I have departed upon my quest. I have travelled several miles east with my cart and have put up my first camp near the Lune river. I can still see the Blue Mountains staring back at me, my home. May I return swiftly to those splendid halls!
As I rode hither I noticed Fruni's ring on my finger. I had nearly forgotten I had it and had decided to wear it. A silver ring, unadorned but heavy on the hand, forged long ago by one of our earlier ancestors. It has ever been our most precious heirloom, the symbol of the bloodline of Stouthammer. A single engraved rune F is carved within. Curious that such a simple ring could be so desired. Fruni loved that ring. It reminded him of his father.
O Fruni, my dear departed friend. That I should live to see the final days of my line, to reminisce in solitude the fond memories of better times with none here to share them with me... I will grieve till my beard turns white and withers and I lay sleeping in a tomb of my own aside my kinsmen at Erebor.
Aye, this quest may have come too early. Am I ready for an adventure like this? Is the grief not too fresh? It was only yesterday that I passed the Lune river with Fruni and Fikli and young Frír. I can see us cross the stony bridge very clearly. I can remember Fikli grumbling at my joke and Fruni and Frír looking back at me smiling. O how I miss their company, no matter the quarrels we had at times. I wish they were here right now, accompanying me on my quest. I would feel like I could take on the world!
