as a family.
I am not angry at you for having them, you are a young girl who has just started to explore the world and other things. Maybe I seemed upset, maybe I am upset if I am thinking that you're going to start meeting boys and even bringing them around. Maybe, I have no right to be upset, I am not your legitimate parent after all, but that doesn't stop me from loving you as if you were mine, truly mine!
I will love and protect you no matter what, I named you my heir, my successor for all I posses and that will not change, for any reason. I admire you for what you because as I admired you the first day I met you. A girl alone in life, brave enough to join a band that travels and fights, from that humble cook you became a brave fighter, agile and learning day by day. You proved how courageous you are on that wagon and only I know how afraid I was of losing you should anything go wrong. But nothing went and I am thankful for that.
Now I am looking forward to see how much you will evolve. But remember, if you do not wish to lead anyone to a battle don't. Nothing will change, you will still be my heir and the little one I love. One cna choose the path of peace and help others with deeds of peace and one can choose the path of the blade. I chose the latter, for that is who I am. You have the choice to do either or both. Read to learn more about the world, observe the world around you, learn about life and yourself. Learn to fight and defend yourself or others and do what you think is right for you. I will be always by your side to guide and protect you.
The one who'd be proud to be your true father,
Fiontann of Bree-land
Mr. Fiontann’s letter reinstated why she enjoyed risking her life on a wagon and being inside as it rolled. He didn’t know it yet, but Lieta was happy to consider him a father of sorts. She hid the letter away in her journal.
Soon after, a pie was left in his office. She didn’t write a note, but she knew he’d know who it was from.
Unless he thought of the hobbit cook first...
((Letter was written by Fiontann.))
