Dear mum,
Finally arrived in Bree so I'm writing you this letter to let you know I am alright. Poor Ghostwalker had a hard time on the trip, I didn't always have oats for his evening meal and he had to make do with grass. Not that he ever complains. I am staying at the Prancing Pony Inn, the one Henry recommended. It's supposed to be the best inn around. Don't let me forget to tell you about the hobbits.
The town itself is a maze of twisty, narrow streets, curling back on themselves. I got lost several times trying to find the Scholar Archives. The map Henry loaned me must be out of date. After three days of searching and still not finding the place, I finally got lucky. I was sitting in the common room of the inn, enjoying one of the local ales, (which are far better than Henry said), when the housekeeper asked me my business. Her name is Cym, nice lady, looks after people proper. I told her my problem and she ends up taking me there herself. I should have asked sooner, I know, but you know I'd rather do things myself than bother anyone.
Anyway, you could have knocked me over with a feather when we got there. Turns out I passed the very door a few times last couple of days. It was just some door set in a wall, nothing fancy, no sign hanging or anything. I tried to thank the lady by slipping her a silver or two, but she weren't having none of it. Put her hands behind her back. I can take a hint, so I thanked her very much and she went off on her errand. I knocked on the door, but no one opened, so feeling a bit like a criminal, I opened the door and went in.
Upstairs, there's a few men, reading scrolls and parchments and looking wise and all. None of them take notice of me, so I walk up to one and tap him on the shoulder. He nearly fell off his chair. So I tell him what dad told me, show him the brooch and he points me to the bookshelves then carries on with what he's doing. I thought it was a bit strange that they let just anyone at their precious books, but I was grateful. To cut a long story short, I finally find a book with a picture almost exactly like my brooch. So this book says it's linked to some place in Rohan but doesn't give any family name or anything like that. So I guess I'll be going to Rohan next. Can't say I'll be sorry to leave Bree, the people here are strange.
Before I forget, you know what else is strange? Hobbits! They are like dwarfs, only slightly shorter and less beard. Most of them don't wear shoes. When I saw my first one I thought it was a child at first, then when he talked, I realised he was a grownup, so I thought it was just a short person, you know like Gampy, who never did grow bigger than a dwarf. But in the inn there were a lot more of them, singing, eating and drinking and having a great old time. They are fascinating to watch. Hope you and the boys are well. I'll write again when I know more.
All my love,
Dierra
