departure

There I sat and watched,
as the White Ships bare them hence.
I stood and wept, one so wretched,
left now alone, with no fence.

The White Ships bore them hence.

A seagull did fly upon the wing
its mournful cries tinged with darkness.
I felt for a time that my heart could not sing,
but still I knew my ending would be no less.

The White Ships bore them hence.

With a wild and insatiable heart did I remain,
now to explore, to learn, to fight

Many a tear was shed the other night.

He came to me at the Pony, smiling, being his silly self. He ordered us a huge pot of stew and we ate. He seemed distant, like something wasn't right. I kept on asking him what was the matter. He didn't tell me.

And so, just like that, with no warning, no preparation, I left. Much has happened over the past few months... Too much perhaps. Still, I regret none of it. I never thought that it would be this hard for me to leave Bree... Even for such a small period. It's hard leaving behind people you love... I'd better put things in order, I'm beginning to lose myself in scattered thoughts and emotions.

“When do you leave?”

A fair figure stood, her posture proud and hands clasped, as she waited patiently. Not far from her footing knelt another maiden, preparing rows of bundled rations.

“Orgaladhad...”

“So soon?”

“Indeed Naneth.”

Unclasping her hands she rested a palm upon the crown of the kneeling maiden. As such, the girl looked up at her mother and gently smiled; residing there awhile, whilst the birds chattered amongst the trees and the sound of a babbling brook nearby came to the fore.