"Oh, what a beautiful mornin'! Oh! What a beautiful day! I've got a lovely feel-lin' everythin's goin' my way!" Maybe today will be that 'wonderful day' My Lady is always talking about? Was it not she who taught this song? Some song sung by country farmers long ago that spoke of all the beauty to be found around you in the morning if you only had eyes to look. I try to look. I do! I see beauty all around me, but since Andrass left and Da kicked me out of the troupe... nothing has seemed wonderful. This last month, Yule included, has felt dark and gloomy and miserable. Maybe Hound-Friend's Moot will cheer me up? It was nice of him to offer after he saw me drinking my pain away. Didn't have the heart to tell him I had been doing that every night for over a month now.
Andrass left me a month and a half ago. After he proposed and promised he would be with me all Yule before going back out to kill Orcs (his life's mission), he went off to go fight some Orc far away. I told him if he broke his promise and left, we would be done. He still left. I guess I didn't mean as much to him as killing Orcs. He told me I did, then showed me I didn't. Why am I so surprised? He didn't propose because he felt like it, because he wanted to. He did it, because he pitied me. My Da's stupid ultimatum to get engaged by the time he leaves first of February or leave the troupe and support myself. He thinks living on my own will change my mind about getting married. All it did was separate me from my brothers and the life I had known.
I loved traveling with my family's troupe. I didn't always travel with them. Until I was 10 years old I helped Mum work the home farm while Da and my brothers traveled the world performing. Mum taught me how to cook, clean, sew, take care of the animals on the farm, tend the soil, grow enough crops to feed everyone through the winter and into next year, which crops to grow which time of the year, and how to preserve certain foods so they will last. She showed me how to embroider any shape that comes to my head with the right thread on cloth. How to reuse old clothes to make new ones. She even showed me how to play the lute. It was Mum who fostered my love of music. I remember hearing her sing. She was a morning singer. She saw the Wonderful Day every morning. She still does. I think that is how she deals with Da being away most of the year. Sometimes for years at a time if we have a show in Gondor. Had. Had a show....Not part of the troupe anymore Leo.
What would they being doing about now? Day before they set out, so probably double checking the wagons are packed and everything was accounted for. Double and triple checking. Mum would be making a big meal. Something hearty and special. Decadent. Probably with some fancy pastry. Mum has always been a wizard with pastries. We would all stuff ourselves, drank, and celebrated. We were allowed to celebrate all we wanted, as hard as we wanted, but we knew we would be up before the sun and setting out on a very long, hard journey. We are acrobats, fire-eaters, knife-throwers, contortionists, and men of daring. We are hearty folk.
Based on the size of my brothers, no one doubts we are of hearty stock. Even my twin brother Rob was a big lad. Is. Is a big lad Leo. IS.
What people doubt is that we are also fighters, hunters, trackers that can find safe (ish) paths through the Misty Mountains, men and women that have felled trolls and orcs, and we are survivors. No matter how hard, we will get through. Confidence and hope are our strengths. Even when we were snowed in and the food ran out or when the war parties would attack us as we crossed the endless plains of Rohan. Confidence and Hope would get us through. That and hours and hours and hours of boring training every day no matter how tired we were or if all I wanted to do was curl up in a ball and die when my body was rebelling against me. Treasonous bit--. We trained. Sword and shield. I hated training, but I always seemed to come out of a fight in spite of being so little. Hearty.
Let's see. Da would take the path up the river from Buckleberry Ferry to Oatbarton, then into Annuminas. See the lads. Sing them a song or tell a story or two and be on our way. Meet the rest of the troupe in Trestlebridge by the first to set off for who knows how long. When I was younger Da would keep us out there for years at a time. Now he sticks to Spring, Summer, and Fall and back home by Winter. We don't go near as far anymore. They don't. Stop doing that, Leo. Not in the troupe. I really hope they have drinks at this Moot thing.
Here I go! Smile. Be friendly, but not too much. If they are anything like Tree-Walker you at your whole self might scare them. Be calm. Low key. No bouncing. No singing. Don't bring your lute out during the meal and PLEASE try not to flirt with everyone you see. I don't care how beautiful they are. NO FLIRTING. You can do this, Leo! Confidence! Hope! Puppies!!!!
By Elbereth's Ethereal Echoing Essence of Eternal Elegance!!! They have puppies!!!! DO NOT touch those pups, Leohna! Restrain yourself! But...the cuteness!! No! Fight it! They honor pups here, as well they should, and you don't want to make your hosts mad by cuddling each and every one of those wee furry faces full of puppy breath. You can do this. We prepared for the possibility of this. Stay strong. Stay strong. Focus on making it to the front door. One step at a time. Just like when they made you crawl through that goblin hole, because I was the only one that fit. Blegh. I was picking awful out of my hair for days. There you go! At the door and I didn't kiss a single puppy. Doing good! Now knock, smile, and mind your manners. Behind door number one is...The ruggedly handsome woodsman himself. It might be a Wonderful Day after all.
Looks like this Moot is the place to be. Full house. Lots of beautiful women, Master Doc and his quiet friend. What was his name again? It will come to me. AND more pups!!!! Oh! I never want to leave!! So many adorable, fuzzy, wiggle bottom loves! Ok. Focus. Something smells....edible. Vegetable Potage. Not bad. Made by the head handsome himself. That's sweet he would do the cooking. Not many leaders I've met would get their hands dirty cooking for everyone. Maybe I'll offer my cooking services while I am here. Hopefully, they won't need my healing skills for a long while. Cooking could be a way of helping out. Pulling my own weight. I will ask Hound-Friend.
