Elias Dimheim,
Most amiable regards and greetings!
I firstly would like to inform you that the Dwarvish New Year has been so far nothing but fantastic! I told you of my worries about returning to mountains and Dwarvish society, but most all of those have been confuted. Though still sometimes I am looked upon as an outcast, I notice it little, and most folk I’ve met in passing are kind. I’ve rested from physician work, began on Maurr’s prosthetic hand, made new friends, and grown closer to the friends I already have. I’ve seen beautiful things and ugly things, happy and sad, been comfortable and uncomfortable; the year has been fine.
I hope you’ve been all right back in Bree. Have you gotten very many patients? Have you gotten out of the Soothery? Are you feeling well? How is your state of mind? Now that I begin to write you, so many questions are in my head. Is the place prepared for Winter? How are the neighbors? Is your assistant still proving good and useful? I hope my absence isn’t detrimental.
Besides to ask this news from you, I write to inform that I’ll be staying here longer than two weeks. In truth, when you’d inquired how long we’d be away, I had no solid answer and said simply the first estimate to come to my mind (which was a fortnight). I see now how great it feels to be in Dwarvish halls among so many loved ones, and I’m not quite ready to leave.
But, trust in me, I will return to Bree! Staying here won’t be any lifetime thing at all, nor even through all of winter (Men get sicker the colder it grows, and opportunities for treating folk are abundant. I’ll certainly return to help those folk). Already I miss the Man-town somewhat; I especially think often of friends such as you. I’ll return in time, and I apologize for being unable to give an exact amount of how long I’ll be here and when I shall depart (I know how you like your exacts, Elias).
Additionally and finally, I have need of your advice. Lately I’ve felt unusual. I’ve never had to make a list for my own symptoms, and preparing to do so feels incredibly odd, but I beg for your help, my fellow doctor friend!
Maddoct Haddoctul — Occasional symptoms over this past week.
* Light-headed.
* Light-footed.
* Clumsy in the hands (usually I’m only clumsy in the feet).
* Restless.
* Flushed cheeks (more than usual).
* Sweaty palms (more than usual).
* Turning stomach.
* Overly-wistful (??).
* Smiling unpromptedly (??).
As you know, Dwarves cannot be seized by fevers nor disease nor any sort of such thing. I ate no bad food either (besides some spicy peppers, but those are very good and I’ve exhibited these above symptoms even without eating those). I will admit — after some thorough thought, this condition feels somewhat similar to infatuation, but there is nobody present for me to be infatuated with, and this appears to be different or more than. It’s nearly unbearable, and seems to grow worse with each passing day.
If you have any advice to spare, I would be grateful. I’m asking you first rather than my Dwarvish companions, because I wonder what a Man’s unbiased opinion may be. And they may find some sort of ridiculous conclusion; I know you’re always rational!
Write back swiftly, and be sure to answer all my earlier questions. And, if you send any in return, I’ll respond to all of them in incredible detail.
Sincerely, though slightly feverish,
Maddoct son of Haddoct
“Doc”
