Again I sit under the willow behind my study, wondering what path to take upon now. Plenty of things have happened since I returned to Breeland after the war ended and I feel like all of them were fine and well. However lately I have felt restless in my current state.
Here I live a simple peaceful life as I had always hoped to experience. No more wandering, no more war. Just me and my bow. Hunting for all those who hire me. Occasionally I'll go out to the town and grab myself a bounty or two. Mainly I do this because I fear of growing ''Rusty'' as they would say.
It has been quite a while since I parted from the Black Steel Company. Fiontann and the others seem to be doing well, getting into their usual set of troubles like always. I am sure they'll be fine though. They have Alagnir at their side as well now so that brings allot of ease to my mind. He is still young but my journey with him towards Gondor has proven he is very capable as well. Yet I do think often of them. I'd lie if I'd say I do not miss the trouble they always caused and even the ignorance that they came forwards with. I have not spoken to Fiontann for a while now, I wonder how he is doing....
Then there is my recent encounters with the other one.... Silver.
In the mountains I found her first after a long time. Her eyes were sunken and broken as was her spirit... She did not hide it either. Grief, anger, hate. It was all too clear to me that she was going through something I myself had too as well. More often then I have ever admitted to anyone. It pained me to see her so. No person should go through such a thing... That is what I thought. So I figured I'd try and help her if I could.
Upon returning to Breeland after finding my bounty frozen to death in a small crevice between two snow-covered cliffs, I went straight for my study and went to look for a book. The lady of Nenuial helped me before, I know I have recorded her saving my life and allowing me to walk properly again. I thought, and still hope, she could do the same for Silver. Maybe that would at least cheer her up a little I thought. And so, after finding the old journal, I sought her out again and gave her the book. She is a woman of plenty doubt and uncertainty. She does not really trust anyone... But I am not one to judge on that, am I now.
Her eyes were different though. More hopeful as it seemed to me. Perhaps she has found something, or someone, that brought back the light that she lost. Whatever the case I am happy she is back on the right path as well.
I gave her the book and all the information I could spare. Not a day later I found her at her camp and she had plenty of questions still... So I answered them as best I could.
Now it is up to her to make the choice. To heal her old wound and regain her mobility or to stay as she is.
The woman did however cause the unease that I am feeling now. She spoke a bit of her way of life. Her returning to a life of wandering and it made me reminisce about that of my own.
Wandering around the world without care is now something I could do. Not needing to always watch my back. Learn and meet people just for the sake of doing so. Telling stories and sharing drinks....
Aah.. This restless feeling of settling down. Have I truly lived that life for too long? Is there no escape from the life of wandering that I have always known? I don't know.. I don't care.
I feel like I should travel again. Soon... Very soon...
Where too? Fornost? See what remains of that place? See what I can recover from my fallen kin there? Perhaps Forochel? Where I lived for so many years and returned so often. Visit the tribes again and tell them stories around the warm fires. Or maybe I should go to Angmar. Unroot the last evil that may still remain there. Become a ranger one last time?
So many places to visit and plenty of time to do so. Yes. I should go travel again.
Alone? Maybe... Maybe Eli wants to come along. I did promise her I would help look for her father. Then again, I do like traveling alone as well. To be able to collect my mind on all that has happened in the last year or two. And so much happened indeed. All of Gondor. The loss of my friends, the end of the war...
For now... I'll sleep soundly under the willow in my backyard. It is a clear night, warm and with a very mellow breeze. Aronath proves once more to be the best pillow I could ever ask for. Just like old days.
Lets sleep old friend.
Even the restless need it.
