Look at this! I haven't seen this journal for years. How time passes. Now what to write, well, I am already writing but nothing of importance. Let's try and write about the latest happenings. How do I start? From the start. Let's see...
Cedwyn is asleep in the bedroom, I am now sitting here and writing this, I don't know why. I just am. It's not that I don't enjoy her begin with me that I am here. Somehow I got up to use the outhouse and I ended up looking in the drawers of my desk, only to find this! We were on a visit earlier, a visit for companionship and conversation from my part, a business visit for her. Let's see how we ended up there!
Some days ago as I was going to the Prancing Pony for a quick ale and to see how things are in Bree I came upon [{Carmillia]]. She was talking to a little girl, a beggar girl, her name's Catherynne. I approached to talk to them but the girl was very cautious and didn't trust me. It didn't help that there was an idiot of a woman around who kept saying lies about men with swords and begging girls. If it wasn't a woman I would punch her right in the mouth. The little girl shied away even more when she came closer, three grown ups were around her, one shouting, one watching and one trying to talk to her, with a Dwarf and a Hobbit further away watching the scene. I just went inside to water my throat with some of Barliman's ale. On my way to the horse and back home they were still outside, the madwoman kept talking but I kept her away from my ears. I gave some silvers to the girl and left after telling her to come and meet Cedwyn and I at the inn so that we'd try to help her somehow. She nodded when I told her there will be plenty of food, Cedwyn always makes sure there is, plenty and tasty.
A couple of days later I saw the girl again, this time with Cedwyn! Now that was a good surprise and a coincidence, or maybe ti was something else. Whatever it was what happened afterwards was the right thing. The girl did trust Cedwyn, so she agreed to come with us to The Thirsty Boar. And not only that! Cedwyn took her as an apprentice baker and started teaching her the art of cooking. And who's a better teacher for such a thing if not Cedwyn? A gentle soul, kind and patient, motherly and always there to help, never to scorn or shout. She'll do a great job with the girl. At first we gave her the room upstairs, but she was worried that if someone wants to rent it they won't be able to since it was taken by her and for free. I watched them cook for some moments. Cedwyn was teaching her how to make something, I think bread. Something with a hole on the bottom and then they poured a drop or two of oil I think. The girl did good for a first time. Watching them interact I found it a good idea to maybe have her move from the inn to a proper house, without interactions and somewhere to call her own. After years on the streets maybe such a thing would be better. So I told them my idea! I have a house in Hamglen that I don't use, so after they cooked I took them there to show it and see the reactions. I gave her the key and we agreed that they would cook and I would clean the yard and furnish the house properly and we'd have dinner there all together for good luck and to warm the house. The deal was on but there was one more thing to be done. The girl was on the streets for a long time, it would be proper to take her to The Blackbird Soothery and have Dimheim examine her to make sure she is healthy and if not to know and buy the necessary medicine. So I told her I'd meet her there after a while.
Elias wasn't there but a Dwarf was, another healer. It seems that Dimheim has two Dwarves under his employ. I met one, the one that examined Cat. His name is Maddoct, he's a great person and I enjoyed his company a lot. He was very respectful and caring with Catherynne, a true professional. He examined her properly but I didn't see the examination to the end. I had arranged the yard clean and I had to buy some mead and wine for the dinner. I just extended an invitation to the healer, who may as well be her healer from now on if she gets sick, to join us at the dinner. Which he did and I am glad for it. The dinner was good, Cedwyn cooked some very good food once again and the drinks were suitable for it, mead and wine. I let the girl drink watered wine, just for the occasion, she is a teenager after all, it's better to be with her in such moments than let her get excessive and alone. Maddoct is a healer from the Iron Hills, a good healer and a good person, he listens and speaks saying what he has to say and when the timing is right. He enjoyed the dinner and the dessert and we all parted happily. He went back to the Soothery and Cedwyn and I went home. Well, first I and then she came, after cleaning with the girl.
And we come to today. I went to visit Elias, Doc told me that he was feeling unwell, so I took some honeyed wine and visited. The first time I saw him was when I had a cold and a cough, then I saw him at the inn during those strange occurrences when the Angmarim were roaming in Bree, months ago. That time I met him as a healer and asked for his professional opinion, this time I went there for a friendly visit and to extend Cedwyn's offer to help around with cooking and see if they can make a contract. Maddoct said that they were short on that these days. It was good to see him again. We settled at once at drinking and eating some food that he was brought by his patient after they heard that he's ill. He's a good man and I enjoy his company. We spoke a little bit of ourselves, our families which don't exist anymore and of love. That man! He underestimates himself a lot. He's a great person that enjoys what he does but he thinks that that's all there is with life. Being in an office and working. He has to relax some. Maddoct joined us not long after and of course he drunk as well. I enjoy their company a lot. Maddoct didn't talk much but he was tired, it was obvious. Elias was reserved at first but I think that the drink relaxed him, even though he doesn't like sweet things he drank, quite a lot for his physique it seems. Oh well, it did not harm and as long as he enjoyed his time I'm happy. Maddoct listened to us and chipped in here and there in the conversations. I occupied almost all their afternoon and when I looked out of the window I saw that it was time to leave. So I left.
But nto for long. Right outside Knotwood I saw Cedwyn who was going there with some goods to see if she could strike a deal. So, I went with her, a fine opportunity to eat her food and drink some more. It's needless today that her food didn't go unnoticed, on the contrary... Elias had to retire early, I did bring a lot of wine. But he said he'll think about it the day after and Cedwyn left the goods to let him decide with taste. I think they'll reach an agreement, her cooking is good, she wants to offer her services and extend her business. They need a cook. Her food is too good.. The Dwarves will not let Elias say no I believe. I saw the other healer too but too briefly, Blida is his name, like Maddoct and Elias he seems to be a great fellow. It's too bad that I had to leave, I hope I will see him before he sets off. If I don't he has all my wishes to find what he's after and to be safe and healthy wherever he goes and to meet again.
I think I've written enough, time to go back to bed again. Tomorrow's another day and who knows what it'll bring!
