- written in Haradrim -
I should have written my thoughts down sooner, for I have been in Bree for many days now. I came in search of my older brother and despite many people telling me that they've met someone by the name I've described, I have yet to find him. I started renting a room in the Prancing Pony, but it is so loud and noisy with all of the patrons that come through, that I have considered finding another Inn. It is very unfortunate, because I like the Innkeeper a lot and they have good drinks here. Someone suggested to me that I look in Combe, but I took one look at the Inn and turned back. It's very run-down, and a place like that probably has tons of brigands.
I've met another Haradrim here, named Khazim. I like him a lot, I think that we'll become very good friends. We argue every other time we see each other, for we have very different mindsets, but we also have a lot of similarities and we share the same history. It's interesting to see how my culture from Near Harad differs from his in Far Harad, but also how similar the two are to each other. I feel as if he has become very docile to men who are not kind to him, and he tells me that I need to become the same way because it is safer, but I do not want to. When evil men marched into Harad, we made ourselves smaller and we hid, but I do not want to do that again. I wish he would understand that, or perhaps it's only fear for my safety. I yelled at him, I told him that I never asked him to do that, but I know that I should be grateful that someone is looking out for me in this strange place.
When I lived in Minas Tirith, I felt very small and I felt like I was not myself. I was trying to please a family that would never accept me, and I did not dress in my clothes and I stopped wearing my headscarves. I have not explained this to him, but I am not sure he would understand how I feel. I feel as if when I speak to him sometimes, there is a barrier between us and I cannot convey how I feel about something and why I feel that way.
We had dinner at his home. He promised to make me a dinner that was reminiscient of Harad and it was, truly so. Nothing was exactly the same, but it was very close and it reminded me strongly of Near Harad. Khazim also made me a new head scarf, and I think it's the most beautiful one I've ever had before. Mine from home was a gift from my mother, and so it is very special, but from my journey here it is faded and tattered and I can put it away and still have something nice to wear. I kissed him on the cheek when he gave it to me, but it seemed to startle him. I don't get it, my friends and family always kissed each other on the cheek or both cheeks in these situations, but he said it wasn't that way here. I think that's very sad, because it's such a kind and intimate gesture.
I have found a new Inn to stay in, owned by Piper Plumwood. It's called the Peaceful Peach. It's very peaceful indeed, and very clean, and not nearly as loud. I have my own room on the second floor, and it's very nice.
