Maddoct to my dear Lady Liffey,
I was surprised to receive a letter so soon! My ever-worried mind began to assume that some ill fate had befallen you or Bíld, and the relief was great as I saw it wasn’t so.
I do believe I scared off your cousin; I can't exactly recall her name. You two look rather alike, especially in the light of the fire! I think I scared the lass, but I don’t know exactly what I did. Perhaps she was surprised I was a dwarf, perhaps my beard was too haggard from earlier events, but after delivering the letter she ran off swiftly.
Otherwise, your letter’s contents made me smile. I feel both touched and generally flattered that you considered writing. The thought of Bíld being enraptured by ghosts amuses me, though I hope I didn’t accidentally perpetuate it; I told him a tale not-too-long-ago of how I ran into a ghoul, and he seemed thrilled to be scared by it (which I both do and don’t understand).
It worries me to read of encroaching goblins. I remember passing through those lonely lands at the end of autumn last year, and they seemed unsettling then. To think they are worse makes my heart fret. Though I know you are tough and know the land well, and I know Lady Arlis is probably terrifying in battle, so I am reassured. I hope she is not too meanly to you. And good that Bíld teases you! You deserve it for how horrible you are to me! (I jest).
I have read further into the book you gave me and it is I thin I have come to the conclusion tha after reaching such salacious conten I do not wholeheartedly dislike it though many of its contents are improprietous at best.
Otherwise I have not a single inkling of doubt that Bíld would accept your company the whole way to Rivendell. I encourage that you ask to join the caravan! I know not the opinion of the others, but if they are any amount of fond of Bíld as I am, they will let you join at his insistence.
Why can’t you leave Sedryn? Apologies if that sounds inconsiderate, but he’s grown; I think he would survive if you let yourself indulge and go on a trip. I’ve heard the Valley is a great sight, and I’m sure the forests on the way there will look beautiful at this turn to Autumn. But that is simply my opinion; do what you think is best, and what you prefer.
If you have already asked and joined by the time this is received: great! If it is too late to ask: I look forward to seeing you home soon!
Things have been well here; busy, busy with work. Busy with drawing concepts, busy with writings, busy with readings. Busy with meeting peoples or getting to know familiar ones better. I’ve been eating too much (as always)! I saw a friend again, a young girl no older than five got away from her current caretakers (the same night I got your letter), I got my head whacked by a Dwarf (but luckily another friend saved me from him), and a neighbor to the Soothery caught me practicing lute/singing in the yard (to much of my embarrassment!). But elsewise nothing incredibly eventful has occurred, and certainly nothing bad.
Stay safe; wherever your journey leads next, I wish you all the best luck!
Sincerely, with great fondness,
Maddoct son of Haddoct
