Taala

Ever since Deorgast has been forgiven by the most recent Thane of the Wold of the crimes he had been accused of, The Swiftly abandoned his nomad ways to stay in Rohan and defend the Wold against the Easterling threat that rose, each day more bold and strong. He was now not a hunter in light clothing and only a bow and backpack by his side, but he returned to being a fully armoured soldier, with a sword and shield. However, always with his bow by his side.

Home is supposed to be where you lay your head. Where at the end of the day you go, Where you feel comfortable. Surrounded by loved ones, friends, brothers. A man defends his home. But what happens when a man has no home? When he is cut adrift on the whispering wind. No roots anywhere. I cannot connect. The Mark holds no appeal to me anymore. I yearn never again to linger on those grassy plains longer than neccessary. Almost as much as I wish to leave and never again think of the afflictions I have suffered in the Bree-lands. I'm a wanderer, I always have been.

I decided to tell the Captain's daughter everything. I do not know why.

Perhaps I thought it would wash away my sins. I cannot bury these lies within my heart much longer.

Having to remember each lie. Which lie you told which person. Which truth you did and did not speak. It is a truly exhausting thing. It wears down on you year after year until you know longer even know yourself.

~ A crumpled up and yellowed parchment, frayed at the edges and worn from continued folding along the middle, would lie thrown somewhere in Combe, blowing in the Spring breeze ~

It is early as I write these words, I have just carried my flower home. As I saw her sleeping the morning prior I crept out of the house with a heaviness in my heart. I still could not think. Yet as the day wore on I grew lighter of spirit, the walk clearing my head as I suspected it might. And the further I got from home. Through the woods. The more I wished I had remained in bed at her side. The intensity of feeling building up within me and I dared to smile at the thought of just being around her.

Pa- Bear

Narthall- Owl

Skelly- Fox, Crow

Kat- Lioness

Taala and Ero- Rabbits

Poor reader. You who have persevered thus far. Why do I talk to you? I was right in saying Delinor has a stronger heart than I. I tire of the webs of deception and the masks. Albeit for different reasons. But what should she do to me if she learnt that I had cut off Theroneth's head? He was in my employ for a goodly long while. That I hunted her old associates. That I killed the man in cold blood for naught but the crime of playing an influence in the degeneration of my father's path. Being one of the primary instigators I believe. Wouldn't it have happened anyway?

I woke up today with a pounding head but I felt significantly more well rested as the morning wore on. Last night I had such a fright, Taala could have very easily read my book though I do not know as she would violate my privacy in such a way. Within these pages are sensitive matters. She very nearly could have read them all within the space of an evening. I suppose I am fortunate she was worse off for the mead. My innermost thoughts, bound in fetters. She could have been privy to them all. If not them all, Then a very great deal. I have been so vulnerable.

Dear diary, has it really been a week? I do apologise for neglecting you so. It could be worse. I have left you a year before. A man has had much business to take care of. Contracts to fulfill, babies to clean up after. And girls to avoid. There are some new recruits in the Dawn. One of them particularly obnoxious. I said nothing. He will learn how the game works or he will be gone. But I am also conscious of something anew all of a sudden. I have superior officers these days. Fancy that. Though they treat me with the utmost of respect and do not order me around like cattle.

My little boy has just drifted off to sleep. It is time to return to the manor untill the morning comes. Absently in my mind I cannot shake the thoughts of that infernal girl out of my head. I am far more aloof than I once was. Perhaps not as convincing in keeping people off the scent that my mind would be troubled. But I have started not to care, my priorities have changed. I spoke with Delinor who goes by the alias of Katey and made a quiet inquiry or two. If she could see in Cirywen the very same qualities of the woman she once hated as well as I did.