What a long week it has been for me! It began with a fight I attempted in vain to break up.
The fight was between some hillman and a Bree-lander I later learned goes by the name of Catesby. Upon first seeing the two of them, quite nearly standing nose to nose, I thought it to perhaps be a drunken spat. When I moved closer in attempts to break it up, I heard the words of the two were not slurred.
I did not catch the entirety of what was said, but it appeared to be some manner of pride. The hillman likely spoke of Dunland and how it was superior to Bree-land. I suppose it is pointless to speculate, but I did hear enough to know it was some manner of insult on other lands. When the hillman began insulting Rohan and calling Miss Aellwenn (Miss? Lady? I am uncertain of which title I am to call her, as she is some form of nobility.) Ah. I shan't repeat what he called her. I blush upon the memory; it was rather vulgar.
I realise my thoughts have vomited upon the page. Let me begin the sentence again. When he so insulted Miss Aellwenn, Catesby finally wound his arm and punched him in the face.
Though I counted each injury carefully, so as to aptly tend them after the fact, it escapes me now what happened blow for blow. The hillman won readily of course, but seemed quite shaken to have been injured to the extent he was. He stepped over to Mister Catesby and struck his face repeatedly, even after the man was unconscious.
Finally, he let him go. Commanded me to see to the poor man, and claimed he would pay for his next two drinks before walking away. Aellwenn and a man named Florris aided me in bringing him to a room up the stairs and I saw to his injuries. I spent the night keeping watch to be quite sure his head was not further injured than I had believed.
The next day, I stepped out so he could dress and have some time to himself, then came back to find his room full of people. I did not mind, but one of which was a healer, Alfnia. A kind lass, but very unfortunate. Poor girl.
Mister Catesby insisted on leaving his room, and we did not keep him.
I spoke to Miss Aellwenn a while and I must admit; it is rather lovely having a woman of Rohan with whom to speak. Bree is lovely, and I have no particular attachment to Rohan any more, of course. But I have not seen folk of Rohan for many a year. It is odd.
That evening, Alfnia showed me her apothecary and we spoke and had tea after the tour. It was a lovely little place and I felt quite comfortable. I shan't share her story here, so it is safe should anyone happen upon my little book. But it was quite shocking.
I returned home, then back in Bree the next day to check on a patient. Only to find Mister Catesby in another fight with some thug! It happened quite fast and the thug stabbed his leg. I suppose Mister Catesby is determined to be a frequent patient, poor man.
He held up bravely as Aellwenn and some man I had never seen before, aided me in suturing the wound. Thankfully, it was not so deep as to be too troublesome.
I am tired now, but perhaps some merry company and a drink may help me have more energy.
~Ash
