It was dusk, the dark sky was cloudless and the air was clear, the faint sound of the crows flying back to roost could be heard as I stood under the sign of The Prancing Pony smoking my long clay pipe, I spied a woman sitting lazily by the fountain, she seemed out of place somewhat, she would carelessly trail her fingers in the water singing to herself in a tongue I knew not.
On a whimsy did I sit by the fountain opposite her and listened to her tune, but as usual, I was more interested in books and tomes than I was interested in other people. I happened to be reading a text written by Mr. Vandal himself about the lost ruins of Arnor and of the ancient city of Annúminas besides the Lake Evendim. A fascinating book which I would recommend to every scholar and historian interested in the Kings of Old.
As I sat by the fountain, deeply engrossed in my book, I couldn't help but overhear a rather heated discussion coming from one of the Watchers and some other woman... From what I understood, there was a burglary and she was perhaps connected to the crime. What happened next not even I could have predicted.
The carefree woman besides me started to grumble... It would seem almost like a growl, this put me off reading indeed for how could I study more of the ancient Numenoreans and Elendil's legacy when someone merely a few feet away from me was growling like a beast?! I closed my book and turned around... Only to find that this woman had marched straight up to the Watcher and seemed most intimidating.
I got up, spying the ever so guilty looking girl slowly back away from this Watcher as he was distracted.
"No cage!" this strange woman yelled in a gruff voice as if she was ready to roar, "No cage for woman!"
She certainly did not sound as if she was from around here... By this time, our guilty little criminal friend had bolted and ran down the road, what could I do other than to give chase and hope that I could apprehend her for when the Watchman arrived?
I sprinted after her, through the alleyways and confusing sprawl of marketplaces and houses did I peruse her... But alas, I lost myself and the burglar. Already there was some Dwarf trying to offer me fish for a reasonable price... Some man shouted over towards me to try to sell me some cloth... It was all quite overwhelming, I had no choice but to return to the Watchman and report what happened.
With shield and club in hand, I walked back up to the fountain... Only to see the woman from earlier full on arguing with the Watchman. She was rambling on in broken Westron about cages and evil men... I reckon she was not quite right in the head... My theory was only proven correct when without warning, the woman had grabbed the Watchman by the collar and lifted him up slightly from the ground despite him wearing a full hauberk... This woman had unbelievable strength.
Of course I had no choice but to jump in, and it as if by luck that another man of The Watch had come to sort out this commotion. The foreign woman was at this point rather distraught, she let go of the unfortunate Watchman, clearly age was not on his side as he staggered somewhat, I managed to convince her to sit down before any more trouble was caused...
I spoke to the Watchman, turns out his name was Nygell, he was a friendly fellow who seemed too tired of having folk treat The Watch with disrespect... I could not help but to feel sorry for him, I told him what happened back down at the Markets, he seemed glad that someone around these parts at least tried to help The Watch... Strange really, I thought The Watch was at least respected around here...
We only just got talking, when suddenly, with us both caught off guard
*WHACK!*
he woman had thrown a large rock into Nygell's back, still bickering on about cages like a mad fool!
Nygell was not the youngest Watchman by far, he fell to his knees shocked by the impact and the speed of which the rock was hurled towards him, I helped the man up and turned to confront the woman, she was standing on the bench of the fountain snarling her teeth at me... It was then I realized that her teeth were unusually sharp and shaped... Similar to the jaw of a bear!
The two Watchmen were already thinking about fining this woman on the spot for assault on an Officer... The price of twelve silvers was demanded... A reasonable price considering her behavior.
Unfortunately, she did not quite understand what was asked of her... Which only made matters worse.
She threw a punch towards Nygell and that really kicked things off... Before I knew it patrons from the inn were gathering outside to watch as the two men desperately tried to wrestle the enraged woman to the ground, Nygell even resorted to striking the woman over the head with the back of his axe... It did not work as intended and only served to enrage her further.
I stood in horror as I witnessed the brutal struggle going on in front of me, with my large shield I blocked off the curious and rather angered citizens, some were screaming "Watch brutality!", others were taking bets on whether the woman would escape or not. Never before have I witnessed someone with the strength and endurance of two fully grown men and then some to withstand the strikes and blows... Though eventually she tired out and gave in... Exhausted and in pain. I felt that I should at least help escort her to the Jail.
It all happened so fast. And I still can't figure out why. All because Nygell was doing his job... All because this woman with the strength of many men did not understand what the Watchmen were doing. I stood in the dusty hallway of The Bree Jail with many keen and unfriendly eyes gazing upon me, the woman was asked her name by one of the officers before she was sent to a cage of her own...
Dalfura...
That name I shall not forget, fate seemed to have a mind of its own... And that day alone I learned more about Bree than I possibly would have if I spent the rest of my days with Mr. Vandal...
I shall write more of this encounter soon... I hear the Watchman banging on the door, he demands that I leave now... I've done my part well as a mere citizen... I do not think I wish to be part of The Watch anymore...
Dalfura... There is more about that woman than I may know... How come did she manage to fight off the Watchmen for as long as she did? She looks utterly frightened in that cell despite the fact that she would be released later tomorrow... I ought to go check up on her... Mad she may be for attacking poor Nygell like so... But I do not think she is an evil person...
