Found:
I went back down to the river to watch the sun rise and to retrieve the tray I'd brought down the previous evening. I hadn't meant to disturb the sickly man further. I'd intended to be gone from the town shortly after sunrise. The tray was gone however, so when I saw him sat outside the hut I used to stay in, I had little choice but to ask what had become of it. He told me he'd taken it back already and I was all set to go.
I wasn't expecting a random apology to stop me in my tracks.
I wasn't expecting Rhaug.
Fuck. If I'd known it was him last night, I'd have kept a wide berth. I'd have stayed silent and been on my way with him none the wiser. I'd have left that place without saying so much as a word to him!
I'm glad I didn't.
I hadn't realised how angry I still was with him until I saw him.
I hadn't realised how much he still scared me until I stood before him.
I hadn't realised how tightly I had caged myself within until he spoke those words.
It was... liberating somehow. To forgive him. To apologise in turn for my part in all that happened between us and be forgiven for it. To just... let it go, leave it all behind. I feel better now. Lighter. I can only hope that, one day, he will too.
For although I leave him behind, and not for the first time, in order to do something I believe must be done, although he still suffers from some sickness that I can do nothing to alleviate, although he neither needs or wants my help, I still care about what happens to him.
I can't stay to watch over him; two lives may well depend on my completing this task with speed. I doubt he'd take kindly to me trying even were the circumstances different. Besides, he said he has people caring for him already. That has to be enough. He's strong, he's stubborn, he's not alone. It will have to be enough.
It was later in the morning than I had planned for by the time I finally departed Trestlebridge. Steel is swift, however. We made good time, coming to the edge of the mists by mid-afternoon. I was not expecting to run into Helegrandir.
I'm noticing a trend here.
I can't afford to be distracted. I can't afford to be surprised. Not if I mean to make it back to Bree alive.
We spoke through the night, Helegrandir and I. He's gone now, seeing to some orc threat further along the road. The sun is rising, it's time to go on.
And so, yet again, I sing. I sing to the mist. I sing to the wights. I sing to my horse. I sing.
I survive.