Another late comer, I see. With another pup!! I love this place!!! Byrge! His name is Byrge. Just had to wait for someone to introduce him. The silent dwarf is Byrge. Now I will remember. There is Jessandra, a trapper. Jess from the other day. Tree-Walker. Miss beautiful and shy. Such a sweet lass. She looks uncomfortable. Hmmmm? Probably all the people I would think. It took her a little to warm up to me and I'm not threatening to anyone. Not outwardly any ways. Home-Wright, Hound-Friend's sister. Good to know. Wood-Sculptor. I am loving these names! The new lass never gave her name, but protects boar. Interesting.
Hound-Friend's throat sounds sore. I should check on it after the Moot. Make sure it isn't getting worse. Brave man. Foolish, but brave and such good hearted. Standing in freezing water to save a hound. My heart! Don't cry thinking about it. I know those sort of stories gets you all choked up, but you are better than this, Leo! Listen to what they are saying. This is important. Wait. Did Handsome just say my name? Oh, yes! My offer of healing and his offer to let me stay. That man has a big heart...and a good sense of humor. Cheeky! I love it! Don't wink at him! Quit flirting! What impression are you giving? What would Mum say if she saw you? Mouthful when your name is mentioned and winking at the chieftain? He has a nice smile though.
He listened and took his treatment! He feels better! I'm still going to look at it, sometimes it feels better before it gets worse, but I don't think that is the case. The secondary infection was mild. That smile though! Oh, no! Come back smile! Snow-hair....wow. Lots of sad people at the mention of that name. They must really miss her. No wonder he said morale was a bit low. Might need more information about what is going on before I think more on this...mood. Bees? Seamus cared for bees. Until Wil's cow ate his field of flowers and his bees moved their hive on him.
Messenger hounds? Clever. Ruggedly handsome, big heart, loves animals, cheeky, AND clever. Well done, Woodsman. He mentioned they were hearty folk as well, but what more where they? Their names sort of say what they do, but not who they are. Soon find out though once I get settled in. Figure out how to coexist without breaking their rules or traditions and then start digging deeper and getting to know everyone. Quiet bunch. Threat of Orcs would make me quiet too.
Cheeky. I wonder if he is really bubbly once he gets some sunshine in him? Doc certainly is! How funny is that! A dwarf calling me tiny! Well, he does have a point. I am smaller around than most dwarves. He is smiling at me again. He really does have a nice smile. Back to business it looks like. Adorable pups are playing. Jess left. Wood-Sculptor seems nice. Should be fun getting to know her. Wood-Wright seems fun too. Looks like the Moot is done. Interesting. Everyone gets their voice heard. And he seems to really listen. Interesting.
Doc and Byrge left. This mystery lady next to me is a sweet one. Lots of nice people around here. Why is everyone so glum all the time? I understand the threat of Orcs would make anyone glum, but there is more here. I am sure of it. Best not to pry. It isn't my business, but I can't shake the feeling of wanting to help them all. See them happy. How odd. Now Tree-Walker is leaving. Now Ljota. Looks like these Moots break up quickly. Now Home-Wright is leaving. Poor lass looks so tired. I don't blame her. I am getting tired myself. I need something to pick me up. Wake me up. I bet that rugged...No! Stop it. You have already broken your no flirting rule by flirting with pretty much everyone in sight tonight, including the dwarves. Stop it. Think of something else. Maybe the goblin tunnels? Oh puppy!!
I CAN LOVE UP ON HIM!!!!!!
Every day should have lots and lots of pups in it. Every day! Little love! He is so precious! Happy hound. Speaking of Hound....Poor Hound-Friend looks so tired. He is smiling at me again! He really needs to smile more. That face was made for happy. Not frowns. All of these faces are, but his most specially. He needs some joy in his life. He does have pups and who could be sad around so many pups? But he needs some other joy. None of my business, Leo. Don't interfere.
Wood-Sculptor is leaving. Now the mystery woman. I can't believe no one said her name this whole time! Next time. I'll learn it next time. Now it is me and Hound-Friend. Poor man looks so tired. I hope his throat isn't getting worse. He looks so sad. So...weary. Why does he keep thinking I am going to run for the hills? Lovely lasses, hounds as far as the eye can see, a ruggedly handsome man who is touching my shoulder leading me to my new room....what is not to like? And cheerful dwarves. Cheeky. What a laugh too! That needs to happen more often.
What an adorable room! It is perfect! I was worried it would be this big thing all to myself, but it is so small with a tiny bed and tiny dresser. Look how cozy that bed looks! I bet two people could fit on that.... Stop it. What is wrong with you lately? You are never like this. Control yourself woman! He is always so amazed when I tell him of one of my homemaking skills. Yes I sew! He wants to repay me....I have a few ideas. Stop it! Why are you flirting SO MUCH with this guy? Go to sleep...quit staring at his bottom as he leaves. Even though it is a nice bottom. Go to sleep and get ready to move your bags from the Pony to here. Call it a night and get ready for something new. And hey, you don't even need to get up painfully early tomorrow. I might just sleep in.....
